CHAPTER 710: THE NEW SECT MASTER’S ORDERS (PART-1)

Outside the ancient temple, Lan Yujin sat cross-legged on a flat stone platform, his breathing steady and his expression calm as he meditated.

For three days he remained there, waiting for the outcome of the boy’s foolish courage. Whether his successor passed or failed, he should have come out. Even if he had died, his corpse would have been thrown out of the portal. But so far, nothing has happened.

Lan Yujin couldn’t help but lose patience as more and more time passed, wondering whether Mark had found out the secret of that space or something. Well, it’s not much of a secret, but the space inside the portal had denser spiritual energy than even this current world. Hence, he was worried that Mark would just stay there until the breakthrough.

But then, when the faint chime of spiritual resonance echoed through the mountains, Yujin snapped his eyes open. His gaze drifted toward the empty space beside him where the Sect Head Token normally floated. It was gone, vanished without a trace. A deep crease formed between his brows. "So... he actually took time to complete the trials and not train there, huh..." he muttered. "Actually slower than I expected. Did the wisdom trial take longer than normal, or did that brat get lost inside that illusory world? I guess that was the case. After all, even if he was stronger, he was still too young."

His thoughts were interrupted when a ripple of golden light split open the air in front of the temple.

The portal expanded, swirling like a whirlpool of three intertwined colors, white, red, and black, before stabilizing with a low hum. Lan Yujin stood abruptly, his body tightening on instinct.

When the first figure stepped out, Yujin relaxed for a heartbeat upon seeing Mark, but the relief froze instantly the moment two more shapes emerged behind him.

Two towering figures, one radiating icy divinity, the other blazing with fiery majesty, walked out calmly as if they belonged to this world. Their presence made Yujin’s breath hitch, and for the first time in hundreds of years, genuine fear rippled through his heart.

These were not mere cultivators. These were beings of the third stage of transcendence, equal in realm to him. His instincts screamed danger while his mind desperately tried to understand why two such monsters were casually walking behind Mark like companions.

Mark then walked toward Yujin with the casual confidence he usually carries and raised a hand and gestured to the two beings at his back. "Great-grandpa, this is Frost," Mark said calmly, "and this is Pyro. You may consider them my subordinates... or my friends... or even my family." His tone was light, but his words struck Yujin’s chest like a hammer. Subordinates? Friends? Family? Who were these two? Were they trapped inside that realm or something? He had no answers, but seeing that they followed the boy like loyal guardians, Yujin gulped saliva in nervousness.

Before Yujin could even gather a proper response, Mark lifted his other hand and revealed the glowing medallion resting in his palm. The Sect Head Token shimmered with authority, its radiance unmistakable.

Mark offered a small, almost polite smile that carried a weight far heavier than any arrogance. "I have completed the trials, Great Grandfather," he said. "So, shall we return to the sect? There’s a lot to do..."

Lan Yujin stared blankly at the medallion, then at Frost and Pyro, and finally at Mark, this thirteen heavenly-year-old (30) brat who somehow walked out not only alive, but with two divine guardians and the founder’s legacy at his back. For the first time, he felt something new toward the boy. Not irritation. Not annoyance. Not suspicion.

But fear... and a faint sense of helplessness. Earlier, he atleast had the confidence of influencing people with his incredible cultivation prowess, putting obstacles to Mark’s plans. Now, this descendant of his had two of them, like him.

The balance of the sect, the clan, and the entire dominion now fell to his successor’s feet that once did to him. But unlike him, this young one is too reckless for his own good. Yujin has no doubt that with Mark’s decisions, the Lan Sect... No, the entire dominion of Azure Frost will be doomed.

And now, it has become even more important to kill him.

Back to reality, Lan Yujin swallowed and gave a stiff nod. "Yes... let us return."

Mark stepped forward, Frost and Pyro calmly following him like shadows of ice and flame. Yujin turned toward the sky and took a deep breath before launching himself upward.

The Sect Head had changed.

And the entire sect was about to learn what that meant.

*

The great hall of the Sect Master was brighter than usual, lit by pale-blue lanterns that shimmered like frozen stars.

Several ceremonial banners had been moved aside to make space, and a new throne was placed at the head of the chamber.

Mark sat there with an expression that was calm yet unreadable, his posture relaxed, but his presence sharp enough to cut the air itself. Hanging at his waist was the Sect Head Token, glowing faintly with authority that none dared question.

On either side of him sat the two grand elders, their faces stiff and their backs straight as if they were prisoners condemned for unknown crimes. And beside them, occupying a newly placed third seat, was Yujin, who now wore the expression of a man who had aged a hundred years in a single afternoon.

But the most terrifying sight in the chamber stood behind Mark’s throne.

Frost stood at his right, the air around him crisp and glittering with tiny snow crystals that never touched the ground. Pyro stood at his left, her fiery aura dimmed only out of courtesy, yet hot enough that several elders unconsciously wiped sweat from their brows.

Because they were second-generation divine beasts, they could hide their beastly aura from anyone of the same and below their rank. Only those with higher cultivation than them or the ones with eyes of truth, like special ocular powers, can figure out their identities. But for Lan Yujin and the rest of the sect elders, they were 3rd stage transcendants who were loyal servants to their new sect.

The elders, more than thirty of them, had originally come with pride, some with political intent, some with hidden grudges. But upon seeing those two, almost all of them felt their legs weaken beneath their robes.

Mark let their discomfort stretch for a moment. The silence that filled the hall became a weight on their shoulders, pressing their spines lower and lower.

When he finally spoke, his voice was steady and cold, cutting through the tension like a blade. "First things first," he began, sweeping his gaze across the elders. "Some of you may have heard bits and pieces, but I will make it official now."

The elders straightened, though unease lingered heavily on their faces. After all, this boy, this new sect master, had already shocked the dominion with his declaration of independence. No one knew what kind of announcement he would make next.

"Ten days from now," Mark said, his tone firm, "I will be marrying fellow disciple Lan Xia. It was already announced in our clan."

A current of whispers rippled through the hall. It wasn’t some surprising news, but the way it was announced confused them. A wedding is a private affair. Why was this new sect master announcing it to them? They didn’t understand. Moreover, only 10 days? Wasn’t that too abrupt?

Mark continued without giving them time to fully react. "We have little time," he said, leaning forward slightly, "so I want the entire Elder Council and the sect disciples to cooperate with Lan Clan in preparing for the ceremony. Decorations, security, invitations, guest reception, and necessary arrangements, everything must be handled properly. And quickly."

Several elders swallowed hard. Some were shocked by his boldness, others angered, and a few secretly thrilled by the change in leadership. But despite their mixed feelings, a single thought trembled through all of them: This sect... will never be the same again.

Yet none dared speak, not when those stood behind Mark like loyal shadows, and not when the former sect master himself sat silently at the side, defeated and powerless.

Mark’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, and his voice dipped lower, steady and commanding. "This is an order from your sect master. You will all assist with the wedding to make sure no one points their fingers at Lan Clan’s hospitality."

He didn’t shout. He didn’t pressure them with spiritual force. But in the oppressive presence of Frost and Pyro, and under the weight of the token glowing at his waist, the authority in his words felt undeniable.

And just like that, the elders bowed, even those who had sworn to oppose him hours ago.

"Understood, Sect Master."

Mark leaned back in the throne, his gaze cold and unreadable.

The Lan Sect had received its first command from the new Sect Head.

But it was just the start.