The Sect's Hope

A heart-stopping battle.😲♞

From its explosive beginning to its end, it had lasted no more than a few breaths.

Yet it had left the disciples burning with excitement, especially that streak of sword light that reached the heavens. What astonishing power!

As the saying went, "If one heard the Dao in the morning, one could die content by evening."

Ordinary disciples might not have understood much, but many skilled swordsmen had watched as if entranced. Liu Sheng was one of them.

"His swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle. If only I could become his disciple... No, even a few words of guidance from him would be enough to benefit me for the rest of my life."

"What a pity. What a terrible pity."

Liu Sheng looked utterly dejected.

He was overcome with regret at having missed the chance to meet such an unparalleled expert.

Little did he know that the peerless expert on his mind was standing not far away, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds.

"Now that this is settled, I should go back to sweeping."

Seeing that everything was over and there was no more excitement to watch, Lin Cheng left on his own, leaving the disciples behind to chatter among themselves.

Just before leaving, he happened to catch sight of Meng Tangtang standing dumbfounded on the platform.

He felt he ought to say something to his disciple.

With a thought, he sent out a faint ripple.

"I'm still alive?"

Meng Tangtang suddenly realized she was safe. The red-robed elder had been reduced to ashes by a streak of sword light, and the other Blood-Oath Sect elder had also been struck down.

"What happened?"

She glanced at the spirit weapon sword in her hand, and a vague suspicion arose in her heart. That terrifying sword light seemed to have come from the blade, saving her life at the critical moment!

It was her master!

Meng Tangtang gently held the sword, her eyes growing moist.

Though she had known him for only a short while,

her master had done so much for her—even taking care of every last detail of her safety.

A surging warmth flowed through her heart.

Just then, a familiar, aged voice suddenly came to her from afar.

"Well done!"

Just four words, yet they struck her heart like a heavy hammer.

Meng Tangtang trembled, then was overcome with joy. She was happier than she had been when she first learned she could cultivate!

Her master had praised her!

She hadn't disappointed him after all!

"Thank you, Master, for saving my life. I'll work even harder and never bring shame upon you!" Meng Tangtang bowed toward the empty sky.

She looked around but saw no suspicious figures.

Her master's image grew ever more mysterious and imposing in her heart. It seemed that only she had heard his voice, and Meng Tangtang couldn't help feeling pleased.

Thinking of that terrifying sword light, she felt a strange pride swell within her, alongside her joy.

At that moment, she could barely resist the urge to shout to everyone.

Look!

This is my master!

An invincible expert who had subdued an Eighth-Rank powerhouse with a single sword!

"Hehe..."

Meng Tangtang grinned foolishly, then suddenly realized someone was calling her.

She turned and saw everyone's eyes fixed on her. She felt a little embarrassed...

What was going on?

"You're Meng Tangtang, aren't you? Good, very good. You've lived up to the reputation of the Innate Divine Body!" A kindly-looking, chubby old man strode toward her, followed by a group of equally cheerful old men and women.

"Ah, this disciple greets the elder!"

Coming to her senses, Meng Tangtang hurriedly bowed.

"Quick, get up! If you hadn't stepped forward to shield the sect and foiled the Blood-Oath Sect's scheme, we wouldn't have known how to answer to the sect! You've rendered a great service. Just name your reward. If the sect has it, we won't hold back!"

Elder Hao laughed heartily, showering her with praise.

His words caused an uproar throughout the crowd.

Hundreds, even thousands, of disciples turned to look at her with envy and jealousy. Who wouldn't envy such good fortune?

"Uh..."

Meng Tangtang was a little dazed. This was the first time anyone had treated her with such warmth, especially someone as powerful and influential in Jingyun Sect as an elder.

She was at a loss for what to do.

As for a reward...

She hadn't really thought about it. At the time, she had only wanted to stand up for the sect. And because of her master, she had acted in a fit of anger.

"Haha, it's fine if you haven't decided. You have plenty of time to think it over!"

Elder Hao saw how flustered she was and thought that she was, after all, just a young girl with a pure heart.

That was a good thing, too. At least the sect wouldn't end up raising an ungrateful wretch. After all, they planned to groom Meng Tangtang as the sect's successor!

If she grew up but harbored ill intentions,

the consequences would be unthinkable, given the destructive power of someone in the Innate Realm.

