This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 175 The Thousand Crane True Monarch Appears, the World Comes to Congratulate Him

Inside Zhong Bai's courtyard, the moment Zhong Bai's golden core condensed, the golden core, located in the center of his dantian, emitted light. Streams of purer true essence flowed from the golden core, nourishing Zhong Bai's physical body and soul.

His divine sense began to surge, suddenly increasing from being able to detect a radius of ten miles to fifty miles. Such an improvement was absolutely terrifying.

Besides the Golden Core, there was only one Thunder Seal floating above the Golden Core in Zhong Bai's dantian, with streaks of scarlet lightning swirling around it. It can be said that breaking through to the Golden Core was the beginning of a qualitative change in Zhong Bai's strength.

The surrounding spiritual energy had stopped flowing into his body. He slowly stood up, his body trembled, and his bones and muscles creaked.

"This is the Golden Core!"

Feeling the terrifying power and true essence within his body, and sensing the spiritual energy in the world that he could freely absorb, Zhong Bai finally truly embarked on the starting point of becoming an immortal.

Just as he was thinking this, Zhong Bai instantly sensed the gazes of the elders in the Law Enforcement Hall.

During this period, several elders took turns protecting him. Now that he has broken through, Zhong Bai naturally needs to go to the hall to express his gratitude.

In an instant, Zhong Bai arrived in the hall, and the elders who had been congratulating Qian Yuan Zhenren immediately turned their gazes toward Zhong Bai.

His Yin-Yang Water and Fire Robe moved without wind, and his whole body was filled with masculine energy. Even though his skin was as white as jade, he did not have any feminine air about him.

"Zhong Bai greets all his senior uncles, headmaster, and master!"

After bowing deeply to the elders in front of him, including Xuanmingzi and his master, Zhong Bai slowly raised his head.

"Hahaha, Daoist, you're too kind. We witnessed your amazing feat of condensing the Golden Core with our own eyes. This is a great joy, and we congratulate you as well!"

With this explanation, Zhong Bai smiled in agreement.

However, after exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xuanmingzi led a group of elders away from the Law Enforcement Hall. Now that Zhong Bai had broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch level, Maoshan still had to announce it to all Buddhist and Taoist sects in the world. There were indeed many things to do. Of course, there was also one thing that Xuanmingzi needed time to think about.

......................................................

It was evening, just two hours after Zhong Bai broke through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm.

Inside the main hall of the sect leader.

At this moment, the expressions on the faces of the Maoshan elders were particularly strange.

Especially Zhong Bai's master, Master Qian Yuan.

"Senior Brother Headmaster, shouldn't we reconsider this matter?"

Zhong Bai is indeed capable of taking on the position of leader of Maoshan Sect, but Senior Brother, you have only broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm in just over a decade. For now, it is most appropriate for you to continue serving as the leader.

As for that brat Zhong Bai... let's talk about it in a few years, shall we?
Moreover, Zhong Bai was knowledgeable about Maoshan matters…

Before Master Qian Yuan could finish speaking, the sect leader Xuan Mingzi, who was at the head of the table, shook his head.

"Fellow disciples, although I have only broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm for a little over ten years, I have been the leader of Maoshan Sect for a full sixty years!"

The position of leader of Maoshan Sect is traditionally changed every sixty years. Now that Junior Nephew Zhong Bai is capable of taking the position, it's time for us to let the new person replace the old one.

Upon hearing this, all the elders below fell silent, knowing that their senior brother, the sect leader, was right.

but……

Once the position of sect leader is handed over to Zhong Bai, it will surely cause a sensation throughout the world. After all, he is the leader of a top-tier Taoist sect!
The key issue is that these elders cannot step down for the time being, as there are not enough disciples of Maoshan who have broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm to be rotated out.

A nephew who is in charge of teaching?
A group of teachers and uncles?
To be fair, the elders also felt that appointing Zhong Bai as the sect leader at this time would restrict his abilities.

“Master, it would actually be easy to put Junior Nephew Zhong Bai in the position of Master.”

but……

We old folks, like our senior brothers, also need to retire.

It's just that there isn't a suitable candidate yet...

"Perhaps, Senior Brother Headmaster, could you serve for a few more years, until the most outstanding disciples from each hall emerge, before allowing Junior Nephew Zhong Bai to take the position of Headmaster?"

