Chapter 1583
Indifference
During the hundreds of years that Li Zhirui was away from the Dao Spirit Realm, the Tongtian Sect underwent earth-shattering changes!
The tasks he assigned before leaving were not only completed perfectly, but far exceeded expectations.
Now, as soon as one steps into the territory of the Tongtian Sect, the rich and pure spiritual energy around them surges in from all directions, causing one to unconsciously begin to circulate their cultivation techniques and absorb the spiritual energy.
In addition to the spiritual energy becoming extremely abundant, the Tongtian Sect also created several spiritual sites based on cultivation levels, so that cultivators of all levels could go there to train.
In addition, there are various special pills, magical artifacts, and formations, which are not only affordable but also have effects far exceeding those of ordinary ones, making them extremely attractive to cultivators!
Therefore, cultivators from nearby states all like to come here to train, especially independent cultivators, who settle here in large numbers.
Because of these people, the Tongtian Sect was able to become so prosperous in such a short period of time!
Besides these external changes, the Tongtian Sect, which benefited the most, also experienced tremendous development, with many disciples seeing a significant improvement in their cultivation.
Although no disciple has yet broken through to the Celestial Immortal realm, several Earth Immortals have already emerged. This cultivation speed can be described as incredibly fast.
Immortal and Loose Immortal disciples emerged one after another, and the entire sect displayed a vigorous and upward spirit.
Of course, during this period, there were forces that were envious and jealous, and wanted to take action to stop the rapid development of the Tongtian Sect.
The mere thought of Li Zhirui, a powerful immortal, being in charge of the Tongtian Sect immediately silenced them, and they dared not mention it again.
They lack the ability and resources to persuade powerful immortals, and if they acted rashly, the outcome would likely be disastrous. It would be better to maintain the status quo.
Even if they were eventually taken under the control of the Tongtian Sect and become a vassal force, it would still be better than dying, having their clan/tribe wiped out, and their lineage cut off.
At least they are still alive, and as long as people are alive, there is hope.
Even if this hope is so slim it's almost invisible
……
Upon returning to the Dao Spirit Realm, Li Zhirui did not rush back to the sect. Instead, he thought he would take the opportunity to check on how the sect was developing.
But as he walked along, he was filled with emotion. He really hadn’t expected that the Tongtian Church would have changed so much in just a few hundred years!
However, in truth, the fact that the Tongtian Sect has developed into what it is today has little to do with him, its leader.
At the beginning of the sect's reconstruction, Wan Sheng was the one who worked hard and was responsible for the sect's development. Later, he was reincarnated.
Li Zhirui didn't pay much attention to it, leaving the matter to the stewards. He only glanced at it occasionally and then gave a lecture to his disciples.
And not long after, he discovered Li Qiankun's diligence and responsibility as a disciple, and quickly entrusted him with all affairs.
If we had to pinpoint Li Zhirui's contribution to the Tongtian Sect, it would likely be that he provided strong and effective protection, allowing the sect to develop peacefully and steadily.
Even as time went on and his disciples grew up, his role became less important.
Such a change would not only not make him unhappy, but he would welcome it, because it would mean that he would not be involved in too many karmic consequences.
"Do you think that the powerful leader of the Tongtian Sect is currently breaking through and attempting to reach a new realm?"
Just as Li Zhirui was about to leave this bustling immortal city, he suddenly heard people talking about him by the roadside. Curious, he stopped in his hurry to leave.
He walked to an empty seat not far away, casually ordered a pot of spiritual tea, and decided to find out what kind of image he had in the eyes of outsiders.
"Why do you think that?" his companion asked curiously.
“Look, that sect leader hasn’t shown his face for hundreds of years, and the true disciples who symbolize the inheritance have remained unchanged for a long time.”
The cultivator said, "Besides breaking through in seclusion, I can't think of anything more important than passing on the legacy."
"laugh!"
One of the cultivators sneered and said, "You don't know this, do you? It's rumored that the sect leader doesn't care much about the Tongtian Sect, so it's possible that he was just cultivating normally and didn't even think about it."
"In fact, that person has always been like this. On the surface, nothing seems amiss, but inwardly, he is extremely cold-hearted and doesn't care about the Tongtian Sect or any of its disciples at all."
