In a short period of time, Cao Zhengyang went through all the available candidates in his mind.
Cao Chun?
No, no, that won't do.
Although Cao Chun is his only daughter and has extremely outstanding talent, her strength is still too weak. Even with her father backing her up, it is difficult for her to convince others.
Historically, no Peak Master of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect has ever been able to maintain their position at the Early Saint Realm.
Moreover, she is not only incompetent, but also lacks the temperament to shoulder great responsibilities. Relying on being her father's daughter, she has always been arrogant and domineering.
He had always known about this, but it was definitely not something that could be changed overnight.
Previously, he had been focused solely on his own cultivation, neglecting his daughter. By the time he realized something was wrong, it was too late.
Now, he is in a hurry to go into seclusion to cultivate, and he has no time to spend correcting his daughter's character. Rather than entrusting her with great responsibility just because she is his daughter, he should think of other people.
Cao Chun is no good.
Bikong...
Cao Zhengyang frowned.
The Bikong could have been...
He was an old friend of mine. Although he was only at the Late Saint Realm, he had many skills and served as an elder on Ximu Peak. As for his strength, no one else dared to disobey him.
However, he did not choose a temporary acting Peak Master, but rather a successor who was very likely to take his place in the future!
The Bikong can temporarily take over for a period of time, but it cannot manage it for long.
Not to mention, he is still recovering from his injuries, which has somewhat diminished his strength.
In addition, his personality is such that he is better at maintaining the status quo than at exploring new frontiers.
Thinking about the worst-case scenario, if I were to accidentally have an accident and Ximu Peak fell into Bikong's hands, things probably wouldn't be much better.
Let alone flourishing, they'll probably have to close down in a few years.
Cao Zhengyang didn't want to see this happen.
As the Peak Master of Ximu Peak for hundreds of years, he has Zhenzhen treated Ximu Peak as his own child.
Moreover, each peak has its own lineage. If Ximu Peak were to fall apart, it would mean that the lineage here would decline or even be cut off.
This is something he absolutely, positively does not want to see.
And then there's his eldest disciple, He Qinglang...
Thinking of this person, Cao Zhengyang's brows not only didn't relax, but instead furrowed even more.
To be honest, He Qinglang is a fairly qualified candidate.
Although he has not reached the peak of the Late Saint Realm, he will definitely be able to make a breakthrough within a hundred years.
With a sharp personality, experience in managing Azure Wave City, and a rather cunning nature, if Ximu Peak were to fall into his hands, no one would be able to make him suffer. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that he would be the one to make others suffer.
That kid is always cunning.
The problem is, he is now the city lord of Azure Wave City.
That was an appointment from the Sword Sect, not something I could easily summon back.
And, most importantly, that kid himself wasn't willing!
If he wanted to, he wouldn't have left Ximu Peak to become the city lord of Azure Wave City.
He has never been one to maintain the status quo.
It's the complete opposite of a clear Bikong.
There were two or three other elders on Ximu Peak, but Cao Zhengyang didn't even consider them.
Putting aside the issue of cultivation level, if he were to reluctantly accept it, he could basically still make up the numbers.
However, in terms of temperament, none of them could satisfy him.
He wasn't even satisfied; he was worried that during this time, the other elders might turn against him and leave Ximu Peak.
As for his other disciples...
None can compare to He Qinglang.
Nothing can compare to the Bikong.
It's really ugly.
"Well!"
As he pondered this, Cao Zhengyang couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.
In the end, it all boils down to just one problem.
There are far too few people like him at Ximu Peak!
That's too little!
If there were more people, he wouldn't be so worried now, unable to even find someone to explain things to.
As for his female disciples?
Cao Zhengyang hadn't considered it.
He had four disciples in total.
Apart from He Qinglang, whose cultivation level is higher, the rest are about the same as his daughter. In fact, even the youngest disciple, the one beside him, is not even at the Saint Realm.
It's simply impossible for him to take over.
Oh, what a worry!
I'm really worried!
Just as Cao Zhengyang was losing control of his sorrow, his communication jade tablet suddenly rang.
The person who came He Qinglang.
Um?
Cao Zhengyang's brows twitched, a hint of doubt appearing on his face.
What was the Tong'er's intention in sending a message at this time?
He always called He Qinglang" Tong'er " because He Qinglang was raised by him, and their relationship was almost like that of father and son.
From a young age, He Qinglang had the nickname " White Crane Child," which is why Cao Zhengyang always referred to his eldest disciple as "Tong'er."
The doting affection made Cao Chun a little jealous.
He Qinglang and he had a very good relationship.
However, that was before.
Lately, this isn't the first time he's been pondering who should succeed him.
He Qinglang was the person he thought about the most.
Therefore, he sent messages to He Qinglang several times, almost nagging his eldest disciple to the point of annoyance.
Logically speaking, Tong'er should be avoiding me like the plague, so why would she send me a message?
Has something happened?
Cao Zhengyang pondered, his brow twitching involuntarily.
He answered the call without hesitation, but before he could utter his worried words, a barrage of messages from He Qinglang overwhelmed him.
"Sword Manual?"
"Overpowering a young Rogue Cultivator at the Middle Stage of the Saint Realm?"
"Still so young?"
Although he was still preoccupied with the matter of the temporary successor to the Peak Master, Cao Zhengyang couldn't help but feel a surge of joy upon hearing such good news.
"That sounds like a really good prospect."
"And his background is also quite clean..."
The reason he immediately concluded that Lin Xuan was innocent was naturally thanks to He Qinglang.
The reason he was called the White Crane Child since childhood was because he was pure-minded and clear-headed, able to perceive the joys and sorrows of all things, like a white crane detached from the world. He said that Lin Xuan had an innocent background and did not harbor any ill will towards the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect, which must be true.
Cao Zhengyang was genuinely happy.
As for He Qinglang's promise of an elder's position, in his opinion, it meant nothing at all.
If He Qinglang were willing, he would even give the position of Peak Master to the other party.
What a pity.
Thinking of this, Cao Zhengyang became somewhat depressed again and sighed softly.
Let alone the position of elder.
He is extremely worried right now.
If a truly reliable talent emerges, he would be willing to relinquish even the position of Peak Master, as long as the other party can maintain the structure of Ximu Peak Ximu Peak ensure its continuation. Nothing else matters.