Ten days passed, and Feifei still had not emerged.
Mo Tiange considered it for a moment, then went to attend Luo Fengxue's Core Formation celebration and the ceremony for her succession as Sect Leader.
Given Feifei's personality, if there was danger, it would have told her long ago. Since it hadn't spoken up, it was probably capable of handling it on its own.
Because she was also succeeding as Sect Leader, Luo Fengxue's Core Formation celebration was much grander than usual. Not only did all the Xuanqing Sect disciples come out to witness the ceremony, even allied sects sent representatives to offer congratulations. For this purpose, Miaoyi and Xuanyin specially opened the main peak's Hall of the Three Pure Ancestors.
Given the extraordinary times, only four of the sect's Nascent Soul cultivators were present within the sect. The others were either at Kunzhong City or resisting the Demon Cultivators and demonic path forces and hadn't returned.
However, all four Grand Elders currently staying in the sect attended, which could still be considered quite grand.
Luo Fengxue, dressed in full ceremonial robes, accepted the Sect Elder token bestowed by Sect Leader Shen. Then, she knelt before Dao Lord Xuanyin and requested a Dao name.
Dao Lord Xuanyin looked at Luo Fengxue with a smile and said, "The path to seek immortality is vast and uncertain. Without a firm Dao heart, it is difficult to reach the end. Your master bestows upon you the Dao name 'Bingxin,' hoping you will steadfastly guard your Dao heart, constantly reflect inward, and walk further on the immortal path."
"Disciple Bingxin thanks Master for bestowing the name." Luo Fengxue's face was solemn as she kowtowed in gratitude.
After she finished kowtowing, Sect Leader Shen said with a gentle smile, "The ceremony is complete. Junior Sister Bingxin, please rise."
Luo Fengxue stood up and was led by Sect Leader Shen to the center of the hall. Sect Leader Shen raised his voice and declared, "Disciples, by the authority of the Sect Leader, I announce: Ganlu Peak disciple Luo Fengxue, having received her master Dao Lord Xuanyin's bestowed name, shall henceforth be known as Perfected One Bingxin."
The nearby Core Formation cultivators congratulated her: "Congratulations, Junior Sister Bingxin, on your advancement to Core Formation."
After the Core Formation cultivators, the Foundation Establishment disciples also bowed and offered congratulations: "Disciples congratulate Elder Bingxin on her advancement to Core Formation."
The Qi Refining disciples in the square shouted in unison: "Disciples congratulate Perfected One Bingxin on her advancement to Core Formation."
Once the sect disciples finished their congratulations, friends from other sects attending the ceremony stepped forward one after another: "Congratulations, Perfected One Bingxin. The Xuanqing Sect has gained another Core Formation Perfected One."
At this point, the Core Formation celebration was considered over. However, Luo Fengxue's situation was different. Sect Leader Shen did not order the disciples to disperse but instead stepped forward again.
His gaze swept over the neatly lined-up Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples outside the hall. Sect Leader Shen's eyes grew slightly moist. Scene after scene from his tenure floated before his eyes.
He had sat in the Sect Leader's seat for over two hundred years. Once, he had become a disciple under Dao Lord Zhenyang and had also been ambitious, wanting to form his Nascent Soul and walk further on the immortal path. Unfortunately, his aptitude was ordinary, and his fortune wasn't enough either. Among his fellow disciples, he ranked at the bottom. With more than half his lifespan gone, he still lingered at the early Core Formation stage. As the days and years passed, he knew Nascent Soul was getting further and further away from him.
At that time, the previous generation's Sect Leader was stepping down, and Dao Lord Zhenyang needed to choose one of his disciples to succeed as Sect Leader. He had stepped forward.
In terms of ability, he was just average. These two hundred years of tenure could be considered neither outstanding nor failing. However, during his tenure, the Xuanqing Sect became the number one sect in Tianji.
Two hundred years had passed. He didn't have much lifespan left, and now, handling sect affairs was becoming increasingly beyond his strength. After hesitating for a long time, he finally decided to step down and return to his family.
A new generation replaces the old. His era was ending. It was better to return to his family, educate the younger generations, and contribute some remaining warmth.
