Wenxuan Sect, inside the Deliberation Hall.
Wu Zhaohua sat in the Sect Master’s seat. On her left and right were Qi Yuyong, who had previously served as Dai Zongzhu and now as Grand Elder, and Bai Lei, the Law Enforcement Hall Elder.
Bai Lei’s attire was much simpler than Wu Zhaohua and Qi Yuyong’s. She wore plain white robes, her nose was high and straight, her lips thin and sharply outlined, and the corners of her eyes lifted ever so slightly, lending her a stern air.
Beneath her left brow bone was a tiny vermillion mole, adding a touch of vivid color to her cold and solemn face.
But her chest was flat, with only the faintest hint of curves—compared to Qi Yuyong and Wu Zhaohua, it was like a hill beside a mound.
All three sisters hailed from the same sect. After Wu Zhaohua rose to the top, the other two immediately became her right and left arms, taking charge of the sect.
Though Wu Zhaohua was a Supreme Sage Great Ascension cultivator, and now possessed the Celestial Immortal Form, even if the whole sect joined forces, they still wouldn’t be a match for her alone.
But managing a sect couldn’t rely solely on strength. Just as force could maintain order, it couldn’t efficiently govern people.
Qi Yuyong and Bai Lei exchanged glances, then both looked away, their eyes lowered, their expressions silent.
Bai Lei, however, turned her head, her crisp high ponytail flicking as she stared directly at Wu Zhaohua and asked bluntly:
“Senior Sister, I’ve heard that you’ll be leaving Wenxuan Sect soon. Is that true?”
She was far more forceful than Qi Yuyong; even when facing Wu Zhaohua, she was neither servile nor overbearing, always speaking her mind.
Wu Zhaohua naturally understood her Third Junior Sister’s temperament. She rubbed her temples helplessly and nodded lightly:
“That’s right. Once I’ve settled the matters with the other sects, I’ll be leaving.”
Bai Lei frowned slightly and pressed on, “Once the sect’s affairs are settled, what then?”
“In a hundred years, when Senior Sister ascends to the Immortal Realm, what will become of Wenxuan Sect?”
With her and Qi Yuyong’s talents, they might reach the Soul Formation Stage, and with luck, perhaps even attain an imperfect Great Ascension, but ascending to the Immortal Realm was likely out of reach.
If Wu Zhaohua left in the future, would Wenxuan Sect have any Great Ascension powerhouse to take her place? What then?
It wasn’t that Bai Lei was trying to guilt Wu Zhaohua. The three sisters had grown up in Wenxuan Sect and naturally felt deep affection for it.
The sect was their home—how could they stand by and watch its decline?
“Thanks to Senior Sister’s reputation, the sect has flourished. Among the new disciples, there are many with great talent.”
“Can’t Senior Sister… stay and guide them for a while?” Bai Lei asked.
Generation after generation—this generation had Wu Zhaohua, but who would the next have?
Faced with her Junior Sister’s questioning and plea, Wu Zhaohua didn’t feel offended, only pressed her lips together in a headache.
“This time, I survived the Mortal Tribulation not because I was stronger than others, but because I was lucky—thanks to someone else’s help.”
“Now that person is in danger. I can’t just sit by and do nothing.”
It was a perfectly reasonable explanation. To repay a great favor was a matter of cause and effect, and the righteous path.
What’s more, Jiang Huai was now in Qin Qingyue’s hands—who knew what grievances he had suffered, what treatment he was enduring?
That twisted, long-lonely Demon Dragon—who knew what she might do to Jiang Huai! Wu Zhaohua couldn’t rest easy.
“As for the future of the sect’s disciples, I heard from Yuyong that there’s a disciple with exceptional talent. Bring her here—I’ll take her with me.”
With a decisive slap on the table, Wu Zhaohua made up her mind.
As long as she could nurture another Great Ascension powerhouse, Wenxuan Sect’s future would be secure—and so would Jiang Huai’s.
Bai Lei sighed. Back when Wu Zhaohua was cultivating the Three Tribulations Return-to-Truth Record, she hadn’t opposed her—in fact, she supported her.
Because that was Senior Sister’s future and dream; she couldn’t let the sect hold her back.
But now that she’d finally returned, who would have thought she’d be leaving again?
“In that case, go and bring Xiao Yue here to formally acknowledge Senior Sister as Honored Master and be established as a Direct Disciple.”
After giving her instructions, she turned and re-entered the hall.
Wu Zhaohua glanced at the ever-smiling Qi Yuyong, then at the cold-faced Bai Lei, and teased:
“You two are so concerned about the sect’s future, yet neither of you has had any daughters?”
“I’ve been gone so long—don’t you have anyone you fancy?”
It was strange, really. In other sects, high-ranking members would pour all their resources into their own descendants, wishing their daughters could inherit their position and never leave the inner circle.
