When Gu Chenyuan's aura surged as he prepared for his breakthrough, Lin Danhua and the others all awoke from their enlightenment.
They had all undergone tribulation before and naturally understood its dangers—some had even perished in the process.
But who could have imagined that a proper heavenly tribulation could be... shouted away?
Everyone stood dumbfounded.
What kind of cultivation level and identity did this person have?
"Th-thank you, my lord, for your help," Gu Chenyuan quickly cupped his hands toward Tara York after snapping out of his shock.
"A small trick, nothing more," Tara smiled. "Congratulations on your ascension to the Immortal Lord Realm."
Only then did the others come to their senses and began offering their congratulations in unison.
"I dare not accept such praise," Gu Chenyuan grinned so widely it nearly reached the back of his head.
Xu Wen repeatedly gave him meaningful glances.
Finally, Gu Chenyuan noticed.
Only then did he remember they had come here today for two reasons.
First, to deliver Xiao Huohuo and Shi Jingjing.
Second, to establish Misty Sect as a subordinate sect of Star-Moon Sect.
As for the earlier idea of "evaluating"... that was clearly no longer necessary.
"My lord, I have a matter to report," Gu Chenyuan said respectfully.
"What is it?" Tara had already guessed.
She'd staged the whole performance with Xiao Three precisely to win over the high-level members of Misty Sect.
That way, she'd have workers, outer disciples, and a runner from one of the four great sects.
All she had to do was give orders.
"My Misty Sect is willing to become a subordinate force of Star-Moon Sect. May I have your approval?" Gu Chenyuan pressed his lips together, visibly nervous.
Compared to Star-Moon Sect, Misty Sect wasn't even worthy of carrying their shoes.
Lin Danhua and the other elders also looked at Tara expectantly.
Seeing Tara stay silent, Gu Chenyuan quickly added, "My lord, our sect has several grade-eight disciples and dozens of grade-seven ones. If you are willing, I can bring them here tomorrow."
"Once you become a subordinate force of my sect," Tara said lazily, "betrayal will not be tolerated."
"We would never betray you," Gu Chenyuan replied hastily.
"Very well. Then Misty Sect shall be the second official subordinate force of Star-Moon Sect." Tara flicked her hand and sent over a high-grade grade-seven hairpin.
It was the token of a subordinate sect.
Gu Chenyuan caught it excitedly and immediately pinned it into his hair. "Thank you, Sect Master. I will do everything in my power for Star-Moon Sect."
"Then I'll give you your first task," Tara said.
"Please give your orders," Gu Chenyuan stood straight, face solemn.
"Help me gather information on cultivators with yellow-grade spiritual roots," Tara said, sipping her tea.
"Leave it to me, Sect Master. I will handle it," Gu Chenyuan vowed.
It was her first task for him—he had to complete it beautifully.
And it wasn't even that difficult. Years ago, he had heard a rumor that the legitimate grandson of the Ouyang family had yellow-grade roots.
But the Ouyang family was highly protective and never let him appear in public.
Tara nodded in satisfaction and casually tossed him a high-grade grade-nine spirit spear.
"This spear is named 'Wavebreaker.' Consider it an early reward."
Gu Chenyuan took it with trembling hands, eyes turning red with emotion.
A grade-nine high-level weapon, with a matching water-element gem. It completely outclassed their sect's semi-sealed yellow-grade low-tier weapon. That thing was basically junk by comparison.
"Thank you, Sect Master. I will not fail you," Gu Chenyuan choked up as he stroked the weapon.
"It's getting late. You all can stay the night in Star-Moon Sect," Tara said, glancing at Xu Wen. "Elder Xu, arrange for them to stay in your courtyard."
"Sect Master, I… don't know where my courtyard is," Xu Wen scratched his head awkwardly.
"That's my oversight," Tara chuckled.
"The outer sect has several courtyard areas already divided—normal elders, servant elders, elite disciples, regular disciples, and servants. Everything is clearly marked. Just pick any one in the normal elder area."
"Huohuo and Jingjing as well."
"Also, you may use any of the outer sect's spirit fruits and herbs freely, but you may not give them away or trade them."
"Anyone who does so will be treated as a traitor to the sect."
"Understood. We'll remember it all," Xu Wen responded quickly.
"Good. Off you go." Tara waved her hand, and a shield of spiritual energy wrapped around the group, instantly teleporting them to the outer sect.
"Sect Master is seriously powerful!" Gu Chenyuan said after holding back for a long time.
"Did you just notice?" Xu Wen stood straighter than ever.
Lin Danhua enviously clapped Xu Wen on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Old Xu!"
