Wayfarer

Chapter 821: Shangqing Hierarch Lan Yaoguang

Once they learned that they would soon be meeting the Shangqing Grandmaster, many within the Shangqing holy land were far less enthusiastic about becoming the hierarch than before. After all, once he returned in earnest, he would surely take the position of hierarch for himself.

They couldn't help but wonder why Lan Yaoguang suddenly wanted the position. Could the grandmaster have told her something that she wasn't sharing?

For a moment, the room was filled with speculative glances and silent contemplation.

"Holy Maiden Yaoguang, is everything you said true?" a division leader asked, frowning.

Lan Yaoguang smiled. "You'll see soon enough once the Shangqing Grandmaster shows up. If you don't trust me and feel as if I've miscommunicated his instructions or that I've deceived you, you can easily remove me as hierarch then."

Everyone fell silent. Lan Yaoguang was right. If she really had deceived them, her life would be forfeit. Not only would they be able to remove her from her position, they could even hold her accountable.

With that reassurance, they began to trust her much more.

"Very well. Following the customs of the Shangqing holy land, we'll hold a vote. All division leaders, supreme elders, and holy children are eligible to compete for the position. Anyone wishing to take on the role of hierarch, step forward," a supreme elder called out.

The cultivators exchanged glances, but then collectively shook their heads.

Competing for the position now would clearly be unwise. The Shangqing Grandmaster had stated that the wielders of the four Shangqing swords would guide the sect into the blue moon illusory realm. Everyone was counting on them for their own chances at fortune. Competing with them now would only make things difficult, especially as the position of hierarch would be irrelevant once the Shangqing Grandmaster returned.

Even so, the wielders of the Earthbane and Heavenbane Swords stepped forward.

"Though I may be unworthy, as the wielder of the Heavenbane Sword, I am willing to assume temporary responsibility for managing the sect."

"And I as well."

The two supreme elders reasoned that Lan Yaoguang had to be going for the position of hierarch for some reason, and they didn't want to miss out on whatever opportunity might be in store.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense as everyone looked toward the three candidates for hierarch.

They all wanted to enter the blue moon illusory realm as quickly as possible, so everything was proceeding at an unusually fast pace. No one dared to raise objections.

As the three candidates prepared to garner support, one of the supreme elders spoke up.

"Holy Maiden Yaoguang, I know that you've been favored by the previous hierarch, but you'll need to demonstrate proficiency in cultivation to command respect at large. You've only been with us for a short period of time, and I worry that you may not..." the supreme elder wielding the Heavenbane Sword trailed off.

Lan Yaoguang smiled. "With the Shangqing Grandmaster's guidance, I was able to make significant progress with his legacy, the Shangqing Yin Body. Would this suffice to earn everyone's trust?"

She summoned a blue spiritual moon from her mindscape, radiating such light that it filled the hall. In an instant, the room seemed to fade away. Everyone found themselves in a vast blue space lit by her blue moon.

"This is... the world of a Deific Yin cultivator!"

"How could this be? Has Lady Yaoguang reached the realm of a Deific Yin cultivator?"

"Did she say that the Shangqing Grandmaster helped her reach that realm?"

"Doesn't that mean that the grandmaster intends for her to be the next hierarch? Why else would he favor her to such an extent?"

"There are a few Boundless Immortals in the Shangqing holy land, but no other cultivator has reached the realm of Deific Yin with the Shangqing Yin Body!"

The assembly was amazed.

Reaching the Deific Yin realm with the Shangqing Yin Body was simply too difficult. Lan Yaoguang's achievement made it clear that she was favored by the Shangqing Grandmaster.

The blue moon and Lan Yaoguang's spirit returned to her body and the hall reverted to its original state.

By then, however, the crowd's attitude toward her had completely changed.

"My physical cultivation is only at the level of a Golden Immortal, but my spiritual cultivation ought to suffice, surely." Lan Yaoguang smiled.

The supreme elder who had questioned her gave her a wry smile. "Holy Maiden Yaoguang, you should have mentioned that the grandmaster was helping you from the start. I withdraw from the hierarch selection."

"As do I," said the other supreme elder.

The two elders realized that Lan Yaoguang had to have reached the Deific Yin realm thanks to the Enlightenment Grounds, and they were certain that the Shangqing Grandmaster had allowed her to do so. How else could she have reaped all those monsters?

Competing against someone with the Shangqing Grandmaster's support was a poor decision. If they were to end up offending the Shangqing Grandmaster, they would surely pay dearly for it.

With the elders' withdrawal, the atmosphere in the hall turned rather strange. No one else stepped forward as a candidate for the role.

