They All Came to Flatter Him!
Chen Changqing let out a long sigh of relief, feeling the continuous stream of insights flowing into his mind, and his whole body felt refreshed.
With a system at his side, the Heaven-Piercing Secret Art others would need to cultivate for a hundred years can be accomplished by him in just one month of idle time.
Once the "Myriad Transformations Starry Skies Art" is fully mastered, and three more Star Primordial Spirits are added to the Sea of Consciousness, bringing the total to twelve Primordial Spirits, the combat power will surely double.
After finishing his Cultivation Method, Chen Changqing stood up, pushed open the palace door, and sat down on the bluestone at the edge of the cliff.
A gentle breeze swept through the mountain peaks, and the warm sunshine felt wonderful on my skin.
There are three days left until the ceremony.
Rarely having such a leisurely time, Chen Changqing leaned back on the stone chair, closed his eyes, and quietly enjoyed the tranquility.
The tranquility of Evergreen Peak did not last long.
Although the magnificent celestial phenomenon emanating from the Nine-Layer Heavenly Palace on the back mountain was mostly blocked by the formation, it still could not escape the notice of the true high-ranking members of Mount Shu.
In particular, the news that Daoist Chen Yuan had already begun secretly preparing for the grand ceremony and that the next head of the Mount Shu Sect Master would be located on Evergreen Peak spread like wildfire across the Thirty-Six Main Peaks and Seventy-Two Spirit Peaks.
Chen Changqing's name was once again thrust into the spotlight of power struggles within the Mount Shu sect.
In the early morning, the sunlight had just pierced through the thin mist.
Outside the gate of Evergreen Peak, the two great demons, Mystic Serpent and Black Bear, lay listlessly on the bluestone, yawning.
Suddenly, dozens of colorful streaks of light appeared on the horizon, accompanied by the sound of air being torn apart.
The two great demons suddenly scrambled to their feet and looked warily toward the sky.
The Peak Masters, elders of the Discipline Hall, and deacons of the Cultivation Transmission Hall, who were usually rarely seen, were now flying towards Evergreen Peak in groups.
Amidst the descending light, a white-haired old man appeared with a beaming smile, carrying a Sealing-Spirit Clay Jar emitting a rich aroma of wine. He was none other than the Peak Master of Spirit Wine Peak, True Lord Lieyang.
Beside him stood the chief alchemist of the Alchemy Hall, True Lord Qingmu, followed by two young disciples carrying several exquisite Sandalwood Boxes.
"Is the Holy Son Changqing on the peak?"
True Lord Lieyang descended from the clouds and politely bowed to the great demon guarding the gate.
The usually aloof and powerful True Lord spoke with such gentleness that there was not a single fault in his tone when facing the two gatekeeper Demon Beasts.
The Mystic Serpent flicked its tongue, not daring to delay, and immediately transmitted its voice into the peak.
Before long, Mo Yuan's figure slowly walked down the mountain path.
The old servant wore a long blue robe, his back ramrod straight, exuding the composed demeanor of Title True Lord.
Mo Yuan bowed to the crowd.
"Elders and Peak Masters, my master is enjoying tea in the back mountain and has specially instructed this old servant to greet you all here."
True Lord Lieyang laughed heartily and quickly stepped forward to grab Mo Yuan's wrist, appearing extremely affectionate.
"Elder Mo, you're too kind. The Holy Son is extremely busy; we have only made an uninvited visit and disturbed his Holy Son cultivation."
True Lord Qingmu also stepped forward and handed over the sandalwood brocade box he was holding.
"These are the Nine-Revolution Resurrection Pill and the Heaven Marrow Aperture-Opening Pill, just fresh from the Pill Hall. I've specially brought them for His Highness the Holy Son to try. I hope Elder Mo won't find them too cheap."
Mo Yuan calmly accepted the gift box and stepped aside to lead the way.
Please come in, everyone.
The reception room at Evergreen Peak was filled with the aroma of tea.
Chen Changqing sat in the head seat, dressed in a plain white Daoist robe, looking relaxed and content.
Jian Zhenzi, Luo Futian, Ji Changkong, and other core disciples stood on both sides of the hall, their expressions solemn, displaying the majesty of the Evergreen Peak disciples.
