Chapter 3

In the midst of the freezing cold, the frost did not seal the flowing water, and the distant waterfall roared.

Under the starlight, a rider galloped forward, the steed exhaling hot breath all the way, and the person on the horse was shrouded in a black cloak.

Arriving at the shallow river, they turned into the riverbed, waded through the shallow water, splashing water as they rushed to the other side, and continued to gallop towards the distant forest.

The forest was deep and the light dim. As they entered the forest, the rider waved a hand, and a soft pink light flashed from within the black cloak, illuminating the path ahead.

The pink light was a butterfly named 'Xiaoyue,' meaning 'little moon.' It had a hard shell and spines inside its wings. It did not appear unusual in strong light during the day but glowed in the dark, emitting a gentle light that could illuminate a distance of two zhang. It could fly at both high and low speeds and was tamed by cultivators for lighting.

The source of the light on 'Xiaoyue' was on its wings. The back of the wings did not glow, and the light came from the inner side. Therefore, when the wings flapped, the range of the light varied, creating a flickering effect. When it landed and folded its wings, it could be used as a lamp.

'Xiaoyue' led the way, illuminating the path, while the rider followed on horseback.

Suddenly, a stream of light emerged from the forest ahead, blocking the path. It was another glowing butterfly.

The rider pulled the reins to a sudden stop, and 'Xiaoyue' flashed back to his side. The rider, shrouded in the cloak, lifted his face, revealing a clear and sharp old man with three strands of white beard, sharp eyes, and a casual toss of a token.

The figure hiding in the tree caught the token, checked it, and threw it back. The blocking glowing butterfly quickly retreated and disappeared into the darkness.

The steed galloped away again, following 'Xiaoyue' and disappearing into the depths of the forest.

The bright moon illuminated the deep forest, a place of natural beauty with towering peaks and cliffs. On the cliffs stood palaces and halls, their lights clearly visible. This was the location of the Shangqing Sect.

The black-cloaked rider dismounted at the foot of a cliff, lifted the hood, and revealed his true face, which was the Shangqing Sect's leader, Tang Mu.

A disciple immediately came forward to greet him, "Master!"

Tang Mu casually threw the reins to the disciple, said nothing, and quickly walked up the zigzag stone steps, leaping and landing gracefully on the cliff top. He then continued to walk briskly towards the grand palace on the mountain.

Under the eaves of the palace, a woman with a green snail hairstyle and a veil stood quietly.

Her eyebrows were long and slender like willow leaves, her phoenix eyes bright like black jade, her nose delicate, her lips like blooming flower buds, her face like a lotus, and her demeanor dignified and cold. Her skin was as delicate as fine porcelain, her chest full and her figure graceful, dressed in a gray gauze dress, her aura ethereal like a fairy.

She was Tang Mu's daughter, Tang Yi, gazing at the moon on a lonely night.

The glowing butterfly caught her attention, and although it was retracted as soon as they reached the cliff top, Tang Yi still noticed it.

Tang Yi turned her head, slightly surprised, and walked down the steps to greet her father. Looking behind him, she saw no one else and asked curiously, "Father, didn't the senior disciples return with you?"

Unexpectedly, Tang Mu stumbled and fell on the steps, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Tang Yi was shocked. How could her father, with his cultivation, fall like this? She quickly rushed over to support him.

Approaching, she smelled the strong scent of blood and felt that his sleeve was wet and sticky. Lifting her hand to the light under the eaves, she saw bloodstains and exclaimed in alarm, "Father, you're injured?"

Tang Mu waved his hand, signaling her not to make a fuss.

Outside, it was freezing, and the temperature on the mountain was even colder, but inside the room, it was warm like spring. A large copper furnace, similar to a pill-refining furnace, stood in the center of the hall. It was so tall that one had to look up to see it. Inside, it was filled with burning charcoal, and the heat warmed the entire room, extending to the inner chambers. Even with the doors open, the warmth inside was not diminished.

Supporting her father to sit down, Tang Yi looked anxious and wanted to examine his injuries.

Tang Mu raised his hand to stop her and said in a deep voice, "Immediately inform the three elders and the inner disciples to come and see me. I have important matters to announce!"

Tang Yi, worried, said, "Father, your injuries..."

Tang Mu interrupted her, "Go quickly! Hurry!"

Tang Yi bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears, sensing something, but she had to turn and run away.

Soon, several inner disciples ran in, shocked by Tang Mu's appearance. Under the light, it was clear that he was severely injured.

The disciples quickly approached to check, especially Tang Mu's eldest disciple, Wei Duo, who was very anxious. "M... Master... H... How did you get... get so... so injured... I... I will... treat... treat your injuries!" He was a natural stutterer.

Tang Mu waved his hand, signaling them to step back and not to interfere. The honest-looking Wei Duo knelt beside him, unable to get up.

Tang Mu closed his eyes, seemingly too exhausted to say more.

After a while, the three elders of the Shangqing Sect, who lived on the back mountain, flew in, entering together, two men and one woman.

