You won't be elected!

In the center of the Great Void Mirror Heaven, a magnificent palace stands tall.

Its name is: Great Void Hall.

This hall was where the Holy Sect discussed and decided important matters.

The dome hangs high, as if receiving the starlight from the heavens.

The four walls were adorned with array patterns and Daoist charm accumulated over millennia by the sect, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

At this moment, on the cloud-shaped jade throne inside the hall, figures with profound auras and restrained divine light have taken their seats.

Excluding those who have gone away and not returned, and those who have entered seclusion, there are seventeen Foundation Establishment True Person in the current era of the Holy Sect.

We are all gathered here today!

The acting sect leader True Person Southern Dipper, sat upright in the main seat, holding a jade-green bamboo staff. His face was calm and composed, except for the occasional glimpse of profound insight into the world that appeared in his eyes.

The position slightly below and to his left was vacant; that was the position of vice sect leader that everyone was going to elect today.

Black Mountain True Person occupied the first position on the left. He was tall and imposing, and although he tried to conceal his murderous Sha Qi, he still gave people an invisible sense of oppression.

His eyes were lowered, and his fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest unconsciously, as if he had everything under control.

A few individuals, including True Person Qianxin and True Person Chiyang, who were clearly at odds with Black Mountain, sat on the right, their expressions calm and revealing neither joy nor anger.

Qi Yun, being the least senior member, sat in the last position.

His demeanor was calm, his gaze serene, as if he were merely there to witness an ordinary council meeting.

The atmosphere was heavy; you could hear a pin drop.

True Person Southern Dipper slowly spoke, his voice calm yet clear, echoing throughout the hall. "I presume you all already know why I have summoned you all today."

On the eve of these four peace talks, a person is needed to establish a firm foothold and assist in managing the affairs of the tributary system.

According to ancestral rules, the seventeen True Person present would elect the most virtuous and capable person, and the one with the most votes would be appointed.

He scanned the room. "Is there True Person willing to volunteer themselves or recommend someone else?"

As soon as he finished speaking, True Person Heisha stood up first and said loudly, "On behalf of the sect leader, fellow disciples..."

My elder brother, the Black Mountain True Person, has already ascended to the position of Great True Person. His Daoist cultivation is profound, and his prestige resounds throughout the Northwest. He has also made great contributions to the sect.

With him appointed as the deputy headmaster, he will surely deter foreign enemies, stabilize internal affairs, and elevate the prestige of our Holy Sect to a new level!

Therefore, I recommend Senior Brother Black Mountain!

I second that!

"Senior Brother Black Mountain is indeed the best choice!"

"We also recommend Brother Black Mountain!"

As soon as True Person Heisha uttered these words, seven or eight other True Person stood up in agreement, their voices rising and falling in unison, their momentum unmatched for a moment.

These people are all henchmen of the Black Mountain True Person's lineage.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten people have explicitly expressed their support!

Including those who, though silent, had already secretly pledged allegiance.

Black Mountain's vote count seems to be very close to, or even has reached, the required thirteen votes!

Black Mountain True Person's eyes remained lowered, his expression revealing neither joy nor anger.

In his mind, the outcome was already predetermined.

True Person Southern Dipper's expression remained unchanged; he simply looked to his right and asked, "Are there any other candidates you would recommend?"

True Person Qianxin and True Person Chiyang exchanged a glance. Master Qianxin slowly stood up and said with a smile, "Senior Brother Black Mountain is indeed a dragon among men. However, the position of Vice Sect Leader carries great responsibility. One must possess both virtue and talent, and even more importantly, one must know how to maintain balance and be tolerant."

This humble Daoist believes that this matter requires careful consideration.

His words were lukewarm and he did not name any specific candidates.

The faces of the Black Mountain faction members already revealed a smug look of certain victory.

True Person Southern Dipper nodded. "Since there are no other candidates to recommend, then let's begin the vote."

