Chapter 235: Chapter 196: Who Is the Sect Leader

Listening to Yang Jiye’s indignant words, Lu Qian couldn’t help but laugh. His face was still shrouded by clouds, so he wasn’t afraid of others seeing his expression.

It seems that after three years apart, Senior Brother Yang, though he has successfully established his Foundation, hasn’t changed much in temperament, still so impatient and restless.

Looking at the appearances of my fellow sect members, they surely haven’t had an easy time these past years, enduring much hardship.

Heaven truly shows mercy, ancestors protect us. Today, I have successfully established my Foundation and reunited with my lost comrades. Double happiness, truly exhilarating.

Just now, Senior Brother Yang mentioned he is the fourth generation Sect Leader?

Back then, when disaster struck, the sect crumbled, and the senior brothers fled in different directions. Those who were with me knew I was entrusted with the life-ending will of the Sect Leader Master to become the fourth generation Sect Leader, and escaped with me. Other senior brothers fled elsewhere and naturally didn’t know this news. The fellow sect members present must be in this situation.

Unexpectedly, over these three years, they gradually gathered together, sparing me the effort of searching. But besides them, there might still be scattered Yunshan disciples hidden in the wild, whom I will have to find slowly later.

Since Senior Brother Yang regards himself as the Sect Leader, they must have voluntarily chosen him.

The current urgent task is to bring these fellow sect members back under my leadership. Here stands one Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar, eight Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, two Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation, and these years they’ve been wandering outside, surely accumulating rich combat experience. For the Yunshan Sect, lacking elites, they are a great tonic.

Various thoughts flashed through Lu Qian’s mind, and he loudly said to Tan Hong, "Junior Brother Tan, you are also from the Yunshan Sect. I noticed earlier that you spared their lives; however, how to handle them from now on should be up to me."

In the past, Yunshan Sect had about one hundred fifty or sixty disciples. Lu Qian joined the sect rather late, and although he knew Yang Jiye and the others, they didn’t have much interaction, so he couldn’t recognize them by voice alone.

Now that Lu Qian has come out of seclusion, the backbone has returned. Tan Hong felt at ease, knowing that Lu Qian must have a plan, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement. This behavior naturally provoked another round of scolding from Yang Jiye.

"Sect Leader Bai, I still need to use your grand hall for a while."

Bai Ling obliged, lowering his head with a fawning smile, "I will start preparing the banquet right away, to celebrate Fellow Daoist Qi’s accomplishment in Foundation Establishment."

By this time, the night had faded, and daylight was bright. Lu Qian led his fifty elite members and the bound Yunshan Sect disciples back to the Council Hall of the Yuehua Sect. As soon as everyone entered, Lu Qian waved his hand, and a sound-muffling array tightly enveloped the place.

The cultivators of the Shuangye Alliance surrounded Lu Qian with praise like stars around the moon, but Lu Qian waved a dismissive gesture, signaling everyone to take their seats while he stood in front of Yang Jiye’s group.

The captured disciples, faces gray with despair, watched Lu Qian with uncertainty as Yang Jiye frowned and barked, "If you’re going to kill us, just do it! Enough with the stalling!"

Unexpectedly, Lu Qian gestured, and the heavy water restraints binding the disciples and the Purple Smoke Vine entangling Yang Jiye quietly disintegrated. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Their bodies relaxed, and they flexed their wrists, looking towards Lu Qian with suspicion and uncertainty.

"Senior Brother Yang, do you still recognize me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the mist obscuring Lu Qian’s face dissipated, revealing a handsome young man whose eyes shone with a concealed brilliance, his sword-like brows exuding heroism.

Everyone’s eyes widened in shock, recognizing this face immediately!

It was the former Sect Leader’s youngest disciple, Lu Qian!

Why is he here? Was it him who just established his Foundation? Why do all these people follow him? What is his identity now?

A series of questions left everyone bewildered, and for a moment, they stood frozen, staring at Lu Qian in a daze.

Lu Qian, however, stepped forward, gripping Yang Jiye’s hands tightly, "Senior Brother Yang, fellow sect members, I didn’t know the intruders were you earlier, and I acted rashly. Fortunately, Senior Brother Tan reminded me, preventing a disaster. Later, I also had to disguise my actions to avoid trouble, offending many; please forgive my transgressions."

The words stirred their memories to the recent grand array’s dazzling Duo Chao, the snake-like dragon Xin Metal Divine Lock, and the miraculous transformations of the array that crushed their resistance within a few breaths.

In front of Lu Qian, they couldn’t even hold for ten breaths!

In their minds, when the sect was being destroyed, this closed-door disciple of the former Sect Leader was just at mid-stage Qi Cultivation. How did he become so powerful so quickly? In just three years, he’s left us far behind.

After being effortlessly captured by Lu Qian earlier and now suddenly realizing his identity, a mix of confusion, shock, and shame overwhelmed them. Yang Jiye stammered, unable to speak, hesitantly calling out, "Junior Brother Lu..."

Lu Qian caught his arm, turned towards the members of the Shuangye Alliance, and laughed loudly, "Today, blessed by heaven and protected by Yunshan Sect’s generations of patriarchs, I first succeeded in Foundation Establishment and then reunited with long-lost sect members. Truly double happiness, a cause for great celebration! Let us have a feast soon, and celebrate heartily!"

Xuu Yingcai from Qingli Mountain was the first to react, respectfully bowing, "Congratulations to the Sect Leader on your accomplishment in Foundation Establishment! Yunshan Sect’s strength shines brightly, a blessing for us all. The entire Qingli Mountain will follow forever, as vassals for the Sect Leader!"

Chen Wei from Liuhua Valley cursed internally at Xuu Yingcai’s boot-licking speed, quickly standing up as well, "The Sect Leader’s successful Foundation Establishment paves an unobstructed path to the Golden Core Dao. Now that the lost elites are recovered, Yunshan Sect will soon become the top Foundation Establishment Sect in Chongming County!"

Zhao Xianzong also stood up, representing the Zhou Family, Spirit Snake Peak, Wuwang Temple, and Zhuquan Sect, loudly congratulating, "Congratulations to the Alliance Leader on becoming a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar and retrieving the sect’s elites. With Yunshan Sect’s greatly improved strength, you will lead the Shuangye Alliance to greater heights. We will diligently follow your commands, faithfully clearing the way, expanding your territory!"

Sect Leader?! Alliance Leader?!

Yang Jiye was completely bewildered; what kind of person had his Junior Brother Lu become?

In their state of confusion, Zheng Duan and ten Yunshan disciples stood, loudly congratulating Lu Qian, "Disciples congratulate the Sect Leader on success in Foundation Establishment! May the Sect Leader live long and progress rapidly towards the Golden Core Dao!"

As they spoke, they bowed to Yang Jiye, "Elder Yang, we didn’t know your identity earlier, please forgive our rudeness!"

The series of surprises had thrown Yang Jiye and others into chaos. Now the words "Sect Leader" finally woke him up, exclaiming, "Sect Leader? Junior Brother Lu, what’s going on?"

Lu Qian paused, then, as if understanding, raised his left hand. The crystal clear Sect Leader’s Ring left them all speechless, "Oh! Senior Brother Yang, you didn’t know? Before he passed, the Sect Leader Master entrusted me with the position of Sect Leader. Now, I am the fourth-generation Sect Leader of the Yunshan Sect!"