“ bù cuò ， zài guò sì shí jǐ nián ， fēn shén shì liàn jiù huì chóng xīn kāi shǐ le ， ér tiān xuán yǐ rán yǔn luò ， chú le zhè xìng lín de xiǎo jiā huo ， běn mén nǎ hái yǒu shén me hé shì de rén xuǎn ne ？” yín tóng shào nǚ tàn le yì kǒu qì de shuō 。
“不错，再过四十几年，分神试炼就会重新开始了，而天璇已然陨落，除了这姓林的小家伙，本门哪还有什么合适的人选呢？”银瞳少女叹了一口气的说。
"Good job. In another forty years, the trial of Spirit Separation will begin again. With Tianxuan already fallen, who else in our sect is suitable for this task?" said the silver-eyed girl with a sigh.
lóng xìng shào nián tīng le ， yě bù yóu de xiàn rù chén mò ， zì jǐ dāng chū lā lǒng lín xuān rù mén ， bù yě shì yǒu zhè ge chū zhōng de me ？
龙姓少年听了，也不由得陷入沉默，自己当初拉拢林轩入门，不也是有这个初衷的么？
The young man with the surname Long could not help but fall into silence. After all, hadn't he initially lured Lin Xuan to join the sect with this very intention?
yào xiǎo de ， xiān dào xīn kǔ ， ér xiū xiān de bā gè jìng jiè ， jìn jiē fēn shén qī yǔ qián miàn jǐ gè jìng jiè tū pò nà shì wán quán bù tóng de ， qí tā líng dān miào yào dōu méi yǒu xiào guǒ ， xiǎng yào jìn jí ， zhì shǎo yào yǒu yī lì fēn shén dān xiāng zhù ， fǒu zé bù guò shì shē wàng bà le 。
要晓得，仙道辛苦，而修仙的八个境界，进阶分神期与前面几个境界突破那是完全不同的，其他灵丹妙药都没有效果，想要晋级，至少要有一粒分神丹相助，否则不过是奢望罢了。
One must understand that cultivation was arduous, and advancing from the Foundation Establishment stage to Spirit Separation was entirely different from breaking through other stages. Without a Spirit Separation Pill, it would be nothing but wishful thinking.
zhèng rú shī jiě suǒ shuō ， běn mén dòng xuán qī xiū shì suī duō ， kě xiǎng xiǎng nà shì liàn de cán kù ， qí tā rén qù ， shí yǒu dōu bú huì yǒu hǎo jié guǒ
正如师姐所说，本门洞玄期修士虽多，可想想那试炼的残酷，其他人去，十有都不会有好结果
Just as his senior sister had said, while there were many Core Formation stage cultivators in the sect, considering the brutality of the trials, sending others would likely result in failure for most.
chú le lín xuān ， běn mén què shí méi yǒu gèng hé shì de rén xuǎn 。
除了林轩，本门确实没有更合适的人选。
Apart from Lin Xuan, no one else in the sect was truly suitable.
zhè yàng de xuǎn zé ， zì rán bù néng shuō yǒu cuò ， xiàn zài zhǐ néng qí dǎo ， lín xuān bú yào gū fù zì jǐ yǔ shī jiě de yī fān qī wàng le ， fǒu zé ， zì jǐ jué bú huì fàng guò tā de 。
这样的选择，自然不能说有错，现在只能祈祷，林轩不要辜负自己与师姐的一番期望了，否则，自己绝不会放过他的。
Such a choice could not be considered wrong. Now he could only pray that Lin Xuan did not disappoint his own and his senior sister's expectations; otherwise, there would be no leniency towards him.
