Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 283: Shen Mo, the Young Sect Master of the Jade Cauldron Sect

Outside Dragon Valley

Li Zhendao and the eleven elders arrived swiftly at the scene.

Ye Yan, Lu Dongxuan, and the others immediately saluted.

Li Zhendao frowned. "Why are so many people gathered here?"

Ye Yan replied coldly, "Shen Mo is inside Dragon Valley. We must capture him now to prevent his escape!"

The Fifth Elder furrowed his brows. "The council has yet to decide on the matter. Who authorized you to make an arrest, Ye Yan? Who gave you that authority?"

Ye Yan answered calmly, "I am an elder of the Second Peak and a member of the Disciplinary Hall, appointed by the Grand Elder.

"Regardless of the council's decision—whether Shen Mo is to be handed over or not—he must be detained temporarily to await judgment.

"If he learns of the situation and escapes, the responsibility will fall on the Disciplinary Hall. On me."

The Fifth Elder hesitated, his brows knit in disapproval.

Li Zhendao sighed. "Let's set that aside for now. First, we need to find out what's happening with the Guardian."

Taking a single step forward, he prepared to enter the valley.

But in the next instant, an incomparably powerful and majestic aura descended upon them.

Everyone present felt as though they were being stared down by a predator at the very top of the food chain, as if their next moment might end in the jaws of a terrifying beast.

Even Li Zhendao and the other Divine Transformation cultivators froze in their tracks.

All eyes instinctively turned toward the sky.

A colossal black silhouette blotted out the sun, descending like a mountain about to crush them.

It was the Fire Dragon—the Guardian of the Jade Cauldron Sect!

"Who gave you the nerve to cause such a commotion outside my valley?"

The old dragon's icy gaze swept across Yang Wenyuan's group and Lu Dongxuan's party.

When his eyes landed on Zhao Yaolu, a hint of apprehension flickered in his expression, lingering on her for a moment longer.

Li Zhendao cupped his hands respectfully. "Guardian, we heard your dragon roar and came to check on you. What happened?"

The old dragon chuckled lightly. "Oh, nothing major. My child was just born."

"Your... child?"

Li Zhendao froze, his face quickly giving way to utter astonishment.

He wasn't alone; everyone present was stunned.

The Guardian's... child?

Born?

Where did this child come from?

Tap. Tap.

Footsteps echoed as Shen Mo strode out of the valley, followed closely by a small dragon no more than three feet long.

The dragon was entirely crimson, its scales not yet fully formed, giving it a soft and youthful appearance.

It seemed timid, hiding behind Shen Mo's legs and peeking cautiously at the gathered crowd.

Shen Mo cupped his hands. "Greetings, Sect Master."

Li Zhendao stared in disbelief.

Even a fool could see the small dragon's closeness to Shen Mo, making the situation abundantly clear.

Li Zhendao's voice trembled. "Elder Shen, you found the Fire Dragon's egg and helped it hatch?"

The old dragon snorted. "Who else? Do you think I would hatch the egg myself?"

Gasp!

The sound of people inhaling sharply echoed through the air.

Shen Mo had found the Fire Dragon's egg and even assisted in its hatching!

This was nothing short of resolving a lifelong regret for the Guardian.

What was this?

An earth-shattering contribution!

Since the departure of the founding patriarch, the Jade Cauldron Sect hadn't seen such a monumental achievement.

"Shen Mo, you…" Li Zhendao was so overwhelmed that he struggled to find the right words.

Elders like Wan Mushun, the Third Elder, and the Fifth Elder were visibly moved, their eyes glistening with emotion.

In stark contrast, Yang Qiye's face turned incredibly sour.

Even a fool could guess what was about to happen next.

Ye Yan's expression darkened to the point that it seemed water might drip from it.

He couldn't believe that Shen Mo had accomplished something so significant.

Shen Mo spoke calmly, his voice steady and resolute.

