NOVEL WEB Chapter 12: Sect Master
The word spread like wildfire through the sect, disciples poured out from every corner, their faces etched with disbelief and joy. They fell to their knees en masse, recognizing the unmistakable figure of their former leader, believed long dead.
From deeper within the fortress-like headquarters, a wave of powerful cultivators began to emerge. Twenty Core Formation Realm experts appeared first, their auras crackling with contained power. Behind them came four Nascent Soul Realm elders, their gazes sharp and piercing, searching for any sign of deception. At the forefront stood Mei Lin, her expression calm yet resolute.
Elder Wu Li stepped forward, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "This cannot be," he muttered under his breath. "Li Feng was killed months ago. We witnessed it ourselves."
Elder Zhou crossed his arms, his tone heavy with skepticism. "An imposter?
Xiao Ning's lips curled into a faint smirk. He had anticipated this challenge.
They doubt me because they can't comprehend how someone declared dead could return. But proving myself will silence their doubts—and solidify my position, he then cast a knowing glance at Mie Lin.
"Enough."
Mei Lin stepped forward, raising a hand to silence their murmurs. Her gaze locked onto Xiao Ning emotionally. "What you see before you is indeed Sect Master Li Feng."
Her words sent ripples of confusion among the gathered experts. Some whispered amongst themselves, while others maintained stony silence, unwilling to accept such an explanation without proof.
Most of the disciples believes me, Xiao Ning thought. But these elders need more than word...
"I checked the Sect Master's condition myself," Elder Wu Li said, his frown deepening. "There was a flicker of vitality in his soul, yes, but it was so faint… recovery seemed impossible."
Mei Lin added, addressing the elders directly. "The death and funeral rites were staged—a ruse devised to deceive the Righteous Sects Alliance. Sect Master Li Feng survived, hidden away until this moment."
The Nascent Soul Realm elders exchanged wary looks, still uncertain. However, Mei Lin's authority as the current sect leader and the only late stage Nascent Soul Realm expert carried significant weight, and none dared openly challenge her claims—not yet.
Xiao Ning allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. These doubts were expected; they proved his plan worked. Yet, he knew actions spoke louder than words. It was time to demonstrate his power.
Xiao Ning closed his eyes, focusing inward. With a thought, he unleashed the full potential of his transformed body.
A surge of raw energy erupted outward, causing the very ground beneath them to tremble. Shadows danced around him, coiling like serpents, while golden light flared from his core, illuminating the surrounding heaven. The disciples stumbled back, shielding themselves from the overwhelming pressure. Even the Nascent Soul Realm elders felt their knees weaken under the oppressive might radiating from Xiao Ning.
Elder Wu Li gasped, his face pale with shock. "Impossible… Body Refining Cultivation at the late stage?"
"You are not wrong," Xiao Ning laughed loudly "Indeed, I was doomed with only a flicker of vitality remaining. But amidst life and death, I managed to turn the tide—not only has my Nascent Soul been re-formed, but my body cultivation has broken through to the late stage of the fourth grade.""
"This... this is beyond comprehension," Elder Zhou whispered, gripping his weapon tightly as if bracing against an invisible storm.
"Do you still doubt me?" Xiao Ning asked, his gaze sweeping across the assembly with an intensity that left no corner of the hall untouched. "Or do you finally see the truth?"
Under the weight of his oppressive aura, not a single soul dared to utter a word. The air itself seemed to hold its breath. A faint smirk played on Xiao Ning's lips as he surveyed the sea of bowed heads before him. That's right, he thought, satisfaction coursing through him. Let them doubt in silence if they must—it mattered little.
What did it matter if some among them harbored lingering suspicions?
In the cultivation world, power was the ultimate arbiter of truth. Words meant nothing without strength to back them, and here he stood, radiating authority so palpable it could crush those who dared oppose him. And even if there were whispers of disbelief behind closed doors, what could they do? Mie Lin, the only one whose power might rival his own, stood firmly by his side. With her support, any dissenters were nothing more than inconsequential voices trying to drown out the roar of a dragon.
The elders shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between Xiao Ning and Mie Lin. None met his gaze directly, knowing full well the futility of challenging someone who had risen from the brink of death to achieve such heights of power. Their grudging acceptance was all he needed for now.
Xiao Ning nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, let us retire to the main hall. There is much to discuss—and plans to make."
***
Inside the sect's grand hall, Xiao Ning sat upon the ornate seat reserved for the sect leader. Around him stood the four Nascent Soul Realm elders, their presence both imposing and uneasy.
"Why are only the four of you here? Where is Elder Jin?" Xiao Ning's voice carried a sharp edge, his eyes flashing with displeasure.
Mie Lin's gaze flickered briefly, her eyes twitching as she observed the scene unfold. This man's acting skills were truly unparalleled—even better than hers. Despite knowing the full details of what had transpired, she chose to remain silent, masking her thoughts behind an impassive expression.
Seeing no immediate response, Xiao Ning's face darkened further. He fixed his cold stare on Elder Qian, a middle-aged figure whose unease was palpable. "Qian," he said, his tone dripping with disdain, "aren't you going to answer your sect leader?"
Elder Qian glanced nervously at the other two elders beside him, inwardly cursing his misfortune. Why did it always fall to him to deliver bad news? Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself before speaking. "Sect Leader, there seems to be some misunderstanding... The truth is... Elder Jin is dead."
"What?" Xiao Ning shot up from his seat, his finger pointed accusingly at Elder Qian. A dangerous gleam lit his eyes as he demanded, "Who did this?"
"We don't know," Elder Qian replied hastily, shaking his head. His voice wavered slightly under the weight of Xiao Ning's piercing glare.
Xiao Ning sneered inwardly, suppressing a smirk. Of course they wouldn't know—their ignorance was by design. It was he who had orchestrated Elder Jin's demise, ensuring the path forward remained unobstructed. Yet he maintained his composed facade, shifting his gaze toward Wu Li, the youngest among the elders present.
"Wu kid," Xiao Ning addressed him casually, using the nickname that only he dared to employ. "Any updates regarding the Righteous Sects Alliance or that accursed Azura Dragon Sect?"
The corners of Wu Li's mouth twitched involuntarily at the familiar moniker. Though annoyed, he quickly suppressed his irritation, recognizing the necessity of deferring to the sect leader now that he was convinced of his sincerity. Bowing respectfully, he reported, "Sect Leader Li, following your proclaimed death, the Righteous Sects Alliance spread the news far and wide, hosting a two-week-long banquet to celebrate their so-called victory. However, since then, there has been no significant activity."
Hearing this, Xiao Ning couldn't help but curse silently to himself. These fools truly despised him to the core. If given another choice, he would have preferred remaining hidden, but such a decision would severely restrict his freedom and cultivation progress.
When had he, Xiao Ning, ever feared anything? Being the head of a sect was far preferable to wandering alone, not only would he need not worry about gathering resources and informations but will also help him integrate himself in this new life.
In his past life, he had founded a powerful faction within the Inner Worlds, rising to become one of its most influential forces. Alas, fate had other plans...
"Have the Bone Forging Sect or the Crimson Lotus Cult responded yet?"