The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

Lin Pingzhi then asked curiously, "By the way, senior brother, where are Master, Mistress, and other senior brothers? I haven't seen any of them."

On such a joyous occasion, Lin Pingzhi was curious to see that none of the Huashan Sect disciples were making preparations; instead, it was the disciples from the Emei and Taishan Sects who were greeting the guests.

Jiang Ning said, "They are all in the back room. My master and I have something to tell them. Since you're here now, there's no need to write to you later. You can go ahead now, and I'll be there soon."

"Huh? Oh."

Lin Pingzhi nodded upon hearing this, then bid farewell to Jiang Ning and headed towards the back hall.

Not long after Lin Pingzhi left, another person came over.

"Congratulations, Master Jiang."

At this moment, Chongxu walked over with a smile on his face.

Previously, Chongxu would address Jiang Ning as "Young Hero," but now he addresses Jiang Ning as "Real Person" just like everyone else.

"Thank you, Daoist Master."

Jiang Ning smiled and said, "I have other matters to attend to, please sit for a moment, Daoist."

"Please take care of yourself, sir."

Chongxu responded as well.

Watching Jiang Ning's departing figure, Chongxu's expression gradually became serious.

Unlike the others, Chongxu knew that Jiang Ning's succession ceremony had alarmed the person in the capital, who had already sent people to Mount Hua.

Chapter 758: The Disciples' Choice

Jiang Ning arrived at the back hall, where Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, Linghu Chong, and other Huashan disciples were waiting.

"Master and Mistress."

After entering, Jiang Ning first bowed to Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze.

Yue Buqun nodded.

"Now that you're here, let's begin."

"Yes."

Jiang Ning nodded, then turned to look at the crowd.

"Dear senior brothers and sisters, today is my succession ceremony, which is also a significant day for the reform of our Huashan Sect. I originally intended to inform you at the succession ceremony, but it is alright to tell you in advance now."

The Huashan disciples looked at each other, but no one spoke, and they listened attentively to what Jiang Ning would say next.

"From this day forward, the Huashan Sect will make changes."

Jiang Ning paused slightly, setting the tone before continuing, "Master also told us before that the founder of our Huashan Sect was Hao Datong, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen. Our Huashan Sect belongs to the Quanzhen lineage."

Jiang Ning then recounted how the Huashan Sect had undergone reforms.

"Now, my Huashan Sect will reaffirm the precepts of the Quanzhen School, and all disciples must become monks or nuns."

The Huashan disciples widened their eyes upon hearing this.

Before they could even be shocked, Jiang Ning continued.

"Of course, this is not mandatory; disciples who do not wish to become monks can become lay disciples."

Next, Jiang Ning explained the difference between ordained and lay disciples.

Upon hearing this, the disciples of Mount Hua all looked at each other in bewilderment.

They never expected the sect to undergo such a massive change.

Jiang Ning continued.

"In the future, the Huashan Sect will recruit more and more disciples, and Huashan will not be able to accommodate so many disciples. Huashan disciples who do not wish to become monks and only want to be lay disciples will need to live at the foot of the mountain. In the future, the Huashan Sect will also build a residence at the foot of the mountain for lay disciples to live in."

Upon hearing this, the disciples of Mount Hua looked at each other.

"Ning'er is right."

Yue Buqun stood up and said, "Your master, your mistress, Elder Feng, Elder Cheng, and I have discussed this matter and unanimously agreed."

Even Yue Buqun expressed his support and had no objections, so the Huashan disciples finally accepted it in silence.

Jiang Ning said after they had finished processing the news.

"Dear fellow disciples, our Huashan Sect is originally a Taoist sect. However, due to various reasons over the years, although the Huashan Sect has a Taoist background, there are no Taoist disciples within the sect. Therefore, the Huashan Sect must change."

Considering that the Huashan Sect already has so many disciples, and even hundreds of young disciples who haven't yet entered the sect, and that they might not be willing to become monks in the future, Jiang Ning made the change.

In the past, the Quanzhen School required its disciples to leave home and devote themselves to Taoist practice.

The disciples of Mount Hua looked at each other and then began to whisper among themselves.

"Do you want to become lay disciples or monks?"