"How could that be? If it were really as you say, why would he have established the Tongtian Sect? And why did he spend a whole month preaching before that?" Someone immediately retorted loudly.
"Ah!"
The cultivator, however, did not argue with him. After finishing his spirit wine, he left directly.
No one dared to stop them. It was already disrespectful for them to discuss powerful immortals in private. If they were only praising them, then it wouldn't be considered taboo.
But this person dared to 'smear' them. If the disciples of the Tongtian Sect found out, they might arrest and interrogate them all.
Even if they eventually release them, they've already suffered the consequences.
Who would willingly suffer for no reason?
……
After listening silently, Li Zhirui put down the spirit stone, got up and left, but no one noticed that after taking a few steps, he disappeared into thin air.
With his keen eyesight, how could he not see that the cultivator who spoke the truth was actually a disciple of the Tongtian Sect?!
I imagine that many disciples within the Tongtian Sect have already had this thought in their hearts.
However, he was not greatly affected, because Li Zhirui truly did not care about the Tongtian Sect. Everything he did was simply to settle his karmic debts.
For him, the entire Tongtian Sect was merely a tool to repay karmic debts.
And why does he rarely interact with his disciples? It's precisely to reduce his time with them and avoid developing relationships with them.
If he were to develop any ties with them, he would be unable to treat the Tongtian Sect and its disciples with such indifference; instead, he would be putting himself in shackles and constraints.
Of course, Li Zhirui wouldn't get angry and suppress his disciple just because he told the truth; he wasn't that narrow-minded.
Moreover, as I said before, he doesn't care about the Tongtian Sect or its disciples.
He was unaffected and continued to walk around the sect's territory to see how far it had developed.
Only after seeing all the important places did they return to Dengxian Mountain.
The first thing Li Zhirui did was to go to the sect's main hall and prepare to promote Li Qiankun to acting sect leader.
The reason he is an agent rather than the real sect leader is mainly because his cultivation level is insufficient; he is still only a Human Immortal.
Such cultivation level would be considered at the level of a Supreme Elder in many smaller forces.
However, he was inconspicuous in the Tongtian Sect, where there were many disciples more powerful than him.
"This……"
Li Qiankun never expected that when he met the sect leader again hundreds of years later, the first thing the sect leader said was to make him the acting sect leader.
"Please reconsider, Sect Leader. My strength is insufficient and my achievements are limited. I am truly unworthy of such a heavy responsibility!" He declined immediately after realizing what he had done.
"There's no need to be so modest."
Li Zhirui waved his hand and said, "You have made great contributions to the development of the sect over the past few hundred years. If it weren't for your slightly weaker cultivation, I would even want to remove the word 'actor' from your title."
He wasn't just saying that for show; he genuinely believed it!
"Sect Leader, you flatter me, this disciple..."
Seeing that he was about to refuse, Li Zhirui interrupted him directly, saying, "Alright, this matter is settled then." After saying that, he announced directly, "From today onwards, Elder Li Qiankun, the Grand Steward, is promoted to Acting Sect Leader, in charge of all affairs of the sect!"
The sound enveloped the entire Ascension Mountain, reaching the ears of all the disciples.
This sudden order stunned many disciples. The sect leader had been in seclusion for many years, so why did he cause such a big incident as soon as he came out?
Although all the disciples knew that Li Qiankun would eventually advance further, they did not expect it to happen so quickly.
At the same time, many disciples were delighted. Although Li Qiankun was much weaker in terms of strength, he had to be even more responsible and dedicated in all other aspects after becoming the sect leader.
At least something like the selection and trial of true disciples wouldn't happen once every few hundred years, leaving all the disciples waiting in vain.
"Thank you for your kindness and trust, Master. I will do my best to make the Tongtian Sect even stronger, so as not to fail your expectations." Li Qiankun never expected that he would suddenly have such an important responsibility on his shoulders.
All he can do now is live up to those expectations.
But for Li Zhirui, it meant getting rid of all the trouble he was carrying!
He no longer needs to worry about the development of the Tongtian Sect. As long as the lineage continues, he can wait for the reincarnation he is waiting for.
"Alright, but cultivation is the foundation of a cultivator. Don't neglect your cultivation because you're busy with sect affairs."
Before leaving, Li Zhirui gave one last reminder.
