At this critical juncture, an unprecedented wave of powerful energy erupted from Mu Yanfeng, enveloping his body in a layer of golden radiance. The sword qi instantly pierced through the demonic sphere, striking straight at the evil cultivator. The evil cultivator's eyes widened in terror as he tried to dodge, but it was already too late.
With a piercing scream, the evil cultivator was hit by the sword qi. His body was instantly swallowed by the light, gradually dissolving into the air, leaving behind only an aura of evil that slowly dissipated.
When we stepped out of the demon cave, the warm and bright sunlight spilled over us. We hurried to a nearby village, where the villagers' strange illnesses were all cured as well.
"Thank you, Immortals, for saving our lives!" The villagers fell to their knees one after another in gratitude. Their eyes brimmed with thankfulness and reverence, and their faces were filled with the joy and excitement of having survived a catastrophe.
Mu Yanfeng quickly stepped forward to help them up, saying sincerely, "Please rise, everyone. Protecting the peace of this region is the duty of our cultivation sect. Seeing you all escape hardship and return to your peaceful lives makes everything we've done worthwhile. Be sure to be extra careful from now on. If you ever encounter such evil spirits again, do not panic, and believe that justice will ultimately triumph over evil. We will always guard this land and give evil no chance to exploit." With that, Mu Yanfeng's gaze was firm and warm, bringing incomparable peace of mind to the villagers.
After bidding farewell to the deeply grateful villagers, Mu Yanfeng and the others set off on the road back to the sect with light steps.
Along the way, a gentle breeze blew, birds sang, and flowers bloomed. Everyone was in an extremely relaxed and cheerful mood, filled with laughter and chatter. They teased one another and shared the various thrills and amusing anecdotes from the process of subduing the demons, as if those past dangers had already become fleeting clouds.
After a journey of several days, they finally returned to the sect. Before they even drew close, a group of junior and senior brothers was already waiting by the mountain gate. They craned their necks in eager anticipation, their faces etched with excitement and anxiety.
Upon seeing Mu Yanfeng and the others return, a burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd, a deafening sound that soared straight into the clouds.
Mu Yanfeng and the others walked briskly forward, reporting the detailed process of the demon-subduing mission to the sect leader and elders with deep respect. The master nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval, and said slowly, "You all did exceptionally well this time, bringing supreme glory to the sect."
As soon as the master finished speaking, he paused briefly before continuing in a solemn and grave tone, "Yanfeng, your performance this time was especially outstanding. After careful consideration, I have decided to step down and pass the position of sect leader on to you."
At these words, an uproar filled the crowd. Mu Yanfeng was startled at first, an expression of sheer disbelief on his face as his eyes widened. Then he hurriedly dropped to his knees, trembling with anxiety as he said, "Master, this disciple lacks seniority and fears he is unworthy of such a great responsibility. I implore the sect leader to reconsider."
The master raised a hand to signal him to rise, gazing at him with a firm and affectionate look. "Yanfeng, I have observed you for a long time. After three years of trials, coupled with this demon-subduing mission, everyone has witnessed your wisdom, courage, and steadfast adherence to justice. Faced with layer upon layer of hardships and life-or-death crises, you consistently remain calm and composed, making wise and correct decisions to lead everyone safely through danger time and time again. Your character is pure and kind, and your heart embraces all living beings under heaven. This position of sect leader belongs to none other than you."
The other elders also nodded in agreement with the sect leader's decision. One elder stroked his beard, his gaze full of anticipation as he said, "Yanfeng, the sect leader's vision is penetrating and discerning. Do not decline; the future of the sect still requires your guidance. Everyone has seen the talent and potential you display, and we believe you will surely lead the sect toward an even more brilliant and glorious future."
Another elder immediately chimed in, "Indeed, Yanfeng. Over the years, we have seen every bit of your hard work and dedication. You are upright and kind, friendly and harmonious with your fellow disciples, and you never haggle over personal gains and losses. In your cultivation, you are diligent and hardworking, forgetting to sleep and eat. You truly deserve this position of sect leader."
Seeing everyone place such deep trust in him, Mu Yanfeng was moved beyond words. Crystal tears flashed in his eyes, and with a slightly trembling voice, he solemnly declared, "Since Master and the elders have bestowed such great favor upon me, this disciple knows the responsibility is heavy. Even so, this disciple will surely live up to this trust, dedicating every ounce of strength and loyalty to the sect until my dying breath. I shall uphold the tenets of the sect, promote justice, and lead the sect to grow ever stronger, never failing everyone's expectations."
After receiving the decision from the sect leader and elders, Mu Yanfeng began preparations for the succession ceremony three days later. During these three days, his heart was filled with anticipation and excitement, yet he also felt the heavy weight of responsibility pressing down upon him.
