Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Sect Leader's Hall
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Deep within the serene mountain gate, symbolizing the pure Dao path of the Radiant Moon Sect, a clear stream bubbled gently. Following its source led to the main peak, Heavenly Wall Peak.
Clouds clung to Heavenly Wall Peak, making it look as if it wore a white scarf.
Atop the peak stood a simple, unadorned building.
The Radiant Moon Sect's Sect Leader's Hall.
Here, the sect master, Venerable Hunwon Jeon Mu-geuk, had gathered like-minded elders for a meeting.
The sect's brightest stars were assembled: at the head, the sect leader himself, flanked by elders from Jade Maiden Peak and Absolute Ground Peak.
They were discussing the sect's future and its affairs.
In the midst of this,
Elder Geum from Absolute Ground Peak spoke up with a grave expression. As someone brought in from outside, he was forthright and unreserved on any matter concerning the sect.
"Our Radiant Moon Sect is in decline. It's splintered into factions, rife with internal strife. Take this recent incident— a Single Spiritual Root cultivator entered our main sect. Even if we couldn't make him an inner disciple right away, we should have at least assigned him a proper master."
Elder Geum shouted as if the mere thought enraged him. Yi Yuk-gyeong, the Single Spiritual Root cultivator, was the disciple he had personally selected and brought to the main sect. It was only natural that he was furious over the poor treatment Yuk-gyeong was receiving.
Elder Geum continued.
"Has everyone forgotten that it's been centuries since the last Single Spiritual Root cultivator entered the Radiant Moon Sect? We simply weren't prepared to receive one."
No one contradicted Elder Geum's words.
Even the sect leader, who knew everything, kept silent and simply observed.
The other elders were fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
The appearance of a Single Spiritual Root cultivator was a blessing to any sect. If the sect fully supported their cultivation, such individuals stood on the path to lofty realms.
But what was the current situation?
The Single Spiritual Root cultivator wasn't receiving proper treatment— he was being persecuted instead.
Vice Elder had stepped in to protect the boy, but who knew when another injustice might occur?
At that moment, another elder asked,
"I heard the Single Spiritual Root cultivator went out recently. What were they thinking, allowing him to leave?"
Another elder replied,
"There's an elder at Ten Lakes. As long as that one is watching over Ten Lakes, no one can touch the boy."
The elder of Ten Lakes.
That was the reason Yuk-gyeong could venture out without issue.
Just what kind of elder could protect Yi Yuk-gyeong, a Single Spiritual Root cultivator coveted even by other sects?
The elders in the Sect Leader's Hall nodded as if they fully trusted that elder.
But one person stepped forward to raise an objection.
"Everyone knows that elder sleeps a lot. What if something happens to the boy while they're napping?"
"That elder knows full well what's important. Are you suggesting otherwise— doubting them?"
"Of course not..."
Elder Geum, who had brought Yuk-gyeong, spoke again. This time, his words touched on a more sensitive topic.
"Why have we ignored the existence of a Single Spiritual Root cultivator all this time despite knowing about it? It's all because of the Jang Clan, isn't it?"
The Jang Clan.
The clan that had produced two Core Formation elders in the sect and even served one of the Supreme Elders in the Elder Council as a foster son. They were a major force in the sect, pouring their passion into nurturing their own clan's Single Spiritual Root cultivator and brilliant inner disciples. They held significant influence in the Radiant Moon Sect.
What clan wouldn't seek power in the cultivation world? The Radiant Moon Sect was an ancient main sect with deep history. Over such long ages, it was only natural for family clans to form among its members.
Indeed, besides the Jang Clan, there were smaller bloodlines— a natural occurrence.
Once Elder Geum broached the topic of the Jang Clan, the other elders chimed in one after another.
"The Jang Clan's arrogance has reached its peak. They're openly saying they should funnel resources to their own clan's Single Spiritual Root cultivator."
"Even if he's one of the sect's only two Single Spiritual Root cultivators, they're already receiving plenty of resources. The Jang Clan's greed is excessive."
"Does the Jang Clan truly care for the main sect? They're only looking out for their own clansmen."
The sect leader and elders gathered here already viewed the Jang Clan's actions as excessive, so their criticisms were somewhat exaggerated.
Still, it was well-known that they favored their clansmen and took more than their share of sect resources.
Elder Geum went a step further.
"Unless some superhuman drops from the heavens, the Radiant Moon Sect is doomed to fade into the annals of history. It's as clear as day."
The elders drew in sharp breaths at Elder Geum's words.
Talk of the sect collapsing could easily be seen as the crime of slandering the foundation, potentially leading to execution.
But Elder Geum was the type to speak his mind. If he thought it, he said it.
One elder pointed accusingly at Elder Geum and retorted.
"With all the history the Radiant Moon Sect possesses, how dare you spout such nonsense about it vanishing? Are you even an elder?"
The iron-faced Elder Geum met the accusing elder's gaze with his usual stoic expression, while the other elder stood ramrod straight, refusing to yield.
As the two Core Formation elders clashed auras, the Sect Leader's Hall trembled with a low droning hum.
