Chapter 678: Are You Very Protective of Your Master?

On the twenty-seventh day of the eighth month, inside and outside the Central Main Hall of Pear Garden Sect's Main Peak, a scene of bustling celebration unfolded.

Just three days ago, Lu Zongzhu Xie, who had gone out to collect Saint Spirit Qi, finally led his team back to the mountain.

Upon this return, the Lu Zongzhu also brought back a strange young man; for the past three days, this person has been living within Lu Zongzhu Xie's residence.

According to hints from Lu Zongzhu's close confidants, Lu Zongzhu Xie highly appreciates this young man and seems intent on taking him as a direct disciple.

Today marks the meeting day personally set by Lu Zongzhu Xie after his return to the mountain.

It is likely that Lu Zongzhu Xie will announce this news?

Whether sincerely or hypocritically, the disciples of Pear Garden Sect mostly wore joyous expressions as they rushed to the Main Peak to attend the meeting.

"This kid is truly lucky to be favored by Lu Zongzhu Xie."

"Indeed! When I entered Saint Lingshan back in the day, I don't know how much suffering I endured! This kid leans on a big tree the moment he arrives; truly a blessed fate."

"Where would you have such fate! Did you not see how handsome that young man is?"

"No matter how handsome, could he be as handsome as He Tangzhu Wu's aide? That was truly beautiful! When I first saw him, I honestly couldn't distinguish between male and female."

"Stop talking; the Lu Zongzhu has arrived."

Inside the Main Hall of the Main Peak, a brief silence fell suddenly, followed by a chorus of greetings.

"Lu Zongzhu Xie!"

"We respectfully welcome Lu Zongzhu Xie!"

Amidst the waves of sound, a tall and thin man with a long face, dressed in white robes and wearing a smile, nodded to the crowds on both sides.

Lu Zongzhu Xie was usually stern and rarely smiled; seeing him so approachable now made everyone click their tongues in wonder, and for a moment, words of flattery increased even more.

And behind Lu Zongzhu Xie, to his side, followed a handsome young man.

Judging by his age, he appeared to be just over twenty, indeed looking somewhat green.

Anyone could see that this young man was forcing himself to remain calm!

Facing the assembly of Sea Realm Elders and Hall Masters inside the hall, the young man's steps were slightly disordered; everyone present could also perceive that this young man should be at the high-stage or peak of the River Realm.

Before the great experts of the Sea Realm, a person of the River Realm is like an ant, but this young man's greatest advantage is his youth!

At merely twenty years of age, he has already reached the high-stage or peak of the River Realm; what kind of talent is this?

His future achievements are naturally limitless!

Suddenly, Xie Wu Sheng stopped in his tracks and looked at the man to his side: "He Tangzhu Wu, have you grown accustomed to staying within the sect?"

Wu Xiao, expressionless, lowered his head slightly, cupped his fists, and said, "Accustomed."

"Good; now that you are home, cultivate steadily and strive to break through to the Heaven Realm as soon as possible, to reunite with the Old Lu Zongzhu in the Heavenly Realm." Xie Wu Sheng, acting the part of one who honors the worthy and treats scholars with humility, offered a few words of encouragement, radiating goodwill.

"Yes," Wu Xiao responded in a deep voice.

Xie Wu Sheng walked toward the depths of the hall, his approachable demeanor unchanged, yet a trace of wariness rose in his heart.

Within Pear Garden Sect, there are not many people who can make my lord the Lu Zongzhu feel wary.

Between the fourth and fifth stages of the Sea Realm, though it seems like only a small stage difference, the gap within is actually enormous!

For a disciple of a First-Rank Divine Sect, reaching the strength of the River and Sea Realm is already considered fulfilling one's talent.

And those capable of reaching the pinnacle, achieving the peak of the Sea Realm, number only four within Pear Garden Sect in total.

Lu Zongzhu Xie Wu Sheng, Pear Garden Sect's Grand Elder Cai You, He Tangzhu of the Heavenly Gang Hall Wu Xiao, and He Tangzhu of the Flowing Cloud Hall Wei Yun.

Elder Cai and Wei Yun are both very well-behaved individuals.

However, this Wu Xiao, having returned to the sect not long ago, overturned the previous He Tangzhu of the Heavenly Gang Hall, killing him cleanly and decisively!

This also stirred some thoughts in Xie Wu Sheng.

"Hoo~"

Xie Wu Sheng flicked his wide white robes and sat upon the massive throne, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below the hall.

The assembly of Sea Realm great experts all wore respectful expressions, which Xie Wu Sheng found quite satisfactory.

The handsome young man stood properly and orderly behind and to the side of the throne.

"Everyone, please be seated," said Xie Wu Sheng, looking at the Four Great Elders and Eighteen Hall Masters arranged in two rows on either side below the hall.

Counting Xie Wu Sheng himself, there were a total of twenty-three vast seas.

