In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 106 Why should I avoid her sharp edge?
"Extinction Master?"

"That old nun actually came?"

In an instant, their original composure and coldness were replaced by intense vigilance and a trace of fear that could not be completely concealed!

Even Zuo Lengchan, who was in the main seat, suddenly opened his eyes, which were originally closed, clearly surprised by the appearance of the Emei Sect.

After a moment of contemplation, Ding Mian looked up at Zuo Lengchan and tentatively asked, "Sect Leader, the Emei Sect usually maintains good relations with the Wudang Sect, Shaolin Sect, and other sects. Most importantly, it is said that Abbess Miejue is vengeful and will fight to the death if she encounters any trouble."

"If we offend her, the trouble might be even greater than that of the Sun Moon Sect. With her in the Hengshan Sect, our plans might be hindered."

"Why don't we temporarily avoid their sharp edge and wait until the Emei Sect and Miejue leave Hengshan before taking control of the Hengshan Sect?"

Hearing Ding Mian's words, the others couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Clearly, he was quite wary of Abbess Miejue and the Emei Sect.

However, in response to Ding Mian's suggestion, Zuo Lengchan suddenly let out a low and oppressive sneer, "Junior Brother Ding Mian, when did you become so timid and hesitant?"

He abruptly stood up, his tall figure almost blocking out the overhead lights, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, sweeping over the ten menacing bodyguards in the hall with absolute confidence:

"The Emei Sect's extinction was only due to the advantage of the Heaven-Slaying Sword and the legacy of their ancestors, which earned them some prestige in the martial arts world."

"As far as I know, that Miejue herself is just like me, with her internal strength still at the level of returning to the innate realm. Her sect's martial arts are not necessarily stronger than my Songshan Sect's. If she were on Mount Emei, we would keep to ourselves and my Songshan Sect would have no reason to provoke her."

"But now that she has stepped into the sphere of influence of my Five Mountains Sword Sect, how can I possibly avoid her?"

"Just proceed according to plan. If the people from the Extinction and Emei Sects know what's good for them and obediently attend the ceremony to offer their congratulations, I can still give them some face and we can live in peace."

"If she is ignorant of her own limitations, thinking that she is still in her Emei Mountain sect and thinks she can interfere in the internal affairs of the Five Mountains Sword Sect and the Songshan Sect with just a Heaven-Slaying Sword."

A cold glint flashed in Zuo Lengchan's eyes, like an ice river cracking open, and his voice was filled with deep confidence.

"It just so happens that I have spent more than ten years painstakingly creating the 'True Qi of Freezing Ice', but no one has seen it yet. I don't mind using the Extinction Sect and the Emei Sect to make my 'True Qi of Freezing Ice' famous."

Looking at the confident and composed Zuo Lengchan in front of him, Ding Mian hesitated for a moment before bowing and saying...

"As you command, Senior Brother Headmaster."

The morning bell tolls, piercing through the clouds and mist, echoing among the peaks of Hengshan.

In front of the main hall of the Hengshan Sect, the mountain gate was tightly closed, and a high platform had been erected outside the hall, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Below the stage, guests from various factions stood solemnly according to their positions. Although the crowd was dense, there was not a sound, except for the sound of the mountain wind rustling the banners.

Sunlight streamed onto the high platform, casting a sacred golden glow upon the upcoming ceremony of the sect leader's handover.

On the high platform, Abbess Dingjing, dressed in plain-colored sect leader's robes, had a peaceful expression, but her brows carried a hint of solemnity that was difficult to completely dispel.

Beside her stood Abbess Dingxian, who was about to take over as the sect leader, dressed in a brand-new light gray monk's robe, her expression serene and composed.

Yue Buqun and his wife, Mr. Mo Da, Yu Canghai, and others took their seats at the front of the audience.

Yue Buqun wore a smile, exuding a refined and composed air.

Master Mo, holding his erhu, half-closed his eyes and whispered to Master Tianmen, the leader of the Taishan Sect.

Yu Canghai's face showed no emotion, but his eyes occasionally swept over the location of the Emei Sect, with resentment and fear subtly swirling in them.

In addition, there were other third-rate forces or veterans of the martial arts world who were on good terms with the Hengshan Sect.

This has brought a touch of liveliness to what was once a tranquil secluded place.

The Emei Sect group, led by Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen, took their seats in the chairs closest to the main hall.

Compared to Yue Buqun of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, Master Mo was closer to the main hall and thus more conspicuous.

This is enough to demonstrate the importance that the Hengshan School attaches to the Emei School.

Gu Shaoan, Abbess Juechen, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan stood by his side.