"I agree with the appointment of Black Mountain True Person as the deputy leader. Please manifest your Divine Sense Mark and place it within this [Deliberation Cauldron]."

In the center of the hall, a simple, ancient three-legged bronze cauldron floats up, emitting a hazy, clear light.

"I'll go first!" True Person Heisha was the first to send out a Divine Sense Mark, which entered the cauldron.

Then, one after another, True Person took action.

One, two, ten

The clear light on the body of the tripod gradually brightened.

As the twelfth Divine Sense Mark entered the cauldron, relaxed smiles appeared on the faces of the Black Mountain camp members. Only one vote remained!

All eyes involuntarily turned to the few who had not yet spoken.

True Person Qingli, a taciturn middle-aged Daoist, and— Qi Yun.

According to the prior "agreement", the next person to cast the "natural" final vote should be either True Person Qingli or that middle-aged Daoist.

True Person Qingli felt the gazes converging upon him, his expression subtly shifting. He took a deep breath, amidst countless expressions of anticipation and expectation...

Under the intense or compelling gaze, he slowly rose to his feet.

He did not look at the Deliberation Cauldron, but bowed to True Person Southern Dipper and Black Mountain True Person respectively, his voice clear but with a hint of determination. "Acting Sect Leader, Senior Brother Black Mountain."

The position of deputy sect leader is crucial to the future of the sect, Qingli, being of limited knowledge and ability, dares not make a rash decision.

I abstain from this vote.

Abstain?!

The two words, like a thunderclap, resounded throughout the Great Void Hall!

Black Mountain True Person suddenly opened his eyes, his sharp, knife-like gaze instantly fixing on True Person Qingli, and the overwhelming Sha Qi almost uncontrollably spread out!

His cronies were horrified and incredulous!

How could it be an abstention?!

He clearly—!

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became extremely tense!

Just one vote short!

Just one vote!

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Now, the pressure has fallen on the middle-aged Daoist priest who has always been taciturn.

The middle-aged Daoist felt the oppressive gaze of Black Mountain, which was almost tangible. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his face showed struggle.

His lips moved, as if he wanted to speak and cast that crucial vote—

Just then...

Qi Yun, who had been sitting quietly at the end of the table, suddenly coughed softly.

The sound wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

The middle-aged Daoist priest trembled violently, as if startled awake, and swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He stole a glance at Qi Yun, whose face remained calm, and then felt Black Mountain's gaze, as cold as an ancient glacier.

Finally, steeling her resolve, she imitated True Person Qingli, stood up, and said in a hoarse voice, "I—I also abstain."

Another abstention!

Boom!

An uproar erupted inside the main hall!

The people in the Black Mountain camp were completely dumbfounded!

Two votes that seemed certain in the plan actually resulted in consecutive abstentions?!

The vote count settled at twelve.

They were just one vote short of the thirteen required votes, yet it felt like an insurmountable chasm.

All efforts were in vain! All was lost at the last moment!

For the first time, Black Mountain True Person's face turned completely gloomy.

His aura fluctuated wildly, and his murderous Sha Qi surged, causing the temperature of the entire Great Void Hall to drop suddenly.

The cold gaze slowly swept over True Person Qingli and the middle-aged Daoist.

Finally, the blame fell on Qi Yun, who remained calm throughout.

Is it him?

True Person Chiyang, who had remained silent until now, suddenly laughed heartily, his voice booming. "Since Senior Brother Black Mountain did not receive enough votes, according to ancestral rules, this election shall be considered invalid."

The position of deputy head coach will remain vacant for now, awaiting a more capable candidate!

At the opportune moment, True Person Southern Dipper spoke up, making the final decision. "Since the requirements of the ancestral rules have not been met, the proposal for Black Mountain True Person to serve as the deputy sect leader is hereby abandoned."

Gentlemen, let's disperse.

The dust has settled!

Black Mountain True Person's meticulously planned and seemingly certain-to-be-secured position as vice-leader was ultimately thwarted at the last moment by two bizarre abstentions.

