Zuo Mingqiu remained silent, tossing out the Three-Flower Lotus Crown that carried the legacy of the Heavenly Master's Path.
Everyone gazed at the revered lotus crown, a spark of desire in their eyes. Yet, no one dared to make a move, for True Person Chongming was watching them.
Yan Yu reached out and caught the lotus crown.
True Person Chongming: "You will receive the Heavenly Master's Path on this tower. True Persons Yuan Tian, Jie Lü, and the other five will guard you."
Upon hearing this, Yan Yu turned his head to look at Xu Mu. Xu Mu's gaze was incredibly complex. Seeing this, Yan Yu could only shake his head with a wry smile.
"Apologize to your friend for me. Master Zuo has been kind to me. When it comes to whether I can become the Heavenly Master, I have no say."
Yan Yu looked at Xu Mu, speaking with utmost sincerity. He was actually quite helpless. True Person Chongming hadn't told him the purpose of their visit to Tianshi Mountain, only that he should dress formally.
Xu Mu sighed helplessly and said:
"Your life was given by Baiyun Daoist Temple. What can I say?"
"However, even so, Zuo Mingqiu will not let this go. His grievances with Baiyun Daoist Temple, with Tianshi Mountain, and with you cannot be settled just like this."
Xu Mu's expression was stern. Regardless of the process, Zuo Mingqiu felt his position as Heavenly Master had been stolen. A battle between him and Yan Yu was inevitable, concerning life and death, honor, and unavoidable.
"I understand."
Yan Yu said no more. He merely glanced at the weakened Zuo Mingqiu, then placed the Three-Flower Lotus Crown on his head and strode towards the Tongtian Tower. His movements were swift, and people along the way parted, clearing a hundred-meter-long path.
True Person Liangduan, his face pale, watched Yan Yu approach. He clenched his fist unwillingly, as if wanting to do something.
But before Yan Yu came close, True Person Baoyun, with a solemn expression, pulled him aside, pressing on his neck and forcing him to kneel.
"From this moment on, stop thinking about the Heavenly Master's position." True Person Baoyun looked at Liangduan very seriously. "If you still want to live."
Liangduan lowered his head again, maintaining his kneeling posture. Only when Zuo Mingqiu's revered long robe passed before him did he shakily straighten his back.
Disciples and sect leaders from various factions present witnessed this scene and sighed in their hearts. An elder from the Maoshan Sect directly commented to those beside him:
"With True Person Chongming's protection, Yan Yu's path to ascension seems to be unimpeded. No one would dare to stop him."
Another elder from the Maoshan Sect nodded. Just as he was about to agree, his words were choked in his throat as a red figure flashed past.
"There's a situation!"
With the elder's exclamation, everyone's attention was drawn at that instant to a red figure moving at extreme speed, charging directly at Yan Yu from the side, exuding a terrifying killing intent.
A disciple from Baiyun Daoist Temple saw this and cried out, about to rush forward to protect Yan Yu, but was stopped by True Person Yuan Tian Jie Lü.
Other elders from Tianshi Mountain and Baiyun Daoist Temple also did not intervene, for they knew who was charging at them.
—Clang!
With a crisp sound, Yan Yu drew his sword with one hand. The tip of the blade directly clashed with the incoming threads of red killing intent, creating a mist-like wave of ice crystals.
After one sword strike, Yan Yu and the incredibly fast red figure retreated half a step. Before Yan Yu could ask who it was, the red figure charged again. A cold female voice echoed in the space:
"The position of Heavenly Master can only be held by Zuo Mingqiu, because I lost to him."
"You want to step over him and trample on me, Zhao Qingdong? Even if you are a disciple of the Human King, you cannot!"
Zhao Qingdong yelled hysterically, her long sword erupting with countless scarlet sword shadows, weaving a web of sword energy in the air.
Yan Yu had nowhere to escape. He gripped his sword seriously and began to parry. His sequence of sword moves mirrored Zhao Qingdong's; wherever she struck, his subsequent sword would land.
Zhao Qingdong's sword was filled with killing intent, yet it was devoid of emotion. Frost and snow flew, freezing every wisp of malevolent energy that attempted to invade her body.
