Three days from now, after paying respects to the founder, you will officially be the chief disciple of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect," the Great Elder finally declared, his tone filled with dissatisfaction.
Sitting there, Leon Nightfall wasn't surprised by this outcome. With a composed smile, he said, "Since I'm the chief disciple, shouldn't I be equipped with a weapon or two for self-defense?"
One of the elders found Leon's calm demeanor peculiar. Despite being just a thirteen-year-old boy, he carried himself with the poise of a leader. His aura didn't seem forced, but for a mortal like him to possess such bearing was unimaginable.
The elder glanced at Leon and shook his head. "While you are now the chief disciple and can be given ordinary weapons, if you're thinking of treasures, you're dreaming. If you desire powerful artifacts or Immortal Emperor techniques, you'll need to earn significant merit for the sect. Those are the rules of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect."
Leon chuckled. His goal wasn't some emperor's technique or supreme ancient art. His gaze fell upon the charred wooden staff beside the incense burner. "Very well, how about that wooden staff?"
"That wooden staff?" The elders were taken aback. The staff next to the incense burner was merely used for stirring ashes during ancestral rituals. It had always been there, and no one paid it any mind.
They had expected Leon, leveraging his position as chief disciple, to ask for some treasure or imperial technique. They hadn't anticipated he'd request a mere wooden stick; it was beyond their expectations.
Leon's expression remained serene. "As the chief disciple, my status and position carry significant weight, representing our illustrious heritage. This wooden staff comes from our ancestral hall, making it extraordinary. It symbolizes the authority of our sect, perfectly fitting for someone in my position..."
He continued eloquently, weaving a tapestry of reasons. The elders exchanged glances, thinking he sounded like a fool. Perhaps only someone like Old Man Three Ghosts, a gambler and womanizer, would share such foolish sentiments.
"Fine, the wooden staff is yours," the Great Elder interrupted impatiently. To him, it was just a fire poker—not worth mentioning. He had no desire to listen to Leon's ramblings any longer.
"Thank you, Elder, for granting me the staff." This was exactly what Leon had been waiting for. He grabbed the staff and tucked it into his belt. To the elders, his actions only reinforced their impression of him as a simpleton.
"Huairen, show him to his accommodations," one of the elders ordered a disciple, eager to be rid of Leon.
For the six elders, today's events were nothing short of infuriating. A useless boy had become the chief disciple of their sect. Though they were no longer the power they once were, they hadn't fallen so low as to let a fool assume such a vital position.
Leon was led by a sect disciple to a solitary peak. While not small, the mountaintop spanned only about an acre and housed a small courtyard. The place seemed neglected, overgrown with weeds and vines. Though the peak was remote, it was still within the sect's domain.
Opening the courtyard gate, the disciple said to Leon, "Junior—no, Senior Brother, this will be your residence from now on." He corrected himself quickly.
In terms of time spent in the sect, Leon couldn't compare to him, but as the chief disciple, Leon's seniority was unquestionable. Regardless of age, all third-generation disciples had to address him as Senior Brother.
Leon glanced at the disciple who adapted so swiftly, then surveyed his surroundings. Without complaint, he nodded. "A solitary mountain with distant views—it's a good place."
"Coincidentally, this peak is called Solitary Summit," the disciple replied with a smile. He gave Leon another look, then laughed awkwardly. "I'm sure you'll move into the main peaks soon."
According to sect rules, as chief disciple, Leon was entitled to reside on one of the main peaks. The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect had several, and the chief disciple could choose any unoccupied one.
However, all the main peaks were currently occupied. The six elders, displeased with how Leon had ascended to his position, certainly weren't going to let him reside there.
Living on a main peak had numerous benefits, chief among them being the denser spiritual energy compared to the subsidiary peaks.
"This place will do," Leon said calmly. He showed no signs of dissatisfaction.
"I've brought all the necessities you'll need," the disciple said, handing over various items. "If you require anything else, feel free to find me at the Outer Hall."