"Disciples," Sect Leader Shen said solemnly, "I have held the position of Sect Leader for a long time. Now, old and frail, I can no longer continue serving the sect. Therefore, I have decided to step down and yield to a worthy successor."
He turned and glanced at Luo Fengxue beside him. "Now, there is Bingxin, a disciple under Dao Lord Xuanyin. Young and capable, outstanding in ability. After discussion by the several Grand Elders, it has been decided that she shall succeed as Sect Leader."
As soon as his words fell, apart from the Core Formation cultivators who remained composed, the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples were utterly astonished. Many uttered an "Ah," and the square instantly buzzed with noise as many whispered to each other.
"Elder Luo just formed her Core, and she's succeeding as Sect Leader? Our sect doesn't seem to have such a precedent."
"Yeah, Elder Luo is only a little over a hundred years old, right? So young."
"There wasn't even a hint of news before. How is the Sect Leader succession happening now?"
"Those Core Formation uncles and granduncles probably knew long ago. Our rank isn't high enough, so of course there was no news."
"Elder Luo isn't bad either. Good temper, and beautiful..."
"Yeah..."
The disciples were quite satisfied with Luo Fengxue succeeding as Sect Leader. The female disciples felt she was capable; the male disciples felt she was beautiful. Regardless of the reason, it was a chorus of approval.
Seeing this scene, Sect Leader Shen sighed inwardly once more. Then, he led Luo Fengxue to kowtow to the Ancestral Masters.
After the kowtow was complete, Sect Leader Shen took out a square seal. "This is the Xuanqing Sect Leader Seal. I now hand it over to you. I hope you will work diligently for the Xuanqing Sect."
Luo Fengxue accepted it respectfully. "I obey the Sect Leader's command."
Sect Leader Shen released his hand. "From now on, you are the Sect Leader of the Xuanqing Sect."
With that, he took two steps forward, turned around, and bowed deeply. "Disciple pays respects to the Sect Leader."
The Core Formation cultivators on both sides also turned and saluted. "We pay respects to the Sect Leader."
Then came the Foundation Establishment disciples outside the hall, followed by the Qi Refining disciples in the square.
"We pay respects to the Sect Leader." The combined voices of several thousand disciples shook the heavens.
"Disciples, please rise." Luo Fengxue smiled faintly, making a slight lifting gesture with her hand. She already carried the demeanor of a Sect Leader.
Mo Tiange watched the scene before her with a smile, unable to help but think of the first time she met Luo Fengxue...
She had never imagined that Luo Fengxue, who was just a Qi Refining disciple back then, would one day succeed as Sect Leader and become the leader of Tianji's number one sect. Even now, when Nascent Soul Dao Lords were no longer secluded in cultivation, her position as Sect Leader carried no light weight. With the various Grand Elders emerging to participate in the war against the Demon Cultivators and the demonic path, all logistical matters—supplies, personnel, and the rear—were handled by Luo Fengxue. The benefits might not be many, but the responsibility was extremely heavy.
After the Sect Leader succession ceremony ended, the disciples dispersed. The Core Formation cultivators entertained the guests, while the newly appointed Sect Leader Luo Fengxue followed the Grand Elders to Dao Lord Xuanyin's cave abode.
The four Grand Elders took their seats. Luo Fengxue, the new Sect Leader, had to stand. There was no helping it. Although she was the Sect Leader, the Grand Elders held higher status.
"Junior Brother Shoujing, Junior Sister Qingwei." Dao Lord Xuanyin spoke.
Not expecting to be named first, Qin Xi and Mo Tiange hurriedly responded, "Yes, Senior Brother."
Dao Lord Xuanyin looked at them. "Master sent word. Once you've rested enough, go to Kunzhong City to relieve Senior Brother Huayan and Junior Brother Lingxi."
Qin Xi nodded. "Understood."
Dao Lord Xuanyin said gently, "Master said you've had enough leisure before; now it's time to put in good effort. You two haven't been Nascent Soul for long, so this is a time for training. Don't complain about the hardship."
The two nodded in agreement.
Miaoyi looked at them and smiled faintly. "You two had better delegate all your affairs to your disciples and followers. Senior Brother Jinghe said this time he wants you to train properly."