The elders and Peak Master entered the hall nodded in approval upon seeing this display.
Evergreen Peak is no longer what it was when it was first established. It now has the original First Holy Son, Second Holy Son, and Tenth Holy Son under its command, and is even guarded by Title True Lord. Its foundation has already subtly surpassed that of most Main Peaks.
"Greetings, Holy Son!"
Everyone bowed in unison.
Chen Changqing raised his hand slightly to lower it, his attitude amiable.
"Fellow disciples and elders, please take your seats; there's no need for such formalities."
After the guests and hosts took their seats, everyone offered their congratulations, their words filled with flattery and a desire to curry favor.
"Upon hearing that the Holy Son will soon assume the title of Sect Master at the grand ceremony, everyone on Spirit Treasure Peak is overjoyed."
"Indeed, the Holy Son defeated all the heroes in the Heavenly Void Secret Realm, displaying the Mountain God. No one but the Holy Son should be allowed to sit in our Alchemy Hall as the next Sect Master!"
These old foxes are very well-informed. The First Ancestor of the Back Mountain has just emerged from seclusion, and the sect is about to announce that Chen Changqing will succeed him as the Sect Master.
Anyone with eyes to see could guess that Chen Changqing had not only Daoist Chen Yuan and Daoist Wuzhen behind him, but even the old ancestors in the Nine-Layer Heavenly Palace tacitly approved and supported him.
If you don't show your loyalty now, you won't even get a seat at the head of the table after the ceremony.
The atmosphere in the reception room was exceptionally warm and lively, with congratulatory gifts piled up like a mountain in the side hall.
Millennium-old Ganoderma lucidum, Top-Grade Spirit Stones, and fragments of High Antiquity flying swords are all available.
However, amidst this joyous and peaceful atmosphere, a black-robed elder sitting in the lower corner frowned slightly.
This person is Zhao Wuji, the Deputy Peak Master of Punishment Peak. His cultivation has reached the True Lord Peak, and he is known within Mount Shu for his impartiality and incorruptibility.
Zhao Wuji put down his teacup, coughed lightly, and interrupted the flattery of the people around him.
"It is a fortunate event for the sect that the Holy Son has taken over the reins of Mount Shu."
"However, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."
The surrounding noise suddenly stopped.
All eyes turned to Zhao Wuji. Many Peak Masters looked on with anticipation, while others quietly shifted their positions, moving further away from Zhao Wuji.
Chen Changqing remained calm, picking up his teacup and gently blowing away the foam.
"Elder Zhao, please speak freely."
Zhao Wuji stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and spoke in a firm tone.
"Mount Shu is a prestigious and righteous sect, and its Sect Master throughout history have all been individuals of exceptional virtue, talent, and profound cultivation."
"Your Holy Son is exceptionally gifted; I admire that."
"But the Holy Son's current cultivation level is only at the Middle True Lord Stage. If he were to be given the title of Sect Master now, it would inevitably lead other sects in the Nine Provinces to look down on our Mount Shu for having no one to rely on."
"Moreover, I have heard that the Holy Son acts decisively and ruthlessly, having killed many direct descendants of major sects in the Secret Realm. He has made too many enemies, which may be detrimental to our Mount Shu's future leadership of the righteous path in the Nine Provinces."
The temperature in the hall plummeted as soon as these words were spoken.
Jian Zhenzi stepped forward, placing his hand on his sword, his expression unfriendly.
Luo Futian's Witch Clan Bloodline roared within him, and his Qi and Blood surged subtly.
This old fellow is clearly taking advantage of his age and Evergreen Peak in front of all the Peak Masters.
Chen Changqing, however, did not get angry.
He slowly put down his teacup and looked up at Zhao Wuji.
The Intent of the Invincible Sword Domain suddenly flowed throughout the hall, causing the space of the entire main hall to compress dramatically.
Zhao Wuji felt a sudden weight on his shoulders, as if a towering ancient divine mountain had pressed down on his back out of nowhere.
His protective True Essence at the True Lord Peak was instantly suppressed deep within his meridians, and he couldn't even circulate a trace of Law Power smoothly.