When the Immortal of Longevity finished speaking, Xuanmingzi fell silent and began to ponder.

Currently, Zhong Bai is definitely qualified to take over the position of sect leader, after all, a Golden Core True Monarch who is not yet fifty years old is one of a kind in the entire world.

However, the situation for the disciples in each hall is very serious.

Given the current environment, it's practically impossible to improve one's cultivation level as quickly as Zhong Bai's.

Among the disciples of each hall, Lin Fengjiao has not yet broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. She still needs to construct a Dao Platform before she can attempt to break through.

The rest, including Si Muzha Gu, were all at the early stage of the ninth level of Qi Refining, still some distance from Foundation Establishment.

Without Foundation Establishment cultivation, it is impossible to become an elder in any of the halls.

Thinking about this, Xuanmingzi understood why none of his fellow disciples thought that now was the best time for Zhong Bai to succeed as the leader of Maoshan.

However, Xuanmingzi also had his own difficulties.

Zhong Bai has already surpassed him by only just condensing his Golden Core. If we really wait until the disciples of each hall become Foundation Establishment True Persons in a few years...

Xuan Mingzi couldn't imagine whether Zhong Bai had already left him far behind...

If the Underworld Ancestor were to suggest that Zhong Bai go to the New World ahead of time, the future leader of Maoshan would be in serious jeopardy.

Thinking of this, Xuanmingzi still insisted on letting Zhong Bai succeed as the sect leader.

“What my fellow disciples have said makes sense, but I have already made up my mind about this matter.”

A month later, Maoshan held a ceremony to mark the succession of its new leader, and all disciples stationed in various locations were recalled.

Five years later, Zhong Bai will personally examine the disciples of each hall and select the new elders for each hall.

"So, do any of you fellow disciples have any objections?"

Having said all that, the elders decided not to dwell on it any longer.

"We will humbly obey the Dharma decree of our Head Master!"

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As Maoshan sent out letter after letter, the whole world was astonished.

Longhu Mountain.

Inside the Celestial Master's Mansion, the Celestial Master Lingxiao looked at the letter sent by Maoshan, and his originally calm expression suddenly became quite interesting.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I never expected that Brother Xuanming would have such courage, burning his bridges and taking Zhong Bai into the Golden Core True Monarch realm, and he will succeed as the head of Maoshan Sect in a month. The future of Maoshan will be smooth sailing."

Putting down the letter in his hand, Master Lingxiao was not surprised that Zhong Bai had broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm. Zhong Bai's accumulated essence, energy, and spirit were far superior to those of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator.

If even Zhong Bai can't break through to the Golden Core True Monarch level, then it truly is the end of the cultivation world...

"Xuanmingzi is rather eager to succeed as the leader of Maoshan Sect, but judging from Zhong Bai's cultivation speed, he might enter the new world ahead of schedule. It's good to be prepared!"

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Master Lingxiao slowly stood up. The situation at Maoshan was already very favorable.

As the leader of the Zhengyi sect, it's time for Longhu Mountain to reveal its true strength!
Renjia Town.

Upon receiving the message from Maoshan, Lin Fengjiao, who was already in her forties, showed a look of shock on her face.

After standing there for a long time, he finally gasped.

"Junior Brother Qianhe..."

I never imagined that just a few months would pass and you would have already broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch level.

Senior Brother is only on the verge of Foundation Establishment now, so it's impossible for him to catch up with Junior Brother Qianhe.

But my senior brother won't give up. Foundation Establishment, Foundation Establishment! It'll be soon!

Just as Lin Fengjiao was muttering to herself, a lively and lovely figure pushed open the door and entered.

"Father, what are you looking at?"

She looks preoccupied.

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengjiao regained her composure, slowly turned her head, and looked at Lin Qing'er, who had her hair in braids.

I couldn't help but sigh.

"Qing'er, your father is happy today. For the next month, you won't need to practice with your senior brothers Wencai and Qiusheng. Your father and mother will both have to go back to the ancestral land of Maoshan."

"How about I introduce Qing'er to your grandmaster?"

Upon learning that she wouldn't have to endure the grueling training today, Xiao Qing'er almost jumped for joy.

"Thank you, daddy!"

Having said that, he disappeared into the mortuary in a flash.

Lin Fengjiao watched silently, without saying anything.

After all, Lin Qing'er is still young, so it's normal for her to be reluctant to practice martial arts.

