Chapter 116: The Young Sect Leader Returns to the Martial World
“As expected, I guessed you’d come to my Artifact Pavilion, haha!” From afar, Nangong Xun, the Pavilion Master of the Artifact Pavilion, laughed heartily and called out in a loud voice as he saw Gu Xiaopang and his companion slowly approaching. The elders beside him also laughed heartily and nodded in agreement.
After the two bowed respectfully, they were invited by the senior figures into the main hall. Upon hearing their request, the elders immediately agreed to provide the required magical artifacts, with the Artifact Pavilion taking responsibility for all their needs.
Gu Xiaopang, unable to refuse, promptly produced more than twenty pieces of meteorite core rare iron, ranging from fourth to fifth grade. This display astonished the elders greatly. Within the entire Mysterious Mist Sect, fourth and fifth-grade materials were not abundant, though not entirely scarce either.
Seeing Gu Xiaopang pull out so many materials clearly not from their sect’s stockpile, and with his steady gaze indicating these were not his entire reserves, the elders could not help but be impressed. Being shrewd, they did not inquire about the source but accepted everything readily, fearing Gu Xiaopang might change his mind. They showed no hesitation or formality.
After about fifteen minutes, once Gu Xiaopang and his companion departed, the elders flocked to the largest forging chamber.
Next, they visited the second peak’s Herb Pavilion. After paying respects to Pavilion Master Qiu Lingshan, they generously left several fourth and fifth-grade spirit plants and herbs not found in the sect’s fields, along with a few spirit fruit seeds.
...
“Senior Brother Gu, Senior Sister Ling’er, the Pavilion Master has been waiting for a long time.”
“Waiting for us?”
“Yes, please follow me.”
Li Luo, the Pavilion Master of the fourth peak’s Formation Pavilion, was an eccentric old man who rarely ventured out or socialized. His whole heart was devoted to formations; he was a true aficionado.
After the two paid their respects, Li Luo stared fixedly at Gu Xiaopang for quite some time. Gu Xiaopang, usually bold, felt awkward standing or sitting under such scrutiny.
“Ahem, it’s Xiaopang, right? My eyesight isn’t so good these days. Quickly, quickly, have a seat; standing feels too formal.”
“This must be Ling’er’s niece. Good, very good—a match made in heaven.”
The two felt even more embarrassed but were glad to sit, relieved not to stand awkwardly unsure where to place their hands.
“I heard you left quite a few good things for the Artifact and Herb Pavilions.”
“What’s this? Are you just going to sit here, drinking my tea for free?”
“Pfft!”
Gu Xiaopang almost spat out his tea at this remark. Bai Ling’er glanced between him and Li Luo, noting how rare it was to see him caught off guard.
“Sir... I’m quite poor, really don’t have much.”
Seeing Li Luo’s outstretched old hand, still not withdrawn, Gu Xiaopang scratched his head and was forced to rummage blindly in his bosom.
Spirit herbs? Li Luo shook his head.
Meteorite core rare iron? Li Luo still shook his head.
Medium-grade spirit stones? Li Luo’s head shook even more dramatically...
After much hesitation, Gu Xiaopang finally placed a chaotic pile of odd-looking compasses, chessboards, and other strange items collected from the Endless Forest onto Li Luo’s old hand.
“That’s more like it!”
“Good stuff you were reluctant to give me? And only now taking it out?!”
“These are good things? I thought they were junk and almost put them aside.”
“You unappreciative brat!”
After this simple exchange, Gu Xiaopang realized everything he had given away was precious, which made his heart ache—his whole body ached.
Fortunately, Li Luo did not accept the gifts in vain and gave him a jade slip containing a formation isolating spiritual energy, which he was currently studying.
...
“Ling’er, Sister Ling’er, let’s not browse any further.”
“If we keep going, little brother will really go bankrupt.”
Gu Xiaopang said embarrassedly, clearly feeling the loss. Bai Ling’er smiled at his pitiful expression.
They decisively retreated and returned to their small dwelling on the fifth peak.
...
Main Peak Council Hall.
“Everyone, any objections?”
“No problems here.”
“Me neither.”
“Seconded…”
“Good! Then it’s settled! The announcement will be made at tomorrow’s Bell-Ringing Ceremony!”
The peak masters, pavilion masters, and powerful elders of the Mysterious Mist Sect gathered in one place. After a brief discussion, they reached an extremely important decision.
The next morning.
As the bell tolled repeatedly, disciples, stewards, and elders from all seven peaks hurried to the vast plaza below the main peak. Except for a few high-ranking individuals, most had no idea what was happening, including Gu Xiaopang himself.
Other than the last grand internal and external sect competition that drew such a crowd, the Mysterious Mist Sect had not seen such a full assembly in many years.
About the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the sound of several figures piercing the air was heard. The absolute top leaders of the sect arrived together.
“Today’s bell ringing summons everyone here to announce the sect’s highest decision!”
“Gu Changqing! Step forward!”
Gu Xiaopang was bewildered. Initially, he thought this gathering was none of his concern, merely a spectacle to watch.
But upon hearing Sect Master Nangong Kang’s command, he grew confused.
Despite his countless guesses, he obediently stepped forward and bowed deeply to the assembled elders.
“By unanimous decision of the Supreme Elders, the seven peaks, and all pavilions, Gu Changqing is hereby appointed as the Junior Sect Lord of the Mysterious Mist Sect.”
