The Sword Immortal Came to See the Sect Leader Too?

Wine Maniac.

His name alone told of his madness for wine.

But an obsession with wine alone would not have earned him such a fearsome reputation.

What made Wine Maniac truly terrifying was that he acted without restraint and was ruled by his whims. No matter who it was, he held them in no regard.

Anyone who provoked Wine Maniac would lose a layer of skin even if they survived.

His fearsome name was known throughout Spirit Province.

Wine Maniac was senior in years, possessed profound cultivation, and refused to listen to reason. All his life, he had acted according to his whims.

But this figure had lived in seclusion for many years. Why had he suddenly come to the Dragon-Seeking Sect?

"Senior Wine Maniac, out of respect for your seniority, I will not hold it against you for disrupting the Azure Cloud Rite. But today's rite is of great importance to the Dragon-Seeking Sect, so please move to Verdant Peak. Once matters here are settled, I will personally pay my respects to you."

Cang Yue removed the veil covering her face, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful visage, and spoke calmly.

Her words were well reasoned and, by rights, should have been persuasive. She had also shown Wine Maniac plenty of respect.

Cang Yue was the Dragon-Seeking Sect's grand elder. When the sect leader was absent, she held the highest authority.

Her power and status within the Dragon-Seeking Sect were far above the rest.

Chen Ning also looked over when she removed her veil.

At the same time, he matched her to a piece of information.

She was an undercover agent sent by the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty to spy on the sect.

She was also the most difficult to deal with among the many undercover agents.

She possessed exceptional strength, as well as eyes that seemed able to see through people's hearts.

She was truly a veteran undercover agent blessed with both strength and beauty. Most frightening of all, she had worked her way up to grand elder. If the old sect leader had not uncovered her, she very likely would have been the one sitting in the sect leader's seat.

She reminded Chen Ning of a Korean movie in which a police officer went undercover in a gang and eventually rose to become its number two.

While Chen Ning was thinking about this, Wine Maniac picked him out from among the people on the platform.

"No, no. What you say makes sense, girl, but I still have business to finish. If I don't finish it, I'm afraid I'll get scolded again."

Wine Maniac let out a rueful sigh. The Sword Immortal had sent him out early that morning to buy wine and materials.

He had not even gotten a good night's sleep because of it.

Now that he had brought everything back, he could not leave without seeing Chen Ning. He had to hand it over to him personally. Otherwise, Chen Ning would accuse him again of acting without the dignity of an elder and opening his big mouth only to ask for wine.

Though he was right.

Wine Maniac still cared about saving face.

But to everyone else, Wine Maniac's words sounded rather hostile.

Cang Yue's gaze grew cold, and she gave a soft laugh. "Senior Wine Maniac, are you determined to disrupt our Azure Cloud Rite?"

"Grand elder, do not antagonize him."

Lin Xiaotian spoke up to stop her, then gave Wine Maniac a slight nod and smiled. "I am the eighth elder of the Dragon-Seeking Sect. What business have you come here to attend to, Senior Wine Maniac? You need only give me your instructions."

Wine Maniac ignored him entirely. Looking past Lin Xiaotian, he shouted to Chen Ning, "Hey! What are you standing so high up for? I've bought the things and brought them back. Take a look and see if they're right. If they aren't, I'll hurry and make another trip."

The moment he said this, silence fell over the entire gathering.

Countless Dragon-Seeking Sect disciples below the platform stared in stunned silence, unable to speak.

Though Wine Maniac's tone and manner were hardly friendly, his words clearly meant that Chen Ning was the one who had sent him on the errand.

Lin Xiaotian's smile froze on his face.

His whole body seemed to have turned to stone.

Cang Yue also turned to look at Chen Ning.

She was somewhat puzzled.

"What are you standing there for? Are you finished here? When are you going back?"

Wine Maniac asked again.

"Old man, I've run into a little trouble here. Let's talk after I've stepped down."

"Stepped down?"

Wine Maniac frowned. "The person your old sect leader chose can be made to step down?"

