Chapter 685

After the sect conclave ended, Yan Buji returned to the Lian Dan Tang of the Lian Dan Dian; although his rank hadn't changed much, the people around him no longer looked at him with the same enthusiasm.

Hall Master Yan, isn't it a bit too much to go into seclusion right after taking office?

Beside him was another Hall Master of the Lian Dan Tang, a Transformation Spirit cultivator named Liu Kong. He Yun set up two subordinate halls in each palace; since Yan Buji had withdrawn from handling the Wai Mao Tang, he was naturally assigned here.

Seeing Liu Kong approach as if to beat a dog in the water, Yan Buji smiled faintly and didn't want to say more.

Rushing to prove one's worth is foolish; he doesn't need to do that now.

Facing Liu Kong's provocation, Yan Buji merely said, "I am going into seclusion on the Sect Master's own orders—does Hall Master Liu doubt the Sect Master's decision?"

"You!" Liu Kong froze, momentarily unable to react.

Many thought the Sect Master was dissatisfied with Yan Buji, hence removing him from the Youming Jie trade affairs; unexpectedly, he turned the Sect Master's own words against him.

Liu Kong snorted coldly: "Hall Master Yan, even if you go into seclusion, can you break through to Transformation Spirit?"

"But this doesn't change the fact that we are both Hall Masters of the Lian Dan Tang; if there's an issue, Hall Master Liu might go to the Palace Master for justice, right?"

Hmph!

Seeing he gained nothing with his words, Liu Kong flicked his sleeves and left.

Yan Buji stroked his chin: "The Sect Master never told anyone to scram; why do these people dislike me so much?"

Forget it.

Yan Buji was about to go to his residence to cultivate when Huang Ji and others came running, panting, shouting, "Hall Master Yan, Hall Master Yan!"

"Huh? Why have you come?"

Huang Ji nervously looked at Yan Buji: "Hall Master Yan, why aren't you in charge of the Wai Mao Tang anymore?"

"Yeah, Hall Master Yan, if you leave, what are we to do?"

Yan Buji smiled: "Everyone, rest assured; the Youming Jie trade affairs are already on track—whether I'm here or not makes no difference; only the method of traveling through Youming Jie needs to change. You others just focus on your duties; the sect will not shortchange anyone."

"But Hall Master Yan..."

"Eh." Yan Buji waved his hand: "No need for many words; you all have plenty of time ahead—don't rush."

Having said that with a smile, Yan Buji turned and left.

Huang Ji wanted to speak but stopped, ultimately saying nothing.

"Senior Brother Huang, what exactly is Hall Master Yan planning?"

"Yeah, it's not likely as others say; is the Sect Master dissatisfied with him?"

Actually, they weren't worried about their own treatment but about Yan Buji's situation, since they had been promoted by him to handle the Youming Jie trade; even if they didn't deal with core matters, who would speak well of them in their interactions?

Huang Ji knew even better that his position today was thanks to Yan Buji; if Yan Buji were no longer the Wai Mao Tang Hall Master, what would they do if some problem later arose that couldn't be solved?

Secondly, if the newly appointed Hall Master meddles in their work, or worse, sidelines them, obtaining such treatment in the future would become difficult.

Thus Huang Ji really wanted to know what had happened to make Yan Buji choose to retire from the currents; could it be that the Sect Master truly disliked him, forcing his withdrawal?

"Hall Master Yan, why not give us a definite answer so we can rest easy?"

Yan Buji couldn't care less about that.

After returning to his residence, Yan Buji immediately began secluded cultivation without pause.

Settling his mind, Yan Buji sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and gathered his vital energy.

Over these years, to consolidate his position and display his ability, he had expended too much time and energy on this matter.

Only after barely managing to gain a foothold in the Great Sinful Sect did he accumulate enough spiritual stones and resources to prepare for a breakthrough.

"This time, I will definitely break through to Nascent Soul!"

Thinking so, Yan Buji took out the Five Transformations Time Secrets and began to contemplate them.

As time passed, the news of the Great Sinful Sect's reappearance in the world spread widely.

In the marketplaces, many cultivators were discussing this matter.

"What does that mean? The Great Sinful Sect is an ancient demonic path sect, right?"

"How could they establish a sect near the Paolong Sacred Land, then? Could it be that the Paolong Sacred Land can't defeat them?"

"Who knows?"

"I heard that many forces recently attended the Great Sinful Sect's founding ceremony—does that mean they acknowledge the sect?"

Although most cultivators value their reputation greatly, for overly powerful forces they can basically only chat in the marketplaces with a couple of close friends.

Besides, what does the reconstruction of an ancient demonic sect have to do with them?

Not much; as long as it doesn't affect them, it's fine.

Nowadays, when is there an era where righteous and demonic cultivators of ancient times fought incessantly? As long as those in power don't provoke public anger, basically no one will target you.

Of course, interests are the key.

Whether collective or personal interests, for ordinary cultivators the Great Sinful Sect's reappearance isn't a big concern; at most they just need to be careful not to be seized as sacrificial offerings.

For those major powers, knowing there exists a top-tier expert like the Blood Daoist, they wouldn't dare casually speak of suppression; don't they still have to look at the superior's face?

In other words, if the two sides are evenly matched, it comes down to who has the stronger justification—only then can one stand invincible.

As for the Heavenly Spirit Realm side.

Xu Pingji returned to the sect for a trip and naturally learned many things.

"The profits from the Youming Jie trade are so huge—can that kid Yan Buji really bear to let go?" Xu Pingji found it strange.

From his interactions with Yan Buji, Xu Pingji saw that this old brat had plenty of tricks and schemes; even if the Sect Master really wanted to remove him, it couldn't be as simple as a mere announcement and done.

"Even if Yan Buji doesn't dare openly defy the Sect Master's decision, could he really just dive straight into the cultivation chamber to seclude himself?" Xu Pingji stroked his chin, thinking carefully.

He cared about Yan Buji's affairs because the Youming Jie trade interests were too great; even if Yan Buji stepped down, someone else would take over, and if that person couldn't...

... wouldn't he then have an opportunity?

But the problem is whether Yan Buji's retirement is real or feigned; if it's merely an agreement with the Sect Master that he needs to seclude for a period before returning to take charge, then any action he takes would be wasted effort.

Upon reflection, Yan Buji has no reason to clash with the Sect Master, and the Sect Master has no need to envy such a talented person; after all, the cultivation world respects strength, so Yan Buji, no matter how capable, can only serve under the Sect Master—he could never turn around and command the Sect Master.

Thinking of that, Xu Pingji suddenly realized, "So it does indeed seem that Yan Buji is only planning to cultivate for a while."

Just as he finished speaking, a voice suddenly came from outside the gate: "Elder Xu, Steward Zhang has arrived!"

"Let him in," Xu Pingji said irritably.

Had Zhang Wang not done that stupid thing earlier, I wouldn't have been forced by Yan Buji to nearly kneel and apologize to him.