Chapter 52: Ascension to Quasi-Sect Heir

Chapter 52: Ascension to Quasi-Sect Heir

Light!

Between heaven and earth, there was only a single streak of light.

A razor-sharp radiance, like the dividing line between sea and sky, cleaving the world with absolute clarity.

To Zhao Kuang, the Blue-Clothed Maiden, Xiao Xuanwu, and Ye Yunqi, it was an untouchable, unstoppable brilliance—a force that obliterated everything in its path.

"The First Form of the Juejian Sword Art!" Chixingzi's voice turned hoarse, his killing intent growing even fiercer.

The elders of the Huntian Sect erupted in shock.

If Chen Feng's high comprehension in mastering Top-grade Martial Arts had surprised them, then his mastery of Supreme-grade Martial Arts left them utterly astounded.

The gap between Top-grade and Supreme-grade was immense.

Even those with Saint-Grade Divine Traits would find it difficult to cultivate Supreme-grade Martial Arts, no matter how compatible they were—unless they possessed a God-Grade Divine Trait.

Did this mean Chen Feng's comprehension had reached the level of a God-Grade Divine Trait?

If true, the implications were monumental.

As shock and contemplation rippled through the crowd, that sword light—seemingly capable of splitting the void—collided with the dark meteor spear descending from the sky.

Like a hot knife through butter!

The dark radiance of the meteor was severed.

Li Wuji was sent flying, spear and all, landing heavily before staggering back three steps, his weapon trembling violently.

"You're strong," Li Wuji admitted, taking a deep breath as his arrogant eyes turned solemn. "But I will surpass you eventually."

"You won't get the chance," Chen Feng retorted, his tone sharp and domineering.

"Chixingzi, feel free to visit again next year," Wang Yuandao said with a faint smile, gazing at the grim-faced elder.

"Hmph!" Chixingzi snorted. "This boy must be the Huntian Sect's top disciple this year. Pity—Li Wuji isn't Tianyuan Sacred Land's strongest."

With that, he flicked his sleeve, lifting Li Wuji and the other two disciples into the air before swiftly departing the Huntian Sect.

Staying any longer would only invite humiliation.

Watching Chixingzi leave, the Huntian Sect Master and the elders couldn't help but smile.

Pure exhilaration!

"Hahaha! Ever since our Huntian Sect declined, we've been suppressed by Tianyuan Sacred Land year after year. Only now, at last, have we regained our pride!" one elder burst out laughing.

The others echoed his sentiment.

Even the elder who had previously accused Chen Feng of showboating now wore a grin.

Only Mo Wusheng and Ye Yunqi couldn't bring themselves to smile—forced to feign joy to avoid standing out.

Their hearts churned with bitterness, as if they'd swallowed a swarm of flies fresh from a latrine.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Wang. Juejian Peak has found its successor," Tuoba Wuxiang said with a smile.

"Sect Master, you speak too soon," Mo Wusheng interjected before Wang Yuandao could respond. "Peak Master Wang has less than ten years of lifespan left. If Chen Feng fails to inherit the Peak Master position within that time, by sect rules, Juejian Peak will be dissolved."

Ten years—or even less.

To inherit the Peak Master title, one must at least reach the Transcendent Realm and pass the Peak Master Trial.

Can Chen Feng elevate his cultivation from the Body Forging Realm to the Transcendent Realm within ten years?

Absolutely impossible!

"A defeated swordsman with shallow vision," Wang Yuandao said unhurriedly, his indifferent demeanor causing Mo Wusheng's face to darken, nearly spitting blood in fury.

"Today, Chen Feng, the True Disciple of Juejian Peak, has triumphed over Tianyuan Sacred Land's three Quasi-Saints, bolstering the prestige of our Huntian Sect. As the sect master, I hereby decree Chen Feng's promotion to Quasi-Sect Heir, effective immediately," Tuoba Wuxiang declared, ignoring the conflict between Wang Yuandao and Mo Wusheng. His voice, imbued with overwhelming authority, reverberated through Huntian Palace and echoed outward, resounding across the peaks of Huntian Sacred Mountain and the Floating Islands like divine thunder, shaking all who heard it.

In an instant, the entire Huntian Sect was thrown into shock. Outer and inner sect disciples erupted in uproar, Core Disciples paled, and True Disciples were utterly astounded.

Within the Canglong True Hall on Canglong Floating Island, Yuan Hualong's aura surged violently, radiating an overwhelming dominance akin to a dragon's roar. Upon hearing the news, his energy erupted like an enraged beast.

"Chen Feng!" Yuan Hualong's eyes snapped open, flashing with an indescribable mix of surprise and intensity.

