Washing Yan Ancient Sect (Part 2)

Chapter 4: Washing Yan Ancient Sect (Part 2)

The news that Li Qiye had become the Chief Disciple of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect spread like wildfire. For the middle and high-ranking members of the sect, there wasn't much resentment about Li Qiye's appointment. Faced with the Washing Yan Ancient Token, they had no choice but to consider Li Qiye, this good-for-nothing, incredibly lucky.

However, it was different for the younger, third-generation disciples. The reason was simple: according to the established customs of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect, the Chief Disciple had historically been chosen from the younger, third-generation disciples. Over the years, most Chief Disciples had to pass assessments by the Elders and make significant contributions to the sect before earning the title.

Becoming the Chief Disciple not only meant personally receiving cultivation techniques from the Sect Master and having the opportunity to learn Imperial Techniques, but more importantly, historically, the Chief Disciple had an extremely high chance of becoming the next Sect Master.

In the current era, the Washing Yan Ancient Sect had not selected a Chief Disciple from the middle and high-ranking members of the second generation. This implied that the Chief Disciple would be chosen from the younger generation of third-generation disciples.

Naturally, the biggest backlash against Li Qiye becoming the Chief Disciple came from those genius disciples with exceptional aptitude and talent who had already made considerable contributions. Therefore, after Li Qiye's appointment, a great uproar ensued within the Washing Yan Ancient Sect.

"A mere mortal with a Mortal Physique, Mortal Meridians, and Mortal Fate, how can he possibly be qualified to be the Chief Disciple!" one genius exclaimed hatefully. "For someone like him to become Chief Disciple is a disgrace to our Washing Yan Ancient Sect!"

Even some of the more mature and talented disciples, though unwilling, could only say, "Who told this guy he was lucky? He possesses the Washing Yan Ancient Token. Faced with the Washing Yan Ancient Token, even the Elders had no choice."

"He's just the Chief Disciple. A good-for-nothing with a Mortal Physique, Mortal Meridians, and Mortal Fate like him doesn't have the strength to compete with me for the Sect Master position. It's not like the Chief Disciple is guaranteed to become the Sect Master!" another genius, full of confidence, sneered. "If this trash of a Chief Disciple doesn't know his place, I wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson!"

For these genius disciples, even if Li Qiye wasn't qualified to compete for the Sect Master position, they were still unhappy. After all, such a good-for-nothing like Li Qiye had become their senior brother, the eldest among the third-generation young disciples!

"The Washing Yan Ancient Token... wasn't the only Washing Yan Ancient Token in the hands of Third Ghost Lord? How did it end up with this brat?" some disciples couldn't help but wonder.

It wasn't a big secret that Third Ghost Lord possessed a Washing Yan Ancient Token. The Washing Yan Ancient Sect had always wanted to retrieve it, but Third Ghost Lord refused. Now that it had fallen into Li Qiye's hands, it was naturally strange.

"Heh, I heard this kid has some tricks up his sleeve. I wonder how he managed to fool that 'lecherous' old ghost!" some disciples sneered. "I heard that when the Elders sent people to verify, Third Ghost Lord was having a good time at the Emerald Red Pavilion. Hmph, it seems highly likely this kid treated him to something."

At this point, some disciples scoffed dismissively, even expressing disgust.

"So he's in cahoots with that old lecher!" Hearing this, other disciples couldn't help but say disdainfully.

Although it was rumored that Third Ghost Lord was the illegitimate son of the previous Sect Master, the Washing Yan Ancient Sect had always disliked him due to his lecherous and greedy nature. Even the third-generation young disciples didn't respect him. If it weren't for the Sect Master's protection, someone would have already tried to expel Third Ghost Lord from the sect.

Now that Li Qiye and Third Ghost Lord were in league, the disciples of the younger generation couldn't help but dislike Li Qiye!

However, before three days had passed, and before Li Qiye had a chance to pay respects to the ancestors, the six Elders of the Washing Yan Ancient Sect received news from the Nine Sacred Demon Gate.

"What? The Nine Sacred Demon Gate wants to conduct an assessment!" Upon receiving the news, the six Elders were taken aback.

Upon hearing this, one Elder was displeased and snorted, "The news from the Nine Sacred Demon Gate is too fast. Li Qiye just became the Chief Disciple, and they're already rushing to conduct an assessment!"

Another Elder said, "The Nine Sacred Demon Gate wants to go back on their word from the past agreement. Li Qiye, being a good-for-nothing who just joined the sect, has absolutely no chance of passing the Nine Sacred Demon Gate's assessment! So, as soon as they heard about the birth of a Chief Disciple, they naturally couldn't wait to conduct the assessment."

"We have no choice," the Grand Elder said after a moment of silence, finally with resignation. "The Nine Sacred Demon Gate now holds sway over the Jiang Kingdom. It's not like the old days. What right do we have to negotiate terms with them now?"

The Grand Elder's words plunged the other Elders into silence. In the early years of the Era of Emperors, their Washing Yan Ancient Sect was once glorious and invincible. They had once deterred the Nine Realms, swept through the Eight Desolations, and were unshakeable in the vast Central Great Region, ruling over an ancient kingdom where myriad sects paid homage.

However, after millions of years, the Washing Yan Ancient Sect had declined, its prestige gone. Now, let alone ruling an ancient kingdom, they didn't even have the strength to rule a Jiang Kingdom, let alone enfeoffing others as overlords or princes!

