"Based on the current progress, the transcontinental teleportation array will be completed in two months. After the array is built, each disciple teleported will consume a massive amount of resources, and the more powerful the cultivator, the more resources required. If you wish to go to the Central Continent, each sect should start preparing now. Consolidate your resources and artifacts, and get ready to start anew in the Central Continent," Lin Qingling said calmly.
"However, I must first remind everyone of something. In the Southern Orchid Continent, we are considered one of the top sects. But once we reach the Central Continent, we currently have no cultivators in the Tribulation Crossing stage, so we can only be considered… a low-ranking sect. Whether you can accept this disparity and whether you are willing to start over is something each sect must consider for yourselves. Those who wish to go, prepare your resources for teleportation and come here to gather."
Originally,
with their own resource reserves, none of the sects might have been able to cover all the teleportation fees.
But Yu Jin had given rewards.
Now, as long as everyone was willing, they could all go to the Central Continent.
As Lin Qingling spoke, everyone's expressions grew thoughtful.
Staying in the Southern Orchid Continent, they were still top sects.
Moreover, they had just wiped out the transcendent demonic seeds and demonic cults, and this land would enjoy a relatively long period of peace.
If they went to the Central Continent, they would instantly fall to the bottom tier of sects.
Furthermore,
while the Central Continent was rich in resources and filled with powerful individuals, it was also ravaged by demonic seeds, and cultivators lived in constant danger.
To go or to stay, they had to make their own choices.
This kind of matter was not something others could dictate; it had to be decided internally by each sect.
Soon,
people from other sects left Jianzong and went back to discuss.
Only Jianzong's own disciples remained.
An elder in the Void Refinement stage from Jianzong sighed and spoke up, "Before Meng Yifei died, he passed the position of Sect Master to Lin Qingling. While this doesn't fully comply with the procedures, I believe Peak Master Lin is capable of the role."
Other Void Refinement stage cultivators also expressed their agreement: "Peak Master Lin is the most suitable candidate."
"Indeed. With Peak Master leading the sect, I feel very assured."
After the elders stated their positions, the other Peak Masters also had no objections. Lin Qingling's position as the next Sect Master was thus decided.
"Then let's find a time to hold the Sect Master's ascension ceremony in Jianzong first," an elder suggested.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Lin Qingling sighed and nodded.
By her nature, she preferred freedom and pursuing her desires without constraints.
However,
the person who used to bear all the burdens with such painstaking effort was no longer there.
She had to step up.
This was probably…
also a form of growth.
Seven days later,
Jianzong held the Sect Master's succession ceremony, and Lin Qingling officially took over the position of Sect Master.
From then on,
the future of Jianzong and her personal honor were intertwined.
After the lengthy ceremony ended,
as soon as Lin Qingling returned to Ruthless Peak, she immediately collapsed into a chair.
She couldn't help but complain, "It was just a ceremony, why does it have to be so exhausting?"
Ordinarily,
seeing Lin Qingling in such a languid state, Liu Juncheng would inevitably nag her to be more proper.
But this time,
Liu Juncheng merely watched in silence, a hint of indescribable emotion hidden in his eyes.
In the future…
Master would probably only be able to relax occasionally in private.
"Huh. I'm already the Sect Master, what's with all your expressions?" Lin Qingling looked at them somewhat dejectedly, "Anyone would think I've been expelled from the sect."
Luo Mingyue couldn't help but chuckle. "Master, you've become the Sect Master, shouldn't we worry a bit about the future of Jianzong?"
Lin Qingling immediately got angry. "You, Luo Mingyue, are you saying you're worried I'll ruin the future of Jianzong?"
Lin Qingling grabbed something and threw it at Luo Mingyue.
"No, no, I wouldn't dare." Luo Mingyue dodged and laughed.
Everything seemed to be as before, but everyone knew that some things had fundamentally changed.
"Master won't even let us speak the truth now," Sui Jin said with a laugh.
Lin Qingling started throwing things at him too.
Liu Juncheng helplessly tried to mediate, while Jiang Yi had long since found a corner to hide in, avoiding getting caught in the crossfire.
The spot Jiang Yi chose was excellent, virtually immune to any collateral damage.
Li Shuang was surprised by Jiang Yi's talent for avoiding trouble, and Jiang Yi pulled her over too.
Li Shuang: "That's not what I meant…"
Nevertheless,
never mind, watching the show is quite good too.
After a bit of a commotion,
Lin Qingling snorted, "I'm not bothering to talk to you lot. Everyone else leave, Li Shuang stay and chat with me."
Everyone's eyes flickered slightly, and they all complied.
In the room, only Li Shuang remained.
Lin Qingling put away her smile, her entire demeanor looking uncharacteristically serious.
"Master? What's wrong?" Li Shuang asked.
Lin Qingling was silent for a moment, then said, "All the Jianzong disciples who sacrificed themselves this time have had their memorial tablets set up. I heard you've been staying by them these past few days."
Li Shuang was silent for a moment.
Those who sacrificed themselves this time,
aside from the three Grand Elders and Meng Yifei,
some other disciples had also died in battle.
She went to the memorial tablets merely to remember them properly.
"Xiao Shuang." Lin Qingling sighed, "I know you are a very responsible person. But this way, you often wear yourself out. Meng Yifei… he hoped you could uphold the future of Jianzong. But I…"
Lin Qingling paused, then spoke slowly, "I only hope you live a free and easy life."
Li Shuang looked up, her expression somewhat dazed, a little bit adorably blank.
Lin Qingling gently tapped her forehead, then said, "See, I've already taken over as Sect Master. From now on, the future of Jianzong will be supported by me, and by the other disciples of Jianzong. You are not as important as you think, nor do you need to place heavy shackles on yourself because of it. Do whatever you want to do. I hope you remain free. If Meng Yifei's life demands it, I'll pay the price. But to trap my disciple for a lifetime? Impossible!"
As Lin Qingling spoke,
a warmth bloomed in Li Shuang's heart.
She just wanted her… to be free and at ease?
Li Shuang lightly said, "But Master, until one is the strongest, who dares to say they can be free and at ease? The world is like a crucible, everything within it. Only those who transcend can speak of being free and at ease."
Li Shuang's gaze was clear, and Lin Qingling was slightly taken aback.
Li Shuang's lips curled into a smile. "Master, you don't have to worry about me. The path I walk, from beginning to end, is the path of a powerful practitioner. No one can control me. But on the path of power, if there are no attachments, no bonds, how lonely would that path be?"
Lin Qingling fell silent.
She had cultivated for a long time, yet she couldn't see these issues as clearly as Li Shuang.
After a long while,
she chuckled and said, "Alright. Then as your Master, I can only try my best, and strive not to hold you back."