News of Leon Nightfall becoming the chief disciple of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect spread quickly throughout the sect. Among the middle and upper echelons, there wasn't much dissent. Faced with the authority of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Token, they had no choice; they could only attribute Leon's fortune to sheer luck.
However, the reaction was quite different among the young third-generation disciples. The reason was simple: according to the sect's traditions, the chief disciple was typically selected from among them. Historically, most chief disciples had been chosen after rigorous assessments by the elders and had made significant contributions to the sect.
Becoming the chief disciple not only meant receiving personal instruction from the sect master and access to imperial techniques but also greatly increased one's chances of becoming the next sect master.
Currently, since the sect hadn't selected a chief disciple from the second-generation seniors, it was expected that the position would be filled by one of the promising third-generation disciples.
Therefore, Leon's appointment stirred considerable unrest among them, especially among those with exceptional talent and contributions.
"How does a mere mortal with ordinary physique, life wheel, and fate palace qualify to be the chief disciple?" one genius grumbled. "It's an embarrassment to our sect!"
Some of the older, more seasoned disciples, though unhappy, merely complained, "Well, he's just lucky to have the Cleansing Incense Ancient Token. Faced with that, even the elders had no choice."
"Chief disciple or not, a worthless nobody like him can't compete with me for the position of sect master," another confident genius scoffed. "If he doesn't know his place, I won't hesitate to teach him a lesson!"
For these talented disciples, even if Leon wasn't a real threat to their ambitions, it was still infuriating that such an unqualified individual had become their senior brother—the eldest among the third generation.
"Wasn't the only remaining Cleansing Incense Ancient Token in Old Man Three Treasures' hands? How did it end up with this kid?" some wondered.
It wasn't a huge secret that Old Man Three Treasures possessed one of the tokens. The sect had long tried to retrieve it, but he had always refused. Now that it had fallen into Leon's hands, naturally, people were curious.
"Heh, I heard this kid has some tricks up his sleeve. Who knows how he managed to fool that old lecher!" one disciple sneered. "Word is, when the elders sent someone to verify, Old Man Three Treasures was enjoying himself at the Jade Red Pavilion. Hmph, seems likely this kid treated him to some indulgences."
Hearing this, some disciples felt disgusted.
"So he's cut from the same cloth as that old degenerate!" others scoffed disdainfully.
Despite rumors that Old Man Three Treasures was the illegitimate son of the previous sect master, the sect had always looked down on him due to his unsavory habits. Even the third-generation disciples didn't respect him. If not for the sect master's protection, someone would have likely expelled him long ago.
Now that Leon was associated with Old Man Three Treasures, the younger disciples couldn't help but view him unfavorably.
However, before the three days were up and Leon had a chance to pay respects to the founder, the six elders received a message from the Nine Saints Demon Gate.
"What? The Nine Saints Demon Gate wants to conduct an assessment?" The elders were momentarily stunned.
One elder, feeling disgruntled, snorted, "Their timing is impeccable. Leon just became the chief disciple, and they can't wait to test him!"
Another elder said, "They probably want to renege on the old agreement. With Leon just joining and being so unqualified, there's no way he can pass their assessment! So, upon hearing that we've appointed a chief disciple, they rushed to act."
"We have no choice," the Great Elder said after a pause, sighing helplessly. "The Nine Saints Demon Gate now holds sway over the Ox-Horn Province. Things aren't like they were before; we have no leverage to negotiate terms with them."
His words plunged the elders into silence. In the early days of the Age of Emperors, their sect had been glorious and invincible, commanding respect across the Nine Worlds and sweeping through the Eight Desolations. They ruled vast territories, overseeing ancient kingdoms that received tributes from myriad sects.
But after millions of years, the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect had declined. Their prestige was gone. Now, they couldn't even control a province, let alone grant titles of nobility.
"What should we do now?" an elder asked. They all knew that someone like Leon—an untrained mortal with no special qualities—had no chance of passing the Nine Saints Demon Gate's assessment.
