Chapter 117: Dispute at the City Gate
Chapter 117: Dispute at the City Gate
As soon as the twelve-hour period ended, Lu Hangzhi promptly announced the conclusion.
After a whole day of high-intensity conversion and transmission of Magic Power, countless Spirit Honey was consumed. His entire Sea of Consciousness was continuously washed by the overflowing Magic Power, actually expanding by one-tenth in size, directly advancing to the middle stage of the tenth grade of the Epiphany Stage. It was truly incredible.
After the day, the results were abundant!
One hundred and seventeen Elders who had reached the Peak Ninth Grade cultivation all successfully advanced to Spirit Coalescence Stage.
The Xuanxin Sect gained over one hundred Spirit Coalescence Elders in a single day.
This grand occasion prompted Supreme Elder Mo Li to issue two important personnel appointments in a row.
The Xuanxin Sect established the Hall of Offerings effective immediately, with the former Sect Master Hong Xuan appointed as its head. As for the position of Sect Master, after stepping down, it was taken over by Lu Hangzhi, who had just been promoted to Deputy Sect Master the previous day.
All Elders who advanced to the Spirit Coalescence Stage automatically entered the Hall of Offerings, received doubled resources, and automatically joined the Second Defense Line sequence.
Once the news spread, the entire Xuanxin Sect was shocked!
Although the news of over one hundred Elders advancing to Spirit Coalescence was restricted to the True Disciples and not disclosed to the Inner Sect Disciples and Outer Sect Disciples, the frequent descent of the Power of Heaven and Earth and the renewed vigor of the Elders still made people feel a thriving and rising atmosphere within the sect.
Most disciples did not resist Lu Hangzhi taking over as Sect Master…
After all, they had witnessed the battle against the Soul-Concentrating Demon Beast attacking the sect the previous day, heard Qi Yuanfeng shouting Lu Hangzhi’s name with a voice like a tiger’s roar, and deduced Lu Hangzhi’s crucial role in that battle.
Moreover!
Lu Hangzhi’s cultivation was above that of the Sect Master, so he could not simply become a Supreme Elder like Mo Li.
The only one who felt astonished by this news was himself.
But Lu Hangzhi had no time to question or refute.
The personnel appointments had already been announced.
This proved that Mo Li and the higher-ups of the Xuanxin Sect had made their decision!
And…
After a whole day of high-intensity work, he was exhausted; the five Sword Spirit seniors were also tired for two full days, and all needed rest before heading to Two Realms Mountain for new tasks.
“Thank you for your hard work, five seniors.”
After the people in the courtyard dispersed, Lu Hangzhi first thanked the five Sword Spirit seniors, clasping his hands respectfully and bowing:
“If it weren’t for the five Sword Spirit seniors continuously helping to brew Spirit Honey, we couldn’t have met today’s demand, and the Xuanxin Sect wouldn’t have produced so many Spirit Coalescence Elders in such a short time.”
“Silly boy, what are you saying?”
“Exactly! Our previous masters were all Sect Masters of the Xuanxin Sect, but their contributions during their lifetimes were far less than yours, the current Sect Master. It’s good for us to help out.”
“We just didn’t expect that simply consuming Magic Power could also rapidly boost cultivation. If we kept this up for a few more days, you could directly reach the late stage or peak of the tenth grade of the Epiphany Stage, right?”
The Sword Spirit seniors spoke up one after another, and the topic returned to Lu Hangzhi:
“You’re leaving for Two Realms Mountain today. Why not delay for a day or two, solidify your cultivation to the peak of the tenth grade of the Epiphany Stage, and then you could easily summon the second layer of the Sword Formation.”
“No.”
Lu Hangzhi firmly refused:
“A real man keeps his word. Lady Honglian allowed me to delay for two days is her kindness; I must repay it with loyalty! I will set off immediately after resting, so as not to delay Lady’s important matters at Two Realms Mountain.”
Here, he paused, his expression turning serious:
“The Xuanxin Sect now has over one hundred and twenty Spirit Coalescence Elders, and its strength has greatly increased. But it will take some time to truly bring out the strength of the Spirit Coalescence Elders. Whether it’s Spirit Condensation Stage secret manuals, Spiritual Artifacts, Magical Artifacts, or other resources, the Xuanxin Sect is still lacking. To truly build the Xuanxin Sect into a barrier defense line outside Two Realms Mountain, we need to work even harder and race against time.”
