Chapter 44

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"WHAT!"

Lin Xi was stunned. Only now did he realize that the questions posed by the Grand Elder were all tests, culminating in the final statement—asking Lin Xi to take over as the sect leader.

After pondering, Lin Xi immediately nodded: "Sure."

"Ah!"

This time, it was the Grand Elder who was surprised. He had expected Lin Xi to take a long time to consider, but he made his decision so quickly.

The position of the Five Thunder Sect leader had been vacant for a long time, which, to some extent, was one of the reasons why Meng Jun and others dared to launch a rebellion. In this critical period, the best way to stabilize the situation was for Lin Xi to take over as the sect leader.

Lin Xi was not indecisive. Once he understood what he needed to do, he made his decision immediately.

"Good. This is the best outcome. At least, the disciples won't leave in large numbers."

The Grand Elder regained his composure.

Although they had decided to dismiss some disciples, it would be disastrous if all the disciples left.

The appointment of a new leader in the Five Thunder Sect would undoubtedly be a morale booster for the disciples who were still watching. It would prevent them from losing hope in the sect and leaving.

"… It's just a pity for the disciples. Our Five Thunder Sect has shallow roots, and it's not easy to cultivate them. It will take a long time to restore the current scale."

The Grand Elder sighed, worried about the future of the sect.

"Grand Elder, you don't need to worry."

Lin Xi's eyes sparkled with determination. Since he had decided to take over as the sect leader, he had already thought about these issues:

"The cultivation of new disciples doesn't need to take a long time. After this matter is resolved, I plan to go to the Beast Mountain Range to hunt beasts and obtain their inner cores. For the loyal disciples, I will use the beast cores to temper their bodies, accelerating their martial arts progress. Additionally, I plan to make some improvements to the cultivation methods within the sect."

Lin Xi's martial arts, which focused on strengthening tendons, bones, and skin, far exceeded those of other sects. Even the Sunfire Sect couldn't compare. As long as they followed Lin Xi's methods, it wouldn't take as long as expected.

Martial arts were Lin Xi's personal secret, and he shouldn't have revealed them. However, as his martial arts reached higher levels, he found that the effectiveness of martial arts was diminishing.

Especially when Meng Jun revealed a Qi Condensation level sword, this feeling became even stronger.

Of course, the Inner Family Fist and the Three-Strike Thrust were not to be revealed. These were Lin Xi's core techniques, and he would not easily pass them on to outsiders.

The Grand Elder nodded, seemingly unsurprised:

"You are the sect leader, and you can make these decisions."

"Also, Wei Buping is dead. I plan to hand over all the sect's secular affairs to Han Shizhong. I don't trust him to stay on the mountain, but I can't waste his talents. Based on his future performance, I will consider whether to bring him back."

Lin Xi then took out the several million silver notes:

"These are from when I killed the Red Flame Archer. They should be enough for the sect's expenses for a year."

The Grand Elder's eyes flashed with surprise, but he still took the silver notes from Lin Xi.

The sect required a lot of silver. The more disciples there were, the more expenses there were.

Whether it was daily expenses, medicinal herbs needed for cultivation, or the costs of disciples going down the mountain for training, all of these required a significant amount of silver. Moreover, the Five Thunder Sect needed a large amount of silver to recruit new disciples.

In short, for the sect, silver was never enough.

"Lin Xi, I was worried that you might not adapt well after taking over as the sect leader. Now, I am completely at ease."

The Grand Elder sighed, his expression showing a mix of relief and pride.

Lin Xi remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"Grand Elder, I agree to take over as the sect leader, but I also hope you can agree to one condition."

As soon as Lin Xi said this, the room fell silent.

A long sigh echoed in the room.

"You want to go save your aunt, right?"

The Grand Elder seemed to have anticipated what Lin Xi would say.

"Yes."

Lin Xi nodded, his face showing a determined expression:

"My aunt is my last remaining relative. I can't lose her. No matter what, I must go to the Sunfire Sect to save her!"

"Lin Xi, I don't oppose you saving the Third Elder. However, with your current abilities, you are no match for the Sunfire Sect's leader, Chirenyan. A Tenth Level martial artist is beyond your imagination."

The Grand Elder's voice was heavy.

Sect affairs were trivial, but what truly worried him was the retaliation from the Sunfire Sect. The death of three Dragon Power Elders was a silent loss, but the Sunfire Sect would not let it go.

This time, they sent several Dragon Power Elders, but next time, it might be the Sunfire Sect's leader, Chirenyan, himself.

