Chapter 183: The Different Responses

　　Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

　　From the elders to the normal disciples, everyone in the hall felt an indescribable feeling when they saw Shen Lian.

　　It was as though they had set eyes on a hint of Meaning of Dharma in the world; it was as though the way of Dao had manifested in the human realm, and they all felt slightly melancholic.

　　This form of melancholy was akin to when one stood along the river and mourned about the lost time.

　　The flowing of water was ancient and quiet; it contained deep wisdom within it. On the other hand, a lot of elders seemed to be in deep thoughts when they saw the red mark in the middle of Shen Lian’s brows.

　　Those in Qing Xuan who were available had all come. After all, the ringing of the “Dao Bell” signified that something great had happened. Moreover, it was rung nine times.

　　Futons started appearing, and the Huandan elders had taken their seats on both left and right sides according to their rank.

　　On the left and the right side, Ge Yuan and Hong Qianya each took the second seat.

　　Hong Qianya had always held Shen Lian in high regards, but both of them were not meant to share a master-disciple bond. Now, Shen Lian was almost as good as he was.

　　However, he thought Shen Lian was still the same person as before. The only difference was that he now had a higher level of cultivation. Moreover, he even showed signs of breaking through and Huandan. “Chief, you rang the bells nine times. Could it be that someone had attained immortality?” He was the first to ask.

　　Even though Shen Lian looked mysteriously unpredictable, but it would be a blatant lie to claim that he had attained immortality. When he left the mountain, he had not even Ruhua yet. He still had a far way to go from “breaking through the Absurd State”. Even if he was a reincarnation of the almighty and had retrieved the memories of his past life, he would still need a precious and rare Celestial medicine for him to gather the mana needed to consolidate his Primordial Spirit. It was hard to break through the Absurd State, to attain immortality and became one of the land immortals.

　　Shen Lian was not a reincarnation of the Almighty, but he had great potential. Hong Qianya was sure about this. The Solution of Ziwei Dong Mystery that he was cultivating could see through one’s fate.

　　The likeliest option here would be Zhang Ruoxu. However, they all knew that Zhang Ruoxu was gravely injured and had not been able to recover. In fact, he had even used the Ice Light to preserve the last of his vitality. The Five Peaks of Qing Xuan were crowned with snow caps because of that.

　　Unless he turned the situation around and recovered from his injuries, otherwise it would be impossible for him to become an immortal Zhenren.

　　However, there was no sign until now. Even though Hong Qianya had asked, but he was in disbelieve.

　　He realized how shakily thin Zhang Ruoxu’s breath was, and he almost could not feel it anymore. If Zhang Ruoxu had not become one of the Celestials and hid his breath, it meant that he was about to pass on.

　　Though, his hopes were up as he heard the nine bells being rung.

　　“Not one had attained immortality. I want all of you to meet the new chief of Qing Xuan,” Zhang Ruoxu spoke after glancing across the hall.

　　“Who?” Hong Qianya asked.

　　“Didn’t all of you see the mark between Shen Lian’s brows?” Zhang Ruoxu replied calmly.

　　The mark between Shen Lian brows had been noticed by many, but a lot of elders refused to believe what they saw. After all, they thought that they would at least be notified in advance if a new chief were to be chosen.

　　Hong Qianya knew what was going on, but he still asked in order to invite further elaborations. This showed how well-rounded he was in a social context. Despite that, he was quite shaken by the news, but he supported the chief’s decision.

　　Despite Chen Jianmei was the most qualified candidate to replace Zhang Ruoxu, Shen Lian had a more suitable character than him. Shen Lian was just like water – he was virtuous and could carry everything. Moreover, he was determined and was good with people. This was something that Hong Qianya was very sure of.

　　The rest of the hall was in an uproar after hearing what Zhang Ruoxu said. It was not that they could not accept it, but it all came too suddenly.

　　The elders had seen the mark between Shen Lian’s brows when they walked in, and they had their speculations. However, when their suspicions were proven to be true, it was a different thing altogether.

　　A middle-aged Daoist who seemed slightly gloomy spoke. “Regardless of how talented Shen Lian is, he is still inexperienced. If he were to be the chief, it would seem slightly inappropriate. What more, you are still well and alive now.”

　　Shen Lian knew the middle-aged Daoist was Zhang Lingxian, and was Zhang Ruoxu’s nephew. He had attained the Five Transformations of Huandan, and he was considered as above average amongst the elders. He managed to attain the state of Huandan out of the coincidence that led him to obtain the Celestial elixir.

　　Previously, he had begged Zhang Ruoxu for one of the Celestial elixirs owned by the sect. However, Zhang Ruoxu turned down his request. After putting in much effort, he managed to secure a Celestial elixir elsewhere to attain the Five Transformations of Huandan. Because of this, Zhang Lingxian was not on the best term with Zhang Ruoxu. This was why he did not visit the Qing Xuan Hall all these years unless he absolutely had to.

　　However, little did he know that he actually managed to figure out where the Celestial elixir was because Zhang Ruoxu gave him a clue on purpose!

　　Zhang Ruoxu found the clue when he was traveling around the world, and it was not something from the sect. However, if Zhang Ruoxu were to give him directly, it would lead to the speculations of others and might create unnecessary conflict. This was why he decided to make it look as though Zhang Lingxu had discovered it by chance.

　　This had put distance between them, and yet Zhang Ruoxu did not explain anything.

　　Shen Lian found out about this through Tiandi Jian. The magic talisman indeed had spirituality and understood the way of humans. However, Shen Lian did not have time to carry out emotional exchanges with it yet.

　　Zhang Lingxian did not know about Zhang Ruoxu’s good intention but thought that his uncle had put him on hold merely because he was trying to appear as fair.

　　He thought that all the good deeds that he had accumulated throughout the years would warrant him at least a Celestial elixir or external alchemy.

　　Despite how laidback and carefree cultivators were, they were not grasses and trees. How could they be unaffected by such things?

　　Tiandi Jian probably had unveiled this story to Shen Lian for Zhang Ruoxu’s sake, so that Shen Lian would not judge Zhang Lingxian too harshly. After all, there was not any history between the both of them.

　　Zhang Ruoxu did not look at him. “I am merely informing all of you and I am not seeking for your approval. As for the nine bells, it is an early congratulation for Shen Lian, because I will not live to see the day that he attains immortality,” he spoke.

　　Hong Qianya was stunted. Things had finally gotten from bad to worst. For Zhang Ruoxu to say that he must be in his worst condition already. Moreover, he was shocked by the confidence Zhang Ruoxu had for Shen Lian. This was a remark that was not given to even Chen Jianmei.

　　Before Zhang Lingxian could speak again, Ge Yuan immediately replied. “If so, I have no objection and hereby agree to the chief’s decision,” Ge Yuan spoke.

　　In Qing Xuan, he enjoyed quite a reputation. He was in charge of the Discipline Hall. As he had put forth his view, almost ten other Huandan elders echoed their agreement. Hong Qianya too had agreed.

　　As for the disciples of the elders, all of them followed their masters’ will.

　　Moreover, Shen Lian had always been on good term with the disciples. It was just that he became the chief too sudden, and the disciples were not used to it and were in shock.

　　Lu Shouyi was Zhang Ruoxu’s disciple, and naturally, he did not have any objection. Moreover, he had always been close to Shen Lian, and Zhang Ruoxu had told him about this beforehand.