If I stay in the Hehuan Sect, I'll live off the pampered daughters of the Heavenly Pride Sect.

Chapter 341 Junior Sister's Close Pursuit

On the high platform, Jiang Wei finally spoke.

"Shen Zhaoxuan will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Holy Son. His conduct will be observed within three months. If he deviates from the proper conduct or lacks virtue, the other peaks may discuss the matter."

The disciples of Tianqing Peak rose and bowed.

Shen Zhaoxuan stood on the battle platform, the knife scar still visible on his clothes. He did not show any smugness, but simply bowed to the platform.

"Disciple Shen Zhaoxuan respectfully accepts the sect's command."

Jiang Wei added, "Lu Qingheng has been included in the candidate list, and has been given a healing elixir. He is permitted to enter the Sword Pavilion of Xuanyu Peak for three days to observe the techniques. His subsequent cultivation will be supervised by the sect."

Only then did the people in the outer seats finally loosen up and start talking.

"Senior Brother Lu will also receive a reward!"

"Three days in the Sword Pavilion—that's the inner chamber of Xuan Yu Peak!"

"The sect has not forgotten him!"

"His efforts weren't in vain!"

A disciple from Xuanyu Peak wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve.

Someone hummed softly from a seat on Crimson Cloud Peak.

"Just offering some consolation."

The disciple next to him immediately chimed in.

"It's better to appease than to be warned."

The man's expression changed.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Whoever understands, that's who."

The elder in charge glanced over, and both sides fell silent.

Lin Wanqing let out a breath.

"Isn't this pretty good?"

Mo Chengyue said, "For most people, this is an acceptable result."

Lin Wanqing asked, "What about Lu Qingheng?"

Mo Chengyue looked towards the edge of the battle platform.

Lu Qingheng had already been helped down by the disciples of Xuanyu Peak. His wrist was wrapped with a bandage, and his complexion was terrible, but he still bowed to Shen Zhaoxuan before leaving.

"If he can't figure it out, he'll feel bad."

Lin Wanqing asked anxiously, "Won't he feel that's unfair?"

Su Qingying said, "Yes."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "But he might not resent Shen Zhaoxuan."

Wenren Ji said, "The knife does not blame the knife."

Xie Buci said, "Junior Brother's words are quite interesting."

Yu Jianhuan said, "If Lu Qingheng has any complaints, he should complain that the chair was too heavy, not just the person who sat on it."

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "If he's smart, he should thank Shen Zhaoxuan when he wakes up tomorrow."

Lin Wanqing asked in surprise, "Why?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Because Shen Zhaoxuan preserved his path to further advancement."

Lin Wanqing thought for a moment.

"But Shen Zhaoxuan also took the position of Holy Son."

Mo Chengyue said, "Some positions haven't been taken away, they just can't be given to you right now."

Lin Wanqing looked at him.

"That's even more upsetting to hear."

Mo Chengyue said, "Reality usually doesn't take responsibility for comforting people."

Xie Buci said, "The third brother will take care of it."

Mo Chengyue said, "My job is to keep my mouth shut."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "You're in charge of sitting properly."

Mo Chengyue immediately replied, "Okay."

With the Holy Son's temporary position confirmed, the grand competition finally came to a close.

The candidate for Holy Maiden is temporarily ranked first among Shen Shuangzhi, while the Holy Son is temporarily assumed by Shen Zhaoxuan. Of the two chairs that were once empty, one is now occupied, and the other is half-occupied and half-suspended.

The sect disciples were still discussing it when they dispersed.

"I really don't understand this year's competition."

"I think it's more interesting than in previous years. In previous years, it was just about who was stronger, but this year it's also about who knows how to handle people."

"Could Shen Zhaoxuan really be different from Ye Wushang?"

"Will Lu Qingheng be able to compete again in the future?"

"It's hard to say about Shen Shuangzhi either. Who exactly is backing her?"

"Don't ask anymore, go listen at Qingquan Peak, they know."

Mo Chengyue's expression remained very peaceful upon hearing the last sentence.

Xie Buci laughed and said, "Third brother, you are now a lecturer attached to the portable library."

Mo Chengyue said, "I request that the place be immovable."

Lin Wanqing said, "Elder Chen should be very pleased."

Mo Chengyue said, "He will have me write a reflection on the ceremony, titled 'The Talkative Disciple's Self-Reflection'."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "It should be written."

Wenren Ji said, "Remember this lesson."

Su Qingying looked at Mo Chengyue.

"If you really want to avoid it, then you should leave the library less often from now on."

Yu Jianhuan said with a smile, "But the more you hide, the more people will think you have something going on."

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "It's the same for the demon race. The more the cave entrance is covered, the more people want to dig it up."

Mo Chengyue sighed, "Then should I leave the cave entrance open?"

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "Someone will move in directly."

Xie Buci said, "This problem has no solution."

Mo Chengyue said, "That's why I hate open-ended questions."

When the group from Qingquan Peak left the Sword Debate Platform, the evening glow had already spread among the peaks.

Yan Chenyu didn't call them up to the high platform, but just lazily raised her hand from a distance, as if urging them to go back to eat.

Lin Wanqing whispered, "Is Master telling us to leave?"

Qin Wanzhuang said, "Return to the peak."

Xie Buci said, "It's rare that Master didn't call the third brother over for questioning today."

Mo Chengyue said, "This shows Master's compassion."

Wenren Ji said, "Tomorrow."

Mo Chengyue turned to look at him.

"Junior Brother Wenren, could you please not tell your horror stories so concisely?"

A faint smile flickered across Su Qingying's cool eyes.

