"Your old man was worried you'd die at the Emei Sect, so he sent me to protect you!" Zhang Xian'er said dismissively, sheathing her sword upon seeing Wan Yunting.
Her words made Zhou Ruoxi, standing beside Wan Yunting, turn her head in confusion, wondering who Zhang Xian'er was and what her relationship with him was.
Lin Yiping blinked, then reacted, "Uncle-Master Zhang, so your descent down the mountain to repay a debt was related to Abbot Wan?"
"That's right."
Zhang Xian'er nodded and said, "The ones who saved me back then were his father and Grandpa Ouyang, so I have to protect him now. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to repay their kindness."
Lin Yiping nodded in understanding. Everyone on Longhu Mountain knew that Zhang Xian'er had descended the mountain this time to repay a debt.
However, Zhou Ruoxi and Lu Xiaodie, who were following Wan Yunting, were a bit confused. They didn't know the specifics of the situation yet. But at that moment, it wasn't the time to dwell on this matter. Instead, they focused on Abbess Jun Xuan. Abbess Yun Bai sternly said, "Sister Jun Xuan, why are you causing trouble here? Don't you know you are no longer a member of the Emei Sect? Hurry down the mountain!"
These words provoked Abbess Jun Xuan. She glared furiously at Abbess Yun Bai and Zhou Ruoxi, shouting, "Yun Bai, don't be so arrogant! Although I've left the Emei Sect, I will return one day. You all just wait for me!"
Abbess Jun Xuan was furious and felt there was no need to prolong the argument. She immediately moved towards Lin Yiping, intending to snatch Lin Xiaobao, but Zhang Xian'er blocked her with her sword, "Old woman, dare you touch Xiao Bao and see what happens!"
Abbess Jun Xuan stamped her foot, her old eyes glaring angrily at Zhang Xian'er. Lin Yiping also said, "Jun Xuan, I will not let Xiao Bao go with you. You should leave."
Seeing this, Abbess Jun Xuan gritted her teeth in anger. She shot a vicious glare at Lin Yiping with her old eyes and said, "You wait!"
"Let's go..."
Finally, Abbess Jun Xuan let out a cold snort and led Zhang Xincai, Liu Lian'er, Tian Zhixin, and other disciples who were willing to follow her down the mountain, leaving the Emei Sect...
Zhang Xian'er sheathed her sword and turned to ask Lin Yiping, "Nephew Lin, why did that old woman want to take Xiao Bao?"
Lin Yiping sighed and didn't hide anything, saying, "She is Xiao Bao's mother!"
"Ah, Xiao Bao's mother?"
Zhang Xian'er's peach blossom eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Lin Yiping.
It was estimated that very few people on the entire Longhu Mountain knew who Lin Xiaobao's mother was, so naturally, Zhang Xian'er didn't know.
Lin Yiping turned around and cupped his fists apologetically towards Wan Yunting and Zhou Ruoxi, "Abbot Wan, Sect Leader Zhou, I am truly sorry. We will descend the mountain first. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will definitely visit to apologize."
After speaking, Lin Yiping was about to take Lin Xiaobao down the mountain to hurry back to Longhu Mountain, but Zhang Xian'er said, "Nephew Lin, why are you going back so suddenly?"
Wan Yunting also stepped forward and said, "Master Lin, please stay. Why not stay and attend Sect Leader Zhou's investiture ceremony tomorrow before leaving? What do you think?"
"Yes, Master Lin."
Abbess Yun Bai also stepped forward and said, "We also know that Jun Xuan was the mastermind behind this, and it has nothing to do with you and your father."
Zhou Ruoxi also said, "This matter is in the past and need not be mentioned again. I hope Master Lin will represent Longhu Mountain and stay to attend my investiture ceremony. It would be my honor, Zhou Ruoxi."
Seeing them all say this, Lin Yiping, besides feeling apologetic and guilty, was mostly grateful. He bowed and said, "Alright, then I will stay on behalf of Longhu Mountain to attend Sect Leader Zhou's investiture ceremony, and I congratulate Sect Leader Zhou."
Zhou Ruoxi smiled and nodded, "Thank you."
Then, the group returned inside. In the spacious square in front of the main hall, hundreds of tables had already been set up, and dozens of chefs were cooking overnight to entertain people from various sects...
As Wan Yunting and Zhou Ruoxi returned, they joined the sect leaders, leaders, and elders of the various sects at three round tables in the main hall. Dozens of dishes were already laid out, and fine wine was served. Everyone raised their glasses: "Come, let us toast Sect Leader Zhou and congratulate her on taking over as the Emei Sect Leader..."
Zhou Ruoxi was wearing a light blue ancient-style long dress. Wan Yunting, Abbess Yun Bai, and others beside her raised their wine glasses. She smiled, her autumn eyes revealing a determined gaze. Now, she exuded a sense of composure and restraint, possessing the demeanor of a sect leader.
She raised her wine glass and thanked everyone present: "Thank you to all the sect leaders, leaders, and elders for traveling from afar to our Emei Sect. If there are any shortcomings in the arrangements, I, Zhou Ruoxi, toast you all here to express my apologies."
Saying this, Zhou Ruoxi downed her wine in one gulp, demonstrating the bearing of a sect leader. She also received applause and praise from the sect leaders present: "Excellent. Now, for this next cup of wine, let us all congratulate Sect Leader Zhou..."
Everyone raised their glasses, and Zhou Ruoxi once again lifted her wine glass, sincerely thanking them: "Thank you..."
At the foot of Mount Emei, Abbess Jun Xuan's old face was filled with a dark gloom. She descended the mountain with the injured Zhang Xincai and Liu Lian'er, along with more than a dozen inner disciples. Several cars were already waiting for them.
Abbess Jun Xuan stepped towards the car, but she turned back reluctantly, gazing at the misty Mount Emei in the night. The lights flickering like stars in the mountains made her old eyes redden. She recalled spending more than half her life in the Emei Sect, yet now she had fallen into such a predicament. Besides her unwillingness, her heart was filled with more anger and injustice.
"I, Jun Xuan, will return!"
Abbess Jun Xuan gnashed her teeth in unwillingness and let out a cold snort before getting into the car and leaving. Immediately after, her old mobile phone rang. It was Sima Boyong calling, saying, "Jun Xuan, I heard you failed!"
"Hmph."
Abbess Jun Xuan snorted upon hearing his obviously displeased tone, "So, you're calling to blame me?"
"Heh heh, how could I blame you?"
Sima Boyong chuckled on the other end and said, "It's just a pity that you couldn't become the Emei Sect Leader. After all your efforts, you ended up in the same situation as me back then. I understand how you feel right now, so how could I blame you?"
"Fine, don't sugarcoat it. I, Jun Xuan, don't need your comfort."
Abbess Jun Xuan refused to listen to his words and said angrily, "I'm just not reconciled that that brat Wan Yunting ruined this matter!"
Sima Boyong, who had already learned the entire story and knew that Wan Yunting's intervention had led to Abbess Jun Xuan's failure, said in a deep voice, "Wan Yunting must be eliminated!"
Abbess Jun Xuan's old eyes revealed a fierce glare, and she said, "That brat's martial arts are very powerful. Ordinary people probably can't kill him!"
"I know."
Sima Boyong nodded and said, "He's in China, so we can't make a move on him. We have to wait for an opportunity!"
Abbess Jun Xuan's old eyes narrowed, and she asked, "Do you have a plan?"