Lord Empior - Chapter 4

News of Li Qiye becoming the chief disciple of the Cleansing Face Ancient Sect quickly spread everywhere. Those in the upper echelons didn't harbor much resentment, as they had no other choice when faced with the Cleansing Face Ancient Order. A useless person like Li Qiye was simply lucky.

But the younger disciples of the third generation were different. Simply put, according to the long-standing rules, the chief disciples of the Cleansing Face Ancient Sect mostly came from among the regular disciples. Furthermore, the person holding the chief position had to achieve outstanding merit and pass rigorous tests by the elders to be recognized.

Moreover, the chief disciple, besides receiving cultivation techniques personally from the sect master, also had the opportunity to access various advanced Emperor techniques. The final crucial point was that, historically, the chief disciple had a very high chance of becoming the next sect master.

Given the current situation, no one from the second generation of disciples has been selected for this position, meaning the chief disciple position will certainly be chosen from among the third generation disciples.

The most vehement reactions came from the elite disciples with excellent aptitude, high天赋 (talent), and significant contributions to the sect. They were extremely angry and resentful that Li Qiye had seized this position. Suddenly, the entire Washing Face Ancient Sect was in an uproar.

"What right does a mere mortal with a mortal body, mortal fate, and mortal destiny have to be the chief disciple?"

Several geniuses grumbled.

"Such a person is a disgrace to our Washing Face Ancient Sect."

Some older geniuses, though unwilling, could only sigh:

"Who told him to be so lucky to obtain the Washing Face Ancient Token? Even the elders had no choice but to accept it."

There was also a genius brimming with self-confidence, coldly laughing:
"He's just a senior disciple, that's all. An incompetent person like him doesn't have the strength to compete with me for the position of sect master. Who says the chief senior disciple is guaranteed to become the sect master?"

"If he doesn't know his place, I won't mind teaching him a lesson."

But no matter what, even if Li Qiye truly lacked the qualifications to compete for the sect master position, all the disciples still felt uneasy having to call a young, incompetent person like Li Qiye "senior brother."

"Isn't the only remaining Ancient Cleansing Face Token in his possession of the Three Ghost Lords? How did it fall into that kid's hands?"

Another disciple couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.

The fact that the Three Ghost Lords possessed the last ancient token wasn't a big secret. The Ancient Cleansing Face Sect still wanted to reclaim it, but the Three Ghost Lords stubbornly refused. Therefore, almost everyone found it strange that Li Qiye possessed it.

"Hehe, I heard this kid has some tricks up his sleeve, I just wonder how he managed to deceive that lecherous old ghost."
Another disciple coldly chuckled in reply:
"I heard that when the elders sent someone to verify this matter, the Three Ghost Lords were having a good time at the Cuihong Tower. It's quite possible this kid invited the Three Ghost Lords to have a good time in exchange for the ancient token."

Speaking of which, this disciple grumbled, feeling nauseated.

"So he and that womanizing old ghost are in cahoots."

Hearing this, the other disciples exclaimed contemptuously.

Although rumors circulated that the Three Demon Lords were the illegitimate son of some grand sect leader, the entire Cleansing Face Ancient Sect, from top to bottom, did not welcome the old demon who was only interested in women, money, and extravagant pleasures like the Three Demon Lords. The younger disciples of the third generation, in particular, showed him no respect whatsoever. If it weren't for the previous sect leader's entrustment, the Three Demon Lords would have likely been expelled from the Cleansing Face Ancient Sect long ago.

If Li Qiye and the Three Demon Lords were in the same group, these disciples would be even more disgusted with Li Qiye.

But before three days had passed, and before Li Qiye could even pay his respects to his ancestors, the Cleansing Face Ancient Sect received a letter from the Nine Sacred Demon Sect.

"What! The Nine Sacred Demon Sect wants to conduct an examination?"
Upon receiving this news, the six elders were stunned.

One elder felt very uneasy and said irritably, "The Nine Sacred Demon Sect gets their information too quickly." As soon as Li Qiye became the chief disciple, they immediately wanted to conduct an examination.

Another elder chimed in:
"It seems the Nine Sacred Demon Sect wants to break its promise from years ago. A useless newcomer like Li Qiye has no chance of passing the examination. That's why they're so eager to push for it upon receiving this news."

"We have no other choice."

The Grand Elder remained silent for a moment, finally speaking with a sigh of helplessness:

"Currently, the Nine Sacred Demon Sect controls an entire kingdom. We can't compare to them, so how can we have the qualifications to negotiate terms?"

The Grand Elder's words plunged everyone into silence. In the early days of the Age of Emperors, their Washing Face Ancient Sect was renowned, controlling an ancient kingdom, revered by all sects, once threatening the Nine Realms, and sweeping across the Eight Deserts. No one in the vast Central Great Region could threaten or shake their position.

The former power of the Cleansing Face Ancient Sect.

But as time passed, the Cleansing Face Ancient Sect gradually declined, its prestige gone. They didn't even have the strength to rule the Ancient Kingdom, let alone the Gang Kingdom, let alone appoint others as Heroes or Kings.

"What do we do now?"
An elder suddenly asked.

They all knew in their hearts that an incompetent newcomer with a mortal body, mortal reincarnation, and mortal destiny like Li Qiye had no chance of passing the Nine Sacred Demon Sect's examination.

