CHAPTER 555: CHAPTER 553 CYAN ROBE ASSOCIATION NEWS_1

「Blackwater City.」

Ling Chen was seated on a wooden bed, deep in Cultivation. Over time, his Cultivation had slowly reached the peak of the Grandmaster Fifth Realm.

However, Ling Chen’s greatest gain recently wasn’t his Cultivation progress. After absorbing the power of the God Perching Grass, the Human Emperor’s power was gradually restored to its peak.

The recovery of the Human Emperor’s power considerably eased Ling Chen’s mind; the Human Emperor was his final trump card, and his strongest one.

With this trump card returned, Ling Chen could finally feel at ease.

Moreover, the power of the Human Emperor was undoubtedly more potent than before. This mental projection of his had become exceptionally stable and condensed, vastly different from its previous state.

Feeling the fullness of True Qi within his body, Ling Chen pushed open the door and stepped outside.

Upon arriving in the courtyard, Ling Chen’s first glance fell upon Liu Feiyue and Lian Ji.

"Saint Child."

Lian Ji bowed to Ling Chen.

"Ling Chen, I was just about to find you." Liu Feiyue’s gaze was solemn; clearly, something had happened.

"What happened?" Ling Chen’s smile vanished, and he asked seriously.

"Something happened in the association."

Liu Feiyue handed Ling Chen a note. "See for yourself."

Seeing her grave expression, Ling Chen knew something serious must have occurred; otherwise, Liu Feiyue wouldn’t be so solemn.

After reading the contents of the note, a look of sudden shock appeared on Ling Chen’s face.

The Cyan-robed Guest had disappeared.

However, before disappearing, the Cyan-robed Guest had left a final decree. He had prepared this decree in advance, and only the Cyan Robe Association’s Elder of Law Enforcement knew of it.

The Cyan-robed Guest had instructed that this final decree could only be announced if he disappeared without any warning.

And it was the content of this final decree that shocked Ling Chen immensely.

The Cyan-robed Guest had done something unthinkable: he had appointed Ling Chen as the new Sect Leader and ordered all members of the Cyan Robe Association to follow him from that moment on. Anyone who dared to disobey would be treated as a rebel and executed without mercy.

"Why would the Cyan-robed Guest pass on his position to me?" Ling Chen frowned, feeling extremely puzzled. He had no special connection to the Cyan-robed Guest, so why would the man pass such an important position to him? He even bypassed Liu Feiyue, the direct disciple who had followed him for many years.

"I don’t understand either." Liu Feiyue shook her head, then her beautiful eyes glinted with determination. "However, since it’s Master’s order, rest assured, I will comply."

"We should hurry back to Green Cloud Mountain. If we return late, something unexpected might happen."

What on earth is he thinking? Ling Chen was completely bewildered. The Cyan-robed Guest had once saved his life, so Ling Chen didn’t suspect the man would want to harm him. Moreover, the Cyan-robed Guest had said he was good friends with Ling Tianyu and Liu Xiling, which was why he had helped. Regardless, controlling the vast Cyan Robe Association would grant him more influence in the Jianghu and a more formidable backing. From this perspective, he couldn’t refuse the position of Sect Leader. Indeed, there was no reason to.

Ling Chen crushed the note into dust. After exchanging a glance with Liu Feiyue, he said, "Let’s leave immediately."

"Don’t worry, Saint Child," Lian Ji said, waving her hand. A Saint Witch Religion expert led a black giant eagle forward. "I have prepared flying mounts. We will definitely reach Green Cloud Mountain within half a day."

She then took out a unique Signal Firework from her sleeve and handed it to Ling Chen. "If you encounter any difficulty, send someone to release this signal. Once I receive the message, I will rush over with all my strength."

"Okay."

Ling Chen took the Signal Firework without hesitation. He wasn’t sure what kind of situation awaited him back at Green Cloud Mountain. However, he knew it wouldn’t be smooth sailing. After all, he was just a newcomer who had joined not long ago. In terms of strength and seniority, there were undoubtedly many who surpassed him. How could such people obediently acknowledge him as their leader?

However, Ling Chen was not one to be overly cautious or indecisive. He showed no hesitation and jumped onto the giant eagle’s back, leaving Blackwater City with Liu Feiyue.

「Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.」

When Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue returned to Green Cloud Mountain, the mountain was already teeming with people. The Cyan Robe Association’s carrier pigeons had disseminated the news throughout the Martial World. Members from all over the Five Kingdoms were rushing to Green Cloud Mountain. Even some third-rate Jianghu factions affiliated with the Cyan Robe Association had come, eager to watch the upcoming spectacle.

They all knew the Cyan Robe Association was on the verge of a leadership change. The Cyan-robed Guest had vanished, and his successor was merely an eighteen-year-old youth. Worse, this young man had joined the association less than half a year ago. In terms of seniority alone, he couldn’t even compare to an ordinary outer member.

Could such a person successfully inherit the position of Sect Leader of the Cyan Robe Association? They would have to wait and see.

"Hey, isn’t that the new Sect Leader, Dustless?"

Suddenly, someone in the crowd cried out in surprise.

Following the exclamation, the clamorous crowd swiftly quieted down, their gazes all converging on a young figure.

"Unexpectedly, he returned pretty quickly. But things are not as simple as he thinks. This position of Sect Leader might not be a blessing, but a curse for him."

"Exactly. The Cyan Robe Association is a massive organization, with experts as numerous as clouds. Without real ability, one can’t manage it. Dustless lacks both seniority and strength. On what grounds should he inherit the position of Sect Leader?"

"Heh heh, this fellow is more likely to meet with misfortune than luck..."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, clearly not optimistic about Ling Chen’s prospects. They all believed that upon his return, not only would it be difficult for Ling Chen to inherit the Sect Leader position, but he would likely struggle even to keep his life.

It seems the situation is grave... Ling Chen took in all these rumors, his eyes narrowing slightly. There’s no smoke without fire. If the atmosphere on Green Cloud Mountain weren’t like this, these people wouldn’t be making such baseless remarks.

"What? Are you afraid?" Liu Feiyue glanced at Ling Chen and asked indifferently.

"Afraid?" Ling Chen shook his head with a smile. "I wasn’t afraid at the Sky Void Palace, why should I be afraid now?"

Back then, at the Sky Void Palace, he had been surrounded by desperate circumstances, with virtually no hope of survival, yet he hadn’t felt an iota of fear. The current situation could well be far more severe than that time, but he had witnessed such scenes many times before.

"The Sect Leader already left a final decree, appointing his direct disciple, Dustless, as the new Sect Leader. This matter requires no discussion. All of you merely need to acknowledge him as your leader. What is there to dispute?"

"Humph! A mere wet-behind-the-ears brat! What qualifications or abilities does he possess to inherit the position of Sect Leader?"

"This is the Sect Leader’s final decree! What, do you intend to defy his dying wish?"

As Ling Chen and Liu Feiyue reached the entrance to the main hall, a cacophony of arguing voices drifted out from within.

Ling Chen paused only for a moment before continuing forward, stepping into the grand hall.