"Same to you!" Xu Wen beamed.
Lin Danhua's smile stiffened.
Technically, it was a shared joy.
Their Misty Sect had finally latched onto a true powerhouse.
As a Misty Sect elder, he would naturally benefit.
But truth be told, he no longer wanted to be a Misty Sect peak elder.
He wanted to be an outer sect elder of Star-Moon Sect.
Tears welled in his eyes—he should have followed Xu Wen yesterday.
"Come on, let me show you my courtyard," Xu Wen strutted ahead, humming a tune.
Smug didn't even begin to describe it.
Soon, Xu Wen picked out a courtyard in the normal elder area.
It wasn't huge, but with more than twenty rooms across the main and side halls, it was plenty.
Everyone chose their rooms and dispersed.
Not long after, someone knocked on Gu Chenyuan's door.
"Come in," Gu Chenyuan sensed with his divine consciousness—it was Lin Danhua of Purple Cloud Peak.
"Sect Master, I have a request," Lin Danhua said with an awkward laugh as he entered.
"What is it?" Gu Chenyuan asked.
"I'd like to try my luck too—see if I can become an outer sect elder of Star-Moon Sect. Please grant me this favor."
Before Gu Chenyuan could reply, another knock came.
This time, three more elders arrived—they had just happened to meet at the door.
"Come in," Gu Chenyuan said again.
Li Changtian, Yu Ruyi, and Yuan Qingxin entered and made the same request.
Before Gu Chenyuan could say anything, more knocking followed.
The remaining five elders arrived as well—all with the same plea.
Now nine people stood there, looking at him with puppy-dog eyes.
"You all scolded Xu Wen yesterday, claiming you had deep affection for Misty Sect," Gu Chenyuan said expressionlessly.
No one dared speak.
"Sect Master," Yu Ruyi said coolly, "if we manage to join Star-Moon Sect, we'll surely lift up Misty Sect with us."
"Yes, yes," the others quickly nodded.
Gu Chenyuan pressed his lips together. "But... I want to try too. So someone still has to stay behind and act as acting sect master."
As soon as Gu Chenyuan spoke, the room fell into complete silence.Everyone looked at one another in confusion.
Lin Danhua was the first to speak. "Sect Master, I think Elder Yuan would be a good choice. He's humble, enthusiastic, and well-liked by the disciples."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Qingxin immediately blew out his beard and widened his eyes in protest. He even rolled up his sleeves. "You lunatic Lin, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"I, on the contrary, think lunatic Lin is quite suitable. He's always had a knack for leadership."
"If we leave the sect in his hands, I'm sure there'll be no problem."
Li Changtian chimed in support. "Sect Master, I believe Elder Yuan is right. Lunatic Lin is indeed capable."
Seeing that Lin was already getting two votes, Yu Ruyi quickly added, "Sect Master, I agree as well."
The other elders followed suit, expressing their support one after another.So long as it wasn't them, they were fine with anything.
Seeing this, Lin Danhua instantly flopped to the ground like a rascal, pouting and bursting into tears.His wails echoed through the forest outside.
Xu Wen, startled awake from a dream, asked groggily, "What's all this fuss about?"
Lin Danhua, with tears and snot flowing, rushed over and reached out to grab Xu Wen's sleeve.Xu Wen deftly dodged him and said with disdain, "Spit it out if you've got something to say."
Only then did Lin Danhua explain in detail the group's decision to elect him as the acting sect leader while the others were away.Perhaps because he had cried so hard earlier, Lin Danhua hiccupped mid-sentence, looking truly pitiful.
If he were a young maiden, one might have felt sorry for him.But sadly, he was just a wrinkled old man.When he cried, the wrinkles on his face seemed to come alive—frighteningly so.
"I thought it was something serious," Xu Wen sneered, looking around at the others.
Yu Ruyi humbly asked, "Elder Xu, do you have any suggestions?"
Gu Chenyuan and the others looked at him expectantly.
"Is a Servant Elder not still an Elder?" Xu Wen countered.
At once, everyone's eyes lit up.
"Elder Xu's insight is brilliant," Lin Danhua beamed. "In my opinion, Elder Mo Xian would be perfect."
"Yes, excellent choice," Yu Ruyi nodded. "He's very loyal to the Misty Sect."
"He's also a good man—patient and kind with the disciples," Yuan Qingxin added.
Within mere seconds, all ten elders voted in agreement.
Gu Chenyuan cleared his throat and declared, "From this moment on, Elder Mo Xian shall serve as the acting sect leader of the Misty Sect."