“……”
The five Sword Spirits looked at each other.
Although they were not human Cultivators, with centuries of experience, they understood that Cultivators were always selfish on the path of cultivation. Even those in high positions were no exception. Lu Hangzhi was definitely an oddity in this field.
“Since you’ve made up your mind, we have nothing more to say. Wherever you go, we go.”
“You’re not afraid, so why would we old monsters who’ve lived for centuries be scared?”
“Thank you for your understanding, five seniors.”
After speaking, Lu Hangzhi removed the Barrier this time and walked out of the room.
“Hangzhi.”
“Sect Master!”
Lü’e, Cong Fang, and Ruan Qing immediately put down what they were doing and came forward, their six eyes shining with respect.
The three had personally witnessed Lu Hangzhi helping over one hundred Elders advance to the Spirit Coalescence Stage, and they looked at him as if he were a deity.
Lu Hangzhi looked at the three and nodded faintly.
Lü’e and Cong Fang had each advanced and broken through to the Seventh Grade, already qualifying to become True Disciples. What they lacked was experience and the ability to handle things independently.
As for Ruan Qing!
Eighth-grade middle stage…
“I am about to leave. During my absence, continue to cultivate diligently.”
“Yes! Sect Master.”
The three replied in unison.
Lu Hangzhi said no more, took out a Flying Boat left by Lady Honglian, infused it with Magic Power, and tossed it into the air. Instantly, it transformed into a three-masted treasure boat.
He leaped into the Flying Boat, and the treasure boat swiftly ascended.
From below, Leng Wuya and others quickly shouted: “Hangzhi… Sect Master, the Supreme Elder just ordered the Elders to prepare your inauguration ceremony as Sect Master!”
“Hangzhi.”
“Wait!”
“Sect Master, wait!”
The Flying Boat’s rapid ascent shook the entire Xuanxin Sect, and hundreds of Elders came out of their rooms, rising into the air.
Over one hundred Spirit Coalescence Stage Elders rushed to the front, shouting in unison to persuade him to stay.
Lu Hangzhi did not look back:
“The position of Sect Master will temporarily be held by the Supreme Elder. It’s not too late for me to take over after I return from Two Realms Mountain. Everyone, please stay!”
After speaking, the Flying Boat’s light burst, its speed suddenly increased, and it shot toward Two Realms Mountain like an arrow from a bowstring, leaving behind a group of Spirit Coalescence Elders and even more Xuanxin Sect disciples who had rushed out upon hearing the commotion. They stared in astonishment at the rapidly disappearing streak of light in the sky, dumbfounded.
……
Two Realms Mountain.
Several days had passed since Two Realms Mountain fell and the four Marketplaces were slaughtered by Monster Beasts.
With the joint efforts of Cultivators from the Seven Great Sects, the four Marketplaces had been rebuilt, but a few mass graves were added to the original sites, with monuments erected to commemorate the tens of thousands of Cultivators who sacrificed their lives in the tragedy.
The top line was prominently engraved with Lord Baimei’s name!
When Lu Hangzhi flew near the monument, he resolutely landed, stood silently in mourning for a few moments, then passed by the monument and entered the city.
The number of Cultivators at the city gate had increased!
Dozens of Spirit Condensation Stage Cultivators from the Seven Great Sects were stationed at the gate, their eyes scanning the Cultivators coming in and out, looking very vigilant.
Clearly, the painful lesson from a few days ago not only motivated the Cultivators who later stationed at Two Realms Mountain but also greatly increased the number of defensive Cultivators in the Marketplace.
However…
After scanning the defensive Cultivators at the city gate, Lu Hangzhi frowned slightly.
Unfamiliar faces.
They were all unfamiliar faces.
Just then, one person at the city gate stared at him, his eyes sharp like knives. After looking him up and down, he suddenly stopped Lu Hangzhi, who was about to enter the city.
“Halt.”
Lu Hangzhi frowned again, turning to look at the other person.
The other person was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with the unique emblem of the Imperial Wine Sect, one of the Seven Great Sects, on his chest. He was clearly a Spirit Coalescence Elder from the Imperial Wine Sect.
