The Qingyang Immortal Emperor had also married the then Holy Maiden of Tai Hua, becoming the son-in-law of Lin Xuantong and the unanimously recognized next Holy Son.
Until the Qingyang Immortal Emperor disappeared…
Now that Lin Xuantong had been guiding Lu Changsheng in cultivation for ten thousand years, he had concluded that Lu Changsheng’s innate talent was even above that of the Qingyang Immortal Emperor. With his discerning eye, he might misjudge a person’s character, but never their aptitude.
“If this person is loyal to our Tai Hua Holy Land, he is indeed worthy of our cultivation.”
“To have even higher aptitude than Qingyang, it’s hard to imagine his future achievements.”
“Lin Xuantong, the Holy Land has already expended a vast amount of resources to train your eldest disciple, but your eldest disciple disappeared without reason, and to this day, there’s still no word. This time, do not let us down. Our Tai Hua Holy Land, despite its vast enterprise, still sees the resources required to cultivate a Holy Son of Great Accomplishment in the Immortal Emperor Realm as an astronomical figure. Moreover, an incident with a Holy Son in the Immortal Emperor Realm is equivalent to the waste of several million years of the Tai Hua Holy Land’s efforts.”
A few Ancestors discussed amongst themselves and basically agreed with Lin Xuantong’s decision.
Lin Xuantong, with a profound look in his eyes, as if deep in thought, said, “Rest assured, esteemed Ancestors, every resource consumed by my disciple will not go to waste.”
“Hold on. Our Jiang Clan’s descendant, Jiang Yu, is not lacking in talent and will soon step into the Immortal Emperor Realm. Lu Changsheng has not contributed to the Holy Land, and being an outsider, what virtues and abilities does he possess to take his place? I am not convinced.”
Find your next read on empire
Seeing that the matter was about to be settled, one of the Ancestors expressed dissatisfaction and protested.
“Jiang Hong is not wrong. If we few old guys make the decision to replace the Holy Son, it would be unfair to Jiang Yu.”
“How about letting the two of them compete? The winner will become the Holy Son, while we few old guys can observe the talents of both in secret.”
“That can be arranged. But my disciple has just become a Ninth Layer Golden Immortal, give him a bit more time to cultivate.”
Seeing the Jiang Family Ancestor’s opposition and in consideration of the Jiang Family’s interests, Lin Xuantong gave Jiang Yu a chance.
Jiang Hong spoke coldly, “If this person’s talent surpasses that of Qingyang’s then and now, then he should be able to defeat a Quasi-Emperor at the Ninth Layer Golden Immortal Realm. Another three thousand years should be sufficient.”
Lin Xuantong’s brow furrowed.
His eldest disciple, the Qingyang Immortal Emperor, indeed had defeated a Quasi-Emperor while at the peak of the Golden Immortal Realm, but the issue was that Quasi-Emperors also varied greatly in strength, sometimes even as far apart as heaven and earth.
Jiang Yu was the most outstanding young genius of the Jiang Clan, which was why he could defeat the other Holy Son Candidates and become the Holy Son.
Currently, Jiang Yu is a Quasi-Emperor, just half a step away from becoming a true Immortal Emperor.
For Lu Changsheng, a Ninth Layer Golden Immortal, to defeat Jiang Yu, a Quasi-Emperor, the task is extremely daunting.
Lin Xuantong was also not confident that Lu Changsheng could emerge victorious.
“It’s a good idea.”
“If his talent really is as heaven-defying as said, then I will accept it.”
The other Ancestors seemed to love a little chaos.
Three thousand years was nothing to them; they could simply enter seclusion, and three thousand years would pass.
But it had been a long time since they last had any amusement.
This competition for the position of Holy Son was indeed interesting.
Lin Xuantong took a deep breath, “Since the Ancestors all agree, then so be it. In three thousand years, let Lu Changsheng and Jiang Yu compete for the position of the Holy Son. I will call everyone together tomorrow to announce this.”
…
The next day, Saint Lord Lin Xuantong summoned all the Supreme Elders, Elders, and Disciples to assemble at the main peak.
Lin Xuantong rarely convened everyone; each time he held a meeting, it meant there was important news to announce.
All the Holy Sons, Holy Maidens, Holy Son Candidates, and Holy Maiden Candidates were also present.
Lu Changsheng stood beside Lin Qinghan as if it had nothing to do with him, entirely aloof from the world.
The news that Lin Xuantong was about to announce couldn’t possibly be related to him, could it?
Holy Son Jiang Yu shot a murderous look his way.
Because of Lu Changsheng’s appearance, his position as Holy Son had become unstable, and the fact that Lu Changsheng could cultivate daily with Lin Qinghan made Jiang Yu all the more envious and resentful.
A proverb came to mind: Fortune comes to those who are near the water.
Lu Changsheng ignored Jiang Yu.