Abbess Miejue remained expressionless, her gaze calmly fixed on the high platform, as if all the commotion below had nothing to do with her.

Gu Shaoan stood tall and straight like a pine tree, and always wore a warm smile.

Yang Yan glanced around and asked curiously, "Today is the succession ceremony, why hasn't anyone from the Songshan Sect of the Five Mountains Sword Sects come yet?"

Listening to Yang Yan's mutterings, Gu Shaoan also glanced around.

Once he confirmed that there were no members of the Songshan Sect around, Gu Shaoan's interest only increased.

Gu Shaoan glanced at Yue Buqun, Master Mo, and the others in the distance and chuckled to himself.

"It does feel like a grand show is about to begin."

A moment later, as the sun reached its zenith, Abbess Dingjing stepped forward, her voice, imbued with true energy, clearly resonating throughout the entire training ground:
"Fellow martial arts practitioners, I have been in charge of the Hengshan Sect for over thirty years. Thanks to the protection of our ancestors and the support of all of you, the Hengshan lineage has been able to continue to this day. However, time waits for no one, and I feel that my strength is insufficient and I can no longer bear the heavy burden. Today, I hereby follow the ancient custom and emulate the sages of the past to relinquish my position as the head of the Hengshan Sect."

Her voice carried the calm of years and a hint of barely perceptible weariness.

She paused, then slowly turned around, casting her gaze upon Abbess Dingxian beside her. Her eyes were filled with expectation and trust: "Now we have my junior sister Dingxian, who is upright and virtuous, with a steadfast and sincere heart. She has mastered the essence of our sect's martial arts and is deeply concerned about the honor and disgrace of our sect. Judging from her words and deeds, she is capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of the sect leader. After discussion among myself and the elders of our sect, we unanimously recommend Junior Sister Dingxian to succeed as the new sect leader of our Hengshan Sect!"

With a solemn expression, Abbess Dingjing took a sandalwood tray covered with bright yellow brocade from the hands of her disciple standing to the side.

On the tray, four seemingly ordinary yet sacred objects, bearing the foundation of the Hengshan Sect and its supreme authority, were quietly placed:
An old, yellowed scripture; a wooden fish with a warm luster and simple, ancient patterns; a string of dark brown Bodhi prayer beads imbued with the radiance of time; and a simple, unsheathed short sword with a blade as sharp as water.

All of these were left by the founder of the Hengshan School.

It is also something that can be kept safe by the successive leaders of the Hengshan Sect.

With utmost solemnity, Abbess Dingjing presented the four sacred objects, symbolizing the highest authority of Hengshan, to Abbess Dingxian, whose expression was equally serene.

Her hands were steady, and her eyes were filled with the solemnity of passing on traditions.

All eyes were now focused on the four sacred objects that were about to be passed on.

"boom!"

However, at that moment, a loud noise broke out.

The two heavy mountain gates, which had been tightly closed just moments before, were suddenly forced open by several sharp palm strikes that had struck them earlier, the sound of the bolts breaking was deafening.

The next second, eight exceptionally burly elite disciples of the Songshan Sect, in groups of four, steadily carried a huge palanquin across the mountain gate.

The palanquin was made entirely of precious ebony, with a base carved with a giant python swallowing clouds, and heavy black curtains hanging on all four sides, the edges of which were embroidered with ferocious snake patterns with bared fangs and claws in gold thread.

It looks exceptionally luxurious.

Zuo Lengchan, dressed in a dark gold brocade robe, sat on the palanquin.

His face was as cold as iron, his brow bones were high, and his eyes, which shone like lightning when they opened and closed, indifferently swept across the entire room.

With each step taken by the eight experts carrying the palanquin, the bluestone ground seemed to sink slightly, demonstrating their astonishing internal strength.

Following closely behind the palanquin were Ding Mian, the "Pagoda-Bearing Hand," Fei Bin, the "Great Songyang Hand," and dozens of elite disciples of the Songshan Sect with sharp eyes, cold expressions, and an aura of iron-bloodedness.

Their actions were as one, and their awe-inspiring, imposing presence transformed the solemn Buddhist sanctuary into a stage for the arrival of tyranny.

The enormous black-gold palanquin, under the gaze of countless eyes that were either astonished, angry, or wary, disregarded the rules of the Hengshan Sect and, like an emperor on a tour, ascended steadily until it finally came to a stop in front of the high platform outside the hall.

The eight disciples carrying the palanquin remained motionless, as if cast in iron.

The palanquin carried on the shoulders of several people was like a smaller version of a platform.