"We'll just have to make the best of a bad situation," another elder suggested. "If by some miracle this works out, we could form a marriage alliance with the Nine Saints Demon Gate. If that happens, even the Heavenly Saint Sect and the Precious Sacred Kingdom wouldn't dare provoke us!"
The other elders gave wry smiles at this. They knew it was a long shot, but despite the slim odds, they still wanted to try.
On Solitary Peak, before the day of the ancestral ceremony arrived, Leon received a visit from Nan Huairen.
"Senior Brother, the elders request your presence at the ancestral hall," Nan Huairen said upon seeing Leon lounging leisurely.
"Is it something important?" Leon asked casually, noting Nan Huairen's demeanor.
Surprised by Leon's nonchalance, Nan Huairen didn't hide the truth. He nodded, "To be honest, we've received a message from the Nine Saints Demon Gate." He gave Leon a peculiar look. "It seems your fiancée wants to assess you."
"The Nine Saints Demon Gate," Leon murmured, memories stirring.
Fearing Leon might be unaware of them, Nan Huairen explained, "The Nine Saints Demon Gate is a renowned sect in the Middle Territory, ruling over the Ox-Horn Province and bestowing titles of nobility. Historically, they share deep ties with our sect. Their founder, Sage Nine Saints, was the first war general under our founder, Immortal Emperor Ming Ren, and fought alongside him across the Nine Worlds. Back when our sect ruled ancient kingdoms, they would come to us to pay homage."
"I've heard of them," Leon replied with a slight smile, his demeanor calm. Of course he knew the Nine Saints Demon Gate and Sage Nine Saints.
"What's this about a fiancée?" Leon asked, glancing at Nan Huairen.
Nan Huairen explained, "Legend has it that when our founder, Immortal Emperor Ming Ren, ascended as emperor, Sage Nine Saints made an agreement with our sect: if their successor was a female disciple, she would marry our sect's chief disciple." He added quietly, "At that time, they were the ones reaching up to us."
"Old Sage did have a female disciple back then," Leon mused, recalling some past events. In his memory, Sage Nine Saints had taken on a female disciple, but he hadn't followed up due to his long slumber.
"What did you say, Senior Brother?" Nan Huairen asked.
Snapping back to the present, Leon shook his head. "Nothing. So, their current successor is a female disciple?"
"Yes. I heard that it's been ages since our sect and the Nine Saints Demon Gate considered a marriage alliance. This time, their successor happens to be a woman," Nan Huairen said, giving Leon a sidelong glance. "Rumor has it that their successor, Li Shuangyan, possesses the Innate King Physique!"
Hearing this, Leon immediately understood. Given their sect's decline, the Nine Saints Demon Gate likely didn't want to marry off such a promising successor to them.
"Interesting," Leon chuckled, grasping the underlying reasons.
Nan Huairen was surprised by Leon's composure. He didn't seem like a worthless novice at all. In fact, his calm demeanor resembled that of an experienced noble who had weathered many storms.
In Nan Huairen's experience, anyone else receiving such news might have been flustered, but Leon remained unfazed. It was peculiar.
"Did Huairen inform you of the details?" the Great Elder asked coldly when Leon arrived at the ancestral hall, with all six elders present.
Truth be told, the elders didn't think highly of Leon. But today, they harbored a glimmer of hope that he wasn't entirely useless and might pass the Nine Saints Demon Gate's assessment. Their sect desperately needed an alliance with such a powerful force. Of course, they knew the chances were slim, but they were still willing to try.
"Yes, Elder, I'm aware," Leon nodded.
"Very well. As long as you can pass their assessment, the sect will greatly reward you," the Great Elder stated bluntly.
Leon smiled and said leisurely, "I'm willing to undergo the assessment, but I have three conditions."
"How dare you!" another elder snapped. "Do you think you can make demands in front of the elders?"