Chapter 103: Forcing the Throne (Part One)

Within the Hall of Great Virtue, the four sect leaders sat facing each other. Before them stood a small table, laden with spiritual fruits and enchanted wine that radiated a dense energy. Above the table hovered a faint wisp of white smoke, and merely inhaling it felt as if one’s vital essence had been thoroughly purified, attesting to the unparalleled purity of the energy.

Shen Qingyun noticed that beside each of the four sect leaders stood a disciple—likely the true heir and foremost disciple of their respective sects. He recognized the disciples from the Hundred Flowers Sect, the Sword Master Sect, and the Profound Silence Sect. However, beside the leaders of the Azure Cloud Sect and the Fiend Puppet Sect, no disciples stood. The absence beside the Azure Cloud Sect was understandable, but what of the Fiend Puppet Sect? Could it be that Wushì, whom Shen Qingyun had seen before, was not yet qualified to stand here?

“Disciple of the Biānzhú Peak, greetings to all the sect leaders!” Shen Qingyun offered the customary formal address appropriate for such an occasion.

He lifted his gaze slightly, meeting the Azure Cloud Sect leader’s smiling eyes and a subtle nod—an expression reminiscent of a mother-in-law approving her son-in-law. The more he looked, the more pleased the leader seemed.

“Disciple Shen Qingyun, do you know why you, who should stand beside me, were instead summoned elsewhere?” the Azure Cloud Sect leader inquired.

“Disciple does not know,” Shen Qingyun answered honestly. Even if he did know, such a setting demanded ignorance.

The Azure Cloud Sect leader continued, “It’s quite simple, really. These past days, the five great sects have conferred on how to resolve the Ghost Valley Trial.”

“But a definitive solution remains undecided. Moreover, since the trial has concluded, a celebration is naturally in order.”

“You played an exceptionally important role in this trial. First, you saved many disciples from the five great sects, reducing casualties to the lowest since the trial began.”

“For this reason, the five of us selected the most credible disciples from each sect to ask if they recognized you as the foremost among the five sects.”

“Secondly, you destroyed the Ghost Valley itself, eradicating a latent threat that had loomed over the five great sects for five centuries.”

“Each of these accomplishments alone is monumental.”

Gazing steadily at Shen Qingyun, the Azure Cloud Sect leader asked, “What reward do you desire?”

“All is at the sect leader’s discretion,” Shen Qingyun replied calmly.

The Azure Cloud Sect leader smiled faintly, evidently pleased with Shen Qingyun’s modest attitude.

Those present were silent. “All at the sect leader’s discretion?” This was clearly an opening for Shen Qingyun to make grand demands, yet he had merely deferred the matter politely.

At that moment, the Azure Cloud Sect leader declared, “Since you leave it to me, then so be it! Mount Louvre—I will grant you entrance into Mount Louvre.”

“Mount Louvre!” The four sect leaders’ expressions shifted subtly. The name was no stranger—it was a treasured site of the Tianlan Dynasty, ranked among the very top. Yet, at their current levels, Mount Louvre held little allure for them. For disciples yet to establish their Foundation, however, it was a priceless opportunity.

Mount Louvre belonged to the Tianlan Dynasty. To send disciples there required great sacrifice from the sects. Thus, only those deemed worthy would be afforded such a privilege.

Now, the Azure Cloud Sect leader offered Shen Qingyun entry outright—a tremendous opportunity. Even if nothing else, he would establish at least an intermediate Foundation there.

Indeed, Mount Louvre’s prominence stemmed from its ability to amplify the chances of Foundation Establishment and elevate the level of Dao Foundation attained, an unparalleled boon for the vast multitudes of Qi Refinement cultivators.

Were it not for the steep price, aristocratic families and sects of the Tianlan Dynasty would have long vied for it.

That the Azure Cloud Sect leader bestowed this reward upon Shen Qingyun spoke volumes of his regard—perhaps already preparing him as the next sect leader.

“Disciple thanks Sect Leader,” Shen Qingyun responded evenly, betraying no emotion.

The four sect leaders eyed him with frustration—Mount Louvre was a place not even they had visited during their Foundation Establishment stage.

To them, Shen Qingyun’s demeanor seemed like ingratitude; though perhaps he was simply unaware of the place’s significance.

“This matter is settled,” the Azure Cloud Sect leader said. “When you sense your breakthrough is near, come to me. Remember, do not rush into it recklessly.”

“Disciple understands,” Shen Qingyun bowed respectfully; such counsel from experienced elders was rare indeed.

“Very well, now that this is decided, let us commence the assembly!” As host, the Azure Cloud Sect leader had the prerogative to declare the beginning of the gathering. Some matters needed to be addressed openly.

“Open the hall doors!”

With a loud shout, the massive doors of the Hall of Great Virtue creaked open.

“Today, to celebrate the successful conclusion of the joint trial of the five sects, the entire sect shall rejoice together!” The Azure Cloud Sect leader’s voice echoed through the hall, carried by spiritual energy into the ears of every disciple.

“Wishing the Azure Cloud Sect prosperity and flourishing! Wishing senior brothers and sisters swift ascendance!”

Within and without the Azure Cloud Sect, disciples raised the spiritual fruits and enchanted wine high, shouting in unison toward the Hall of Great Virtue.

