When I Should Become Sect Master

However, compared to destroying the Ye Household, Sword Ancestor Jian Jingjue had something more important to do.

The Ye Household came before them, but they are merely fleeting moments in history.

The elders recounted everything that had happened in the sect, while Ziyang and Jiang Ruhai filled in the gaps by describing their encounters on their journey to the Xuanzhen Secret Realm.

Even Jian Jingjue's Dao heart, which had remained unmoved for ten thousand years in seclusion, was stirred by the stories told by the others.

The elders withdrew, and Jian Jingjue stared directly at Ning Qi, his sword Sword Intent surging around him. His overwhelming aura enveloped the entire area, and an inexplicable killing intent arose, causing everyone to remain silent.

"So you are Ning Qi?" Jian Jingjue asked.

Ning Qi clasped his hands in response, "Exactly."

The sect elders and juniors, separated by ten thousand years, met, but Jian Jingjue had a very special feeling when he first met Ning Qi.

Throughout his life, besides his extraordinary talent in Sword Dao, he was also quite proficient in the art of divination.

Below can be considered the terrain and mountains, above can be considered the grand scheme of immortals, and in between can be considered the mortal and immortal realms of humankind.

Therefore, the current grand formation and layout of the Wuji Sword Sect were all determined when Jian Jingjue was in charge of the sect.

Before going into seclusion, Jian Jingjue spent sixty years of his lifespan to glimpse the future of the Wuji Sword Sect. He vaguely predicted that a great leader would emerge in the future, and the Wuji Sword Sect would flourish!

So he went into seclusion without incident, but unexpectedly the Wuji Sword Sect's protective formation was activated today, startling him out.

I initially thought a formidable enemy had come to the sect, but after learning the truth, it turned out to be just internal strife within the sect.

However, this internal strife was not caused by the sect elders, but by a True Disciple.

Jian Jingjue's Dao heart, which had remained unmoved for millennia, was severely shaken, and he couldn't help but recall the calculations he had made before going into seclusion.

Upon seeing Ning Qi, Jian Jingjue immediately used his Qi-observation technique and saw that within Ning Qi's eyes, Sword Intent seemed to coalesce into the shape of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams).

Upon seeing this, Jian Jingjue's pupils immediately contracted.

Faced with the aura of unparalleled Sword Dao emanating from his ancestor upon emerging from seclusion, the reactions of the people in the sect varied.

The Ye Household family cried for help, the Jiang family members all submitted, the other elders were shocked, and the other True Disciple all bowed their heads.

Ning Qi, though respectful, did not regard him as the strongest and revered him as the others in the sect.

Ning Qi's gaze remained calm and unwavering, his demeanor serene and detached, as if he could remain unmoved even if the heavens and earth collapsed, and transcend the Three Realms even if the world perished.

There was a pure and clear quality in his eyes, like the beginning of creation, where clear energy rises and turbid energy descends.

What Jian Jingjue admired most about Ning Qi was his spirit of disregarding social status and magical Law Power.

Because he belongs to that type of person too.

Those who specialize in the Sword Dao must overcome all obstacles with a single strike in order to achieve success.

For the Wuji Sword Sect to prosper, its descendants must not rely on their ancestor, but must even overcome his obstacles, because he belongs to the old era.

What surprised Jian Jingjue even more was that, apart from some members of the Ye Household and Jiang families, he discovered that the fate of most people in the entire sect rested on Ning Qi!

Ning Qi stared intently at Jian Jingjue, while the others quietly observed as well.

Many elders' eyes flickered; they knew Jian Jingjue was proficient in the art of destiny analysis. Could it be...?

Suddenly, the sword Sword Intent surrounding Jian Jingjue relaxed, and the murderous aura dissipated, causing everyone in the square to feel a sense of relief.

They were deeply shocked; their ancestor was indeed terrifying!

Without using any Law Power Divine Ability or rules, the Sword Intent alone seemed to be aimed directly at the center of everyone's forehead, as if a single misstep could lead to the annihilation of their Primordial Spirit.