ér zhè yī qiè ， lín xuān bìng bù xiǎo de ， lí kāi liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo de jū suǒ ， tā jiù zhí jiē huí jīn dān fēng le 。
而这一切，林轩并不晓得，离开两位太上长老的居所，他就直接回金丹峰了。
However, Lin Xuan was unaware of all this. After leaving the abode of the two Supreme Elders, he went straight back to the Golden Core Peak.
lín xuān fēi dé bìng bù xùn sù ， huí lái de tú zhōng ， dào yě pèng jiàn le bù shǎo běn mén de dì zǐ lái zhe ， yí gè gè ， jiē duì tā lù chū gōng jìng yǐ jí de shén sè 。
林轩飞得并不迅速，回来的途中，倒也碰见了不少本门的弟子来着，一个个，皆对他露出恭敬以极的神色。
Lin Xuan did not fly swiftly. On the way back, he encountered many sect disciples who greeted him with utmost respect.
zhè ， lín xuān dào yě méi yǒu tài zài yì ， xiǎng jǐ miè shā tiān xuán jiàn zūn de shì jì ， yǐ jīng zhuàn biàn le zhěng gè zōng mén zǒng duò ， ér xiū xiān zhě jìng wèi qiáng zhě ， yǒu nà me duō rén duì zì jǐ gōng jìng yě shì hěn zhèng cháng de 。
这，林轩倒也没有太在意，想己灭杀天璇剑尊的事迹，已经传遍了整个宗门总舵，而修仙者敬畏强者，有那么多人对自己恭敬也是很正常的。
He paid no mind to it; his exploits in slaying Tianxuan Sword Sage had already spread throughout the entire main hall of the sect. As cultivators revered strength, such reverence from so many was perfectly normal.
lín xuān rú cǐ zhè bān de xiǎng zhe 。
林轩如此这般的想着。
Lin Xuan thought thusly.
rán ér dào dá jīn dān fēng hòu ， tā què fā xiàn yǒu diǎn bú duì le 。
然而到达金丹峰后，他却发现有点不对了。
Upon arriving at the Golden Core Peak, he found something amiss.
yún yǐn zōng míng yì shàng shì wǔ mài bìng jià qí qū ， rán ér yóu yú qīng huáng bù jiē de yuán gù ， rú jīn de jīn dān fēng ， rén dīng dān bó ， měi yī nián rù mén de dì zǐ ， dà duō bèi qí tā sì mài fēn zǒu ， jīn dān fēng néng dé dào de ， bù guò shì yī xiē wāi guā liè zǎo bà le 。
云隐宗名义上是五脉并驾齐驱，然而由于青黄不接的缘故，如今的金丹峰，人丁单薄，每一年入门的弟子，大多被其他四脉分走，金丹峰能得到的，不过是一些歪瓜裂枣罢了。
The Cloud Concealment Sect nominally stood on equal footing with the other four major branches, but due to a shortage of new recruits, the Golden Core Peak now had few members. Most newcomers were taken by the other four branches, leaving only some inferior candidates for the Golden Core Peak.
suàn suàn ， jīn dān fēng shàng xià ， yě bù guò wàn yú xiū xiān zhě ， yǔ qí tā sì mài xiāng bǐ ， rén dīng nà shì fēi cháng de dān bó 。
算算，金丹峰上下，也不过万余修仙者，与其他四脉相比，人丁那是非常的单薄。
Counting up, there were no more than ten thousand cultivators in the entire peak. Compared to the other four major branches, their numbers were pitifully thin.
rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， lín xuān què fā xiàn běn fēng de xiū xiān zhě ， shí yǒu dōu jù jí zài shān jiǎo xià 。
然而此时此刻，林轩却发现本峰的修仙者，十有都聚集在山脚下。
However, upon arrival, he found that almost all of the peak's cultivators had gathered at the foot of the mountain.
