"Ah!"
Song Wen let out a heavy sigh.
"The reason we made this journey was a report from Wu Jin, an outer sect elder of Cold Moon City. He claimed to have discovered something resembling the Lightning-Avoiding Divine Willow in Soul-Severing Ridge, a million li from Cold Moon City."
"Just as Elder Wu Jin reported, we did indeed find the Lightning-Avoiding Divine Willow in Fallen God Abyss, within Soul-Severing Ridge. However, we were besieged by countless venomous insects and demonic beasts, as well as a mid-ninth-tier Blood-Eyed Nether Vulture."
"Although I ultimately secured the Lightning-Avoiding Divine Willow, Deputy Sect Master Qingxuanzi and the four elders, including You Xiao, were afflicted with Nether Poison and tragically perished..."
Song Wen tilted his head slightly, gazing into the boundless sky. His expression was melancholy, his entire bearing suffused with an indescribable loneliness and desolation.
"They died because of me, yet their souls were scattered and not even their remains survived."
"Pass my orders to every disciple in the sect. Raise cenotaphs and erect memorial tablets for Deputy Sect Master Qingxuanzi and the four elders, including You Xiao, and hold grand memorial rites for seven days. During the mourning period, the sect shall abstain from wine and meat, and suspend ceremonial music."
"Also, send someone to investigate whether You Xiao and the other three elders had any surviving blood relatives. If so, allocate a million superior spirit stones to provide for them."
After hearing this, Xuan Li and the others all bowed in acknowledgment.
"Yes! We shall obey the Sect Master's command."
Song Wen nodded slightly.
Immediately afterward, the air of sorrow and melancholy surrounding him vanished completely, and he asked instead.
"Xuan Li, you have now reached the peak of the Mahayana stage. Are you willing to serve as the sect's grand elder?"