Chapter 964: Thousands of Sects Pay Homage, Shocking the Crowd
Chapter 964: Thousands of Sects Pay Homage, Shocking the Crowd
Editor: Henyee Translations
As the drums and horns played in unison, the atmosphere at the celestial altar finally reached its climax. The sky was filled with auspicious clouds and radiant light, while numerous mythical beasts dominated the four corners, exuding an imposing presence.
The disciples and elders of the Haoran Sect were also swept up in heightened emotions, their eyes fixed intently on the three figures standing on the high platform.
When the auspicious time arrived, marked by the shining of the lucky star, Xue Ping and Qin Shenwu finally made their move. They stood tall and approached Jiang Chengxuan with measured steps, their ceremonial robes fluttering with grace.
The two approached Jiang Chengxuan and began tracing mysterious patterns in the air with their hands while chanting ritual words, circling around him until the incantation was complete.
The next moment, celestial light shone down from the high heavens, enveloping Jiang Chengxuan. Bathed in this divine light, his demeanor transformed, becoming almost celestial in nature.
At that moment, the ceremony was officially completed. The title of Sect Master of the Haoran Sect was formally transferred to Jiang Chengxuan, with the approval of the celestial ancestors.
“The new Sect Master of the Haoran Sect, from today onward, is Jiang Chengxuan! Any disrespect towards him will be regarded as enmity towards our Haoran Sect!”
After the handover ceremony, Xue Ping brought Jiang Chengxuan forward and announced loudly to all members of the Haoran Sect.
“Sect Master! Jiang Chengxuan! Sect Master! Jiang Chengxuan! Sect Master!”
Countless disciples of the Haoran Sect spontaneously joined in the chant.
As Jiang Chengxuan looked around at all the members of the Haoran Sect gathered at the celestial altar, he felt a surge of responsibility. From this moment on, these people were all connected to him.
Jiang Chengxuan then delivered an inspiring speech to the disciples of the Haoran Sect and announced an increase in benefits for all disciples, distributing cultivation resources such as pills, talismans, and magical tools on the spot—further securing the loyalty of many.
For Jiang Chengxuan, distributing mid to low-level pills was trivial, considering the vast resources at his disposal.
Thus, the internal inauguration ceremony of the Haoran Sect was completed successfully, and from this day forward, Jiang Chengxuan officially became the universally supported new Sect Master of the Haoran Sect.
However, the process of taking over as Sect Master of the Haoran Sect was not entirely complete.
Next, a ceremony to announce his elevation to the entire Floodgate Realm was to be held.
Soon, invitations for the inauguration ceremony of the new Sect Master of the Haoran Sect, signed by Jiang Chengxuan, were sent out to nearly every sect in the Floodgate Realm.
This excluded rivals such as the Five Elements Heaven Sect and the Qiankun Hall to avoid potential conflicts.
When the invitation reached powerful sects like the Pantheon Sect, the Flying Gate, the Qian Family, and other influential powers, their high-ranking members were all taken aback.
Although Jiang Chengxuan had already made a name for himself during the Five Realms War, and the rise of the Haoran Sect had been unstoppable thereafter, it was shocking that just two hundred years had passed without any significant events, and suddenly, the Haoran Sect was changing its Sect Master.
Had it not been for Jiang Chengxuan’s role as Vice Sect Master paving the way, they might have suspected internal strife within the Haoran Sect.
After all, disputes within a sect over leadership are not uncommon.
Clearly, they were not yet aware of Jiang Chengxuan’s breakthrough to the Dao Mastery realm.
If they had known, their reaction might have been even more profound.
As a newly emerging dominant force in the Floodgate Realm, no one dared to decline Jiang Chengxuan’s invitation.
Even those who might harbor resentment towards him would not dare show disrespect towards the entire Haoran Sect.
Days later, these sects accepted the invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Sect Master of the Haoran Sect, and news of their participation was sent back to the Haoran Sect. At the same time, discussions in the Floodgate Realm began to heat up.
The name Jiang Chengxuan was familiar to the cultivators of the Floodgate Realm, but associating it with the Sect Master of the Haoran Sect was still somewhat awkward.
As the date of the Haoran Sect’s grand ceremony approached, even solitary cultivators sought to join the excitement, recognizing the significance of the event for the entire realm’s power dynamics.
Such festive occasions were also prime opportunities for these solitary cultivators to gain some small benefits, as a sect as generous as the Haoran Sect would not be petty.
A festive and fervent atmosphere quietly began to spread throughout the entire Floodgate Realm, showcasing the influence of the Haoran Sect.
However, there were a few exceptions, namely the rival sects of the Haoran Sect.
“Jiang Chengxuan? That scourge has become the Sect Master of the Haoran Sect?” grumbled a leader from one of these rival factions.
“The Haoran Sect sent invitations to all sects but deliberately excluded us. This is an outrageous insult!” another leader complained.
The leaders of the Five Elements Heaven Sect, the Qiankun Sect, and the Eternal Sword Sect were all seething with anger. Despite their frustrations, they dared not provoke the Haoran Sect, which was at the height of its power.
“Damn it! Do they really think they’ve become the overlords? Such disregard for us, we’ll make sure the Haoran Sect regrets this one day!”
In response to their situation, they could only curse and strictly forbid their disciples from attending the Haoran Sect’s ceremony. This was their only form of protest available.
As the day of the Haoran Sect’s grand inauguration ceremony approached, all eyes were on them, paying little heed to the petty grievances of the Five Elements Heaven Sect and others.
Soon, the long-awaited day of the grand ceremony arrived, and the Floodgate Realm buzzed with unprecedented activity. The Haoran Sect’s domain, in particular, was a hive of excitement.
Sects from north to south, who were eager to forge ties or simply witness the grand event, sent representatives. Each delegation arrived bearing gifts, representing their respective powers.
Many sects, despite not having direct disputes with the Haoran Sect, harbored subtle rivalries with each other. Thus, the presentation of gifts became a stage for them to subtly compete and outdo each other.
On this day, the protective barriers of the Haoran Sect were wide open. Qin Shenwu sat alone at the highest peak, his aura subtly leaking out, deterring any malicious intentions.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chengxuan stood with his hands behind his back atop the Cloudmist Peak, accompanied by Shen Ruyan. They watched as various guests entered the Haoran Sect. This spot was the most conspicuous within the Haoran Sect, and nearly every visitor couldn’t help but glance in their direction.
On Cloudmist Peak, only high-ranking members of other sects could clearly see Jiang Chengxuan and respectfully bowed from a distance, to which he politely responded.
It was then that some perceptive individuals began to realize Jiang Chengxuan’s extraordinary status. It seemed he had already reached the realm of Dao Mastery, a discovery that undeniably shocked them.
As the representatives from various sects mingled with the Haoran Sect’s elders and exchanged pleasantries, they learned that Jiang Chengxuan had indeed broken through to the Dao Mastery realm, and that too in just two hundred years. The towering Cloudmist Peak stood as proof of his achievement.
Those who heard this news were visibly shaken, contemplating whether their gifts were sufficiently grand to honor such a momentous occasion.