But the three of them had no descendants—not even Dao companions.
“Senior Sister, I’m not in a hurry. I’d like to travel a bit more,” Qi Yuyong stuck out her tongue.
Bai Lei, on the other hand, said bluntly, “No time, no interest, no intention.”
Wu Zhaohua was content to be a hands-off leader, and Qi Yuyong was even more of a slacker—leaving Bai Lei the busiest of them all.
Besides, she’d always been cold and iron-blooded, her methods severe—few men dared approach her.
Wu Zhaohua shook her head. Whatever these two thought, she herself was about to have a Dao companion.
Though for now, her Dao companion was in someone else’s hands.
Moments later, a tall young woman entered the hall and bowed:
“Junior Xiao Yue greets Sect Master, Elder Qi, Elder Bai.”
Wu Zhaohua sized her up for a moment and said softly:
“No need for such formality.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Yue looked up excitedly, her gaze lingering especially on Wu Zhaohua, seated in the center like a mountain.
This was the Sect Master she admired most. When she’d chosen a sect, she’d bypassed stronger ones and come straight to Wenxuan Sect.
All because she hoped that one day, she could meet Wu Zhaohua and become her disciple.
She never imagined that wish would come true today.
Wu Zhaohua met her gaze, nodded in approval, and said slowly:
“Jade Liquid Qi Refining and Purple Mansion Foundation—very good, your foundation is excellent.”
With talent and achievement like this, she’d be a top disciple even in the best sects, highly valued.
Xiao Yue straightened her back with pride and bowed, “Thank you for the praise, Sect Master. It’s all thanks to Elder Qi and Elder Bai’s careful guidance.”
Though her talent was good, the two elders had truly nurtured her, sparing no expense with resources.
Their generation would be the future of Wenxuan Sect after Wu Zhaohua left—it couldn’t be ignored.
“Mm. I intend to take you as my disciple and bring you with me from Wenxuan Sect to receive my guidance. Are you willing?” Wu Zhaohua asked, more as a formality.
Xiao Yue was overjoyed. She forced her wildly grinning mouth into control and hurriedly knelt:
“Disciple is willing.”
“From this day forth, I will serve by Honored Master’s side and heed your teachings.”
“Rise and go prepare—we’ll be leaving soon.”
“However, I have a reminder for you. I hope you won’t mind,” Wu Zhaohua added.
“Please speak, Honored Master.” At this, Xiao Yue’s expression turned tense.
This was a peerless powerhouse, with the Celestial Immortal Form—she’d be among the strongest even in the Immortal Realm.
Her demands must be high, surely she’d set strict expectations?
Wu Zhaohua said, “Though you are my direct disciple, the position of Successor in Wenxuan Sect is not yours.”
“The future Successor has already been chosen. I want you to be his protector—to guard him until he ascends to the Immortal Realm.”
“Are you willing?”
One day, she would leave this place. Jiang Huai’s talent was good, but he was still young.
She wanted to leave a backup for Jiang Huai, to ensure he could ascend and be with her.
Xiao Yue was taken aback and hesitated for a moment before nodding, “Disciple is willing.”
“But who is the Successor?”
If she was to be his protector, she naturally needed to know who he was.
It seemed like someone with connections. As far as she knew, no one in the same generation had greater talent, strength, or a more solid foundation than her.
Wu Zhaohua was silent for a while, a blush creeping over her fair, jade-like skin:
“It’s your grandmaster. You’ll find out in the future.”
Come to think of it, did this count as a cougar moment? Her husband was even younger than her direct disciple.
Qi Yuyong’s expression remained calm, her smile gentle, while Bai Lei’s face looked a bit odd.
As Wu Zhaohua wondered if she was acting like a cougar, on the other side, the old Dragon was clearly unconcerned—busy munching on tender grass.
“I told you, your sword stance is wrong. Widen your legs a bit more.” Qin Qingyue pressed against Jiang Huai’s back, her soft peaks tightly touching him, guiding his sword practice hand over hand.
“We’re practicing swordplay—why are you touching my butt?”
“Your stance is off. I’m helping you correct it.” Qin Qingyue retorted, refusing to admit anything, as she held Jiang Huai’s waist, taking the opportunity to cop a feel.
Jiang Huai felt that sword practice had become rather strange—he’d been touched all over, supposedly for the sake of correcting his posture.
But he didn’t know how to argue, since he really had never practiced swordsmanship before and couldn’t tell right from wrong.
“I found a Secret Realm. Want to come with me?” Qin Qingyue asked, still pressed against his back.
“Is it about the Celestial Immortal Form?”
“Mm.”
Jiang Huai turned his head, noticing that Qin Qingyue’s expression had grown conflicted, as if she had something on her mind.