Chapter 182: The Fish Who Wants to Be Sect Leader

Clouds interwove and surged downward, instantly spreading into a radiant, shimmering cloud bridge.

Stepping upon it felt as solid as ground.

"Fellow cultivators of the Xian Sect, on this day marking the return of our Alliance's founding Chairman, and coinciding with the Grand Martial Discourse Festival, may all of you enjoy yourselves and jointly celebrate this grand occasion!"

The Chairman's voice was robust, echoing across all directions.

But to the ears of the Xian Sect's ceremonial envoys, it was neither too loud nor too soft—just right.

The entire underwater city fell silent for an instant, then erupted into a roar like mountains collapsing and oceans boiling, the clamor shaking the heavens.

The Chairman sat upright, never having felt so confident before.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please!"

The Xian Sect's ceremonial envoys maintained calm expressions; as Xu Xing and Xiang Yuanjun stepped first through the Secret Realm's gate, the others followed one by one.

Splash~!

Waves surged, the azure sky washed clean.

Between sea and sky, a vast, majestic platform rose from the depths, towering higher than mountains, like a divine palace fallen from heaven, fixed firmly within this realm!

Layers of mist piled thickly, faintly revealing immortal peaks and cliffs, cascading waterfalls and swift springs.

Flying dragons chased fiery phoenixes, playing joyfully in the clouds.

Hum~ A golden rainbow bridge spanned the sea and landed before the Xian Sect's ceremonial envoys.

"Brother Dao really wasn't exaggerating—this year's spectacle is indeed much grander than before," sighed Xiang Yuanjun.

She then stepped onto the golden rainbow bridge alongside Xu Xing.

The rainbow bridge, like the cloud bridge outside the Secret Realm's gate, felt as solid underfoot, and without any action required, it carried those upon it toward the magnificent platform between sea and sky.

"... Did you attend before, Xiang Yuanjun?"

"Mm, I've come a few times before," Xiang Yuanjun nodded lightly. "I waited until now to tell you because I thought you'd remember it better if I explained while you saw it with your own eyes."

"You're thoughtful, Xiang Yuanjun."

The rainbow bridge moved swiftly; before they finished speaking, the two were already deposited atop the magnificent platform.

Layers of emerald mountains rose one after another, exotic flowers and rare herbs vying in brilliance.

Spiritual springs cascaded like waterfalls; streams wound like silver ribbons, emitting a faint wine aroma, rich and enduring.

The waterfalls between the mountains and the brooks within the forests were all high-grade spiritual wines.

The waterfalls and brooks converged below the mountains, forming a vast Jiuhu Lake, where spiritual energy rose in steam, shifting hues of light and shadow.

Above the lake hung nine platforms, each several li wide—these were the stages where disciples would display their skills today.

emm…

The thought of Daozhi Friend Meng Xuan going on to effortlessly defeat these kids made Xu Xing find it highly amusing.

I must record this later.

Above the clouds, ten cloud platforms were arranged in a row, spaced several meters apart.

Nectar fragrant, immortal fruits richly scented.

These ten cloud platforms were reserved for the ceremonial envoys of the Qidaxian Sect, Yuan, Mingyu, and the current Chairman.

When Xu Xing and Xiang Yuanjun arrived at the cloud platforms, they saw Yuan seated in the fifth position, Mingyu in the fourth.

Seeing them, Yuan and Mingyu both gave slight nods—a greeting.

Xiang Yuanjun sat without surprise beside Mingyu, the third position; Xu Xing naturally took the second.

Since Xian Sect members might have personal ties, the Alliance did not assign fixed seats in advance.

Soon, other Xian Sect disciples arrived.

The Jishi Valley envoy sat without hesitation in the first position.

Even if it seemed redundant, it was better than sitting beside that strange cultivator.

In the seventh position sat the burly body cultivator from Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect,

Jiang Yujiu took the last seat directly, and the delicate, willow-like woman from Ling Yin Fang sat beside Jiang Yujiu.

The Shenji Lianbao Pavilion envoy had no choice but to sit in the eighth position, gazing sadly at the side.

Overall, the scene among the last few was rather bizarre.

Jiang Yujiu beamed while live-streaming, the Long Xiang Qing Tian Sect body cultivator grabbed an immortal fruit and devoured it greedily, while the two in the middle radiated an atmosphere of sorrow and resentment.

Even Yuan couldn't help glancing twice; when he turned back, he found Mingyu looking at him.

"..."

Why did I even look twice… Dingdong!

Xu Xing's phone suddenly chimed with a message alert.

He pulled it out and opened it.

The Fish Who Wants to Be Patriarch: "Uncle! We're back!"

This nickname was originally meant to be "Jiu Yu," but at the time, Chi Jiuyu called out to him, he set his phone on the table and accidentally tapped it.

So the "Jiu" was deleted, and afterward he liked the way it sounded and never changed it.

The Fish Who Wants to Be Patriarch: "/image"

The Fish Who Wants to Be Patriarch: "/image"

Two photos: one showed Zhang Yunlu, lying in a healing pod, having recovered somewhat.

The other showed Li Ke.

The Fish Who Wants to Be Patriarch: "This mission was brutal—Little Yunlu nearly got wiped out!"

The Fish Who Wants to Be Patriarch: "Even Sister got injured; she's now under Master's treatment."

The Fish Who Wants to Be Patriarch: "Master says once she finishes healing Sister, she'll help restore Little Yunlu too!"

A few seconds passed…

The Fish Who Wants to Be Sect Leader: "Uncle, are you busy?"

The Fugitive Old Ancestor: "No."

Xu Xing casually took a photo of what was below and sent it to her.

The Fugitive Old Ancestor: "/image"

The Fugitive Old Ancestor: "Not started yet."

The Fish Who Wants to Be Sect Leader: "This year's event is so big! Next time I'm coming too!"

The Fish Who Wants to Be Sect Leader: "Uncle, that blue fruit on your desk looks delicious—bring me a few back, okay?"

Her thoughts were always so erratic.

The Fugitive Old Ancestor: "Fine."

Xu Xing had just put away his phone when Xiang Yuanjun's voice reached his ear.

"The person you just messaged… who was that?"

She hadn't seen that expression on Xu Xing's face in a long time.

"My sister's disciple—a rather interesting young one."

"The Sword Sovereign's disciple…"

That Chi Jiuyu?

"The Sword Sovereign himself mentioned her disciple a few times in the group, but never positively."

Bie Xuening only has this one disciple—she must mention her in the group."

"Normal—my sister's disciple has a wild personality."

Someone like Chi Jiuyu is like a Husky: watching others raise one is fun, but raising one yourself is… karmic retribution."

…Like my own rebellious disciple who adores Master Ji!

When I get back, I'll deal with him! …………

Outside the Secret Realm, at the detection station for disciples participating in the martial contest.

As a young man passed through a gate shimmering with red spiritual light.

"Foundation Establishment, early stage, twenty-three—qualified!"

The Alliance of Righteous Sects' detection technology is now highly refined, and with a Union with the Dao Realm expert overseeing it, it's nearly impossible for anyone to sneak through.

If someone truly could slip through…

If you can fool a Union with the Dao Realm elder, why bother risking such a huge gamble just to bully children?

The founding Grand Councilor is still watching inside!

Soon, a graceful young girl passed through the gate.

"Foundation Establishment, peak stage, eighteen—qualified!"

A chorus of gasps erupted around her.

Eighteen and at the peak of Foundation Establishment?! Third chapter, please subscribe!! Beginning of the month, please vote for monthly tickets!

【94】 (End of chapter)