182: Chapter 182 The Sect Leader Emerges from Seclusion and Grants Authority! The Fifth Hall, the Demon-Slaying Hall, is Established!

【You don't ask much.】

【Draw your sword.】

【The Qiankun Yin-Yang Sword pierces through the night wind, heading straight for the main peak.】

【Hall Master Chi Yang stands on the mountain path and does not follow.】

【Thirty breaths.】

【In front of the main peak's great hall.】

【The hall doors are wide open.】

【Light pours out from within, illuminating the stone steps in front of the door.】

【You sheath your sword and land.】

【As your foot touches the first step, spiritual energy emanates from within the hall.】

【Earth-elemental.】

【Thick, steady, dense, layer upon layer, endless.】

【This spiritual energy contains no killing intent.】

【The aura of a Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator leaks out naturally, exerting immense pressure on a Nascent Soul Cultivator.】

【The Nascent Soul within your body is squeezed.】

【Your Dantian accelerates its circulation by half a beat, digesting the pressure.】

【You cross the threshold.】

【In the center of the great hall, a person sits cross-legged on a meditation cushion.】

【His figure is tall, with broad shoulders and a wide back; his frame fills out his wide robes.】

【He looks to be in his early forties.】

【His cheekbones are high, and his jawline is rugged.】

【His skin is rough, yellowish-brown, with deep textures—a characteristic left by years of using Earth-elemental spiritual energy for Body Tempering.】

【His hands rest on his knees. His fingers are thick, the knuckles are broad, and his palms are covered with a layer of calluses.】

【His graying long hair is tied behind his head, without a crown.】

【His eye sockets are deeply sunken, his pupils are earth-yellow, and his radiance is restrained to the extreme.】

【The Sect Master of the Tianxuan Sect.】

【Daoist Xuanyang.】

【You have been in the Tianxuan Sect for twenty years.】

【This is the first time you have seen him in person.】

【You walk to within five steps of the meditation cushion and cup your fists.】

【"Fire Cloud Hall Protector Shen Ji, pays respects to the Sect Master."】

【Daoist Xuanyang raises his eyes.】

【His earth-yellow pupils meet your gaze and pause for two breaths.】

【"Sit."】

【His voice is deep and gravelly.】

【There is only one empty meditation cushion in the hall.】

【You sit down cross-legged.】

【You are three zhang away from him.】

【He looks you up and down.】

【"Mid-stage Nascent Soul. A solid Foundation."】

【"You are too kind, Sect Master."】

【"It is not kindness, it is a judgment."】

【He spreads his hands and looks at his own palms.】

【"I am two hundred and thirteen years old this year. High Grade Earth Spiritual Root. My talent is not outstanding."】

【He closes his palms.】

【"For a Nascent Soul Breakthrough to Soul Transformation, the higher the talent, the shorter the time required. Daoist Xuantian took six years back then. With my Aptitude, closing for nineteen years and seven months was within my expectations."】

【You do not respond.】

【Waiting for him to continue.】

【Daoist Xuanyang places his hands back on his knees.】

【"Regardless of seclusion, I checked the transmission Jade Slip every six months."】

【"I am aware of everything happening outside."】

【He does not offer any preamble.】

【"Daoist Qingxuan died in battle."】

【His right hand tightens on his knee.】

【"When Hall Master Chi Yang sent me the message, I was still one barrier away from Soul Transformation. Even if I had gone out, I could not have stopped Demon Emperor Lietian."】

【"Forcibly interrupting seclusion would have caused my cultivation to regress, wasting over a decade of hard work, which would have been of no benefit to the Sect."】

【He pauses for a beat.】

【"So, I did not exit seclusion."】

【You speak up.】

【"The Sect Master made the correct trade-off."】

【"Trade-off?" Daoist Xuanyang looks at you.】

【"Daoist Qingxuan followed me for one hundred and sixty years. He had been my Junior Brother since the Foundation Establishment stage. When he died, I sat in the restricted room facing the transmission Jade Slip for an entire night."】

