Chapter 59 Change of Hands in Qingyun
As dawn broke, a sliver of red sunlight appeared on the verdant mountaintops, but the Qingyun Sect was no longer the vibrant place it once was.
Before the Tianli Divine Sect besieged the Qingyun Sect, many of its disciples had already suffered from a soul-loss disorder, with symptoms similar to those of the people in the Heyang and Yudu areas. Some were unconscious, while others were acting erratically.
Afterwards, Qin Wuyan ordered the Tianli Divine Sect spy hidden in the Qingyun Sect to poison the food of the Qingyun disciples. In an instant, the Qingyun Sect was in chaos. More than 3,000 Qingyun disciples were either dizzy, left, died, or were injured. Now, the seven sects combined only have about 1,000 people left.
The poison that had afflicted the disciples was not difficult to cure, but the strange thing was that it wasn't just one type of poison. Disciples who ate the same meal showed the same symptoms, but those who ate different meals exhibited wildly different symptoms. Some were unconscious, some were mentally unstable, some were talking nonsense, and some were even driven to madness, indiscriminately killing their fellow disciples. It was impossible to distinguish between those poisoned and those injured by the Soul-Eating Monster, causing widespread panic and distress.
Although Lin Jingyu ordered Huichuntang to expedite the preparation of the antidote, which has already cured some disciples of the poison, many cowardly individuals have recently secretly left Qingyun Mountain.
Among the seven peaks, since Xiaozhu Peak consists entirely of female disciples who are extremely careful and cautious about their diet, there are currently no poisoned disciples, but four or five women have lost their souls.
Zhang Xiaofan returned to Dazhu Peak in a very heavy mood, looking extremely haggard. He didn't sleep all night.
Wen Min was comforting Song Daren, telling him not to blame himself. The poisoning was unpredictable, but Song Daren was still upset that he had failed to fulfill his duties as the head of the sect, causing the disciples of Dazhu Peak to fall into the trap of villains.
When Wenmin saw Zhang Xiaofan return, she was overjoyed and went to greet him, about to say something, but then she saw that Zhang Xiaofan looked worried and his eyes were wandering. She asked in confusion, "Xiaofan, what happened? You look so pale."
Zhang Xiaofan seemed not to hear her words, and walked straight to the mourning hall. Song Daren and Wen Min noticed that something was wrong with him, so they hurriedly followed him.
With a thud, Zhang Xiaofan knelt before the coffins of Tian Buyi and Su Ru, bowed deeply, and prostrated himself on the ground, sobbing softly, "Master, Mistress, your disciple is unfilial... I failed to avenge you... and... I even lost the Immortal Execution Sword..."
His voice grew softer and softer, with a hint of sobbing. Wen Min, who was listening nearby, was shocked. Song Daren quickly stepped forward and asked, "Xiao Fan, what happened? Get up and speak. How could the Zhuxian Sword be lost?"
Zhang Xiaofan remained bowed, not getting up, her body trembling slightly as she sobbed softly.
"Senior brother! The sect leader requests your presence at the Jade Purity Hall, saying there is an urgent matter to discuss!" A young boy dressed in disciple's robes rushed in and said.
Song Daren straightened up, raised his eyebrows, and looked at Zhang Xiaofan. He knew something big must have happened. He didn't have time to ask him, so he just said to Wenmin, "Keep an eye on him. I'm going to check on him!" Then he left in a hurry.
Seeing his hurried appearance, Wen Min couldn't help but worry. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan kneeling on the ground. She couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with Xiaofan? And what's the deal with the Immortal Execution Sword?"
Zhang Xiaofan remained silent for a long time before slowly raising his head. His eyes were red and moist as he said, "The Immortal Execution Sword... has already been taken away by Qin Wuyan..."
Wen Min was so shocked that she stumbled back several steps, lost her balance, and slumped into a chair beside her, muttering to herself, "How could this be... Now the sect is beset by misfortunes, and we've lost the Immortal Execution Sword... What... what are we going to do..."
Zhang Xiaofan felt his mind was in turmoil, his anger was suffocating, and his head was becoming increasingly confused. Suddenly, everything went black, and he collapsed to the ground. Wen Min quickly got up, called his disciples for help, and helped him back to his room to rest.
In the Jade Purity Hall, Song Daren, the head of Dazhu Peak, Lu Xueqi, the head of Xiaozhu Peak, Zeng Shushu, the head of Fenghui Peak, Xiao Yicai, the head of Luoxia Peak, Chu Yuhong, the head of Chaoyang Peak, Qi Hao, the head of Longshou Peak, and Shan Miaolin, the elder who specializes in alchemy and medicine making, all gathered together.
But Lin Jingyu was late, and the people in the hall grew increasingly displeased as they waited.
Qi Hao frowned and spoke first, angrily saying, "Now that my Qingyun Sect has suffered such a calamity, not only have we lost many disciples, but we have also lost the Zhuxian Sword. What's wrong with the sect leader? He called us here to discuss matters, but he himself has been late in coming!"
Zeng Shushu said, "The sect leader must be held up by something. What's wrong with us waiting a bit?"
Xiao Yicai said sarcastically, "Yes, Junior Brother Qi, Sect Leader Lin became the sect leader at such a young age. Even if you and I are not convinced, what can we do? We still have to obediently wait."
Everyone once thought Xiao Yicai would be the next sect leader. Even though he was controlled by the Beast God and his cultivation was destroyed after returning to his sect, forcing him to start cultivating again, the position of sect leader should have been passed on to Qi Hao. Who would have thought that Dao Xuan would suddenly pass away in the battle at Mingling Peak? Two of the seven peak leaders of Qingyun Sect also lost their lives. At that time, Shuiyue, Tian Buyi, and others had to ask Wan Jianyi to take charge of the situation.