After Lin Qing'er left, Lin Fengjiao also began packing her things to head to Maoshan; she needed to be properly prepared.

After all, it was the grand ceremony for their junior brother Qianhe to succeed as the leader of Maoshan Sect. How could they, as senior brothers and sisters, be absent?
As for Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng, that wouldn't work. They were only nominal disciples accepted by Lin Fengjiao, not true disciples of Maoshan, and were never recognized by Maoshan.

Therefore, this time, Lin Fengjiao needs to take Zhe Gu and Lin Qing'er to Maoshan by herself!

After tidying up, Lin Fengjiao was about to push open the door to leave when a voice that she knew all too well rang out from inside the mortuary.

"Brother!
Senior brother, hurry up, you haven't set off yet, have you?
"We can't delay such a momentous event as Junior Brother Qianhe's succession as the leader of Maoshan!"

A smile appeared on Lin Fengjiao's face.

"It seems my junior sister has also received the news. Speaking of which, this is our first return to Maoshan since we became Daoist partners. It feels like a homecoming..."

After giving Lin Fengjiao a disdainful look, Aunt Zhe didn't say anything more. After the two of them finished packing, they took Lin Qing'er and headed towards Maoshan...

At this moment, when Si Mu received the letter from Maoshan, he was extremely shocked.

"Hahaha, Junior Brother Qianhe truly lives up to his reputation as a Maoshan Daoist capable of surveying the world!"

It's only been a few months, and Junior Brother Qianhe has already broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm. Unbelievable, unbelievable indeed!
Apart from Junior Brother Qianhe, no one else has the prestige to succeed as the leader of Maoshan Sect.

It seems we need to return to Maoshan as soon as possible!

Just then, a white-robed monk slowly pushed open the door of the bamboo house next door. It was none other than the monk Ikkyu. Upon seeing this, Si Mu quickly stepped forward.

“Monk, I need to return to Maoshan. I’ll leave my disciple in your care for a month.”

Master Ikkyu naturally wouldn't refuse, a slight smile appearing on his face. It was rare for Simu to speak to him in such a tone.

"Since Master Four Eyes thinks this humble monk can do it, then this humble monk will naturally not refuse."

For some reason, upon seeing Master Ikkyu's expression, Si Mu frowned. However, thinking that his return to Maoshan was the priority, and that his disciple Jiale needed the monk Ikkyu's care...

Instead of arguing...

"To tell you the truth, monk, my junior brother Qianhe has already broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch level!"

"My return to Maoshan this time is to congratulate my junior brother on assuming the position of Maoshan Sect Leader!"

Having said that, the four arrogant figures left, leaving Master Ikkyu, who had been smiling brightly, frozen in shock.

"Maoshan Daozi...

Yes, only this Master Qianhe could possibly break through to the Golden Core True Monarch level!

Tsk tsk tsk, I never expected that you, Master Four Eyes, would possess such good fortune…

It has to be said that Master Ikkyu is a little envious.

The strength of a major sect is now evident. Although Si Mu has not been very diligent in his cultivation since leaving the mountain, he is now at the early stage of the ninth level of Qi Refining.

With Zhong Bai now breaking through to the Golden Core True Monarch level, the prestige of Maoshan disciples will also rise accordingly.

In the future, the gap between them will only get smaller and smaller!
With a sigh, Master Ikkyu understood, but was also somewhat saddened.

After getting ready, Simu hurriedly went out and headed towards Maoshan.

Apart from Lin Fengjiao and Zhe Gu, all the other Maoshan disciples stationed in various places also put down their tasks and made arrangements before heading towards Maoshan.

Inside the Fuxi Hall in Jiuquan Town, Mao Xiaofang was overjoyed. He was delighted that Zhong Bai had broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm.

However, instead of showing off like Simu, he was startled and silently packed his bags, embarking alone on the road back to Maoshan.

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This news caused a huge stir when it reached the major sects.

Almost all Taoist sects were filled with envy for Maoshan and sent their elders to Maoshan to observe the ceremony!

The Buddhist community remained silent on this matter, seemingly without causing the slightest disturbance within it.

Only within Jinshan Temple, after learning that Maoshan Daozi had broken through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm, Abbot Huian was absolutely certain of his decision.

As expected, Zhong Bai is no ordinary person!

Breaking through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm was a piece of cake for him...

(End of this chapter)