Chapter 679: Revisiting Kongyuan Hall
Nowadays, on the Cloud-Pausing Terrace before Caijun Tower, although a few cultivators would occasionally whisper among themselves, it was precisely because of these faint sounds that Qingchan Peak felt even more silent and desolate than before.
After who knows how long, perhaps the time it took to burn a few sticks of incense, or perhaps several hours.
The bronze bell hanging from the corner eaves of Caijun Tower was suddenly brushed by a gentle breeze. The bell swayed, emitting an extremely soft sound, and within the clear, crisp tone produced by the bell's movement, there seemed to be a hint of bleakness mixed in.
Then, the great doors of Caijun Tower slowly opened wide.
A few more breaths passed, and from within the shadows of the hall, several figures dressed in pure white daoist robes slowly emerged. They were all Grand Elders of the Kongshan Sect.
And the one leading them was none other than He Zongzhou, the Supreme Martial Pacification Elder of Kongshan Sect, who currently held temporary authority over the Four Supreme Courts.
He Zongzhou stood firm on the steps before Caijun Tower, gazing down at the several thousand Kongshan Sect cultivators gathered on the Cloud-Pausing Terrace below.
This day had long been anticipated.
Or rather, ever since the day the Great Chaos of the Immortals had ended and Patriarch Kong had been severely wounded, the Kongshan Sect had been preparing for this very day.
After another brief moment of silence, this contemporary Supreme Martial Pacification Elder of the Kongshan Sect, the new helmsman of the sect following True Person Caiyun, Kong Yang, raised his head high and began to proclaim to all the Kongshan Sect disciples on the Cloud-Pausing Terrace:
"Patriarch Kong has ascended to immortality!"
No commotion arose from the Cloud-Pausing Terrace before Caijun Tower.
After all, everyone knew exactly what was going to happen today.
Having spoken, He Zongzhou slightly turned his head, casting his gaze toward the young man beside him who still appeared quite youthful, only around twenty years old.
This young man was the current Sect Leader of the Kongshan Sect, Yun Yichen.
Subsequently, the current Sect Leader of the Kongshan Sect stepped forward, moving to stand before He Zongzhou, and unfolded the Jade Slip that he had been holding in his hand all along.
This Jade Slip was the imperial decree that had been discussed and drafted seven days prior, when Patriarch Kong had summoned Supreme Martial Pacification Elder He for a meeting.
It was the final decree left by Patriarch Kong, concerning the succession of authority, allocation of resources, and numerous other matters for the future of the Kongshan Sect.
Yun Yichen's voice was extremely steady and well-organized, and every single word he spoke concerned the lifeline and direction of the Kongshan Sect's future.
Once the decree had been fully read, the Cloud-Pausing Terrace remained completely silent. No clamor, no disturbance.
And it was precisely at this moment that He Zongzhou's expression suddenly stiffened, and his gaze sharply shot toward the other side of the Cloud-Pausing Terrace.
He saw the figure of a handsome young man dressed in plain white daoist robes, slowly walking in the direction of Caijun Tower.
He Zongzhou naturally knew who that young man was.
"Kongshan Sect's He Zongzhou pays respects to True Person Du Cang!"
He Zongzhou hurriedly called out in a loud voice, and standing on the steps of Caijun Tower, he began to bow in the direction of the other side of the Cloud-Pausing Terrace.
Everyone on the Cloud-Pausing Terrace fell into a brief stupor, then turned around one after another, gazing at the young man in plain white daoist robes who was slowly approaching Caijun Tower.
"We pay respects to True Person Du Cang!"
Following that, the Kongshan Sect disciples on the Cloud-Pausing Terrace began to bow respectfully toward Chen Yan one after another.
"No need for formalities."
Although Chen Yan was still very far away, his voice was extremely resounding. Every corner of Qingchan Peak could hear his voice.
"Today, I am not the Steward of Chenping Continent. I have only come as an old friend, to pay my respects to True Person Kong."
Chen Yan continued.
The Cloud-Pausing Terrace was utterly silent. Only after another few breaths of hesitation did the cultivators, led by some among them, straighten their bodies and turn back to face the direction of Caijun Tower, no longer paying attention to the Steward of Chenping Continent.
After all, that was True Person Du Cang's own wish.
However, the fact that True Person Du Cang would come to pay respects to Patriarch Kong was something the cultivators of the Kongshan Sect had never expected.
Counting Patriarch Kong and True Person Du Cang together, Chenping Continent currently had a total of seven Immortal Ascension Realm cultivators.
Not counting Patriarch Kong, there were six remaining.
And True Person Du Cang was the only one among them who had come to the Kongshan Sect to pay respects to Patriarch Kong.
The mountain wind threaded through the peaks, sweeping across the Cloud-Pausing Terrace.
It stirred up some dust and fallen leaves, sobbing as it rushed toward the distance, as if telling a story, as if bidding farewell.
......
Kongshan Sect, Kongyuan Mountain.
Inside Kongyuan Hall.
Seven cultivators were seated within this great hall that represented the orthodox lineage of the Kongshan Sect. The young man sitting in the seat of honor was none other than the current Sect Leader of the Kongshan Sect, Yun Yichen.
The other six were the six disciples Yun Yichen had taken in.
Whether it was Zhong Yin, who was now the Sword Master Elder of Qingchan Peak, or Lin Qifeng, who was cultivating far away on Du Cang Mountain, all of them had arrived here today.
After the news that Patriarch Kong was about to fall had reached Du Cang Mountain, Lin Qifeng was not the only one who had returned to the Kongshan Sect.
In fact, all the Guardians of the Dao on Du Cang Mountain who originated from the Kongshan Sect had rushed back to the sect the moment they received the news.
"Now that Patriarch Kong has ascended, the Kongshan Sect still stands."
Yun Yichen said slowly:
"Supreme Martial Pacification Elder He and the Grand Elders have followed Patriarch Kong's final decree to stabilize the overall situation... But now that our sect has lost its only Ascended Steward, and does not even have a Dao Union great power to speak for us... How the Kongshan Sect's path forward lies, and how we should conduct ourselves within the cultivation world of Chenping Continent, all require early deliberation of strategy."
These direct-line disciples of Kongyuan Mountain all remained silent, simply listening quietly.
Even Lin Qifeng was the same, appearing especially composed today.
After another brief moment of silence, Yun Yichen continued:
"In Patriarch Kong's final decree, there were a few words that, after discussion between Supreme Martial Pacification Elder He and myself, were not read aloud. But after pondering for some time, I have decided to tell you all. Remember, do not spread this outside."
"Master, please speak!"
Zhong Yin bowed respectfully toward Yun Yichen.
"This matter concerns True Person Du Cang."
Yun Yichen said:
"In Patriarch Kong's final decree, he did not only entrust the future leadership of the sect to Supreme Martial Pacification Elder He... He also said that in the future, if True Person Chen has any demands, the Kongshan Sect must unconditionally obey True Person Chen's orders."
"Why?"
Someone asked in obvious confusion.
"Although this is only my speculation, I believe the reason Patriarch Kong left such a decree is most likely because he had engaged in some kind of transaction with True Person Chen. For example, entrusting Chen Yan to lend a hand after Patriarch Kong's fall, when the Kongshan Sect was about to sink into the abyss..."
"Just now, I thought I heard someone calling my name?"
Before Yun Yichen could finish speaking, a very familiar young man's voice suddenly came from outside Kongyuan Hall.
Then, the hall doors slowly opened wide.
And that Steward of Chenping Continent, always dressed in plain white daoist robes, simply stood quietly at the entrance of the great hall, a smile hanging on his face.