Chapter 786: Xiao Nanfeng, Sect Master of Taiqing

The announcement of the guardians' existence caused an uproar among the disciples of the Taiqing Immortal Sect.

Only now did it become clear why Lou Yujing had been so ruthless when he betrayed the sect in the past, and what they themselves had experienced all these years.

Every disciple directed their anger and hatred toward Lu Yan, whose cultivation had been sealed. It didn't matter that he was the sect master. Who would willingly allow themselves to be treated like livestock? Who would want to be raised as mere substitutes?

The revelation sent chills down every disciple's back.

The disciples were standing in a massive plaza. As one, they turned toward Xiao Nanfeng, simultaneously grateful to him for having unveiled this conspiracy and uncertain as to what the future held.

Xiao Nanfeng stood before the furious and confused disciples. He took a deep breath. "I understand how you all feel. When I first learned of this, I felt the same way."

The crowd grew silent. All eyes focused on him.

"I know you're afraid of remaining within the sect. It must feel like you've been living within a prison—but there's no need for you to feel this way. The Taiqing guardians may harbor evil intentions, but the other Taiqing elders are innocent. We can't paint everyone with the same brush. The Taiqing guardians represent only a small portion of the sect—and we can preserve the rest of it by excising that rot," Xiao Nanfeng declared.

"But if the Taiqing Grandmaster were to revive, what will we do?" one Taiqing disciple asked worriedly.

"The Taiqing Grandmaster is the Taiqing Grandmaster, and the Taiqing Immortal Sect is the Taiqing Immortal Sect. They aren't the same. The Taiqing Immortal Sect has existed for millennia and has had countless masters and grandmasters. Even though the Taiqing Grandmaster was the founder of the sect and passed down the Taiqing Yin Body, everything else—every technique, every insight—comes from our other forebears over the years," Xiao Nanfeng declared.

"Senior Brother Xiao, do you mean that we need not revere the Taiqing Grandmaster?" someone asked in shock.

"Not disrespect, but discerning respect. If the Taiqing Grandmaster sees us as part of a family, a clan in truth, we ought to respect him like an elder. But if he sees us as mere cattle, why should we honor him? Who we truly ought to respect are the countless forebears who have dedicated themselves to the sect for millennia, not an opponent who treats us like livestock. The Taiqing Immortal Sect is a spirit of being, an ideal, a legacy—not the personal property of any one person."

The disciples nodded. Xiao Nanfeng's words were wise and clear.

"Lu Yan, for example: now that we've exposed his hypocrisy, we'll strip him of his position as sect master. If any future sect master were to act with such selfish intent, we would strip them of their position as well."

"Well said, Senior Brother Xiao!"

"The Taiqing Immortal Sect shall not be enslaved by villains!"

The disciples erupted in agreement, united behind Xiao Nanfeng's speech.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, Zhao Yuanjiao stepped forward. "Now that we intend to remove Lu Yan from his position as sect master, we'll need someone to fill that role. I nominate Xiao Nanfeng as sect master of the Taiqing Immortal Sect."

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes widened. He interrupted anxiously, "Senior Brother, I'm currently the emperor of Dazheng. Wouldn't it be improper for me to serve as sect master as well? I'd like to nominate you instead."

"As Mortal division leader, I support Xiao Nanfeng as the new sect master!" Ye Dafu said quickly.

"As Earth division leader, I support Xiao Nanfeng as the new sect master!" Chang Bing added.

They wouldn't submit to Zhao Yuanjiao; Xiao Nanfeng was the only one they would bow down to.

With the support of three division leaders, the other elders and disciples began to cheer.

"Division Leader Xiao, please don't decline the role. We fully support your ascension as the sect master of Taiqing!"

"We're all in support of you as the sect master of Taiqing, Senior Brother Xiao!"

"We all support you!"

With the overwhelming support of the crowd, Xiao Nanfeng ultimately bowed and accepted the nomination. "Very well, then. I humbly accept. Thank you for trusting me."

"We greet Sect Master Xiao!" Zhao Yuanjiao exclaimed.

"We greet Sect Master Xiao!" all the Taiqing disciples echoed in unison.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "In that case, let's carry out the induction ceremony now."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Over the next few days, Xiao Nanfeng officially assumed the position of sect master.

After completing the rites of succession, he entrusted the position of Heaven division leader to Ye Sanshui, a Boundless Immortal whom Xiao Nanfeng had personally recommended. Naturally, he quickly gained everyone's approval.

