NOVPUBQi Yan also did not hide anything and nodded slightly.
A hint of envy flashed through Ma Shengxu’s eyes:
"No wonder you didn’t step forward this time."
The position of Vice Hall Master of Diwu Hall was indeed enticing, yet those who aimed for it were merely relying on the Sect’s resources to sprint towards Immortal Ascension.
Yet Qi Yan was relying on his own power to independently condense the Dao Secret, and the path towards Immortal Ascension was already halfway traversed.
Only waiting to accumulate to perfection and face the Immortal Ascension Tribulation, once he successfully crossed it, he could transform and be ranked among the honored Sect Elders.
Compared to the Vice Hall Master of Diwu Hall, who knew how much stronger that was?
On the one hand, Wang Ba was happy for Qi Yan, while on the other hand, he couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
Out of the twenty-five departments, he was only truly acquainted with Ma Shengxu, Cui Daqi, Qi Yan, and Qi Rulian.
Now that Ma Shengxu had been promoted to Vice Hall Master, and Qi Yan was sprinting towards Immortal Ascension and likely would not continue to serve as the Minister of the Beast Department, while Qi Rulian was now the Division Master of the Gold Division.
Looking around, aside from Cui Daqi, there seemed to be no one trustworthy left.
"It seems I can only rely on the five Division Masters."
Wang Ba’s heart sank slightly, then he immediately realized something, "Out of the five Division Masters, Martial Uncle Qi and Enforcer Qian Chun, I am quite familiar with. If I want to take control of the entire Five Elements Division, Zhou Tianqi is the Sect Master’s man, I can’t touch him lightly, thus at least one of the remaining Division Master positions must be kept."
He quickly locked in the candidate for the Wood Division’s Division Master.
It was none other than Cui Daqi, the Minister of the Spirit Food Department.
"Ahem, I came here this time to also let my nephew know, Shou Peak’s Lanye, whom you know, has a not low Beast Control proficiency..."
Qi Yan seemed somewhat embarrassed to speak.
However, Wang Ba heard the implied meaning and said with a smile,
"Uncle, rest assured, I have also sought advice from Senior Brother Lan before. After you leave your position, I believe Senior Brother Lan can take over as the Vice Minister."
Hearing this, Qi Yan let out a sigh of relief and looked at Wang Ba with a hint of barely perceptible gratitude.
He awkwardly raised his hand in a slight gesture:
"Thank you..."
Wang Ba quickly stopped him and said earnestly,
"Uncle, this isn’t just because we’re acquainted. It’s genuinely because Brother Lanye is indeed fit for the role."
Ma Shengxu, standing to the side, couldn’t help but jokingly scold,
"You’re making private arrangements right here in front of your Vice Hall Master. Have you thought about my feelings?"
The three of them looked at each other and couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter.
After the laughter, Ma Shengxu also turned to Wang Ba and said formally,
"The Five Elements Division is newly established and will no doubt need many hands. If you need anyone from my side, just let me know."
Without hesitation, Wang Ba immediately asked to have Li Yingfu, Lou Yi, Tao Ruyi, and Zhou Lve transferred to his side.
"Alright, I’ll arrange for them to be transferred to you... the twenty-five departments are now in your hands. However, if there’s anything you can’t resolve, remember to come to me," Ma Shengxu advised.
Wang Ba nodded.
He then proposed candidates for the Fire and Wood Division Masters.
"Choosing Cui Daqi for the Wood role is also fine, but since you are now the Chief Division Master, you can no longer be the Vice Minister of the Spirit Food Department. The other Vice Minister, Xin Zhao, has been summoned by Taihe Palace and has not returned for a long time. Now the Spirit Food Department is only supported by Cui Daqi and big drinker He. If Cui Daqi leaves, I’m afraid just He alone may not be sufficient," Ma Shengxu expressed his worry.
Wang Ba thought but could not come up with another candidate and asked,
"Then do you have any candidates, uncle?"
Ma Shengxu thought for a while and said there would be an arrangement later.
He then explained the upcoming tasks for Diwu Hall to Wang Ba.
The two of them talked for a while longer at Wang Ba’s place and then left.
Wang Ba stayed in the hall for a while, and Qi Rulian, Qian Chun, and Zhou Tianqi came one after another.
Wang Ba explained to each of them the focus of the Five Elements Division’s work going forward.
To Wang Ba’s surprise, except for Qi Rulian and Qian Chun, who were quite cooperative, Zhou Tianqi was also quite courteous and cooperative with Wang Ba.
"Would an acting sect master with such a temperament really care about the power in the Diwu Hall?"
"Or is there another purpose?"
Wang Ba looked at Zhou Tianqi’s departing figure with a hint of puzzlement in his heart.
...
Months later.
Wanfa Peak.
Wang Ba looked at Wang Qingyang who appeared to be about fifty, his face bearing wrinkles, yet his eyes still pure and clear, and nodded slightly.
"The sixth level..."
His gaze shifted slightly.
Then he saw the lost and disheartened appearance of Wang Yi’an.
In his heart, he shook his head.
How could he not understand Wang Yi’an’s feelings for Wang Qingyang? It was nothing more than youthful infatuation.
But as he watched Wang Qingyang age day by day, Wang Yi’an’s original vague feelings of youthful infatuation were deeply stricken.
He became increasingly unable to face Wang Qingyang.
After all, young people are merely infatuated with the external beauty of the flesh.
Once youth fades, love also vanishes in an instant.
Thinking this, he suddenly had a clearer understanding of the "Great Supreme Heart Refining Technique."
All emotions are false, only cultivation is truly real.
"No!"
Wang Ba suddenly had a jolt of realization.
"Cultivation might indeed be real and true, but emotions are not entirely false. Emotions represent the most genuine self in the present moment!"
"The ’Great Supreme Heart Refining Technique’ is truly domineering! I was only contemplating it for a while, and I couldn’t help but be influenced by it!"
"How does Sect Master Xun maintain his true self?"
"Or has he already refined all emotions, reaching the uppermost state of emotionlessness?"
Wang Ba was somewhat unclear in his heart.
But he became more cautious about the ’Great Supreme Heart Refining Technique’.
