Chapter 406 I Established a Sect in the Cultivation World (35)
"metropolitan!"
The figures of Zhao Sizhe, Cheng Gan, and others rushed from the direction of the council hall.
Seven years have passed, and their cultivation levels have all reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm!
Of the original team of one hundred, more than fifty have now reached the Nascent Soul stage!
Following behind them was a young man with clear eyes and a calm demeanor.
When he saw Zhou Jue, his eyes flashed with excitement, but he restrained himself well and simply stood respectfully behind Zhao Sizhe.
Zhou Jue recognized him.
It was Ning Yuan, the young man she had her eye on, who was the first to complete the Path of Inquiry.
Now, he has reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage, and judging from the degree of refinement of his aura, he is only one step away from breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." Zhao Sizhe pushed up his glasses, his voice trembling slightly.
"Let's go inside and talk," Zhou Jue nodded.
Inside the council hall, all the core members who had traveled together from Earth were present.
The atmosphere, however, was not as lively as before; instead, it carried a heavy tone. Everyone looked at Zhou Jue, waiting for her to speak.
Zhou Jue's gaze swept over everyone present.
"Three more months."
Inside the main hall, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Li Ming subconsciously clenched his fists. Looking at the thriving scene outside, he whispered, "Sect Master... can we ever come back?"
This question reflects the sentiments of everyone.
Over the course of ten years, they built this immortal sect from scratch.
Every blade of grass, every tree, every brick and tile here reflects their hard work and dedication.
This is their second home.
Now, however, I must say goodbye in person.
"I don't know. Maybe when your cultivation reaches a certain level, you will be able to tear through space and return here."
She paused, her voice softening slightly: "But our hometown is on Earth, and we have to go home now."
"What will happen to the sect after we leave?" Cheng Gan asked the most crucial question.
Zhao Sizhe looked at her, and then at everyone else: "Elect a new sect leader, a new hall master, and new elders."
He slowly began, "We have three months to choose from the disciples we've trained, which is more than enough time to arrange everything."
"Them?" someone frowned. "Can they handle it? Can they protect what we left behind?"
"Therefore, a final test is needed."
Zhao Sizhe's gaze finally fell on Zhou Jue: "Sect Master, this matter still needs your decision."
Zhou Jue looked at the assessment plan that Zhao Sizhe handed over. It was a selection system that tested one's character, strategy, responsibility, and choices in the face of crisis.
"We'll do it your way." Zhou Jue nodded in agreement.
Half a month later, the news that the Xuantian Sect was about to hold a succession ceremony spread throughout the entire sect.
All the core disciples participated in the final assessment personally designed by Zhao Sizhe.
The result was as expected.
Ning Yuan, with an absolute advantage, stood out from all the competitors and became the only candidate for the next sect leader.
The succession ceremony was held in the sect's largest square.
Thousands of disciples gathered here.
On the high platform, Zhou Jue stood solemnly as she handed the token symbolizing her status as sect leader to Ning Yuan.
"From this day forward, you will be the second sect master of the Xuantian Sect."
"Disciple...accepts the order!" Ning Yuan's voice was calm and firm, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed his inner turmoil.
Below the stage, thousands of disciples bowed in respect.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
However, amidst the congratulations, some uneasy discussions arose.
"Why pass the throne now?"
"Why was it passed on to Ning Yuan? Why not to the elders and peak masters?"
"My master's cultivation level is also Nascent Soul, while I'm only at Golden Core. I don't know why my master passed the position of peak master to me."
"Elder Zhao and the others... are they going to leave the sect?"
"Has our Xuantian Sect encountered some trouble?"
Although these sounds were faint, they were clearly heard by everyone on the platform.
People's hearts began to waver.
Ning Yuan held the token, feeling an immense pressure.
Just then, Zhou Jue took a step forward. She didn't speak, but simply raised her hand and made a gesture.
boom--!
At this moment, the entire Ten Thousand Mountains trembled violently, and beams of spiritual energy visible to the naked eye shot into the sky from the spiritual vein nodes throughout the Ten Thousand Mountains, weaving into a huge network in the sky.
The mountain-protecting formation was activated instantly!
roar!
A roar echoed throughout the heavens and earth. To everyone's astonishment, a phantom of a Xuanwu (a mythical tortoise) formed from boundless spiritual energy slowly emerged from the mountains of the Xuantian Sect.
The phantom stretched across the heavens and earth, its back seemingly carrying a world, its snake head raised to the sky, its golden pupils indifferently looking down upon all living beings.
An indescribable, terrifying pressure instantly enveloped the surrounding area for tens of thousands of miles.
In the square, thousands of disciples, under this oppressive aura, all succumbed to their weakness, their legs almost giving way and they nearly collapsed to their knees.
Their faces were filled with shock and fear.
Is this... the true power of their sect?
Is this... the true strength of the first sect leader?
All doubts and anxieties vanished in that moment.
With such a powerful first sect leader and such a terrifying mountain-protecting formation, what else do they have to worry about?
Zhou Jue slowly withdrew his hand, the Xuanwu phantom disappeared, and the strange phenomena in the world subsided.
She looked at Ning Yuan, who was in a daze, and said calmly, "The foundation of the sect has been handed over to you."
"Disciple...disciple will never fail the sect master's trust!" Ning Yuan came back to his senses and knelt down excitedly.
After the ceremony, Zhou Jue summoned Ning Yuan to the council hall and told him everything: the location of all the mines, the core of the array's control, and the secret behind the sect's arrangements—that the hundred of them would soon challenge the sect leader to ascend to the upper realm and establish a new Cangyun Realm there.
After finishing all this, Zhou Jue walked out of the main hall and saw everyone busy making final preparations before their return. A sense of sadness at parting arose in his heart.
Just then, she sensed something and looked up at the outside of the mountain gate. Two familiar yet vast auras descended without warning.
A smile appeared on Zhou Jue's face. In a flash, he appeared at the mountain gate, where he met Senior Old Tree and Senior Listening Sea Beast.
"Girl, we're not late, are we?" The old tree elder looked at her with a smile.
"Not late at all, seniors, did you have a good time?" Zhou Jue said with a smile.
"It's great! I even went to the sea in this world and saw quite a few monsters!" the Listening Sea Beast replied.
The Listening Sea Beast's gaze swept over Zhou Jue, and her eyes, which seemed to see through everything, suddenly narrowed slightly.
"Your cultivation level..."
She frowned deeply: "I can't hold it in anymore."
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