94: Third Life: How Am I the Villain? (58)

Xu Yuan watched this scene unfold, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

He knew the Elders' thoughts well; they simply wanted to secure a more prominent position for themselves through marriage alliances.

Xu Yuan took a step forward, and the faint, sharp Saber Intent around him naturally radiated outward. Though not aimed at anyone in particular, it caused the Elders surrounding Chen Ping to shudder. They instinctively stopped speaking and turned to look at him.

Xu Yuan's gaze was calm. He first nodded to Qin Zhantian and his father, then looked around at the crowd, his voice clear but carrying an unquestionable decisiveness:

"Chen Yuan thanks the Elders for their high regard."

"However, the Great Dao is not yet attained, and the road ahead is long. My heart is only for the immortal path of longevity and the saber in my hand; I have no time to attend to personal matters for now."

He paused briefly before continuing, "The position of Sect Master is a responsibility and a burden."

"Since I have inherited this position, I must work diligently to lead the Sect toward prosperity. As for the matter of a Dao Companion... if there is fate in the future, we can discuss it then."

"I hope the Elders will not make things difficult for my father again."

These words were flawless; they expressed his dedication to the Dao, politely declined the marriage alliances, clarified the responsibilities of the Sect Master, and protected his father.

Hearing this, the Elders were somewhat disappointed, but they didn't dare say more and could only bow in agreement.

Seeing this, the admiration in Qin Zhantian's eyes grew even stronger. With strength, Heart-Nature, and the wisdom to know when to advance or retreat, he had made the right choice in this successor!

"Alright, let's leave this matter at that."

Qin Zhantian made the final decision.

"The priority now is to prepare for the Succession Ceremony in three months! I want the entire South Domain to see the peerless style of the new Sect Master of our Overlord Blade Sect!"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison, and the atmosphere returned to its proper track.

After Qin Zhantian's orders were issued, the entire Overlord Blade Sect began to operate efficiently like a precision machine.

Exquisitely made invitations, crafted from high-quality materials and sealed with the Overlord Blade Sect's unique Saber Intent, were sent by specialized Deacon Disciples to the major Sects and families of the South Domain.

Whether it was the Azure Wood Sect and Flowing Clouds Pavilion, which were on good terms with the Overlord Blade Sect, or Black Iron Mountain and Shui Yue Nunnery, which had average relationships, or even the Joyful Union Sect, with which there had been past friction, all received the invitation announcing the power transition within the Overlord Blade Sect without exception.

When the higher-ups of each Sect saw the words 'Succession Ceremony of the Twenty-Eighth Generation Sect Master of the Overlord Blade Sect, Xu Yuan' on the invitation, along with the brief information that Xu Yuan had already broken through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, they were all shaken!

"What?! That Chen Yuan... has broken through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage?!" Shi Gang squeezed the invitation, his knuckles turning white, his face filled with disbelief. "How old is he? How many years has it been since he entered the Foundation Establishment realm? How... how is this possible?!"

After the Blackwater Secret Realm, although Shi Gang did not obtain the Blackwater Mysterious Lotus, he had found another Opportunity and had also achieved Foundation Establishment. He originally thought that even if he hadn't caught up to Xu Yuan, he had at least narrowed the gap between them.

But now it seemed the gap hadn't just narrowed; he likely couldn't even see the man's back anymore.

Inside the main hall, the Black Iron Mountain Sect Master said hoarsely, "Since the Overlord Blade Sect dares to send out invitations and announce it publicly, there is no possibility of it being fake. Moreover... that Chen Yuan ranked in the top nine of the South Domain Elite Battle with a Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation!"

"His terrifying talent and solid Foundation are far beyond our imagination. Now that he has broken through to the Late Stage, his strength..."

He didn't dare say the rest, but everyone present understood—his strength could likely rival or even surpass a common Foundation Establishment Perfection Cultivator!

