Lin Zitong is the next Sect Master of Lushan?
Everyone looked shocked, feeling their minds couldn't quite catch up.
If Lin Zitong was the next Sect Master of Lushan, then what was the situation with Lu Xin?
These guests were from sects affiliated with first-rate factions. Their status wouldn't have earned them invitations to the Luotian Grand Ceremony, or they could only accompany their superior factions, and spots were limited.
Thus, among the crowd, only Cao Gaochi, a "local" from Longhu Mountain, was very knowledgeable about this matter.
The eminent monk Xuanzhen of Dingchan Temple asked in confusion, "I didn't attend the Luotian Grand Ceremony of Longhu Mountain at that time, nor do I know the situation with this Lin Zitong. But from what you've said, Lin Zitong is the heir of the Lushan Sect. What is the explanation for Sect Master Lu Xin?"
Had the Lushan Sect temporarily changed its successor?
However, for a sect, changing its heir was like changing the crown prince in ancient times. Unless the prince committed a major offense, they wouldn't be easily replaced.
Therefore, everyone instinctively assumed that Lin Zitong had done something that wronged the Lushan Sect after returning from the Luotian Grand Ceremony.
Yuan Hong, an elder from the Laoshan Talisman Sect, said, "Speaking of Lin Zitong, I seem to have heard a little about her. It is said that she married a successor of a folk sect. That person seems to be called..."
"He's the Lu Ban successor, Yan Shouyi," Cao Gaochi added.
"Yes, it's Yan Shouyi. It's said that this person is extraordinarily talented. Throughout history, he is the first to originate from the folk and yet obtain the secret texts of Longhu!" Yuan Hong sighed with emotion. "Even Yuan Jianxin of the Sword Sect praised this young man after his return."
Lu Ban successor Yan Shouyi?
Everyone turned their heads, feeling they had gained new knowledge.
Cao Gaochi couldn't help but praise, "Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong were arguably the most talked-about individuals during the Luotian Grand Ceremony. They both fought their way into the top four. In the end, Yan Shouyi lost to Yu Luming, otherwise, he would be the current Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain! But even so, they were the center of attention at the Luotian Grand Ceremony."
Yan Shouyi, as a member of a folk sect, not only participated in the Luotian Grand Ceremony but also almost snatched the position of Heavenly Master.
If this matter had come true, it would have been another huge upheaval for the Xuanmen. Perhaps some stubborn old fellows would have disowned this Heavenly Master.
Fortunately, Yu Luming eventually succeeded as Heavenly Master, which was considered rightful.
At everyone's request, Cao Gaochi roughly recounted the events of the Luotian Grand Ceremony, focusing on the outstanding performances of Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong.
For example, Yan Shouyi's Hundred and Eight Layers of Qimen Dunjia Compass, his "Dou Zhuan Xing Yi" move, his sixty years of sword intent, and his contributions in fighting demons.
The others gained a new understanding of the two.
Qian Kangping of Qingfeng Temple asked doubtfully, "Since Lin Zitong performed brilliantly at the Luotian Grand Ceremony, shouldn't the Lushan Sect value her even more? Why would they replace her with Lu Xin as Sect Master?"
Yin Zhiming, the head of Baiyu Mansion, lowered his voice and said:
"Don't you notice something? Old Cao just said that Sect Master Lu Jing brought Lin Zitong to the Luotian Grand Ceremony. But now... have you seen Sect Master Lu Jing?"
Everyone was startled, then came to their senses and looked around Lushan Sect for Lu Jing.
They were shocked to find that Lu Jing was not present on such an important day!
No one was foolish; they quickly thought of a possibility but were reluctant to be the first to voice it.
Cao Gaochi said solemnly, "Each man sweeps the snow from his own doorstep, and does not bother about the frost on his neighbor's roof. We are only invited to attend the succession ceremony. As for other matters, it is best not to ask too much, nor to meddle."
Seeing through the situation, the guests regained their composure, but they were all praying in their hearts that the succession ceremony would proceed smoothly.
Once it was over, everyone could disperse and go home without further complications.
About half an hour later, all the guests invited by the Lushan Sect had arrived. The venue was packed, and everyone was waiting for the succession ceremony to begin.
Lu Xin had also temporarily disappeared. She had to go to the back hall to bathe, change, burn incense, and pray before coming out to kowtow to the ancestral tablets and announce her succession as Sect Master.
This was a very lengthy process. According to the ancestral rules, the entire procedure would take at least a full day, after which everyone would have to eat vegetarian meals for three days.
However, these rules were clearly no longer suitable for the current era. Everyone was busy and no one would stay in one place for three days.
Lu Xin was also eager for the matter to be settled, so she had simplified many of the procedures.
At the hour of Si, Lu Xin, dressed in a black shaman robe, emerged, surrounded by her trusted followers.
The guests quieted down, and the musicians began to play classical music.
In the center of the courtyard, a large incense burner was placed. Behind the incense burner was a temporarily erected ancestral hall, which housed the spiritual tablets of the past Sect Masters of Lushan.
There were two empty spaces, belonging to Lu Jingsheng and Lu Jing; they were not dead yet.
Lu Xin held a blank jade tablet. She knelt three steps and kowtowed nine steps, chanting the scriptures of the Lushan Sect, and slowly approached the incense burner.
She placed the jade tablet down, took the incense offered by a subordinate, lit it, fanned away the flame with her hand, and the white incense smoke slowly rose.
Lu Xin's voice was high-pitched: "All Ancestors above, your disciple Lu Xin today inherits the position of Sect Master. From now on, I will surely strive for the development of the sect, for the well-being of the disciples, and to protect all living beings in the world as my succession, with..."
Boom—
Halfway through her speech, a bolt of lightning suddenly descended, striking directly onto the incense burner, nearly injuring Lu Xin!
Lu Xin retreated, her expression changing.
The incense burner in front of her was now covered in cracks. With a gentle touch, it shattered with a bang, scattering incense ash and causing the guests to cough uncontrollably.
"What's going on?!" The guests were filled with surprise and uncertainty.
At this moment, a voice drifted over slowly:
"Lu Xin, you claim you will protect all living beings, but even Heaven can no longer tolerate these words, so it has specially sent me to strike down a heavenly lightning bolt to shatter your ugly mask!"
Upon hearing this voice, Lu Xin's face darkened, and she cast a cold, stern gaze towards the entrance.
At the entrance, a group of young people stood there, men and women alike, but at the very front stood a young couple who appeared intimate.
Cao Gaochi, sitting in the inner hall, exclaimed upon seeing them, "It's her?! It's actually her..."
Others asked one after another, "Who are they? Cao, damn it, stop holding back!"
In the current atmosphere, if Cao Gaochi continued to be coy, people would genuinely lose their patience and beat him up.
Cao Gaochi said blankly, "She is the Lin Zitong I mentioned. The man beside Lin Zitong is precisely Yan Shouyi. I have also seen the people behind them... they are all successors of folk sects who participated in the Luotian Grand Ceremony and performed remarkably well..."
"Then what are they here for?"
"Do I need to ask?" Cao Gaochi said urgently, "Naturally, they are here to seize the position of Sect Master of the Lushan Sect!"