“What’s the problem?”
In these critical times, the Spirit Coalescence Elder at the city gate reacted very quickly.
Nearby Cultivators also became alert, their Magic Power surging and ready to burst forth, their eyes all focusing on Lu Hangzhi.
The city gate immediately became tense, like drawn bows and loaded arrows.
The Imperial Wine Sect’s Spirit Coalescence Elder was very dissatisfied with Lu Hangzhi’s disrespectful tone and snorted coldly:
“Your aura is obscure and unstable. You are clearly at the Epiphany Stage, but there’s a strange aura mixed in. I have reason to suspect you might be possessed by a Monster Beast. Put down your weapon immediately and undergo further inspection.”
As a Spirit Coalescence Elder from the Seven Great Sects, even ordinary Spirit Coalescence Elders from smaller sects would treat him with respect. Seeing someone at the Epiphany Stage acting so calm and arrogant, he decided to teach this kid a lesson.
However…
Lu Hangzhi’s words almost made him explode in anger:
“If you can’t see through my cultivation, it’s because your cultivation level isn’t high enough. Or do you plan to inspect everyone whose cultivation you can’t see through? Do you have that qualification?”
“How dare you!”
The Imperial Wine Sect’s Spirit Coalescence Elder flew into a rage. With a “hum,” his Flying Sword locked onto Lu Hangzhi. The Sword Qi surged, icy cold—it was actually the top-grade Magical Artifact Flying Sword, “Ice Soul Sword.”
“Everyone, stop!”
“Yu Changgu!”
“What’s going on?”
Someone hurried over.
Recognizing the newcomer as Elder Zhao, whom he had met once at the Xuanxin Sect, Lu Hangzhi relaxed slightly, stopping the motion to deploy the Tianji Umbrella, his expression calm.
The Imperial Wine Sect’s Spirit Coalescence Elder was called Yu Changgu…
Lu Hangzhi silently noted this.
Yu Changgu clearly had no intention of letting it go and continued to surround Lu Hangzhi with his men, coldly saying: “I suspect this guy is possessed by a Monster Beast and must be captured for interrogation.”
“Nonsense!” Elder Zhao, seeing that the person stopped was Lu Hangzhi, immediately knew this was the Imperial Wine Sect causing trouble.
“Those possessed by Monster Beasts usually have cold pupils, violent tempers, and memory gaps. This person has no such issues.”
“Whether he’s possessed by a Monster Beast or not will be clear after interrogation. Elder Zhao, why are you so nervous?” Yu Changgu sneered repeatedly, clearly not planning to back down.
Elder Zhao became angry:
“You…” He vaguely sensed something was wrong.
The other party couldn’t possibly not know Lu Hangzhi’s identity.
Lu Hangzhi’s deeds in pursuing Monster Beasts had long spread throughout Two Realms Mountain, and he had even been exceptionally included in the Special Operations Team personnel list by Honglian. The other party was clearly picking a fight to embarrass Lady Honglian.
“What about me!” Yu Changgu said firmly, staring at Elder Zhao: “Inspecting every Cultivator entering and leaving the city is my responsibility. Don’t think you’re superior just because you’re from the Inspector Envoy. No one suspicious can be let go.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the group of Spirit Coalescence Elders around Yu Changgu seemed to receive a signal, becoming tense and aiming at Lu Hangzhi and Elder Zhao.
The atmosphere at the city gate grew even more tense, with a strong smell of gunpowder.
Seeing this, even if Lu Hangzhi was slow, he could guess that Yu Changgu was just a pawn sent by Honglian’s hidden competitors. His gaze turned cold, and he said:
“There are only two ways to inspect for Monster Beasts: one is identity verification, the other is Art Techniques competition. Since I’m in a hurry to see Lady Honglian, I choose the latter. The location is right here. Pick someone to compete with me… You just want to put me in my place here, and I’ll give you that chance.”
Lu Hangzhi bluntly tore off the thin veil of Yu Changgu and his group’s intentions, openly challenging them in front of everyone.
At the city gate, countless Epiphany Stage and Spirit Condensation Stage Cultivators coming and going stopped to watch, and the crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger!