Supreme of the Heavenly Realm
Chapter 516 - 511 Deputy Sect Master Selection

Chapter 516: Chapter 511 Deputy Sect Master Selection

"These fools, the Evil Dragon Jade is a Holy Object of our clan, how could it be so easily subdued?"

In the darkness, a shadow let out a cackling laugh, but the black robe was so voluminous that the true face of the shadow could not be seen.

"The Evil Dragon Jade, falling into my hands, is indeed returning to its rightful owner... Those humans, though they struggled in vain, have delivered me a great gift."

After toying with the Evil Dragon Jade for a while, the shadow pocketed it and then eerily vanished on the spot.

Outside the great hall, silence returned once again.

...

After leaving the Evil Dragon Temple, Ye Xuan and his companions returned to the Xuantian Sect. They were all cultivating in the back mountains, digesting the gains from their journey.

Apart from Ye Xuan, Xue Lingzi, Fei Yue, and others had significant gains. Ouyang Tie and Leng Wusheng also had some gains. Moreover, having undergone this life-and-death ordeal had greatly benefitted their mental growth. Although their cultivation had not substantially advanced, this enhancement in their temperament was not something that could be seen immediately, but was an inner sublimation.

After they left, no one was aware of the shadow’s appearance or who ultimately ended up with the Evil Dragon Jade—that was clearly none of their concern.

Upon returning to the Xuantian Sect, the atmosphere within the Inner Sect had become somewhat oppressive. Both the Gentleman Sect and the Crown Prince Party had lost a large number of members in the Evil Dragon Temple, with only a few escaping, striking a severe blow to both factions.

After all, those who ventured into the Evil Dragon Temple were essentially the elite disciples of the Inner Sect. Most of the losses were among these individuals, who were not easily replaced since the Xuantian Sect recruited only a few Inner Sect disciples each year.

However, despite the severe losses in the Evil Dragon Temple, it did not affect the two factions’ leading positions within the Inner Sect. Their status remained unshakable. Moreover, with the recent spread of a piece of news, the atmosphere within the Inner Sect started to shift delicately once more.

The Sect was going to select a Deputy Sect Master.

This was undoubtedly shocking news.

This position of Deputy Sect Master would be chosen among the current generation of disciples, meaning, whoever assumed this role would likely be the successor to the Sect Master of Xuantian Sect.

Regarding the selection of the Deputy Sect Master, opinions varied—some said it would be decided by the Elder Council, others believed it would be settled through martial contests, and still others claimed the candidate had already been predetermined. Who to believe was not clear at the moment.

Ye Xuan was not particularly interested in the selection of the Deputy Sect Master. After he returned to the Xuantian Sect and devoted some time to stabilizing his cultivation, he visited the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower once more to absorb the power of the ten-thousand-year-old Earth Core Fire.

At present, Ye Xuan was sitting cross-legged inside the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. His True Yuan surged endlessly from his Dantian, circulated through one complete cycle, and then returned to his Dantian.

His two Martial Souls, floating at the center of his Dantian, emitted distinctly different auras. However, there was no conflict between the two auras, likely due to Ye Xuan’s half-demon nature. Otherwise, ordinary people would certainly not be able to harmonize Martial Soul and Demon Soul—ordinary people could not even refine a Demon Soul.

Ye Xuan’s cultivation was stable at the Second Grade Martial Venerate level. It was difficult for him to break through in a short period, but although his realm was still not high among the Inner Sect disciples, at this moment, Ye Xuan was regarded as a top-tier expert in the Inner Sect of the Xuantian Sect. If he were to use all his trump cards, he might even be able to surpass the three giants of the Inner Sect.

However, the successive dangers he encountered in the Evil Dragon Temple made Ye Xuan even more aware that one must always keep something in reserve, preserve strength, because revealing one’s last trump card is also when one is at the greatest peril.

Currently, Ye Xuan’s strongest trump card, apart from his Martial Arts Primordial Spirit which he could not control himself, was the fusion of the Xuanbing Cold Flame and Molten Lava Earth Core Fire. After a long period of merging, these two Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fires had gained formidable power. The last time he used the Thunder Brilliance Bow, the arrows were imbued with the power combined from these two Spiritual Fires.

However, this fusion hadn’t yet reached a perfect state, only achieving about a fifth of its potential. But even just this small degree of fusion provided such powerful destructive force that Ye Xuan was quite satisfied.

In the subsequent days, Ye Xuan stayed within the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower. He had exchanged a lot of resources to earn this batch of Merit Points and intended to cultivate for a longer period.

Thus, time passed quite smoothly for a month.

"I wonder how Senior Sister Ling, Yaoer, and my maid Little Xi are doing."

The process of cultivation could inevitably be somewhat monotonous. Though Ye Xuan was a person who could endure loneliness, he still thought of Ling Qianxue, Nangong Yao, and his maid Little Xi, wondering how they were currently faring since it had already been nearly half a year since he arrived on the Spirit Martial Continent.

"Last time, Elder Jin mentioned that the palace they entered, the Snow Soul Palace, is a branch of the Seventh Grade Sect, Snow God Mountain. They should have good prospects for development there."

