novelraw Chapter 54 – Battle for the Sect Leader
Chapter 54 – Battle for the Sect Leader
In one of the palaces of the Free Spirit Outer Sect, Lu Feichen and his daughter, Lu Mengyao, sat facing each other.
Before Lu Mengyao could ask, Lu Feichen spoke first, "Mengyao, do you know why Zhang Lüliang, merely an Outer Sect Steward, is worth the intervention of an Inner Sect Elder, preventing me from dealing with him?"
Hearing her father mention this matter, Lu Mengyao was slightly taken aback. She remembered that Zhang Lüliang had secretly attacked Luo Xiu during the assessment, which was a violation of the rules. Her father, as the Outer Sect Leader, had personally ordered Zhang Lüliang to be imprisoned in the water prison, his cultivation abolished, and to suffer the piercing of his pipa bone.
However, just as Zhang Lüliang was imprisoned, someone came with an order from an Inner Sect Elder demanding his release. The status of an Inner Sect Elder was higher than that of the Outer Sect Leader, so Lu Feichen had no choice but to release him.
"I don't understand," Lu Mengyao shook her head in confusion.
The status of an Inner Sect Elder was indeed higher than that of the Outer Sect Leader, and Zhang Lüliang was just a mere Outer Sect Steward, with no comparable status. How could he be worth an Inner Sect Elder's personal rescue?
If Zhang Lüliang truly had an Inner Sect Elder backing him, why would he be just a small steward in the Outer Sect?
Lu Mengyao, being intelligent, couldn't figure it out but could guess that it might be related to her father's change in attitude and the special circumstances he mentioned.
Lu Feichen took a deep breath, his expression somewhat grave. As the ruler of the Outer Sect, holding a high position, Lu Mengyao hadn't seen this expression on her father's face for a long time.
"Not long ago, the Sect Master returned from the Nine Phoenix Mountain Range, but he was severely injured and now has little time left," Lu Feichen revealed a shocking piece of news.
The Sect Master he referred to was, of course, the leader of the Free Spirit Sect, and anyone who could sit in the position of Sect Master was undoubtedly the strongest in the sect!
"The Sect Master injured, with little time left?" Lu Mengyao's face showed shock, "The Sect Master is a strong practitioner who has stepped into the realm of kings in martial arts, how could he be so gravely injured?"
As for the Nine Phoenix Mountain Range mentioned by her father, Lu Mengyao had never heard of it.
"Our Free Spirit Sect dominates Yunlong Prefecture, relying on the Sect Master's formidable martial prowess, so this news has been sealed, known only to a very few within the sect."
Lu Feichen's eyes carried a hint of warning, "If the news gets out, not only will some forces within Yunlong Prefecture become restless, but other forces in the Tianwu Kingdom's various prefectures might also do things detrimental to our Free Spirit Sect."
Hearing this, Lu Mengyao nodded solemnly, indicating she wouldn't share the news with anyone else.
Lu Feichen pondered for a moment before continuing, "The Sect Master's injuries are beyond recovery, and once he falls, the Free Spirit Sect cannot be leaderless. The next Sect Master will be chosen from among the elders, and among the Inner Sect Elders, two have the highest cultivation and prestige."
"These two elders are Di Sigu and Kong Qingyu. Their cultivation is similar, and they both have disciples and supporters within the Inner and Outer Sects, so there will naturally be competition for the position of Sect Master."
"Currently, within the Inner and Outer Sects, whether stewards, protectors, or elders, everyone has taken a stand, choosing which elder to support. Your father, I, support Elder Kong Qingyu."
After hearing all this, Lu Mengyao finally understood.
Her father was a supporter of Kong Qingyu's faction, and the Outer Sect Steward Zhang Lüliang was evidently a supporter of Elder Di Sigu's faction.
Even though Zhang Lüliang's status was low, at such a critical moment, Elder Di Sigu would naturally want to protect his faction's people to gain more loyal support, letting those who support him know that choosing to support Di Sigu is definitely the right choice.
Lu Mengyao hadn't expected that this would involve the power struggles between the Inner Sect factions.
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Elder Kong Qingyu, with high moral standing, was her father Lu Feichen's mentor. As a disciple, at such a critical moment, she naturally had to stand by her mentor.
Although the Outer Sect's status was not as high as the Inner Sect, it was still significant, so Lu Feichen's support would play a major role in whether Elder Kong Qingyu could secure the position of Sect Master.
"Although my mentor has my support, among the nine Inner Sect Elders, only two support him."
At this point, Lu Feichen sighed, "My mentor has been immensely kind to me. If it weren't for his guidance and support in the past, how could there be a Lu Feichen today?"
"But the Inner Sect Elders hold esteemed positions, and my mentor has only two supporters, while Di Sigu has five. If nothing unexpected happens, my mentor will surely lose in this competition for the Sect Master position."
"And once he loses, if Di Sigu takes the position of Sect Master, he will inevitably suppress my mentor's faction, including your father, who will also be implicated, facing life and death!"
Listening to her father's words, Lu Mengyao could sense the stakes involved.
In a dominant power like the Free Spirit Sect, power struggles are normal, and the victor suppressing the loser's faction to consolidate their position is also quite normal.
But what does all this have to do with me and Luo Xiu?
As Lu Mengyao pondered this question, Lu Feichen slowly spoke, "Among the nine Inner Sect Elders, three have the best relationship, sworn siblings who have risked their lives together several times in their youth."