"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. I will not forget it." Li Qiankun bowed.
Seeing this, he secretly shook his head. This reaction clearly showed that he didn't take what he said seriously at all; it was a completely subconscious response.
Since he himself didn't care about his cultivation, Li Zhirui didn't bother to say anything more.
"Take out the sect leader's jade seal from your hand."
Li Qiankun didn't understand, but he still obediently did as he was told, because he knew it probably wouldn't be anything bad.
Sure enough, Li Zhirui mobilized more power to inject into it, enhancing his strength as the acting sect leader.
Before long, the originally simple jade seal became quite mysterious and looked even more majestic.
"Within the mountain gate, you can use the jade seal to temporarily raise your strength to the peak of the Earth Immortal realm, just in case."
As for what might be needed from time to time? That depends on what happens in the future.
After explaining these matters, Li Zhirui left the main hall and, without anyone knowing, departed from Dengxian Mountain.
Having just finished his cultivation in the void, he naturally couldn't go into seclusion again, as doing so wouldn't yield better results. So, he simply decided not to go into seclusion anymore and instead spend some time training in the Mingzhou region.
anyway!
The first thing Li Qiankun did after becoming the acting sect leader was to announce the holding of the True Disciple Trial, in which all disciples could participate.
The reason he wanted to start the true teachings trial immediately was because he had been in contact with his disciples for many years and knew that they had longed for it for a long time.
Those disciples who were quite capable and felt confident they could pass the test couldn't help but feel resentful during the long wait.
Therefore, Li Qiankun's primary task was to solve this problem.
Among the elders and deacons who rushed over, one couldn't help but say, "Sect Leader, isn't this a bit too hasty? Nothing is prepared yet."
"No preparation is needed. There are corresponding facilities in the mountain gate. You just need to activate them."
Li Qiankun shook his head slightly and said, "Besides, we are still in the observation period, so there is enough time to prepare."
Upon hearing this, everyone knew that he had made up his mind. Besides, the matter had already been announced, so it was impossible to ask him to take it back.
Moreover, if he were to actually do that, it would be a devastating blow to his prestige and reputation!
Li Qiankun would never do something so foolish.
Since the announcement of the start of the True Inheritance Trial, all the disciples have become exceptionally active and energetic, as if they had been wound up.
In just a few days, the completion rate of sect missions increased several times over.
The purpose is to gain the opportunity to participate in the True Inheritance Trial during the observation period.
Because if they don't even have this opportunity, then they will be completely out of luck for this true inheritance trial.
Wait for next time? But who knows when next time will be?
Therefore, many disciples wanted to seize this opportunity, which resulted in the current situation.
Through the sect leader's jade seal, Li Qiankun observed the performance of all his disciples and felt a pang of regret for some of them.
Their performance wasn't bad, it was just slightly worse compared to the other disciples.
Therefore, he was ultimately not selected and could not participate in the True Inheritance Trial.
As for why he didn't relax the number of participants? Well, the hundreds of disciples who are about to participate in the trial are already the number that Li Qiankun had relaxed.
A message was sent to the disciples who had qualified for the trial, instructing them to prepare for the official start in three days.
Those disciples who received the message were naturally overjoyed; those who did not receive it, though frustrated and disappointed, quickly accepted reality and did not feel that anything was unfair.
Sunrise and sunset, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early that morning, a large number of disciples gathered in the sect square, but they were clearly divided into two groups.
The smaller group consisted of the hundred-odd disciples who were about to participate in the trial, while the others wanted to observe and gain some experience for themselves.
Although experience is sometimes useless, since the content of the trials is only a few and doesn't change much.
"Let's go."
Seeing that it was almost time, Li Qiankun led all his disciples to the training grounds to officially begin the True Disciple Trial!
The first trial was to test the disciples' willpower.
……
And the other side.
After leaving the mountain gate, Li Zhirui wandered aimlessly around Mingzhou.
He did this both to learn about the power dynamics in this area and to kill time.
But after this trip, he was surprised to find that the spiritual energy of the entire Mingzhou was slowly increasing!
"How is this going?"
Li Zhirui carefully recalled that the spiritual energy concentration in Mingzhou he remembered had indeed changed significantly compared to the Mingzhou of today. (End of Chapter)