After Du Busi's figure had vanished from sight, Yun Luo walked to the window and murmured:
"Master, rest assured. I will lead the Body Sect to glory."
The sun outside the window set, and night fell. The moon emerged from behind the clouds, spilling its light over his face, pale from his injuries.
Yun Luo stood by the window for a long time. Only when his injuries began to ache faintly did he turn and return to the bed, sitting cross-legged to recover.
The Body Sect, meeting hall.
Three days had passed since Du Busi left Yun Luo's place.
"Is everyone here?"
Seated at the head of the hall, Du Busi swept his gaze around before addressing the elder beside him.
"Apart from the elders traveling outside, all of the Body Sect's senior members are here."
Seeing Du Busi look his way, the elder rose and answered respectfully.
"I suddenly summoned everyone here today because the sect ceremony is approaching. I wanted to speak with you about appointing the Holy Son."
Everyone was somewhat puzzled by Du Busi's words. Hadn't they already settled the matter of the Holy Son a few days ago?
Why were they discussing it again now?
"Sect Master, didn't we already decide during the meeting a few days ago that Long Aotian would be the Body Sect's Holy Son?"
"Have you forgotten?"
Seeing that no one else spoke, an elder took a deep breath, rose, and addressed Du Busi respectfully.
"Of course I haven't forgotten."
"But I called this meeting today because I want to change the candidate for Holy Son."
"I want Yun Luo to become our sect's Holy Son."
At Du Busi's words, the Body Sect's senior members all stared at him in astonishment.
"Well... Sect Master, why?"
"Aotian's talent tramples everyone else in the sect. Who is qualified to replace him?"
"Besides, Yun Luo is a stranger of unknown origins. How could he become our sect's Holy Son?"
An impatient elder spoke up directly upon hearing Du Busi's words.
Seeing someone take the lead, the other elders chimed in.
"How could someone of unknown origins possibly command everyone's respect?"
"Aotian has rendered so many meritorious services to the sect. Sect Master, you're..."
Listening to the questions flying back and forth below, Du Busi's expression remained unchanged as his fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.
"Finished?"
His mild voice rang through the meeting hall, like a basin of cold water poured straight over their heads.
Without warning, he unleashed the oppressive might unique to a rank ninety-eight Super Douluo.
In an instant, everyone present paled and circulated their Soul Power to resist.
Even so, the pressure left quite a few of the weaker elders sweating.
"I called this meeting today to inform you of this decision, not to let you debate it."
Du Busi slowly rose, sweeping his gaze over everyone present.
"I have already verified his identity."
"I believe that, with his talent, he will lead our Body Sect to unprecedented heights."
"If anyone still has doubts, he will prove himself to you on the day of the sect ceremony."
At Du Busi's words, the entire meeting hall fell silent as a flock of crows and sparrows struck dumb.
The elders who had spoken earlier opened their mouths, but ultimately swallowed their words.
"I've said everything I came to say today. Meeting adjourned."
With that, Du Busi vanished from the meeting hall.
The instant Du Busi left, the entire meeting hall erupted.
"What has gotten into the Sect Master?"
"To think he would trust a brat of unknown origins. Sigh, could our Body Sect..."
Just as the Body Sect members were deep in heated discussion, the old man seated near Du Busi's seat rose and interrupted them.
The old man stood nearly two meters tall, with a burly, muscular build and bronze skin, dressed in a close-fitting martial outfit.
He was none other than Jin Peng, the Body Sect's Grand Elder.
"Enough."
"Stop discussing this matter. I'll speak to the Sect Master. You may leave."
With that, Jin Peng rose and left the meeting hall.
After hearing Jin Peng's words, everyone refrained from further comment and left to attend to their own affairs.
A sudden knock sounded outside Yun Luo's residence in the Body Sect, interrupting his cultivation.
"Senior Du."
Yun Luo rose and opened the door. Finding Du Busi standing outside, he bowed respectfully.
"No need for that. I came to see you about the sect ceremony in two days."
