Chapter 119: The Position of Sect Leader

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The force unleashed by Fang Wang’s clenched fist stirred the entire Taiyuan Sect, prompting disciples who had not witnessed his appearance to emerge from their grottoes and inquire about the commotion.

Soon, news spread that Fang Wang’s mere clenched fist had intimidated the Supreme Elder of the Haoyi Sect and his disciples into bowing their heads in apology.

Everyone felt the overwhelming power of the Mountain and River Heaven-Shaking Fist, so no one doubted the report. Those who had not seen it with their own eyes began to wildly imagine what had transpired.

Meanwhile, Fang Wang followed the senior members of the Taiyuan Sect into the Shiyuan Hall, where they gathered around him, showering him with praise, filling the chamber with lively chatter.

Guang Qiuxian did not intervene; he too needed time to calm his emotions.

In truth, even before Fang Wang’s return, he had imagined how powerful Fang Wang might become. But he could never have expected…

Ya Dao Ren was a being beyond the Concentration Realm, yet Fang Wang’s mere clenched fist forced him to lower his head. Such strength…

Guang Qiuxian looked at Fang Wang with a mixture of joy and melancholy.

The Haoyi Sect, which had once overwhelmed him, was insignificant before Fang Wang. By comparison, he felt inadequate.

After exchanging pleasantries with the Taiyuan Sect’s elders for some time, Fang Wang found the right moment to approach Guang Qiuxian and asked, “Is the trouble caused by the Haoyi Sect severe?”

Just scaring off Ya Dao Ren and Xu Guang would not end the matter, but Guang Qiuxian was the sect leader and had forbidden Fang Wang from killing anyone; naturally, Fang Wang would obey.

Guang Qiuxian sighed, then exchanged a look with Zhao Chuanqian, who stepped forward and explained the predicament facing the Taiyuan Sect.

The more Fang Wang listened, the deeper his frown grew.

The Haoyi Sect, along with other sects in Great Qi, was pressuring the Taiyuan Sect?

Fang Wang was not angry at the other sects. If he were in their position, he would certainly be more concerned about Great Qi’s transformation into a cultivation dynasty. He had not anticipated that the plan involved a special type of spirit stone. No wonder Great Qi had not yet become a cultivation dynasty. Lu Yuanjun’s success was surely connected to the Celestial Thief Cult.

With Lu Yuanjun dead, the cultists responsible for supplying those spirit stones would naturally flee.

Then Fang Wang wondered if the fleeing cultists might report back to the Celestial Thief Cult, prompting them to march southward.

This matter needed to be discussed with Zhou Xue.

“Currently, we have established contact with the Jin Xiao Sect, which has agreed to cooperate with Taiyuan Sect. Should the Haoyi Sect attack, Jin Xiao Sect will stand side by side with us. In return, Taiyuan Sect will support Jin Xiao Sect’s inclusion among the Nine Great Sects. To that end, Jin Xiao Sect will dispatch disciples to Taiyuan Sect for exchange and to send a clear signal to the cultivation world of Great Qi,” Zhao Chuanqian said earnestly.

Fang Wang had no objections to cooperation with Jin Xiao Sect; on the contrary, he admired their straightforwardness.

To dare support Taiyuan Sect at such a critical juncture was no small feat, and it also indicated that Jin Xiao Sect’s strength was far more formidable than appearances suggested.

Before Fang Wang’s return, Zhao Chuanqian had indeed been wary of Jin Xiao Sect, but now he felt no fear.

Not only him, but other peak masters and elders shared the same mindset.

Fang Wang spoke, “I will remain within the sect to cultivate until I break through. Whether it is the Haoyi Sect or any other, whoever dares invade will leave with regrets to repent in the Underworld.”

His words were tremendously satisfying to hear.

In the past, they might have criticized Fang Wang for being harsh, but this past year, the Haoyi Sect had truly bullied them excessively.

“That’s good. Fang Wang, when your retreat ends, I will pass the position of sect leader to you. How does that sound?” Guang Qiuxian asked with a smile. The others showed no reaction but looked at Fang Wang with anticipation.

Fang Wang hesitated and replied, “Respectfully, sect leader, I find myself unsuited to lead, and I even feel unworthy of the position of senior disciple. I have pondered this issue for years. Please raise another candidate for Taiyuan Sect’s leadership. I wish to focus on my cultivation. Of course, I will always belong to Taiyuan Sect. Anyone who targets Taiyuan Sect will answer to me personally.”

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He had fought for the senior disciple position to compete with Lu Yuanjun, so he naturally would not reveal this.

“This…” Guang Qiuxian frowned, sensing a difficult situation.

Yang Yuanzi stepped forward to smooth things over: “Let Fang Wang rest for now; the matter of the next sect leader can be discussed later.”

Others nodded in agreement. It was clear to all that Taiyuan Sect no longer served Fang Wang’s purposes, so why bind him with the sect leader’s position?

Guang Qiuxian nodded. “Fang Wang, rest well. If we need you to act, I will not hesitate, so you need not worry about these matters.”

Fang Wang nodded, then respectfully greeted the other elders one by one before turning and leaving.

Once Fang Wang left Shiyuan Hall, the peak masters and elders sighed in relief, feeling that Heaven favored Taiyuan Sect.

