Endless struggles and covert conflicts abound.

Normally, as a sect of immortals, they ought to maintain a certain dignified facade; their usual maneuvers possessed a sliver of immortal grace. However, today, in the contest for the next Sect Master, they have descended into outright brawling.

A nation cannot endure a day without a sovereign.

A mountain cannot stand a day without a lord.

The previous Sect Master, Yan Cangtian, has already ascended. As a premier immortal sect, Huashan naturally must elect the next generation's leader. The former Sect Master, Yan Cangtian, once held the world in awe with a single sword strike; while he held the position, no one dared to contest or seize it. His reputation as the Sword Saint silenced all political maneuvering.

But now, the time has come to select the new Sect Master.

The selection of the next Sect Master naturally requires overwhelming strength. Within the Huashan Immortal Sect resides an Elder Council, primarily composed of the Eighth Generation, and even some figures from the Seventh Generation. Do not doubt it; in the current cultivation world, there are indeed ancient relics from the Seventh Generation. Of course, while Yan Cangtian lived, his single sword pressuring the populace of the Great Jin Dynasty included those rare survivors of the Seventh Generation.

Following the old rules of the cultivation world, the Seventh and Eighth Generations usually remain within their respective Elder Councils, rarely making public appearances.

It is only for this selection of the new Sect Master that those in the Elder Council will emerge.

Since the previous Sect Master, Yan Cangtian, was of the Eighth Generation, the next leader cannot be chosen from the Seventh Generation; the search must be limited to the Eighth Generation. Some within the Eighth Generation possess formidable strength, so concerns about sheer power are unnecessary.

The greatest question remains: Who will be the next Sect Master?

What identity should this person possess?

From the Sword (Zong)? The Qi? The Sword-Qi?

This is the crux of the issue.

Whichever sect the next Sect Master hails from will determine which faction gains influence. In Yan Cangtian's era, although he originated from the Sword, he remained impartial towards the Three Sects. Finding a successor who can match Yan Cangtian’s standing will be exceedingly difficult. Regardless, this issue has fueled constant, visible and hidden struggles.

This endless fighting left Huashan devoid of peace.

Finally, a candidate was decided.

The Eighth Generation’s "One Sword Severing Heaven," Chu Duan.

This man is the choice for the new Sect Master, and his other identity, or affiliation, lies with the Sword.

Of the three Huashan Sects, look at the current state of the Tenth Generation—the Sword is undeniably the strongest. Both its twin peaks, the East Peak—Chaoyang Peak—and the South Peak—Luoyan Peak—are immensely powerful, boasting numerous skilled experts. As for the Qi’s twin peaks, the West Peak—Lianhua Peak—is reasonably strong, but the Central Peak—Yü Nu Peak—has consistently been less so.

The North Peak of the Sword-Qi is decent, but having only one peak means it cannot compare to the other two sects, which each possess two.

Therefore, the Sword is currently the most powerful of the Three Sects.

Observe that the previous Sect Master came from the Sword, and now the newly appointed master, Chu Duan, also emerges from the Sword.

It was a tranquil afternoon in the Zhongzheng Pinghe Zhai, where two cups of clear tea had been brewed.

One cup was naturally for Venerable Yuanyuan, and the other for Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan now frequented the Zhongzheng Pinghe Zhai and had grown accustomed to it, no longer feeling the initial discomfort.

Sitting there sipping tea, Lu Yuan took a draught. "Truly, I can't get used to this. Wine is much better," Venerable Yuanyuan remarked. "You must know the selection for the next Sect Master by now."

"This disciple knows," Lu Yuan nodded. The affair had caused an uproar that reached every corner of Huashan; even ordinary disciples were aware. How could Lu Yuan, a core disciple, not know?

"If you, among our Tenth Generation, had not emerged, Huashan might be known as the Iron Age, an era of minimal outstanding talent. Fortunately, you appeared, ensuring the Tenth Generation won't be labeled as such," Venerable Yuanyuan suddenly shifted the topic. Lu Yuan was unsure why; "Our Ninth Generation produced many remarkable figures, once hailed as the Golden Generation. However, the true Golden Generation was the Eighth Generation."

"The figures of the Eighth Generation were truly immensely powerful. And your Martial Ancestor Chu Duan, 'One Sword Severing Heaven,' was ranked fourth among the Eighth Generation back then," Venerable Yuanyuan stated.

"The first rank naturally belongs to Ancestor Yan, that goes without saying. Who were the second and third ranked?" Lu Yuan’s curiosity was piqued.

"The second-ranked figure is entangled with a forbidden matter, but it is known that he currently resides in Siguo Cliff." Hearing Venerable Yuanyuan’s words, Lu Yuan felt a jolt. Siguo Cliff was where members of the sect who committed transgressions were punished. Was the Eighth Generation's second-ranked figure there?

"As for the third-ranked figure," Venerable Yuanyuan took a sip of tea, deliberately keeping Lu Yuan in suspense, before slowly uttering two words: "He died. Though the cultivation world is enjoying a golden age, people dying is quite normal. So, the death of the third-ranked figure back then was also normal."