"What do we do now?" an Elder couldn't help but ask. Everyone knew in their hearts that a good-for-nothing like Li Qiye, who had just joined the sect with a Mortal Physique, Mortal Meridians, and Mortal Fate, had no chance of passing the Nine Sacred Demon Gate's assessment.

"We'll try our best, even if it's a long shot!" Finally, an Elder said, "If this matter is successful, then we can form a marriage alliance with the Nine Sacred Demon Gate. If that truly happens, even the Heavenly Saint Sect and the Treasure Saint Empire wouldn't dare to provoke us lightly!"

The other Elders could only offer wry smiles at this. It was a situation with virtually no chance of success, yet despite this, the Elders still wanted to try.

On the isolated peak, Li Qiye had not yet waited for the ceremony to pay respects to the ancestors. Instead, he was visited by Nan Huairen.

"Senior Brother, the Elders want you to go to the Ancestral Hall," Nan Huairen said upon seeing Li Qiye relaxing leisurely.

"Is it something important?" Li Qiye glanced at Nan Huairen's demeanor and asked casually, showing no concern.

Nan Huairen was surprised but didn't hide anything. He nodded, "To be honest, Senior Brother, the Nine Sacred Demon Gate has sent word." He then glanced at Li Qiye strangely and said, "I heard that your fiancée is going to assess you."

"Nine Sacred Demon Gate." Hearing this name, Li Qiye's mind stirred with some dusty memories.

Fearing Li Qiye might not know about the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, Nan Huairen explained, "The Nine Sacred Demon Gate is a renowned major sect in the current Central Great Region. They rule the Ancient Niu Jiang Kingdom and enfeoff Marquises and Kings. Speaking of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, they have a profound connection with our Washing Yan Ancient Sect. The founder of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, the Nine Sacred Great Sage, was once the foremost general under our Ancestor Immortal Emperor Mingren and swept through the Nine Realms with him. Back when our Washing Yan Ancient Sect ruled an ancient kingdom, the Nine Sacred Demon Gate would come to our sect to pay homage."

"I've heard of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate," Li Qiye said with a smile, appearing calm and composed. He was certainly familiar with the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, and he knew the Nine Sacred Great Sage.

In the early years of the Era of Emperors, when he guided the young Mingren in his cultivation, he had put in considerable effort. He had subdued the old demon, the Nine Sacred Great Sage, with strategy and had him protect Mingren's path!

"What's this about a fiancée?" Li Qiye asked Nan Huairen.

Nan Huairen explained, "Legend has it that when our Ancestor Immortal Emperor Mingren carried the Mandate of Heaven and achieved Immortal Emperor status, the Nine Sacred Great Sage made an agreement with our Washing Yan Ancient Sect. If their successor from the Nine Sacred Demon Gate was a female disciple, then the Nine Sacred Demon Gate would form a marriage alliance with the Chief Disciple of our Washing Yan Ancient Sect." He then softly added, "At that time, the Nine Sacred Demon Gate could be considered to be marrying up."

"Old Chicken Head seemed to have a female disciple back then," Li Qiye recalled some things upon hearing Nan Huairen's words. In his memory, the Nine Sacred Great Sage later took in a female disciple, but he had already fallen into slumber and hadn't inquired about such minor matters since.

"What did Senior Brother say?" Nan Huairen asked, hearing this.

Li Qiye snapped back to attention, shook his head, and said, "Nothing. So, the current successor of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate is a female disciple?"

Nan Huairen replied, "It's said that it's been a very, very long time since the Washing Yan Ancient Sect and the Nine Sacred Demon Gate had a marriage alliance. This generation, their successor happens to be a female disciple." He then looked at Li Qiye and added, "I heard that the successor of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, Li Shuangyan, also possesses the Innate Emperor Physique!"

Hearing Nan Huairen say this, Li Qiye suddenly understood. The current Washing Yan Ancient Sect had declined, and naturally, the Nine Sacred Demon Gate would be unwilling to marry off such a promising successor to the Washing Yan Ancient Sect!

"This is somewhat interesting," Li Qiye couldn't help but smile. He instantly grasped the cause and effect of all these matters.

Nan Huairen was astonished. Li Qiye's calm and composed demeanor didn't make him seem like a good-for-nothing at all. Even stranger was that although he was only around thirteen years old, his composure made him seem like a seasoned noble who had weathered many storms!

In Nan Huairen's view, anyone else hearing such news would have been flustered and at a loss. However, the Li Qiye before him seemed completely unfazed, which made Nan Huairen feel somewhat perplexed.

"Did Huairen explain the specific situation to you?" When Li Qiye arrived at the Ancestral Hall, the six Elders were all present. The Grand Elder spoke coldly.

To be honest, the six Elders didn't think highly of a good-for-nothing like Li Qiye. However, today, they were somewhat hoping that Li Qiye wasn't a complete waste and that he could pass the Nine Sacred Demon Gate's assessment. The Washing Yan Ancient Sect today desperately needed a powerful entity like the Nine Sacred Demon Gate through a marriage alliance! Of course, the Elders knew the chances of this were zero, but they still held onto a sliver of hope and wanted to try.

"Replying to the Elder, I understand," Li Qiye nodded.

"Very well, as long as you can pass the assessment of the Nine Sacred Demon Gate, the sect will reward you handsomely," the Grand Elder said coldly.

Li Qiye smiled and said slowly, "I am willing to take the assessment, but I have three conditions!"

"Presumptuous—" another Elder present shouted, "How dare you negotiate terms with the Elders!"

A new chapter, a new beginning. Everyone will soon meet Li Qiye's fiancée. Please vote and support.

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