In fact, disciples of First-Rank Divine Sects generally possess very high talent and potential, so logically there should be more experts than these.

Alas, before the previous Lu Zongzhu ascended, he specifically issued orders that the sect's principles must strictly be followed.

For instance, "Strength is supreme; the capable shall rise."

And also, "The sect's structure must not be altered," and so on.

Although Xie Wu Sheng succeeded to the position of Lu Zongzhu and could manage the sect according to his own will, the Old Lu Zongzhu's majestic awe was formidable, and he still had many loyal supporters within the sect.

Xie Wu Sheng had always maintained the identity of a fervent supporter, which was how he managed to ascend to power.

Therefore, he could not easily change the "ancestral injunctions," which led to a series of principles continuing to this day.

Within Pear Garden Sect, every position is fixed and cannot be increased or decreased.

Whenever someone wishes to advance further and challenges positions such as He Tangzhu or Vice He Tangzhu, casualties inevitably occur.

And like the former He Tangzhu Wen Cheng, although he had advanced to the Sea Realm, there are also those who do not seek progress.

Alas, the tree wishes to be still, but the wind will not cease!

Wen Cheng did not wish to invite conflict, yet the He Tangzhu of the hall where he resided actively sought him out.

Who would tolerate having a great expert of the Sea Realm cultivating day and night within their own hall, building up strength and waiting to strike?

Thus, in recent years, the number of Sea Realm individuals within Pear Garden Sect has constantly fluctuated around twenty-five.

According to the Old Lu Zongzhu, only in this way can Pear Garden Sect maintain its vitality, urging everyone to continuously refine their skills and seek advancement, eventually ascending to the Heavenly Realm.

"During this journey of mine, I encountered a junior of our sect," said Xie Wu Sheng, turning his head slightly and glancing sideways with the corner of his eye.

The handsome young man stepped forward, cupped his fists toward the crowd below the hall, and bowed: "Junior Lin Koutian pays respects to all you seniors!"

With the Lu Zongzhu personally making the introduction, everyone naturally showed great respect, cupping their fists to return the courtesy.

Xie Wu Sheng nodded with satisfaction: "This youth possesses extraordinary bone structure; though young, he has already reached the peak of the Jiang Jing realm. He is both wise and brave, very much reminiscent of myself in my younger days."

"I share a deep affinity with Koutian."

"Today, before all of you as witnesses, I, Xie, shall take Koutian as my adopted son."

For a moment, everyone felt somewhat surprised.

They had expected him to be taken as a direct disciple, never imagining he would become an adopted son?

"Good news, good news!" In the otherwise solemn great hall, an elder seated near the front of the left row smiled as he rose. "With a talented youth like Koutian receiving the Lu Zongzhu's care and guidance, his future prospects are surely limitless!"

Immediately, everyone began to echo these sentiments.

"Elder Cai speaks truly!"

"Congratulations to Lu Zongzhu Xie!"

A faint smile lingered on Xie Wu Sheng's face as he gazed at the tall figure of the young man.

Just then, Lin Koutian turned to look back; he immediately shifted several steps sideways, faced Xie Wu Sheng, and knelt down: "Your son pays his respects to Father!"

As soon as the words left his lips, Lin Koutian bowed his head respectfully in a kowtow.

"Good! Good!" Watching Lin Koutian kowtow to him, Xie Wu Sheng's smile grew even broader.

This name was chosen truly well!

Koutian! Kowtow to me!

Exactly as it should be!

"Congratulations to Lu Zongzhu Xie on gaining an adopted son!"

"Congratulations to Lu Zongzhu Xie!" Amidst waves of congratulatory voices, Lin Koutian's heart surged with uncontrollable joy.

Although he had only arrived at Spirit Saint Mountain half a month ago and had been in the Pear Garden Sect for merely three days, he had already witnessed much of the "world."

In the mortal realm, there were the laws of Great Xia to govern and moral constraints to bind people.

But here within Spirit Saint Mountain...

Inside the Pear Garden Sect, that group of Weak God disciples, no better than pigs and dogs, was the most truthful answer.

Now that he had become the Lu Zongzhu's adopted son, would he not be able to command the wind and summon the rain as he pleased?

"Today is a day of great joy!" Xie Wu Sheng announced. "Summon the servants; begin the banquet!"

For great experts of the rivers and seas, the concept of eating and drinking did not truly exist.

The so-called beginning of the banquet naturally did not depend on any specific correct moment.

Yet amidst the chorus of well-wishes, a loud and powerful voice stood out as particularly jarring: "Lu Zongzhu Xie!"

The great hall instantly fell silent.

For this tone was completely out of place with the festive atmosphere.

Xie Wu Sheng frowned slightly and turned his gaze.

Upon seeing that it was Wu Xiao, the He Tangzhu of the Heavenly Gang Hall, who was speaking, Xie Wu Sheng's heart gave a sudden thump, rising with an ominous premonition.