Senior Brother Ning faced the Sword Ancestor, whose current level was unknown, with complete composure, once again inspiring admiration in everyone.

"Okay, okay!"

Jian Jingjue stroked his long beard and said "Good" three times in a row. His voice was clear and resonant, as if it could shake the heavens.

Everyone sensed that the Sword Ancestor seemed to be in a very good mood at this moment.

Jian Jingjue then stepped forward to the bound Ye Household members.

His sword-like eyes swept over the Ye Household members. The internal strife within the sect was caused by the Ye Household, and he should have been furious.

After seeing Ning Qi, the joy in his heart had long since dispelled his anger.

Moreover, the four powerful figures of the Ye Household before him were all bound by Ning Qi's divine chains of rules and unable to move. Even Jian Jingjue couldn't help but show a hint of surprise, which made him even more convinced that Ning Qi was the Great Xing Lord he had predicted.

"Ancestor, save me! My Ye Household..." Ye Duanjiang's voice was filled with anguish.

However, Jian Jingjue didn't listen at all. His eyes flashed with divine light, and several illusory small swords shot out from them, instantly annihilating the Ye Household members in front of him.

Most people in the arena felt their hair stand on end; the fact that the Sword Ancestor had wiped out the Ye Household upon emerging from seclusion was truly terrifying.

Jian Jingjue turned around and said:

"The Ye Household is the root of all trouble within the Sword Sect; they must be eradicated to rectify the situation. Now, all the guilty members of the Ye Household have been executed, and all the innocent have been expelled. Do you have any objections?"

"As the Sword Ancestor commands!"

The elders replied in unison.

Immediately, Jian Jingjue looked directly at Jiang Baichuan.

Jiang Baichuan was being watched by the patriarch, and he bowed slightly, but his face was already deathly pale.

When he was the sect leader, he was naturally quite imposing, but when facing the ancestor, especially the ancestor who had just wiped out so many people from the Ye Household, and who was also a decisive sword cultivator, Jiang Baichuan looked down at him like a giant elephant, and his mentality was already unstable.

"Xiao Chuan, do you know your crime?"

Jiang Baichuan trembled and hurriedly said, "Sword Ancestor above, Baichuan knows his crime."

What crime have you committed?

"I..." Jiang Baichuan paused for a moment before continuing, "My failure to discover the Ye Household's wolfish ambitions beforehand is a dereliction of duty on the part of the sect leader."

Just a little?

Jiang Baichuan, sweat beading on his forehead, continued, "The Ye Household contacted the Northern Profound Sect, intending to destroy the future of my Sword Sect in the Profound Truth Secret Realm. However, with clear evidence, I wish to deal with them later. That's the second point."

Now that he had publicly confessed his crimes, his heart sank into an abyss. He vaguely realized that the Sword Ancestor was about to do something.

Everyone present felt the same way.

However, even though Jiang Baichuan confessed to two crimes, Jian Jingjue did not accept it, saying:

"These are indeed your faults, but they are not the most important. Do you know what is most important?"

"Please correct me, Sword Ancestor," Jiang Baichuan asked, suddenly realizing something.

Jian Jingjue uttered the sound of the Great Dao, which resounded throughout the entire arena.

"Your sword has become dulled, its spirit tarnished!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Baichuan froze on the spot, his whole body looking as if he had been pulled out of the water.

Not only him, but everyone present seemed to have their minds and bodies cleansed by this great voice, and they seemed to have gained some enlightenment.

"Our Wuji Sword Sect was founded on the sword. Our sect leader, Jiang Baichuan, is indecisive and lacks a comprehensive understanding of the situation. He should step down from the position of sect leader."

Jian Jingjue's sword gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Ning Qi.

"Ning Qi, True Disciple of the Sword Sect, protected the sect's foundation in the Xuanzhen Secret Realm, single-handedly rescued Elder Ziyang Jiang from drowning, thwarted the Northern Xuan Sect's plot, and upon returning to the sect, proved his guilt by punishing the Ye Household. His achievements are truly outstanding."

