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

Jiangning!

Jie Feng gritted his teeth and thought to himself.

But no matter how much Xie Feng hated Jiang Ning, he had no way out at this moment.

"Alright, Elder Xie, you may leave now."

Yang Lianting instructed, "As for those people you brought, they shall be under your command."

"Thank you, Chief Steward."

Jie Feng respectfully withdrew.

After Xie Feng left, Yang Lianting went to Dongfang Bubai's residence and found that Dongfang Bubai was practicing martial arts, which was quite unusual for him.

"What are you doing...?"

Yang Lianting was surprised.

At this moment, the garden was filled with phantom images of Dongfang Bubai, some real and some illusory, making it impossible for Yang Lianting to discern which one was Dongfang Bubai's true form.

At this moment, Dongfang Bubai also noticed Yang Lianting's arrival. The many illusory figures in the garden stopped abruptly and then slowly dissipated, leaving only one figure remaining.

"You've arrived?"

Dongfang Bubai laughed.

"Ah."

Yang Lianting nodded and asked, "Why did you suddenly start practicing martial arts?"

In the past, whenever he saw Dongfang Bubai, he only saw the other party embroidering with a needle.

This was the first time he had ever seen Dongfang Bubai practice his martial arts.

Dongfang Bubai laughed.

"Naturally, it's for the decisive battle with Jiangning ten months from now."

Yang Lianting's expression changed slightly.

Do you think he can catch up with you in such a short time?

Ever since learning that Dongfang Bubai had already broken through to the Innate Realm, Yang Lianting had had great confidence in Dongfang Bubai. Now, hearing that Dongfang Bubai valued Jiang Ning so much, he couldn't help but change color.

In his opinion, Jiang Ning was far too young.

"Some people's martial arts skills cannot be measured by age, just as their growth rate cannot be measured by age."

Dongfang Bubai remained calm.

Although Jiang Ning had only recently entered the Innate Realm, Dongfang Bubai believed that with Jiang Ning's growth rate, even a year would be enough for him to close the gap between them. Therefore, Dongfang Bubai was very much looking forward to the final battle. He wanted to fight in his best condition so that he would have no regrets.

Hearing Dongfang Bubai say this, Yang Lianting, who had been feeling smug since returning from Mount Hua, couldn't help but feel anxious.

"Oh, right."

Dongfang Bubai stopped mentioning the matter and instead looked at Yang Lianting with a smile, "You seem to be in a good mood, what's wrong?"

Yang Lianting then revealed that Xie Feng had sought refuge with him.

"Does it help with wind?"

Dongfang Bubai listened quietly.

"This man's martial arts skills are not bad. It is an honor for him to work under your command. Let's just accept him."

Upon hearing Dongfang Bubai's words, Yang Lianting couldn't help but show a hint of excitement on his face.

Yang Lianting had always been extremely wary of Tong Baixiong. Although he now possessed the Three Corpse Brain God Pill and its antidote, Tong Baixiong had not taken the pill, nor did Yang Lianting dare to force his subordinates to take it.

During this period, Tong Baixiong held great power and prestige within the sect, which seriously threatened Yang Lianting's position. Yang Lianting was also eager to recruit some powerful subordinates, and the arrival of Jie Feng was a great help to him, especially since Jie Feng brought many people with him.

Dongfang Bubai looked at him at this moment.

"Brother Lian."

Suddenly called by name, Yang Lianting composed himself and replied, "What is it?"

"I plan to pass the leadership of the sect to you after my decisive battle with Jiang Ning."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Lianting's eyes widened and his heart pounded.

Although he had long known that Dongfang Bubai no longer wanted to be the leader and even had the idea of ​​passing the leadership to him, Yang Lianting still couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement when the position actually came to pass.

"I see."

Despite being extremely excited, Yang Lianting suppressed his emotions and tried his best to appear calm.

Dongfang Bubai looked at him, his gaze softening.