Lin Jingyu had studied swordsmanship under Wan Jianyi for ten years, and the two had formed a bond of master and disciple. Furthermore, Cangsong's betrayal of the Qingyun Sect was also to avenge Wan Jianyi. Therefore, Shuiyue, Tian Buyi, and others supported Lin Jingyu as the sect leader.
Therefore, in Xiao Yicai's eyes, Lin Jingyu was nothing more than someone who climbed to this position by relying on his connections, and he looked down on him very much.
Qi Hao also sensed the sarcasm and dissatisfaction in Xiao Yicai's words. Although he was indeed dissatisfied with Lin Jingyu becoming the sect leader, he had been the head of Dragon Head Peak for many years, married Tian Ling'er, and had a daughter. The family of three was living happily together, so he was too lazy to compete for the position of sect leader. Instead, he felt indignant on behalf of Xiao Yicai.
Qi Hao said, "Senior Brother Xiao, it's not that I'm dissatisfied with the sect leader. But the Zhuxian Sword has been passed down in our Qingyun Sect for thousands of years, and now it's been destroyed in the hands of Sect Leader Lin. Some of the disciples in the sect have been poisoned to death, and others have run away. Tell me, what are we going to do about the sect in the future?"
The others exchanged bewildered glances. The Qingyun Sect had maintained its leading position among the righteous sects for so many years thanks to the Immortal Execution Sword. Now that the sword had been stolen, they were truly at a loss as to how to establish themselves in the cultivation world. For a moment, they all sighed in despair.
"Without the Immortal Execution Sword, are the disciples of Qingyun unable to survive?"
A cold voice came from afar, and everyone looked in the direction of the voice to see Lin Jingyu. Accompanying him was Master Shuiyue, who had been in seclusion for many years.
"Elder Shan, here!" Lin Jingyu walked up to the group and handed the medicine bottle to Shan Miaolin. "This is the antidote. I have already found it."
Dan Miaolin hurriedly opened the package, smelled it, and confirmed that it was the antidote he needed. Overjoyed, he bowed to Lin Jingyu and exclaimed excitedly, "It is indeed the medicine needed for the antidote! Sect Leader, you are truly amazing!"
Upon hearing this, both Qi Hao and Xiao Yicai looked disdainful. Xiao Yicai coldly said, "I didn't expect that our Sect Leader Lin would have the ability to refine medicine and detoxify!"
Qi Hao asked, "Sect Leader, where did you get this antidote? Did you capture Qin Wuyan?"
Lin Jingyu said, "No, but I have another way to find someone to help me get the antidote."
Lu Xueqi said, "So, Qin Wuyan isn't dead? Then what about the Zhuxian Sword? Why not take it back as well?"
Lin Jingyu said, "He can become the sect leader of Tianli Divine Sect, so he won't die easily. As for the Zhuxian Sword, it is inherently an evil object. Now that it has been taken away, so be it. Our Qingyun Sect is the leader of the righteous path. We should focus on diligently cultivating our sect's mental cultivation method, the Taiqing Heart Sutra. Relying on an evil sword will only bring greater trouble upon ourselves in the future, even if nothing happens today."
His words were eloquent and powerful, leaving Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and the others at a loss for words. They had both heard the secret of the Zhuxian Sword from their elders and were already convinced that it was an evil sword.
However, Qi Hao, Xiao Yicai, and Chu Yuhong had a different opinion. In their view, even if the Zhuxian Sword was full of evil and malevolent energy, what was wrong with it as long as it could slay demons and eliminate evil? Therefore, they all strongly disagreed with Lin Jingyu's statement.
Xiao Yicai was the first to retort: "Of course we must cultivate the Taiqing Heart Sutra, but the Zhuxian Sword is also the sect's protective divine sword. How can you just give it up like that! Why do people come to our Qingyun Sect to study? Isn't it because no one can defeat the Zhuxian Sword? If this gets out, the Qingyun Sect will lose its most precious treasure, becoming a laughingstock to the world. How many people will still be willing to stay with us then?"
Qi Hao chimed in, "Senior Brother Xiao is right. The Immortal Execution Sword is something that all the previous sect leaders have instructed us to protect. If Sect Leader Lin has taken it upon himself to abandon the Immortal Execution Sword, does that mean he also wants to abandon the Qingyun Sect?"
"Senior brother!!"
Zeng Shushu quickly jumped in to ease the tension, saying, "Senior Brother Qi, the sect leader has his reasons for doing this. If he really wanted to give up, why would he bother finding an antidote to cure the disciples?"
However, Lin Jingyu said calmly, "Senior Brother Qi is right. I do want to give up Qingyun Sect and stop being the sect leader!"
Everyone was taken aback, and the hall fell silent. The people looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
Lin Jingyu continued, "The reason I invited Martial Aunt Shuiyue today is for this very reason! From today onwards, I request to resign from my position as sect leader and recommend Martial Aunt Shuiyue to assume the position."
Lu Xueqi asked, puzzled, "Jingyu...why do you suddenly not want to be the sect leader anymore?"
Zeng Shushu also said, "Yes, don't joke like that. It was Martial Aunt Shuiyue who recommended you to be the sect leader back then, and now you're not doing it anymore, leaving Martial Aunt Shuiyue..."
At this point, he realized his words were inappropriate and gave Shuiyue a dry laugh, saying, "Of course, Martial Aunt Shuiyue is indeed the most senior member of the sect. I am not saying this to express any dissatisfaction with her."
Shuiyue remained calm and composed, and said indifferently, "What about the others? Do they have any complaints about my succession as sect leader?"
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