For this expedition, Xie Wu Sheng had not gone out merely to collect Spirit Saint Qi.

Rather, he had traveled further south, personally ventured out to sea, and set foot on the islands of the Ashayi Sect.

Although Xie Wu Sheng outwardly treated Wu Xiao with kindness and encouragement, in truth, ever since Wu Xiao forcefully seized the position of Heavenly Gang He Tangzhu, Lu Zongzhu Xie had already begun plotting against him in his heart.

This person must be eliminated!

But it could not be done openly; one had to be discreet about methods and approaches.

The Ashayi Sect, entrenched on the great islands of the Southern Sea, was a very suitable "method and approach"!

However, he had not yet assigned Wu Xiao any travel missions; was this man going to make his move first?

"What? Does He Tangzhu Wu have some objection to me, Xie, taking this adopted son?" Xie Wu Sheng asked in a deep voice.

For a moment, everyone turned to look at Wu Xiao, many wearing unfavorable expressions.

Wu Xiao stepped forward from the ranks, cupped his fists, and bowed: "Lu Zongzhu Xie, I follow the sect's tenets, striving wholeheartedly for advancement and exploration; this is also driven by my Dao heart, as I wish to climb to even greater heights!"

"Today, I wish to challenge you for the position of Lu Zongzhu; I hope Lu Zongzhu Xie will accept my challenge!"

In an instant, everyone in the hall was somewhat stunned.

"What the hell?"

"Challenging the Sect? Challenging... huh??"

"This..."

Xie Wu Sheng's heart immediately sank.

Damn it!

This person truly has the heart of a wolf!

The hall gradually quieted down again, and everyone turned their gaze back to Lu Zongzhu Xie.

Though curses raged wildly in Xie Wu Sheng's heart, on the surface he maintained the dignity of a sect leader, showing not a trace of fear, but rather an expression of displeasure as he glanced at the child kowtowing at his feet.

"Senior!" Lin Koutian, understanding the situation immediately, rose to act as a shield. "Today Father has taken me as his adopted son; it is truly a day of great joy, so perhaps..."

Wu Xiao interrupted in a deep voice: "I heard that upon the Lu Zongzhu's return to Huishan, he began matters of taking disciples; I, Wu Xiao, have waited three days. Now that the ceremony is complete, it is time for the challenge."

"He Tangzhu Wu, h-how dare you challenge the Lu Zongzhu?"

"Must it necessarily be today? Are you deliberately seeking misery?"

"To dare challenge the Lu Zongzhu, you..."

"I accept!" Xie Wu Sheng suddenly spoke, and the hall fell into absolute silence.

With an imposing aura, he looked down upon Wu Xiao in the hall below and said coldly: "Seven days from now, at the main peak's martial arts arena, I shall spar with He Tangzhu Wu."

"The Lu Zongzhu is magnanimous!"

"It really takes Lu Zongzhu Xie to have such spirit and such magnanimity."

"He Tangzhu Wu is too arrogant; he truly needs to learn the height of the heavens and the depth of the earth!"

"Lu Zongzhu Xie!" Wu Xiao spoke in a deep voice, "Wu Xiao also wishes to ascend to the Heavenly Realm as soon as possible and reunite with the Old Lu Zongzhu in the Heavenly Realm."

"Wu Xiao has already waited three days; driven by my Dao Heart, I can wait no longer. I hope Lu Zongzhu Xie will grant my wish!"

Xie Wu Sheng's face turned gloomy.

Beside him, Elder Cai, displeased, scolded, "He Tangzhu Wu! Lu Zongzhu Xie is broad-minded, refraining from punishing your offense and even accepting your challenge!"

"You should simply return and prepare for battle; why are you causing a disturbance here?"

Wu Xiao turned his head, looking at Elder Cai with an expressionless face: "If Lu Zongzhu Xie dares not accept the challenge, then today, Wu Xiao challenges Elder Cai instead."

Elder Cai's eyes widened slightly!

The hall was utterly silent; one could hear a pin drop!

This Wu Xiao... is he a mad dog?

Does he attack whoever blocks him?

Holy crap!

Elder Cai is the Great Elder of the Pear Garden Sect, one of the mere few at the peak of the Ming Hai Jing; his strength is no worse than Lu Zongzhu Xie's!

He possesses no fewer Shen Bing Fa treasures or artifacts!

This... this, this?

"Audacious Wu Xiao! You are presumptuous!" Elder Cai rose to his feet, shouting sternly, "What place do you think this is?"

"This is the Pear Garden Sect," Wu Xiao remained expressionless. "The sect's iron rule: strength is supreme, and the capable take their place."

"The position of Elder ranks above that of He Tangzhu."

"Since Lu Zongzhu Xie dares not accept the challenge, and Elder Cai is so eager to protect his master, then Elder Cai... you come forward!"

Elder Cai:!!!

Asking for some monthly votes.

(End of chapter)