“What?”
Amid the stunned silence, Gu Xiaopang suddenly let out a strange shout, causing the elders’ faces to darken immediately. They cursed inwardly at this impudent brat’s inappropriate reaction in such a solemn occasion.
“Greetings, Junior Sect Lord!”
The tens of thousands, though surprised, accepted the decision wholeheartedly. No one disputed it; they clasped fists and bowed deeply toward the dazed Gu Xiaopang.
Startled, Gu Xiaopang jumped as if trying to dodge the bows.
“You brat, embarrassing yourself in the sect is one thing, but if you dare act so shameless outside, I’ll slap you to death!”
“Disperse!”
The dark-faced elders quickly averted their eyes, except for Sect Master Nangong Kang, who laughed and scolded him lightly, ending the grand assembly.
Forced into the role, wherever Gu Xiaopang went, countless people respectfully addressed him as Junior Sect Lord, which made him deeply uncomfortable.
Calling Bai Ling’er, the two swiftly collected their artifacts from the Pavilion and sped toward the sect’s formation boundary under the gaze of numerous disciples.
When the elders learned they left without bidding farewell, they laughed heartily.
After sending the news to all powers in the Southern Domain, everyone dispersed.
At this moment, Supreme Elder Nangong Hongbo vanished in a flash, pursuing the already distant Gu Xiaopang and Bai Ling’er.
As Gu Xiaopang’s protector, Nangong Hongbo rarely intervened or revealed himself, only watching from afar, ready to appear if Gu Xiaopang faced mortal danger.
Having a formidable protector, Gu Xiaopang immediately noticed his presence as soon as he caught up.
He thought to himself, having a secret powerful guardian was a bit awkward but, well, not bad at all.
---
This trip outside involved two tasks for Gu Xiaopang.
First, to collect the remaining spiritual essences of the Five Elements besides the Metal Essence.
Second, to teach the presumptuous Assassination Tower a lesson and recruit more subordinates.
...
The Southern Branch of the Assassination Tower was located at the westernmost edge of the Southern Domain.
It was led by a nascent Nascent Soul stage practitioner who focused solely on cultivation, ignoring external affairs, guarded by two fully realized Nascent Soul stage guardians and more than thirty experts at various Nascent Soul levels.
The top twenty on the Assassination List were usually handled by the Central Domain headquarters. Assassinations ranked beyond twentieth or unranked targets in the Southern Domain were handled by the Southern Branch.
They took money and eliminated disasters.
While this phrase sounded simple, it vividly reflected the harshness of the cultivation world: everyone had a price, especially the weak.
Had the Assassination Tower not dared to send someone to kill him, Gu Xiaopang might have kept to his own path.
But since they did, he had to collect interest.
Otherwise, his mind would not be clear, and his path would be blocked.
As for the Shura Mansion buyers who placed the bounty, their strength was currently beyond his reach, to be dealt with gradually later.
...
Already renowned in the Southern Domain, Gu Xiaopang had no choice but to wear half-face masks along with Bai Ling’er.
Passing through the Purple Gold border, they landed inside the military camp commander’s tent.
After a hearty feast with his royal uncle Zi Haochu, Zhao Qian, Guo Huaishan, and other generals, Gu Xiaopang took his leave.
They entered the Endless Forest nearby and headed deeper inside.
With the Bear Demon King’s token hung at his waist, the two sped through the forest swiftly, no beasts daring to block their way.
“Nephew, I heard you’ve made quite a name for yourself in the Southern Domain.”
“Uncle Bear, you flatter me. I’m just a straightforward nobody.”
“By the way, where’s Alu?”
“He went to the Fox Clan earlier and should be rushing here with Ami now.”
“Good, the two of us will have a gathering shortly.”
“By the way, Uncle Bear, do you know where the Five Element Essences are?”
“The Five Element Essences? Oh right, I almost forgot you cultivate all five elements. Looks like you’re close to forming your Golden Core.”
After pondering for a while, the Bear Demon King finally told Gu Xiaopang the whereabouts of the Wood Essence.
Deep in the southern part of the Endless Forest was a giant ancient tree spirit over ten thousand years old. Within its territory spanning tens of thousands of miles, no plant could survive—a forbidden zone for vegetation and, naturally, no mystical beasts dared nest there either.
Fortunately, this ancient tree spirit had a history with the Bear Demon King. According to the Bear Demon King, it would not be difficult to obtain a Wood Essence from it.
Feeling much relieved, Gu Xiaopang chatted idly with the Bear Demon King until Alu and Ami finally arrived.
Laughing heartily, they greeted each other with bear hugs and exchanged a few friendly punches—purely masculine interactions.
Ami jumped over to Bai Ling’er’s side, and the two walked away together, chatting quietly.
The broad-faced, thick-browed Bear Demon King smiled knowingly at the scene and then vanished.
High above, the Supreme Elder hiding in the shadows was somewhat bewildered.
Following Gu Xiaopang all the way, the brat first feasted with a band of rowdy soldiers at the Purple Gold Royal Court border.
Then he dashed recklessly through the supposedly forbidden high-level human territory of the Endless Forest, unbothered by any beast, with the beasts showing him deference.
Now he had a close relationship with a fifth-grade Earth Bear Demon and was even closer than brothers with that little demon bear, plus a third-grade little fox...
He couldn’t help but wonder when this scoundrel got to know all these people and beasts!
...