Azure Cloud Platform

The moment he said that, an uproar broke out below the platform.

"Is that... Protector Han Zhuang?"

"It's him. I just didn't expect him to dare put the new sect leader on the spot at an occasion like this."

"There's a good show to watch today."

When Chen Ning heard this, he immediately looked down from the platform.

He saw a sinister-looking man smiling at him.

This was Protector Han Zhuang, the man everyone below was talking about.

At that moment, everyone's attention was fixed on the two of them.

The nine elders on the platform merely looked at Han Zhuang without speaking.

Among them was Lin Xiaotian, who had secretly put Han Zhuang up to this.

Sure enough, just as he had expected, even though Han Zhuang was being so disrespectful to the new sect leader, not a single elder spoke up for Chen Ning.

"The old sect leader's cultivation rivaled the very workings of creation, and he was held in reverence. Yet before his death, someone like you used who knows what means to trick him out of the sect leader's position. Can you sit comfortably in that seat?"

Han Zhuang spoke again, outright pinning the accusation of tricking his way into the sect leader's position on Chen Ning.

Chen Ning had grievances he couldn't voice. Comfortable? They were all spies. He wasn't comfortable in the slightest.

Below the platform, Han Zhuang continued, "The sect leader's position belongs to the capable. When did it become your turn?"

Faced with Han Zhuang's repeated aggression, the entire crowd fell quietly silent.

Everyone could see the situation clearly. Though Chen Ning was the sect leader, he had no supporters, and after the old sect leader's death, he was even more alone, with no one to rely on.

Thus, no matter how rudely and aggressively Han Zhuang spoke, no one would argue on Chen Ning's behalf.

On the contrary, many were even happier to see this play out.

Just then, Su Ling'er stepped forward, a hand on her sword. "Han Zhuang, are you questioning the old sect leader's decision?"

"Naturally, I wouldn't dare question the old sect leader. It's just that this brat Chen Ning can hardly command everyone's respect. I'm only speaking the minds of the people of the Dragon-Seeking Sect."

As Han Zhuang spoke, he couldn't help feeling surprised. He hadn't expected Su Ling'er to speak up for Chen Ning.

But Su Ling'er was only a protector of the same rank as him.

Her position was low, and her words carried little weight.

She couldn't change the fact that Chen Ning was about to be removed from the sect leader's position.

Su Ling'er snorted coldly. "Han Zhuang, since when was it our place to decide who becomes sect leader? Since ancient times, the previous sect leader has always chosen a successor. Since the old sect leader chose Brother Chen Ning, how dare you act so outrageously? What are you plotting?"

The disciples below the platform all agreed with Su Ling'er. This had indeed been the Dragon-Seeking Sect's rule for over a thousand years.

By kicking up this fuss today, Han Zhuang had already crossed a forbidden line.

If any one of the nine elders on the platform had said those words, Han Zhuang would have been convicted on the spot.

But Han Zhuang showed no fear. If one of those nine had said it, he wouldn't have escaped his fate.

Coming from Su Ling'er, however, it was another matter.

As before, she couldn't stir up any waves.

Han Zhuang calmly surveyed the crowd and said, "It's true that the old sect leader chose him, but think about it, everyone. Why would the old sect leader pass over nine elders with illustrious achievements and choose a cripple with no cultivation instead? Does that make sense?"

At these words, the crowd below the platform grew noisy again.

"Exactly! I knew it was strange. The nine elders are powerful cultivators with considerable seniority. Even setting aside the first and second elders, the two women whose seniority is still lacking, the others are all highly respected, advanced in years, and distinguished by their achievements. Why would he pass the position to a young man with no cultivation for no reason?"

"Yeah... There must be something suspicious about this. Chen Ning must have used some other means to bewitch the old sect leader."

"That's right! Chen Ning, you despicable scoundrel! Get down!"

"Get down!"

"Get down!"

The crowd below the platform was seething, but the nine elders on it remained impassive, turning a deaf ear.

No one knew what they were thinking.

Chen Ning looked at the crowd and couldn't help sighing inwardly.

