181: Goodbye, Elder Mu

The group arrived at the main hall. Ancestor Tianhong sat in the primary seat. After a long silence, he spoke abruptly: "Everyone, we are all aware that the new Sect Master is to be chosen tomorrow. Originally, Song Jianyi's talent and Cultivation were beyond reproach, making him the only candidate."

At these words, a sharp glint flashed in Song Jianyi's eyes. He was exceptionally excited, his entire body trembling.

However, in all things, one must fear the "however"!

"However, Sword One, you now have a rival. A few years ago, a Disciple of our Sect went out to sea to train and awakened an Imperial Rank Bloodline. He has clearly stated that he will return tomorrow to compete for this Sect Master position."

"This person is named Lu Wu, and his father is an Imperial Rank powerhouse—the Blood Slaughter Blade Emperor!"

"Lu Wu? An Imperial Rank Bloodline?" Song Jianyi frowned, his expression turning somewhat ugly.

"Indeed! Sword One, this Lu Wu will also return tomorrow." Chu Feng took over the conversation at this point.

"Just a short while ago, Lu Wu suddenly appeared at the headquarters of the Thousand Island Alliance in the Endless Sea Region and killed Xiang Zuo, who was at the Saint Rank Third Heaven, with a single blade strike. Since then, the Thousand Island Alliance has been renamed the Blade Emperor Alliance."

"This was a display of power to announce his return, and he declared he would come back to vie for the Sect Master position. Lu Wu was originally a Disciple of the Peerless Sect, and he is now at the Saint Rank, in the Blade Soul realm, having awakened an Intermediate Heaven Rank Cultivation Technique for the blade. Sword One, it will be very difficult for you to compete with him."

"What!" Song Jianyi shouted uncontrollably, his expression shocked. He had exhausted every possible means for this Sect Master position.

During his seclusion, he had spent every single minute and second Cultivating. It had been nearly thirty years! Thirty years of enduring loneliness, sustained only by his own ambition and desire for power. And yet, after coming out of seclusion, this is what you tell him!

Ignoring Song Jianyi's state, Ancestor Tianhong continued:

"Sword One, if Lu Wu definitely returns tomorrow, I fear we will have to announce that he shall inherit the position of Sect Master. Lu Wu's father is currently in his Peak period, and his Family is renowned in the Central Region, with a Legacy that has lasted for ten thousand years."

"Compared to them, our Peerless Sect is simply an ant. If he can take over as Sect Master, it is equivalent to our Peerless Sect establishing a connection with that ten-thousand-year-old Imperial clan. Who would dare provoke our Peerless Sect then? Even the royal Family of the Heavenly Dragon Empire would no longer need to be taken seriously."

This is reality. The world of Cultivation is even more cruel. With such a good opportunity, these old fellows would not give it up. Whether it was to advance themselves further or to make the Sect more glorious, they had to establish a connection with Lu Wu.

"Of course, Sword One, your talent is undeniable. You are a Prodigy personally nurtured by our Peerless Sect, so we would naturally not treat you unfairly. With your current Cultivation, wanting to reach the Saint Rank would likely take at least ten years or even longer."

"The Cultivation Technique you and I practice comes from the same origin; both are the Peerless Art. I will expend a hundred years of my own power to cleanse your body, open up the path to the Saint Rank, and allow you to step into the Saint Rank in one go."

"Tomorrow, it will be announced that you, Song Jianyi, have been in seclusion for three years, and the day you emerge is the day you reach the Saint Rank, having also condensed a Sword Soul. What a shocking piece of news that will be! It will also let the world see just how much of a Prodigy the geniuses of our Peerless Sect truly are."

These words caused Song Jianyi, whose face had been as gloomy as water, to immediately brighten up. "Old Ancestor, do you mean to assist me in entering the Saint Rank today?"

He was no longer numb; such a good thing to happen upon coming out of seclusion! Should he thank Lu Wu for appearing? Once he achieved the Saint Rank, who would still care about this small Peerless Sect Sect Master position? The fundamental reason he wanted that position was for resources.

"Correct. Sword One, you are already half a step away from the Saint Rank. With my assistance, it will naturally not be difficult. Tomorrow, the Blood Slaughter Blade Emperor will personally inherit the position of Sect Master, and our Peerless Sect's direct Disciple will have been in seclusion for three years, emerging at the Saint Rank. Coupled with Chu Feng having just become a Saint, what a glorious and magnificent scene this will be!"

"Hahaha..." The laughter that lingered for a long time came from this group of old fellows; it was incomparably joyful.

In Wushuang City, Elder Mu had naturally heard of Ji Mo's magnificent feats. At first, he was inexplicably shocked, but then his mood became somewhat excited; he saw hope.

At this moment, he was leisurely drinking wine on a reclining chair in the courtyard. "Lad Ji Mo, it has already been half a year without any news of you. I wonder if you can make it back in time!"

"The enemies you face this time are not few! Not to mention that son of the Blade Emperor, Lu Wu, quite a few old fellows have returned to the Peerless Sect, many of whom are at the Saint Rank Fourth or Fifth Heaven. They will not let you have an easy time!"

"Sigh! I don't know if you have the means to deal with all of this!"

Just as Elder Mu was talking to himself, a youth with an ordinary appearance suddenly walked into the courtyard.

Elder Mu suddenly looked up. "Hmm?"

"Hehe, Elder Mu, I'm back." Ji Mo chuckled and transformed back into his own appearance.

It was indeed Ji Mo who had returned to Wushuang City.

"Haha, lad, you really have returned. Your reputation has been spreading throughout this period! Not bad, not bad."

Although Elder Mu was laughing, Ji Mo clearly noticed that his current vitality was significantly worse than it had been three years ago.

"Elder Mu, what is wrong with you? Has your injury worsened?"

Ji Mo was also somewhat anxious. In this world, the people Ji Mo cared about, besides his few women, were just this old man before him.

In his heart, he had long regarded Elder Mu as his elder and relative. Seeing him becoming increasingly aged, he naturally felt distressed.

"Lad Ji Mo, don't be anxious. It is of no major consequence. This old man can still afford to wait, and I can still wait for you to grow up."

Elder Mu did not answer Ji Mo, but instead avoided the question. "Lad, what is your current Cultivation level? Have you broken through to the Saint Rank?"

Ji Mo said solemnly: "Elder Mu, let's not talk about my Cultivation first. Lad has always regarded you as a relative in his heart. What is your current state? I hope you can tell me, and explain the matter completely, so that I might have a chance to help you."

Elder Mu smiled noncommittally. "Wait until you have overcome the immediate difficulty before I tell you!"

Ji Mo raised an eyebrow: "Difficulty? Elder Mu, with my current strength, could there be anything difficult?"

"Lad, I know your battle record. Theoretically, Chu Feng and Song Jianyi pose no threat to you. The problem is that Lu Wu has returned and inserted himself into the situation; that is where the variable lies."

"As the direct son of the Blade Emperor, that Lu Wu has an extremely high Bloodline concentration and Cultivates a complete Intermediate Heaven Rank blade technique. This is your potential enemy."

"Because of him, many old fellows of the Peerless Sect from deep within the Endless Sea Region have returned to participate in this grand event. The highest Cultivation among these old fellows has reached the Saint Rank Fourth Heaven. Lad, how will you face these people?"

Hearing these worried words from Elder Mu, Ji Mo suddenly laughed.