Chapter 264

Chapter 264: The Election of the Heavenly Profound Gate

When the guardian spirit of the Heavenly Profound Gate appeared, everyone knew that the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony was truly beginning.

The Sect Master of the Heavenly Profound Gate, Xia He, took out the leader’s artifact of the Heavenly Profound Gate—the Dark Cyan Sword. Then, holding the Dark Cyan Sword with reverence, he approached the guardian spirit of the Xuantian Gate.

Xia He arrived before the guardian spirit of Xuantian Gate, holding the long sword with both hands, bowed and said, “I am the sixth generation Sect Master of the Heavenly Profound Gate! Today I preside over the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony, hoping the divine spirit will bless us, ensuring the prosperity of our Heavenly Profound Gate for generations to come!”

After Xia He finished speaking, the guardian spirit of the Heavenly Profound Gate nodded dumbly and waved a hand. Xia He’s sword flew into the air, hanging on the tip of a tree branch.

In the next moment, the trunk of the Xuantian Tree split open, and a mirror floated out from inside.

This was the Xuantian Mirror.

When Xu Ming saw this Xuantian Mirror, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, and his heartbeat gradually accelerated.

This was what he needed.

But it wasn’t time yet; he just didn’t know if Mo Zhu’er’s plan was going smoothly.

Thinking about this, Xu Ming looked in the direction where Mo Zhu’er was.

As soon as Xu Ming glanced over, their eyes met.

Mo Zhu’er’s eyes curved into a smile, looking very relaxed.

Seeing Mo Zhu’er like this, Xu Ming felt that there should be no unexpected issues on her side.

The Xuantian Mirror kept rising, eventually floating two hundred meters high in the air.

A mirror at such a distance, logically speaking, would only appear as a small dot in human sight.

Yet everyone could see it clearly, and within the Xuantian Mirror, the entire Heavenly Profound Gate was reflected.

It was as if the entire Heavenly Profound Gate had merged into a painting, integrated into this precious mirror.

Then, a ribbon passed through the dense leaves of the Xuantian Tree.

And this was the third divine weapon of the Heavenly Profound Gate—the Crimson Immortal Silk.

At this moment, the Xuantian Mirror, the Dark Cyan Sword, and the Crimson Immortal Silk resonated, all three divine weapons emitting light, illuminating the entire Heavenly Profound Gate.

The Purple Mist Grand Ceremony was not merely a simple symbolic event.

The Purple Mist Grand Ceremony also allowed the three divine weapons of the Heavenly Profound Gate to emerge, nurturing the entire Heavenly Profound Gate.

“Today is the day of the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony, and also the time when we select the Holy Son or Holy Maiden of our Heavenly Profound Gate.”

Xia He turned around and spoke to everyone.

“The selection of Holy Sons and Holy Maidens concerns the future of a sect, concerning the plans for thousands, even tens of thousands of years!

The Holy Son and Holy Maiden must gain the trust of the majority, being the choice in most people’s hearts! Today, we will select the Holy Son and Holy Maiden of our Heavenly Profound Gate, who will be the future of our Heavenly Profound Gate. You are all here to witness this together with me.

We have five candidates for the Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Profound Gate.

They are Qingwan, He Qingqing, Yun, Dugu Qiu, and Xia Donghua.

These five individuals are the outstanding talents among the younger generation of the Heavenly Profound Gate, representing our sect. Many disciples are familiar with these five.”

As he spoke, Xia He waved his hand, and five jars floated in the air.

Each jar was inscribed with their names.

“Our method of selecting the Holy Son and Holy Maiden differs from other sects.

Other sects choose through trials.

However, our Heavenly Profound Gate selects by voting.

Whether outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, direct disciples, or core disciples, and even the overseers and elders of each peak and hall can vote.

But the weight of each person’s vote varies.

Now, please use your spiritual energy to activate your identity jade token.” Xia He’s voice echoed throughout the Heavenly Profound Gate, even those without qualifications to attend the ceremony could hear it.

And at the moment Xia He’s words ended, whether in the Hundred Springs Plain or other locations of the Heavenly Profound Gate, murmurs arose, discussing the suitable candidates.

“Has the selection of the Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Profound Gate always been like this?” Xu Ming asked Wu, who stood beside him.

Wu, as the crown princess of the Wu Kingdom, had some understanding of various sects.

Or rather, understanding these sects was Wu’s required course.

“That’s correct.”

Wu nodded.

“For most sects, the selection of Holy Sons and Holy Maidens is through some kind of trial, or obtaining the agreement of some object.

However, the Heavenly Profound Gate has always been different.

The founding ancestor of the Heavenly Profound Gate believed that having high cultivation doesn’t necessarily mean one is suitable to be the sect master, and a talented individual becoming the sect master might be affected by the complexities within the sect, ultimately impacting their own cultivation.

Moreover, the founding ancestor of the Heavenly Profound Gate believed that fairness lies in the hearts of people, and everyone has their own preferred candidate for sect master.

Therefore, the rule of the Heavenly Profound Gate is to select five exceptionally talented disciples, and then everyone within the Heavenly Profound Gate votes.

But the weight of each person’s vote differs, generally following the order of mountain masters and hall masters having more influence than elders, elders more than overseers, overseers more than core disciples, and so on.”

“It seems quite reasonable,” Xu Ming said.

“Reasonable it may be, but it’s not necessarily correct,” Wu slowly replied.

“Wherever you go, there will be disputes. Those who want to become Holy Sons or Holy Maidens might choose to package themselves.

Most disciples think they understand someone.

But in reality, it’s all an act.

Someone like Xia He, who appears human but acts beastly, can become the sect master, which shows how well this hypocrite acted back then.”

Xu Ming nodded, agreeing with Wu’s opinion.

Right at this moment, the first beam of light came from somewhere unknown, entering the jar inscribed with the name “He Qingqing.”

Then came the second, third, and fourth beams.

Beam after beam gathered continuously, forming brilliant rivers of light.

This river of light split into five streams of varying thickness, flowing into each jar.

Despite the heated discussions that seemed to have taken place earlier, many people appeared hesitant. In reality, most people had already decided whom to vote for in their hearts.

“Whoever the Holy Son or Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Profound Gate is doesn’t matter much, but in your view, who do you think will be the future sect master of the Heavenly Profound Gate?” Wu asked Xu Ming beside her.

“Do I even need to say?”

Xu Ming shrugged.

“Whoever can bring them tangible benefits, they will choose that person.

And conveniently, Xia He is Xia Donghua’s father.”