"What's your name?" Leon asked as the disciple was about to leave.
The disciple was momentarily surprised. To be honest, he didn't think much of Leon. With such poor qualifications, Leon shouldn't have been admitted to the sect, let alone become its chief disciple.
In the main hall earlier, Leon had seemed somewhat foolish. Yet now, his calm demeanor intrigued the disciple. Was Leon truly naive, or was there more to him?
"Senior Brother, my name is Nan Huairen, an emissary of the Outer Hall," the disciple finally replied.
"I'm Leon Nightfall," Leon nodded lightly. After countless millennia, few knew his true name or origins.
After Nan Huairen left, Leon didn't idle. He began tidying up the small courtyard, clearing the overgrown areas around the peak. Once he was done, the long-abandoned Solitary Summit finally showed signs of life.
Leon worked methodically. Had anyone been watching, they'd find it hard to believe he was just a thirteen-year-old boy. His mature demeanor was entirely out of sync with his youthful appearance.
By the time he finished, evening was approaching. Exhausted and hungry, Leon plopped down at his doorstep. After catching his breath, he picked up the charred wooden staff from his waist.
Gazing at the staff, used for so long to stir ashes, memories of distant times resurfaced. A bitter smile formed on his lips.
People often said that Immortal Emperors, upon bearing the Heavenly Mandate, could achieve eternal life. But today, where were invincible beings like Immortal Emperor Ming Ren and Immortal Emperor Tun Ri?
Shaking off his reverie, Leon slowly scraped away the soot from the staff, revealing its true form—a wooden stick about three feet long, dark green in color. Despite being used as a fire poker for countless years, it hadn't suffered any damage. Beyond that, it appeared unremarkable.
Gently stroking the staff, Leon murmured, "Snake-Beating Stick..." With a soft sigh, memories flooded back. Holding it again after so long brought a complex mix of emotions.
Back then, before Immortal Emperor Ming Ren had borne the Heavenly Mandate, Leon, as his guide, had trained a group of young talents for him. To discipline them properly, he had fetched this Snake-Beating Stick from the Ghost Forest.
Those young men, who later became renowned and formidable figures, had all felt the sting of this very stick. After their training, Leon had casually left the staff at the sect. He hadn't expected it to remain in the ancestral hall all these years.
Holding the Snake-Beating Stick, Leon fell into a long silence. After so many lifetimes of effort, he had finally reclaimed his body, his soul freed from the dark crow.
Yet, so many had faded away—his family, his friends, the Medicine God, Immortal Emperor Bloodseal, Immortal Emperor Ming Ren... Even the Black Dragon King, who had lived through three eras, was gone.
In the distant past, during that wild and untamed age, he had been a simple thirteen-year-old shepherd boy. While searching for a lost sheep, he had stumbled into the Immortal Demon Grotto. His soul was trapped, forced into the immortal body of a dark crow, enduring life after life.
Initially terrified, he found himself powerless, transformed into a crow compelled to follow a predetermined path set by the grotto, endlessly flying across the world. He ventured into burial grounds, traversed ancient lands, crossed the Nine Worlds... Each life, he was forced to return to the Immortal Demon Grotto.
Though he was a crow, journeying through these mysterious and perilous places—places that even great sages feared—revealed countless secrets to him. Through unimaginable hardships, he fortified his Dao heart.
Unwilling to remain an eternal puppet, he devised a monumental plan, severing the route the grotto had imprinted on his soul.
In his quest to escape the crow's form and reclaim his body, he made relentless efforts. He had guided numerous promising youths onto the path of cultivation, even leading them to the pinnacle of invincibility, bearing the Heavenly Mandate.
Now, he had finally achieved his wish, becoming human again. But how many had been lost along the way?
Leon let out a gentle sigh but soon took a deep breath, clenching his fist tightly. In this life, no matter what, he must ascend to the absolute peak, unmatched and unrivaled. One day, he would confront the Immortal Demon Grotto head-on!