Chapter 5

Chapter 4: The Ancient Xiyan Sect (Part 2)

Li Qiyi became the chief disciple of the Ancient Xiyan Sect, and this news quickly spread throughout the sect. For the senior and middle-level members of the Ancient Xiyan Sect, there were not many complaints about Li Qiyi becoming the chief disciple. Facing the Ancient Xiyan Order, they had no choice but to accept it, and could only say that Li Qiyi, this waste of a person, was just extremely lucky.

However, it was different for the young third-generation disciples. The reason was simple: according to the traditions of the Ancient Xiyan Sect, the chief disciple was usually selected from among the young third-generation disciples. Throughout history, most chief disciples had to pass the elders' evaluations and make significant contributions to the sect before they could become the chief disciple.

Becoming the chief disciple meant not only receiving personal instruction from the sect leader and the opportunity to learn imperial techniques, but more importantly, throughout history, the chief disciple had a very high chance of becoming the next sect leader.

In the current era, the Ancient Xiyan Sect did not select the chief disciple from the second-generation senior members, which meant that the chief disciple would be selected from among the young third-generation disciples.

The most significant opposition to Li Qiyi becoming the chief disciple came from those talented disciples who had excellent aptitude, high talent, and had made significant contributions. Therefore, when Li Qiyi became the chief disciple, it caused a great stir within the Ancient Xiyan Sect.

"A mere mortal with an ordinary body, ordinary wheel, and ordinary fate, what qualifications does he have to become the chief disciple!" one genius said angrily, "For such a person to become the chief disciple is a disgrace to our Ancient Xiyan Sect!"

The older and more mature genius disciples, though unwilling, could only say, "Who can blame this guy for being lucky? With the Ancient Xiyan Order, even the elders have no choice."

"It's just the chief disciple. A person with an ordinary body, ordinary wheel, and ordinary fate has no strength to compete for the position of sect leader. It's not like the chief disciple will definitely become the sect leader!" another genius said confidently, "If this waste of a chief disciple doesn't know his place, I wouldn't mind giving him a good lesson!"

Even if Li Qiyi had no qualifications to compete for the position of sect leader, the genius disciples still felt uncomfortable in their hearts because Li Qiyi, this waste of a person, had become their senior brother, the eldest among the third-generation young disciples!

"The Ancient Xiyan Order, isn't the only Ancient Xiyan Order in the hands of the Three Ghosts Master? How did it end up in this kid's hands?" some disciples couldn't help but wonder.

It was no secret that the Three Ghosts Master had an Ancient Xiyan Order. The Ancient Xiyan Sect had always wanted to reclaim this order, but the Three Ghosts Master had never been willing to give it up. Now it had fallen into Li Qiyi's hands, which was indeed strange.

"Heh, I heard this kid has some tricks up his sleeve. I wonder how he managed to fool that lecher!" a disciple said with a cold laugh, "I heard that when the elders sent people to verify, the Three Ghosts Master was enjoying himself at the Green Jade Tower. Hmph, it seems this kid probably invited the Three Ghosts Master there."

At this, some disciples sneered in disgust.

"So, he's in cahoots with that old lecher!" other disciples said with disdain upon hearing this.

Although it was rumored that the Three Ghosts Master was the illegitimate son of the previous sect leader, the Ancient Xiyan Sect had never favored him. Even the third-generation young disciples did not respect him. If it weren't for the sect leader's protection, someone would have long driven the Three Ghosts Master out of the Ancient Xiyan Sect.

Now that Li Qiyi was in cahoots with the Three Ghosts Master, the young disciples also felt a deep dislike for Li Qiyi!

However, before the three days were up and Li Qiyi had the chance to pay respects to the ancestors, the six elders of the Ancient Xiyan Sect received a message from the Nine Holy Demon Sect.

"What, the Nine Holy Demon Sect wants to conduct an evaluation!" Upon receiving the message, the six elders were taken aback.

One elder was dissatisfied and said with a cold snort, "The Nine Holy Demon Sect's message is too quick. Li Qiyi just became the chief disciple, and they are already eager to conduct the evaluation!"

Another elder said, "The Nine Holy Demon Sect wants to renege on the agreement from years ago. Li Qiyi, this waste of a person, just joined the sect and has no chance of passing the Nine Holy Demon Sect's evaluation! So, they are eager to conduct the evaluation as soon as they heard about the new chief disciple."

"We have no choice," the grand elder said after a moment of silence, "The Nine Holy Demon Sect now holds the reins of the Jiaoxiang Kingdom. We are not in the same position as we were in the past. What qualifications do we have to negotiate with them?"

The grand elder's words made the other elders fall silent. In the early years of the Era of the Emperors, the Ancient Xiyan Sect was once invincible, intimidating the nine realms and sweeping across the eight wildernesses. They were an ancient kingdom that no one could shake in the vast central domain, commanding the worship of all sects.

However, after millions of years, the Ancient Xiyan Sect had declined, losing its former glory. Now, it could not even claim to rule an ancient kingdom, let alone the Jiaoxiang Kingdom, and certainly not to confer titles of nobility!