"In that case, we may confirm our new hierarch," someone called out.

"Let's appoint Holy Maiden Yaoguang as our new hierarch!"

"I approve!"

The crowd soon reached an agreement.

With the Shangqing Grandmaster's presence looming over them, no one dared harbor their private ambitions. They didn't mind Lan Yaoguang temporarily becoming hierarch, considering that she would eventually yield the title to the Shangqing Grandmaster.

"We greet the new hierarch!" The assembly bowed in unison.

Lan Yaoguang smiled, having accomplished her goal.

"Thank you for your support. I'll do my best until the grandmaster descends in earnest and we receive his guidance."

"Understood!" everyone shouted.

"In that case, allow me to start assigning tasks immediately. Supreme Elders, please begin setting up the Heavens-Extinguishing Formation. Division Leaders, please recall all disciples and have them return to the holy land. We must prepare to enter the blue moon illusory realm immediately. Keep these plans confidential to prevent hostile forces from interfering."

"Understood!" Everyone nodded.

The cultivators discussed how to keep news of the Shangqing Grandmaster's return and the blue moon illusory realm secret. All disciples would be recalled with the hierarch's authority, and the division leaders and supreme elders would enforce the recall. With everyone working quietly and efficiently, there would be little opportunity for outsiders to take advantage.

It took two whole days and nights of planning before the cultivators finalized every detail.

No one questioned Lan Yaoguang's authority or assigned her any duties; she was responsible for the most important task of all: preparing for contact with the Shangqing Grandmaster.

On the third day, the doors to Shangqing Hall creaked open.

The disciples gathered in the plaza outside surged forward, eager to know what had happened.

"Master, what's going on? Did the hierarch really perish?"

"Master, was Holy Maiden Yaoguang responsible for the hierarch's death?"

"Quiet!" one division leader commanded.

The crowd fell silent as all eyes turned to Lan Yaoguang, who was surrounded by the holy land's highest-ranking members.

"Yan Ziqun has committed atrocities against cultivators of the holy land and met the end he deserved. From today onwards, Yan Ziqun is no longer recognized as the Shangqing hierarch," the division leader declared.

"What? The hierarch has been removed from his position?"

"How could that be possible? Has there been a mistake?"

"Impossible!"

Amidst the shock and disbelief, the division leaders and supreme elders silenced the crowd, allowing the announcement to sink in.

"From today onwards, Holy Maiden Yaoguang will be the new Shangqing hierarch," the division leader continued.

"How could it be?"

"Holy Maiden Yaoguang, the new hierarch...?"

"Master, you must be joking!"

Though disbelief filled the crowd, the elders and division leaders quickly stamped out any dissent, leaving them in stunned silence.

Typically, the various factions of the holy land would argue endlessly over major decisions. That day, however, every division leader seemed unified.

The disciples quickly came to the conclusion that something momentous was at play.

Perhaps the most astonished of all was Qu Jianfeng.

He could never have imagined that his niece would actually become the new hierarch. He even slapped himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Lan Yaoguang turned to the crowd, then to the division leaders. "I suppose we should go through all relevant formalities."

"Understood!" the division leaders replied, bowing slightly.

The gathered disciples widened their eyes, realizing that this was no joke. Though they found it hard to accept this reality, it was clear that the balance of power in the holy land had shifted—and significantly, at that.

Soon, the Shangqing holy land was abuzz with activity.

Orders were issued to recall all disciples. The supreme elders set up fog-shrouded formations around the four corners of the holy land, hiding their work from outsiders as they prepared the foundation for the Heavens-Extinguishing Formation.

Amidst countless murmurs, Lan Yaoguang was officially appointed the new Shangqing hierarch.

Her first act was to induct Xiao Nanfeng's followers into the holy land, recording their names and spiritual imprints in the Shangqing holy land's stele of disciples.

All the division leaders and supreme elders belatedly realized that this might well have been Lan Yaoguang's goal. She intended to bring them into the blue moon illusory realm in search of promised opportunities.

None dared to protest; after all, this was a privilege afforded to the Shangqing hierarch, and this hardly mattered in the grand scheme of things.

Instead of moving into the hierarch's residence, however, Lan Yaoguang remained on Cursebane Island, in her familiar villa.

Though the entire holy land was preparing for the Shangqing Grandmaster's descent, she kept to herself and entertained no visitors. She glanced at a black coffin before her.

"Nanfeng, I've already become the hierarch. Aren't you out of seclusion just yet?" Lan Yaoguang propped her chin up, a wistful look in her eyes.