【"The next day, I continued my seclusion."】

【His tone does not change from beginning to end.】

【You do not say any more empty pleasantries.】

【"Fortunately, Daoist Xuantian, the Sect Master of the Xuantian Holy Sect in the Central Region, arrived in time, and the Eastern Domain was not razed."】

【Daoist Xuanyang's gaze locks onto you.】

【"However."】

【He raises a finger.】

【"The entire layout of the chess game from beginning to end, uniting the Eastern Domain Sects, traveling far to the Central Region to seek aid, establishing ties with the Xuantian Holy Sect, the construction of the Northern defense line —"】

【He points a finger at you.】

【"It was all you."】

【"It is this Disciple's duty."】

【"Do not be humble."】

【He blocks you with two words.】

【"I reviewed nearly twenty years of transmission records, looking at them one by one. You were at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment when you entered the Sect, and now you are at Mid-stage Nascent Soul. In between, you even fought a battle at the Soul Transformation level."】

【"What you have done in the Tianxuan Sect is more than what most Hall Masters have done."】

【His palm flips on his knee, palm facing up.】

【"Let's get to the point."】

【"You are now at Mid-stage Nascent Soul, qualified to sit in a higher position."】

【"I will give you two paths."】

【"First, become the Vice Sect Master of the Tianxuan Sect. Take Daoist Qingxuan's position."】

【"Second, open a new Hall yourself. You will be the Hall Master."】

【He raises three fingers.】

【"Thirty breaths, think clearly."】

【You sit cross-legged and unmoved.】

【Two paths.】

【The Vice Sect Master manages all affairs of the Sect, ranking above the four halls and below one person. The power is the greatest.】

【But what does the Vice Sect Master manage? Administrative affairs, distribution, diplomacy, coordination.】

【In your past life, you watched the Eastern Domain fall step by step. It was not because administrative affairs were not handled well, but because there was no team truly capable of killing Yao.】

【A new Hall, where you define the establishment, select the people, and formulate the tactical system yourself.】

【Once taken out, it can fight.】

【Ten breaths.】

【"I choose the second one."】

【You speak up.】

【"A new Hall."】

【Daoist Xuanyang's expression does not change.】

【"State your conditions."】

【"Three conditions."】

【"First, the twelve members of the Demon-Slaying Squad I previously organized shall all be transferred to my Hall's establishment."】

【"Second, Fire Cloud Hall Disciple Nangong Yue shall be transferred under my name."】

【"Third, my Personal Disciple Lu Bingyun shall join the Hall with me."】

【Daoist Xuanyang taps his fingers on his knee twice.】

【"With just a word from you, all four halls will bleed."】

【"In principle, I approve."】

【He stands up.】

【"But a Hall Master meeting must be held. You will have to handle the opinions of the four Hall Masters yourself."】

【He walks towards the hall door.】

【"Call them."】

【Half an hour later.】

【Main peak meeting hall.】

【The candles are relit.】

【The four Hall Masters take their seats in order.】

【Hall Master Chi Yang has changed into formal attire and sits at the head of the left side.】

【Daoist Qingxu sits at the head of the right side, his hand resting on the armrest, tapping his fingertips rhythmically.】

【Fairy Hanyue, the Hall Master of Ice Heart Hall, sits quietly in the second seat.】

【Hall Master Lei Zhen of the Formation Hall sits at the end.】

【You stand in the center of the great hall.】

【Daoist Xuanyang sits in the main seat.】

【The Spiritual Pressure of the Soul Transformation Stage permeates the entire hall, causing everyone present to slow their breathing by half a beat.】

【He speaks.】

【"I have exited seclusion. I will not waste words."】

【He raises his left hand in your direction.】

【"Effective immediately, the Tianxuan Sect shall establish a fifth Hall. The Hall Master — Shen Ji."】

