"So it's Senior Brother Song..."
Elder Zhang Qing, having snapped back to reality, hurriedly and respectfully greeted Ghost Master.
"Who are you?"
Ghost Master's sharp old eyes turned towards Zhang Qing. Instantly, the heavy pressure on Lu Chenzi and Zhang Boyun vanished, and they let out a silent sigh of relief.
Zhang Qing was also an elder in his nineties, but before Ghost Master, he was as submissive as a child. He respectfully said, "Senior Brother Song, I am Zhang Qing of the Kunlun Sect."
"Don't know you."
Ghost Master flicked his old face dismissively, but Elder Zhang Qing didn't mind at all, as Ghost Master was of a higher generation.
Moreover, judging from the terrifying aura he had just unleashed, Zhang Qing and Master Hui Kong knew that the ancestor of Boundless Daoist Temple possessed a formidable martial realm.
"You want our temple to close its mountain and disband?"
Ghost Master's sharp old eyes swept over the representatives of the nine major sects, and he said coldly, "If that's the case, then I'll stake this old life today and have you all buried with me."
As soon as these words were uttered, Lu Chenzi and Zhang Boyun were instantly startled. Seeing Ghost Master's aura surge, his white hair and Daoist robe wildly dancing, as if he were truly about to kill, Wan Yunting, Yang Jingyi, Chang Wude, and Wu Weizi rushed forward to stop him, shouting, "Ancestor Zong, hold your hand..."
"Senior Brother Song, please calm down. We have no intention of making your Boundless Daoist Temple disband."
Elder Zhang Qing, having regained his senses, was also frightened and quickly said, "We only ask that your temple seal its mountain and go into seclusion for a hundred years, remaining hidden from the martial world."
"Seal the mountain and go into seclusion for a hundred years?"
Hearing this, Ghost Master's old eyes widened. He pointed at Zhang Qing and angrily said, "Do you believe I'll go to your Kunlun Sect and beat you into sealing your mountain and going into seclusion?"
These words frightened Zhang Qing into saying, "Senior Brother Song, please calm your anger..."
"I can't calm this anger."
Ghost Master waved his large hand, pointing at Master Hui Kong, Lin Yiping, and the others, and said angrily, "If you don't give me a satisfactory answer today, then all of you will stay here with me."
Lu Chenzi said guiltily, "It's not like that, senior. It's clearly your Boundless Daoist Temple harboring remnants of an evil cult..."
"Nonsense about evil cult remnants! I only know that my senior brother, Ren Daozi, was just a diligent physician. What right do you have to label him an evil cult remnant?" Ghost Master pointed his large finger at Lu Chenzi and angrily roared.
"This..."
Sensing the overbearing and terrifying aura radiating from Ghost Master, like an invisible mountain pressing down heavily on everyone's hearts, Lu Chenzi dared not even take a full breath. He exchanged glances with Zhang Boyun and the others. Facing this elder, if he truly lost his temper and killed them all as escorts, it would be a grave injustice.
"Senior, please allow us a moment to discuss."
Master Hui Kong, however, remained calm. He gathered Elder Zuoqi and Elder Zhang Qing to begin their discussion. They felt that given the current state of Boundless Daoist Temple, it would be sufficient to seal their mountain and go into seclusion for ten to eight years, no need for a full century. If it were a hundred years, their respective sects would likely cease to exist by then.
Wan Yunting, Chang Wude, Yang Jingyi, and Wu Weizi watched them confer, exchanging bewildered glances. It was Ghost Master's might that had them all stunned from the moment he appeared.
After Master Hui Kong and Elder Zuoqi finished their deliberations, they turned to Wan Yunting, Ghost Master, and the others and said, "Senior, Madam Yang, your Boundless Daoist Temple has harbored remnants of an evil cult. Therefore, after our unanimous discussion, we have decided to seal your temple's mountain and go into seclusion for ten years. You are not to interfere in martial world affairs, nor are your disciples to publicly use your temple's martial arts. What do you think, Senior?"
Yang Jingyi, Wu Weizi, and Chang Wude all turned their heads to look at Ghost Master. He said coldly, "Ten years is too long. Make it three."
"But senior, three years is too short. We won't be able to report back to the other representatives of the Martial Arts Association," Lu Chenzi said with a troubled expression.