He slowly stood up, his tall figure casting a heavy shadow in the hall.

He didn't look at his ashen-faced followers, nor at his mocking opponents.

His gaze passed through the crowd and finally settled on Qi Yun.

There was coldness and scrutiny in that gaze.

But unexpectedly, there was no outburst of anger or resentment as everyone had anticipated.

Instead, in that extreme cold depths, a trace of pure and unadulterated appreciation slowly emerged.

It's a recognition of ability and methods that transcends stances and grudges.

This young man, who had only been a beginner for a few decades and had only Foundation Establishment for a little over two years, was able to quietly and silently turn a key person against him right under his nose.

A thunderclap in the silence, a complete turnaround!

This mindset, this courage----

That's interesting, so interesting!

"Good, very good." Black Mountain True Person looked at Qi Yun and slowly uttered three words, his voice low and unreadable.

Without another word, he flicked his sleeve, turned around, and transformed into a streak of black light, leaving the Great Void Hall first.

The hall was left with a variety of True Person from the immortals, as well as the young Daoist Qi Yun, who remained seated as if he had only done a trivial matter.

The crowd Great Void Hall gradually dispersed, and the various True Person Immortals, each with a different expression, transformed into streaks of light and departed.

Qi Yun was about to get up when True Person Qianxin silently appeared beside him, and a secret voice transmission entered his ear. "When did you find him?"

True Person Qianxin's gaze swept over the middle-aged Daoist who was discreetly leaving with the crowd.

He and Qi Yun had previously tried to contact this person, but the other party avoided them with various excuses.

I thought the story was over, but I never expected such a reversal at the last moment.

Qi Yun's lips curled into a slight smile, and he replied telepathically, "I didn't look for him; he came to find me."

"He contacted you?" True Person Qianxin raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before quickly realizing what he meant, a glint of light appearing in his eyes.

"I understand! They're afraid our contact with him will be watched by the people of Black Mountain."

So, while outwardly displaying a stance of rejection and drawing a clear line, secretly they actively sought you out and made contact.

That's incredibly cautious!

Qi Yun nodded slightly and walked slowly out of the Great Void Hall side by side with True Person Qianxin. His gaze was fixed on the sea of clouds in the distance. His tone was calm but carried a calmness that saw through the essence of things. "Martial Uncle Black Mountain is arrogant and conceited. He often uses force to suppress people and coerce them with his power."

After ascending to the position of Great True Person, it became even more so.

Aside from his core followers, how many of the other True Person within the sect truly trusted him?

They were merely forced to submit out of fear of their ferocity.

In ordinary times, there is no choice but to endure it.

Now that another possible path has been seen, those who have long harbored resentment will naturally seize the opportunity.

He paused, glanced sideways in the direction where Yang Cuan Daoist had disappeared, and continued, "Moreover, this Uncle Yang Cuan is not the kind of person who would be content to remain subservient to others or be forever dependent on them."

How could such a person truly be willing to be driven by Black Mountain forever?

Upon hearing this, True Person Qianxin clapped his hands and sighed softly, "Wonderful! Wonderful!"

His gaze toward Qi Yun held an even stronger admiration.

This young man is not only exceptionally talented, but also increasingly mature and composed with the passing years, and he is beginning to display a magnanimous and dignified demeanor.

Qi Yun smiled calmly, not taking credit. "It was just going with the flow."

Martial Uncle Black Mountain's use of force to suppress others has both advantages and disadvantages.

Sometimes, the support or opposition of the people is more crucial than Divine Ability Art.

The two stood on the clouds, gazing down at the ever-changing Great Void Mirror Heaven.

After this battle, Qi Yun not only made a name for himself within the sect.

Furthermore, it demonstrated its formidable power and skill to everyone in a stunning way.

The deep waters of the Holy Sect's realm have been quietly stirred by his presence, creating new ripples.