Chapter 445: Meeting Hall

As time passed day by day within the Cangxuan Sect, the excitement surrounding the Chief Disciple Competition gradually intensified. As the most significant event of the year within the sect, the Chief Disciple Competition, in terms of both its prestige and the attention it garnered, far surpassed the previous Purple Sash Selection.

Even Sect Master Qing Yang and the other five peak masters were paying close attention. The lists of candidates had long been placed on the tables of these important figures. After all, Chief Disciples are essentially the top-tier members among each peak's disciples. They are chosen for their exceptional talent and character, and if properly nurtured, they are destined to become pillars of the sect in the future. This is precisely the kind of "new blood" the sect needs, and their importance is evident.

Consequently, even some of the Cangxuan Sect's most powerful figures had developed disagreements regarding the Chief Disciple Competition.

The Council Hall.

As the most authoritative place in the Cangxuan Sect, this solemn and majestic hall stood atop Cangxuan Peak, enveloped in clouds. Ordinary elders were not even permitted to enter it.

“I find the Chief Disciple Competition for Saint Genesis Peak this time to be inappropriate,” said Liu Lianyi, the Peak Master of Snow Lotus Peak, speaking calmly within the hall. “The Lu Hong lineage was parachuted there, while the other two lineages have been guarding Saint Genesis Peak for many years; even if they haven't achieved great feats, they've certainly toiled hard. Therefore, I suggest postponing Saint Genesis Peak's Chief Disciple Competition until next year.” The paper in her hand listed all the candidates from each peak participating in the competition. Her gaze lingered on Saint Genesis Peak, which had the fewest participants, but where the Lu Hong lineage clearly held an overwhelming advantage.

Peak Master Ling Jun of Sword Cometh Peak, hearing this, frowned and said, “Sending the Lu Hong lineage there was a joint decision in the first place. Do you have an objection now? Furthermore, if the Lu Hong lineage produces the Chief Disciple, they will naturally accelerate the breaking of the main peak's seal. Once Saint Genesis Peak's seal is broken, more disciples will be able to enter it for cultivation, allowing Saint Genesis Peak to flourish once more.”

Liu Lianyi sneered, “I just fear that by then, Saint Genesis Peak might have transformed into a second Sword Cometh Peak.”

Peak Master Ling Jun’s handsome, youthful face also darkened. He slammed his palm on the table and declared, “Liu Lianyi, you are going too far!”

Peak Master Lianyi’s cold eyes turned to him, and she retorted, “What? Did I hit a nerve, making you so angry?”

Peak Master Ling Jun's gaze sharpened, and the Genesis Qi between heaven and earth seemed to stir restlessly. Visible waves spread outwards. Wherever the waves passed, a vast domain seemed to form, within which towering silver sword qi condensed. In that instant, the entire world seemed to fall under Peak Master Ling Jun's control. A Law Domain! Within this sword qi Law Domain, Peak Master Ling Jun was like a deity, capable of controlling the life and death of any living being within it. The Genesis Qi of the entire Cangxuan Sect vibrated at that moment.

“Oh? Are you planning to fight me then?!” Feeling the engulfing sword qi Law Domain, Liu Lianyi's beautiful eyes also grew cold. She clenched her jade hand, and a brilliant white Genesis Qi light shot skyward, then rapidly spread outwards with her at the center. The world turned icy cold, like a frigid Law Domain, and the temperature of the entire Cangxuan Sect plummeted, as if winter had suddenly arrived. This sudden change caused many disciples to become bewildered and uncertain.

As the two Law Domains clashed, the heavens and earth gradually darkened. Only a Law Domain could contend with another Law Domain. However, the collision between Law Domains was terrifying. Though enraged, both individuals knew to restrain themselves. Otherwise, if their two Law Domains were fully unleashed, an area within a hundred thousand miles would likely be transformed into a frozen wasteland and billions of sword lights by the clash of these two Law Domain experts.

Just as Peak Master Lianyi and Peak Master Ling Jun's gazes grew even colder, a withered hand slapped heavily onto the tabletop. It was as if ten thousand thunders had exploded, and violent fluctuations surged out, forcefully creating a boundary of lightning light at the point where the two Law Domains collided.

“You two, cease being so disrespectful!” A deep voice resounded. The stern-faced old man in black robes, seated beside Sect Master Qing Yang, opened his eyes. His pupils seemed to contain a world of lightning, so brilliant it was startling. It was Peak Master Lei Jun of Thunder Prison Peak. Within the Cangxuan Sect, Peak Master Lei Jun was the most senior, respected even by Sect Master Qing Yang. Furthermore, as the enforcer of the sect's laws and punishments, he commanded the greatest authority.