"Thank you, Elder." Meng Tangtang nodded.

"What do you think?"

Elder Hao quietly conferred with the other elders.

"She has a fine temperament. I think she's a good choice, and worth cultivating!"

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"I concur."

"..."

Seeing the elders all nod in agreement, Elder Hao nodded as well. "Since we're all in accord, let's settle the matter for now. As for how to cultivate her, we'll need to discuss the details carefully. We absolutely mustn't waste such a fine prospect."

"Don't worry. Do you really have to spell it out? We'll naturally cultivate her as the Young Sect Master!" A hot-tempered elder glared at him.

"Excellent."

Elder Hao stroked his beard with a smile. "Then let's take her to meet the Grand Elder. We may have no objections, but in the end, the decision is hers to make."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They could handle most matters among themselves, but this concerned the sect's very future. With the Sect Master away on the front lines fighting the alien race, the sect had no leader. For such an important matter, they needed to hear from the sect's cornerstone.

Blood-Oath Sect.

The sect stood atop a gloomy graveyard. Blood-red buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, and the surroundings were dark and dismal. Eerie screams drifted through the air from time to time, raising goosebumps.

"Old Seven and Old Eight went to Jingyun Sect. Why haven't they come back yet?"

"Could something have happened to them?"

A red-robed figure stared anxiously into the distance, consumed with worry.

"Third Elder."

Just then, the red-robed figure shuddered as a voice called out in his ear. He hurriedly replied, "First Elder, how is the Sect Master?"

"He's reached a critical juncture. It'll take three years at the shortest, five at the longest, but the Sect Master will surely break through that bottleneck and reach a higher level. Then our Blood-Oath Sect will become a two-star sect!" First Elder's voice brimmed with excitement.

"Wonderful!"

"Ever since the Sect Master went into seclusion, our Blood-Oath Sect's prestige has plummeted. Those people are increasingly treating us like we're nothing! Even Jingyun Sect, a mere sect ranked last among the top ten, dares to attack our elders. The nerve!"

Just moments ago, Third Elder had received word from his subordinates.

The two elders, Chi and Mei, had fallen!

Absurd!

Blood-Oath Sect's Eight Guardian Elders—the Heaven-Killer, Earth-Extinguisher, Chi, Mei, Wang, and Liang—were all renowned figures. Yet now, the sect's divine son had fallen alongside them at Jingyun Sect. Those dogs had some gall!

"When the Sect Master comes out of seclusion, Jingyun Sect will be the first we take down!"

"Don't be impatient."

Elder Tian smiled faintly. "That old woman at Jingyun Sect has a great debt of gratitude from the Five Elements Sect. She can even call upon the Five Elements Ancestor to act. Until the Sect Master comes out of seclusion, we must keep a low profile. There's another important matter that you and Fourth Elder need to handle right now."

When Third Elder heard the words "Five Elements Sect,"

his body trembled, and he immediately fell silent.

Something seemed to flash through his mind, and his face filled with fear.

The Five Elements Sect.

It was the foremost of the Southern Region's ten great sects, its only two-star sect, and the undisputed ruler of the entire Southern Region.

It had more than one Innate Realm powerhouse.

The Five Elements Sect's Five Elements Ancestor was even a Foundation Establishment Venerable.

It was only thanks to his existence that the great sects of the Southern Region could unite to resist the alien invasion.

Five Elements Ancestor was an upright man.

He despised underhanded conduct and couldn't abide the slightest speck of wrongdoing.

It was only because the alien race was advancing fiercely and humanity was weak, making every bit of strength precious, that he hadn't wiped out Blood-Oath Sect and its ilk.

Otherwise...

Just imagine the wrath of a Foundation Establishment Venerable. Blood-Oath Sect as it stood could never withstand it!

With that man's favor in play, they couldn't openly move against Jingyun Sect. Wouldn't that jeopardize the Sect Master's great undertaking?

At this thought, Third Elder swallowed his anger and had no choice but to let the matter rest for the time being.

"What is it?" Third Elder asked.

"This matter is of the utmost importance. It concerns our sect's plan to become a two-star sect, and it's also connected to Jingyun Sect..." Elder Tian's voice was sinister. The two exchanged a few whispered words, then threw back their heads and laughed. A cold glint flashed in Third Elder's eyes.

"Jingyun Sect, heh..."