"Martial Uncle Chu Duan, 'One Sword Severing Heaven,' he too was a figure of astonishing genius." The afternoon sun warmed their skin. The sage of the North Peak's Ninth Generation and the outstanding figure of the Tenth Generation discussed the new Huashan Sect Master. It seemed an inconsequential conversation, yet everyone knew that the new Master’s lineage and temperament would profoundly influence Huashan's future strategic planning.

However, mostly Venerable Yuanyuan spoke while Lu Yuan listened.

So what if the new Sect Master appeared? He would continue to practice his sword on the North Peak and drink his wine; why involve himself in such matters?

I shall not bow to the Heavenly Emperor! Free and unfettered with wine and sword! This was the resolve forged during his baptism under the Imperial Fist and Emperor Sword—a will that would not yield even to the Heavenly Emperor.

So noisy!

Lu Yuan frowned. He had sought out a quiet patch of grass intending to drift off to sleep, but the noise beside him was deafening. It was impossible to find a moment of peace. Recently, he had changed locations three times, always choosing previously quiet spots, only to have people appear nearby.

And this time, the few beside him—you two are enjoying your romantic conversation a bit too much, aren't you? A male cultivator and a female cultivator sharing sweet nothings—did you really have to do it right here?

Truly…

But there was no choice. It was impossible for things to be quiet now; people from all factions were flocking to Huashan.

The succession ceremony for the Wuling Immortal Sect Master had already drawn many visitors and created quite a scene. Now, however, it was the Huashan Immortal Sect succession. Huashan was incomparably grander than Wuling. This was a matter of paramount importance to the entire Great Jin Cultivation World; every move Huashan made influenced the whole domain.

Chu Duan, 'One Sword Severing Heaven,' taking the position was not welcome news for many immortal sects.

Under the overwhelming brilliance of Yan Cangtian, the Elder Council remained concealed. Yan Cangtian was too dominant. Now that he has ascended, the Elder Council has revealed itself, unleashing an ace like Chu Duan, 'One Sword Severing Heaven,' a figure once famous across the land.

Huashan's foundation is too deep.

Huashan has too many experts.

These were the sentiments of those observing. Those who understood Chu Duan's style of governance secretly harbored dread. Simply put, Chu Duan was a hardliner whose methods were consistently tough. This was not good news for the Great Jin Cultivation World; they would much prefer a transcendent leader like Yan Cangtian over a hardliner like Chu Duan.

Such was the situation. Regardless of their musings, the Huashan Immortal Sect succession ceremony would soon take place, drawing congratulatory guests from all sides. For Wuling, perhaps sending a Ninth Generation Sword Immortal would suffice, but for Huashan's ceremony, they had to send heavyweight figures—at least those at the Venerable level.

Furthermore, even the Great Qin Nation, a higher-tiered realm, would dispatch guests, demonstrating the prestige Huashan commanded.

In truth, Huashan Immortal Sect had reached the pinnacle of premier immortal sects, with only a slight gap separating them from the Four Great Immortal Sects of Great Qin.

Since the Great Yuan Nation was currently in a truce with the Great Jin Nation, they too sent representatives to offer congratulations.

This was not merely a major event for Huashan, but for the entire Great Jin Nation.

At this moment, the number of people on Huashan was uncountable.

This was a rare grand celebration for Huashan, but simultaneously, the celebration had turned the mountain into a place utterly devoid of tranquility. Lu Yuan could not find a place to sleep in late; he had tried several spots, and none offered peace, truly enough to bring tears to his eyes. There was no alternative; he likely wouldn't find quiet on the North Peak.

He would go to the White Cloud Immortal Realm instead. Lu Yuan shot up, ascending into the sky upon his sword.

Riding a sword was distinctly different from ordinary flight.

Sword-riding involved a ray of light scattering from the flying sword, enveloping the person, and shooting straight into the sky. The greatest advantage of sword-riding was speed, far quicker than standard flight. Moreover, while riding, one’s defense was considerably higher than during normal flight. Thus, once one reached the Sword-Riding level, it became the primary mode of travel.

Lu Yuan was currently guiding his Yangwu Sword, pondering the rumor that after the Longevity Stage, there was a level where one could simultaneously wield two flying swords—one for defense, one for attack. Alas, he could currently only manage two swords, but only one at a time.

Amidst this lament, he had already arrived above the White Cloud Immortal Realm.

Upon reaching the White Cloud Immortal Realm, he immediately began practicing his sword.

The Yangwu Sword danced four to five feet away from him, cutting through the air with brilliant light. He was still executing the One Hundred and Eight Swords of Wind and Cloud, yet this performance differed from the previous one. The great gate of the Way of the Sword had opened, and Lu Yuan’s swordsmanship was improving ceaselessly.

Wielding the Yangwu Sword in this manner brought him immense satisfaction.

The long sword moved, scattering the white clouds!