Du Busi waved a hand, motioning for him to straighten up.
"The sect ceremony?"
Du Busi nodded and continued.
"Yes, the sect ceremony."
"I came to tell you to prepare. At the sect ceremony in two days, some people will inevitably object to your appointment as Holy Son. Your job is to make them accept it."
Hearing Du Busi's words, Yun Luo understood. He was to demonstrate his strength so everyone would accept him.
"Senior, I understand."
"I'll make my move. I'll show them just how wide the gap between us is."
Du Busi looked at Yun Luo, nodded, and turned to leave.
"Boy, don't disappoint me."
"I won't, Senior."
Du Busi said nothing more. He merely nodded, and his figure disappeared from Yun Luo's sight.
Time slipped by, and two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early that morning, in his room, Yun Luo took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.
Feeling the Soul Power surging through his body, his eyes filled with excitement.
"To think a blessing came out of that disaster. My Soul Power suddenly reached rank sixty-three."
Just as Yun Luo was about to examine his condition, a knock sounded at the door.
Hearing the knock, Yun Luo set aside that thought and rose to open the door.
After opening it, he saw a young woman standing quietly outside, holding a garment.
"Who are you?"
"My lord, the Sect Master sent me to deliver your clothes."
Hearing his question, the woman answered respectfully.
"Mm, thank you."
Yun Luo nodded, reached out to take the clothes, and returned to his room to change.
When Yun Luo emerged after changing, he wore a white robe with the Body Sect's emblem embroidered on its cuffs in dark gold thread, making him look even more handsome and upright.
Somewhat puzzled to find the woman still standing outside, he asked her a question.
"Why are you still here?"
"My lord, the Sect Master was worried you wouldn't know the way, so he asked me to take you to the ceremony."
"Oh, thank you."
Hearing her words, Yun Luo nodded.
"My lord, this way, please."
The young woman stepped aside and gestured for him to proceed.
Yun Luo nodded and followed her toward the venue for the sect ceremony.
The Body Sect, training grounds.
The place, usually fairly quiet, was now packed with people.
Standing on the platform, Du Busi spotted Yun Luo walking in from outside at a glance and addressed those below.
"Let the sect ceremony begin."
Meanwhile, after bringing Yun Luo there, the woman bowed respectfully and withdrew.
"My lord, this is the place."
"If you have no further need of me, I'll take my leave."
"Mm, you may go."
Yun Luo waved a hand and turned his gaze toward where Du Busi stood.
After the series of preliminary proceedings for the sect ceremony was completed, it was finally time to appoint the Holy Son.
The elders presiding over the ceremony stepped back, and Du Busi walked forward again, addressing everyone below:
"I will now announce the identity of the Holy Son."
"Holy Son Yun Luo, come up onto the platform."
As Du Busi spoke, his gaze settled on Yun Luo.
Hearing Du Busi's words, Yun Luo walked over.
As they looked at the young man standing on the platform, everyone's eyes filled with confusion.
Although the Body Sect's senior members had met Yun Luo, they did not understand why the Sect Master would make him the Holy Son.
This was what all the senior members thought upon witnessing such an absurd scene.
"An outsider of unknown origins becoming the Holy Son? The Sect Master is being controlled."
Du Busi naturally noticed as well, but said nothing further, instead continuing to preside over the Holy Son's investiture ceremony.
Du Busi handed Yun Luo the sect's Holy Son token.
Once this was done, Yun Luo gripped the token and walked forward, addressing the people below.
"I know you're puzzled right now. Who am I? Why am I becoming the Body Sect's Holy Son?"
"Let me tell you: I can lead the Body Sect to unprecedented heights."
Seeing the defiance and confusion filling the eyes of those below, Yun Luo spoke again.
Then he raised his hand, pointed his index finger downward, and lightly indicated the training platform beneath his feet.
"I know those of you present may not accept this. I'll give you a chance. Defeat me, and what of it if I give you the position of Holy Son?"