"Saving a dead horse, what else can we do?"
Another elder replied.

"If he really succeeds, we and the Nine Sacred Demon Sect will become in-laws. Then the Heavenly Sacred Sect and the Sacred Treasure Kingdom won't dare to underestimate the Cleansing Face Ancient Sect."

Faced with such an unattainable dream, the six elders could only smile bitterly, but no matter what, they still had to try.

Li Qiye was waiting on the summit of Gufeng Mountain for the grand ceremony of paying homage to the Ancestor when he suddenly saw Nan Huai Ren arrive.

"Brother, the elders are calling you to the ancestral hall," Nan Huai Ren hastily reported to Li Qiye.

"Is it something important?" Li Qiye glanced at Nan Huai Ren's expression and asked briefly.

Nan Huai Ren, though surprised, didn't hide anything and nodded in reply:
"I won't lie to you, Brother. The Nine Sacred Demon Sect sent a message."

He then subtly glanced at Li Qiye and continued:

"I heard that your fiancée wants to test you."

"The Nine Sacred Demon Sect!" Li Qiye suddenly recalled some distant memories upon hearing this name.

Nam Hoai Nhan, thinking Li Qiye didn't know about the Nine Sacred Demon Sect, hastily explained:
"The Nine Sacred Demon Sect is a large and renowned sect in the Central Great Region. They control the Ancient Ox Kingdom and bestow titles of nobility and kingship. Our Washing Face Ancient Sect and the Nine Sacred Demon Sect have had a close relationship since ancient times. The founder of the Nine Sacred Demon Sect, the Nine Sacred Great Sage, was once the foremost general under our Ancestor, Emperor Ming Ren. He once followed our Ancestor in sweeping across the Nine Realms. When the Washing Face Ancient Sect was in control of the Ancient Kingdom, the Nine Sacred Demon Sect even had to pay homage to us."

"I've also heard of the Nine Sacred Demon Sect." Li Qiye chuckled softly. He knew a lot about the Nine Sacred Demon Sect and had even met the Nine Sacred Great Sage.

In the early days of the Age of Emperors, he guided the young Ming Ren in his cultivation. It was for Ming Ren's sake that Li Qiye spent countless schemes and efforts, finally subduing this Nine Saints Great Sage and making him Ming Ren's guardian.

"How does this involve a fiancée?" Li Qiye asked Nan Huai Ren.

Nan Huai Ren replied,
"According to legend, when our Ancestor bore the Mandate of Heaven to become an Immortal Emperor, the Nine Saints Great Sage and the Washing Face Ancient Sect made an agreement: if their successor was a female disciple and our successor was a male, the two sects would become in-laws."

He sighed softly and continued,
"At that time, it could be said that they were aiming too high."

"It seems that old rooster had a female disciple back then?" After hearing Nan Huai Ren's words, Li Qiye mumbled, lost in his memories. He vaguely remembered that the Nine Saints Great Sage had taken on a female disciple, but Li Qiye was in a deep sleep, so he dismissed those trivial matters.

"What did you say, Senior Brother?" Hearing Li Qiye's whisper, Nan Huai Ren didn't hear clearly and asked.

Li Qiye regained his composure and shook his head:
"Nothing. So, the current successor of the Nine Saints Demon Sect is a female disciple?"

Nan Huai Ren replied:
"I heard that it's been a long time since the Washing Face Ancient Sect and the Nine Saints Demon Sect had any marital ties. In this lifetime, their successor is indeed a female disciple."

He paused for a moment, glancing at Li Qiye's expression, then continued:
"I also heard that Li Shuangyan, the current successor of the Nine Saints Demon Sect, is a naturally born Imperial Physique."

After hearing Nam Hoai Nhan's story, Li Qiye understood the situation clearly. The Nine Sacred Demon Sect certainly didn't want to marry off such a promising and talented successor to a disciple of a declining Ancient Cleansing Sect.

"That's interesting." Li Qiye smiled slightly.

Nam Hoai Nhan was astonished to see Li Qiye so composed. He found it strange that a thirteen-year-old boy with mediocre talent could calmly face everything like a seasoned king or marquis.

If it were someone else, they would have felt extremely uneasy and frightened after hearing Nam Hoai Nhan's words, but Li Qiye was completely the opposite, appearing calm and unconcerned.

"Has Hoai Nhan explained the situation to you?" The Grand Elder asked coldly as Li Qiye entered the ancestral hall.

To be honest, the six elders absolutely did not welcome a good-for-nothing like Li Qiye, but given the current situation, they hoped he wasn't completely incompetent, and that he might be lucky enough to pass the Nine Sacred Demon Sect's examination. At this moment, the Washing Face Ancient Sect desperately needed powerful forces like the Nine Sacred Demon Sect to act as its protector.

They knew the chances of success were extremely slim, but they still wanted to try.

"Elder, I understand." Li Qiye nodded slightly in reply.

"Good! As long as you can pass the Nine Sacred Demon Sect's examination, we will reward you handsomely." The Grand Elder maintained his cold demeanor.

Li Qiye smiled slightly and said slowly, "I am willing to take the examination, but I have three conditions."

"How dare you!" An elder suddenly shouted, "You dare to make conditions in front of the elders!"