Day and night, he pondered deeply on how to make the sect even stronger and how to better promote justice after taking over as sect leader.
Meanwhile, the sect was also bustling with preparations for the upcoming ceremony. The junior and senior brothers meticulously decorated the venue, hanging lanterns and festoons everywhere in a scene of great celebration.
Filled with joy, I came to congratulate Mu Yanfeng on succeeding to the position of sect leader, walking with a brisk step and carrying sincere blessings.
Just as I reached his doorway, however, I caught sight of Qingmiao inside his room through the half-closed door. Qingmiao's expression was complex, interwoven with a thousand unspoken words; her brows were tightly knitted, and her eyes revealed entanglement and confusion.
My heart couldn't help but skip a beat, my steps instantly halting as I hesitated whether I should enter at this moment. Amidst this hesitation, Mu Yanfeng keenly noticed me, and a flash of undisguised awkwardness instantly crossed his face, as if he had been caught in some secret.
Seeing this, Qingmiao hurriedly stood up, her expression looking somewhat flustered. "Then this disciple will take her leave first," she said. Lowering her head, she brushed past me in a rush, her hurried footsteps and fluttering robes stirring up a slight breeze as she hastily departed.
I steadied myself and stepped into the room. My gaze fell upon Mu Yanfeng, wanting to speak yet hesitating, my questions tangled like a ball of messy yarn.
Mu Yanfeng gave a light cough, trying to break the somewhat heavy silence, and asked, "Why are you here?"
I smiled constrainedly and said, "Naturally, I came to congratulate you." Yet, despite uttering the words, my mind remained filled with doubts about what I had just seen, my thoughts in disarray.
After Qingmiao's hurried departure, the atmosphere inside the room remained somewhat awkward.
I spoke up with a hint of doubt, my gaze full of inquiry: "What was Qingmiao here for just now? Could it be that she encountered a difficult problem in her cultivation?"
Mu Yanfeng gave a light cough, his brow slightly furrowed, and said, "Not at all. She... she told me she wanted to go out on a trial journey by herself, but I didn't agree."
My eyes widened in surprise, and raising my voice, I said, "Why didn't you allow it? A trial journey might be a great opportunity for her to grow."
Mu Yanfeng furrowed his brows deeply, looking worried as he said in a heavy tone, "Her cultivation is still shallow, and the pugilistic world is treacherous, with unpredictable twists and turns. I really cannot set my mind at ease. Besides, she is hot-tempered and often acts without thinking, lacking sufficient experience and the ability to handle danger."
I cupped my chin in my hand, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "That may be so, but if you keep sheltering her under your wings forever, she will never truly grow independent. Proper trials might allow her to mature much faster."
Mu Yanfeng shook his head helplessly, letting out a long sigh as he said, "How could I not know? But this time, I feel the timing is not right. I would rather she spend more time lingering within the sect, cultivating her mind in peace, accumulating more knowledge and skills, and going out only when she is fully prepared."
I let out a heavy sigh, looking worried as I asked, "Can Qingmiao accept your decision?"
Mu Yanfeng wore a solemn expression, his gaze revealing helplessness and worry: "She was very agitated at the time, feeling that I was restricting her and thinking that I didn't trust her abilities. But everything I did was for her safety!"
I looked steadily at Mu Yanfeng, saying in a serious tone, "Senior Brother, your protection of Qingmiao probably exceeds the bounds of a master-disciple relationship. You worry about her so much, considering her in everything, even ignoring her desire for personal growth—is there truly no other sentiment hidden within this?"
Hearing my words, Mu Yanfeng's expression changed drastically, and he anxiously defended himself, "Don't talk nonsense! My feelings for Qingmiao are truly just master-disciple care."
I gave a cold laugh and continued, "If it were merely master-disciple affection, why are you so adamantly refusing to let her go out on trials? She isn't a flower in a greenhouse; if she is always sheltered by you like this, when will she ever truly grow up? Your excessive protection makes one hard-pressed not to doubt your intentions."
Mu Yanfeng looked flustered, his hands clenched tightly as he said loudly, "I did no such thing! I'm only worried she will encounter danger. Don't you know my feelings for you?"
I snorted and turned my head away. Mu Yanfeng frowned and stared at me, asking, "Are you saying this because you're jealous?"
I turned back, glared at him, and said, "Who's jealous? Stop talking nonsense."
Mu Yanfeng sighed helplessly and said, "I truly only look upon Qingmiao as a disciple; you mustn't let your imagination run wild."
I let out a heavy sigh and said, "I hope so, otherwise the days ahead are bound to be chaotic."
Mu Yanfeng was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Speaking of which, after all this time, Junior Sister, you still haven't remembered anything?"