With Lin Xuantong’s support, as long as he didn’t stir up trouble himself, no one would dare touch him.
Keeping a low profile and focusing on cultivation was the best strategy.
An Elder spoke up, “Brother Master, have you convened us today to announce something important?”
Lin Xuantong surveyed the crowd, and eventually, his gaze settled on Lu Changsheng and Jiang Yu.
Lu Changsheng felt uneasy, thinking, “Could it be? How is it that Lin Xuantong’s assembly is related to me again?”
“Lu Changsheng, the Holy Land has decided—you shall become the Holy Son.”
“No way?!”
As Lin Xuantong’s voice fell, the crowd erupted into an uproar.
Lu Changsheng had only joined Tai Hua Holy Land for just over ten thousand years, and now he was to become the Holy Son?
The position of the Holy Son was exalted. Before becoming an Immortal Emperor, one’s status was higher than that of an ordinary Elder and below only the Saint Lord and the Supreme Elders.
Once the Holy Son became an Immortal Emperor, his status would be even higher than that of the Supreme Elders!
Even Lu Changsheng was stunned.
He usually kept such a low profile, so how had he been thrust into the limelight?
“Saint Lord, this is unfair!”
Jiang Yu became anxious immediately.
He hadn’t even done anything yet, and he was to lose the status of Holy Son just like that?
He couldn’t accept this!
A group of Elders and Supreme Elders stepped forward to protest, “This isn’t right. The Holy Son has done nothing wrong and is the top young talent of our Tai Hua Holy Land, second only to the Holy Maiden. How can you replace him so casually?”
The Elders and Supreme Elders from the Jiang Family lineage were the most vehement in their protests, “Jiang Yu’s potential is no less than Lu Changsheng’s, and he is utterly loyal to our Holy Land. There is no need to let an outsider become the Holy Son!”
Lin Xuantong had already anticipated their objections and so he said, “It’s the survival of the fittest. Jiang Yu, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance. As long as you defeat my disciple, you will remain the Holy Son. You both have three thousand years to prepare.”
Hearing Lin Xuantong’s words, Jiang Yu finally calmed down a bit.
He was a Quasi-Emperor, and he would soon step into the Immortal Emperor Realm.
Even if he could not step into the Immortal Emperor Realm in the next three thousand years, his cultivation would certainly be higher than it is now, infinitely close to that of an Immortal Emperor.
How could he, a ninth level Golden Immortal, compete with him for the position of Holy Son?
“Good!”
Jiang Yu clenched his fists.
It was the perfect opportunity to brutally teach Lu Changsheng a lesson.
If he, as the current Holy Son and a Quasi-Emperor, did not dare to face the challenge of a ninth level Golden Immortal Holy Son Candidate, then what right did he have to control the Holy Land in the future?
The faces of many Elders and Supreme Elders improved considerably.
Even if Lin Xuantong, as the Saint Lord of Tai Hua, insisted on promoting his own disciple to Holy Son, it would not be convincing, and the Supreme Elders from other factions would not be satisfied.
Among these Supreme Elders, some were Lin Xuantong’s junior brothers, or in other cases, former Holy Son Candidates.
Lin Xuantong could not ignore their stance.
Lin Xuantong had let Jiang Yu and Lu Changsheng compete for the position of Holy Son in three thousand years, and with Jiang Yu being one realm higher than Lu Changsheng, it appeared to be an advantage for Jiang Yu.
Such an arrangement satisfied the various factions.
The Holy Son was always meant to face the challenges of Holy Son Candidates and other young talents; with Jiang Yu holding an advante in realm, if he were still defeated, no faction could complain.
In the Immortal Realm, strength is paramount; without any accidents, the strongest was destined to rule the Holy Land.
“Lu Changsheng, you wait for me, you’ll just be a stepping stone for me.”
Jiang Yu ground his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment.
Ever since Lu Changsheng had become a Holy Son Candidate, he had a bad feeling, and now, indeed, Lu Changsheng was challenging his position as Holy Son.
Lu Changsheng could only give a wry smile, not really having aspired to the position of Holy Son; it was entirely because of Lin Xuantong’s high regard for him.
“You should cultivate well. In three thousand years, if you defeat Jiang Yu and become the Holy Son, only then I can pass on some unique Divine Skills of the Holy Land. Once the Holy Son becomes an Immortal Emperor, he also gains access to higher levels of the Scripture Pavilion and the Treasure Pavilion.”
Lin Xuantong transmitted to Lu Changsheng secretly.
Lin Xuantong knew what Lu Changsheng wanted.
Otherwise, he was actually afraid that Lu Changsheng would refuse the position of Holy Son.
This disciple, with his extremely low profile, was infuriating; if not pushed forward by his master, he would never seek the spotlight.
Oh?
Lu Changsheng had been about to decline, but Lin Xuantong’s words made him change his mind.
Since there were so many benefits to being the Holy Son, why refuse?