Ye Xuan briefly worried about them but was not overly concerned. Once his situation stabilized, he could visit the Snow Soul Palace.

"From what I recall, the day to decide the Deputy Sect Master seems to be in these next few days."

Ye Xuan pondered to himself. Though uninterested in the position of Deputy Sect Master, as per the rules, all Inner Sect disciples must attend, and he was no exception.

After such a long period of cultivation, going to witness a good spectacle could be enjoyable.

"But before that, I should treat myself to a nice soak in the hot springs on the back mountain."

He patted the dust off his clothes and Ye Xuan walked straight out of the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower.

Three days later.

At the Martial Arts Square in the center of the Xuantian Sect.

When Ye Xuan arrived there, the place had already amassed a huge crowd, clearly, the Deputy Sect Master selection had attracted many Inner Sect Disciples to come, knowing that most of them had no chance, but still harboring a bit of hope, what if they got lucky?

"Junior Brother Ye Xuan."

Just as Ye Xuan reached the square, he was warmly called out by Fei Yue and others.

This scene was seen by many Inner Sect Disciples, and many felt envious. Although Fei Yue had the title of "Female Asura," it didn’t affect the fact that she was one of the top beauties within the Xuantian Sect. It was rare to see Fei Yue greet anyone like this; seeing her suddenly being so enthusiastic towards Ye Xuan naturally made some feel displeased.

"Senior Sister, you’ve gotten me quite a bit of hatred here."

Feeling those gazes from around, Ye Xuan shook his head and joked toward Fei Yue.

"Why care about what the commoners think?"

Fei Yue’s expression was somewhat disdainful as she wrapped her arms around Ye Xuan’s right arm in a very intimate manner, drawing even more hostile gazes from the surroundings.

"Cough cough, Senior Sister, mind the influence."

Ye Xuan himself didn’t mind, and as a man, he certainly wasn’t at a disadvantage. But this Senior Sister Fei Yue, why had her attitude become somewhat ambiguous today?

"Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Are you interested in today’s Deputy Sect Master selection?"

Fei Yue released his arms and asked with interest.

"Not interested."

Ye Xuan shook his head straightforwardly.

"Okay, that’s just like you. This Deputy Sect Master selection will involve both assessment and combat. Senior Brother Xue Lingzi and I are planning to try," Fei Yue said.

"Wish you success."

Ye Xuan nodded and didn’t add anything else. His gaze swept around the plaza before shifting to the area of the Crown Prince Party. Leading there was a burly young man, his body dark and over two meters tall, his muscles exceptionally firm, giving one a powerful feeling unlike that of a normal human.

"That person is the leader of the Crown Prince Party, the Crown Prince Feng Tian. His body isn’t entirely human, it is said that he carries the bloodline of the Ancient Kui Bull," Xue Lingzi next to him said, his face solemn as he assessed the Crown Prince Feng Tian lightly.

"The Ancient Kui Bull? This person does have some background then."

Ye Xuan was slightly stunned. The Ancient Kui Bull was a powerful Ancient Demon Beast, like most Ancient Demon Beasts, it had gradually faded away with time, almost completely disappearing in the late ancient period. It was unexpected that this Crown Prince Feng Tian would possess a trace of Kui Bull bloodline, indeed surprising.

Just having a hint of an Ancient Demon Beast’s bloodline was an unusual gift, allowing one to stand out among many geniuses.

"Is this the kid you were talking about, Ye Xuan?"

On the side of the Crown Prince Party, the Crown Prince Feng Tian also noticed Ye Xuan and asked Feng Yun and Chang Qin next to him.

"It’s him; this kid doesn’t have much strength, but he has good luck. Last time at the Evil Dragon Temple, this brat gained the most. Our Crown Prince Party suffered huge losses at the Evil Dragon Temple, and this kid bears a lot of responsibility for it,"

Feng Yun said, looking at Ye Xuan a bit annoyed.

"Shouldn’t be that great, he doesn’t even dare to participate in this Deputy Sect Master selection, how skilled could he be? Don’t worry, I’ll teach him a lesson if I get the chance."

The Crown Prince Feng Tian glanced at Ye Xuan then withdrew his gaze and stopped paying attention to him.

At this time, Ye Xuan continued to look around the venue; on the other side, Lord Wind and others were strikingly present. Meeting eyes with Lord Wind, the latter’s gaze merely flickered slightly cold before he looked away.

"The Gentleman Sect suffered heavy losses at the Evil Dragon Temple last time, and Lord Wind has been upset about it for a long time. He wants to use this opportunity to seize the position of Deputy Sect Master to restore the prestige of the Gentleman Sect," Fei Yue said smilingly.

"Hmm, but he seems to dislike me a bit, if this guy becomes the Deputy Sect Master, will I have any good days ahead? Senior Brother and Senior Sister, you guys really need to try your best this time."

Ye Xuan said so on the surface, but his heart held no dread. Even if Lord Wind became the Deputy Sect Master, he still couldn’t do much to him. In the Xuantian Sect, while status was useful, ultimately, it still relied on strength to speak.