They were named Luo Yuangong, Su Po, and Tang Susu, all elderly and more aged than Tang Mu. They were originally Tang Mu's uncles, and after he became the leader of the Shangqing Sect, they retired to the position of elders.

Despite their mental preparation, they were still shocked by Tang Mu's condition and quickly approached to examine him.

Unlike the disciples, Tang Mu could not refuse them and had to let them.

After they used their techniques to examine him, their faces turned grave. They understood why Tang Mu did not want to be treated, as his injuries were too severe, with his internal organs almost destroyed, and he was only kept alive by a thread of true qi.

The three elders also guessed what Tang Mu wanted to announce.

"Who did this?" Tang Susu asked angrily. She was Tang Mu's aunt, and she had recommended him to join the Shangqing Sect. She had also played a significant role in his becoming the leader. Seeing her nephew in this state, how could she not be angry?

Tang Mu slowly said, "Wait until everyone is here!"

Everyone had to wait.

Until Tang Yi returned, having summoned all the inner disciples of the Shangqing Sect, who stood in order in the hall, Tang Mu straightened his body, his voice clear and strong, "Due to my physical condition, I can no longer lead the Shangqing Sect. Today, all the inner disciples are present. Listen to my decree, everyone as witnesses, I formally pass the position of Shangqing Sect leader to my junior brother, Dongguo Haoran. Those who hear this must not disobey. The sect rules are clear, and violators will be severely punished!"

The disciples were relatively calm, just exchanging glances, but the three elders were greatly surprised. Passing the position to Dongguo Haoran?

According to the Shangqing Sect's rules, the leader must be an inner disciple, chosen by the previous leader. If the leader could not choose, then one of his disciples would be selected by all the inner disciples. Only if the leader had no disciples would a relative be chosen.

Dongguo Haoran was Tang Mu's junior brother and thus an inner disciple, fitting the criteria for the leader. However, from Tang Mu's lineage, choosing a relative was unusual, and considering other factors, Dongguo Haoran was not the ideal choice.

Tang Susu could not hold back and said sternly, "Please reconsider, Master. Dongguo Haoran has long been in cahoots with Prince Ning Shang Jianbo. Shang Jianbo's actions have caused dissatisfaction among cultivators. It was because of this that when Master wanted to pass the position to Dongguo Haoran, the senior uncles and aunts intervened and chose you. Now, you are reversing this decision. Do you not realize that if Dongguo Haoran becomes the leader, it will bring disaster to the Shangqing Sect? This is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly!"

Tang Mu calmly said, "On the way here, I received news that Shang Jianbo was assassinated, so the issue with Shang Jianbo is over."

Shang Jianbo was dead? Prince Ning Shang Jianbo was the emperor's younger brother and one of the three dukes, the Grand Marshal, in charge of the Yan Kingdom's military. He was a powerful and influential figure, and his assassination was a major event. How could they not have received news of it?

The elderly Tang Susu straightened up and said, "I oppose this!"

Tang Mu glanced at her and asked, "Why do you oppose it? Is it against the sect rules?"

Tang Susu replied, "It is not against the rules, but since the establishment of the Shangqing Sect, the position of leader has always been passed to a direct disciple. There has never been a precedent for passing it to a relative. There are disciples under the leader. Why pass it to a relative? There must be a reason, right?"

Tang Mu closed his eyes and sighed, "All the disciples who accompanied me on this trip have perished."

Everyone was silent. Seeing Tang Mu return injured and not seeing the other disciples, they had guessed something, and now it was confirmed. They were all puzzled, wondering what had happened.

Tang Susu pointed at Wei Duo, "Wei Duo is your eldest disciple. How can you ignore him?"

Tang Mu said calmly, "Wei Duo is loyal and honest, suitable as a wise assistant, but not as a leader. He cannot bear the heavy responsibility of being the leader."

No one objected to this, considering Wei Duo's stutter, which would indeed damage the Shangqing Sect's image. Even Wei Duo himself lowered his head.

Tang Susu pointed at Tang Yi, "What about Tang Yi? There is no rule in the Shangqing Sect that women cannot be leaders."

Tang Mu replied, "Tang Yi is my daughter. The Shangqing Sect is not my personal property. As the leader, how can I show favoritism and pass the position to my family?"

Tang Susu said loudly, "Choosing the best person for the job should not avoid relatives. Who would dare to oppose?"

Tang Mu said calmly, "It is not appropriate."

Tang Susu was angry, "In the end, you want to pass the position to Dongguo Haoran. What is your hidden motive?"

Tang Mu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the room, his tone stern, "Are the Shangqing Sect's rules optional for Elder Tang?"

"..." Tang Susu was speechless, her fists clenched, trembling with anger. She never expected her own nephew to speak to her like this in public, making her lose face in front of the disciples.

"I have made my decision!" Tang Mu took out the leader's token and handed it to the nearby Luo Yuangong, "Dongguo Haoran is not here. According to the rules, the leader's token will be jointly held by the elders. When Dongguo Haoran returns, the position will be officially passed to him. All the disciples of the Shangqing Sect are witnesses, and there must be no mistakes!"