MTLNOVEL Chapter 286: Chapter 155: The New Leader of Shu Mountain
Chapter 155: The New Leader of Shu Mountain
Chonglou stood between Xu Changqing and Zixuan like a massive third wheel.
This was clearly a two-person drama, yet he was poking in like a herniated disc.
Chu Yang couldn't bear to watch anymore and quietly reminded, "Senior Demon Lord, would you like to rest somewhere? Restoring the Demon-Sealing Tower must've drained a lot of your magic power."
"No need!" Chonglou waved his hand dismissively, continuing to lock eyes with Xu Changqing.
Seeing how thick-skinned he was, Chu Yang went ahead and said, "Senior Demon Lord, don't you think your presence here is… a little unnecessary?"
Tang Xuejian and Lin Yueru couldn't help it—both burst out laughing.
Chonglou suddenly realized what Chu Yang meant. He turned and glared at him, eyes growing more dangerous by the second.
"Our second bout should be starting soon, don't you think?" he said with a hostile tone.
"Not quite, not quite," Chu Yang replied with a smile. "You haven't fulfilled our first agreement yet. As the mighty Demon Lord, surely you wouldn't leave a debt unpaid?"
Chonglou froze. "Didn't you just say I repaired the Demon-Sealing Tower?"
Chu Yang praised him, "Senior Demon Lord, your sense of duty and compassion are admirable—truly a model for all of us. But what does that have to do with our deal?"
Chonglou was afraid Chu Yang didn't get his point and clarified, "If I had just watched the tower collapse, a lot of people would've died—including those you asked me to protect."
Chu Yang praised him again, "Senior Demon Lord, your compassion…"
"Enough!" Chonglou's face flushed bright red with anger, his whole body practically glowing crimson—he'd truly become a red-haired beast.
Even Xu Changqing and Zixuan couldn't hold back their laughter.
But just as he seemed furious, Chonglou suddenly calmed down again, making Chu Yang shake his head.
Tsk, love really does make people dumb.
"Let's change the agreement. I'm not suited for this task," Chonglou said, almost pleading.
"Please wait a moment, Demon Lord."
Chu Yang walked over to Zixuan and asked her to hand over the Sacred Spirit Pearl. She seemed to guess his intention and hesitated.
Xu Changqing smiled. "Give it to my junior brother."
Hearing that, Zixuan no longer hesitated and handed it to Chu Yang.
Another love-struck fool!
Chu Yang used his true essence to envelop the six pearls—the Five Elemental Pearls were arranged in a pentagram, with the Sacred Spirit Pearl in the center. This formed a miniature Five Elemental Array.
As the array spun, the five-elemental energies flowed continuously, gradually restoring the damaged Sacred Spirit Pearl.
The Demon Lord's eyes lit up, nodding in approval. "So the Five Elemental Array can be used like this? Your talent in formations is far superior to that old Daoist Qingwei's."
The elders looked awkward, while Qingwei stroked his beard and laughed. "With such talents, this must be a sign of Shu Mountain's revival!"
The Sword Saint looked at Chu Yang, Xu Changqing, and the other young disciples and suddenly fell into deep thought, as if wrestling with a decision.
After a long pause, he turned to Drunken Sword Immortal. "Junior brother, do you think the Sword Sect has any chance of reclaiming the Shu Mountain name in the next hundred years?"
Drunken Sword Immortal solemnly shook his head. "Senior brother, if the Qi Sect only had Xu Changqing and we took in Li Xiaoyao, the two sects could still compete. But now that Qi Sect has Chu Yang—a peerless genius—he alone is enough to eclipse the Sword Sect for centuries, at least until he ascends to immortality."
"A hundred years, maybe more…" the Sword Saint murmured, clearly disheartened. "I often think, if there had never been a conflict between sword and qi, and the two sects had united, we might have had the power to stop Jiang Ming from descending into madness and destroying Shu Mountain."
"And Qingwei and the others, in their haste to increase their power with forbidden arts, ended up creating that monster—the Evil Sword Immortal—only because the Sword Sect put so much pressure on the Qi Sect."
"In the end, the sword-qi conflict has plagued Shu Mountain for far too long…"
Drunken Sword Immortal seemed to sense a deeper realization in the Sword Saint's words. He was so stunned, he subconsciously reached for a drink—only to realize his gourd wasn't at his waist.
He could only swallow dryly a few times and mutter, "Looks like big changes are coming to Shu Mountain!"
A short while later, Chu Yang successfully restored the Sacred Spirit Pearl using the Five Elemental Pearls and the formation, and returned it to Zixuan.
However, the Five Elemental Pearls dimmed significantly in the process and would likely take hundreds of years to recover their power.
Just as everyone was wondering what Chu Yang would do with the depleted pearls, he turned and handed them to Chonglou, smiling. "I'll leave the restoration of the Five Elemental Pearls to the Demon Lord!"