"I am fully aware of the challenges facing the sect.

"However, sacrificing our own Young Sect Master to appease our enemies is, in my opinion, a grave mistake."

The Fire Dragon's gaze swept across Yang Qiye and his followers. "What do you think?"

At that moment, Yang Qiye, a Divine Transformation cultivator, felt as though he was being stared down by a primordial beast that could crush him at any moment.

Even though he was a powerful Divine Transformation cultivator, the Fire Dragon's overwhelming presence made it clear that their power was not on the same level. The gap between Divine Transformation cultivators was vast, and the Fire Dragon was at the pinnacle of its tier.

"I agree," Yang Qiye said with immense difficulty, his voice strained under the oppressive aura.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt as if a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders and let out a deep sigh of relief.

The Fourth, Seventh, and Ninth Elders quickly followed suit, bowing their heads in agreement.

Li Zhendao, Wan Mushun, and the other elders exhaled deeply, relieved.

The Fire Dragon's words carried two unmistakable messages:

First, it fully supported Shen Mo becoming the Young Sect Master of the Jade Cauldron Sect.

Second, it strongly disapproved of the plan to use Shen Mo as a bargaining chip for temporary peace with their enemies.

Zhao Yaolu, Lu Dongxuan, and He Tianchou finally relaxed, their previously tense expressions easing.

All three looked at Shen Mo with newfound admiration and respect.

Shen Mo responded with a faint smile.

"I never imagined Junior Brother had such a powerful trump card," Lu Dongxuan muttered, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Hmph, I saw it coming," Zhao Yaolu said smugly, her small face full of pride.

Lu Dongxuan chuckled. "Saw it coming? Your premonitions were all doom and gloom earlier. You didn't see anything."

Zhao Yaolu glared at him. "Let's spar in the training grounds, and I'll show you!"

Lu Dongxuan's face turned pale. "No way, over my dead body!"

The Fire Dragon snorted. "Stop dawdling. Get back to your duties.

"Your enemies are at your doorstep. What are you waiting for?

"And as for the formal ceremony to appoint the Young Sect Master, pick a time for it soon.

"Don't bother me with these trivial matters. I never interfere in sect affairs or break the rules."

The Fire Dragon crouched down, carefully cradled the small dragon, and retreated into Dragon Valley.

Before leaving, it glanced back. "Shen Mo, visit often. This little one seems to like you a lot."

"I will, for sure," Shen Mo replied with a smile.

Li Zhendao and the others bowed respectfully as the Fire Dragon departed.

Inwardly, they couldn't help but think: You claim not to interfere in sect affairs or break rules, yet what were you just doing?

Of course, none of them dared voice such thoughts, choosing instead to act as if nothing had happened.

Li Zhendao laughed heartily. "Young Sect Master, let's go. It's time for the formal ceremony."

Shen Mo cupped his hands. "Very well."

Surrounded by the elders, Shen Mo was escorted toward the council hall, leaving behind Ye Yan, Yang Wenyuan, and Wang Wu.

Their faces were dark, their expressions filled with frustration and resentment.

"Tsk, clashing with the future Sect Master isn't a wise move. I hope you're prepared for what's coming," Zhao Yaolu said smugly as she passed them.

"Some people are about to have a very bad time," Lu Dongxuan added with a sly grin.

He Tianchou said nothing, but the amused chuckle that escaped his lips stung Ye Yan and the others even more.

"Damn it…"

Ye Yan clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms.

The bones of his knuckles bulged, and blood dripped onto the ground.

But he seemed completely oblivious to the pain.

Yang Wenyuan glanced at Ye Yan's back before turning to the others. "Let's leave him to cool off. We should head back."

The group departed, leaving only the two dutiful disciples guarding the valley entrance and Ye Yan standing there alone.

As the sun set and the moon rose, shrouding the land in darkness, Ye Yan finally seemed to come to a decision. Without hesitation, he turned and left.

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