"What should we do now?" an elder asked, unable to hide his concern. Everyone knew that a new disciple like Li Qiyi, with an ordinary body, ordinary wheel, and ordinary fate, had no chance of passing the Nine Holy Demon Sect's evaluation.

"Treat a dead horse as if it were alive!" an elder finally said, "If this really works out, we can form an alliance with the Nine Holy Demon Sect. If that happens, even the Heavenly Holy Sect and the Treasure Holy Upper Kingdom would not dare to provoke us!"

The other elders couldn't help but smile bitterly at this. It was an impossible situation, but despite that, they still wanted to try.

Li Qiyi, on the solitary peak, had not yet waited for the day of the ancestor worship ceremony when he was met by Nan Huairen.

"Senior Brother, the elders have summoned you to the Ancestor Hall," Nan Huairen said upon seeing Li Qiyi, who was at ease.

"Is it something important?" Li Qiyi glanced at Nan Huairen's expression and asked casually, showing no concern.

Nan Huairen was surprised but did not hide it, nodding and saying, "To be honest, the Nine Holy Demon Sect has sent a message." He then looked at Li Qiyi strangely and added, "I heard that your fiancée is going to evaluate you."

"The Nine Holy Demon Sect," Li Qiyi said, recalling some buried memories.

Nan Huairen, fearing that Li Qiyi might not know about the Nine Holy Demon Sect, explained, "The Nine Holy Demon Sect is a well-known major sect in the current central domain. They rule the ancient Jiaoxiang Kingdom and confer titles of nobility. Speaking of the Nine Holy Demon Sect, they have a deep connection with our Ancient Xiyan Sect. The founder of the Nine Holy Demon Sect, the Nine Holy Sage, was once the first general under our founder, the Immortal Emperor Mingren, and accompanied him in sweeping across the nine realms. When our Ancient Xiyan Sect ruled the ancient kingdom, the Nine Holy Demon Sect came to pay homage to us."

"I've heard of the Nine Holy Demon Sect," Li Qiyi said with a smile, appearing calm and composed. He was, of course, familiar with the Nine Holy Demon Sect and the Nine Holy Sage.

In the early years of the Era of the Emperors, when he guided the young Mingren to cultivate, he had spent a lot of effort. He had used his strategy to subdue the old demon, the Nine Holy Sage, to protect the young Mingren!

"What's this about a fiancée?" Li Qiyi looked at Nan Huairen and asked.

Nan Huairen said, "It is said that when our founder, Immortal Emperor Mingren, achieved his destiny, the Nine Holy Sage made an agreement with our Ancient Xiyan Sect. If the successor of the Nine Holy Demon Sect is a female disciple, they would form a marriage alliance with our chief disciple." He then added softly, "At that time, the Nine Holy Demon Sect was considered to be reaching out to us."

"Old Ji Tou seemed to have a female disciple back then," Li Qiyi recalled, thinking that the Nine Holy Sage had indeed taken on a female disciple, but he had already fallen into a deep sleep and no longer paid attention to such trivial matters.

"What did Senior Brother say?" Nan Huairen asked, hearing this.

Li Qiyi came back to his senses, shook his head, and said, "Nothing, so it seems the current successor of the Nine Holy Demon Sect is a female disciple?"

Nan Huairen said, "I heard that the Ancient Xiyan Sect and the Nine Holy Demon Sect have not formed a marriage alliance for a very long time. This generation, their successor happens to be a female disciple." He then looked at Li Qiyi and added, "I heard that the successor of the Nine Holy Demon Sect, Li Shuangyan, is a born imperial body!"

Hearing this, Li Qiyi immediately understood. The current Ancient Xiyan Sect had declined, and the Nine Holy Demon Sect certainly did not want to marry such a promising successor to the Ancient Xiyan Sect!

"Interesting," Li Qiyi said with a smile, suddenly understanding the various causes and effects.

Nan Huairen was surprised. Li Qiyi's calm and composed demeanor made him seem anything but a waste of a person. More strangely, despite being only thirteen years old, his calm and composed demeanor made him seem like a seasoned noble!

In Nan Huairen's view, if anyone else had heard such news, they would have been at a loss, but Li Qiyi in front of him did not seem to care at all, which made Nan Huairen feel a bit odd.

"Has Huairan explained the situation to you?" When Li Qiyi arrived at the Ancestor Hall, the six elders were present, and the grand elder coldly said.

To be honest, the six elders did not favor Li Qiyi, this waste of a person, but today, they somewhat hoped that Li Qiyi was not truly a waste and could pass the evaluation of the Nine Holy Demon Sect. The current Ancient Xiyan Sect desperately needed a powerful ally like the Nine Holy Demon Sect. Of course, the elders knew the chances were zero, but they still held out hope and wanted to try.

"Report to the elders, I understand," Li Qiyi nodded and said.

"Very well, as long as you can pass the evaluation of the Nine Holy Demon Sect, the sect will greatly reward you," the grand elder said coldly.

Li Qiyi smiled and said slowly, "I am willing to take the evaluation, but I have three conditions!"

"Rid