Sect Master Qing Yang also shook his head helplessly. He waved his sleeve and reprimanded, “Aren't you two going to withdraw your Law Domains?!” Following the words of Peak Master Lei Jun and Sect Master Qing Yang, Peak Master Ling Jun and Peak Master Lianyi coldly snorted. They clenched their hands, and the terrifying Law Domains rapidly contracted, finally turning into halos that withdrew into their bodies. The temperature between heaven and earth returned to normal, and the restless Genesis Qi also settled down.

Inside the Council Hall, the other peak masters shook their heads helplessly. These two had always been at odds; their master could suppress them when he was alive, but after his incident, they became increasingly antagonistic. If not for the suppression by the Sect Master and Peak Master Lei Jun, no one knew how many times they would have fought.

Sect Master Qing Yang also felt a headache coming on. After a moment of thought, he looked at Peak Master Lei Jun and asked, “Peak Master Lei Jun, what do you think should be done about this matter? Should Saint Genesis Peak's Chief Disciple Competition be postponed?”

Peak Master Lei Jun, maintaining his stern demeanor, calmly replied, “Since this matter was a joint decision of ours previously, how can we change it at the last minute? Although Elders Shen Taiyuan and Lu Song have guarded Saint Genesis Peak for many years, they ultimately haven't achieved results. If that's the case, then let's replace them. The sooner Saint Genesis Peak's seal is broken, the sooner we can allow more disciples to enter and cultivate there, thereby revitalizing Saint Genesis Peak.”

Sect Master Qing Yang nodded and said, “I agree.” He looked at Peak Master Lianyi, whose face was cold, and said, “Junior Sister, this matter concerns the revitalization of Saint Genesis Peak, which is of great importance to our Cangxuan Sect. Personal emotions should not influence it.”

Peak Master Lianyi was expressionless. She pointed to the candidate slots for Chief Disciple Competition from the Shen Taiyuan and Lu Song lineages and said, “How does this give these two lineages a fair chance to compete?” In her view, the strength of the Lu Hong lineage was simply not on the same level as the other two, so there was no suspense regarding Saint Genesis Peak's Chief Disciple Competition. Although the Lu Hong lineage, once in Saint Genesis Peak, would largely be disconnected from Sword Cometh Peak, Lu Hong himself originated from Sword Cometh Peak, and would naturally favor Peak Master Ling Jun in the future. Even if Lu Hong's current strength wasn't enough to become the Peak Master of Saint Genesis Peak, if they obtained the Saint Genesis Peak Master Seal, their status would be vastly higher than that of ordinary elders. In that case, Peak Master Ling Jun's influence within the Cangxuan Sect would also increase.

Peak Master Ling Jun calmly said, “There is no absolute fairness in this world. It's not that we haven't given these two lineages opportunities, but they have consistently failed to unseal the main peak, so naturally, no one else can be blamed. Furthermore, I made a wager back then: if the Lu Hong lineage failed to secure the Chief Disciple position of Saint Genesis Peak, then it would naturally mean my Sword Cometh Peak was incompetent. My Sword Cometh Peak would not only have to contribute one-fifth of its cultivation resources to be distributed among the other peaks, but also reduce its quota for recruiting new disciples by half next time. Sword Cometh Peak took such a risk, and now that victory is within sight, does Peak Master Lianyi intend to renege?”

Peak Master Lianyi paused slightly. Indeed, there had been disagreements among them when deciding which peak's disciples should be sent to Saint Genesis Peak, and ultimately, Ling Jun had shown greater ambition. He had pledged one-fifth of Sword Cometh Peak’s cultivation resources and a reduction in its next disciple recruitment quota as a guarantee—a significant gamble. The other peak masters were not fond of making trouble, so after seeing Peak Master Ling Jun’s stance, they ceased their contention, and thus Sword Cometh Peak eventually dispatched a lineage to Saint Genesis Peak. Judging by the current situation, the Chief Disciple position of Saint Genesis Peak would most likely fall to the Lu Hong lineage. In a sense, Peak Master Ling Jun had won a major gamble. It was precisely for this reason that Peak Master Lianyi felt a degree of discomfort.

Sect Master Qing Yang nodded lightly, then sighed. As the Sect Master, he had to coordinate among the various peaks. He immediately waved his hand and said to Peak Master Lianyi, “There's no need to discuss this matter further. Everything will proceed as scheduled. And if Ling Jun loses the wager, he will also have to pay the price as he originally promised.”

Peak Master Lianyi's beautiful face remained cold. She glanced at Peak Master Ling Jun and sneered, “Don't celebrate too soon. If an unexpected turn occurs, let's see if you can still smile.” With that, she stood up and left the hall directly.

Seeing her leave, the other people in the hall exchanged helpless smiles. Peak Master Ling Jun, however, was unfazed. He lightly flicked the paper in his hand with his finger, his gaze indifferently sweeping over the candidate slots for the other two lineages of Saint Genesis Peak. Finally, a slight curl appeared at the corner of his mouth, forming a somewhat playful and contemptuous smile.

“An unexpected turn? With these people? That's truly laughable.”