If Dao Lord Jinghe said that, he was eighty percent not planning to let them return soon. The two of them weren't particularly resistant. They really hadn't done much for the sect in a long time, and besides, they had both advanced not long ago and didn't need to enter seclusion in the short term.
Dao Lord Xuanyin moved on to serious matters. "I asked you to come because there's something you need to know."
The gazes of the other four fell on him, listening attentively.
Dao Lord Xuanyin didn't beat around the bush and stated concisely, "Demon Cultivators have been discovered in the East Sea."
"The East Sea..." Mo Tiange lowered her head, suddenly thinking of something. Her expression changed. "Where in the East Sea?"
Dao Lord Xuanyin didn't answer directly. "Kunwu and the East Sea are not directly connected; the Tianmo Mountains lie between them. In principle, the appearance of Demon Cultivators shouldn't threaten us immediately. However, separated by the Tianmo Mountains, there is a Dao cultivation sect on the shores of the East Sea that is directly facing the attack of the demon beasts."
Mo Tiange stared at Dao Lord Xuanyin. "The Bixuan Pavilion?"
Dao Lord Xuanyin nodded. "Correct, it is the Bixuan Pavilion. Junior Sister Qingwei, why do you look so upset?"
Mo Tiange took a deep breath. "I have ties with the Bixuan Pavilion. I once accepted their offerings and served as their Guest Elder."
"Oh?" Dao Lord Xuanyin's expression immediately turned grave.
"Senior Brother Xuanyin, what is the situation at the Bixuan Pavilion?"
Seeing her somewhat anxious, Dao Lord Xuanyin comforted her, "Don't worry too much. The Bixuan Pavilion hasn't suffered any casualties."
Mo Tiange's expression eased slightly. She nodded. "That's good then. Senior Brother Xuanyin, what exactly is going on?"
"Let me explain." Dao Lord Miaoyi took over. "About a month ago, several cultivators appeared at the Kunwu teleportation formation set up by the Bixuan Pavilion. These cultivators were all injured. As soon as they arrived in Kunwu, they sought out the Tiandao Sect. Fairy Fengqing of the Tiandao Sect inquired about the reason and then sent a message to Kunzhong City. The people from the Bixuan Pavilion said that a large number of demon beasts suddenly appeared in the East Sea, seemingly driven by Demon Cultivators, and were purposefully attacking the Bixuan Pavilion. Unable to hold them off, they had to send people to Kunwu to deliver the message."
"After hearing about this, the Elder Council ordered Fairy Fengqing to investigate. Once Fairy Fengqing went, she discovered the severity of the situation. There were countless demon beasts in the East Sea, densely packed, attacking Linhai City. The Bixuan Pavilion had its mountain-protecting formation, so the losses weren't severe, but the mortals there almost all suffered disaster."
"Fairy Fengqing exterminated these demon beasts and followed the source of the beasts. She discovered that Demon Cultivators had built a... waterborne demon city on an island in the East Sea."
"What?!" Mo Tiange and Qin Xi were utterly shocked. A demon city? Did these Demon Cultivators intend to attack Kunwu?
Dao Lord Miaoyi continued, "Within the demon city, Fairy Fengqing discovered traces of Demon Cultivators. This matter was no longer something she could handle alone, so she reported back to Kunzhong City. Based on the information Fairy Fengqing sent back, the Elder Council decided to dispatch a group of cultivators to the East Sea to stand guard. If the Demon Cultivators truly covet Kunwu, they would stop them at the shores of the East Sea."
Qin Xi said, "We're already fighting on two fronts. If something happens in the East Sea as well, will there be enough manpower on our side?"
"That's precisely why we need to invest more manpower," Dao Lord Xuanyin sighed. "After you two go, I'm afraid Senior Sister Miaoyi and I will have to go as well. Within the sect, probably only two people will be on rotation duty."
"Moreover, Core Formation and Foundation Establishment disciples will also have to go into battle." Dao Lord Miaoyi looked at Luo Fengxue. "Fengxue, there's no time for you to slowly adapt to your Sect Leader duties. You must find a way to prepare sufficient supplies for the disciples' battles."
Luo Fengxue said solemnly, "This disciple will certainly do her utmost."