When the standoff escalated, the sect leader, who had been watching silently, intervened to calm things.
"Haha, let's not let tempers flare too hot. We're all speaking for the sect's sake, so hold back. We can't just hear what we want to hear."
Only then did the two elders withdraw their auras directed at each other.
The momentum that had shaken the hall vanished as if washed away. Both were elders whose aura control at Core Formation was near perfection.
Elder Geum spoke in a softer tone.
"He's a Single Spiritual Root cultivator. Every elder here wants him. They're only holding back due to faction balances— the moment that equilibrium breaks, anyone will make a move. Doesn't even the sect leader want the Single Spiritual Root cultivator?"
"Ahem, ahem."
"The sect leader is busy enough with sect leader duties. Do you have the spare time to take on another disciple?"
"Spare time can be made... I understand. What are those looks? By hierarchy, I have no business taking him as a disciple anyway."
And rightly so— a sect leader's direct disciple was elder-rank in status. True elders couldn't treat him lightly, even if he couldn't match them.
Taking the newly initiated Yuk-gyeong as a disciple would tangle the hierarchy.
Not that Yuk-gyeong lacked the qualifications...
Righteous cultivation sects tended to avoid hierarchy issues. Demonic sects wouldn't care about such things, of course.
But those places ignored hierarchy because they ignored pretty much everything else too— which was the problem.
"What about this disciple Yi Yuk-gyeong? Is he adapting well to the main sect?"
"His Single Spiritual Root aptitude goes without saying, and his character is exemplary. He won the sparring tournament without growing arrogant, doesn't bully others, and even with someone he once called senior now at a lower realm, he doesn't insist on reversing titles. That's a plus for following sect rules."
Another elder added,
"His patience is remarkable too. He endured the Jang Clan's persecution without a single complaint."
It was because he had no one to complain to, but still, Yuk-gyeong hadn't uttered a peep.
In a righteous immortal sect, character and forbearance were vital virtues.
What was the Dao? What was immortality?
It was endurance, quiet perseverance, and steadfastness.
To the elders, Yuk-gyeong fit all these perfectly.
Then one elder interrupted, throwing cold water.
"What about his cultivation realm? No matter how good or kind he is, without the realm to back it up, he's useless. In the cultivation world, realm is everything."
"Is that how an elder of a righteous sect should speak? Ahem. Disciple Yi Yuk-gyeong is currently at Response Qi 8th Star— and he reached it in just one week, which is already famous."
"Response Qi 8th Star in one week? Such a genius?"
"Response Qi 8th Star."
"Response Qi 8th Star in a single week? Is that even possible growth?"
"Elder Mok, how long did it take you to reach Response Qi 8th Star after starting cultivation? Two years? This kid did it in a week."
The elders' murmurs grew louder.
Elder Geum added a word.
"Reaching Response Qi 8th Star in one week is a devastating pace. He's not even a Pure Yang Body, so achieving that means his talent is exceptional."
"Hmph, is Response Qi 8th Star impressive? The sect leader's disciple reached Response Qi Perfection in a month."
Yoon Elder from Heavenly Wall Peak, nitpicking as usual. He was perpetually dissatisfied and contrary, but everyone took it in stride. They knew he harbored no ill will. It was just a bad habit.
If Yuk-gyeong were there, he might have said,
'I reached Response Qi Perfection in a week.'
What then? Would the Sect Leader's Hall have flipped?
But Yuk-gyeong wasn't there, and the hall didn't flip.
Another elder countered Yoon Elder's grumbling.
"Comparing him to the sect leader's disciple? The sect leader's disciple is also a Single Spiritual Root cultivator. Heavenly talent, born with a Heavenly Spirit Body no less— of course breaking through Response Qi quickly is natural."
"Disciple Yi Yuk-gyeong is no slouch. Who knows, he might stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the sect leader's disciple later. A Single Spiritual Root has that potential."
"Potential or not, he's at Response Qi 8th Star. Who will take him as a disciple? Better decide before he reaches Gathering Qi Realm."
At those words, Elder Geum immediately stepped forward, as if no one could stop him.
"I'll take Yuk-gyeong as my disciple. I've had my eye on him since he arrived."
"Elder Geum! If discipleship is decided by who saw them first, the current sect leader's disciple would be mine!"
"Then take the sect leader's disciple. This child is mine."
"Haha, Elder Geum. Shouldn't we be cautious about accepting disciples? Think deeply, discuss it..."
"My mind is set."
"Then my mind is set too! That child must be my disciple!"
This time, Elder Geum drew glares from the other elders. His actions clearly showed disregard for their face.
Though Elder Geum was at a disadvantage now, he stood firm without yielding an inch.
It was a display of his determination to take Yi Yuk-gyeong as a disciple.
As another aura clash loomed, the sect leader waved his sleeve.
A gale swept through the Sect Leader's Hall, instantly suppressing the clashing auras.
"Enough! No matter who becomes that child's master, the priority is creating an environment where he can focus on cultivation. First, bring him to Heavenly Wall Peak so he can cultivate undisturbed. With his aptitude, it won't take years to reach Response Qi Perfection, so prepare a Gathering Qi Pill."
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