“ nán dào chū le shén me biàn gù ？”
“难道出了什么变故？”
"Could something have happened?"
lín xuān bù yóu de yǎn jīng wēi mī ， liǎn shàng shǎn guò jǐ fēn chà yì 。
林轩不由得眼睛微眯，脸上闪过几分诧异。
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
zhè lǐ shì běn mén zǒng duò ， wài dí rù qīn dāng rán shì bù kě néng de ， fǒu zé yě bú huì zhǐ yǒu jīn dān fēng yī mài dì zǐ jù jí ， nán dào shuō ， shì yīn wèi zì jǐ shā le tiān jiàn fēng zhǔ ， gāi mài de dì zǐ lái tiāo shì me ？
这里是本门总舵，外敌入侵当然是不可能的，否则也不会只有金丹峰一脉弟子聚集，难道说，是因为自己杀了天剑峰主，该脉的弟子来挑事么？
This was the main hall of the sect; an external invasion was impossible. Otherwise, why would only one branch gather here? Could it be that these were the disciples from Sword Peak coming to stir up trouble because he had killed their peak master?
néng gòu xiǎng dào de ， yě jiù zhǐ yǒu zhè yí gè kě néng 。
能够想到的，也就只有这一个可能。
That was the only possibility he could think of.
lín xuān de biǎo qíng ， bù yóu de yīn mái xià qù ， tā kě bú shì rèn rén ná niē de ruǎn shì zi ， hé kuàng rú jīn yòu dé dào liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo de rèn kě ， shēn fèn dì wèi tí gāo le hěn duō ， tiān jiàn fēng xiū shì rú guǒ gǎn lái tiǎo xìn de huà ， zì jǐ jué méi yǒu tuì ràng yī shuō ， yí dìng huì ràng tā men chī bù liǎo ， dōu zhe zǒu de 。
林轩的表情，不由得阴霾下去，他可不是任人拿捏的软柿子，何况如今又得到两位太上长老的认可，身份地位提高了很多，天剑峰修士如果敢来挑衅的话，自己绝没有退让一说，一定会让他们吃不了，兜着走的。
Lin Xuan's expression darkened. He wasn't a soft target; with the recognition of two Supreme Elders, his status and position had significantly improved. If Sword Peak cultivators dared to provoke him, there would be no retreating; they would regret it.
lín xuān nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， jiāng shén shí fàng chū 。
林轩脑海中念头转过，将神识放出。
With thoughts racing through his mind, Lin Xuan released his divine sense.
yī sǎo zhī hòu ， biǎo qíng yuè fā gǔ guài le 。
一扫之后，表情越发古怪了。
After scanning, his expression grew even more peculiar.
jù jí zài shān jiǎo de chú le jīn dān fēng xiū shì ， què shí hái yǒu bù shǎo tiān jiàn fēng dì zǐ 。
聚集在山脚的除了金丹峰修士，确实还有不少天剑峰弟子。
Apart from the Golden Core Peak's cultivators, many disciples from Sword Peak were also gathered at the foot of the mountain.
cóng zhè ge jiǎo dù ， zì jǐ de tuī cè sì hū méi yǒu cuò ， rán ér chú le zhè liǎng mài de xiū xiān zhě ， shén qì 、 líng shòu 、 zhèn sān mài de xiū shì yě tóng yàng lái le bù shǎo de 。
从这个角度，自己的推测似乎没有错，然而除了这两脉的修仙者，神器、灵兽、阵三脉的修士也同样来了不少的。
From this angle, his speculation seemed correct. However, in addition to these two branches, cultivators from the other three major branches—Spiritual Artifact, Spirit Beast, and Formation—were also present in large numbers.
zhè shì zěn me huí shì ？
这是怎么回事？
What was going on?
zì jǐ kě méi yǒu dé zuì nà sān mài de xiū xiān zhě ， tā men pǎo lái zhè lǐ zuò shén me ？
自己可没有得罪那三脉的修仙者，他们跑来这里做什么？
He hadn't wronged those three branches; why were they here?