This allowed Zuo Lengchan, seated on his palanquin, to overlook the entire scene even without getting up.

Standing next to Gu Shaoan, Yang Yan muttered, "With such a grand display, anyone who didn't know better would think he was some kind of prince."

Although the sound wasn't loud, it was clear enough for Ding Mian and the others to hear it perfectly.

Sitting on the palanquin, Zuo Lengchan's gaze swept over Abbess Dingjing, Abbess Dingxian, Yue Buqun, and others, finally settling on Abbess Miejue and the rest of the Emei Sect. But unlike the other disciples, he...

On the Emei Sect's side, let alone Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen.

Even Gu Shaoan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan showed no fear when facing the gazes of Zuo Lengchan and the others.

Yang Yan, in particular, kept glancing at Zuo Lengchan and then at Ding Mian.

His expression was natural and his posture relaxed.

This reaction caused a flash of displeasure to appear in Zuo Lengchan's eyes.

As Zuo Lengchan withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly, Ding Mian, who was standing beside the carriage, stepped forward and spoke in a loud and clear voice.

"Zuo Lengchan, the leader of the Songshan Sect and the leader of the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Alliance, has arrived to witness the succession ceremony of the Hengshan Sect leader."

Seeing the Songshan Sect members who had already overshadowed the main characters upon their arrival, Abbess Dingjing on the high platform trembled slightly with extreme anger as she held the tray.

On the Emei Sect's side, Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen frowned slightly.

Even the usually gentle Zhou Zhiruo frowned when faced with the forceful and imposing Songshan Sect members who had entered the scene.

However, the Hengshan Sect Leader possessed profound composure. After taking a deep breath and suppressing the raging anger surging in his chest, Abbess Dingjing raised the tray containing the ancestral tokens and steadily handed it to Abbess Dingxian.

Understanding Master Dingjing's meaning, Master Dingxian steadied herself, took the heavy tray, and continued the ceremony.

After a short while, once the procedures were completed, Abbess Dingxian turned to face the crowd: "This humble nun, Dingxian, is honored by the kindness of my senior sister and fellow disciples, who have entrusted me with this important responsibility despite my humble status. From this day forward, I will take charge of the Hengshan sect and will certainly uphold the teachings of our ancestors, practice compassion, protect the lineage, diligently cultivate martial arts, and live up to everyone's expectations!"

Although the voice wasn't loud, it pierced through the brief silence and resonated clearly in everyone's ears.

With that, the ceremony was complete, and the new leader of the Hengshan Sect took office.

Just as Ding Xian finished speaking, a glint flashed in Ding Mian's eyes. With lightning speed, he pulled out a specially made bamboo tube from his pocket, lit it, and then flung it into the sky.

"Whoosh~ Bang!"

After a sharp, piercing sound, a huge, brightly colored firework appeared in the sky above Mount Heng.

The sudden sound and the fireworks in the sky instantly drew everyone's attention.

After the fireworks, in less than a hundred breaths, disciples dressed as Songshan disciples sprang up like mushrooms after rain on the surrounding high walls and among the roof tiles.

At the same time, one after another, renowned figures from the Thirteen Protectors of Songshan, such as "Crane Hand" Lu Bai, "Great Yin-Yang Hand" Le Hou, and "Nine-Bend Sword" Zhong Zhen, appeared.

They stand either on high walls or perched on flying eaves.

Each of them exuded a powerful aura, their gazes sharp as knives, coldly surveying the scene below.

An extremely oppressive and chilling atmosphere instantly spread.

Before the ceremony, Yue Buqun's refined smile froze instantly, his eyes flashed intensely, and his right hand unconsciously rested lightly on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Ning Zhongze's expression changed drastically, and he stepped forward to block the young disciples of the Huashan Sect.

Mr. Mo's half-closed eyelids suddenly snapped open, the erhu in his arms emitting a soft "zheng" sound, his gaze sharp as a hawk! Yu Canghai's body trembled violently, his face drained of color, and he involuntarily shrank back, looking in terror at the murderous figures on the surrounding walls.

The guests who had been invited by the Hengshan Sect were also taken aback by this sudden turn of events.

Just then, Ding Mian, who had casually tossed the bamboo tube aside, said in a cold voice, "What follows involves the internal secrets of the Five Mountains Sword Sect. Anyone who is not a member of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, leave immediately. Those who disobey will bear the consequences."

The last few words were like a thunderclap from a clear sky, filled with a blatant sense of expulsion.

In an instant, the numerous guests invited by the Hengshan Sect to witness the ceremony rushed out of the venue and toward the open gate as if they had encountered a flood or a ferocious beast.