Inside, Shen Qingyun was called to stand beside the Azure Cloud Sect leader. The five sect leaders exchanged toasts and smiles.

Outside, many disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect mingled with those from the other four sects, exchanging cups. Perhaps stirred by the festive atmosphere, those who typically abstained from drunkenness now bore faint blushes upon their cheeks.

The fragrant wine scented the air with a subtle sweetness.

After several rounds, the Azure Cloud Sect leader deemed the moment ripe and spoke, “Previously, I mentioned having consulted representative true heirs from the four other sects, asking if they agreed to disciple Qingyun being recognized as the foremost among the five sects.”

“Except for the Fiend Puppet Sect’s true heir, who was absent for personal reasons, all others have agreed.”

His voice rose sharply, seizing the moment to cement Shen Qingyun’s status as the number one disciple of the five sects.

“Now, I hereby announce Shen Qingyun as the foremost contemporary disciple of the five sects. Does anyone object?”

“No objections!!!” The Azure Cloud Sect disciples shouted loudly. Of course there were no objections—this was Shen Qingyun’s honor, and by extension, theirs. As disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, they basked in his glory.

The other four sects were less enthusiastic, as the chosen foremost disciple was not their own. Yet none could deny Shen Qingyun’s strength—he alone had prematurely ended the Ghost Valley Trial.

“Is this really the final decision on the foremost disciple of the five sects? Such a choice seems rather hasty,” a cool voice suddenly spoke from the hall’s entrance.

All turned to see a dark figure standing there, bearing a subtly feminine aura and a signature enigmatic smile.

It was none other than Wushì.

Vanished for three days, he had finally appeared.

Wushì was a true heir of the Fiend Puppet Sect, not yet elevated to foremost disciple but groomed as the next sect leader. Even disregarding that, as a true heir of the Fiend Puppet Sect, his words could not be so easily dismissed.

“Does the Fiend Puppet Sect’s true heir have anything to say?” the Azure Cloud Sect leader asked, neither angry nor impatient, but with a hint of resignation.

After all, this was a settled matter. Wushì’s sudden appearance was like a hammer striking the nail askew, threatening to undo their work.

Wushì stepped forward slowly, “This matter was jointly arranged by your sect and the other three. Though my sect was absent, the other three have no objections. What words could I possibly have?”

“However, to so lightly decree one as the foremost disciple of the five sects—if consequences arise and word spreads, where will the face of our five great sects be?”

“Better to investigate further, lest the wrong person be chosen.”

The Azure Cloud Sect leader frowned slightly. “What do you mean by that?”

“Instead of asking me, Sect Leader, why not ask your companion here,” Wushì replied with a smile.

The Azure Cloud Sect leader frowned more deeply but did not look at Shen Qingyun. Shen Qingyun, in turn, fixed his gaze on Wushì and said, “I do not understand what you mean by this.”

“No matter if you don’t understand,” Wushì smiled. “You are now the foremost disciple of the five sects, and the chief disciple of a sect. Henceforth, be less reckless in your actions.”

Shen Qingyun felt a subtle warning embedded in Wushì’s words—an implication directed at him.

“Nonsense!” The Fiend Puppet Sect leader slammed the table, rising and glaring at Wushì in the hall’s center.

“Sect Leader, please calm yourself! My actions have reasons,” Wushì remained composed despite the outburst.

“Then speak! If you cannot explain yourself, I shall have no mercy!” The Fiend Puppet Sect leader’s face darkened. “Even you must respectfully address the foremost disciple as senior brother. I am curious—who gave you the courage to speak so?”

“Do you know where I was these past three days?” Wushì asked.

The Fiend Puppet Sect leader shook his head.

Wushì continued, “After bidding farewell to the Sect Leader upon the trial’s conclusion, I took a flying spiritual vessel northward into the Tianlan Dynasty.”

“Where did you go, and why?” That one sentence shifted the Fiend Puppet Sect leader’s attention, and the other four sect leaders’ eyes narrowed.

The northern reaches of the Tianlan Dynasty were not places humans could visit casually.

The Tianlan Dynasty was not governed by a single power: the human race was ruled by the Qin family of the dynasty, while the demon race was governed by another sovereign, who dwelled in the north.

“I have several close friends among the demon race,” Wushì said. “Recently, they confided in me that their realm is undergoing great turmoil.”

“When I pressed for details, they revealed that the demon king’s offspring was slain in the human domain!”

He paused briefly, then added, “The location was within the territory of the five great sects—more precisely, Mount Dapeng!” His gaze rested on Shen Qingyun, but he revealed nothing further, as if this matter concerned him not.

“What?” The five sect leaders trembled inwardly. They had no knowledge of the demon prince’s murder, but Mount Dapeng they knew well. Within that ruin, their five sects had obtained many treasures.

“The demon king found the body there, and not only that—another corpse was also found: that of the Second Prince Qin Yun!”

If Wushì’s earlier words stirred unease, this revelation struck like a hammer, ringing deafeningly in their ears.

“The demon king then used secret arts to extract the killer’s likeness from the blood.”

“What are you implying with these words?” the Azure Cloud Sect leader’s voice deepened.

Wushì cast a peculiar smile and looked at Shen Qingyun. “Then, Senior Brother Shen, how long do you intend to conceal your role in the murders of the Second Prince and the demon king’s offspring?”