Upper Mound moved swiftly. As soon as Chu Mo returned to the sect, the exact date of his succession as Sect Master was settled: three days later, without a moment's delay.
Jin Jue also paid him another visit that very day. This time, he brought a Heaven and Earth Bag of superior quality. Its mouth opened slightly, and the radiance of Spirit Matter swirled within, lighting up the entire room.
"Senior Brother Youxuan." Jin Jue smiled and cupped his hands, readily adopting the new form of address. "With your ascension as Sect Master close at hand, Upper Mound has prepared a humble gift to offer our congratulations."
Chu Mo glanced at the Heaven and Earth Bag, and his eyelid twitched. The Spirit Matter inside actually numbered in the hundreds of thousands.
They've come bearing riches. He grumbled inwardly. Upper Mound called it a congratulatory gift, but it looked more like an apology. After all, they had pulled no shortage of little tricks before.
Anyone else might have accepted it outright.
"Fellow Daoist Jin Jue, you truly are generous. Such a lavish gift really does tempt me." Meeting Jin Jue's expectant gaze, Chu Mo abruptly changed tack and said solemnly, "But I refuse."
Jin Jue's expression froze. Bewildered, he asked, "What do you mean, Senior Brother? I-"
"Ah." Chu Mo cut off his explanation and sighed. "It isn't that I don't want it. But since this came out of Upper Mound, I can't help worrying. You and I both know what happened to the former Sect Master Xuanming."
The atmosphere in the hall grew slightly strained.
A trace of embarrassment crossed Jin Jue's face before his expression returned to normal. He sighed softly. "Senior Brother Youxuan, your prejudice against our lineage runs rather too deep."
Chu Mo smiled. "How could this