"Clang clang clang clang clang…"
Zuo Mingqiu and Zhao Qingdong, one attacking and one defending, neither advancing nor retreating, stood in place, swinging their swords. After over a hundred exchanges, Zhao Qingdong was the first to falter. She flipped backward and stopped, leaning on her sword, kneeling on one knee, her face pale, blood at the corner of her mouth.
Zuo Mingqiu looked down at his tattered sleeve, scratched by sword energy, and the tiny bloodstains on his wrist. He frowned and asked the serene-faced woman before him:
"Do you still want to fight?"
Zhao Qingdong slowly wiped the blood from her lips, not answering, but forcing herself to stand up, gripping her sword.
Behind her, a blood-red phantom began to condense, and a world-shattering killing intent spread out. Everyone who sensed this sword energy was startled.
"Didn't she faint after using the Blood Cocoon Technique and was taken away by True Person Huanglong to be guarded? How is she here!" someone exclaimed, for the woman who had suddenly stepped in front of Yan Yu to fight was precisely Zhao Qingdong of Tianshi Mountain, who had previously lost to Zuo Mingqiu and was one of the contenders for the Heavenly Master's position.
Seeing this, True Person Bi Xu couldn't help but ask: "Huanglong, what is going on?"
True Person Huanglong, who had arrived late, looked at Zhao Qingdong on the field and spread his hands with a bitter smile: "Sect Leader, I can't help it."
"Zhao Qingdong just woke up and, right in front of me, used the Blood Cocoon Technique to absorb heavenly treasures, restoring more than half of her Origin Energy. Although her injuries are not fully healed, it is enough to prove that her Blood Cocoon Technique is fine."
"At this time, a disciple came to report what was happening here. Zhao Qingdong flew here directly on her sword after hearing it. I couldn't stop her!"
True Person Bi Xu's face darkened. What did he mean he couldn't stop her? As powerful as Zhao Qingdong was, could she break through the blockade of a Domain Lord? Huanglong clearly didn't want to stop her!
"I know what you're thinking. I don't want Tianshi Mountain to be taken by Baiyun Daoist Temple either." True Person Bi Xu said, his expression somewhat grim. "But Zhao Qingdong in her current state is no match for Yan Yu!"
"What's the point of letting her go like this, other than depleting our own resources!"
True Person Huanglong was taken aback, his face pale as he looked at the scene. Zhao Qingdong stood poised, while Zuo Mingqiu waited fearlessly, his aura fully confident. The difference in strength was obvious.
"I understand, but I'm not reconciled!"
True Person Huanglong clenched his fists and closed his eyes painfully. Too many things had happened today: the Old Heavenly Master had passed away, internal strife had erupted within Tianshi Mountain, and now it was being forcibly merged into Baiyun Daoist Temple, with the Heavenly Master's position snatched away. As an elder of the sect, he couldn't endure such humiliation!
"Enough, Zhao Qingdong."
At this moment, Zuo Mingqiu, who had been silent all along, spoke. He stepped in front of Zhao Qingdong and, placing his hand on her sword hilt, slowly pressed it down.
Seeing this, Zhao Qingdong gritted her teeth and roared: "Get out of my way, I'm going to kill him!"
Zuo Mingqiu's face was weak, but his eyes were calm and powerful. He looked at Zhao Qingdong and gently shook his head:
"No."
Zhao Qingdong asked in confusion: "Why!"
Zuo Mingqiu took a deep breath, glanced back at Yan Yu, and then looked at Zhao Qingdong, saying:
"He is indeed very strong. Even if you and I were at our peak, there's a chance we might lose. In your current state, you are definitely not his opponent. Otherwise, I would have drawn my sword myself. Why would it be your turn to help me?"
Zhao Qingdong snorted coldly, and her sword intent rose again:
"I'm not helping you."
"I cannot stand by and watch Tianshi Mountain fall into the hands of outsiders!"
Zuo Mingqiu shook his head:
"Even so, it's not a reason for you to sacrifice yourself. Your Blood Cocoon Technique is fine. You can wait until your injuries heal and then come back to fight him."
"Although even if you win then, you won't become the Heavenly Master, you can still vent our Tianshi Mountain's anger, which is better than dying now."
Zhao Qingdong looked at Zuo Mingqiu, her face pale, and asked with some defiance:
"What about you? When will you fight him?"
Zuo Mingqiu replied calmly:
"When I have the ability to reclaim the Heavenly Master's position."