"Now that he has entered the late stage of the Void Dao Realm, even the four great masters of the Ye Household cannot match him. I intend to appoint him as the sect leader."

"Ning Qi, are you willing?"

Everyone in the room was shocked once again.

Before the Sword Ancestor killed the Ye Household, he asked everyone if they had any objections.

He then relinquished his position as sect leader of Jiang Baichuan and began issuing orders directly.

But when it came to appointing Senior Brother Ning as the new leader, they didn't consult anyone or make a direct appointment. Instead, they asked Senior Brother Ning if he was willing. Ah, this...

Everyone was clear-headed; how could they not understand how much the Sword Ancestor valued Ning Qi?

Ning Qi was also taken aback upon hearing this.

He never expected that the Sword Ancestor valued him so much. Although he had the intention of becoming the sect leader, he thought that he would have to go through a lot of trouble before he could do it. Now that the Sword Ancestor had come out of seclusion, he directly made him the sect leader.

Ning Qi's expression immediately turned serious. He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Ning Qi, True Disciple of the Sword Sect, is willing to accept the mission!"

"Okay, okay!"

Jian Jingjue said "good" three times in a row. His sword-like eyes, which seemed indifferent to everything, looked at Ning Qi with a hint of kindness and satisfaction.

As for Jiang Baichuan, he was utterly devastated, and some members of the Jiang family were also deeply shaken, looking at Ning Qi with a bitter expression.

With Jiang Baichuan removed from his position as sect leader, the Jiang family will likely receive significantly less in terms of resource allocation in the future.

Although the Jiang family did not openly use sect resources to cultivate their own members as much as the Ye Household, they still had to take care of them to some extent, but now it will all be in vain.

However, the Sword Ancestor acted swiftly and decisively upon emerging from seclusion, and they dared not raise any objections; otherwise, they might suffer the same fate as the Ye Household.

Moreover, the Jiang family members had already seen that Jiang Qingxue and Jiang Ruhai were completely on Ning Qi's side. They weren't fools; they knew there was more to the story.

The neutral elders and their True Disciple were all overjoyed!

They have finally broken free from the control of the sect by the Ye and Jiang families!

For a long time, they had been caught between the Ye and Jiang families, and their lives had been extremely painful.

The two factions are not to be trifled with, and resources must be fought for with all one's might. The entire sect is divided into three parts, and there is no sense of unified glory.

The Five Elements Peak members under Ning Qi's command were the most excited.

They had followed Senior Brother Ning for a long time, the longest being twenty years and the shortest only one or two years. They never expected that Senior Brother Ning would become the sect leader!

Unlike the Jiang and Ye Household, they didn't expect Senior Brother Ning to become the sect leader and bring more resources to Five Elements Peak.

Because Senior Brother Ning's guidance is the greatest resource!

Their Five Elements Peaks can maximize the use of resources, that is, to obtain the most gains with the least resources.

Moreover, Senior Brother Ning has always been fair and just, and would never act like the Ye and Jiang families.

The nine True Disciple were overjoyed at this moment.

With a prodigy like Senior Brother Ning leading the sect, he is far superior to those old fogies from the past. They seem to have already envisioned the Wuji Sword Sect becoming even more glorious under Senior Brother Ning's leadership.

The Wuji Sword Sect is facing an unprecedented upheaval.

The youngest, fastest-rising, and most gifted person in history, with the talent of an immortal seed, will succeed as sect leader.

Sword Ancestor Jian Jingjue decided to hold a formal ceremony for Ning Qi's succession as sect leader one month later.

He personally wrote the invitations and had several elders deliver them to other upper sects in the Northern Xuan Region, and then True Disciple to some of their subordinate sects.

There are ten major sects in the Northern Profound Domain, but due to the Xuanzhen Secret Realm incident, not all of them were invited. For example, the Northern Profound Sect was excluded.

It's not too late to settle our scores with them later.

Time passed.

On this day, at the Mingxin Hall of the Central Peaks.

Sword Ancestor Jian Jingjue and Ning Qi sat facing each other, while the other powerful figures sat on the four sides.

