Chapter 204: Chapter 204: Master and Disciple Expelled from the Sect

Running a sect doesn’t just take up a lot of time. You also have to be a master of diplomacy, constantly negotiating and arguing to secure benefits for the sect.

’What does that Song Wanning know about any of this?’

’And what do the other elders know?’

’The more arrogant they are now, the more they’ll regret it later.’

’Without me, the Heavenly Inquiry Sect will only fall into decline.’

He Xiao had barely finished his grand pronouncement when the Second Elder could no longer stand it.

"Hah, Elder He, that’s a bit much. What, you think you’re the only one in the entire sect who knows how to run things?!"

"I, for one, refuse to accept that! I’m joining the election for Sect Master!"

"Me too!"

"Count me in!"

Several elders announced their candidacy one after another, none of them intimidated by He Xiao’s threats.

It made him look like a complete clown...

Watching this scene unfold, He Xiao could no longer contain his rage and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Elder He, since you’re not feeling well, you should hurry home and rest!"

Song Wanning’s timely "concern" made He Xiao spray another mouthful of blood, so furious he ground his molars together.

He glared daggers at Song Wanning, wishing he could just slap her right across her smug mouth.

"Fine, fine! You’re all so impressive!"

He Xiao couldn’t bear the mocking stares any longer and fled in a panic.

His pathetic figure was a far cry from the imposing man he once was.

Song Wanning watched him go, a sense of immense satisfaction welling up inside her.

’He brought all of this upon himself. He has no one else to blame.’

’All she did was "kindly" report the sect’s situation to the Ancestor, after all.’

Once He Xiao was gone, the disciples erupted into fervent discussion again.

The head of the sect had been replaced so easily. Everyone found it incredible, but also deeply satisfying.

"He should’ve been ousted long ago! The position belongs to the most capable!"

"Exactly! Look at what our Heavenly Inquiry Sect has become. He was even keeping a woman on the side! Despicable!"

"Sigh, why doesn’t Grandmaster Song want to be the Sect Master? I think she’d be perfect for it!"

"I agree. Grandmaster Song comes from a good family, has a high cultivation level, and knows alchemy. Who from the other sects wouldn’t show her some respect..."

The disciples quietly discussed the candidates for the next Sect Master, and many of them felt it was a shame that Song Wanning wasn’t running.

Song Wanning heard them and a smile touched her lips. ’Being Sect Master is a thankless job. I’m not about to bring that kind of trouble on myself.’

’However...’

’Those elders... A moment ago, they were united against a common enemy, and now they’re already on guard against each other. It looks like this election won’t be so simple after all.’

The smile on her lips deepened. She raised a hand, silencing the crowd.

"The election for Sect Master will be held in three days. The results will be announced in the main square at that time."

"Until a new Sect Master is chosen, I shall serve as the Deputy Sect Master."

Song Wanning’s expression turned grave. The powerful aura of the Nascent Soul Stage washed over them, and everyone felt a chill grip their hearts. No one dared to harbor a single thought of disrespect or defiance.

"Ye Chuxue, a disciple of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect, has maliciously harmed and dismembered a fellow disciple. For this heinous crime, her cultivation shall be crippled and she is hereby expelled from the Sect. As she is not currently within the Sect’s grounds, the Heavenly Inquiry Sect will issue a bounty for her capture, effective immediately. All efforts will be made to apprehend the criminal, Ye Chuxue!"

"Gu Qingyuan, a Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect, has disregarded all ethics by engaging in an illicit affair with his own disciple. His actions are an absolute mockery and have brought shame upon the Heavenly Inquiry Sect. Effective immediately, Gu Qingyuan is expelled from the Heavenly Inquiry Sect, forbidden from ever setting foot within it again for all eternity!!"

Her pronouncements regarding Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue sent shockwaves through the hearts of the crowd.

’Gu Qingyuan was expelled from the Sect, too?’

’He’s a Nascent Soul True Monarch.’

’But on second thought, it made sense. Throughout history, any cultivator who engaged in such a taboo master-disciple relationship has been cast out.’

’Otherwise, the Heavenly Inquiry Sect would become a laughingstock, and they would all be ridiculed along with it.’

Soon, disciples began to voice their support for Song Wanning’s decision. They cheered, hailing her judgment as wise, and no one dared to stand up and object.

Even those disciples who had once received favors from Ye Chuxue were now desperate to sever all ties with her, lest they be ostracized by their peers.

Song Wanning watched all this unfold, the smile on her lips slowly turning cold.

’In my past life, this is exactly how they announced my expulsion from the Sect—from their high and mighty perch. They even had the disciples of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect hunt me down.’

’Now, I’ve finally paid them back in full.’

After announcing the sentences, Song Wanning’s gaze fell upon the dumbfounded members of the Lu Family.

They had come to seek justice for Lu Nanfeng, never expecting events to spiral toward the deposition of the Sect Master.

But Master Lu remained firm. No matter who became Sect Master, they had to compensate the Lu Family for its losses.

’Especially with Song Wanning now managing the sect,’ he thought. ’She’s sure to favor Lu Nanfeng and our Lu Family. We’ll definitely leave here with a hefty reward.’

Master Lu kept a neutral expression, but Song Wanning could see the ambition lurking in his eyes.

’These people are still expecting a handout?’

’Hah.’

"Master Lu, would you have a moment to speak with me in private?"

She spoke with a smile, and her friendly tone was well-received by Master Lu.

He put on a cordial smile, nodded, and followed Song Wanning toward the Sect Master Hall.

The remaining disciples exchanged glances, but no one was willing to leave.

Everyone was still waiting to see the outcome of the negotiations between Grandmaster Song and Master Lu.

... 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Inside the Sect Master Hall, Song Wanning poured a cup of Spiritual Tea and handed it to Master Lu. Her expression was indifferent as she said, "The matter concerning Lu Nanfeng ends here. I hope the Lu Family will not bring it up again."

"From now on, I will act as though I never had him as a disciple."

Her cold words made the smile vanish from Master Lu’s face. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Lu Nanfeng is dead, and on top of that, he was slandered by the Heavenly Inquiry Sect. Shouldn’t the Lu Family be compensated for our losses?"

"Our Lu Family finally produced an outstanding descendant, and we eagerly sent him to study under you, True Monarch Song. Now that something has happened to him, not only are you, his master, not standing up for him, you’re doing this..."

"It’s truly disheartening!"

Master Lu looked utterly heartbroken, and his words were mostly sincere.

Lu Nanfeng was one of the Lu Family’s greatest hopes. Now that he had fallen, how could he not be pained?

And Song Wanning, as his master, had always been fiercely protective of her own. Why was she acting so uncharacteristically now, wanting to draw a clear line between herself and Lu Nanfeng?

He felt deeply unsettled and angry.

Seeing that Song Wanning remained silent, Master Lu took a moment to think, then softened his tone.

’Song Wanning is the type who responds to persuasion, not coercion. If I push too hard, I’ll truly walk away with nothing.’

"I’m not trying to blame you. It’s just that this whole situation has become... sigh..."

"True Monarch Song, I know you always doted on Lu Nanfeng. Surely you don’t want him to suffer such a grave injustice, do you?"

Master Lu tried to appeal to her emotions and reason with her, rambling on and on.

Song Wanning didn’t stop him. She simply sat there, perfectly composed, a trace of mockery in her eyes.

To her, Master Lu was nothing but a joke.

Finally, Master Lu couldn’t go on. His heart filled with growing dissatisfaction.

’Why won’t Song Wanning say anything?’