He knew the situation within the sect perfectly well. Yang Lianting was cruel and had low martial arts skills. The sect members both feared and disobeyed him, so he was really not a suitable candidate to be the next sect leader.

On the other hand, Tong Baixiong had fought his way up from the bottom of the sect, accumulating numerous military achievements and a great reputation. Most of the sect members respected him, making him an excellent candidate for sect leader.

But he is not Lian Di after all.

Dongfang Bubai thought to himself.

Dongfang Bubai was well aware that if he won the final battle with Jiang Ning, there would be no dissent within the cult even if he wanted to appoint Yang Lianting as the next leader. However, if he lost, everything would be nothing but a dream.

However, Dongfang Bubai did not voice his thoughts at this moment.

Seeing Yang Lianting's barely concealed excitement, Dongfang Bubai stared at him intently.

……

January.

By the end of January, Chongxu had not received a reply from the old Taoist priest who had been sent to the capital. Instead, he heard that they had already returned.

"What's going on? Weren't you protecting His Majesty? Why are you back?"

Chongxu frowned and asked.

One of the seven returning Taoist priests said, "Sect Leader, Feng Buping and Cheng Buyou from the Huashan Sect have already entered the capital. They are now protecting His Majesty, so we have returned."

"what?"

Chongxu was taken aback for a moment, but then suddenly realized.

Given the relationship between Jiang Ning and Zhu Houzhao, it was not surprising, but rather quite normal, that two members of the Huashan Sect would go to the capital to protect Zhu Houzhao.

"His Majesty said he no longer needs your protection?"

Chongxu asked the question.

"No."

An old Taoist priest spoke up: "His Majesty said that we have not returned to the sect for a long time, and this time we have come back to convey His Majesty's words to the sect leader."

"What does His Majesty mean?"

Chongxu frowned.

If Zhu Houzhao had issued an imperial edict, eunuchs would have come to Wudang Mountain. However, sending these old Taoist priests to deliver the message clearly meant it was only for his ears.

"What?"

Chongxu listened attentively.

The seven old Taoist priests then told Chongxu what Zhu Houzhao had told them earlier.

After listening to the old Taoist priests relay Zhu Houzhao's words to him, Chongxu fell silent for a moment.

"Master."

At this moment, an old Taoist priest spoke up and looked over into the void.

"In my humble opinion, what Your Majesty said may not be untrue. Master Jiang is probably a true martial artist descended to earth."

The old Taoist priest said.

Chongxu looked at the other old Taoist priests.

"You think so too?"

Chongxu asked the question.

"Sect Leader, what we think is no longer important."

An old Taoist priest shook his head and said, "The important thing is that His Majesty has already bestowed the title of Demon-Subduing Heavenly Venerable upon Jiang Ning in front of the whole world, which is an unchangeable fact."

Chapter 775: Emerging from Seclusion

"good."

Another old Taoist priest chimed in.

“A ruler’s word is law. His Majesty’s words carry the weight of the throne and he would not lie. Since His Majesty says that this was Emperor Taizong’s dream of Your Majesty, then it is certainly true.”

"Now that the events in Jiangning are a fait accompli, the important question is what we, Wudang, should do?"

Chongxu remained silent, lost in thought.

"Sect Leader, we cannot afford to be enemies with Jiang Ning now, nor can we afford the slightest unpleasantness, otherwise it will be detrimental to Wudang."

An old Taoist priest offered some advice.

Chongxu gave a bitter smile.

He dares to do that.

He knew, of course, that Wudang was no match for Jiangning's current power, let alone that Wudang couldn't compete with it.

What? Don't you Wudang people venerate the True Martial Emperor? Now that the reincarnation of the True Martial Emperor is standing before you, it's one thing not to kneel and worship, but to actually betray your master and ancestors?

If Wudang were to truly rebel in anger, it would not only offend Jiangning and Huashan Sects, but also anger the emperor.

"Ugh."

Chongxu let out a long sigh.