Zhao Qingdong was silent for a moment, then sheathed her sword.
Seeing this, Zuo Mingqiu turned back to Yan Yu and smiled faintly: "I apologize for the trouble. I'll take her away now."
Yan Yu replied calmly:
"It's alright."
Zuo Mingqiu said nothing more, taking Zhao Qingdong away from the front of the Tongtian Tower. The elders from the surrounding sects looked on with expressions of awe.
Because Zuo Mingqiu and Zhao Qingdong's conversation was not transmitted by sound, Zuo Mingqiu's words about reclaiming the Heavenly Master's position were clearly heard by everyone. Yan Yu heard them, Tai Wu heard them, Bi Xu heard them, and True Person Chongming naturally heard them too.
Or rather, Zuo Mingqiu was saying it to all of them.
Xu Mu sighed inwardly. Zuo Mingqiu still harbored anger, though he didn't show it. These words were, in another way, a declaration of war against Yan Yu.
"The people from Baiyun Daoist Temple wouldn't secretly play any dirty tricks, would they?" True Person Bi Xu stared coldly at True Person Chongming.
His greatest worry now was that Zuo Mingqiu and Zhao Qingdong might be assassinated. They had already made their stance clear, and would oppose Yan Yu in the future. Even if Yan Yu didn't mind, the people from Baiyun Daoist Temple would likely not stand idly by.
"Rest assured."
At some point, Yan Yu had already reached the top of the Tongtian Tower. He sat down cross-legged and began to receive the Heavenly Master's legacy from the Three-Flower Lotus Crown.
As he closed his eyes, he looked at True Person Bi Xu and said calmly: "The people of Baiyun Daoist Temple, including myself, do not believe I will lose."
"If they want to fight, whether it's today or any other time in the future, I will oblige."
Bi Xu gave Yan Yu a deep look and then said no more.
Yan Yu then closed his eyes to receive the Heavenly Master's Path. True Person Chongming stood beside him, and seeing that everything was going smoothly, he spoke loudly:
"All Daoists under heaven, behold the new Heavenly Master!"
At the summit of Tian Guang Peak, the Daoists of the world once again knelt like a tide, offering congratulations towards Yan Yu's direction, using the same words as before.
However, among the crowd, only a handful of elders from Tianshi Mountain did not bow. Among them were True Person Tai Wu, whose authority over the Great Array had been taken by True Person Chongming, and the Sect Leader Bi Xu.
True Person Chongming looked at the two of them calmly, then asked:
"After the new Heavenly Master takes office, what do you intend to do?"
Tai Wu replied, his face stern, and sneered: "If the Heavenly Master is not from my Tianshi Mountain, I will not acknowledge him!"
"Whoever wants to be the head of the Discipline Hall can have it. From now on, I will guard Luosha Peak. I want to see what kind of Tianshi Mountain Baiyun Daoist Temple will turn it into!"
True Person Chongming nodded and then looked at Bi Xu, asking: "Is that your intention as well?"
True Person Bi Xu looked at Chongming and said earnestly:
"I will not relinquish my position as Sect Leader, but I will no longer frequently travel to Da Zhou for diplomatic relations. Since Tianshi Mountain has been integrated into Baiyun Daoist Temple, all future developments of Tianshi Mountain should be handled by you. I can then stay in the mountain to cultivate."
"Very well."
True Person Chongming nodded and directly instructed:
"Yuan Tian, arrange someone for the Discipline Hall matters."
Yuan Tian Jie Lü was already the enforcement elder of Baiyun Daoist Temple. His subordinates naturally included those capable of fulfilling this role. So, he cupped his hands and replied:
"Yes."
"Wine Immortal, you will act on behalf of Bi Xu." True Person Chongming looked at Wine Immortal, his tone leaving no room for refusal. "There's no use keeping you in the Daoist temple. Your senior brothers are all occupied, and you're the only one free. So, you'll do it!"
Wine Immortal's old face immediately turned as sour as a bitter melon. He was good at drinking, but how could he handle diplomacy and forming alliances? And this was in Da Zhou, which was very dangerous...
"Can I refuse?"
"No."
"Alright."
Wine Immortal raised his head and took a gulp of wine with a wry smile. He had long expected this day. As Baiyun Daoist Temple's influence expanded, there would always be a need for manpower. As a half-step Human King on the World Ranking, he couldn't always be idle.
