Running a sect wasn't just about strength. It demanded time, skill, and political finesse. You had to navigate factions, settle disputes, and secure benefits for the sect as a whole.
What did Song Wanníng know about any of that?
What did the other elders even understand?
They were arrogant now, but in time, they'd regret it.
Without him, Wentian Sect would only spiral into decline.
He Xiao had just finished his self-important monologue when the Second Elder scoffed, clearly fed up. "Hey now, Elder He, that's a bit much. Are you saying you're the only one in this entire sect who knows how to manage it? Well then, I'll enter the next Sect Master election!"
"And so will I!"
"Count me in too!"
Several elders stepped up one after another, announcing their candidacy without hesitation. None of them took He Xiao's threats seriously anymore.
He, on the other hand, looked like a clown standing in the middle of the crowd.
Watching this unfold, He Xiao couldn't hold it in any longer. A mouthful of blood surged up and burst out.
"Elder He, since you're clearly not feeling well, you'd best return and rest up," Song Wanníng said with a concerned tone, delivered just right to ignite another spurt of blood from him.
He clenched his molars so hard it seemed his jaw might crack. His eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Song Wanníng, desperate to slap the smirk off her face.
"Very well. All of you... excellent."
Unable to stand another second under those mocking gazes, He Xiao turned and fled in disgrace. The once-imposing Sect Master was now nothing but a humiliated old man, running off like a dog with its tail between its legs.
Song Wanníng kept her gaze on his retreating figure, a deep sense of satisfaction welling in her chest.
He had no one to blame but himself.
All she had done was report the state of the sect to the Ancestor with the utmost sincerity.
Once He Xiao left, the disciples erupted into chatter again.
To witness a Sect Master ousted so swiftly was unthinkable, yet strangely satisfying.
"He should've been removed long ago. Let the capable take charge."
"Exactly. Look at what Wentian Sect has become. He was out there keeping mistresses. Disgusting."
"Sigh... why won't Ancestor Song take the role herself? She'd be perfect for it."
"I think so too. Her background, cultivation, alchemy skills... even the outer sect elders give her face."
Whispers rippled through the disciples. Many believed it was a shame Song Wanníng wouldn't run for Sect Master.
She smiled faintly at their words. Being Sect Master was a burden she had no interest in carrying.
Still...
Those elders who had just stood together against He Xiao were now eyeing each other warily. This election wouldn't be so simple after all.
Her smile deepened. With a wave of her hand, the crowd's noise fell away into silence.
"The Sect Master election will take place three days from now. Results will be announced in the plaza. Until a new leader is chosen, I will act as interim Sect Master."
Her expression turned solemn. A wave of Nascent Soul pressure swept over the crowd, making everyone's heart seize. No one dared speak against her.
"Wentian Sect disciple Ye Chuxue, who maliciously harmed and dismembered her fellow disciples, has committed a crime worthy of death. From this moment, her cultivation is abolished, and she is expelled from the sect. Since she is not currently within the sect grounds, Wentian Sect now issues a bounty. Capture the criminal Ye Chuxue, dead or alive.
Wentian Sect Yuányīng Zhēnjūn Gu Qingyuan, who ignored basic decency and engaged in an illicit relationship with his own disciple, has disgraced the sect. Effective immediately, Gu Qingyuan is expelled and forbidden from ever returning."
One by one, Song Wanníng pronounced judgment on Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue. The impact struck like thunder in the hearts of all who listened.
Even Gu Qingyuan had been cast out?
He was a Nascent Soul cultivator.
But upon further reflection, it made sense. Throughout history, cultivators who dared engage in such taboo, incestuous relationships with their disciples had all been cast aside.
If they didn't act decisively, Wentian Sect would become a joke. And everyone tied to it would share in the shame.
Soon enough, the disciples began to voice their support for Song Wanníng's decisions. Cries of admiration rang out, praising her clear-headed leadership. No one dared oppose her verdict.
Even those disciples who had once benefitted from Ye Chuxue were scrambling to distance themselves from her, terrified of becoming outcasts themselves.
Song Wanníng stood still, observing everything. The smile at the corner of her lips grew cold.
In her past life, this was exactly how they had declared her expulsion from the sect. They had publicly condemned her and sent disciples out to hunt her down like a fugitive.
Now, everything had come full circle.
Once the verdicts were finished, Song Wanníng turned her gaze toward the stunned Lu clan members.
They had come seeking justice for Lu Nanfeng, never expecting things would escalate to the fall of the Sect Master himself.
Still, the Lu Clan Patriarch remained composed. Regardless of who sat in that position, the sect owed the Lu Clan restitution.
And now that Song Wanníng was temporarily managing the sect, surely she would lean in their favor. Their trip would not be wasted.
The Lu Clan Patriarch kept his face neutral, but the ambition in his eyes didn't escape Song Wanníng.
Still waiting for rewards?
Heh.
"Patriarch Lu, would you care to join me for a brief conversation?"
Her voice was pleasant, her smile kind, which made the patriarch feel immediately flattered.
He returned a courteous smile and nodded, following Song Wanníng into the Sect Master's Hall.
The remaining disciples looked at each other, none of them willing to leave.
They were all waiting to hear the outcome of that private negotiation.
…
Inside the Sect Master's Hall, Song Wanníng poured a cup of spiritual tea and handed it to the Lu Clan Patriarch, her expression calm.
"The matter of Lu Nanfeng ends here. I hope the Lu Clan won't bring it up again. From this day forward, I will no longer recognize him as my disciple."
Her cold statement wiped the smile from the patriarch's face in an instant.
"What is that supposed to mean? Lu Nanfeng is dead. His name dragged through the mud by Wentian Sect. Shouldn't someone compensate us for our loss?
It wasn't easy for our clan to raise a promising heir, only to send him under your tutelage, Song Zhēnjūn. And now this happens. Not only do you refuse to defend him, you cut ties? This is... deeply disappointing."
His voice trembled with genuine emotion.
Lu Nanfeng had been one of their brightest hopes. His fall was a brutal blow.
And Song Wanníng, known for fiercely protecting her own disciples, was suddenly acting like a stranger. Why?
The Lu Clan Patriarch was growing angrier by the second.
Seeing her remain silent, he took a breath and softened his tone.
He had dealt with her before. She never responded well to aggression. Push too hard, and he'd lose everything.
"I'm not trying to assign blame. It's just... the situation has become so messy... sigh…
Song Zhēnjūn, I know how much you cared for Lu Nanfeng. I'm sure you don't want his name stained like this either, right?"
He tried appealing to emotion, offering reasoning, and continued talking endlessly, pouring out his grievances.
But Song Wanníng didn't interrupt.
She sat back in her chair, perfectly at ease, a flicker of mockery flashing in her eyes.
To her, the Lu Clan Patriarch now looked like nothing more than a joke.
Eventually, his words began to falter. Her silence was starting to unnerve him.
Why wouldn't she say anything?