"Elder Shen Yuan, do you truly take us for fools?" the Grand Elder of the mountain guarding faction asked, his face ashen. "While you are Chen Nan, if I am not mistaken, you have possessed Chen Nan's physical body, have you not?"
Chen Nan paused for a moment, then couldn't help but ask, "Is this why you drew your swords against me?"
"Why don't you believe I could have killed Elder Shen Yuan?"
The Grand Elder scoffed, "We naturally wished for Chen Nan to win, but since ancient times, cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage have been undefeated."
"Even cultivators in the Golden Core stage cannot kill those in the Nascent Soul stage; how could Chen Nan achieve it?" A hint of sadness flickered in his eyes.
He truly hoped Chen Nan would survive!
He hoped he would become the new sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect!
However, human strength has its limits against destiny!
Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage could never kill those in the Nascent Soul stage!
Chen Nan looked embarrassed and then said, "If Chen Nan was possessed, Shen Yuan should have been able to read his memories, right?"
The Grand Elder nodded in affirmation, "After a successful possession, the host's childhood memories would appear in the possessor's mind. The entire process would take several days."
Chen Nan grunted, "Meaning, even if Shen Yuan took over Chen Nan's body, he wouldn't know about everything that happened today, correct?"
The Grand Elder nodded, "Naturally!"
"Then I've found a way to prove my identity!" Chen Nan looked at the Second Elder, Ruo Lan, "This beautiful elder sister can prove my identity, because only the two of us know what happened in the illusion."
Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned to Ruo Lan.
"Then tell me, what happened in the illusion?" Ruo Lan's face was grim. Although she wished to seal away that memory, she also wanted to ascertain who the Chen Nan before her truly was.
Chen Nan said bashfully, "You seduced me and said let's have some fun together!"
Holy crap!
Holy crap!
Holy crap!
The disciples of the Huashan Sword Sect were horrified!
Was that the speech of the pure and chaste Second Elder?
Heavens!
This didn't align with his persona!
Chen Nan: "I also asked you two questions…"
"Enough! Enough! Enough!" Ruo Lan shrieked, her eyes cold. "He is Chen Nan, not possessed by Shen Yuan. I can vouch for his identity."
Everyone was stunned.
The Grand Elder looked embarrassed. "Junior Sister, we should let him reveal the two questions he asked you. That would be more rigorous!"
"I think Senior Brother's reasoning is sound!"
"Right! This matter cannot be taken lightly; it should be handled with utmost rigor!"
Several other mountain guarding elders chimed in!
Ruo Lan's face was grim. She pointed her sword at Chen Nan, "If you dare to speak them, I will kill you right now!"
Everyone seemed to understand!
It appeared the two of them had experienced some unspeakable events in the illusion!
"Put away your swords, everyone!" the Grand Elder commanded. He then took out the Gentleman Sword, knelt on one knee, and raised his hands above his head. "This old servant, Cang Ning, implores Fellow Daoist Chen to ascend as the new sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect!"
"We implore Fellow Daoist Chen to ascend as the new sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect!"
"We implore Senior Chen to ascend as the new sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect!"
Almost simultaneously, all the disciples of the Huashan Sword Sect knelt down!
This was unexpected for Chen Nan.
He looked embarrassed. "Senior Cang Ning, I came here merely to seek justice and retrieve the Warm Jade. I never intended to become the new sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect!"
Cang Ning said, "Regardless of your intentions for coming to Cangyun Peak, you have now received the recognition of the Gentleman Sword! This is Heaven's arrangement!"
"We hope you will not refuse!"
Chen Nan's lips twitched. "The position of sect leader concerns the rise and fall of a sect. Are you not being too frivolous with this matter?"
Cang Ning shook his head dismissively, "This matter may seem frivolous, but it is not so!"
"You were able to lure Shen Yuan away at a critical juncture, protecting the disciples of our Huashan Sword Sect from death, which shows you possess a chivalrous heart!"
"Not to mention your righteousness, willing to brave a dragon's den for your brother; how many in this world can compare to such spirit?"
"Furthermore, your talent is extraordinary, you are skilled in alchemy and divine talismans, and possess a physique comparable to ancient prodigies!"
"And you have gained the recognition of the Gentleman Sword!"
"Are all these not enough to qualify you as the sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect?"
"I believe that under your leadership, the Huashan Sword Sect will surely reach greater heights and glory!"
"Forget it, I have no ambition, nor do I wish to bear the heavy responsibility of the Huashan Sword Sect!" Chen Nan flatly refused. He felt being alone was good enough and had no desire to become the leader of a sect.
Even though the Huashan Sword Sect was a super sect ranked third in the cultivation world!
It was far less comfortable and leisurely than pursuing beautiful women in the mortal world!
Cang Ning knelt on both knees, his eyes filled with pleading. "Fellow Daoist Chen, the world is about to fall into chaos, and our Huashan Sword Sect is currently in a state of disarray. We hope you can restore the prestige of our Huashan Sword Sect. Only then can we protect all sentient beings!"
These simple words directly struck the softest part of Chen Nan's heart.
He looked at the elders and disciples of the Huashan Sword Sect!
Their eyes were filled with resolute determination!
Chen Nan sighed, "If, one day, I tell you to die, what choice will you make?"
Cang Ning was the first to state his stance, "If that day comes, we will undoubtedly do so without hesitation. Even if we sacrifice our lives, we will defend the prestige of our Huashan Sword Sect!"
"The mission of the Huashan Sword Sect is to protect our nation, and we will not shirk this responsibility!"
"We will not regret even death!"
"Yes, even if we die, we will stain the enemy's faces with our blood!"
Low roars echoed from all around!
Seeing their fearless gazes, Chen Nan grinned, "Since that is the case, I shall take on the role of the sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect!"
As he spoke, he grasped the hilt of the Gentleman Sword!
The silent Gentleman Sword let out a melodious sword cry, and all the long swords planted by countless people trembled as if summoned!
Cang Ning was overjoyed. "Please, Sect Leader, proceed to Yinghua Hall to discuss the enthronement ceremony!"
Chen Nan frowned. "Is all this necessary?"
Cang Ning bowed. "Matters can be simplified, but the enthronement ceremony cannot be treated lightly. Furthermore, we will notify all major sects to send representatives to attend this grand event!"
Chen Nan disliked being in the spotlight, but he knew at this point it was irreversible.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Let's set the enthronement ceremony for one month from now. First, give me the Warm Jade so I can go back and resurrect my woman!"
Cang Ning immediately took out the Warm Jade. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Sect Leader, the matter of the Warm Jade is merely a legend. After all, no one has ever been resurrected by it!"
Chen Nan took the Warm Jade and said softly, "One must try everything. How will you know the outcome without trying?"
Cang Ning replied, "Then I wish the Sect Leader success in all your endeavors!"
Chen Nan put away the Warm Jade and the Gentleman Sword, turned his back to them, and waved his hand. "That's all for now. I will come to attend the enthronement ceremony in a month. Until then, do not disturb me!"
Disciples of the Huashan Sword Sect: "We shall obey the Sect Leader's decree!"
Chen Nan's heart was in turmoil.
I clearly came to the Huashan Sword Sect to cause trouble.
But how did I end up becoming the sect leader of the Huashan Sword Sect?