Zixuan had initially refused to let Chonglou repair the Sacred Spirit Pearl—not just because of his clinginess, but also because she didn't want demonic power tainting it, given that the pearl carried deep meaning as the spiritual anchor for all Nuwa descendants.
Chu Yang simply took a detour—using the Five Elemental Pearls to repair the Sacred Spirit Pearl, and now giving those to Chonglou to restore. This way, everyone was satisfied and no one felt uncomfortable.
"You trust me that much? I'm a demon, fickle and unpredictable!"
"Surely you jest, Senior Demon Lord. Had you not shown up today, things could've gone much worse. I won't forget what you've done."
Chonglou let slip a fleeting smile, then nodded and accepted the pearls.
Restoring the near-depleted Five Elemental Pearls would take a considerable effort, even for him.
Cang Gu and a few others seemed to object, but Qingwei silenced them with a wave.
"Since our agreement is fulfilled, when's the next round?" Chonglou asked.
The crowd visibly tensed. No one knew how Chu Yang would handle this new challenge.
Chu Yang glanced at Jing Tian, then smiled. "Last time was about strength—this time, how about technique?"
Chonglou nodded. "Agreed."
Then, he pointed at Jing Tian. "You too."
Jing Tian was stunned.
Tang Xuejian immediately stepped in front of him, hands on her hips. "He's the weakest of your lot. Dragging him in—what, scared to lose?"
Chonglou's face darkened.
Jing Tian quickly covered Tang Xuejian's mouth—again. He was starting to lose count of how many times he'd had to do this.
Chonglou opened a teleportation array and entered with a stormy expression.
"Be careful, Junior Brother!"
Xu Changqing called out just as Chu Yang stepped into the array. Chu Yang nodded, then vanished into the portal.
Jing Tian hesitated, then slipped out of Tang Xuejian's grip and followed.
Tang Xuejian stomped her foot in frustration, vowing to scold him good when he returned.
"Hold on, young man." Qingwei stepped forward and handed Jing Tian a mirror-like artifact. "This is the Mystic Light Mirror. I use it to communicate with Shu Mountain disciples—it'll let us see what's happening on the other side."
Jing Tian accepted the mirror, then entered the portal under everyone's watchful eyes—only to be greeted by a breathtaking scene.
"This is the New Immortal Realm. Feipeng and I discovered this place at the same time. We fought over it for thousands of years, until he was banished to the mortal realm. It's never changed—but Feipeng…"
Chonglou shook his head, disappointed.
Jing Tian felt like he was being insulted, but had no proof.
Chu Yang said, "You probably brought Jing Tian here to train him, so he can grow stronger and eventually fight you and fulfill his destiny."
Chonglou, unusually, smiled. "You're sharp—different from the rest. Rather than waiting for Feipeng to return, I now look forward to your growth. One day, we'll have a proper battle!"
Their duel began, witnessed by Jing Tian, as Chu Yang brought out his most refined sword technique.
Chonglou, having fought countless battles, utterly outclassed Chu Yang in experience and awareness. His techniques, honed through endless slaughter, were nothing but killing moves.
Neither used any true essence or energy—this was a contest of pure technique, though physical strength still played a role.
Chu Yang had the advantage there.
Their techniques, however, were vastly different.
Chonglou's style was direct and efficient—built purely for killing. Chu Yang's, on the other hand, embodied the principles of heaven and earth, containing the rudiments of the Dao.
Watching through the Mystic Light Mirror, Qingwei couldn't help but sigh, "For Chu Yang, the fourth stage of cultivation—Refining the Void and Merging with the Dao—is just a formality. Once he reaches that realm, he can become an immortal anytime. It's practically guaranteed."
Cang Gu and the other elders forced bitter smiles. What they had spent their lives pursuing—immortality—was as easy as breathing for Chu Yang.
Tang Xuejian didn't understand most of it, but knew one thing: Chu Yang could become an immortal. Then she looked at the clueless Jing Tian and couldn't help but wonder, "Everyone's past life was extraordinary—how did yours end up so dumb?"
Li Xiaoyao stared at the mirror, absorbing Chu Yang's swordsmanship like a sponge. Countless sword techniques from different worlds collided in his mind, and after years of accumulation, he was on the verge of creating a groundbreaking sword path.
Fighting someone as ancient as the Demon Lord took a heavy toll on Chu Yang. His Observation Haki was practically useless—he couldn't predict his opponent's next move at all.
Only his Rinnegan was still somewhat helpful.
Using it, Chu Yang studied and copied Chonglou's techniques, gradually shifting his own style to resemble the Demon Lord's.
Chonglou noticed the change. "Not bad. But if you only copy me, you'll just lose faster."
Chu Yang knew that too. He only wanted to see how Chonglou would respond to his attacks, then incorporate those ideas into his own style.
Letting the test-maker take the exam and copying their answers wasn't exactly the noble path—but it was the most effective one right now.
The battle lasted far longer than expected. After an entire day and night, Chu Yang finally won by a single move.
