Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
It was another climb up the Heavenly Stairway.
Though his constitution was excellent, Lu Changsheng still harbored deep resentment.
Especially when he reached the top and saw the smiling faces of the Great Luo Palace crowd.
His resentment only grew deeper.
"When I become sect master, I must change this rule."
Lu Changsheng grumbled inwardly.
Then he headed toward the Great Luo Palace.
Lu Changsheng's steps were graceful, and the Great Dao seemed to surround his every movement. Especially in his Qingyun White Sun Kirin Robe, he cut a handsome, divine figure—a peerless youth who naturally inspired goodwill.
The Holy Land higher-ups who had been making a racket moments ago now all wore smiles. They looked exceptionally amiable, carrying themselves with the immortal bearing of Daoist sages.
"Changsheng, Martial Nephew!"
"Changsheng, Martial Nephew is here."
"Changsheng, Martial Nephew."
Everyone spoke up in greeting, unable to hide the fondness in their eyes, as though they had seen their own disciple.
A bunch of old fogies.
Qingyun Daoist cursed inwardly, but outwardly, he could not possibly lose his composure—especially in front of Lu Changsheng.
"Changsheng."
Qingyun Daoist called out.
"Greetings, Master!"
"Greetings, uncles and senior uncles."
Lu Changsheng spoke with the manner of a romantic sage, then cupped his hands to everyone. His every gesture was refined and easygoing.
He did not know what had happened, but judging by the situation, they had clearly come looking for him.
"Changsheng, here is the matter. Your uncles and senior uncles wish to appoint you Daoist Eldest Senior Brother of All Righteous Paths Under Heaven. What do you think?"
Qingyun Daoist asked.
Daoist Eldest Senior Brother of All Righteous Paths Under Heaven?
Lu Changsheng was slightly stunned. Why had they come up with another title like this?
First, Great Luo Eldest Senior Brother. Then the Literary Sage. Then Teacher of the Buddha's Disciple. And now, Daoist Eldest Senior Brother of All Righteous Paths Under Heaven?
Would they give him the title of Great Sage of the Demon Race tomorrow? A True Demon of the Demon Race the day after? Then a rift in the world would appear, and he would become the Divine Son from Beyond the Realm?
Lu Changsheng felt that if he were in a game, there would probably be an entire row of golden titles floating above his head.
But outwardly, Lu Changsheng slowly said, "This disciple's cultivation is shallow. I fear I am unfit for the position."
Daoist Eldest Senior Brother of All Righteous Paths Under Heaven?
It sounded wonderful, but Lu Changsheng knew that the grander the title, the greater the responsibility. He did not want to be some Eldest Senior Brother. Wasn't it nice to cultivate as a carefree salted fish?
More importantly, his strength was not enough. He was purely relying on special effects to bluff people. What if he was exposed one day?
Tsk, tsk. That would be awkward.
Yet the moment Lu Changsheng finished speaking, someone stepped forward.
"Changsheng, Martial Nephew, you must not belittle yourself."
"Indeed, indeed. If your cultivation is shallow, then wouldn't our disciples all be worthless trash?"
"Changsheng, you are simply too modest. We understand, but this is our unanimous decision. Do not refuse."
They spoke with such fervor that it was hard to decline.
After thinking it over carefully, Lu Changsheng looked at everyone.
Clearly, if he did not agree, these people would keep chattering in his ear without end. After some thought, Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.
"Since I have received the esteem of all my uncles and senior uncles, Changsheng will accept."
It was just another title. One more or one less made no difference.
What Lu Changsheng wanted now was to peacefully refine pills.
From everything that had happened lately, Lu Changsheng understood that he needed at least one skill he could truly show off. Otherwise, if he had to rely on his appearance to bluff people every time, wouldn't he become some pretty-boy idol?
The instant those words were spoken, everyone was overjoyed.
"Good, then it is settled."
"Senior Brother Qingyun, Changsheng has already agreed, so stop saying more."
"Good, good, good! This is a joyous occasion for our Daoist sects."
"Fine, I will return and make arrangements at once. We shall await Changsheng's arrival."
"I will return to my sect as well and make it more festive. We cannot lose face for our sect."
Everyone rejoiced together.
But Lu Changsheng's expression could not help changing.
Await my arrival?
What were they waiting for him to do?
Lu Changsheng was a little bewildered and could not help looking toward Qingyun Daoist.
Qingyun Daoist gave Lu Changsheng a rather helpless look. But after thinking carefully, the title of Daoist Eldest Senior Brother was indeed an unprecedented achievement. No matter what, Lu Changsheng was a disciple of the Great Luo Holy Land. Getting such a title for free was hardly unpleasant.
So he did not obstruct it. But after seeing the look in Lu Changsheng's eyes, Qingyun Daoist immediately explained.
"Changsheng, since you have agreed to become Daoist Eldest Senior Brother, you must go down the mountain for a journey. To convince the cultivators of Central Province, you must personally make the rounds before you are formally appointed Daoist Eldest Senior Brother."
Qingyun Daoist said so.
Personally make the rounds?
Go to all the great Holy Lands?
How dangerous was the outside world?
For trash like him, at the Qi Refinement realm, to make such a journey?
Were they serious?
Lu Changsheng was completely dumbfounded. It was one thing for others not to know his realm, but Qingyun Daoist, his master, was joining in this madness too?
Did they want him to go die?
Though Lu Changsheng did not know exactly how dangerous the outside world was, he had not read all those novels for nothing.
It was true that All Righteous Paths Under Heaven were flourishing now, but danger was still danger. Would demonic beasts care whether the righteous path was thriving? Filling their bellies was the true way.
"Um, uncles and senior uncles, Changsheng intends to focus on cultivation lately, so it may not be convenient for me to travel far."
Lu Changsheng spoke. He did not want to go down the mountain for no other reason.
He was afraid of dying.
That was all.
"Changsheng, you have already taken half a step into ascension. Why continue secluded cultivation?"
"Changsheng, this uncle must criticize you. Haste makes waste. You reached this realm in merely three years—why do you still need secluded cultivation?"
"This journey will take less than half a year. It will not delay your secluded cultivation."
"Yes, yes, yes."
"Ah, look at Changsheng's awareness. He is already this strong, yet he still wishes to cultivate in seclusion. Then look at our disciples—after gaining the slightest achievement, they cannot wait for the whole world to know. Shameful, truly shameful."
"Indeed. If my disciple had even half of Changsheng's awareness, I would laugh myself to death."
Everyone praised him without reservation.
"How about this? No more words. Over the next two days, we will plan Changsheng's route. Give Changsheng a little more time, then we shall begin."
In their eyes, the reason Lu Changsheng did not wish to go down the mountain was clearly because he was too modest. Every one of them looked at him with approval.
Wang Liang spoke, effectively settling the matter.
"Fine!"
"Amitabha."
"Good."
"Fine."
Everyone nodded one after another.
"Uncles and senior uncles, Changsheng is not joking. Changsheng truly wishes to cultivate in seclusion."
Lu Changsheng hurriedly spoke. He truly did not want to go down the mountain. With his level of ability, going down the mountain was no different from delivering himself to death. The world outside was so dangerous; he only wanted to hide at home and be a salted fish.
"Changsheng, say no more. Too much modesty is not good."
"Modesty, modesty! You are simply being modest."
"Changsheng, this matter truly is not yours to decide. We have already decided. Your master has agreed as well. It is settled."
They would not let Lu Changsheng explain. They directly finalized the plan, then bade farewell to Qingyun Daoist one by one and departed in high spirits.
Only Lu Changsheng was left standing there, utterly bewildered.
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