With that, he summoned the Sect Master's Token.
This token could directly initiate contact with anyone in the sect.
Mo Xian had just finished reviewing the last ledger after a long day of work and was about to rest when his elder token suddenly lit up.He grabbed it and immediately sat upright.
It was a call from the Sect Master's Token.
Why was the Sect Master contacting him so late at night?Could something serious have happened?
Not daring to delay, Mo Xian infused a bit of spiritual energy into the token.A projected image of Gu Chenyuan appeared above it.
"Sect Master, do you have an assignment for me?" Mo Xian asked quickly.
"There's a task I need to entrust to you," Gu Chenyuan said solemnly.
Mo Xian immediately tensed up and stood at attention. "Please instruct me, Sect Master."
"Starting now, you are the acting sect master of the Misty Sect," Gu Chenyuan said.
Mo Xian was so shocked, his jaw nearly hit the floor. "What?"
Normally, even if the Sect Master went into seclusion or traveled afar, the ten elders would handle everything.Why would they appoint a lowly Servant Elder like him?
"What do you mean 'what'?" Gu Chenyuan glanced at him. "This is an order."
"But... I've never done anything like this before," Mo Xian said with a pained expression.
"Who hasn't? Everyone starts with no experience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to grow. Make the most of it," Gu Chenyuan said sternly.
"If I may ask... the ten elders, did something happen to them?" Mo Xian hesitated before asking cautiously.
"Elder Mo, it's ungentlemanly to curse people behind their backs!" Lin Danhua shouted.
"Elder Mo, being appointed acting sect master means the Sect Master trusts you. You must not let him down," Li Changtian interjected.
"I've always believed you were talented. You'll do great," Li Changtian added, putting on a flattering smile.
"Elder Mo, good luck," Yu Ruyi said coldly.
…
Mo Xian's jaw dropped even further—his tonsils might've been visible. His eyes were wide with disbelief.Why were the Sect Master and all ten elders gathered in the middle of the night like this?
"Elder Mo? Elder Mo…" Gu Chenyuan called out several times, nearly straining his voice.
Mo Xian finally snapped out of it and quickly bowed. "Sect Master!"
"It's settled then," Gu Chenyuan said. "The day after tomorrow, I'll hold a sect-wide assembly to announce your promotion."
"I hope you'll work diligently and live up to my expectations."
"Yes, Sect Master!" Mo Xian replied loudly.His heart thumped wildly in his chest.
He had only sixth-grade spiritual roots and was barely at the eighth stage of the half-step Immortal Realm.Yet the Sect Master and ten elders still entrusted him with such responsibility.
Sniff sniff, he'd finally made something of himself.
At that moment, Mo Xian silently vowed to do his utmost as acting sect leader and never disappoint the Sect Master or the elders.
"Good," Gu Chenyuan nodded with satisfaction. "I'm informing you ahead of time so you can mentally prepare."
"Also to give you time to consider any questions you may have."
"After the assembly, we'll help you with anything you don't understand."
"Yes," Mo Xian replied, tears welling in his eyes. "Sect Master, you're so thoughtful."
"Alright, it's late. Get some rest," Gu Chenyuan said, his tone noticeably lighter.
"Yes, and may the Sect Master and elders also rest well," Mo Xian replied respectfully.
After Gu Chenyuan ended the call, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.
He had finally passed on the burden of leading the Misty Sect.In just a few days, he'd be able to apply for an Outer Sect Elder position at the Star-Moon Sect, where Tara York resided.
If he could stay there like Xu Wen, he'd dedicate himself wholeheartedly, even risking life and limb if needed.
"Alright, issue resolved. Everyone, go get some rest," Xu Wen said as he got up. "I have to head to Central State first thing tomorrow."
"Meeting's over, then," Li Changtian followed behind him.
The others soon dispersed as well.
Back in the Misty Sect,Mo Xian lay on his bed, staring wide-eyed at the canopy above, unable to sleep.He was so excited, he felt like getting up and running laps around the mountain.
He was just an obscure Servant Elder, yet suddenly, the Sect Master and ten elders had entrusted him with such a vital role.
Out of nowhere, he had been promoted to acting sect master.
Could it be that he had some hidden merit that had caught the elders' attention?And that they were now secretly nurturing him?
At this thought, Mo Xian suddenly sat up and began inspecting himself thoroughly.
Spiritual roots: sixth-grade.Cultivation: eighth stage of the half-step Immortal Realm.Other talents…None.
After tossing and turning all night, Mo Xian still hadn't figured it out.
Finally, he decided to quietly ask the Sect Master and elders about it after the assembly.