As a result, Ghost Master glared at him, frightening him into lowering his head and remaining silent.
"Uncle-Master Zong, ten years it is."
Yang Jingyi said, "We've had so many incidents in our temple. Sealing the mountain and going into seclusion for a while is for the best."
"Mm..." Wu Weizi and Chang Wude nodded in agreement.
Ghost Master turned and glared at them, then waved his hand and walked out, saying in conclusion, "As you wish. In any case, this old man won't live for ten more years. I only hope the temple doesn't decline in your hands..."
These words made Yang Jingyi, Chang Wude, and the others sigh. The temple's current predicament was no different from a sect's downfall.
"Ten years, the punishment is too light..."
Zhang Boyun and Lu Chenzi exchanged glances and could only mutter in resignation.
"If that's the case, then get out of our temple."
Elder Chang Wude glared at them with his old eyes and waved his hand.
"But Madam Yang, we've traveled a thousand miles. Can't you at least invite us for lunch?" Zhang Boyun said unhappily.
"Bah."
Chang Wude angrily spat at him, saying, "Did we invite you? And you still want to stay for lunch? How shameless."
"You... you are vulgar..."
Although the spittle didn't land on him, Zhang Boyun was still angered.
"Brother Boyun, forget it, forget it. Let's go."
Lu Chenzi pulled Zhang Boyun along, saying this was a small price for their Boundless Daoist Temple to pay.
"Elder Zhang Qing, Master Hui Kong, allow me to see you off."
Finally, Wu Weizi escorted them out of the temple and down the mountain.
However, Zhou Ruoxi found an excuse not to descend the mountain and remained at Boundless Daoist Temple. Looking at Wan Yunting and Yang Jingyi, she asked her question, "Aunt Yang, were you acting just now?"
"You saw through it?"
Duan Yingying widened her apricot eyes and looked at Zhou Ruoxi. She nodded and smiled. Anyone could tell they were all acting.
Wan Yunting smiled and said, "We did this to distance myself and the temple from the situation."
Zhou Ruoxi nodded in understanding and said, "Actually, when we were at Mount Hua, we convened a martial arts assembly. Sect Leader Zhong and Abbot Renxin had indicated that they wouldn't make things too difficult for your Boundless Daoist Temple. It was just a few individuals who were targeting you!"
"Lu Chenzi of the Kongtong Sect and Zhang Boyun of the Diancang Sect!"
Wan Yunting narrowed his eyes. Those two had been too eager and too active, showing an attitude of wanting to annihilate Boundless Daoist Temple.
"Hmph, just looking at their faces, those two are not good people."
Chang Wude sat on a chair, picked up his teacup, snorted coldly, and drank it like wine.
Yang Jingyi and Zhou Ruoxi nodded. Wan Yunting, too lazy to think further, said, "Sealed for ten years, not involved in the martial world. Madam, from now on, you can live peacefully on the mountain. It's fine not to inquire about martial world matters."
Yang Jingyi nodded and smiled, "It's quite good. Our Boundless Daoist Temple rarely participated in those martial world affairs anyway. Whether sealed or not, it's all the same. It's just that we can't openly recruit disciples now."
"What are you afraid of?"
Chang Wude glared and said, "We'll still recruit disciples. As long as we don't cause too much of a commotion, those sects won't be monitoring us every day."
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded. After all, the members of the Martial Arts Association wouldn't have so much free time to be constantly watching a minor sect like theirs.
The current Boundless Daoist Temple was even worse than a third-rate sect. Therefore, people from major sects were too lazy to bother with them.
At this moment, Wu Weizi returned, sighing as he sat down. Chang Wude knew what they were thinking and said, "After I retire next year, I'll return to the sect."
"Yes, it's truly wonderful that Senior Brother Chang can return,"
Wu Weizi's spirits lifted upon hearing that Chang Wude would retire and return to the sect next year.
Chang Wude rose and sighed, "The temple has fallen to such a state, and we all bear responsibility..."
Watching Chang Wude leave, Wan Yunting, Yang Jingyi, and Wu Weizi also sighed. They then rose and invited Zhou Ruoxi to join them for lunch at the cafeteria...
