Celebration
A month went by but no news of Feng Haochen came. Instead, Green Pine Sect’s invitation arrived at their door. Today was the Daoist Qing Song’s ascension celebration. Cheng Yan went to attend on behalf of their sect alone under the orders of Uncle An, who had the highest authority in Feng Haochen’s absence.
Mu Yu decided to disobey orders and sneak after Cheng Yan when Uncle An wasn’t paying attention. Mu Yu believed he knew Green Pine Sect well enough to have a good chance of finding Feng Haochen from the shadows. He ascended to Foundation Establishment Realm’s Fifth Layer in the single month, which was fast progress, but there was still a gap.
Due to the difference in speed between Cheng Yan and Mu Yu, the celebration had commenced by the time Mu Yu arrived. Mu Yu furtively searched the trees and found a position to overwatch the plaza from the tallest tree.
Green Pine Sect erected a majestic and tall platform, embellished with dragon and phoenix patterns. The four Golden Core Realm Eight Layer elders, who held high authority in the sect and demanded as much respect as other sects’ patriarchs, stood at the four corners on the platform. Ever since becoming members of Green Pine Sect, they spent their days training in private; it was an honour to see the four of them together on the platform. They were dressed in white from head to toe to match their hair colour. Wearing stern looks, they monitored those below the platform.
Two of the elders were Daoist Qing Song’s uncles, namely Qing Yuan and Qing Yu. Qing Yuan and Qing Yu were erstwhile elders of Green Tiger Sect, the very sect Daoist Qing Song joined as a child. Apparently, Daoist Qing Song’s shifu decided to pass leadership of the sect to his ordinary son instead of Daoist Qing Song. Daoist Qing Song, therefore, didn’t see any hope in staying there. To top it off, the new patriarch was jealous of Daoist Qing Song’s aptitude, so he constantly tried to harm Daoist Qing Song. As such, Daoist Qing Song bid the sect farewell to establish Green Pine Sect.
Qing Yuan and Qing Yu were alienated after Daoist Qing Song departed, compelling them to join Daoist Qing Song. In turn, Daoist Qing Song granted them authority as Green Pine Sect’s two most senior elders. As for Green Tiger Sect, the new patriarch eventually ran it into the ground under his underwhelming leadership. He resorted to begging Daoist Qing Song for help. Daoist Qing Song brought Green Tiger Sect under Green Pine Sect’s banner. Hence, Green Tiger Sect was no more thereafter.
The other two elders were rogue cultivators and named Guan Chang and Zhi Shi. The two were former undefeated troublemakers until they met their match at Daoist Qing Song’s hands. The rest was history.
Those beneath the platform were patriarchs and elders from various sects quietly waiting to see the new and improved Daoist Qing Song. Needless to say, Green Pine Sect’s disciples were also there, sporting their proud smiles – save for Xiaohu, who was still bitter about his loss to Mu Yu.
When Daoist Qing Song showed up, his imposing aura was akin to a boulder dropping on everyone, suffocating them. He zipped through the sky and appeared blindingly bright. Every step he took on his way over sent ripples through the air. Daoist Qing Song stood in between the four elders with his hands behind his back, intentionally assuming a proud posture. Perhaps he intended to change the world of cultivation.
Every other sect’s patriarchs and elders went down on their knees, silver beads collected above their eyebrows. The four elders on the platform went down on their knees in unison and rapturously kowtowed with both hands up to the sky. “Welcome, Patriarch!”
Daoist Qing Song flicked his sleeve. Without raising his voice, he declared, “Rise.” Daoist He swept his gaze over everyone present, then asked, “Two patriarchs are absent. Is that their way of expressing their refusal to acknowledge me?”
Cheng Yan gave Daoist Qing Song a palm and fist salute. “My shifu has been cultivating in seclusion for some time. Please forgive him for not being able to make it.”
“Brother Feng Haochen has never been one to vie for anything, so I can understand his absence. Why is Reverend Jiuhua absent, though?”
Mu Yu perceived Daoist Qing Song’s response as, “I know he can’t come, so I’m not surprised.” It would explain why he let Dustfallen Sect off the hook, yet took issue with Reverend Jiuhua’s absence.
It was assumed Reverend Jiuhua was bitter Daoist Qing Song had ascended to Primordial Infant Realm, and the former was unwilling to show acquiescence. It was crazy for Reverend Jiuhua to pull a no-show as Daoist Qing Song could’ve crushed the entire sect if the latter took offence. Nobody could rationalise Reverend Jiuhua’s behaviour.
“Elder Qing Song, my shifu is held up with work. He will personally visit to congratulate you once he has wrapped up,” explained Ju Wenxnig, unnerved.
“I shall be waiting to receive him.” The corner of Daoist Qing Song’s lips tugged up subtly at the sight of dream come true; he had accepted becoming a servant to the youth, reasoning it was just the price to pay.
“Patriarch, Qing Yu wishes to speak.”
“The four of you need not stand on ceremony. You are my seniors and contributed to Green Pine Sect’s establishment. Now that I have ascended to Primordial Infant Realm, I will help you smash through your plateaus, which will also benefit the sect. Qing Yu, you are my uncle in terms of martial arts seniority. Please speak freely.”
“Thank you, Patriarch,” responded the four elders.
Qing Yu stood up and opined, “Patriarch, all patriarchs are gathered here today. Since you are now a Primordial Infant Realm cultivator, why not have the other sects merge with Green Pine Sect? That would end the under-the-table back and forth battles that have been taking place. They would not dare to defy you.”
That always was Daoist Qing Song’s ambition. With his new standing, nobody could stand in his way once he united the world of cultivation. His every word would be an irrefutable command. He was pro-revolution. As the new monarch, Daoist Qing Song was obligated to think about his people.
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