With the dust settled on the candidate Saint Son battle, the Three Origins Sect Master slowly rose. His gaze swept over the gathering, a smile on his face, and his steady, clear voice carried across Returning Origin Peak:
"Thank you all for coming. The Three Origins Sect's candidate Saint Son battle has now reached a successful conclusion.
I hereby declare that Li Xiao of Flying Cloud Peak, Han Shu of Iron Wire Peak, and Ye Qian of Azure Wave Peak shall become their respective peaks' Candidate Saint Sons and receive preferential allocations of sect resources."
He paused, his gaze lingering on Li Xiao for a moment before his tone grew more solemn.
"To temper our Candidate Saint Sons, all three shall also be appointed Deputy Peak Masters. They will take part in the affairs of their peaks and the Three Origins Sect, and when traveling outside, they may represent the will of our sect."
An uproar immediately swept through the gathering.
Everyone in the sect tacitly understood that Candidate Saint Sons were being groomed to succeed their Peak Masters, but granting them the additional position of Deputy Peak Master was unprecedented.
Even the representatives of the various powers, seasoned veterans who had weathered many storms, could not help looking surprised.
Seated beside the Flying Cloud Peak Master, Huangfu Yulong tilted his head slightly and asked in a low voice, "Appointing Candidate Saint Sons as Deputy Peak Masters—isn't this a first?"
The Flying Cloud Peak Master nodded slightly, a trace of understanding in his eyes.
He knew that his senior brother, the Sect Master, ostensibly intended to nurture the Candidate Saint Sons, but his true purpose was to pave the way for Li Xiao.
Given the strength and potential Li Xiao had now displayed, an ordinary Candidate Saint Son position was