The disciples of the Hengshan Sect couldn't help but show anxious and worried expressions as they looked at the chaotic scene before them.

On the Huashan Sect's side, Yue Buqun first glanced at Zuo Lengchan, but seeing that Zuo Lengchan's eyes were lightly closed, he could only look at Ding Mian.

"May I ask, Senior Brother Ding, what is the purpose of the Songshan Sect's actions?"

However, when faced with Yue Buqun's question, Ding Mian only glanced at it lightly and said in a low voice, "You will naturally find out what it is in a moment, Junior Brother Yue. For now, Junior Brother Yue just needs to wait quietly."

After saying that, Ding Mian looked away without waiting for Yue Buqun's reaction.

His arrogant demeanor was on full display, causing Yue Buqun's face to darken and his fist to clench tightly inside his sleeve.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the once bustling hall suddenly became empty.

However, outside this main hall, apart from the members of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, the location of the Emei Sect remained as still as a reef in a raging storm.

Abbess Miejue remained seated, her back ramrod straight, her expression unchanged, as if Zuo Lengchan's threatening order to expel her had nothing to do with her.

Abbess Juechen also kept her eyes focused on her nose and her heart, her expression serene.

Gu Shaoan's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes watched the grand spectacle unfolding before him with great interest.

Upon seeing this, Ding Mian frowned, took another step forward, faced the direction of the Emei Sect, clasped his fists, and spoke in a loud voice that carried an undeniable pressure.

"I am Ding Mian from the Songshan Sect. I have just met Sect Leader Miejue."

"The inauguration ceremony of the new Hengshan Sect leader has concluded. Next, we need to discuss internal matters concerning our Five Mountains Sword Sect. We would like to trouble the nun to lead the disciples to a temporary retreat."

For a moment, everyone in the Five Mountains Sword Sect focused their attention on Abbess Miejue.

The nuns Dingjing and Dingxian from the Hengshan Sect stiffened slightly, showing signs of tension.

Under everyone's attention, the Emei sect leader slowly raised his eyelids.

Her calm, unwavering eyes stared directly at Ding Mian, who remained in a bowing posture, and she said in a flat tone, "Today, this humble nun and her disciples have come to witness the ceremony at the invitation of the Hengshan Sect. As for when we should leave, this humble nun has made her own decision."

At this point, Abbess Miejue's tone suddenly changed. Her voice was calm and slow, yet it carried a hint of mockery and contempt.

"As for your Songshan Sect, what are you? How dare you interfere with this humble nun's affairs?"

Although it was already anticipated that the reputation of the Songshan Sect might not be enough to scare away Abbess Miejue and the Emei Sect.

Hearing Abbess Miejue's merciless words, Ding Mian was choked by this impolite rebuttal, and his face darkened abruptly.

"Ha~"

However, before Ding Mian could speak again, a cold laugh suddenly rang out from Zuo Lengchan on the palanquin.

Everyone looked over at the sound and saw that Zuo Lengchan had opened his eyes at some point, and the cold light in his eyes finally shot out like ice blades as he stared directly at Abbess Miejue.

Abbess Miejue casually raised her eyelids.

A few breaths later, Zuo Lengchan's gaze fell as if it were a tangible object on the Heaven-Slaying Sword in Abbess Miejue's hand, a strange light flashing across his face.

His gaze then shifted to Abbess Miejue's face, and Zuo Lengchan said calmly, "I have long heard of the Emei Sect's Heaven-Slaying Sword, which is incomparably sharp, and Abbess Miejue's fearsome reputation is also awe-inspiring. I have always longed to be associated with it."

"Since we have the opportunity to meet the nun today, I, Zuo, am also willing to learn about the unique skills of the Emei Sect and, by the way, see if the Yitian Sword is really as sharp as rumored."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Yan turned to look at Gu Shaoan.

Seemingly realizing Yang Yan's intention, Gu Shaoan activated his inner energy and silently enveloped both Yang Yan and himself.

Seeing this, Yang Yan finally spoke up: "Senior brother, is Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect very strong?"

Gu Shaoan glanced at Zuo Lengchan and said, "It should only be the realm of returning to the innate stage!"

Yang Yan asked, puzzled, "Then where did he get the courage to challenge the sect leader?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Shaoan replied with a smile, "Perhaps they are used to ruling the Five Mountains Sword Sects and regard my Emei Sect as an ordinary second-rate force, thinking that they can be manipulated at will."

Seeing this, Yang Yan looked at Zuo Lengchan to the side, her eyes as if she were looking at a fool.

(End of this chapter)