CHAPTER 557: CHAPTER 519: THE NEW FOUR GODS SECT

Since its founding, the Wenda Sect has never had a precedent of someone in their early thirties assuming the position of Great Elder.

Moreover, Zhai Xingzi is only twenty-four or twenty-five, still several years away from reaching that age.

Therefore, although everyone felt that appointing Zhai Xingzi as the Great Elder of the Wenda Sect seemed somewhat hasty and frivolous, no one could voice any objections.

After all, since the founding of the Wenda Sect, there has also been no precedent of a Sect Master in the Nascent Soul Realm, yet didn’t the old man from the Tang Family become the Sect Master of the Wenda Sect?

In contrast, Zhai Xingzi is currently the strongest in the sect. He may lack experience, but in terms of strength, he’s qualified to be a Sect Master.

Giving him the position of Great Elder seems to be of little importance.

"Today, we appoint Disciple Zhuang Sheng as the Great Elder of the Wenda Sect. Henceforth, he will assist the Sect Master in managing various sect affairs alongside the elders, working together for the development of the sect, without abusing power or forgetting our roots—"

As Sect Master Tang spoke passionately before the ancestral deity statue, the thoughts of many present were focused on Zhai Xingzi.

Taoist Mei transmitted her voice to Tian Lin, saying, "The Great Elder suddenly wants to step down, and by the looks of Zhai Xingzi and others, they clearly expected it. From this, it’s evident that prior to this conference, Zhai Xingzi had private meetings with the Great Elder and the Tang Family’s Sect Master.

Yet, the idea of making Zhai Xingzi the Great Elder, I wonder who devised it."

Although Tian Lin also paid little heed to the conference, he wasn’t as audacious as Taoist Mei.

He didn’t respond to Taoist Mei and instead glanced at Zhai Xingzi once more.

Unfortunately, try as he might, he still couldn’t detect the presence of the True Dragon’s offspring.

He wondered if Zhai Xingzi might be keeping the True Dragon’s offspring hidden indoors, as it had neither been seen from start to finish.

Noticing Tian Lin’s gaze, Zhai Xingzi turned his head, giving Tian Lin a benevolent smile.

After returning Zhai Xingzi’s smile, Tian Lin no longer focused on him, redirecting his attention to Sect Master Tang.

He saw Sect Master Tang offer incense, then take the Elder Token from the previous Great Elder, handing it to Zhai Xingzi:

"Zhai Xingzi, take this token, and henceforth, prioritize the sect’s interests in all matters, avoiding public injustice and favoritism."

Zhai Xingzi skillfully accepted the token, playing with it while smiling, "Rest assured, Sect Master, I understand."

Although the secret realm lacks the concept of sunrise and sunset, this conference indeed consumed a significant amount of time.

The matter of the Great Elder stepping down for Zhai Xingzi happened rather suddenly. Many elders from the aristocratic families, as well as numerous members from the Tang and Zhuang families, weren’t informed in advance.

Many wished to leave to first understand the situation.

Indeed, after the ceremony, when Sect Master Tang permitted everyone to disperse, many people rushed towards the exit without lingering.

But before they could fully leave the hall, Zhai Xingzi’s voice called out, "Everyone, please wait."

A group of people, already stepping out the door, paused and turned to look at Zhai Xingzi.

Zhai Xingzi held the token, smiling as he said, "As a newly appointed Great Elder, I have a few words to share with everyone."

"What instructions does the Great Elder have?"

Someone re-entered from outside the hall, with a tone that was ambiguous, neither sarcastic nor genuinely inquisitive.

Zhai Xingzi ignored the tone, still kindly surveying the people in the hall, saying:

"Currently, Evil Spirits are rampant, causing suffering throughout the North Wilderness. Our Wenda Sect entered the secret realm precisely because the outside world is no longer suitable for human habitation."

Pausing for a moment, a Tang Family member impatiently asked, "What does the Great Elder want to say?"