lín xuān dà gǎn yí huò ， yǐn yuē jué de shì qíng kǒng pà méi yǒu zì jǐ xiǎng xiàng de nà me jiǎn dān ， bù guò tā de liǎn shàng zì rán bú huì yǒu shén me wèi jù zhī sè ， fǎn ér xī le kǒu qì ， jiā sù fēi xiàng le nà lǐ 。
林轩大感疑惑，隐约觉得事情恐怕没有自己想象的那么简单，不过他的脸上自然不会有什么畏惧之色，反而吸了口气，加速飞向了那里。
Lin Xuan felt puzzled, sensing that things might be more complicated than he imagined. However, his face showed no signs of fear. Instead, he took a deep breath and sped up towards the gathering.
hěn kuài jiù dào le ， lín xuān dùn guāng yī huǎn ， jiàng luò xià lái 。
很快就到了，林轩遁光一缓，降落下来。
Soon, he arrived. Lin Xuan slowed down and descended.
“ cān jiàn fēng zhǔ ！”
“参见峰主！”
"Salutations, Peak Master!"
zhěng qí de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suí hòu yǎn qián de jīn dān fēng dì zǐ ， qí shuā shuā de guì xià qù le 。
整齐的声音传入耳朵，随后眼前的金丹峰弟子，齐刷刷的跪下去了。
A unified voice entered his ears, followed by the sect disciples from Golden Core Peak kneeling down in unison.
“ cān jiàn shī zǔ 。”
“参见师祖。”
"Salutations, Senior Ancestor."
qí tā sì mài de dì zǐ yě fēn fēn xíng lǐ ， biǎo qíng gōng jìng yǐ jí 。
其他四脉的弟子也纷纷行礼，表情恭敬以极。
The disciples from the other four major branches also bowed, their expressions extremely respectful.
“ nǐ men zhè shì gàn shén me ？” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn chà yì zhī sè 。
“你们这是干什么？”林轩脸上露出几分诧异之色。
"Why are you all here?" Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of surprise.
“ gōng xǐ shī shū ， hè xǐ shī shū ， zhí zhǎng yún yǐn lìng ， běn mài dì zǐ yǔ yǒu róng yān ， tè yì lái dào cǐ dì ， shì xiàng shī shū dào xǐ 。”
“恭喜师叔，贺喜师叔，执掌云隐令，本脉弟子与有荣焉，特意来到此地，是像师叔道喜。”
"Congratulations to Uncle Junior! We're here to congratulate you on taking up the Cloud Concealment Order. Our branch is honored by this, and we've come especially to wish you well."
yī fāng liǎn xiū shì yuè zhòng ér chū ， cǐ rén shì jīn dān fēng lí hé hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， yě shì wèi lái zuì hòu kě néng tū pò dòng xuán de yí gè 。
一方脸修士越众而出，此人是金丹峰离合后期的修仙者，也是未来最后可能突破洞玄的一个。
A cultivator from Golden Core Peak stepped forward through the crowd. He was an advanced-stage Separation stage cultivator who might be the last one to break through to Core Formation.
“ nǐ men jù jí zài zhè lǐ ， jiù shì wèi le xiàng wǒ hè xǐ ， nà zhè xiē rén ne ？” lín xuān huí guò tóu lú ， wàng xiàng yī páng qí tā sì mài de xiū xiān zhě 。
“你们聚集在这里，就是为了像我贺喜，那这些人呢？”林轩回过头颅，望向一旁其他四脉的修仙者。
"Why are you all here just for congratulations? What about these people?" Lin Xuan turned his head and looked at the other four major branches' cultivators.
“ qǐ bǐng shī shū ， wǒ men yě shì lái hè xǐ de ， ér qiě yù bèi le lǐ wù 。” yī míng tiān jiàn fēng de lí hé qī xiū shì yě kāi kǒu le ， cǐ rén kàn shàng qù yǐ qī lǎo bā shí ， cí méi shàn mù ， biǎo qíng gèng shì gōng jìng dào jí chù 。
“启禀师叔，我们也是来贺喜的，而且预备了礼物。”一名天剑峰的离合期修士也开口了，此人看上去已七老八十，慈眉善目，表情更是恭敬到极处。
"We're also here to congratulate Uncle Junior, and we've prepared gifts," a Separation stage cultivator from Sword Peak spoke up. He appeared old, with kind eyes, showing extreme respect.
