Chapter 24: The Position of Sect Master
After emerging from the Origin Spirit Vein Cave, the Tiny Realm Ball arrived at a remote cave.
Qu Yi stepped out. Soon after, Jin Zun, Mu Zun, and Tu Zun also came out of the Tiny Realm Ball.
“Five spiritual essences. After refining them for you, they should help you reach the rank of Six-Star Earth Soul Immortal,” Qu Yi said with a smile.
Jin Zun, Mu Zun, and Tu Zun grinned, somewhat… overconfident.
Qu Yi chuckled and then said, “Now, I’ll go to Fire Zun and Water Zun first. I’ll give them the Fire and Water spiritual essences, then help you three refine the remaining essences.”
Fire Zun was in the Youhan Sect of the Immortal Realm, while Water Zun was currently in the Fiend Realm.
Jin Zun, Mu Zun, and Tu Zun nodded slightly.
A moment later, Qu Yi took out the Boundless Star Compass and returned to the Youhan Sect in the Immortal Realm, teleporting directly to Fire Zun’s cultivation cave.
“Esteemed One!” Fire Zun sat on the ground, smiling as he looked at Qu Yi.
Qu Yi chuckled, stretched out his right hand, and released one of the Fire spiritual essences from the Tiny Realm Ball, which appeared in his palm.
Qu Yi had already used the Soul Planting Technique on the essence, so it was under his control, standing in his palm like a tiny fire figure.
“Take it, Fire Zun,” Qu Yi said with a smile.
Since Qu Yi and Fire Zun shared the same soul, Qu Yi could control the essence, and so could Fire Zun.
With a wave of his hand, Fire Zun took the Fire spiritual essence from Qu Yi’s palm.
“With this essence, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to reach the rank of Six-Star Earth Soul Immortal. In fact, you’ll have a good chance of advancing to the lower rank of Earth Soul Immortal as well,” Qu Yi said.
Fire Zun nodded, his eyes filled with joy.
Seeing this, Qu Yi didn’t say much more. He took out the Boundless Star Compass again and went to the Fiend Realm to hand over the Water spiritual essence to Water Zun.
It wasn’t long before Qu Yi returned to the Baolong Sect and joined Jin Zun, Mu Zun, and Tu Zun.
“Esteemed Ones!” Jin Zun, Mu Zun, and Tu Zun smiled and stretched out their palms.
The meaning was clear.
Qu Yi chuckled happily and without hesitation, took out the other three spiritual essences and handed them to Jin Zun, Mu Zun, and Tu Zun.
“Refine them. In less than a year, you’ll be able to fully refine the essences and reach the rank of Six-Star Earth Soul Immortal. Then we can help Longhu Wei deal with Zhuang Guangming,” Qu Yi said.
Jin Zun, Mu Zun, and Tu Zun nodded and quickly entered the Tiny Realm Ball to refine the essences they had just obtained.
Seeing this, Qu Yi pondered for a moment before also entering the Dimensional Ball, intending to use this year to continue scanning the Formation of the Primordial Law and Dao. He had been scanning the Formation of the Primordial Law and Dao taught by the God of Tools for a long time, and this one year would be enough to complete it. Qu Yi did not slack off in his cultivation at all.
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Long Zhan Tian was the eldest disciple of Long Ba Tian, the leader of the Tyrant Dragon Sect. A long time ago, Long Ba Tian had hinted that he intended to pass on the position of sect leader to Long Zhan Tian. However, to become the heir to the sect leader, one had to reach the rank of Upper Earth Soul Demon. Without reaching that rank, one had no right to compete for the position—such were the sect rules. Therefore, in order to qualify to compete for the sect leader position, Long Zhan Tian had been in seclusion at his cultivation site. Near the Sect Affairs Council lay Battle Dragon Mountain, which was Long Zhan Tian’s place of cultivation. Inside a sealed cave, a young man with an extraordinary presence and high fighting spirit was rapidly performing hand gestures. This man was Long Zhan Tian. Suddenly, all the energy in the cave surged into his body, creating a void. “I have broken through to the rank of Upper Earth Soul Demon,” Long Zhan Tian exclaimed loudly, his voice filled with pride. Then he stood up, swaying his robe, which rustled in the wind, exuding an air of elegance and grace. “Master, I haven’t disappointed you—I’ve broken through,” he said softly, his expression suddenly becoming gentle with joy. Moments later, Long Zhan Tian disappeared.
At Dragon Subduing Mountain, Long Ba Tian’s cultivation site, Long Zhan Tian reappeared. “Master, it’s Zhan Tian. I’ve reached the rank of Upper Earth Soul Demon,” he said. As soon as he finished speaking, five powerful Upper Earth Soul Demons appeared around him, including Elder Long Zhi Yuan. These five were the elders who supported Long Zhan Tian in becoming the sect leader: Long Chao, Long Sheng, Long Yun, Long Hui, and Long Zhi. “Elders, I’ve broken through,” Long Zhan Tian said respectfully as he saw them appear. The five nodded. “Zhan Tian, since you’ve reached the rank of Upper Earth Soul Demon, you’re now qualified to compete for the sect leader position. Hmm… Hu Wei isn’t here. Could it be that the sect leader has awakened and summoned him to his cave?” Long Zhi said with a smile before suddenly exclaiming in surprise. “Has junior brother Hu Wei returned?” Long Zhan Tian cried out in delight, then used his demonic sense to scan the surroundings.
