Whoever has an issue with this sect leader, let them say it to my face.

Su Ji, however, seemed to have anticipated this outcome long ago; there was not the slightest hint of surprise on his face.

He cleared his throat, clasped his hands behind his back, and began to exercise his authority as the Sect Master.

"Since everyone has no objections, then I, the Sect Master, will announce three things."

The five elders, including Su Jiu, all turned to look at him in unison.

"First."

Su Ji pointed at the ruins beneath his feet.

"Clean this place up for me."

The five elders: "..."

You're the damn one who destroyed it!

A flash of anger crossed their faces, but ultimately, no one dared to voice any objections.

"Second."

Su Ji's gaze swept over the five of them.

"Effective immediately, the sect rule of 'castration upon entry' is abolished."

"Our Xiangsi Sect shall recruit disciples with the freedom to come and go as they please."

"If anyone is dissatisfied, they may leave on their own accord. I will absolutely not stop them."

These words caused the expressions of the five elders to change once again.

Especially the old man in the green robe, whose frown deepened.

This rule was established five hundred years ago and had long been one of the foundations of the Xiangsi Sect.

Although it sounded somewhat absurd.

However, cultivators who were free from worldly desires and lusts indeed found it easier to walk further on the path of cultivation.

To abolish it just like that?

The repercussions would be massive.

But at the thought of the IOU for one million top-grade spirit stones, he swallowed the words that had reached the tip of his tongue.

"Third."

Su Ji paused suddenly at this point.

He turned around and, before Su Jiu could even react, grabbed her hand and forcefully pulled her into his embrace in front of everyone.

"Ah!"

Caught off guard, Su Jiu let out a cry of surprise. Her soft and warm body crashed into a firm chest, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

She tried to struggle, but a large hand held her firmly in place, rendering her unable to move.

Su Ji, however, paid no mind to her resistance. He grinned at the five elders, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

"This here is your Vice Sect Master."

"From now on, seeing her is like seeing me."

"Get to know her."

As his words fell.

Su Jiu's mind buzzed and went completely blank.

What did 'seeing her is like seeing me' mean?

Could it be...

Meanwhile, a long-absent notification sound rang out in Su Ji's mind.

[Phase Three of the Path of the Heaven's Chosen has been unlocked.]

[Mission Objective: Now that you have seen me, why do you not kneel?]

This mission...

Why did it feel even more outrageous than the previous two?

Now that you have seen me, why do you not kneel?

This objective was way too broad.

Make who kneel?

Was it telling him to plow through the entire cultivation world from beginning to end, making everyone he encountered kneel before him?

Su Ji's thoughts raced. Looking at the five Golden Core elders before him who were completely dumbfounded, a bold idea suddenly popped into his head.

Perhaps...

This mission was about... establishing dominance?

He, Su Ji, needed to establish a reputation within the borders of the Great Xia Dynasty that everyone would be forced to look up to.

He lowered his head and looked at the little fox in his arms, who was so shocked that she had even forgotten to struggle. He whispered into her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Junior Sister, look, isn't this perfectly justifiable now?"

Su Jiu's body trembled violently. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she finally snapped back to her senses. Her cheeks reddened at a visible speed, the blush spreading from the roots of her ears all the way down to her neck.

Those clear eyes glared at him, filled with bashful indignation.

But she opened her mouth and couldn't utter a single word.

Refute him?

How could she refute him?

Say he was spouting nonsense?

Exposing Su Ji in front of so many elders—wouldn't that be courting death?

Su Jiu only felt that her mind was a jumbled mess. She was both embarrassed and angry, yet she couldn't even lash out.

And the five elders kneeling on the ground also exchanged glances, their expressions nothing short of spectacular.

Especially the beautiful woman in the palace dress. She looked at Su Jiu, then at Su Ji, a trace of complex and indiscernible emotion flashing through her peach-blossom eyes.

So...

After all this time, it was just a young couple playing out their romantic games in the sect?

And they, the elders, had become nothing more than background props?

However, no one dared to voice these thoughts aloud right now.

Su Ji cleared his throat, clasped his hands behind his back, and began to exercise his authority as the Sect Master.

Looking with satisfaction at the elders' expressions, which looked as if they had just swallowed a fly, Su Ji finally released Su Jiu and continued, "You may start working now."

The five elders looked at each other, but no one moved.

Ultimately, it was the green-robed elder who bit the bullet and spoke up.

"Sect Master... I'm afraid there's still something inappropriate about this matter."

"It needs to be discussed carefully."

He worded his sentences cautiously.

"The changing of the Sect Master is a matter of paramount importance to the sect. We will naturally obey your commands."

"It's just that... if this news spreads, how should we explain it to the disciples within the sect, as well as to the various sects in the outside world?"

"There must be an... acceptable justification, right?"

The implication was to have Su Ji fabricate a suitable excuse.

Cultivators also cared about face.

To rise to power by killing the former Sect Master was not only disgraceful to speak of, but it would also invite questioning from all the Holy Lands.

Because if such situations were left unchecked, many small sects would fall into chaos, spending their days worrying that they might be killed and have their sect stolen to serve another's ambitions.

At the very least, a basic order needed to be maintained.

Hearing this, Su Ji acted as if he had heard something hilarious.

"Justification?"

He sneered.

"Why do we need a justification?"

"Just tell the truth."

Tell the truth?!

The five elders' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Tell the truth?

Say that you killed the Sect Master who was at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core Realm?

And then forced the five of us Golden Core elders to kneel like dogs?

If word of this got out, who would believe it?

"Think twice, Sect Master!"

The green-robed elder panicked and hastily advised.

"This matter is of grave importance. If not handled properly, I fear it will bring a devastating disaster upon our Xiangsi Sect!"

"Oh?"

Su Ji raised an eyebrow, looking at him with great interest.

"What devastating disaster?"

"When the time comes, the major sects, and even the Holy Lands, will inevitably send people to hold us accountable."

The green-robed elder said in a deep voice.

"How will our Xiangsi Sect withstand them?"

"Hold us accountable?"

Su Ji laughed.

"Then let them come."

He looked around at the five elders. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by an almost arrogant confidence.

"Go right now and spread the news."

"Not only within the sect, but outside the sect as well."

"Just say that I, Su Ji, will hold an inauguration ceremony for the new Sect Master right here in half a year, and I will invite guests from all directions."

Su Ji pondered for a moment.

In half a year, he should have reached the Golden Core Realm.

He would then have the capital to be arrogant.

As for whether others would give him half a year to develop?

Naturally, they would.

Cultivators were not like mortals.

A mere half a year was just the duration of a single secluded cultivation session.

Even for Golden Core cultivators, if there were no major events affecting them, it was common to stay in secluded cultivation for three to five years.

They might even have to set an 'alarm' for this half-year period to remind themselves not to cultivate past the date.

It wasn't much different from a few days passing for a mortal.

"At that time, if anyone has an issue with me, the Sect Master."

Su Ji's voice suddenly turned cold.

"Let them say it to my face."

The five elders were completely dumbfounded by Su Ji's actions.

What... what kind of tactic was this?

The five elders looked at each other, all seeing deep confusion in each other's eyes.

Finally, the green-robed elder let out a long sigh and bowed deeply to Su Ji once more.

"We... shall obey."

With those words, he led the other four as they transformed into five streaks of flowing light, soaring away in different directions.

No matter how one looked at it, their retreating figures exuded an undeniable sense of desolation.

Watching the five depart, Su Jiu finally stepped up to Su Ji's side, her clear eyes brimming with worry.

"Senior Brother, aren't you taking too much of a risk by doing this?"