I Want to Be the Chief

In the end, Ghost Demon True Person rejected Lu Li's proposal.

The reason was simple.

If he really went to dig up Li Jing's younger brother's ashes and dump them into a cesspit, Li Jing wouldn't just be angered to death; he would be driven insane, grabbing two watermelon knives and coming straight to their door to hack people to pieces.

That was far too bloody and did not quite fit the harmonious, friendly, and mutually supportive atmosphere of the Yin Underworld Ghost Sect.

Regarding this, Lu Li expressed his regret.

"Furthermore, your Fourth Senior Brother was defeated by Li Jing back in the day, and after being mocked, he eventually died of depression. You must avenge him and ensure Li Jing does not die too easily!"

Ghost Demon True Person said with a cold face.

"This disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master."

Lu Li nodded solemnly, accepting the errand.

It was clear that this was a task assigned to him by Ghost Demon True Person, one that could not be refused.

If he were to refuse, Ghost Demon True Person would likely reclaim the Azure Flood Dragon True Blood on the spot, along with the Kunpeng Devil Art he had just imparted.

In a fit of rage, Ghost Demon True Person might even strike him down for being a disobedient disciple!

He had no choice but to accept this mission.

"Here are one thousand medium-grade spirit stones, a gift from me to you. They should be enough to sustain your cultivation until Foundation Establishment. Go back and cultivate diligently; if there is anything you do not understand, come directly here to find me."

At this moment, Ghost Demon True Person beckoned.

The Spirit-Devouring Fish behind his head opened its mouth and spat out a large pile of medium-grade spirit stones, which landed in the hall.

One thousand medium-grade spirit stones?

Not bad!

"Thank you, Master!"

Lu Li flicked his hand, a yellow light flashed, and he swept the spirit stones into his storage ring. He cupped his hands: "Then this disciple will return to cultivate. I will certainly not fail Master's trust!"

"Mm, go."

Ghost Demon True Person waved his hand.

Boom.

With a peal of thunder, the lightning barrier at the cave entrance dissipated.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Lu Li cupped his hands, turned, and walked away.

"Wait."

Just as he reached the cave entrance, Ghost Demon True Person suddenly called out.

"Does Master have any further instructions?"

Lu Li's heart skipped a beat, but he remained composed, turning around to ask with cupped hands.

"Dragon blood is lustful. After you refine the Azure Flood Dragon True Blood, your yang energy will be abundant and excitable, requiring a balance of yin and yang. I shall bestow upon you two beautiful handmaidens to serve as your concubines."

Ghost Demon True Person said.

Hm?

There was actually such a perk?

Upon hearing this, Lu Li almost blurted out his acceptance.

However, a thought crossed his mind, and he fell into contemplation.

Could these be spies sent by Ghost Demon True Person to monitor him?

"What is it?"

Seeing Lu Li's conflicted expression, Ghost Demon True Person asked in confusion: "Is two not enough? Then I shall bestow twenty upon you. Is that sufficient?"

Twenty?

Lu Li felt a faint ache in his waist at the thought. He shook his head and immediately declined: "This disciple thanks Master, but I dare not overstep by taking Master's handmaidens. If I have need, it would be better to go to Eighth Senior Brother; he has no shortage of beauties there."

"That works too, but do not become obsessed with female beauty. Go."

Ghost Demon True Person gave a word of caution and waved his hand.

"This disciple understands. This disciple takes his leave."

Lu Li cupped his hands in acknowledgment, turned, and drifted out of the cave.

Hoo.

Looking at the sky-covering fiery clouds ahead, Lu Li let out a soft breath, a look of joy on his face, and drifted toward the Star Gazing Tower at the mountain peak.

Yet, in his heart, a trace of gloom remained.

He still had to run!

Otherwise, who knew what dangerous mission Ghost Demon True Person would assign him next!

Just as he was thinking this, Lu Li spotted Bai Jinfei in a stone pavilion at the fork in the path ahead.

Upon seeing Lu Li, Bai Jinfei flashed over in a blur, beaming. "Congratulations, Junior Brother! You made quite a splash today; you'll be famous before long! By then, I fear there will be no shortage of female disciples throwing themselves at you! Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Senior Brother Bai, please, stop teasing me. This was just a minor scuffle in the Foundation Establishment Realm; it's hardly worth mentioning, let alone becoming famous."

Lu Li laughed.

"Heh, Junior Brother, don't be so modest! Your strength is already invincible within the Foundation Establishment Realm; even some Foundation Establishment cultivators would lose their lives on the spot if they crossed you! But tell me, when exactly did you become so powerful?"

Bai Jinfei couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"It's simple. I've been practicing a supreme divine art. Would you like to know what it is, Senior Brother?"

Lu Li offered a mysterious smile.

"Oh? Don't keep me in suspense, Junior Brother! Tell me, what is this divine art? Is it one of the three great secret techniques of our Yin Underworld Ghost Sect?"

Bai Jinfei's eyes lit up, and he asked impatiently.

