How About You Be Sect Master?

At that moment, the disciples clenched their fists, their hearts surging with overwhelming emotion. Every pair of eyes turned toward Li Guanqi shone with brilliance, their spirits bound tightly as one. Feeling this indescribable atmosphere, Lu Kangnian could not help murmuring under his breath, "This is the power of a role model." Standing nearby, Qin Xian looked on with admiration and spoke softly. "Indeed. Among these disciples, Li Guanqi is the backbone. Because of him, they will constantly strive to catch up to his footsteps. None of them will become arrogant or think too highly of themselves." Lu Kangnian smiled faintly and said quietly, "Because towering above them, there is an imposing mountain keeping them grounded!" Li Nanting watched the white-robed figure in the sky, his eyes brimming with pride. Even his posture straightened considerably. So what if several peak masters had broken through to the Soul Formation Realm? My disciple is at Soul Formation too, and he could take on a whole pack of you alone. Seeing Li Nanting grinning so wide his smile practically reached the back of his head, Shen Lan hurriedly pinched him. "Don't get too carried away!" Li Nanting bared his teeth, letting her twist his waist, and craned his neck obstinately. "What? If they're so capable, let them find a disciple this outstanding too~" With everything finished, Li Guanqi gently pressed his hands downward and said softly, "There's no more serious business. As fellow disciples of the same sect, let's just chat casually." The crowd gradually took their seats, and the atmosphere relaxed. Soon, someone stood up and asked, "Senior Brother Li, what were you thinking back then when you gave up on the tournament and chose to draw your sword against the disciples of Ziyang Palace?" The youth stared at Li Guanqi with burning eyes. Li Guanqi glanced back at Lu Kangnian and the others before speaking softly. "If others don't cross me, I won't cross them. But if others cross me... I draw my sword and kill them! "Back during the Hundred Sects Tournament, our sect hadn't achieved a good placement in a very long time. By then, we were already ranked second, right behind the champion, and the rewards were already immensely bountiful. But... I'm sure you all know what happened next." At these words, Yu Sui'an slowly lowered her head, her gaze dimming. Li Guanqi paused for a moment, then chuckled mockingly and shook his head. Shrugging, he said, "I'm not as noble as you think, nor am I that righteous. When that happened, the Great Xia Sword Sect's ranking wasn't low. But even if our ranking had been at rock bottom back then, I would still have had the ability to lead the sect to a higher place later. If something like that happened, I would have chosen to act without the slightest hesitation!" A collective gasp erupted from the disciples. They had originally assumed Li Guanqi held back out of consideration for the sect, striking only after securing a high ranking for the Great Xia Sword Sect. Li Guanqi shrugged and continued, "When I found out Little Steamed Bun was hurt, my head was completely consumed by fury. My reason for striking at that exact moment was very simple..." Everyone stared at Li Guanqi with rapt attention, waiting for him to unravel the mystery. "Because... I knew that once that night passed, some of the Ziyang Palace disciples would leave. And if they left... it meant I wouldn't be able to kill them all!!" A sharp hiss of drawn breath echoed through midair. These youths had never imagined that this was the real reason behind Li Guanqi's overnight slaughter. Li Guanqi rubbed his nose, wondering whether his honest thoughts would change their opinion of him. Yet before long, a disciple below said in a hushed voice, "Don't forget... back then, Senior Brother took off his sect robe and crushed his jade slip before he went..." Realization dawned on everyone. Even under those circumstances, Li Guanqi had never intended to drag the sect down in the slightest. Putting themselves in his shoes, the disciples felt they would have made the same choice. In fact, some felt they could never have measured up to Li Guanqi. They simply lacked the courage to draw a sword and hunt down their enemies entirely alone—let alone against Ziyang Palace, which had been at the peak of its power throughout the Northern Region. What followed was a lively question-and-answer session where the disciples asked about everything imaginable. Li Guanqi patiently answered every single one. Afterward, tailored to the disciples' current realms, Li Guanqi gave an impassioned sermon on cultivation. The final result... was that Li Guanqi shifted all the disciples straight to the Monster Beast Mountains closest to the Great Xia Sword Sect. Just like the Wind Thunder Sect disciples before them, these young cultivators developed a deep love-hate relationship with Li Guanqi. It was not until the following morning that Li Guanqi brought the thoroughly exhausted disciples back to the sect. Seeing them drained to the point of collapse, Lu Kangnian couldn't help letting the corners of his mouth curl upward. These disciples were simply lacking a bit of grit and real combat experience. He had long known everything Li Guanqi had done at the Wind Thunder Sect; Chu Xingxian had told him plenty, after all. Ever since Li Guanqi left, the female cultivators of the Wind Thunder Sect had been utterly lovesick, to the point that old Chu insisted Li Guanqi had to return to comfort their wounded hearts. At the time, Lu Kangnian had only sneered and didn't even bother replying to the transmission slip. Heaven only knew if that old bastard would arrange for a few disciples to slip straight into Li Guanqi's bed if the boy went back. Thinking of this, Lu Kangnian stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "This kid should be turning eighteen soon, shouldn't he? At such a hot-blooded age... should I look around for a suitable girl for him?" Li Guanqi flashed to his side and bowed. "Sect Master, did you need me for something?" Lu Kangnian smiled. "Come, let's talk in my study." A flash of light gleamed beneath their feet, and they vanished instantly. When they reappeared, they were already inside Lu Kangnian's study. The man gestured toward a seat and chuckled softly. "Sit, let's talk." Lu Kangnian sat opposite Li Guanqi and personally poured him a cup of tea. Feeling rather flattered and alarmed, Li Guanqi rose to accept it. "Sect Master, you're being far too polite... this junior can hardly bear it." Seeing his cheeky expression, Lu Kangnian chuckled. "You rascal... you can bear it!" Li Guanqi took a sip of the spiritual tea. A soothing warmth instantly washed through his body, leaving a sweet aftertaste. Not one to beat around the bush, Lu Kangnian came straight to the point. "We have unanimously decided to promote you to Lifetime Honorary Elder of the Great Xia Sword Sect." "Pfft!!" Li Guanqi couldn't hold it in and sprayed a mouthful of tea. "What? Elder?" Lu Kangnian looked at him with an amused smile. "What? Not satisfied? How about you become Sect Master instead? I'm not joking." Having said that, he beamed at Li Guanqi with a broad smile.