“ bù cuò ， wǒ men dōu shì lái hè xǐ de 。”
“不错，我们都是来贺喜的。”
"Indeed, we are all here to congratulate you."
shén qì 、 líng shòu 、 zhèn sān mài de xiū shì yě dōu fēn fēn kāi kǒu le 。
神器、灵兽、阵三脉的修士也都纷纷开口了。
The cultivators from Spiritual Artifact, Spirit Beast, and Formation branches also spoke up.
zhè bǎ lín xuān yě nòng dé yī zhèn mí huò ， zú zú xún wèn le xiǎo bàn gè shí chén de fū ， cái zhōng yú nòng qīng chǔ liǎo shì qíng de shǐ mò 。
这把林轩也弄得一阵迷惑，足足询问了小半个时辰的夫，才终于弄清楚了事情的始末。
This left Lin Xuan confused. After questioning for nearly half an hour, he finally understood the situation.
yuán lái ， lín xuān liú zài míng tiān huàn jìng ， xiàng liǎng wèi shī shū qǐng jiào xiū liàn xīn dé de shí hòu ， nà yín tóng shào nǚ ， jiù yǐ chuán xià yù ， xiàng quán pài xuān bù lín xuān zhí zhǎng yún yǐn lìng zhī shì 。
原来，林轩留在明天幻镜，像两位师叔请教修炼心得的时候，那银瞳少女，就已传下谕，像全派宣布林轩执掌云隐令之事。
It turned out that when Lin Xuan stayed in the Illusory Mirror of Tomorrow to seek advice from his senior uncles on cultivation techniques, the silver-eyed girl had already issued a decree announcing his assumption of the Cloud Concealment Order.
dùn shí ， jǔ pài wèi zhī cè mù 。
顿时，举派为之侧目。
The entire sect was taken aback.
yún yǐn lìng yì wèi zhe shén me ， běn mén xiū shì yòu qǐ huì bù xiǎo de ， rú cǐ yī lái ， lín xuān de dì wèi jiù jǐn xùn yú liǎng wèi shī shū ， duì chú le wǔ mài fēng zhǔ de xiū shì ， jiē kě shēng shā yǔ duó 。
云隐令意味着什么，本门修士又岂会不晓得，如此一来，林轩的地位就仅逊于两位师叔，对除了五脉峰主的修士，皆可生杀予夺。
What did the Cloud Concealment Order mean? The sect cultivators knew all too well. Thus, Lin Xuan's status was now second only to his senior uncles; he could command life and death over other cultivators except for the five peak masters.
míng fù qí shí de yún yǐn zōng dì sān rén le 。
名副其实的云隐宗第三人了。
He had become the third most important person in the Cloud Concealment Sect in name and reality.
yuán běn ， lín xuān yǔ tiān xuán jiàn zūn yī zhàn ， gè mài de dòng xuán qī xiū shì jiù qīn yǎn mù dǔ ， nà yī cháng shèng fù ， bù jǐn ràng lín xuān yíng dé le zǐ xīn dì huǒ ， ér qiě yě yǒu zhe lì wēi de xiào guǒ 。
原本，林轩与天璇剑尊一战，各脉的洞玄期修士就亲眼目睹，那一场胜负，不仅让林轩赢得了紫心地火，而且也有着立威的效果。
Originally, when Lin Xuan fought with Tianxuan Sword Sage, many Core Formation stage cultivators from various branches witnessed his victory. Not only did he win the Purple Heart Earth Fire, but it also served as a demonstration of power.