Damn it, if everyone in this sect of yours weren't a spy, would I have needed to take on this duty in a crisis?

It's not that he had to choose me.

It's that there was no one else to choose. But he could only keep those words to himself.

If he said them aloud, the nine elders on the platform probably wouldn't stay silent. They might join forces to kill him.

Thanks to the effect of the title [Sect Leader Who Perceives the Finest Details], Chen Ning could infer their thoughts by observing their small movements and fleeting expressions.

The others all concealed themselves rather well.

Only the eighth elder, Lin Xiaotian, had a barely perceptible smile at the corner of his mouth.

As expected, Han Zhuang had dared to openly pressure the sect leader into giving up his position because he had Lin Xiaotian's backing.

Chen Ning could disregard Han Zhuang alone, but with the eighth elder behind him, he had no choice but to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

Just then, the system suddenly presented him with a choice.

"Ding! The host has been detected facing a crisis. Please make a choice-"

"Option one: angrily berate Han Zhuang and keep the sect leader's position. Note: when questioned to your face, you must naturally strike back with domineering force. If you aren't ruthless, you can't hold your seat. Choosing this option will grant the rare reward [Heaven-Reaching Talisman]."

"Option two: know when to bend and when to stand tall; avoid the brunt of the attack. Note: it's just a lousy position. If you have to give it up, so be it. A good sect leader must have the resolve to endure humiliation and shoulder a heavy burden, and the courage to stage a comeback. Choosing this option will grant the ordinary reward [cultivation raised by one level]."

"Note: the final choice and reward will be determined by the final outcome."

Looking at the illusory system screen before him, Chen Ning pondered for a moment and decided to avoid the brunt of the attack for now.

A head-on clash might backfire. He wasn't strong enough yet and had no confidence in fighting the eighth elder.

He might as well give them what they wanted for now.

With the system in hand, he would take them down sooner or later anyway.

"Ling'er, there's no need to say any more."

Chen Ning spoke calmly, stopping Su Ling'er as she argued with Han Zhuang.

Su Ling'er had still wanted to argue with Han Zhuang, but she could only drop it and obediently stand beside Chen Ning.

Chen Ning looked at Han Zhuang and said coolly, "There's no need to beat around the bush. If you don't want me to be sect leader, then I won't be."

The moment those words fell, the whole crowd was shocked.

Even the nine elders on the platform couldn't help giving Chen Ning another look when they heard him.

Cang Yue stood in the first position among the nine elders. Her beautiful eyes turned toward Chen Ning, and a glimmer of interest appeared in them.

This little fellow is rather interesting...

Every elder wore a traditional Azure Cloud Rite robe.

Since their faces were concealed, those below the platform couldn't make out their expressions at all.

Han Zhuang was stunned at first, then burst out laughing. "It's not too late for you to recognize how insignificant you are. I won't say any more, then. Everything will be left to the elders' judgment."

Han Zhuang respectfully cupped his hands toward the nine elders on the platform.

He also gave the eighth elder a discreet smile.

The plan had succeeded.

The eighth elder knew it was time for him to step forward.

He took a step out and declared loudly, "Chen Ning, lacking both virtue and talent, tricked his way into the sect leader's position. Now he has strayed from the wrong path and returned to his senses, realized the gravity of his sins, and voluntarily surrendered the sect leader's position..."

"Boom!"

The figures of two gatekeeper disciples came flying from the distance and slammed into the ground.

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass on the Dragon-Seeking Sect's Azure Cloud Platform?"

"Your grandpa Wine Maniac."

Wine Maniac moved with incredible speed, diving down to the foot of the Azure Cloud Platform and planting a foot on a gatekeeper disciple's back.

"This bastard relied on the backing of your Dragon-Seeking Sect, spoke rudely, and barred my way. What an imposing show of authority. Naturally, I had to teach him a lesson."

Everyone present was shocked to hear this.

They weren't shocked that this man had struck a Dragon-Seeking Sect disciple, nor that he had trespassed on the Azure Cloud Platform.

It was his name that shocked them.