Taking advantage of his recent emergence from seclusion, Jian Jingjue planned to share his insights gained during his ten thousand years of cultivation with the younger generation.

It can enhance the understanding of the new sect leader Ning Qi, and also help other powerful figures, making the sect's foundation deeper. It can also be considered as fulfilling the responsibility they have given him as the Sword Ancestor.

"You have all entered the Void Realm. Although my Boundless Sword Sect takes the sword as its foundation, we must not be bound by its form."

Immediately, Jian Jingjue extended a palm, which was long and slender with slightly protruding tendons and bones, lean yet powerful.

Everyone immediately looked over.

A small, illusory sword materialized in his palm, formed from the very essence of swordsmanship.

Everyone looked on, thinking, "What's so difficult about this? Everyone here can conjure the same small sword."

However, since the opponent is the Sword Ancestor, it certainly won't be that simple, but the crowd truly doesn't understand his intentions.

Jian Jingjue suddenly smiled and said, "Watch closely!"

After he finished speaking, the small sword in his palm suddenly trembled and, in the blink of an eye, transformed into a phantom dagger.

Everyone examined it carefully with their Primordial Spirit senses and was immediately shocked.

This is because the sword was not formed by the rules of swords, but rather it was truly condensed by the rules of swords.

The crowd remained puzzled. Could it be that the Sword Ancestor, who had dedicated himself to the art of Sword Dao, had also mastered the rules of the blade after ten thousand years of seclusion?

Only Ning Qi's eyes seemed to brighten slightly.

Then they saw that the knife in Jian Jingjue's hand transformed into various weapons, all of which were weapons of slaughter: spears, knives, halberds, arrows... and even saws!

Everyone was shocked. If Jian Jingjue had mastered the rules of the sword before, it was impossible for him to master so many rules all at once, right?

"Sword Ancestor, how did you do that?" True Person Ziyang asked.

Jian Jingjue stroked his beard with his other hand and revealed the secret.

"This is what I have gained over ten thousand years, all contained within a single sword strike that can shatter all laws."

"One sword can shatter all laws?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

To break through all laws with a single sword strike is arguably the ultimate dream of a sword cultivator, but who can achieve it?

Therefore, after entering the Void Dao Realm, they each used the power of the affinity rules as a foundation to continuously hone themselves.

Once one path is completed, another is built.

They knew that the Sword Ancestor before them was exceptionally talented and truly only cultivated the Way of the Sword Dao, making him the person in the Wuji Sword Sect who best embodied the sect's name.

Ning Qi fell silent instead.

The ever-changing chains of rules in the Sword Ancestor's hand kept flashing through his mind, and his eyes seemed to burst with endless spiritual light as he earnestly deduced something.

All that could be heard was Jian Jingjue's exclamation:

"One sword can break all laws; this is no exaggeration."

"I have been practicing Daoism for ten thousand years, and every day the enemies I have encountered in my life flash through my mind, which I then slay with my intent sword."

"All the enemies I slay, I not only cut down their bodies and their spirits, but also their very rules!"

"Until one day, it suddenly dawned on me that since the Sword Dao can break all laws, the rules of the sword that I wield can also break all kinds of rules."

Everyone listened with rapt attention, their hearts filled with longing.

However, the Sword Ancestor did not get to the main point yet, but instead explained his thoughts to everyone.

In the hall above, in the void, countless swords suddenly appeared, darting about like swimming fish.

The entire space seemed to be dominated solely by the rules of the sword, where only the sword reigned supreme.

The powerful figures present, who wished to communicate the rules they possessed, were no longer able to do so and were greatly alarmed.

They couldn't even communicate using the same rules of the sword!

Just like this world, all the rules are controlled by the Sword Ancestor alone, and all other rules are cut down by his Sword Dao.

Jian Jingjue continued:

"After achieving unparalleled mastery of the Sword Dao, I delved into an even deeper understanding, and thus realized that the Sword Dao can sever all paths, and also control all paths, just as a king can control his ten thousand ministers!"

"So, what you just saw was what I obtained."

Upon hearing this, all the powerful beings were deeply shaken.

