Within Ascension Valley, the Zhou Tian Star Spirit Protection Formation was operating at full power. Rays of starlight fell like silk ribbons, illuminating the valley as bright as day, yet so quiet that only the hum of flowing spiritual energy remained. Outside the valley, led by Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, Third Senior Sister Liu Yun, Second Senior Brother Luo Feng, Zhao Tiezhu, and the elders and core disciples of each peak all stood in solemn formation. Their spiritual sense covered a hundred li radius, guarding strictly, protecting the figure attacking the supreme bottleneck within the valley.
However, at this extremely tense moment, a gentle but undeniable transmission precisely entered the ears of Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, who was preparing to guard with full concentration: "Qingfeng, come to the rear mountain's 'Contemplation Cliff.'"
Senior Brother's figure paused slightly, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. This voice belonged to the Sect Master who had been in seclusion at the rear mountain forbidden ground for years and almost never involved himself in worldly affairs—Daoist Master Xuanhuan. Why would the Sect Master summon him at this moment? And precisely during the critical time when Little Junior Brother was attacking the Nascent Soul?
He dared not delay. After quietly instructing Third Senior Sister beside him, he transformed into a gentle breeze, silently leaving the Ascension Valley perimeter, rushing toward that cloud-wreathed solitary cliff at the rear mountain.
Upon Contemplation Cliff, ancient pines twisted and coiled, seas of clouds surged and rolled. Upon a smooth, mirror-like giant stone sat an elder wearing a simple Daoist robe, his face lean, his hair and beard all white. His aura was peaceful, as if he had become one with the surrounding heaven and earth. This was the current Sect Master of Qingxu Temple, Daoist Master Xuanhuan. Yet if one looked closely, one could discover that beneath his peaceful aura hid a faint weakness and withering, like a candle in the wind.
"Disciple Mu Qingfeng pays respects to the Sect Master." Senior Brother landed on the cliff and bowed respectfully.
Daoist Master Xuanhuan slowly opened his eyes. His gaze remained clear and wise, but had lost some of its former divine light, gaining instead the vicissitudes and weariness of one who had seen through the world. He gestured for Mu Qingfeng to sit on a stone stool nearby, his gaze cast toward Ascension Valley's direction, as if he could penetrate the many layers of restrictions to see the figure transforming within.
"Xiao Qi... has finally reached this step." Daoist Master Xuanhuan spoke softly, his tone carrying endless relief and emotion. "When he first entered the mountain gate years ago, his aptitude was ordinary, his character not yet set. Who could have imagined that in just a few decades, he would touch the great Dao of the Nascent Soul, and even become the 'Purification True Monarch' renowned throughout the world. Heaven blesses our Qingxu."
Senior Brother respectfully said: "Little Junior Brother is a natural genius, and his character is firm, his benevolence unmatched. His achievements today come from his own efforts and fortune, and are also the fortune of our Qingxu Temple."
Daoist Master Xuanhuan nodded slightly, fell silent for a moment, then suddenly turned back, calmly looking at Mu Qingfeng, and dropped a bombshell: "Qingfeng, my time limit is approaching."
Mu Qingfeng's entire body shook violently, he abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief: "Sect Master! You..."
Daoist Master Xuanhuan waved his hand, interrupting him, no sadness on his face, only calm acceptance: "No need for surprise, even less for grief. For cultivators, lifespan has its limit; this is the natural way of heaven. I have governed Qingxu Temple for over three hundred years. Though I have no great achievements, I have no great faults either. To see the sect's inheritance continuing orderly, the younger generation's talents emerging one after another, especially Xiao Qi's rise, I have no regrets. It's just that I won't see him truly achieve Deity Transformation and lead Qingxu Temple toward that legendary glory."
His tone was light, yet it made Mu Qingfeng's heart surge with great bitterness and reluctance. Daoist Master Xuanhuan was not only his sect uncle but also the mentor and guide who had taught and promoted him since childhood, gradually handing over the sect's heavy responsibilities.
"Sect Master..." Mu Qingfeng's voice was somewhat choked.
"Silly child." Daoist Master Xuanhuan smiled slightly. "I called you here today to entrust you with two matters."
