On this day, the sky was clear for miles, and a gentle breeze brushed the face of everyone at Guest Peak. Disciples from various sects were guided by Heavenly Sword Sect disciples to the plaza outside the main hall of Heavenly Sword Peak.
On both sides of the open-air plaza, white jade tables were neatly arranged. Each table was adorned with premium spiritual wine, spirit fruits, and delicate pastries. Behind every table stood a Heavenly Sword Sect disciple, attending carefully.
As more participants arrived and took their seats, the plaza gradually filled with excitement.
On one side of the plaza sat disciples from major Daoist sects. Yu Tu Zūnzhě of Cloud Sea Sect had already taken his seat with Han Pengfei, conversing with Xiao Yong and Xiao Yao beside him. Yin Yang Gate had sent a couple this time; the female was petite and beautiful, the male tall and muscular. Both were in Void Refinement, quietly speaking to each other.
The Alchemy, Talisman, Artifact, and Formation sects each sent a Void Refinement Zūnzhě to attend. Qian Wanguan of the Loose Cultivators Alliance used his social skills to connect with the four Zūnzhě, hoping to place orders for a batch of finished goods to sell at the alliance.
On the other side sat disciples from the major sects of the demon clans. The beast clan sent Lang Xiao of the Howling Moon Wolf Clan to attend the succession ceremony. Sitting near Heavenly Demon Palace, Lang Xiao happened to know Mo Su and Mo Yi and specifically asked about Mo Yue: "May I ask if Mo Yue Zūnzhǔ of your sect is well?"
Mo Yi knew that Lang Xiao had some connection with Mo Yue, so he replied seriously: "Junior Sister Mo Yue has not returned to the sect since the Battle of the Ming Valley."
Lang Xiao's face showed a trace of helplessness. Before coming to Heavenly Sword Sect, his little one, Xiao Yue, had reminded him to inquire about Mo Yue Zūnzhǔ's situation.
Xiao Yue was very fond of this female demon cultivator. He even wore the Illusion Bell that Mo Yue had given her. He was training far more diligently now and had reached the fourth stage. Lang Xiao could not help but wonder: Mo Yue had only saved Xiao Yue once, so why was Xiao Yue so attached?
"May Mo Yue Zūnzhǔ return safely soon."
"Thank you, Chief Lang Xiao."
Jian Dan, as acting head of the Operations Hall, appeared in full ceremonial robes today. She rarely wore her Zūnshàng formal robe. Yun Shu had done her hair, and she brought Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou, all dressed neatly, to the ceremony.
Mao Dou still felt a little unreal after meeting Jian Lu Zūnshàng, walking as if on clouds. Zūnshàng spoke gently and asked about his cultivation progress, to which Mao Dou answered in full.
"You and Zong Fan are training at the outer peak. I hope you can encourage each other. In five years, there will be the Outer Gate Competition. I wish you good results in advance."
"Yes, we will not disappoint Zūnshàng."
Yu Zongfan and Mao Dou bowed together.
Jian Dan nodded slightly. She was waiting for Mao Dou to stabilize his Foundation so she could act quickly. If someone else interfered, all her efforts would have been wasted.
After Jian Dan's teleportation, Jian Chuan appeared with a bright smile: "Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng."
Jian Dan smiled and nodded. After taking her seat at the upper position, she glanced at Jian Chuan:"Jian Chuan, don't act like you've been relieved of duty. That smug look makes me unhappy."
Hearing this, Jian Chuan quickly pressed the corners of his mouth downward, erasing the trace of pride from his face and returning to his usual expression.
Jian Chuan knew that when he had suddenly advanced, he had indirectly blamed Jian Lu Zūnshàng, who had been busy handling dual responsibilities. She certainly would not be pleased to see him idle.
Seeing Jian Chuan compose himself, Jian Dan spoke calmly: "When you advanced suddenly, I temporarily took over sect affairs because it was unavoidable. Later, Jian Chong was selected as the successor. I did not teach him much, only did a simple handover. After all, sect affairs and the Operations Hall are separate. After this grand ceremony, spend a year specifically guiding Jian Chong."
Jian Chuan suddenly felt unhappy. His own smugness had been caught by Jian Lu Zūnshàng. He could only nod in agreement.
A bell sounded with a deep tone. The entire plaza and all disciples of Heavenly Sword Sect fell silent.
Above Heavenly Sword Peak, a giant water mirror appeared, projecting the succession ceremony for all sect disciples to see.
Yu Yuanhai, acting as host of the ceremony, had been notified only the day before. He had been stunned by the sudden notice. Chief Meng of the Operations Hall handed him a jade slip detailing the procedure and left.
Yu Yuanhai had spent the night reciting the Tranquil Heart Scripture from the library, requested leave from the Affairs Hall, and now stood energetically before the plaza to speak on behalf of the sect: "Thank you all for coming. The Heavenly Sword Sect Succession Ceremony begins now. We welcome the new Sect Leader, Jian Chong!"
At Yu Yuanhai's announcement, the sect disciples shouted in unison: "Welcome the new Sect Leader! Welcome the new Sect Leader! Welcome the new Sect Leader!"
The coordinated voices echoed through the sky as Jian Chong appeared, stepping slowly from above toward the main hall of the plaza.
Today, Jian Chong wore a white ceremonial robe with subtle golden patterns made for the Sect Leader, a purple-gold jade crown, and flowing golden ribbons. Standing tall and elegant, he first bowed to the senior sect masters, then turned to bow to the visiting disciples from other sects.
"Present the Sect Leader Order!"
Yu Yuanhai announced the next procedure.
Jian Chuan, wearing the Void Refinement Zūnzhě robe, stepped forward, holding the Sect Leader Order with both hands: "The seventy-second Sect Leader of Heavenly Sword Sect, Jian Chong, receives the Sect Leader Order!"
Jian Chong stepped forward, bowed, and took the order with both hands.
The Sect Leader Order was carved from premium purple crystal. Its front depicted two crossed swords, the back had a relief of the sect gate, and the edges were covered in intricate runes.
Jian Chong infused his unique spiritual energy into the order.
The energy animated the crossed swords as if alive, projecting into the sky above Heavenly Sword Peak. The twin sword lights could be seen across the Spiritual Continent.
The swords hovered for a full minute before returning to the order, which Jian Chong held again.
"Jian Chong, may you expand Heavenly Sword Sect and preserve its legacy!"
Jian Chong bowed and answered loudly: "Jian Chong will preserve Heavenly Sword Sect and ensure the Dao of the sect continues unbroken!"
With his words, a white sword-shaped aura shot from the Sect Leader Order into Jian Chong's body, formally acknowledging his status as Sect Leader.
Once the order was bound to Jian Chong, the aura fully absorbed into him. The key step of the succession ceremony was complete.
"The succession ceremony is officially complete!"
Yu Yuanhai's steady voice carried to everyone present. All raised their cups: "Congratulations to Heavenly Sword Sect! Congratulations to Sect Leader Jian Chong!"
Jian Chong raised his cup, accepting congratulations from all sects. The atmosphere grew lively.
High-level disciples of Heavenly Sword Sect, after the ceremony, disappeared from their positions and returned to their respective caves.
After the ceremony, Jian Dan beckoned Chief Meng Congjian, who approached smiling: "Zūnshàng, any instructions?"
"Look after the remaining performances on Tianyue Peak. I will invite the main organizers from each sect to gather later."