Chonglou, as if expecting the loss, simply said, "Don't ask me to protect anyone," then stepped into the teleportation portal and vanished.
"Hey, hey! At least open the way back before you leave!" Chu Yang grumbled, calling Chonglou stingy, then flew himself and Jing Tian back to Shu Mountain—taking half a day.
With the Demon-Sealing Tower restored, Shu Mountain's greatest crisis in centuries came to an end. The sect was once again filled with celebration.
Li Xiaoyao and the others took the opportunity to request admission into Shu Mountain to study swordsmanship and Daoist arts.
Since they had helped gather the Five Elemental Pearls, both Qingwei and the Sword Saint agreed.
That same night, Qingwei, Cang Gu, the other elders, and the Sword Sect's Du Gu Sword Saint and Drunken Sword Immortal gathered in the Ancestral Hall to discuss Shu Mountain's future.
Whether it was the chaos brought by Jiang Ming decades ago or the recent Demon-Sealing Tower incident, they all realized Shu Mountain couldn't go on like this.
The Sword Saint proposed a merger of the Sword and Qi Sects—to form the Shu Mountain Immortal Sword Sect.
Qingwei was moved by the Sword Saint's resolve and agreed to the proposal without hesitation.
With both sect leaders having made the final decision, the opinions of others no longer carried much weight—no one dared to openly oppose the joint decision of the two heads. The unification of Shu Mountain's Sword and Qi factions was now set in stone.
But things didn't proceed entirely smoothly.
"Who should become the sect leader of the unified Shu Mountain Sect?"
"We can't have two sect leaders at the same time, can we?"
The question raised by the Drunken Sword Immortal plunged the room into silence.
It wasn't that the others hadn't considered it—they had—but they felt it wasn't the right time to bring it up. The issue was far too sensitive; one wrong move, and the hard-won consensus formed that night could fall apart in an instant.
Everyone present treasured this rare opportunity.
After a long pause, Qingwei let out a hearty laugh and said, "Since Junior Brother Sword Saint was willing to put aside past grievances and take the initiative to propose the unification of Shu Mountain, then as his elder brother, it's only right that I respond in kind. The position of sect leader of the unified sect should go to Junior Brother Sword Saint!"
Cang Gu and the other elders of the Jingming line cried out in unison, "Sect Leader, please reconsider!"
Qingwei shook his head. "My mind is made up. You needn't say more."
Cang Gu let out a heavy sigh, turned his back, and said no more.
The Sword Saint gazed intently at Qingwei and said, "There's no need for this, Senior Brother."
Qingwei smiled. "I'm not handing over the leadership out of deference to you. The truth is, I'm getting old. If I don't push myself now, I fear I'll never ascend in this lifetime. It's about time I set down the burden and took some well-deserved rest."
The Sword Saint remained silent, struck speechless.
Back when he was still an ordinary disciple of the Sword Sect, Qingwei had already been the head of the Qi Sect. The two referred to each other as senior and junior only because of the turmoil during Jiang Ming's rebellion, when the Sword Saint was thrust early into the position of sect leader. That was the only reason they came to be treated as equals.
Qingwei truly was of an age where he could pass on at any moment.
He continued to persuade him. "Your reputation as the Sword Saint far surpasses this old man's. Under your protection, Shu Mountain can reach far greater heights."
By this point, everyone thought the Sword Saint would naturally accept, but to their surprise, he shook his head.
Drunken Sword Immortal couldn't help but reveal a puzzled expression. He blurted out, "Senior Brother, what's going on with you today? You're usually so straightforward—why are you being so wishy-washy now?"
Seeing all eyes turn to him, the Sword Saint gave a faint smile and explained, "The two sects have merged. From now on, Shu Mountain will be an entirely new sect. And for a new sect, there must be a new beginning. We old relics aren't suited to lead the next generation."
Drunken Sword Immortal's face twisted strangely, and he teased, "So you won't take it, and he won't take it—what, am I supposed to do it? Or maybe hand it over to Xu Changqing or that kid, Chu Yang—"
He suddenly cut himself off, his eyes widening in shock as he turned to stare at the Sword Saint.
The Sword Saint burst out laughing. "What? You think that kid's not fit to be Shu Mountain's sect leader?"
For a moment, the entire Ancestral Hall was filled with the sound of sharp intakes of breath!
Qingwei furrowed his brows, falling into deep thought.
"He's fit! Of course he's fit!" Drunken Sword Immortal hurriedly pulled out a fresh gourd of wine, lifted it to his lips, and chugged several gulps before letting out a long sigh of relief.
Senior Brother Sword Saint going wild with his wine is even more intense than me!
Cang Gu hesitated. "Wouldn't that be too risky? Ayang's past life may have been…"
The Sword Saint replied calmly, "Who he was in a past life is none of my business. What matters is that in this life, he is a disciple of Shu Mountain. As long as he hasn't been expelled from the sect, then for the rest of his life, he will always be a disciple of Shu Mountain."