【Hall Master Chi Yang leans back in his chair, arms crossed, saying nothing.】

【Hall Master Lei Zhen of the Formation Hall rubs his chin.】

【Fairy Hanyue sits motionless.】

【Daoist Qingxu's fingers tapping on the armrest stop.】

【"Sect Master."】

【Daoist Qingxu speaks.】

【"The position of Hall Master concerns the Foundation of the Sect, is it not —"】

【Daoist Xuanyang raises his hand.】

【"Listen to me finish."】

【He announces the list of personnel one by one.】

【The twelve members of the Demon-Slaying Squad. Fire Cloud Hall's Nangong Yue. Shen Ji's Personal Disciple Lu Bingyun.】

【"The above fourteen people are all transferred to the new Hall."】

【Fairy Hanyue sits in the second seat, having not said a word from beginning to end.】

【Gu Yunxi, Su Wantang, and Han Qingshuang. These three female Disciples do not rank in the top five of the Ice Heart Hall and cannot be considered core trump cards.】

【In contrast, the other three halls.】

【Fenglei Hall has its number two and number three Prodigies taken away.】

【The Formation Hall cannot even keep its most talented Prodigy, Chu Feng.】

【Fire Cloud Hall has sacrificed Huo Quji, a precious treasure with a Fire Heavenly Spiritual Root.】

【Comparing the four halls, Ice Heart Hall bleeds the least.】

【She lowers her eyelids, picks up a teacup, sips some tea, and says no more.】

【Daoist Qingxu stands up.】

【"Sect Master."】

【His voice is extremely low.】

【"Ling Qingmeng is my Fenglei Hall's number two Prodigy. Gao Lingfeng is the number three Prodigy."】

【"Transferring both of them at once. Sect Master, this is dismantling the skeleton of my Fenglei Hall."】

【Hall Master Lei Zhen follows up.】

【"Chu Feng is my Formation Hall's third Senior Brother. Qin Mobai is also a Disciple in my Hall. Sect Master, having all four halls bleed at the same time is unreasonable."】

【Daoist Xuanyang does not answer.】

【He looks at you.】

【You turn to Daoist Qingxu.】

【"Daoist Qingxu. Ling Qingmeng and Gao Lingfeng have followed me in the Demon-Slaying Squad for nine years."】

【"Their tactical coordination, battlefield instincts, and formation positioning were all honed under my command."】

【"If you separate them, these nine years will be wasted."】

【Daoist Qingxu stares at you.】

【"Shen Ji. You took the most people from Fenglei Hall during the battle at Qingfeng Ridge. You have also borrowed the most people from my Hall over these years."】

【"There is no such thing as only taking in and not giving out in this world."】

【You do not rush to answer.】

【Hall Master Chi Yang speaks from the left.】

【"Old Qing, those two Disciples of yours have been on the battlefield, killed Yao Beasts, and risked their lives with Shen Ji."】

【He props himself up on the armrests of his chair.】

【"Let them go back to Fenglei Hall to continue practicing? Isn't that a waste of talent?"】

【"They can practice just the same when they come back." Daoist Qingxu does not yield.】

【"Practice what?" Hall Master Chi Yang raises his voice a notch.】

【"What Shen Ji gave them is not a Cultivation Technique. It is a life forged in actual combat. Can your Fenglei Hall provide that?"】

【Daoist Qingxu's expression turns cold.】

【"Chi Yang, you are generous. Your Fire Cloud Hall gave up Huo Quji and Nangong Yue, why don't I see you feeling any pain?"】

【Hall Master Chi Yang snorts.】

【"Huo Quji has walked from the Foundation Establishment era to the Golden Core era with Shen Ji; they cannot be separated. Nangong Yue was originally a Disciple led by Shen Ji. It is the most reasonable arrangement for these three to follow him."】

【He glances at Daoist Qingxu.】

【"I am at Nascent Soul Great Perfection myself; I know whether Fire Cloud Hall lacks these two people or not."】

【The hall is quiet for two breaths.】

【Daoist Xuanyang slaps the armrest with one palm.】

【Earth-elemental spiritual energy vibrates into the floor through his palm, and the stone bricks of the entire great hall hum.】