In an instant, the six powerful Upper Soul Demons present all discovered Long Batian’s seclusion cave, where the sealing array had been removed. Long Batian was pouring his cultivation energy into someone else! “Master!” “Patriarch!” The six cried in horror and rushed into Long Batian’s cultivation cave, stunned by what they saw. Long Batian was transferring his Soul Flower directly to Long Huwei, while his own demonic energy was cleansing Long Huwei’s body to help him improve his cultivation level. However, doing so would result in Long Batian’s death! Long Zhan Tian and the five elders watched in shock, not understanding what was happening. Moreover, the six of them dared not intervene, as it would cause Long Batian’s immediate death and also harm Long Huwei, potentially damaging his Soul Flower and making it difficult for him to advance further in cultivation. The six could only wait. Ten days later, Long Batian’s Soul Flower had turned into a mere shadow, resembling that of a one-star Soul Immortal cultivator—his strength completely lost, leaving only a faint trace of energy. Long Huwei lay unconscious on the ground. “Master, what happened?” “Patriarch, why did you lose your cultivation energy?” Long Zhan Tian and the five elders helped the weakened Long Batian up and asked immediately. Long Batian struggled to open his eyes, looked at Long Zhan Tian with a hint of relief, then turned to the five elders, his gaze carrying deep meaning. “Elders Long Chao, Long Sheng, Long Yun, Long Hui, and Long Zhi, I hereby declare that starting today, Long Zhan Tian will be the new patriarch of our Storm Dragon Sect. I have already informed all elders and senior members through the communication card.” Upon waking, Long Batian issued this order to prevent chaos in the Storm Dragon Sect due to his death, by elevating his disciple Long Zhan Tian to the position of patriarch first. “Master…” Long Zhan Tian looked pained. “We will obey the patriarch’s orders!” the five elders exclaimed joyfully. Since Long Batian had declared his successor, Long Zhan Tian would now be the patriarch. If Zhuang Guangming refused to accept this and defied the order, all the elders would have a moral high ground to deal with him. Long Batian nodded weakly, then looked at the five elders and said softly, “Someone placed a trace of Asura Subduing Demonic energy in my cultivation cave, preventing me from reaching the level of one-star Heavenly Soul Demon. Now, I ask all elders to help Long Zhan Tian ascend to the position of patriarch and also take care of my son, Long Huwei.” After saying this, Long Batian lowered his head and gazed tenderly at Long Huwei.
“Master, with me here, my junior brother’s life will be safe,” Long Zhan Tian shouted loudly.
“Patriarch, rest assured. With us elders here, we will surely protect Hu Wei’s safety,” the five elders said in unison to assure him.
A relieved smile appeared on Long Ba Tian’s lips, but then his body went limp and he died.
“Patriarch…”
Long Zhan Tian and the five elders cried out in grief.
“Zhan Tian, the four elders—what’s most important now is to return to the Patriarchal Council and immediately stabilize the position of the patriarch,” Long Zhi said calmly and loudly.
Long Zhan Tian and the other four elders immediately quieted down.
“Alright. Let’s place Master’s body in the cave for now. We’ll return to the Patriarchal Council first,” Long Zhan Tian said calmly, looking down at Long Ba Tian’s corpse with heavy hearts.
Soon, Long Zhan Tian carried Long Hu Wei’s body out of the cave. The five elders—Long Chao, Long Sheng, Long Yun, Long Hui, and Long Zhi—also immediately followed him out of the cave and flew back to the Patriarchal Council.
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“Hehe, Long Ba Tian is dead.”
On Brightness Peak, Zhuang Guangming had already received Long Ba Tian’s message through his communication card and learned about Long Ba Tian’s appointment as patriarch.
Zhuang Guangming knew Long Ba Tian would die soon, but he hadn’t expected Long Zhan Tian to reach the rank of a higher-level Soul Demon at this time, thus qualifying to compete for the position of patriarch.
“Although Long Zhan Tian has been appointed, I still have a backup plan. The next step is a struggle between us two. A big battle would be great,” Zhuang Guangming said indifferently.
Immediately afterward, Zhuang Guangming disappeared and went to other parts of the Tyrant Dragon Sect to make arrangements.
As long as no formal ceremony was held and Long Ba Tian didn’t personally hand over the position of patriarch to Long Zhan Tian, Zhuang Guangming had plenty of room to maneuver. After all, after years of preparation, he had already gathered a group of supporters.
It could be said that Zhuang Guangming already had the support of half of the sect’s disciples, along with several elders and some senior members who favored him.
In short, it was a struggle for power.
By promising these elders and seniors certain benefits, Zhuang Guangming could naturally gain their support and thus have the means to compete for the position of patriarch.
It wasn’t long before voices could be heard throughout the Patriarchal Council of the Tyrant Dragon Sect.
“The patriarch, Long Ba Tian, passed away while in seclusion.”
“The patriarch has ordered that Long Zhan Tian take over as the new patriarch.”
“In one month, the official ceremony for the new patriarch’s ascension will be held!”
The Clan Council has temporarily been taken under control by Long Zhan Tian and others, who are making urgent arrangements to ensure that Long Zhan Tian can ascend to the position of clan leader.