"One of these elders has a grandson named Gou Jinchuan, who is deeply loved by the three elders and is now an Inner Sect disciple."
"Elder Gou approached me a few days ago, saying his grandson has long admired you. If you could marry, Elder Gou would persuade his two siblings to support your mentor."
At this point, even if Lu Mengyao were foolish, she would understand her father's intention, not to mention she was exceptionally intelligent.
"Father, do you want to use me as a tool for exchanging power?"
Lu Mengyao was immediately agitated, standing up abruptly, her face filled with anger as she looked at her father.
Lu Feichen shook his head with a bitter smile. No one understood his daughter better than he did. He had long known that once he brought up this matter, she would react this way.
"Mengyao, your mother passed away early. From childhood to adulthood, I've never opposed any of your decisions. When your Severed Fire Yang Meridian couldn't be treated, and you had to practice the Ice Heart Technique of Tianshan Snow Valley to suppress it, but it required you to marry into Tianshan Snow Valley, you refused even at the cost of your life and fled to Qingyun City. I didn't force you."
"But this time, if your mentor fails in the competition for Sect Master, your father might also face life-threatening danger!" Lu Feichen sighed.
"Father, I..." Lu Mengyao was at a loss for words. She couldn't disregard her father's life, but the price was marrying someone like Gou Jinchuan, which she couldn't accept.
She had thought she had no future, that the Severed Fire Yang Meridian would prevent her from living past twenty-five, but Luo Xiu had cured her, giving her a future and an unforgettable love.
For Lu Mengyao, she would rather die than betray her feelings for Luo Xiu.
But... if her insistence would implicate her father and put his life at risk, wouldn't that be unfilial?
On one side was the father who had loved her dearly since childhood, and on the other was the happiness she pursued.
What should I choose?
Lu Mengyao was at a loss, her mind blank.
Lu Feichen also stood up, gently caressing her cheek, "I love you the most and would never force you to marry someone you don't love. If you truly want to be with Luo Xiu, I will arrange for you and Luo Xiu to leave Yunlong Prefecture, so you won't be implicated."
Lu Mengyao's body trembled. Her father, even at this moment, was thinking more about her, which made her feel both touched and guilty.
"Father, I... I want to think about it carefully," Lu Mengyao's heart was in turmoil.
"Alright, I'll give you time to think, but time is pressing, and I can only give you three days," Lu Feichen said.
...
After Lu Feichen and Lu Mengyao left, Luo Xiu felt an inexplicable irritation and unease.
It wasn't until late at night that he slowly opened his eyes, the injuries from his life-and-death duel with Lin Jingyun fully healed.
With the ability to directly repair Vital Meridians, as long as the injuries weren't fatal, he could quickly recover in a short time.
However, the oppressive feeling of unease and irritation lingering in his heart wouldn't dissipate.
The battle with Lin Jingyun taught Luo Xiu a lesson.
In life-and-death combat, cultivation level doesn't entirely determine a person's fighting ability. Powerful Formation Treasures can be decisive at critical moments.
For instance, the third-tier Formation Treasure used by Lin Jingyun, which unleashed golden sword energy comparable to an Innate Martial Master's attack. If it were any other seventh or even eighth layer of the Qi Sea Realm, they would almost be unable to withstand it.
Of course, Formation Treasures are expensive, and not everyone possesses powerful ones.
But there's no doubt that Formation Treasures can indeed turn the tide at critical moments or cause unexpected failures.
Formation Treasures are generally divided into three types: offensive, like the golden orb used by Lin Jingyun.
Another type is defensive, such as the Blue Crystal Bracelet given to him by the Master of Qingyun Hall, which he later gave to Lu Mengyao.
The third type is auxiliary, like the Spirit Gathering Formation, generally referred to as Formation Devices.
In Lin Jingyun's Storage Bracer, there were over a hundred Low-Grade Yuan Qi Stones, a Qi Refining Pill, a fifth-grade Sword Technique, and a second-tier Spirit Gathering Formation Device.
These items held little value for Luo Xiu.
However, Luo Xiu found a Jade Pendant inside, which turned out to be a defensive third-tier Formation Treasure. When activated with True Qi, it could release a wood-attribute shield with defensive capabilities and healing effects.
Lin Jingyun's status among the many disciples of the Free Spirit Outer Sect wasn't high, nor was his strength particularly strong. He shouldn't have such a valuable Formation Treasure.
Considering that the referee for this life-and-death duel was Zhang Lüliang, Luo Xiu could easily deduce that the old man was likely behind this.
"It was the Zhang Clan that provoked me first. An old guy who has lived for over a hundred years, targeting me indiscriminately is one thing, but constantly trying to kill me is another. Once I have the strength, I'll find an opportunity to cut down that old bastard!"
Thinking of how Zhang Lüliang constantly targeted him, a fierce light flashed in Luo Xiu's eyes.
He wasn't a soft-hearted person because he understood that in this world, kindness is often seen as weakness.
Whether it was beating Zhang Hao in the Qingyun Martial Hall, crippling Zhang Hai, forcing Zhao Liang to kowtow, or later killing people in Shuiwu Mountain and Yaqi Mountain, Luo Xiu's wild and ruthless nature was vividly displayed.
Standing by the window, Luo Xiu gazed at the bright moon hanging in the night sky, his brows furrowed. The unease and irritation in his heart made it difficult for him to find peace.