The Sect Master has Returned

Gan Tang looked at Ning Lang.

Ning Lang knew that Xiao Ran was not one to visit Miao Peak without reason. Since he had come, there must be a purpose. So, he quietly instructed, "See what he has to say. If there's nothing important, you can ignore him."

Gan Tang nodded and walked towards Xiao Ran.

Ning Lang turned back to his bamboo house, thinking, "The spiritual energy in the cave is almost uncontrollable. It's time to break through in the next few days."

...

"What's the matter? Speak up," Gan Tang asked directly as she approached Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran's gaze moved away from her fair and smooth legs. He cleared his throat and said, "Junior sister, I think there might be some misunderstanding between us."

"What misunderstanding could there be between us?"

Xiao Ran smiled and said, "As the chief disciple of the Grand Elder, all disciples in the sect of this generation should address me as Senior Brother. The same goes for the direct disciples of other senior uncles."

In other words, even though you have Master Ning Lang, since you are in the Haohui Sect, you should call me Senior Brother.

Gan Tang didn't give him face and bluntly said, "I only know that my master's name is Ning Lang. As for the rest, it has nothing to do with me."

"You..."

Xiao Ran held back his words, recalling that his master had mentioned that when Elder Ning Lang's position was revoked, he would take Gan Tang as his disciple. Xiao Ran forced a smile and said, "Junior sister, do you know that our sect master is about to return?"

"Whether he comes back or not is none of my concern."

Xiao Ran, seeing Gan Tang's lack of understanding, explained patiently, "Do you know that your master has made no progress in cultivation for a whole decade?"

"So what?"

"So when the sect master returns, my master, along with other five elders, will request the revocation of Elder Ning Lang's position."

Gan Tang remained silent, but her impression of Xiao Ran deteriorated a bit.

However, Xiao Ran, seeing Gan Tang's silence, thought she was worried about the future. So, he quickly continued, "Junior sister, don't worry. My master said that once your master's position is revoked, he will take you as his disciple. You should know that my master's position in the Haohui Sect is second only to the sect master. So, being under my master's guidance, in time, you will surely..."

Gan Tang interrupted with a cold face, "Have you said enough?"

"I..."

"Enough, go back. Don't come looking for me again."

With that, Gan Tang walked away without looking back.

Xiao Ran stood still, stunned and speechless.

A few moments later:

"Ning Lang, what kind of confusion did you put in Junior Sister's mind!!!"

"When the sect master returns, your good days will be over."

Xiao Ran left angrily.

...

In the bamboo house:

Ning Lang sat on the bed, practicing the Great Yellow Court Scripture.

Gan Tang approached, sat beside him, and rested her head on Ning Lang's shoulder. She whispered, "He told me the sect master seems to be coming back."

"Is that so?" Ning Lang asked. "When is he coming back?"

"He didn't say exactly, but he mentioned that when the sect master returns, his master, along with other elders, will request the revocation of your position as an elder."

Ning Lang smiled wryly, "I should have expected this."

"Why hasn't Master broken through all this time?" Gan Tang asked while her warm breath caressed Ning Lang's neck. Amused, Ning Lang opened his eyes and said, "You don't need to worry about that. Just focus on cultivating quietly."

Gan Tang blushed and said, "But Master, I can't calm down with you around."

Ning Lang patted her head and gently said, "Be good, listen, and go practice."

Gan Tang smiled, got up from the bed, and returned to her room.

At night, Ning Lang transcribed the recently acquired martial art, Cloud-Soaring Art, for Gan Tang and Jiang Chen to cultivate. Based on the content, Ning Lang inferred it to be a body technique. All three of them could practice it. Since the loyalty of his two disciples was now over 90, their improvement would benefit Ning Lang.

...

Two days later, the entire Haohui Sect was bustling with excitement.

The reason was simple: the Sect Master, Mei Qinghe, had returned!

Throughout the day, Ning Lang did not cultivate. He sat on the cliff, gazing at the sky, lost in thought.

Gan Tang stood at the door, watching Ning Lang, and softly asked, "Jiang Chen, what is Master looking at? He has been sitting there all day."

Though addressed by his name, Jiang Chen wasn't offended. He had only been Ning Lang's disciple for three months longer than Gan Tang, and he was a year younger. Jiang Chen shook his head and said, "I don't know. Master must have his thoughts. Let's not speculate."

"Jiang Chen, you're such a simpleton."

Jiang Chen didn't deny it and remained silent.

Ever since he practiced the 'Wu Wei Heart Sutra,' most of his day was spent in a dream in his room. The rest of the time was devoted to cultivating the Mountain-Collapsing Fist. Apart from meals, he practiced. Calling him a simpleton wasn't entirely unjust.

Ning Lang rubbed the ring on his left index finger, muttering to himself, "Hasn't he arrived yet?"

At this moment, on the mountain road:

Xiao Ran was striding towards Miao Peak with a joyful expression.

He was extremely excited.

After waiting for so many days, the Sect Master had finally returned.

Ning Lang's good days were finally over!

During this time, Xiao Ran thought of Gan Tang almost every day. Although they had only met twice, Xiao Ran knew he had developed feelings for Gan Tang.

Her current indifference towards him didn't bother him.

As time passed, she would realize that, except for being good-looking, her master had no other qualities.

As long as he was removed from the position of elder, in a few years, Xiao Ran could possibly ascend to become a new Seventh Elder.

In this world, strength was everything!

Thinking about the future, Xiao Ran's smile became more pronounced.

Until he reached Miao Peak and saw the scenery before him, Xiao Ran withdrew his smile.

Everything was going to start today!

"Seventh Elder."

This is definitely the last time I'll call you Elder!

Xiao Ran loudly shouted, "Seventh Elder, the Sect Master wants you to take Junior Brother Jiang and Junior Sister Gan to Haohui Palace!"

Ning Lang remained calm, tidied his hair with a red rope, and then stood up, addressing Jiang Chen and Gan Tang, "Follow me."

"Yes!"

"Okay."

As the sun set, the black night gradually swallowed the daylight.

Leading Jiang Chen and Gan Tang, Ning Lang arrived at the highest point of Haohui Sect, Jingtian Peak. Here was the Haohui Palace, where successive Sect Masters resided.

The entire Haohui Palace wasn't built with ordinary bricks but with special white jade stones. Even at night, Jingtian Peak remained brightly lit due to the unique properties of the stones.

The palace roof was covered with layers of glazed tiles, and at the corners of the roof, there were sculptures of the ancient mythical beasts, Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, used to balance and gather the energy. It looked like a fairy palace from a distance.

Ning Lang couldn't remember when he had last come to the Haohui Palace.

He recalled the past ten years, feeling a bit melancholic.

Seeing Ning Lang stopping, Xiao Ran, with a mocking smile, said, "You should have expected this day."

"Yes, I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

Ning Lang folded his hands behind his back, and stepped up the blue stone steps.

...