A few days later, in a grand hall on Taiqing Island, Xiao Nanfeng met with Mr. Bai, who handed over a jade box. "Martial Aspect Xiao, I've unsealed this relic. Within is all the evidence that Ao Canghai is responsible for this assassination attempt, including letters bearing his spiritual power. The head of Snowborne had been about to destroy them all, but I preserved them in secret."

"You've certainly covered your bases," Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

"You're a skilled opponent, Martial Aspect Xiao, and I had to plan for the possibility of being captured. I hope you understand."

"Allow me to verify the evidence myself."

"Of course," Mr. Bai replied immediately.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded and left the hall.

Outside, Zhao Yuanjiao approached him with a smile. "As you expected, they've exposed themselves."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes lit up.

"The Taiqing guardians are insane. They're fanatics loyal only to the Taiqing Grandmaster. Even after enduring severe torture, Lu Yan refused to tell us anything. However, your strategy to weaken security around the area and have the other guardians show up to rescue him worked."

"How many of them are there?"

"Quite a few. We deliberately made it tedious for them to rescue Lu Yan so that they would need the support of as many people as they could find. We've likely gotten them all. They had to use every trick they had to free Lu Yan."

"And where's Lu Yan now?"

"We have everything under control. He's been rescued, and our subordinates are giving chase. Ye Sanshui is watching from the shadows."

"Very good." Xiao Nanfeng nodded, satisfied.

"Now that we've drawn out the guardians from the sect, we'll wait for the ones beyond the sect to meet up with him and capture them all in one fell swoop," Zhao Yuanjiao continued.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Ye Sanshui is skilled. I won't need to worry with him in charge of this mission."

Just then, a shadow streaked across the sky. The Taiqing disciples were alarmed and about to defend themselves when they realized that it was Ye Sanshui. Relieved, they lowered their guard.

Ye Sanshui descended in a blur and landed beside Xiao Nanfeng.

"What happened?" Xiao Nanfeng asked in confusion.

"Your Majesty, something's wrong. Lu Yan managed to escape!"

Though Xiao Nanfeng had become the Taiqing sect master, Ye Sanshui still preferred to refer to him as "Your Majesty".

"He escaped?"

"Did a Boundless Immortal guardian intervene?" Zhao Yuanjiao asked in surprise.

Ye Sanshui shook his head. "There was apparently a hidden realm located close to Taiqing Island. They escaped within."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng responded in surprise.

"We thought everything was under control. Our subordinates were pretending to chase Lu Yan while Ye Dafu kept an eye by sea and I by sky. We were waiting for the other guardians to fall for the bait when Lu Yan vanished in a patch of void. We struck at the guardians chasing after Lu Yan then, only for them to kill themselves like madmen," Ye Sanshui explained.

"Senior Brother, you guard Taiqing Island. I'll check out the situation with Ye Sanshui," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Very well!" Zhao Yuanjiao nodded.

Ye Sanshui led the way, with Xiao Nanfeng following swiftly behind.

They quickly arrived by a stretch of the sea where Ye Dafu and the others were searching anxiously.

As Xiao Nanfeng approached, they rushed over. "Your Majesty, we've failed in our duties."

"Where did Lu Yan enter the secret realm?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Right here. He vanished in this precise spot." Ye Dafu pointed at a certain location.

However, there was nothing to be seen.

"I've searched thoroughly, but I can't sense anything. I don't know how Lu Yan escaped."

Xiao Nanfeng investigated as well, but to no avail.

After a long pause, he said, "Summon Blue Lantern and have him help."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Not long after, Blue Lantern arrived. Despite a thorough search, he couldn't find anything either. "Perhaps this hidden realm is too advanced even for the likes of me. It may have wiped all traces of entry and exit."

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng grew more perplexed.

"I have a theory, Your Majesty," Ye Dafu suddenly said.

"Go on."

"Do you remember when we first met? We were traveling to Taiqing Island as prospective disciples. We encountered Princess Zhang Lingjun, who was fighting an opponent. Later, I heard one of her subordinates mention that they had just come from a hidden realm—and that battle took place nearby."

Xiao Nanfeng narrowed his eyes. He did remember what happened. Zhang Lingjun had obtained the superior yin pearl from some hidden realm, only to be ambushed by one of her subordinates. It had happened around this area.

"Could Lu Yan have entered that same hidden realm?" Xiao Nanfeng's expression grew serious.