Chapter 8: The Fifth Generation Sect Leader

"Qing Yun Sect's Chu Clan cultivators!"

"Si Yan! Si Yan brought Chu Clan, cultivators!"

"That's wonderful! Old Ancestor Chu hasn't forgotten us after all!"

The room exploded in chaos as everyone rushed to the wooden door, peering through the cracks to catch a glimpse outside.

Qi Xiu was caught off guard and knocked to the ground by the surging crowd. "Master! You judged correctly, Master! Waaaah..." He lay on the floor, sobbing with both snot and tears, feeling relief for the older man lying cold in the west side hall. "You didn't care for him in vain; Sect Leader Qin brought Chu Clan, cultivators!"

Chu Zhen, revered as Old Ancestor Chu, was a Nascent Soul stage elder of the Qing Yun Sect whose influence spanned a thousand years. Chu Zhen's disciple was the founding ancestor of Chu Qin Sect, Qin Lie'er. With Chu Zhen's substantial help, Qin Lie'er established the sect, placing "Chu" before "Qin" in the sect's name to honor Chu Zhen's grace eternally.

Although the Chu family, possessing a Nascent Soul cultivator, was a powerful family within the Qing Yun Sect, it had never separated to form an independent sect. Hence, it couldn't be called a cultivation family externally. However, the presence of Chu family members wasn't something the three sects could oppose, even with their Foundation Establishment cultivators. Despite the abrupt entrance, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators respectfully escorted the two arrivals into the main hall.

The Chu Qin Sect disciples anxiously watched as the Chu Clan cultivator and Qin Si Yan entered the hall, then dispersed, speculating on the developments.

"Didn't Old Ancestor Chu say he wouldn't interfere with Chu Qin Sect anymore? Why send someone now?"

"Si Yan must have pleaded for mercy, and Old Ancestor Chu, moved by his words, sent someone."

"Impossible! Si Yan just fled; how could he have returned so quickly?"

"You don't understand. Our founder, Chu Zhen, surely left some means of contact!"

"In any case, the arrival of the Chu Clan is good news for us and the sect. The Chu family wouldn't come here to harm us," Sister Qin said.

The middle-aged cultivator from the library agreed, "The situation can't worsen. We can't do much anyway, so let's wait for news." He then sat cross-legged and began meditating.

Realizing this wisdom, everyone stopped their wild speculations and quietly awaited news. Someone noticed Qi Xiu still lying on the ground, one side of his face pressed to the floor, with snot and tears pooling around him, murmuring incomprehensibly. They quickly helped him up and consoled him until he calmed down.

They waited until late at night, when the duels on the square concluded, and a male cultivator from the Liu Yun Sect won the sect leader position.

The cultivators of the three sects gradually dispersed to rest. The day, noteworthy for the three sects and the Chu Qin Sect, finally ended.

Having slept soundly all day, Sister Qin's child was now wide awake and crying loudly. She used a soundproofing talisman to cover him, slowly soothing him with the other female disciples.

Everyone was exhausted and hungry, anxiously contemplating their futures. They exchanged weary glances, silently enduring the uncertainty.

Even Qi Xiu, worn out from a day of tears, leaned against the door and fell into a fitful sleep.

Soon, the door abruptly opened. A disciple from the three sects stood at the entrance, loudly announcing, "Master Chu of Qing Yun Sect requests your presence in the main hall."

Everyone rose with a start, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety.

Qi Xiu, near the door, followed the leading disciple closely. Suddenly, a fellow disciple tapped his shoulder, pointing out, "Senior Brother Qi, your robe hem is dirty."

"Where?" Qi Xiu stopped, looking down in the dim light. Lifting his hem to inspect, he heard stifled laughter. Looking up, he saw the middle-aged cultivator from the library already at the front, surrounded by others.

Realizing he had been tricked, Qi Xiu sighed heavily. "Never mind," Sister Qin gently consoled him. Having seen everything, she and the other female disciples followed at the rear.

Now free from confinement, petty conflicts had already started. Qi Xiu felt mentally exhausted, nodding silently at Sister Qin, and continued following.

Entering the main hall, they noticed the Chu Qin Sect plaque had been removed, leaving the space bare.

Eight cultivators were seated, four on each side. On one side, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the three sects and the newly appointed Liu Yun Sect sect leader were sipping tea.