"Lin Xi, the difference between Ninth Level and Tenth Level is just one level. But the gap is unimaginable. You should know that the higher the martial arts level, the greater the gap between each level. It's not just a matter of how much, but a matter of multiples."

The Grand Elder's eyes showed unhidden worry:

"I have been stuck at the Ninth Level for decades, just one step away from the Tenth Level, the Thunder Roar stage. But that one step is like a world apart. The Sunfire Sect's leader reached the Thunder Roar stage over a decade ago, and his current cultivation is unfathomable. With your current abilities, you are not qualified to challenge him!"

"My parents are gone, and in the sect, my aunt was the one who mainly took care of me. I can't lose her. No matter who the opponent is, no matter how great the difficulty, I cannot give up! Moreover, the Sunfire Sect has lost three Dragon Power Elders. Whether I go to the Sunfire Sect or not, they won't let us off."

Lin Xi's voice showed a firm resolve.

In this world, some things can be measured by value, whether they are worth it or not. But some things must be done at any cost.

The Grand Elder fell silent. He realized he couldn't persuade Lin Xi.

"What do you plan to do?"

The Grand Elder asked.

Lin Xi didn't speak. He raised his head, his eyes looking into the void, as if his gaze had pierced through endless space, looking far into the distance:

"Publicize the collusion between Meng Jun and the Sunfire Sect, and inform the entire sect world. Additionally, prepare a letter demanding the Sunfire Sect to return my aunt as soon as possible..."

A shadow of sadness crossed the Grand Elder's eyes. The sect world was a place of the strong preying on the weak, not a place of morality. These measures could only delay the Sunfire Sect, and the actual effect would likely be unsatisfactory.

However, he wouldn't say this to Lin Xi. He didn't want to undermine Lin Xi's confidence at this moment.

"… Additionally, if the Sunfire Sect does not respond or return the person within three days, send them a declaration of war. In half a month, I will personally go to the Sunfire Mountain to bring back the Third Elder!!"

"!!!"

The Grand Elder was struck as if by lightning, his whole body trembling. He looked up at Lin Xi, his mouth opening and closing, but he couldn't find the words to say.

Lin Xi didn't look at the Grand Elder. His gaze remained on the void, but his expression was clear and resolute:

"Grand Elder, I know what you want to say. But this is the last and only way. Before I step onto the Sunfire Mountain, Chirenyan won't harm my aunt. This is the only way to ensure her safety."

The Grand Elder sighed deeply, seeming to age many years. Despite his reluctance, he had to admit that Lin Xi's plan was the only viable option.

Only this way would the Sunfire Sect not harm Lin Ruyun.

"Half a month… Is it enough?"

The Grand Elder sighed.

Lin Xi remained silent, not speaking.

...

A day later, a letter was sent from Five Thunder Mountain, traveling 800 miles with utmost urgency, and was delivered to the Sunfire Mountain.

At the same time, the Five Thunder Sect announced to the entire sect world the collusion between the Sunfire Sect and Meng Jun, as well as the abduction of the sect elder, Lin Ruyun. They also demanded the Sunfire Sect to return the Third Elder, Lin Ruyun.

This matter attracted considerable attention in the sect world.

The Five Thunder Sect was a small sect, insignificant in the sect world. But when it involved the Sunfire Sect, it was a different story. Especially since the outcome was a victory for the Five Thunder Sect, and the two Dragon Power Elders were missing, the result was clear.

A Ninth Level Dragon Power Elder was a crucial force for any sect. The loss of two such elders was significant.

However, the sect world was not a charity. It was a place of strength, not morality. The law of the strong preying on the weak was unchanging. No other sect would stand up for the Five Thunder Sect to seek justice.

What truly ignited the sect world was a declaration of war three days later.

The challenger was Lin Xi, the third-generation descendant of the Lin family and the new leader of the Five Thunder Sect. The target was the Sunfire Sect's leader, Chirenyan.

A Tenth Level Thunder Roar stage martial artist was at the pinnacle of martial power. It had been many years since anyone in the sect world dared to challenge a Thunder Roar stage martial artist.

Especially when the challenger was a young man from a small sect.

...

Bang!

A hand, pale as jade but heavy as a mountain, slammed down on the table. The moment it landed, the entire bronze hall shook violently.

"Ridiculous!"

A deep, authoritative voice echoed in the hall. Above, a man in his thirties sat on a brass throne, his eyes blazing with a chilling killing intent.

This man had jet-black hair, a ruddy complexion, and a commanding presence that seemed to pierce through one's soul.

He sat there casually, yet his presence was like that of a prehistoric beast, radiating a powerful and domineering aura.

This man was the Sunfire Sect's leader, Chirenyan.

...