tài shàng zhǎng lǎo zhè yī xuān bù ， dùn shí ràng běn jiù fēng tou wú liǎng de lín xuān bǎi chǐ gān tóu ， gè fēng gè mài bù jǐn sī háo fǎn duì zhī yì yě wú ， fǎn ér dōu jìng xiāng pǎo lái shì hǎo le 。
太上长老这一宣布，顿时让本就风头无两的林轩百尺竿头，各峰各脉不仅丝毫反对之意也无，反而都竞相跑来示好了。
With the Supreme Elders' announcement, Lin Xuan's already prominent position soared even higher. The peaks and major branches showed no opposition; instead, they vied to show their goodwill by sending gifts.
shèn zhì lián tiān jiàn fēng yě bù néng miǎn sú ， suī shuō tiān xuán jiàn zūn shì sǐ yú lín xuān zhī shǒu ， kě tā sǐ dōu sǐ le ， nán dào hái zhǐ wàng qí tā rén wéi le yí gè sǐ rén ， qù dé zuì rú rì zhōng tiān de lín xuān me ？
甚至连天剑峰也不能免俗，虽说天璇剑尊是死于林轩之手，可他死都死了，难道还指望其他人为了一个死人，去得罪如日中天的林轩么？
Even Sword Peak could not avoid this. Although Tianxuan Sword Sage had died at his hands, he was dead. Could anyone expect others to risk offending the rising star that was Lin Xuan for a deceased person?
shí shí wù zhě wéi jùn jié ， zhè ge dào lǐ ， nà xiē huó le jǐ wàn nián de lǎo guài wù yòu qǐ huì bù xiǎo de 。
识时务者为俊杰，这个道理，那些活了几万年的老怪物又岂会不晓得。
Pragmatists were wise, and these ancient monsters understood this principle well.
dāng rán ， zuò wéi dòng xuán qī xiū xiān zhě ， tā men hái shì bù hǎo yì sī qīn zì shàng mén de ， yú shì jiù pài qiǎn xīn fù dì zǐ ， duì lín xuān biǎo shì zhù hè ， bìng sòng shàng gè zhǒng gè yàng de bǎo wù 。
当然，作为洞玄期修仙者，他们还是不好意思亲自上门的，于是就派遣心腹弟子，对林轩表示祝贺，并送上各种各样的宝物。
Of course, as Core Formation stage cultivators, they still felt awkward about making personal visits, so they sent their trusted disciples to congratulate him with various treasures.
lín xuān kě wèi zhì shǒu kě rè ， ér jīn dān fēng de dì zǐ ， gèng duì tā chóng bài dào jí chù ， zhè yě shì nán guài de ， yào xiǎo de ， zhè jǐ bǎi nián ， jīn dān fēng yóu yú qīng huáng bù jiē de yuán gù ， yì zhí zài mén nèi bǎo shòu pái jǐ ， lián dài gāi fēng de xiū shì ， yǔ qí tā sì mài xiāng bǐ ， sì hū yě dī rén yī děng de yàng zi 。
林轩可谓炙手可热，而金丹峰的弟子，更对他崇拜到极处，这也是难怪的，要晓得，这几百年，金丹峰由于青黄不接的缘故，一直在门内饱受排挤，连带该峰的修士，与其他四脉相比，似乎也低人一等的样子。
Lin Xuan was now in high demand, and the Golden Core Peak's disciples adored him to no end. It was understandable; after all, for centuries, due to a lack of new recruits, the Golden Core Peak had been marginalized within the sect, making its cultivators seem inferior compared to those from the other four major branches.
kě yǐ shuō ， shòu jǐn le bái yǎn xī luò ， yǒu hǎo shì yě cháng cháng bèi bō duó ， shuí ràng tā men méi yǒu zhǎng bèi zuò zhǔ ， xiū xiān jiè xiàng lái jiù shì zhè me cán kù 。
可以说，受尽了白眼奚落，有好事也常常被剥夺，谁让他们没有长辈做主，修仙界向来就是这么残酷。
They had endured countless slights and were often denied good opportunities. Who could blame them when they lacked influential elders? The cultivation world was always harsh.