"I want to become a lay disciple. I still want to get married like Lu Dayou. My mother often reminds me to leave an heir for the Zhao family."

"Then I want to become a monk."

"What about the eldest brother? Does he want to become a monk or a lay disciple?"

When his name was called, Linghu Chong immediately said to his fellow disciples, "Of course I want to be a lay disciple."

The other Huashan disciples glanced at Yue Lingshan beside them and nodded in understanding.

“That’s right. Senior Brother and Junior Sister Lingshan are engaged, so of course they won’t become monks.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd began to discuss it again.

A moment later, one of the Huashan disciples asked his question.

"But junior brother..."

The Huashan disciple who spoke looked at Jiang Ning.

"If we become lay disciples, does that mean we can't go to Mount Hua?"

"of course not."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning shook his head and said, "I have already prepared to make Chaoyang Peak a residence for the secular family."

In the future, the number of lay disciples of the Huashan Sect will increase, and it will be impossible for them all to live on the mountain, but it is also impossible for them all to live at the foot of the mountain. Jiang Ning plans to select a peak as the residence for the lay disciples, such as elders.

"Ah."

Yue Buqun nodded.

"I've made up my mind. After Ning'er becomes the sect leader, your master and I will move to Chaoyang Peak."

Although Yue Buqun is the sect leader, he is already married, so he is definitely not suitable to become a monk.

If he chooses to become a nun, he will have to separate from Ning Zhongze.

Although Ning Zhongze can be difficult to deal with at times, he still doesn't want to be separated from her.

Moreover, Yue Buqun had said that he would wait until he stepped down as the sect leader to take Ning Zhongze to travel the world and fulfill the promise he hadn't kept when they got married.

Not to mention that Yue Buqun will no longer be the sect leader after today.

Upon hearing Yue Buqun's plan, none of the Huashan disciples reacted much.

"Master, senior brother."

At this moment, Lin Pingzhi stepped forward and raised his question.

"Our generation of disciples can choose to become lay disciples or monastic disciples. What about those disciples who haven't yet entered the monastic order? If they reach the age for entry, will they directly enter the order or..."

Jiang Ning replied, "I have already considered this. Those who have already entered the sect, those who have not yet entered, and those who are not yet adults will not be selected. The sect will raise them until they reach the required age. They will be sent down the mountain to travel and explore. After they return, they can then choose whether to become monks or nuns."

If some disciples who have not yet entered the world leave home to become monks before their minds are settled, they will inevitably develop inner demons and go astray when they go down the mountain to travel and experience the seven emotions and six desires of the mortal world.

That's why Jiang Ning made such rules for the sect.

Moreover, it's not enough to simply be willing to become a monk; one must also be examined to see if one's personality and temperament are suitable.

Hearing Jiang Ning say this, Lin Pingzhi had no more doubts.

Actually, he was raising the issue for Jiang Ning in advance, because he was afraid that Jiang Ning might not have considered these things and it would cause unrest in the sect later.

As for whether he should become a lay disciple or a monk, Lin Pingzhi knew he would not become a monk.

He is the only bloodline of the Lin family, and he also needs to revitalize the family's escort business and continue the Lin family line.

He cannot become a monk.

After Lin Pingzhi had no further questions, the other Huashan disciples had no more doubts. They were all whispering among themselves, discussing their future choices.

At this moment, Du Lanyin turned pale and remained in shock for a long time.

"Junior Sister Du? Junior Sister Du!"

It took Qiaojun several calls to wake Du Lanyin.

"What's wrong, Senior Sister?"

Du Lanyin looked at her blankly.

Qiaojun looked pitiful and distressed.

If Du Lanyin had a sliver of hope before, now that sliver of hope is gone.

"nothing."

Qiaojun shook her head and asked Du Lanyin about her plans.

"What will you choose? Do you intend to become a lay disciple, or..."

Du Lanyin remained silent for a long time before confirming again.

"Does becoming a lay disciple mean I can no longer stay on the mountain?"

"Hmm...more or less."

Although Chaoyang Peak can accommodate lay disciples, it's obvious that it can't hold so many people.

Upon hearing this, Du Lanyin's expression dimmed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.