"Sect Master, please instruct. Disciple will not shirk even at the cost of his life!"
"First," Daoist Master Xuanhuan's expression turned serious, "the matter of my lifespan exhaustion, except for you, do not tell others for now, especially Xiao Qi. He is at the critical moment of attacking the Nascent Soul; his mind cannot have the slightest disturbance. Only after he successfully exits seclusion should you find an opportunity to inform him."
"Disciple understands." Mu Qingfeng nodded heavily.
"Second," Daoist Master Xuanhuan's gaze once again cast toward Ascension Valley, his eyes full of expectation, "after Xiao Qi successfully forms the Nascent Soul, the position of Qingxu Temple's Sect Master shall be passed to him."
Though Mu Qingfeng had some premonition, hearing the Sect Master say it personally still made him tremble. He was not someone who coveted power and position. Acting as Sect Master all these years, he knew well the hardships involved, and had long hoped Xiao Qi's return could share the heavy burden. But, "Sect Master, Little Junior Brother is... still young, and his ambitions lie in the four directions, I fear..."
"Exactly because his ambitions lie in the four directions, his heart contains the world, that he is more suitable to guide Qingxu Temple's future direction." Daoist Master Xuanhuan said decisively, "Qingfeng, you are steady and capable, considerate of the big picture, a good talent for maintaining and expanding achievements. Acting as Sect Master these years, the sect has been orderly; your contribution cannot be denied. But Qingxu Temple's future path should not be merely maintaining the status quo. The demonic tribulation is temporarily pacified, but hidden dangers remain; the three realms' pattern is newly established, undercurrents surge; and there are threats from beyond the heavens looming... This is a great change unseen in ten thousand years."
He paused, his voice becoming even deeper: "Xiao Qi bears the Purification Origin, his heart holds the common people, and he has good karma with the Dragon Palace, the demon race, and even overseas powers. He has also traveled at the bottom layer, deeply understanding the people's suffering and what all beings need. His vision, his bearing, his Dao, have far surpassed the constraints of one sect or one faction. Only he can lead Qingxu Temple to break free from old limitations, truly merge into this magnificent era, and perhaps... lead this era."
Daoist Master Xuanhuan looked at Mu Qingfeng, his eyes earnest: "Qingfeng, your talent lies in internal affairs and coordination. In the future, you need to be Xiao Qi's most solid backing, handling the sect's complicated internal affairs for him, so he can face the outside world's storms without worry. This is not belittling your talent, but putting each person's talents to best use, each performing their duty, for the sect's better future. Do you understand? Are you willing?"
Mu Qingfeng took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions in his heart. He knew deeply that what the Sect Master said was the ultimate truth and the most far-sighted arrangement for the sect's future. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Daoist Master Xuanhuan, his tone incomparably firm: "Disciple Mu Qingfeng obeys the Sect Master's decree! I will do my utmost to assist Little Junior Brother, protect the sect, and have absolutely no second thoughts!"
Seeing Mu Qingfeng's undivided, utterly sincere manner, a relieved and relaxed smile appeared on Daoist Master Xuanhuan's face, as if he had set down a thousand-jun burden. He waved his hand: "Go, return to your position. Xiao Qi's Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation will likely not be simple; you all need to guard carefully. Remember, before he exits seclusion, everything proceeds as usual."
"Yes!" Mu Qingfeng bowed again, turned and left as a gentle breeze, though his silhouette now carried several more measures of heavy responsibility and determination.
Upon Contemplation Cliff, only Daoist Master Xuanhuan remained. He gazed at the direction of Ascension Valley below the sea of clouds, where spiritual energy gathered and tribulation clouds faintly began to condense. In his turbid old eyes flickered the final light.
"Xiao Qi... the future of Qingxu Temple, a corner of the righteous path's future in this world, is entrusted to you. Do not let me... let the successive ancestors down..."
He murmured softly, his voice dissipating in the sea of clouds with the wind, carrying infinite expectation and a trace of release. Then, he slowly closed his eyes, his aura becoming even more restrained, as if to completely merge into this cliff he had guarded his entire life, quietly waiting for that destined moment, and also waiting for that disciple who could take up the heavy burden to break through.