"What you don't know, old sir, is that the brat Chen Ning somehow used underhanded means to swindle the position of sect leader from the old sect leader. Naturally, he must be removed."

Han Zhuang spoke slowly with a cold laugh.

But in the next instant, he was sent flying backward, crashing into a brick wall in the garden.

"Pfft!"

Han Zhuang spat out a mouthful of blood and stared at Wine Maniac in terror.

"What kind of piece of shit is this? Haven't you got any manners? He's your sect leader. You say he swindled his way into the position, so that makes it true?"

Wine Maniac spat twice and wiped his hand on his clothes, as though it had been dirtied.

The disciples below the platform broke into a panic.

Wine Maniac really was just like the rumors said, living by his whims and striking the moment he felt like it.

On the platform, Lin Xiaotian's expression shifted.

He could not understand why Chen Ning, who had no backing whatsoever, knew Wine Maniac.

And Wine Maniac was actually willing to step in for him.

Today's matter was probably going to be a little thorny.

Seeing Wine Maniac strike, the other elders quietly began circulating their Essence Power without betraying any sign.

Just then, a streak of sword light drifted toward them.

A middle-aged man in white rode the sword light down to the foot of the Azure Cloud Platform.

"S-sword Immortal... Li Changtian!"

Several elders on the platform recognized Li Changtian.

They did not dare make any rash moves.

What was going on today?

The Dragon-Seeking Sect was receiving visits from one great figure after another.

Two of the few reclusive powerhouses in Spirit Province had actually come!

Once Li Changtian landed, he paid no attention to the gazes of those around him. Instead, he gave Chen Ning a full, formal bow.

"Li Changtian of Flying Cloud Valley pays his respects to Sect Leader Chen," he said respectfully.

It was a simple sentence.

Yet in the hearts of everyone present, it was as though thunderclaps had exploded one after another.

"Senior brother, quick, tell me if I'm dreaming!"

"Give me a slash. I think I'm dreaming too."

"It was worth it, worth it! I've been fortunate enough to see the Sword Immortal in person in this life. I can die without regrets!"

"The Sword Immortal came to see the sect leader too?"

Cang Yue parted her red lips and asked. She too felt that the day's events were a little too fantastical.

"Indeed. I had no intention of disturbing the Azure Cloud Rite. I must apologize for my discourtesy."

Li Changtian gave a courteous smile.

But everyone knew that although this Sword Immortal was more polite than Wine Maniac, if he truly flew into a rage, he was far more terrifying.

Twenty years ago, the Wind-Riding Imperial Dynasty of Lan Province had provoked Flying Cloud Valley.

Sword Immortal Li Changtian had then struck through the air with a single sword, slaying seventeen of the Wind-Riding Imperial Dynasty's nation-guarding powerhouses.

From that day on, the Wind-Riding Imperial Dynasty ceased to exist.

And the world gained another legend about the Sword Immortal.

Moreover, Flying Cloud Valley had always remained neutral, conducting itself like reclusive masters above worldly affairs.

Even when facing the old sect leader, Li Changtian had chatted and laughed freely, treating him as an equal.

Yet toward Chen Ning, he showed a hint of reverence.

Chen Ning had already noticed everyone's unusual reactions through the effect of his title. By now, he had also guessed that Wine Maniac and Li Changtian might not be as simple as they appeared.

In that case, he had to choose a different reward.

Before, he had been wary of the eighth elder and could only avoid his edge for the time being. Now there was no need.

Chen Ning still remembered what the choice required.

Furiously berate Han Zhuang and keep his position as sect leader.

He glanced at Han Zhuang, who had just managed to get back to his feet, then sprang off the platform in a single bound and kicked him.

"I've thought it over, and the old man has a point. You say I swindled my way into this position, so that makes it true? I'm not giving it up. You're just a minor protector. What gives you the right to remove me?"

The kick knocked Han Zhuang off balance, and he fell again.

"Speak! Who put you up to this?"