After lunch, Wan Yunting took Zhou Ruoxi to the small square behind the mountain, under the old pine tree, to sit idly. He turned to look at the woman's exceptionally beautiful face and smiled, "You should descend the mountain tomorrow. Don't stay in Boundless Daoist Temple any longer, lest people gossip about you."
Zhou Ruoxi's jet-black hair swayed in the wind. She turned her autumn eyes to glance at Wan Yunting and asked gently, "What about you? Are you really going to face everything alone?"
Wan Yunting didn't fear the woman's words. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and pretended to be nonchalant, smiling, "What else can I do? The major sects see me as a heretic. I can't even be the sect leader now. So, I have to rely on myself!"
These words left Zhou Ruoxi in silence. Her autumn eyes, filled with a soft glow, gazed at the man for a long, long time. She felt very distressed because she bore the responsibility of the entire Emei Sect, yet she couldn't stand by his side and share his burdens...
"What's wrong?"
When Wan Yunting turned his head, he found the woman's autumn eyes filled with tears. He gently pulled Zhou Ruoxi into his embrace and smiled, "Don't overthink it, and don't worry about me. At least the Heavenly Eye Main God Cult cannot set foot in China yet and dare not do anything to me."
Zhou Ruoxi rested her head on his shoulder, her voice full of apology, "Yunting, I'm sorry..."
Sensing the woman's distress, Wan Yunting gently wiped away the tears on her fair cheek and smiled, "Silly girl, you are now the sect leader of Emei Sect. No matter what happens in the future, you have to bear the responsibility for everyone in the sect, understand?"
Zhou Ruoxi looked up, her tear-filled autumn eyes gazing into the man's. At this moment, she was no longer the imposing sect leader of Emei Sect. Her voice was choked with sobs, "But I just want to be with you. Even if we die, we die together."
"Bah, what nonsense are you talking about."
Wan Yunting turned his head and spat. Then he turned back to tease Zhou Ruoxi, "How about you just give up being the sect leader of Emei Sect and come back to the capital with me?"
"Okay."
Unexpectedly, Zhou Ruoxi nodded without hesitation, causing Wan Yunting to roll his eyes at her and laugh, "What are you thinking? If you really ran away with me, wouldn't Abbess Yunbai and Abbess Jinyu tear me to pieces?"
Zhou Ruoxi's autumn eyes immediately slanted at him, and she pouted like an angry little girl, huffing, "I knew you were a heartless man, a scumbag, and irresponsible..."
Wan Yunting was instantly speechless. He put his arm around Zhou Ruoxi's slender and supple waist and said with a wry smile, "What are you saying? Do you really not want to be the sect leader of Emei Sect anymore?"
"Hmph, not at all."
Zhou Ruoxi removed his hand, stood up, and cast a resentful glance at him with her autumn eyes. She said righteously, "I, Zhou Ruoxi, will not give up my position as sect leader for you. I've sworn to my master that I will lead Emei Sect to glory and become a first-class major sect!"
"Good, I believe in you."
Wan Yunting also stood up and gave Zhou Ruoxi a thumbs-up, smiling, "Then you just be a good sect leader and don't worry about me."
Returning to the topic, Zhou Ruoxi's solemn expression became worried again, "Then what will you do in the future?"
Wan Yunting's gaze fell upon the scenery of Mount Kunlun before him. It was already May, and the snow in the mountains had long melted. Spring had awakened all things, the vegetation was lush, and the sounds of various birds chirping incessantly could be heard in the forests...
He turned to look at Zhou Ruoxi and said with a relieved smile, "I'll go back to the capital and hide. Would the Main God of the Heavenly Eye Main God Cult dare to kill me at the Emperor's doorstep?"
"So, I'll lie low for ten or twenty years, and when I have the ability, I'll actively seek out that bastard Main God for retribution. Perhaps by then, he'll already be dead without me having to lift a finger. Do you know how he died?"
Zhou Ruoxi's pretty face stiffened. Looking at the man pretending to be relaxed and nonchalant, she echoed his words with a smile, "How did he die?"
Wan Yunting laughed heartily, "He died of old age from my torment."
Zhou Ruoxi chuckled. With the man's large hand around her, leaning into his embrace, although Wan Yunting said it so casually, with his personality, would he really be willing to hide in the capital for a lifetime?
This was clearly impossible...