"Do you plan to stay?"
True Person Chongming suddenly asked Xu Mu.
"Baiyun Daoist Temple will protect you."
Xu Mu smiled self-mockingly at this: "Forget it. You've plotted too well. My intelligence, I'm afraid I'll be sold and still be counting money for you."
Wine Immortal became anxious at this, leaning forward and whispering: "Then where do you want to go? It's very dangerous outside. It's better to stay in the Daoist temple!"
Xu Mu was silent for a long time:
"I want to go home and see."
Wine Immortal:
"But you can't go back now!"
"The commotion you caused earlier was too great. Someone must have started to suspect your identity. From Tianshi Mountain to the Domain of Ghostly Night is such a long journey, countless people will be waiting to intercept you!"
"Then I won't take that road." Xu Mu said, taking out a map of the continent from his embrace. After unfolding it and studying it for a while, he pointed to a very distant route home and said.
"I'll start here, follow the border, turn to the north of Da Zhou, then enter Xia from the southernmost tip of Da Zhou, and head west home. Surely no one will find me then?"
Wine Immortal looked at the route Xu Mu pointed out, his mouth agape in shock: "This… this far!?"
"Xu Mu, you must understand that not everywhere has spatial teleportation arrays, especially between Da Xia and Da Zhou, which are at odds with each other. If you choose this route, not only will you encounter many obstacles, but the time it will take will be over a year!"
Xu Mu looked at Wine Immortal's worried face and inexplicably smiled. He gently stroked the Qiongqi, who had transformed into a calico cat in his embrace, and said with a smile:
"It's fine. I'll consider it a journey."
"Besides, it won't be that slow. Don't I have this little guy?"
Qiongqi heard this and transmitted nervously:
"Hero, I forgot to tell you."
"Actually, I still have some urgent matters to attend to in the Holy City. Since you're fine here, I have to set off soon and probably can't accompany you."
Wine Immortal immediately said anxiously:
"See? He's not here anymore. How dangerous is it for you alone!"
Xu Mu scratched his head, then gently placed Qiongqi on the ground, smiling and saying:
"It's okay, you go your way."
"Wine Immortal, you don't need to worry about me like this, as if I'm a three-year-old child. With my current strength, as long as I'm not too ostentatious when traveling, I can guarantee my own survival."
Wine Immortal looked troubled: "That's true, but you..."
Xu Mu waved his hand:
"This matter is settled."
"Qiongqi is returning to the Holy City, and I'm not staying here. No need to say more."
"Alas." Wine Immortal sighed.
On the field, people from various sects began to leave. Zhao Qingdong also left under the escort of True Person Lan Qi and others. The elders of Tianshi Mountain gathered together, awaiting True Person Chongming's deployment and arrangements.
"I don't know where to go."
At this moment, Zuo Mingqiu suddenly walked over.
He patted Xu Mu's shoulder and asked with a smile:
"Traveling the martial world. If you feel it's dangerous alone, do you want to take me along?"
Xu Mu asked in surprise:
"Aren't you staying in the mountain?"
Zuo Mingqiu shook his head:
"Of course not."
Xu Mu scratched his head again:
"Oh, well, that's great."
"However, I ultimately have to go home. Are you sure you want to come with me?"
Zuo Mingqiu nodded:
"I might only travel with you for a portion of the distance, but I don't know how much yet."
Xu Mu nodded and readily agreed.
Wine Immortal saw this and sighed:
"Since that's the case, I'll escort you for a bit, lest those who just left set up any traps outside."
Xu Mu smiled upon hearing this: "Alright."
Saying this, he nimbly jumped up and stepped directly onto Wine Immortal's cloud, pulling Zuo Mingqiu along with him.
"Hero, we're not going the same way. I'll leave first!"
Qiongqi said, transforming into a crimson streak of light and departing, his voice gradually fading.
Xu Mu stared at Qiongqi's receding figure, scratching his head in bewilderment:
"What on earth happened in the Holy City that made this kid so anxious?"
Wine Immortal looked at Qiongqi's retreating back, controlling the cloud to ascend slowly into the sky, then said with a smile:
"There are no divine beasts in the Holy City, but there are quite a few demonic beasts with noble bloodlines."
"Perhaps, this kid found a wife over there and is rushing back to procreate for his clan!"
...