NOVPUBElder Ji Ying couldn’t help but slightly furrow his brow upon hearing this:
"The position of Sect Master is for those who possess both virtue and talent; what does it have to do with being a senior or junior?"
"As for having a shallow cultivation base... I’ve heard from Guan Ao and others that you subdued several third-level evil gods from the Kingdom of Immortals single-handedly. Who else within the sect could achieve such a feat except those who have reached Immortal Ascension?"
"Even now that you have just entered the Nascent Soul stage, who would question your cultivation?"
Upon hearing Elder Ji Ying’s words, some cultivators below who were still not entirely clear about the situation immediately showed a look of surprise.
Most of them remembered Wang Ba from when Xun FuJun specifically established the position of Chief Division Master for him, attracting the attention of the entire sect.
And there was the time he guarded the gate in front of Chunyang Palace for Sect Master Shao.
However, some began to stir inside, vaguely understanding that Elder Ji Ying’s inquiry into the Guardian of Xumi was probably just a formality, and his interest in this Chief Division Master had likely been piqued much earlier.
Even the hurriedly returned Guardian of Xumi couldn’t help but glance at Wang Ba, then frowned slightly.
Seeing Wang Ba’s troubled expression, Elder Ji Ying continued:
"It’s normal for your reputation to be insufficient, considering you previously focused on cultivation and rarely appeared in public. In the past, there would have been plenty of time for you to slowly establish your presence, but these are extraordinary times and require extraordinary measures." n𝚘vp𝚞𝚋.com
Wang Ba hesitated but still raised his hand apologetically:
"Elder, forgive me, Wang Ba..."
At this moment, Xumi suddenly interjected:
"If Wang Ba feels he lacks the competence, then let him continue his cultivation. Vice Palace Master Qu has been in charge of Shaoyin Mountain for over a hundred years, with strict laws and increasing prestige; the sect cultivators all admire him, perhaps he could be the Sect Master."
Elder Ji Ying and Qu Shentong were both taken aback.
The others were also somewhat astonished.
Elder Ji Ying was puzzled but seeing Xumi’s piercing gaze toward him, and after careful consideration, he eventually felt compelled to give up on Wang Ba and spoke up:
"Vice Palace Master Qu... Hm, is indeed an excellent choice, but I wonder what Vice Palace Master Qu’s own thoughts are on the matter."
A gleam of light appeared in Qu Shentong’s eyes as he stepped forward, raised his hand in salute, and said with a deep voice:
"For the sake of the sect, I will comply with any instruction!"
Looking at Qu Shentong, Elder Ji Ying couldn’t help but inwardly sigh. He was not in favor of appointing Qu Shentong as Sect Master; the man was too autocratic, abundant in authority but lacking in kindness. In contrast, Wang Ba, despite his youth and lack of reputation, received praises from all whom he encountered.
Such talent and ability made him the ideal candidate for Sect Master.
Since things had come to this point, Elder Ji Ying could only look to the others:
"What do you all think?"
The cultivators present were hesitant. Those like Ling Weizi, Qiu Zhongqiu, Ma Shengxu, and others might have been inclined to support Wang Ba’s accession, but since Wang Ba himself had outright declined, they felt they had no choice but to let it go.
Seeing that no one else was eager to step forward, the crowd reluctantly nodded their agreement after a moment of hesitation.
Seeing this, Elder Ji Ying sighed inwardly once more.
"Well, if it really doesn’t work out, there are still myself, Xumi, and my martial nephew, Pang Xiu, to keep a check on things," he then said with a smiling face:
"So be it, I hereby confirm the position of the tenth-generation Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect."
"In times of urgency, we make do; in a short while, we will send notices to the Longevity Sect, Youxian Temple, and the Qin Family. In three days, our sect will hold the Sect Master succession ceremony!"
The selection of the Sect Master, although hasty and precipitous, was filled with solemnity in everyone’s heart before the ancestral hall of the Patriarchs.
Elder Ji Ying then stepped down and stood to the side.
Taking his place was the figure of Qu Shentong.
The cultivators below immediately saluted Qu Shentong in unison:
"Greetings, Sect Master Qu!"
Qu Shentong stood beneath the ranks of tablets, his eyes brimming with a bright and steadfast light. He accepted the role calmly and then spoke out:
"As the heavens and earth undergo great change, now is not the time for pleasantries... Elder Ji Ying, Guardian Xumi, and Guardian Pang, please assume leadership of Taihe Palace. If I make any missteps, I hope you will point them out immediately."
Elder Ji Ying and Xumi nodded slightly.
Taihe Palace was meant to balance Chunyang Palace, to prevent errors by the Sect Master; with the three of them being the only remaining Immortal Ascension cultivators in the sect, it was only natural for them to take charge.
Qu Shentong did not stop there and continued:
"Guan Ao was originally the Vice Hall Master of Tianyuan Hall, but was forced to leave due to the needs of the sect. Now that he has returned, unmatched in body refinement, he ought to assume the position of Tianyuan Hall Master."
"Thank you, Sect Master," said a cultivator with a large head from the crowd, Guan Ao. He responded softly and then stepped forward to stand beside Qu Shentong.
"Diwu Hall’s Vice Hall Master, Ma Shengxu, who has made great contributions, should also assume the position of Diwu Hall Master."
Ma Shengxu, among the crowd, couldn’t help but hesitate slightly, looking to the other side at Wang Ba.
Some who were quite familiar with Wang Ba also turned to look at him.
Given Wang Ba’s contributions and abilities in Diwu Hall, if not for his previously lower cultivation base, he would have been the Hall’s Vice Master much earlier.
Now that he had entered the Nascent Soul stage and had politely declined the position of Sect Master, it would seem appropriate to at least offer Wang Ba one of the Hall Master positions.
"Hall Master Ma?" Qu Shentong frowned slightly.
Ma Shengxu had no choice but to step forward reluctantly and assume the position of Diwu Hall Master.
Qu Shentong’s expression cleared slightly, and then he looked out at the crowd, saying:
"Lin Yi, the Vice Hall Master of Rende Hall, may temporarily take the position of Rende Hall Master..."
From among the crowd, a tall red-clad man quickly stepped forward.
However, Qu Shentong’s appointments were beginning to raise some objections among the cultivators.
Elder Ji Ying also frowned inwardly.
The three people selected by Qu Shentong were not problematic.
The only issue was that among the three new Hall Masters, Wang Ba was not one.