"No. This divine art is very powerful." Lu Li shook his head with a smile. "However, there is a small condition before one can practice it."

"What condition?"

"Castration. Commonly known as self-mutilation, emasculation, becoming a eunuch, or cutting off the root."

"..."

Bai Jinfei was left speechless.

At this moment, he realized he had been played.

But a moment later, Bai Jinfei raised an eyebrow and asked with a grin, "Heh heh heh, Junior Brother, when the Master gave you the Azure Flood Dragon True Blood, did he offer any pointers? Did he tell you to prepare a few beauties for backup?"

"He did."

Lu Li nodded.

"Need any help from your Senior Brother? Whether they're from the Dao Alliance, the Buddhist sects, or all sorts of spirits and demons—those that swim in the sky or fly in the water—I can get them for you!"

Bai Jinfei patted his chest.

Does this guy have such extensive connections?

Lu Li felt a bit tempted, but ultimately shook his head and smiled. "Senior Brother, let's leave such trivial matters for another time. You were waiting here specifically for me—is there something you need?"

"Indeed!"

Bai Jinfei's expression turned solemn. "Junior Brother Lu, the Master bestowed the Azure Flood Dragon True Blood upon you so you could quickly reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. Is it to prepare you to run for Chief Disciple?"

Huh, he actually guessed it?

Lu Li felt a flicker of surprise. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. "You guessed right, Senior Brother. The Master does indeed want me to run for Chief Disciple."

"That wasn't hard to guess. You've offended True Lord Yellow Spring, True Lord Flying Fox, and the Great Devil King Heaven-Shaking—three True Lords! We of the demonic path are naturally petty; they will certainly seek revenge! Only by running for Chief Disciple will they be wary enough to refrain from attacking you."

Bai Jinfei said gravely.

Lu Li was slightly taken aback.

Running for Chief Disciple is actually a protective talisman?

Bai Jinfei continued, "Our Yin Underworld Ghost Sect has been established for over three thousand years and has seen nine Sect Masters; seven of them served as Chief Disciples! Therefore, the sect places great importance on the Chief Disciple election. Within the month of the election, no harm is permitted to befall the candidates!"

So that's how it is!

It seems the rise of the Yin Underworld Ghost Sect really wasn't just a matter of luck.

"If you truly intend to run for Chief, there is one thing you must be particularly careful about," Bai Jinfei warned solemnly.

"Please, enlighten me, Senior Brother."

Lu Li grew serious and bowed to ask for advice.

"On the day the election begins, the sect disciples will gather. Any inner disciple at the Foundation Establishment stage can step up to run. However, not just anyone can become Chief Disciple. Once you step up, there will certainly be those who refuse to accept you and will challenge your qualifications—in other words, your strength," Bai Jinfei said.

"So, on the day of the election, people will challenge me? I have to fight again?"

Lu Li frowned.

He was a kind person at heart; he only wanted to win people over with virtue.

Why, then, did everyone seem so intent on fighting him?

"This is a demonic sect. Isn't it perfectly normal to start a fight over a single disagreement?" Bai Jinfei laughed.

Fair point.

Lu Li collected his thoughts.

"Although I don't really think you can become Chief, Junior Brother, I still wish you success in plucking the laurel and seizing the position!"

Bai Jinfei bowed in congratulation.

"Many thanks. But tell me, Senior Brother Bai, does becoming Chief Disciple grant one a 'get out of jail free' card?"

Lu Li asked curiously.

"Of course! As long as you don't commit treason against the sect, you could seduce the Sect Master's wife and daughter and still not die! Besides, if you want to borrow money, you can ask anyone you like! And you don't even have to pay interest!"

Speaking of which, Bai Jinfei's eyes began to gleam with the luster of gold coins.

"There's such a benefit?"

Lu Li was taken aback.

"Yeah, but you know the Supreme Devil Sect, right? The head of the ten great devil sects. One year, their chief disciple—I think his surname was Lu, too—borrowed hundreds of millions of spirit stones from the entire sect and then just bolted back to the Dao Alliance! Turns out, the guy was a Dao Alliance mole! Hahaha!"

Bai Jinfei said, his face full of schadenfreude.

He failed to notice, however, that Lu Li's eyes were now flashing with an unprecedented brilliance.

The next moment, Lu Li reined in the light in his eyes, cupped his hands, and said, "Many thanks for the pointer, Senior Brother. I shall return to my cave dwelling to refine the Azure Flood Dragon True Blood. See you in a month!"

With that, he turned and drifted away in a single step, transforming into a phantom that vanished after a few flickers.

"Huh, why did Junior Brother Lu suddenly become so motivated?"

Bai Jinfei muttered, staring in the direction where Lu Li had disappeared.

He then shook his head, turned, took flight into the air, and shot back toward his Gold Jade Palace.

By this time, Lu Li had already rushed to his Star Gazing Tower.

His eyes were flashing with an incomparably sharp light.

I must cultivate!

I must become the chief disciple!

And then, embezzle the funds... and run away with his sisters-in-law!