They seemed to have been shattered by the sword's exquisite strike, their confusion shattered, and they were instantly enlightened, their entire perspective broadened.

They couldn't help but exclaim in their hearts, "Truly worthy of being called the Sword Ancestor!"

Jian Jingjue smiled, "Unfortunately, even if I comprehend this principle, I can only control a few."

All the other powerful figures were impressed by his teachings, and Jian Jingjue couldn't help but look at Ning Qi in front of him.

Ning Qi sat cross-legged as if in a trance, his mind completely immersed in enlightenment.

Jian Jingjue noticed that Ning Qi seemed to be comprehending something, but he was right in front of him. Why didn't Ning Qi just ask him directly instead of trying to comprehend it on his own?

He finally emerged from seclusion. Wouldn't it have saved him more time? Or could a moment of enlightenment compare to ten thousand years of arduous cultivation?

Jian Jingjue frowned inwardly, but did not show it.

"Ning Qi, why don't you demonstrate it for me?"

He emitted the voice of the Great Dao, which Ning Qi's mind directly.

Ning Qi instantly snapped out of his reverie and stood up.

"Please enlighten me, Sword Ancestor."

"Um."

The two walked out of Mingxin Hall and came to the square, where they stood facing each other.

The powerful figures also followed, all marveling at Ning Qi's good fortune in receiving personal guidance from the Sword Ancestor.

Jiang Baichuan, looking dejected, was among them.

Now that he has been removed from his position as sect leader, he is dispirited and depressed.

Seeing that the Sword Ancestor was instructing Ning Qi, he only hoped to teach Ning Qi a lesson.

True Person Ziyang and Jiang Ruhai exchanged a glance, seemingly seeing the same thought in each other's eyes.

Ning Qi's strength has already surpassed theirs. The Sword Ancestor's realm is unknown, but he should not have broken through to the Integration Realm yet. So, who is stronger between the two?

However, based on the Sword Ancestor's previous display of the Divine Essence of One Sword Breaking All Laws, the Sword Ancestor's strength is definitely the number one in the Wuji Sword Sect.

"I'll only use thirty percent of my strength; be careful."

As soon as Jian Jingjue entered his state, Sword Intent filled the void around him.

He took a step forward and then struck Ning Qi with his palm.

The two stood facing each other for ten feet. As he attacked, the void seemed to be cleaved open, and the sound of swords whistling rang out.

A divine chain of sword rules instantly pierced towards Ning Qi; it had no edge, yet nothing possessed its sharpness.

Ning Qi also unleashed a divine chain of sword rules.

Buzz!

The two sword-shaped divine chains, like needles clashing against wheat awns, collided in mid-air.

Although the rules were clearly between reality and illusion, the onlookers saw sparks flying everywhere—the glowing fragments of shattered rules.

The rules governing the swords unleashed by both men collapsed simultaneously, but Ning Qi remained unfazed.

Jian Jingjue was taken aback for a moment, then said:

"Good lad, no wonder they said you could wipe out five powerful figures from the Northern Profound Sect. You do have some skill."

He initially used only 30% of his strength, merely testing Ning Qi, and did not truly unleash the power of his One Sword Breaking Ten Thousand Laws Divine Might.

"Next, I'll use half my strength, so be careful."

Ning Qi nodded.

This time, Jian Jingjue's aura was even stronger, beginning to affect the space where the two were.

The assembled powerful figures were momentarily stunned.

Even those who were merely observing felt a terrifying sense of being enveloped by Sword Intent, as if pricked by needles. One can only imagine the pressure Ning Qi was facing.

However, Ning Qi did not seem to be as vulnerable as they were; he was perfectly balanced and impervious to all attacks.

Jian Jingjue unleashed another palm strike, this time also a strike based on the rules of the sword.

However, as the Sword Intent emanating from his body merged into it, the divine chain of sword rules immediately became more flexible, as if it had come to life.

In a daze, this world seemed to contain only the rule of this one sword, and could no longer accommodate anything else.

Ning Qi's eyes flickered.

