After speaking, he brushed past the purple-faced leader and walked straight into the tightly packed guards, "Excuse me, brothers, let me through, don’t block us from our duty."
The hundred or so guards trembled slightly as they clutched their waist knives, yet not one dared to draw their blades from their sheaths.
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They did not lack the courage to protect the sect with their lives.
They simply did not know how to deal with the situation at hand.
The trembling was not due to fear, but because they suppressed the urge to draw their swords.
Just then, a mocking voice that was neither yin nor yang came from behind the guards, "You just want to snatch the position of Sect Hierarch, don’t you? I, Hall Master, am right here. If you, Yang Tiansheng, have the guts, then step over my dead body!"
The crowd parted, and a young man in white with an exceptional appearance and extraordinary bearing stood with his sword at the end of the steps, sneering down at Yang Tiansheng... But in his eyes narrowed to slits, there was nothing but rage!
Yang Tiansheng looked up at him, and suddenly laughed, "Compete for the position of Sect Hierarch? Who do you think you are!"
He stepped forward, his figure blurring into afterimages, crossing the several steps to appear before the young man.
Lu Wujie drew his sword without hesitation, but just as his treasured blade had emerged half a foot from the sheath, it was forcefully pressed back by Yang Tiansheng.
"Lu Wujie, oh Lu Wujie..."
Yang Tiansheng sighed, "If I were you, I would’ve found a crack to crawl into and stayed put, never to come out and lose face for Leader Yang!"
Lu Wujie’s face turned red, and he stared fiercely at Yang Tiansheng, but couldn’t utter a word.
Seeing this, the guards from the headquarters also turned their faces away one by one...
Just then, a round of applause came from the direction of the Holy Fire Hall, "Tian Sheng, my dear nephew, your skills are getting more and more elegant. The hero has a good son indeed!"
Yang Potian stood in front of the hall doors, clapping with a smile.
Yang Tiansheng lifted his head and immediately clasped his hands in respect, "Qingmu Hall’s Yang Tiansheng pays respect to the Sect Hierarch!"
In an instant, a wave-like chorus of greetings echoed through Bright Summit, "Pay respects to the Sect Hierarch!"
"Pay respects to the Sect Hierarch..."
Yang Potian waved his large sleeve, "Alright, we are all brothers here, there’s no need for such formalities!"
Yang Tiansheng stood up, "Thank you, Sect Hierarch!"
He walked forward, followed by a large group of adherents continuously streaming up toward Bright Summit.
Yang Potian stood tall on the high steps in front of the Holy Fire Hall, watching this scene with a contented smile, seemingly unaffected.
It was only after most of the Ming Sect followers who came with Yang Tiansheng had reached Bright Summit that he said, "I already know the purpose of your visit. We are all children of the Ming Sect, and behind closed doors, we are all one family, so let’s be forthright... What makes you think you are qualified to take over the position of Sect Hierarch?"
"In reply to the Sect Hierarch..."
Yang Tiansheng thought for a moment, then extended his hand pointing eastward, "I’ve had my fair share of hardships!"
Following that, he took off the Sword Box and placed it beside himself, patting the top of the Sword Box, "I also have martial skills!"
Finally, he turned sideways to the thousands of followers behind him and cupped his fists, "I am also fortunate to have the trust of so many brothers..."
Upon seeing this, the thousands of followers all responded by clasping their fists in return.
Upon the steps, Yang Potian observed this and his eyes slowly narrowed into slits.
"My worthy nephew is indeed extraordinary," he said.
He smiled and nodded slightly, speaking in a gentle tone, "However, you are still somewhat impulsive at heart, not mature and steady enough. It’s not suitable for you to be the heir to the Sect Hierarch of the Ming Sect just yet. Why not hone yourself for a few more years before we reassess? I believe my health is still good, and I should be able to continue working for the Ming Sect for another three to five years without a problem."
Upon hearing this, Yang Tiansheng also slowly narrowed his eyes, and with a smile, he replied, "Leader Yang is joking. Isn’t being the Sect Hierarch just about giving orders? I believe that among the tens of thousands of brothers in the Ming Sect, everyone is capable of being the Sect Hierarch. Moreover, the Ming Sect is vast and our business extensive; the matter of choosing the successor should be done sooner rather than later to avoid a last-minute rush, which could damage the fellowship within the sect."
His joke was not cold, but no one on the Bright Summit could muster a laugh.
Yang Potian’s smile remained unchanged as he silently considered for a moment before nodding slightly, "Your words make sense, nephew. However, with tens of thousands of brothers in the Ming Sect, you say you are qualified to be the successor to the Sect Hierarch, and Wujie says he is qualified, too. Without rules, how can tens of thousands of disciples be convinced?"
Yang Tiansheng replied, "Simple. Whoever wants to be the successor to the Sect Hierarch just needs to step forward and compete. Someone once said to me: ’The eyes of the masses are discerning.’ I also believe that in the hearts of the tens of thousands of brothers of the Ming Sect, there is an account of who is fitting and who is not; the public will naturally have their say!"
Yang Potian countered, "Nephew, you still take this matter too lightly. If tens of thousands of disciples all step forward to compete, wouldn’t it lead to an endless struggle?"
Yang Tiansheng slightly furrowed his brows, almost imperceptibly, and saluted with clasped fists, "Then, in Leader Yang’s view, how should this matter be structured?"
Yang Potian affected a thoughtful expression for a moment before reluctantly offering, "How about this: aren’t you confident in your martial abilities, nephew? It just so happens that your old uncle also feels he’s still in his prime. Why don’t you take on three of your old uncle’s moves? If you can’t even withstand three moves from me, how can you inspire the prestige of the Ming Sect in the future? And let’s not bring up the matter of being the successor to the Sect Hierarch ever again!"
Yang Tiansheng laughed... after all said and done, wasn’t it still a matter of deciding who was superior through combat?
"And if by chance I manage to withstand those three moves from the Sect Hierarch?" he responded.
Without missing a beat, Yang Potian answered with a warm smile, "That would also be ideal. I have long felt that the numerous branches of our Ming Sect are too chaotic. I’ve been meaning to create the positions of the ’Sky Earth Wind Thunder’ Four Great Law Enforcers to consolidate the branches and reorganize the sect’s affairs. This would also reduce the burdens of your father and your father-in-law, who are tirelessly working day and night for the tens of thousands of disciples of the Ming Sect. Today, if you can withstand my three moves, you will be the foremost among the Four Great Law Enforcers, and the prime candidate for the next Sect Hierarch of the Ming Sect!"
Yang Potian’s tone was earnest, and his demeanor was gentle, as if he truly was a benevolent elder concerned for his family’s younger generation.
However, all the Ming Sect followers present who understood the subtext of his words... looked at their Sect Hierarch with newfound respect for his thick skin!
Yang Tiansheng furrowed his brows in contemplation for a long while before finally nodding firmly and saying to those around him, "Then let all the brothers present today bear witness. If I can withstand three moves from the Sect Hierarch, I shall be the next Sect Hierarch of the Ming Sect!"
Those who had come with him, the thousands of members of the Ming Sect, responded by saluting, indicating they would all be witnesses that day.
Yang Potian’s smile grew even more intense, "Truly, like father like son. Our Ming Sect has its successors!"