rán ér sān shí nián hé dōng ， sān shí nián hé xī ， lín xuān de jīng rén zhī jǔ ， què ràng gāi mài xiū shì yáng méi tǔ qì ， lián tiān xuán jiàn zūn yě yǔn luò zài fēng zhǔ shǒu zhōng ， jiù píng zhè yì diǎn ， yě ràng gāi mài xiū shì yī tǔ xiōng zhōng zhuó qì ， gèng bú yào shuō ， tài shàng zhǎng lǎo chuán xià yù ， ràng fēng zhǔ zhí zhǎng yún yǐn lìng 。
然而三十年河东，三十年河西，林轩的惊人之举，却让该脉修士扬眉吐气，连天璇剑尊也陨落在峰主手中，就凭这一点，也让该脉修士一吐胸中浊气，更不要说，太上长老传下谕，让峰主执掌云隐令。
However, times changed, and Lin Xuan's remarkable actions brought glory back to his branch. With Tianxuan Sword Sage falling at the hands of the peak master, this alone allowed the branch cultivators to vent their frustration. And with the Supreme Elders' decree, he would now hold the Cloud Concealment Order.
yuán běn chù chù shòu qì de jīn dān fēng dì zǐ ， zì rán duì lín xuān chóng bài jí le 。
原本处处受气的金丹峰弟子，自然对林轩崇拜极了。
The once marginalized Golden Core Peak disciples naturally adored Lin Xuan even more.
PS： dì èr gèng ， jīn tiān huì bào fā 9000 zì de ， qiú yuè piào ！
PS：第二更，今天会爆发9000字的，求月票！
PS: Second update for today; I'll be posting 9000 words! Please vote for monthly passes!
"Good job. In another forty years, the trial of Spirit Separation will begin again. With Tianxuan already fallen, who else in our sect is suitable for this task?" said the silver-eyed girl with a sigh.
The young man with the surname Long could not help but fall into silence. After all, hadn't he initially lured Lin Xuan to join the sect with this very intention?
One must understand that cultivation was arduous, and advancing from the Foundation Establishment stage to Spirit Separation was entirely different from breaking through other stages. Without a Spirit Separation Pill, it would be nothing but wishful thinking.
Just as his senior sister had said, while there were many Core Formation stage cultivators in the sect, considering the brutality of the trials, sending others would likely result in failure for most.
Apart from Lin Xuan, no one else in the sect was truly suitable.
Such a choice could not be considered wrong. Now he could only pray that Lin Xuan did not disappoint his own and his senior sister's expectations; otherwise, there would be no leniency towards him.
...
However, Lin Xuan was unaware of all this. After leaving the abode of the two Supreme Elders, he went straight back to the Golden Core Peak.
Lin Xuan did not fly swiftly. On the way back, he encountered many sect disciples who greeted him with utmost respect.
He paid no mind to it; his exploits in slaying Tianxuan Sword Sage had already spread throughout the entire main hall of the sect. As cultivators revered strength, such reverence from so many was perfectly normal.
Lin Xuan thought thusly.
Upon arriving at the Golden Core Peak, he found something amiss.
The Cloud Concealment Sect nominally stood on equal footing with the other four major branches, but due to a shortage of new recruits, the Golden Core Peak now had few members. Most newcomers were taken by the other four branches, leaving only some inferior candidates for the Golden Core Peak.
Counting up, there were no more than ten thousand cultivators in the entire peak. Compared to the other four major branches, their numbers were pitifully thin.
However, upon arrival, he found that almost all of the peak's cultivators had gathered at the foot of the mountain.
"Could something have happened?"
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
This was the main hall of the sect; an external invasion was impossible. Otherwise, why would only one branch gather here? Could it be that these were the disciples from Sword Peak coming to stir up trouble because he had killed their peak master?
That was the only possibility he could think of.
Lin Xuan's expression darkened. He wasn't a soft target; with the recognition of two Supreme Elders, his status and position had significantly improved. If Sword Peak cultivators dared to provoke him, there would be no retreating; they would regret it.