"He's right. The discussion within the sect will truly settle when Lu Qingheng wakes up tomorrow."

Yu Jianhuan said, "If Lu Qingheng is not satisfied, the outer sect will cause trouble."

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "If he submits, then Shen Zhaoxuan's temporary position as Holy Son will be the first step in securing his position."

Lin Wanqing asked, "So, we're coming again tomorrow?"

Mo Chengyue immediately became alert.

"I'm not coming."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "It depends on the arrangements."

Xie Buci said, "If Elder Chen sent you, you can't escape."

Mo Chengyue asked, "Is it too late for me to start practicing the Disappearance Technique now?"

Wenren Ji said, "It's too late."

The news spread across the peaks even before the bells rang the following morning.

Lu Qingheng woke up.

He did not lose his temper in front of the Xuan Yu Peak disciples, nor did he refuse the spiritual medicine bestowed by the sect.

When Shen Zhaoxuan went to visit him in person, many disciples were waiting outside the courtyard. Even those who had shouted themselves hoarse yesterday in the outer sect seats secretly went around to wait for news.

The group from Qingquan Peak did not go inside, but stopped at a stone corridor outside the courtyard.

Lin Wanqing stood on tiptoe and looked around.

"Senior Brother Mo, will they start arguing?"

Mo Chengyue said, "No."

Xie Buci asked, "How can you be so sure?"

Mo Chengyue said, "If Lu Qingheng wanted to make a fuss, he wouldn't have been able to recover peacefully last night."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "He knows what's important."

Su Qingying said, "I also know that what I should be arguing for is not just a casual remark."

Lu Qingheng's voice came from inside the room.

"Senior Brother Shen, there's no need to apologize."

The crowd outside the courtyard fell silent instantly.

Shen Zhaoxuan said, "The position of Holy Son has temporarily fallen to me. If you feel indignant, you may speak frankly."

Lu Qingheng said, "I have grievances in my heart, but not against Senior Brother Shen."

One of the outer disciples whispered, "Senior Brother Lu..."

Lu Qingheng added, "In yesterday's battle, I was indeed unable to defeat you."

Shen Zhaoxuan said, "You have not been defeated either."

Lu Qingheng said, "That's why I will practice again."

Shen Zhaoxuan remained silent for a moment.

"You don't object to me temporarily assuming the position of Son of God?"

Lu Qingheng said, "Yesterday you upheld the rules first and then kept to your limits, so I have no objection to you sitting in this position."

The murmurs outside the courtyard immediately subsided.

Lu Qingheng continued, "But if you misbehave after three months, I will be the first to challenge you on stage."

Shen Zhaoxuan said, "Okay."

Lu Qingheng said, "If I am not strong enough in three months, then I will wait."

Shen Zhaoxuan said, "I'll wait for you."

Xie Buci clicked his tongue softly.

"These two people speak much more seriously than we Qingquan Peak people do."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "You know that too."

Wenren Ji said, "Alright."

Lin Wanqing's eyes lit up.

"Does this mean we're safe now?"

Mo Chengyue looked at the courtyard gate.

"The situation is stable for now."

Su Qingying said, "Lu Qingheng did not turn himself into a resentful person, and Shen Zhaoxuan did not flaunt his position as the Holy Son."

Yu Jianhuan said, "Sect Leader, you've won this round."

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "This is just the first step."

Mo Chengyue said, "Being able to take the first step steadily already puts you ahead of many others."

Lin Wanqing quickly wrote on the booklet.

"I have no objections to writing that Lu Qingheng wakes up and that Shen Zhaoxuan's position is temporarily stable, is that alright?"

Mo Chengyue said, "Okay."

Lin Wanqing then asked, "Should we write that Senior Brother Mo anticipated this?"

Mo Chengyue turned and left.

"Can't."

Xie Buci followed with a smile.

"Third brother, why are you running?"

Mo Chengyue said, "I'll go to the Sutra Repository to stand guard."

Qin Wanzhuang said, "It's not your turn today."

Mo Chengyue said, "I'm willing to work overtime."

Wenren Ji said, "How strange."

Su Qingying said softly, "He's trying to hide."

Yu Jianhuan laughed from behind, "Junior Brother Mo, you can dodge your duty, but you can't dodge your reputation."

Jin Qiaoqiao said, "We can't escape the questions either."

Mo Chengyue quickened his pace.

"Everyone, I suddenly feel that the stability of the sect is everyone's responsibility, and even the dust in the Scripture Pavilion needs my help."

Lin Wanqing followed behind, clutching the booklet.

"Senior Brother Mo, may I title this as 'The Holy Son's Temporary Position is Settled, Senior Brother of the Scripture Pavilion Escapes in Advance'?"

Mo Chengyue didn't even turn his head.

"Junior Sister Lin, leave yourself a way out; you might be able to borrow books in the future."

Xie Buci's laughter echoed all the way through the stone corridor.

"Go ahead and write it; this title is more appealing than the Holy Son's Decided Title."

The morning breeze swept past Xuan Yu Peak, carrying away the lingering clamor from yesterday's dueling stage.

Shen Zhaoxuan temporarily assumed the responsibilities of the Holy Son, and Lu Qingheng had no objections after waking up.

The storm that had been raging all night finally settled down with the statement, "I have no objections."

As for how many undercurrents lie beneath the surface, Mo Chengyue didn't want to know for the time being.

He just wanted to go back to the library.

If he could, he would like to hide himself behind the most obscure bookshelf and put up a sign saying that the book is old and in disrepair and that anyone who reads it should do so at their own risk.