The Qi Sect Is Also Unsettled

Because of the sudden emergence of Li Mu, the Sword Sect had a better option, which directly led to their internal inability to reach a consensus.

With the Sword Sect divided, the pressure on the Qi Sect naturally eased significantly. Without sufficient external pressure, different opinions began to emerge within the Qi Sect as well.

Everything is subject to comparison. Originally, it was just a competition between Cai and Yao, and everyone felt Yao Buzhou was passable. However, after Li Mu joined the fray, many Qi Sect elders began to find Yao Buzhou displeasing.

Unlike Cai Buli of the Sword Sect, Yao Buzhou did not have a distinguished ancestor to rely on. People supported him if they wanted to, and if they didn't, they could just walk away; there was no reason to follow him to the bitter end.

Not everyone possesses a keen eye. Although most martial artists understand a bit of medicine, it is usually limited to a superficial level.

In the eyes of many, Ning Qingyu is still in the prime of his life, and he could easily continue for another twenty or thirty years, so there is no need to rush the issue of a successor.

Since Yao Buzhou is not outstanding enough, they can simply select and cultivate someone else from among the disciples. After all, in recent years, the Qi Sect has seen many promising talents emerge.

Even if they cannot compare to the monstrous talents of Feng Qingyang or Li Bumu, there is still hope for them to surpass Yao Buzhou.

The position of Mount Hua Sect leader requires a very high level of comprehensive ability. One must not only possess unparalleled martial arts but also possess superior political acumen and management skills.

Currently, whether in terms of personal martial arts cultivation or other comprehensive abilities, Yao Buzhou can only be considered average.

As a leader meant to maintain the status quo, he is probably sufficient. Unfortunately, the Mount Hua Sect is still in the stage of carving out its territory; whether expanding east past Hangu or west into Hanzhong, conflict is inevitable.

If one's martial arts are not high enough and one's mind is not sharp enough, how can one satisfy everyone?

With Ning Qingyu in seclusion to heal his injuries, the Qi Sect's small meeting proceeded as usual. With the boss absent, Yue Qinglin, as the number two figure, presided over the meeting as a matter of course.

"Everyone, the Eastward Expansion Plan failed this time, and the sect suffered heavy losses from the Demonic Cult's sneak attack; the people of the Sword Sect will certainly not let this rest."

"The Sect Leader putting Li Bumu forward can only temporarily divert the Sword Sect's attention. Once they react, they won't be so docile."

"Right now, we must cut the Gordian knot and take the lead in confirming the sect successor while the Sword Sect is still divided."

Yao Buzhou, sitting to the side, grew excited. As the eldest disciple under Ning Qingyu, he had always been groomed as the sect successor, though it had never been made public.

Now, this layer of window paper had finally been pierced. After working hard for so many years, this was the closest he had ever been to the position of successor. Being able to control his emotions and not laugh out loud was already a testament to his composure.

According to tradition, the position of Mount Hua Sect leader has always been held by the Qi Sect. Theoretically, as long as he obtained the support of the uncles and seniors present, victory would be within his grasp.

Unfortunately, the result disappointed him. After Yue Qinglin made the proposal, the scene suddenly went quiet, and the atmosphere in the room became exceptionally strange.

While they might tacitly agree, when it came to actually establishing a successor immediately, everyone hesitated.

Elder Yang, the eldest among them, advised: "Junior Brother Yue, you are too impatient. The Sect Leader is currently in seclusion healing, and in the current situation of the sect, it is better to remain still than to act."

"We finally managed to divert the Sword Sect's attention; wouldn't proposing the issue of a successor now be inviting trouble?"

"If this causes any complications and delays the Sect Leader's recovery, who could take responsibility?"

"Moreover, the requirements for a Mount Hua Sect leader are very high. Not only must one have extraordinary martial arts, but one must also possess the temperament and prestige to convince the disciples."

"Nephew Buzhou is still young and lacks sufficient experience and worldly wisdom; we cannot force growth by pulling on the sprouts."

"There is an opportunity right now. If Nephew Buzhou can ferret out the traitor within the sect, he will surely be able to establish prestige among the disciples."

"With this merit, once Nephew Buzhou breaks through to the Supreme Realm, we can then push for him to be the successor, and even the Sword Sect will have nothing to say."

Though it sounded like the words of a prudent elder, anyone with a discerning eye knew what Elder Yang meant—Yao Buzhou was simply not qualified to be the successor of the Mount Hua Sect.

Yue Qinglin wanted to argue in his defense but did not know how to start. Currently, Yao Buzhou's cultivation was insufficient, his prestige in the sect was lacking, and his achievements were not convincing.

If the internal opinion of the Qi Sect was this divided, there was no need to even mention the Sword Sect.

After all, the status of a sect successor is higher than that of an ordinary elder. Without the ability to convince everyone, why should he be allowed to climb over their heads?

Even if a successor were to be established, it should wait until the Sect Leader is about to abdicate. Looking at their ages, by the time Ning Qingyu steps down, they would also be at the age to retire.

The timing would align perfectly; it would neither affect the power transition within the sect nor create the awkward situation of having a junior pressed over their heads.

As a large sect, there are always many messy affairs, and it is impossible for everyone to revolve around the issue of a successor every day. Now that neither the Sword nor Qi Sects had made a firm decision, the sect had quieted down.

With such a major event as the attack on the mountain gate, the Mount Hua Sect could not remain unresponsive. Retaliatory actions against the Demonic Cult had already begun, and internal hidden dangers had to be rooted out.

The Demonic Cult's sneak attack this time involved not just the rats from the Guanzhong Branch, but mainly elites from the outside.

For nearly a hundred Demonic Cult elites to enter Huayin and sneak onto Mount Hua without anyone noticing, there must have been someone inside the mountain gate colluding with them, providing cover and assistance.

For the Mount Hua Sect, which considers Guanzhong its base, such a thing is absolutely intolerable. A massive purge targeting those colluding with the Demonic Cult forces had already begun in the shadows.

However, none of this had anything to do with Li Mu. With the main force back, the Mount Hua Sect did not lack his combat power.

Especially for the factions of Yao and Cai, they wished this "Cheng Yaojin" who had appeared out of nowhere would disappear immediately, so they naturally would not notify Li Mu to come out and make his presence felt.

Not being allowed to participate was exactly what Li Mu wanted. Ever since he discovered the state of Ning Qingyu's injuries, he realized he did not have much time left.

If the news were to leak, the already conflicted Sword and Qi Sects would likely be unable to maintain even a facade of harmony.

In fact, this was the result of Li Mu's butterfly effect. If he hadn't turned the tide and preserved the vitality of the mountain gate, everyone would have been rational enough to have already caused an uproar.

Cultivation, cultivation... aside from cultivation, it was still cultivation. Li Mu had completely settled into a life of bitter practice, day and night.

It could be said that in both his lifetimes, he had never worked this hard. If he had had this kind of drive in his previous life, even if he couldn't get into top universities, he could at least have made it into a first-class institution.

"Senior Brother Li, Master has returned to the mountain."

Apologies, Haiyue was confused and forgot to set the timer.