The Myriad Phenomena Sect.
Before the Pure Yang Palace.
All the high-ranking cultivators who had remained in the sect stood here.
Great Harmony Palace Elder Du Wei, Human Virtue Hall Master Fei Hua, Earthly Treasures Hall Master Xi Kui, Myriad Phenomena Scripture Repository Garrison Commander Pang Xiu...
Farther back stood Earthly Treasures Hall Deputy Hall Masters Ma Shengxu and Qu Shentong... the Human Virtue Hall deputy hall masters... the Heavenly Origin Hall...
Sect Master Shao Yangzi and Great Harmony Palace Grand Elder Yan Wenzheng stood before them all.
The atmosphere was solemn and heavy.
With the Tribulation-Crossing Treasure Raft nearing completion, something as shocking as Xun Fujun's defection had occurred.
Not only had the sect lost a fighting force at spirit transformation perfection who knew its secrets, but another shadow had also fallen over everyone's hearts.
Finally, Shao Yangzi sighed softly and broke the silence:
"As sect master, I bear an inescapable responsibility for this matter. In ordinary times, I ought to accept responsibility and offer my resignation."
He paused, and a trace of resolve flashed through his eyes, deep as ancient wells:
"But now, with great changes and a great calamity imminent, I, Shao, have managed the sect for over a thousand years. To face this calamity, we cultivators must vie to take the lead. And looking across the sect, who but me could shoulder this?"
"Thus today, I shall shamelessly continue to hold the position of sect master!"
His voice was not loud and carried its usual gentleness.
Yet everyone present felt their spirits lift!
Grand Elder Yan Wenzheng declared loudly:
"With such resolve in our sect master, the sect is truly fortunate! I shall follow you!"
With the grand elder taking the lead, everyone voiced their agreement:
"The sect is truly fortunate! I shall follow you!"
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