Opposite them sat a dignified middle-aged man in a brocade robe with moving clouds embroidered, indicating his high status in the Qing Yun Sect. Next to him was an older man, meditating with closed eyes.

The third seat was occupied by a strikingly beautiful young female cultivator, around sixteen or seventeen, curiously observing the group.

The last seat held Qin Si Yan, the fourth-generation sect leader. His red robe, handsome face, and jade-like skin made him an eye-catching figure, though he stared at the ground, lost in thought.

The middle-aged cultivator from the library led the group in respectful greetings. No seated individuals, including Qin Si Yan, responded, except for the new sect leader from the three sects, who slightly bowed in acknowledgment.

"I have important matters to address, so I'll be brief," the Chu Clan cultivator began. "Our ancestors didn't intend to interfere with the Chu Qin Sect, but another of our ancestors is establishing a sect in the southern wilderness. That area is sparsely populated, so we seek to relocate some cultivators and commoners to strengthen it. If you agree, the Chu Qin Sect can continue as an independent sect under the protection of our other ancestors. No one would dare to bully you there. What do you say?"

The disciples exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether to agree. Such decisions usually fell to the sect leader, so they looked to Qin Si Yan.

However, Qin Si Yan remained silent, staring at the ground as if there were a flower. The middle-aged cultivator from the library addressed him, "Sect Leader, what is your decision?"

Qin Si Yan remained unresponsive. The three sects' cultivators, sipping tea, suppressed smirks.

Sister Qin, an elder by mortal standards, approached and gently called, "Si Yan?"

But he remained unmoved.

The Chu Clan cultivator's face showed a flash of impatience, and he coughed heavily. This finally startled Qin Si Yan, who sprang up as if pricked by a needle, shouting, "I love An Hong'er!"

"Huh?" Sister Qin was utterly baffled. "What nonsense is this?"

"Pfft!" At the Lotus Temple's Foundation Establishment, a female cultivator caught off guard sprayed tea and laughed, hiding her face with her teacup. The others barely contained their laughter.

The Chu Clan cultivator sighed while the older man nodded approvingly at Qin Si Yan. The beautiful young female cultivator blushed, covering her face.

Realizing his mistake, Qin Si Yan continued, "I love An Hong'er, but the Huanghou An family, with no cultivator heirs, only allows son-in-law marriage. I told Master before, but he refused. Now that I'm the sect leader, I can decide for myself."

"You... you want to marry into her family?" Sister Qin, understanding his intention, exclaimed.

"Yes, as sect leader, I'll propose to An Hong'er. It's decided. I want to be with her!" Qin Si Yan replied, gazing lovingly at the girl beside him.

"You beast! Master treated you so well, and you..." Qi Xiu trembled with rage. His master's body wasn't yet cold, and in a crisis, Qin Si Yan only thought of marriage. All his tears for Qin Si Yan now felt like a waste.

"You beast!" Qi Xiu lunged at him, driven by pure fury.

Sister Qin, in tears, pleaded, "Si Yan, you are the direct descendant of the Qin family's main branch! How can you... how can you marry into another family?"

"Hmph!" The older man waved his sleeve, sending Qi Xiu tumbling across the floor, bruised and battered.

The middle-aged cultivator from the library, remaining calm, diplomatically addressed Qin Si Yan, "Sect Leader Qin, the An family lacks heirs and seeks a son-in-law, but you are the sole direct descendant of the Qin family's main branch. Don't you feel any responsibility toward the Qin family?"

Qin Si Yan's face contorted with pain, and he replied bitterly, "The Qin family!? Look at all these Qin family members, scheming and betraying each other, colluding with outsiders!"

Pointing to the space where the sect plaque had hung, he continued, "In this sect, I've faced only jealousy and oppression from the Qin family. I don't want to be the sect leader or a Qin family member!"

He took a wooden token, "I return this sect leader token to you!"

He looked around at the assembled disciples, his gaze landing on the dazed Qi Xiu still sitting on the floor.

Apart from his master, Qi Xiu was the only one Qin Si Yan had a good impression of, often delivering items to him. He decided, "I, at this moment, pass the sect leader position to Senior Brother Qi!" Tossing the token into Qi Xiu's lap.

"From now on, I have nothing to do with Chu Qin Sect!" With that, he rushed out of the hall.

"Brother Qin!" The beautiful young female cultivator named An Hong'er quickly followed him.