Originally, he had sought to recruit Chen Feng as a follower, only to be met with unexpected defiance, which turned him into a laughingstock for some time. Yet now, the tables had turned completely.

Quasi-Sect Heir!

This meant Chen Feng now qualified as a Sect Heir Candidate, eligible to compete for the position of Sect Heir. All of Chen Feng's previous words were no longer empty boasts.

Moreover, Yuan Hualong was deeply shaken. Chen Feng had actually defeated three Quasi-Saints from Tianyuan Sacred Land.

Every year after recruiting new disciples, Tianyuan Sacred Land would inevitably send challengers, and they would often leave victorious. Last year was no exception. Yuan Hualong vividly remembered defeating two of Tianyuan Sacred Land's peerless prodigies before ultimately losing to a third—still the best performance in years.

But defeating three Quasi-Saints? That hadn't happened in many years.

Yet Chen Feng had done it.

"Could it be that Tianyuan Sacred Land's Quasi-Saints this year are weaker than before?" Yuan Hualong pondered, though he quickly dismissed the thought.

"Chen Feng, I must admit I misjudged you this time," Yuan Hualong finally sighed. Then, his eyes blazed with unyielding dominance. "But as for competing for the position of Sect Heir? You're still far from ready."

...

Back in Huntian Palace, Chen Feng bowed to Tuoba Wuxiang.

Becoming a Quasi-Sect Heir brought him one step closer to his goal. The next step was to become a Sect Heir Candidate, truly qualifying to vie for the position of Sect Heir.

Disdain fame and fortune?

Chen Feng harbored no such thoughts. Only with formidable strength and lofty status could one stand unshaken, deterring all who dared look down upon them.

Who would still dare to treat him with condescension now?

"Sect Master, my disciple Ye Yunqi possesses a Saint-Grade Divine Trait and has broken through to the Eleventh Transformation of the Body Forging Realm. He too is qualified to become a Quasi-Sect Heir," Mo Wusheng interjected, having previously submitted the request without receiving a response.

Now is the time to settle this matter once and for all.

"Mo Wusheng, our Huntian Sect does not need a Quasi-Sect Heir who crumbles before the Quasi-Saints of Tianyuan Sacred Land," Wang Yuandao spoke unhurriedly, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

"Elder Mo, we will discuss this matter later," Tuoba Wuxiang responded without hesitation.

Five drumbeats signified direct ascension to the position of Quasi-Sect Heir.

Furthermore, those possessing a Saint-Grade Divine Trait and having broken through to the Eleventh Transformation of the Body Forging Realm were also qualified to be promoted as Quasi-Sect Heirs.

Thus, in theory, Ye Yunqi was eligible.

However, this time, promoting Chen Feng to Quasi-Sect Heir was a reward—a recognition of his feat in defeating three Quasi-Saints of Tianyuan Sacred Land.

If Ye Yunqi were also promoted, it would undermine the very purpose of reward and motivation.

After all, Ye Yunqi had not won a single battle and had suffered a crushing defeat.

Hearing Tuoba Wuxiang's words, Mo Wusheng nearly spat blood again.

Ye Yunqi was equally frustrated, his murderous intent churning uncontrollably, wishing he could draw his blade and reduce Chen Feng to dust on the spot.

"Chen Feng is hereby appointed as the Quasi-Sect Heir of the Huntian Sect and awarded the Huntian Space Ring. Additionally... esteemed elders, who among you is willing to serve as his Guardian?" Tuoba Wuxiang's gaze swept across the assembled elders.

Quasi-Sect Heirs and Quasi-Saints, regardless of which faction they belonged to, were extraordinary figures with the potential to reach the Dao Integration Realm or even ascend to sainthood in the future.

As such, their respective factions naturally provided them with protection.

A Guardian was one such means of protection—akin to shielding a sapling from premature demise.

Of course, a Guardian was neither a bodyguard nor a nursemaid. Generally, they would not interfere in conflicts among peers. Their role only became apparent when older generations attempted to bully the younger.

Similarly, to become a Guardian, one had to possess considerable strength—at least the Dao Integration Realm.

As for Wang Yuandao, though he possessed the strength of the Dao Integration Realm, he was Chen Feng's master and thus unsuitable as a Guardian.

Numerous gazes brimming with formidable pressure fell upon Chen Feng, as if attempting to see through him entirely.

Though not a master-disciple relationship, a Guardian and their charge shared a certain bond—one that, in the end, would tie their fates together.

Thus, when choosing a charge, a Guardian would weigh their options carefully.

"This child... shall be under my guardianship..."

An ethereal voice, as if emerging from the depths of the void, began faintly before resounding powerfully through the Huntian Palace. The faces of the sect master and the assembled elders all froze in astonishment.