Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!

A catastrophe had ended just like that, as if it had all been a dream.

The members of the Sect wept with joy.

Baili Jiansan, who had just made breakthroughs through five minor realms, finally relaxed his taut nerves. He gazed into the distance at the earth and sky, muttering to himself, "As long as you're back, as long as you're back!"

The disciples of his generation, including the three Peak Masters and Wen Yuqing, were either dead or far away.

If he were not the Sect Leader, and the only practitioner of King Tao, he would have left long ago.

Now, seeing that a group of young people had grown up, Baili Jiansan was very relieved. He decided to lay down the burden of being the Sect Leader.

"Are you willing to inherit the position of Wuji Sect Master?" Baili Jiansan looked at Chen Pingping.

"..."

"What's wrong? Do you want to disappoint your little junior sister's nurturing of you?" Baili Jiansan raised an eyebrow.

"Let Hongxiu do it!" Chen Pingping said. "She is a Divine King, powerful enough to lead the Wuji Sect to glory."

At this, Hongxiu was speechless. It's true I'm a Divine King, but you're a practitioner of King Tao!

However, she vaguely guessed Chen Pingping's intentions. A peerless talent like him, how could he be willing to settle for mediocrity, to just linger in a minor sect and lead an insignificant life? He is destined to journey far and wage war in the lands of the Heavens. Perhaps, after many years, he might even return, having achieved Tao Verification. Oh! Just thinking casually. Let's forget about Tao Verification.

Hongxiu lowered her eyelids and said nothing.

Baili Jiansan, an old man with good judgment, naturally understood Hongxiu's silence. She can't compare to Chen Pingping. However, with Chen Pingping unwilling to take on the responsibility, he didn't feel it was right to say more. He then turned to Hongxiu and said, "From today on, you are the Sect Leader, the Sect Master of the Wuji Sect."

He didn't trust Hongxiu—after all, they hadn't known each other very long—but he trusted Chen Pingping.

"Greetings to the Sect Master!" the high-ranking members of the Sect shouted together from below.

As for Hongxiu's strength—AHEM—no one dared to object. Since Chen Pingping was unwilling to take on the burden, Hongxiu taking over was, in fact, quite good. A Divine King Level practitioner! She may have a bad temper and a strong killing intention, but she wouldn't go so far as to harm her own people, right?

"Good! Since that is the case, I shall take on this burden and become the Wuji Sect Master," Hongxiu proclaimed loudly. "The first task of this Sect Master is to assemble a large army, settle scores with Youming Valley and the Saint Tao Family, and seize their cultivation resources. I'm giving you only an hour to prepare."

The crowd was stunned.

Baili Jiansan's expression darkened.

Chen Pingping watched her with an odd look in his eyes, faintly guessing her intentions. This girl is clever. The joint attack on the Wuji Sect by the two great forces clearly hid unknown secrets and involved powerhouses from another world. If she acts now, while I'm still here, I can fend off anyone from that other world who might intervene. In the future, she'll be alone. A swift solution to a messy problem.

The decisive decision sent a shock through the hearts of the Sect members. While startled, they also began to feel invigorated.

The new Sect Master was furious, and the first blaze of her anger would be directed at the two great forces.

They had been suppressed for so long; it was finally time to vent.

"A Sect Master of Divine King Level! Who in all of Nan Zhanbu Province can stand against her?" Young disciples clenched their fists, blood boiling within them, their eyes shining as they looked up at the figure above the palace. At that moment, it was as if they could see that striking figure: Hongxiu, the new Sect Master of the Wuji Sect.

She stepped out of the palace, facing all the Sect disciples.

Baili Jiansan asked softly, "Can she do it?"

"Yes!" Chen Pingping nodded.

"I was asking about the position of Sect Master."

"Of course, there's no problem. She was once a high-ranking member of a major power," Chen Pingping said.

"Did you poach her?"

"No," Chen Pingping said. "I annihilated that power, and she was forced to follow me here; she had no choice. If she had stayed in Central Continent, she would only have one path—death."

He wasn't lying about this.

Those from Chong Tower are despised, and if Hongxiu were to stay alone in Central Continent, her fate would be grim.

Baili Jiansan: "..."

Under such circumstances, there was nothing more he could say. He promptly strode out, ready to join the army in their campaign against the two major powers.

「In the square,」

All the powerful members of the Sect and the younger disciples who could come had arrived—around three hundred in total. Their strength was somewhat inadequate.

But Hongxiu didn't care. Lack of strength can be improved, but if this Sect can't unite, that would be fatal.

Of course, her prior observation had shown that the Wuji Sect was united from top to bottom, with no internal strife or competing factions. Good. The foundation isn't bad.

In her red garb, Hongxiu stood silently for a long while, and below her, no one made a sound.

WHOOSH!

From nowhere in particular, a gust of wind blew in, bringing a few drifting leaves with it.

Hongxiu caught them subconsciously before tossing them back into the wind. Then she spoke, "Today is this Sect Master's first day in the Wuji Sect, and also the first day I assume the role of Sect Master. Just now, two major powers united to attack the Wuji Sect. I watched the battle for a long time. Of the more than three hundred members of the Wuji Sect—elders, young disciples, and newcomers—no one tried to flee. I saw the light in your eyes, your anger, and your killing intention toward the formidable enemy. Unfortunately... your strength is not enough."

The formidable enemy had struck. They too had wanted to fight, but their strength was lacking. What else could they have done? No one made a sound, but their blood gradually began to boil. They had been oppressed for far too long and were filled with simmering resentment and burning fury. Hongxiu's arrival was like giving them an outlet.

"What do you do when your strength is not enough?" Hongxiu asked.

"Strive to cultivate..." a young disciple answered tentatively from below.

"Good, strive to cultivate. And what else?"

What else? Is there another way to cultivate? The crowd was puzzled.

Hongxiu scanned the audience before she continued, "Striving to cultivate is one aspect. Banding together is the basic survival Dharma Principle of a major power. Moreover, you must understand the direction behind striving to cultivate. If you choose the wrong direction, no matter how hard you strive, your efforts will be in vain. If you choose the right one, then your striving to cultivate will be meaningful."

"Alright, back to the previous topic. If your strength is not enough, you can strive to cultivate. Don't worry, take your time. Not everyone is an unparalleled genius; we can cultivate slowly. Therefore, this time, I, the Sect Master, will lead you into battle." Hongxiu's eyes widened. "You should know that desire and anger are also part of reinforcing your determination on the path of Tao. You do not need to suppress yourselves. You can release all those emotions to your heart's content."

Her words, like heavy hammers, struck the hearts of the audience. Lacking strength. Striving to cultivate. Releasing emotions freely. It was as if her words held a sort of Magic Power, tugging at the heartstrings of every individual, making their blood slowly boil, igniting the humiliation and anger born from the oppression of the two major powers.

Baili Jiansan, with a dark expression, asked in a low voice, "What was the name of the Sect she used to be in?"

"Chong Tower, an assassination organization," Chen Pingping replied, his voice low. "Their style might be a bit off, but she's a good person with a decent character. Um... she will certainly lead the Wuji Sect toward glory."

"..."

Although Baili Jiansan felt there was something off about her, he had to admit Hongxiu's speech was very inspiring. It had ignited the previously somber and deflated Wuji Sect.

In a daze, he seemed to see a completely new Wuji Sect taking shape.