【The four of them shut their mouths simultaneously.】

【"I will ask one question."】

【Daoist Xuanyang scans the four people.】

【"Does anyone here feel that Shen Ji is not qualified to be a Hall Master?"】

【The great hall is quiet.】

【No one responds.】

【Daoist Xuanyang shifts his gaze to Daoist Qingxu.】

【"I understand your heartache over the matter of Ling Qingmeng and Gao Lingfeng."】

【"But think about it. If these two remain in Fenglei Hall, can they fight with the same 100% combat power they had when they followed Shen Ji?"】

【Daoist Qingxu sits back in his chair.】

【He says nothing.】

【You speak up.】

【"I have already decided on the name of the Hall."】

【Four gazes turn towards you.】

【You report three words.】

【"Demon-Slaying Hall."】

【The three words land on the stone bricks of the great hall.】

【Hall Master Chi Yang's crossed arms loosen.】

【The Hall Master of the Formation Hall lowers his hand that was rubbing his chin.】

【The Hall Master of the Ice Heart Hall raises her eyes.】

【Daoist Qingxu leans back in his chair and exhales.】

【Demon-Slaying.】

【Not Cultivation, not academics, not hall administration.】

【The purpose for the establishment of this Hall is only one.】

【To kill Yao.】

【Demon Emperor Lietian is watching from the Northern border, and the blade above the Eastern Domain will fall sooner or later.】

【The Tianxuan Sect needs such a blade.】

【Everyone present knows this.】

【Hall Master Chi Yang is the first to slap the armrest.】

【"Good name. The people from Fire Cloud Hall have no objections."】

【The Hall Master of the Ice Heart Hall nods.】

【The Hall Master of the Formation Hall remains silent for two breaths, then also nods.】

【Daoist Qingxu closes his eyes.】

【His fingers stop on the armrest for several breaths.】

【He opens his eyes and looks at you.】

【"I will give you the people."】

【"But there is one condition. Fenglei Hall will no longer provide the cultivation resources for Ling Qingmeng and Gao Lingfeng during their time in the Demon-Slaying Hall. You must resolve this yourself."】

【"Naturally."】

【You agree.】

【Daoist Xuanyang stands up.】

【"Approved. The meeting is adjourned."】

【He looks at you.】

【"Come to me tomorrow at the Chen hour to receive the Hall Master's command token. The base, establishment, and resource allocation of the Demon-Slaying Hall will be decided separately."】

【The four Hall Masters stand up and exit the hall.】

【Hall Master Chi Yang pauses when he reaches the door.】

【He does not look back.】

【"Shen Ji."】

【"Immortal Master."】

【"Hand back the Fire Cloud Hall Protector's seal tomorrow."】

【He steps over the threshold.】

【His voice comes in from outside the hall, muffled and deep.】

【"From now on, you are the Hall Master of the Demon-Slaying Hall. Do not embarrass me."】

【You stand in the center of the empty great hall.】

【The candlelight reflects on the stone bricks under your feet.】

【The fifth Hall of the Tianxuan Sect.】

【Demon-Slaying Hall.】

【Starting today, you have your own establishment, your own people, and your own blade in your hands.】

【You turn and walk out of the great hall.】

【The night wind pours into your robes.】

【As soon as you step down the third step, the transmission Jade Slip at your waist vibrates.】

【You lower your head and take it out.】

【You inject spiritual energy.】

【A line of text emerges within the Jade Slip, the strokes raw, the ending of the strokes hurried.】

【"Master, this Disciple encountered a group of Loose Cultivators surrounding me outside Nanyang City in the Southern Region. I have already escaped. However, the other party has an exotic object in their possession that is definitely not a Human Race Magical Artifact, and it is extremely similar to a Yao Race Gu tool. This Disciple tracked them to Qingshi Town and discovered that the Loose Cultivators here are in frequent, secret contact with the Yao Race. The situation is treacherous; please instruct me, Master."】

【Signature: Lu Bingyun.】

【You clench the Jade Slip.】

【Your gaze is cast toward the night sky in the south.】