After the grand Alliance reward ceremony, Black Rock Fortress's turmoil did not immediately settle but became even more busy due to continuous visits and conversations from various forces. Tang Xiao Qi, as the new Fourth-Rank Sky-Patrol Elder and the person at the storm's center, had to spend considerable energy on these necessary social interactions. Not until late at night did he have the chance to engage in a deep conversation with Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, who was far away at Qingxu Temple, through a special communication formation in the temporary arranged quiet room.
In the formation light screen, Mu Qingfeng's figure appeared clearly. He still wore clean green robe, his face warm and moist, but his brow carried more exhaustion than before and a complex expression mixing huge joy and heavy pressure.
"Seventh Junior Brother!" The moment the connection opened, Mu Qingfeng's voicewith barely suppressible'sexcitement transmitted, breaking the quiet room's silence. "The Alliance's commendation order has arrived at the temple through urgent channels! First-Rank Superior Sect! Fourth-Rank Sky-Patrol Elder! You... you truly... I, your brother, do not even know what to say!"
His words were somewhat incoherent, his face beaming withfrom the bottom of his heart's, likelike one's own child achieving something earth-shattering'spride and ecstasy. Qingxu Temple, that sect that had not even been top-tier in the southeastern region, now had become an "First-Rank Superior Sect" recognized by the Alliance. This was glorious light none of the sect's ancestors had dared imagine! And almost all of it was created by this seventh junior brother whom he had watched grow up!
"Senior Brother, you've worked hard." Xiao Qilooking atin the light screen, the senior brother couldn't hide his fatigue but was mentally excited'sface, his heart warm, his tonepeaceful. "These are all empty names. Without the Sect Master, Master, and brothers and sisters' past teachings and shelter, without the sect as a backing, there would be no Xiao Qi's today. This glory belongs to the entire Qingxu Temple."
"No, Seventh Junior Brother, do not be overly modest." Mu Qingfeng waved his hand, his expression serious. "It was your struggle and sacrifice that brought all this. The Sect Master, upon hearing the news, had spiritual energy surging outside his secluded meditation room. Presumably his heart was also filled with joy. Third Junior Sister directly took her sword to the martial practice field. I heard sword energy reached the sky, scaring new disciples away..." At this point, a helpless yet doting smile appeared on his face. But then that smile graduallywassolemnreplaced.
He took a deep breath, looking at Xiao Qi, his tone becoming measured and serious: "Seventh Junior Brother, beyond the joy, I must also frankly tell you, our temple now... faces tremendous pressure."
"Oh? Senior Brother, please speak." Xiao Qi's expression turned serious. He knew this was the key point of this communication.
Mu Qingfeng rubbed his brow, beginning to enumerate: "First, sect affairs have skyrocketed. With the 'First-Rank Superior Sect' title, every day visitors arrive, submit greeting cards, seek cooperation. Various-sized forces come in an endless stream. The mountain gate is almost being trampled. Some truly want friendship, some probe for details, somefishing in troubled waters. How to screen, how to receive, how to respond all require spending much energy. Several elders are busy with their feet not touching the ground."
"Second, resources and territory. The Alliance promised resource inclination and subordinate sect site selection, though good things, have also become hot potatoes. How to distribute resources to satisfy all? Where to select the subordinate sect site to benefit development yet notangered the surrounding originalhaveforces'sinterests and cause conflict? These require extremely careful consideration."
"Third, internal management. The sect suddenly elevated, disciples' morale is certainly high, butarrogance and impatience inevitably breeds. Some older disciples may control themselves, but many newly admitted disciples and someouter areasteward havefaintly revealing a haughty attitude,looking down on others'ssigns. Long-term, this harms the sect. Need to strengthen guidance andrectify the atmosphere."
"Fourth, also what I worry about most... potential challenges." Mu Qingfeng's gaze sharpened. "A tall tree attracts the wind. Our Qingxu Temple's foundation is still shallow, suddenly rising to First-Rank Superior Sect. Countless old forces must be secretly jealous and unwilling. Behind the surface congratulations, countless cold arrows hide. Through reliable channels, I've heard several sects with old grudges or conflicting interests with us are secretly colluding, seemingly with probing moves. They dare not directly target you, but will likely start from Qingxu Temple itself or someperipheral industries."
He laid out these points clearly, analyzing the opportunities and challenges Qingxu Temple faced. Joy was real, butcame with it'smassiveaffairs, complex interpersonal relations, internal hidden dangers, and external potential malice all like heavy shackles pressed on this Senior Brother who actually managed sect affairs.
Xiao Qi listened quietly, his expression calm. What Senior Brother described he had already anticipated. Rise in status never came with only glamour. More often it brought responsibility and storms.
"Senior Brother, I understand your concerns." Xiao Qi slowly spoke, his voice steady, carrying a calming force. "For sect affairs, with you and several elders managing, I am at ease. For resources and subordinate sect, first consider areas bordering or near reliable allies like Xuanji Holy Land and East Sea Dragon Palace,mutually supporting. For internal morale, strictlyrectify, ask Third Junior Sister for assistance, using sword laws to deter miscreants."
He paused, his gaze cold: "As for those potential challengers... Senior Brother need not overly worry. Since I am a Sky-Patrol Elder, Qingxu Temple is an Alliance-protected First-Rank Superior Sect! If anyone daresdisregarding the bigger picture, secretly obstruct, or even publicly challenge... then we shall use them toestablish authority! Let the world see our Qingxu Temple has not only glory but also iron-willed strength to defend it!"
His words revealed undeniable confidence and determination, like a ruler holding power. Mu Qingfeng on the other end of the light screen felt his heart surge. He could sense this Seventh Junior Brother after the Northwest campaign had not only increased in strength but his disposition and bearing had also risen another level, truly possessing theboldness to support a top sect!
"Good! With Seventh Junior Brother's words, this brother feels emboldened!" Mu Qingfeng let out a deep breath, a smile ofrelieved of burden appearing on his face. "Rest assured on the front lines, the sect has this brother and all fellow sect members. We will not distract you! Together we shallguardian Qingxu Temple's future!"
After ending the communication, Xiao Qipondered for a long time alone in the quiet room.
Senior Brother's joy and pressure were precisely a microcosm of Qingxu Temple's current situation. Behind glory lurked undercurrents. He, this "Pillar of Righteousness" pushed to the stage, had to not only respond to demonic threats but also constantly pay attention to the sect's stability and development.
The road ahead was long, responsibility heavy. But his gaze was firm, fearless. Qingxu Temple would, under the joint efforts of him and all fellow sect members,in this magnificent'sin this great era, steady its footing and shine with its own dazzling brilliance!