Zhao Chuanqian spoke up, “Sect Leader, even if Fang Wang declines leadership, if we must choose, it is best to select from other Fang family disciples. Zhou Xue, Fang Hanyu, and another named Fang Zigeng have shown promise and merit cultivation.”

The Second Peak Master frowned. “If we do that, won’t Taiyuan Sect become the Fang Sect?”

Sleeping Immortal spoke calmly, “I think Zhao’s suggestion is reasonable. Even if it bears the Fang name, it is better than Taiyuan Sect fading away. Otherwise, when our generation passes, what will keep Fang Wang here? Besides, it is not unprecedented for a single family to consecutively hold the sect leader position. So long as Taiyuan Sect grows strong, future generations will break such monopolies.”

His words drew nods from others.

Taiyuan Sect truly could not do without Fang Wang.

Guang Qiuxian also fell into deep thought.

Elsewhere, Fang Wang went to the First Peak to visit Zhou Xue, only to find she was absent.

He then sought Fang Hanyu and Fang Zigeng, but neither were present. He could only visit other clan members.

As his gap with them widened, the clan members grew increasingly reserved around him. Even Fang Xin, once the liveliest, behaved differently. This left him somewhat helpless but understanding, as such was human nature.

Thus, Fang Wang returned to his grotto that same day.

Sitting on his white jade bed, he gazed at his familiar yet strange grotto, feeling he had forgotten something but unable to recall it.

He shook his head with a wry smile and ceased pondering, sitting cross-legged to begin his cultivation.

The emergence of the Haoyi Sect and the lurking threat of the Celestial Thief Cult were driving forces behind his determination.

He must keep advancing relentlessly. As long as his growth outpaced his enemies’ expectations, he would remain invincible.

Having mastered the Heavenly Gang Saint Body’s true art, his strength surged. Forget the Concentration Realm; even at the Void Crossing Realm, he was confident he could sweep all before him. He needed to hold himself to higher standards.

To dominate one’s peers meant more than winning one-on-one or fighting against many; it meant that no matter how many opponents from the same realm came at him, none could match him. That was true invincibility.

Yes! That would be his goal!

Fang Wang stopped overthinking and focused on his cultivation.

Several days later, Xiao Zi returned with Zhao Zhen. Xiao Zi’s name had spread throughout Taiyuan Sect as Fang Wang’s demon pet, gaining the disciples’ favor and integrating fully into the sect.

At the same time, news of Fang Wang’s return and his clenched fist frightening the Haoyi Sect’s Supreme Elder spread wildly throughout Great Qi’s cultivation world.

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Within less than a month, everywhere cultivators gathered in Great Qi, the topic was the same.

At the Xuanhong Sword Sect.

In a spacious hall, dozens of sword cultivators assembled, the least among them being direct disciples. Their expressions were solemn.

Sect Leader Xue Wenzhen sat at the head seat, expressionless, awaiting their discussion.

Sword Sect disciple Kong Xi stood and said solemnly to Xue Wenzhen, “Sect Leader, I maintain my view: we must never oppose Taiyuan Sect. We must stand united with them. Even if we heed the Haoyi Sect’s words, would the Great Chu truly aid Great Qi’s transformation into a cultivation dynasty?”

Since the Battle of Sword Tianze, Kong Xi had become a staunch supporter of Fang Wang, convinced that Fang Wang would become the leading figure of Great Qi’s cultivation world. This stance had brought him much criticism within Xuanhong Sword Sect.

Xu Qiuming added, “At least Fang Wang no longer fears the Haoyi Sect. With such strength, we must be cautious; otherwise, Qingchan Valley and Chimo Sect may suffer our fate.”

He too admired Fang Wang; after the battle with Chimo Sect, he no longer entertained any thoughts of rivalry but only strove to catch up.

Others spoke up, some in support, others opposed.

Many felt Fang Wang’s momentum was too strong, that a towering tree attracts the wind’s destruction, and that aligning with him was fraught with danger.

Most importantly, Fang Wang’s rise threatened Xuanhong Sword Sect’s position.

Xue Wenzhen remained expressionless, silent.

After a long pause, when everyone grew tired of speaking, they all turned to Xue Wenzhen.

He spoke slowly, “If so, let us discuss how to save Taiyuan Sect.”

At his words, many sighed in relief, while nearly half grew agitated and tried to dissuade.

They feared that if Fang Wang continued to grow unchecked, Taiyuan Sect would unify Great Qi’s cultivation world, and Xuanhong Sword Sect would vanish.

Xue Wenzhen said sternly, “My mind is made up. Think carefully. Don’t speak of the future—if Fang Wang were to attack now, would you swear to resist him to the death?”

Silence.

All fell silent. Those who opposed reddened with embarrassment and dared not speak further.

Cultivators prioritize their own lives, and sect interests rarely come first. Their opposition stemmed only from self-interest.

“I volunteer to go to Taiyuan Sect to seek peace!” Xu Qiuming stepped forward, drawing all eyes.

Xue Wenzhen’s gaze softened. He sighed lightly, “Qiuming, this is a difficult task for you.”

Xu Qiuming, a favored son of Heaven and now renowned across seven dynasties, representing Xuanhong Sword Sect to seek peace would surely diminish his reputation.

He replied calmly, “It is no hardship. I believe Fang Wang is not unreasonable. Judging by all his recorded actions, he was almost always provoked first. Within Taiyuan Sect, he remains low-key. He surely wishes for peace across Great Qi’s cultivation world.”