With thoughts racing through his mind, Lin Xuan released his divine sense.
After scanning, his expression grew even more peculiar.
Apart from the Golden Core Peak's cultivators, many disciples from Sword Peak were also gathered at the foot of the mountain.
From this angle, his speculation seemed correct. However, in addition to these two branches, cultivators from the other three major branches—Spiritual Artifact, Spirit Beast, and Formation—were also present in large numbers.
What was going on?
He hadn't wronged those three branches; why were they here?
Lin Xuan felt puzzled, sensing that things might be more complicated than he imagined. However, his face showed no signs of fear. Instead, he took a deep breath and sped up towards the gathering.
Soon, he arrived. Lin Xuan slowed down and descended.
"Salutations, Peak Master!"
A unified voice entered his ears, followed by the sect disciples from Golden Core Peak kneeling down in unison.
"Salutations, Senior Ancestor."
The disciples from the other four major branches also bowed, their expressions extremely respectful.
"Why are you all here?" Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of surprise.
"Congratulations to Uncle Junior! We're here to congratulate you on taking up the Cloud Concealment Order. Our branch is honored by this, and we've come especially to wish you well."
A cultivator from Golden Core Peak stepped forward through the crowd. He was an advanced-stage Separation stage cultivator who might be the last one to break through to Core Formation.
"Why are you all here just for congratulations? What about these people?" Lin Xuan turned his head and looked at the other four major branches' cultivators.
"We're also here to congratulate Uncle Junior, and we've prepared gifts," a Separation stage cultivator from Sword Peak spoke up. He appeared old, with kind eyes, showing extreme respect.
"Indeed, we are all here to congratulate you."
The cultivators from Spiritual Artifact, Spirit Beast, and Formation branches also spoke up.
This left Lin Xuan confused. After questioning for nearly half an hour, he finally understood the situation.
It turned out that when Lin Xuan stayed in the Illusory Mirror of Tomorrow to seek advice from his senior uncles on cultivation techniques, the silver-eyed girl had already issued a decree announcing his assumption of the Cloud Concealment Order.
The entire sect was taken aback.
What did the Cloud Concealment Order mean? The sect cultivators knew all too well. Thus, Lin Xuan's status was now second only to his senior uncles; he could command life and death over other cultivators except for the five peak masters.
He had become the third most important person in the Cloud Concealment Sect in name and reality.
Originally, when Lin Xuan fought with Tianxuan Sword Sage, many Core Formation stage cultivators from various branches witnessed his victory. Not only did he win the Purple Heart Earth Fire, but it also served as a demonstration of power.
With the Supreme Elders' announcement, Lin Xuan's already prominent position soared even higher. The peaks and major branches showed no opposition; instead, they vied to show their goodwill by sending gifts.
Even Sword Peak could not avoid this. Although Tianxuan Sword Sage had died at his hands, he was dead. Could anyone expect others to risk offending the rising star that was Lin Xuan for a deceased person?
Pragmatists were wise, and these ancient monsters understood this principle well.
Of course, as Core Formation stage cultivators, they still felt awkward about making personal visits, so they sent their trusted disciples to congratulate him with various treasures.
Lin Xuan was now in high demand, and the Golden Core Peak's disciples adored him to no end. It was understandable; after all, for centuries, due to a lack of new recruits, the Golden Core Peak had been marginalized within the sect, making its cultivators seem inferior compared to those from the other four major branches.
They had endured countless slights and were often denied good opportunities. Who could blame them when they lacked influential elders? The cultivation world was always harsh.
However, times changed, and Lin Xuan's remarkable actions brought glory back to his branch. With Tianxuan Sword Sage falling at the hands of the peak master, this alone allowed the branch cultivators to vent their frustration. And with the Supreme Elders' decree, he would now hold the Cloud Concealment Order.
The once marginalized Golden Core Peak disciples naturally adored Lin Xuan even more.
PS: Second update for today; I'll be posting 9000 words! Please vote for monthly passes!