For Black Iron Mountain, which had always been in open and secret conflict with the Overlord Blade Sect, this was definitely not good news.

Inside the Joyful Union Sect, the atmosphere was even more oppressive.

An Elder with a sinister expression slammed the invitation onto the table, his voice cold. "Chen Yuan! It's that Chen Yuan again! First, he ruined our Sect's plans in the Secret Realm and killed our Saintess, and now he's actually going to become the Sect Master of the Overlord Blade Sect?! If this boy isn't eliminated, he will surely become a grave threat to our Joyful Union Sect!"

Another Elder sighed. "Easier said than done. This boy has already come into his own and is now about to take charge of a Sect. With the combat power he has shown, unless multiple Foundation Establishment Perfection experts join forces to surround and kill him, it will be... difficult. Moreover, the Overlord Blade Sect's grand announcement this time is likely intended to lure the snake out of its hole and take the Opportunity to establish their authority."

The Joyful Union Sect Master, a beautiful woman who still possessed her charm but had sharp eyes, remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "The speed of this boy's growth is indeed unheard of."

"Pass down the order: on the day of the ceremony, prepare generous gifts. I will personally go to 'congratulate' him."

She emphasized the word 'congratulate' heavily, cold light flashing in her eyes.

As for the Disciples of various Sects who had encountered Xu Yuan in the Blackwater Secret Realm and witnessed him slaying a Foundation Establishment Great Demon while in the Qi Refinement Stage, their feelings were even more complex upon hearing the news.

"Senior Brother Chen... no, Sect Master Chen... is actually going to become the Sect Master so soon?" a Overlord Blade Sect Disciple who had participated in the Secret Realm journey murmured, his face filled with the excitement of sharing in the glory.

"Back in the Blackwater Secret Realm, he was only at the Qi Refinement Stage yet could slay a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast... Now, in just over ten years, he is already the master of a Sect!"

"Late Foundation Establishment Stage... while we are still wandering in the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, he is already standing at the peak of the South Domain's younger generation—no, he has even surpassed the vast majority of the older generation Cultivators!"

"Being born in the same era as him, I really don't know if it's a blessing or a curse..."

"..."

As for Xu Xingchen of the Burning Sun Upper Sect, upon hearing the news, he was first shocked and then gave a bitter smile, sighing to the fellow Disciples beside him, "Brother Chen... no, Sect Master Chen is truly a celestial being."

"I thought that by chasing him with all my might after the Elite Battle, I could narrow the gap, but I didn't expect... the gap to actually grow wider and wider."

"Late Foundation Establishment Stage... I'm afraid that now, I wouldn't even be able to take a single strike from his saber."

The 'Sword Son' Luo Chen of the Mystical Heaven Sword Sect, who was still in seclusion digesting his insights, also received the news. A strange light flashed in his eyes, followed by a burning Battle Intent. "What a Brother Chen, to actually break through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage so quickly?"

"But that's fine. Previously, there was the taint of an unfair victory because I relied on my higher cultivation, but now that we are both in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, it's the perfect time to see whose saber is sharper or whose sword is faster!"

...The entire South Domain cultivation world was in turmoil because of this sudden invitation from the Overlord Blade Sect.

Xu Yuan—this name was no longer merely a Prodigy on the elite rank, but a giant who was about to be officially crowned as the master of a Sect!

His age, his cultivation, and his battle records all stimulated the nerves of every faction.

Inside a certain hidden Immortal Cave, a figure shrouded in a black robe looked at the intelligence regarding Xu Yuan and suddenly tightened his grip, crushing the Jade Slip into powder!

"Chen! Yuan!" The raspy voice was filled with a sky-piercing hatred. "You've actually grown so fast... However, once you succeed the position of Sect Master, I will personally take your life and uproot the Overlord Blade Sect completely!"

Boom!

The pressure of Foundation Establishment Perfection suddenly erupted, enveloping the entire Immortal Cave!