The Sword Ancestor finally revealed the power of his sword that could shatter all laws. Although he only used half of his power, it was enough for him to learn.

So, Ning Qi raised his palm and made a sweeping motion.

Two sword rules were forcefully squeezed out of the void, attacking Jian Jingjue's sword rules.

The onlookers were all shocked by what they saw.

Previously, they had experienced the terrifying feeling of having their void rules sealed by the Sword Ancestor in the Mingxin Hall. They never expected that Ning Qi could still condense his own sword rules from the void. This alone was enough to surpass them.

Similarly, Ning Qi's Sword Dao rules also seemed to possess intelligence, with one attacking directly and the other coiling around his side like a snake.

The reason he unleashed two techniques was because the Sword Ancestor's explanation of "one sword breaks ten thousand laws" was something he had never heard of before, and it opened up a new path for him.

Ning Qi had to admit that the Sword Ancestor's talent in Sword Dao was indeed astonishing.

If he can learn it, his true form will immediately be able to use the Dao of Breaking All Laws with a Single Sword, to go to the Boundary Sea to seize the rules and integrate them into himself.

Therefore, he wanted to learn and grow while fighting.

As expected, the two sword rules collided, and ordinary sword rules were no longer sufficient to compare with the sword ancestor's Sword Dao rules.

The Sword Ancestor's sword was like a peerless divine weapon, while his was just an ordinary sword.

He barely managed to hold on for a few breaths before being severed by the Sword Ancestor's Sword Dao rules.

Applying the same rules, Ning Qi landed on the bottom for the first time.

Just like when he fought against the four powerful figures of the Ye Household, his understanding of the rules far surpassed theirs, which is why he was able to sweep away their rules.

However, Ning Qi is not without ways to deal with the Sword Ancestor. He still has several rules that he has not yet used, but if he uses the same rules to fight against him, he can gain a deeper understanding.

The only thing that surprised Ning Qi was that he was not inferior to the Sword Ancestor in terms of mastery and comprehension of the rules, but rather lacked an understanding of the Great Dao.

The Sword Ancestor specialized in the Sword Dao, and his entire Primordial Spirit spirit and mind were focused and concentrated on the Way of the Sword Dao, naturally imbued with a sharp Sword Intent.

This is what Ning Qi comprehended using the broken chain of sword-rule divine power.

Another chain of Sword Dao rules, coiled like a snake, was now under Ning Qi's control, clashing with the Sword Ancestor.

Two rules were seen colliding endlessly in the void.

A thunderclap erupted from the silence.

Even more shocked than Ning Qi was the Sword Ancestor.

Jian Jingjue had already used half his strength. Let alone ordinary late-stage Void Dao Realm experts, he was confident that he could instantly sever their rules, even against a Void Dao Realm Perfection.

When masters clash, their skill level is immediately apparent from the first move.

Ning Qi actually managed to withstand the first divine chain for several breaths.

Jian Jingjue clearly sensed that the second divine chain was different from the previous one.

Although he could still sever Ning Qi's Sword Dao rules, it was becoming increasingly difficult for him.

Both of their sword rules were only five zhang long, but Ning Qi's second sword rule was used with extraordinary skill.

Each time Jian Jingjue tried to finish the fight like he had done with the first sword, Ning Qi manipulated him to dodge.

Even more terrifying is that Ning Qi's Sword Dao rules also contain a trace of Sword Intent that can break through all laws with a single sword.

Jian Jingjue immediately understood, realizing that Ning Qi was comprehending the Dao on the spot.

Thus, the two fought with the tips of their sword-wielding divine chains, appearing from a distance like two snakes tearing and devouring each other.

For the first few breaths, Jian Jingjue was still able to continuously sever Ning Qi's chains of divine rules.

However, as the story progressed, it became clear to everyone that Ning Qi's Sword Dao rules were showing signs of rivaling those of the Sword Ancestor.

In the end, both chains of divine rules were reduced to about a foot in length. Ning Qi's Sword Dao rules merged into the void and suddenly appeared, severing the sword ancestor's chains of divine rules.