"What I mean to say is, now that our Wenda Sect has relocated into the secret realm, how should the ordinary cultivators and citizens of the North Wilderness survive?"

Upon hearing this, many looked at Zhai Xingzi in surprise. Even Tian Lin was somewhat shocked by Zhai Xingzi’s words.

"The Great Elder isn’t suggesting we return to the outside world to drive away the flying locusts and eliminate the Evil Spirits for those common folk, right?"

Seeing Zhai Xingzi shake his head, that person couldn’t help but ask, "If that’s not what you mean, then what is?"

Zhai Xingzi replied, "What I mean is that starting today, the sect should send people to relocate the citizens of the North Wilderness into the secret realm, to protect them from the harm of flying locusts and Evil Spirits."

Elder Xue immediately stood up, saying, "This plan is absurd! Although the secret realm is free of flying locusts, it is not suitable for large-scale farming. The environment is not conducive to growing ordinary grains, so how can we sustain such a large population? That’s one.

Secondly, you say bringing outsiders and Loose Cultivators into the secret realm is to protect them from the outside Evil Spirits. Do you not know that the Evil Spirits within the secret realm are far worse than those outside? So, Great Elder, is your plan truly to save them or harm them?"

Everyone looked at Zhai Xingzi, who said, "I’ve heard that the Southern State now has an emerging religion that is not only skilled in farming but also capable of allowing enclosed areas to benefit from the blessings of the sun, moon, and stars.

Although the secret realm lacks the sun, moon, and stars, the widespread soil is quite suitable for plant growth. If we invite talented individuals from this religion to assist, food supply will definitely not be an issue."

Elder Xue interrupted Zhai Xingzi before he could finish, "The religion you’re referring to, isn’t it the new Four Gods Sect?"

Upon hearing mention of the new Four Gods Sect, many turned their gaze to Tian Lin.

Zhai Xingzi, unfamiliar with recent sect events, was unaware of the situation.

But those who had been in the sect for some time frequently heard about Tian Lin’s affairs, and they knew that the new Four Gods Sect was related to Tian Lin.

"What, could it be that Martial Brother Tian is acquainted with people from the new Four Gods Sect?"

Zhai Xingzi, puzzled, directed his gaze at Tian Lin when he saw everyone looking at him.

Tian Lin, finding the situation helpless, stepped forward and said:

"Just to let Martial Brother know, the new Four Gods Sect is a religion established by some Loose Cultivators during their free time while I was assisting at the Goddess Sect. This religion is in its nascent stage, lacking in powerful Divine Skills, and is mainly led by cultivators at the Golden Core Realm."

Zhai Xingzi hadn’t anticipated such a connection between Tian Lin and the new Four Gods Sect.

He chuckled, saying, "It turns out Martial Brother Tian is indeed capable; I underestimated you—though to my knowledge, not all the members of the new Four Gods Sect are merely Golden Core Cultivators.

The new Four Gods Sect hosts a dozen or so Nascent Soul Cultivators and is currently the largest sect in the Southern State."

This statement shocked Tian Lin, and Taoist Mei seemed equally disbelieving.

Taoist Mei questioned Zhai Xingzi:

"The Southern State has always been under the domain of the Goddess Sect. With the Great Elder of the Goddess Sect still in the Southern State, how could they possibly allow the new Four Gods Sect to take the lead?"

Zhai Xingzi replied, "If you don’t believe it, Martial Sister Mei, you can ask Elder Mei when there’s a chance—oh, I forgot to mention. A considerable part of the new Four Gods Sect’s leadership comprises elders from the Goddess Sect itself."

Taoist Mei was momentarily speechless, and Tian Lin also found Zhai Xingzi’s words amusing.

When he left the Goddess Sect originally, indeed, many disciples joined the new Four Gods Sect.

But it was one thing for ordinary disciples to have a weak resolve, how could even Nascent Soul elites be swayed to join the new Four Gods Sect?