This… this is simply absurd! Ridiculous to the extreme! Initially, Wu Tian seemed quite composed, but as one disciple after another continuously left with others, he finally lost his calm.

The good news was that disciples of the Jade Clear Sect were always known for their outstanding appearances, either distinctively beautiful or otherwise unique. After all, the sect valued inherent traits tied to the Five Elements. So, while female disciples were leaving with others, he discovered that male disciples actually attracted even more women from other schools. This seemed to turn out not so bad after all, and as Feng Yi generously gifted the Storm Stance technique without asking for anything in return, Wu Tian was delighted and didn't insist further.

Alas! Let it be, but not as a precedent.

It is worth mentioning that by attracting disciples from external schools, he essentially also managed to learn the techniques taught within those schools' inner doors.

As everyone knows, the once-every-four-years championship of the reclusive sects, which supposedly only promised the acquisition of a major school's technique, now, this maneuver practically mastered several other schools' multiple techniques in a short time. There are two sides to everything, and upon reflection, Wu Tian was relieved. Although he was displeased, he couldn't really say that he suffered a big loss.

The loss lies in what kind of techniques are Jade Clear Sect teaching? These were profound Daoist arts! The techniques of the Five Elements are not something you can master just by saying so. Compared to the Yanhuang Soul and the Holy Hall's Body Technique and Prophecy, there was somewhat a case of "six of one, half a dozen of the other," a loss not quite recouped.

As for Wu Tian's ashen face, the white-bearded elder of the Holy Hall was actually quite pleased. He came to Wu Tian early in the morning, fresh and energetic, "Sect Leader, isn't this splendid? Interchanging strengths among the schools is joyous for all. I've long said that the system of the Jade Clear Sect needs to change eventually. Being too insular only limits the progress of our great schools."

To this, Wu Tian only grumbled internally, good for you, swapping silver for gold. Our Jade Clear Sect, an authentic Daoist branch of Huaxia, has its distinct lineage and secrets. The daughters married out are like spilt water; how much we can reclaim remains uncertain. He only hoped that the young ones could keep a tight lip.

The Qing Yin Sect Leader from Tianyin Sect felt no particular way about this issue; she had long-term plans. This was not about losing here to gain there; rather, mutual assistance could lead to collective advancement. Perhaps the effects might not be apparent shortly, but mastering several other families' techniques could undoubtedly consolidate the foundations of the major reclusive sects. It was not a bad thing, merely a question of winning more or less.

The Great Prophecy Technique and the Golden Body Technique of the Holy Hall could compensate, to some extent, the shortcomings in Daoist close-quarter combat. It can be said that Tianyin Sect emphasized on Daoist restrictions but was not skilled in body techniques, which was a limitation.

On the other hand, the Nangong Family excelled in Pupil Technique, Illusion Technique, and Spirit Communicating Technique, and the Falling Snow Palm was particularly lethal in close combat, well-prepared in every aspect. The foremost championship position in this realm inadvertently created opportunities for these major schools.

Regarding the Jade Clear Sect, they were well-known for their elusive and difficult-to-counter Five Elements Techniques. Their attacks were formidable, usually catching opponents off guard. If they could use this exchange to make up for their defensive deficiencies, Jade Clear Sect would be the most fearsome.

In fact, Feng Yi had already noticed this. When the three Protectors ambushed him, the destructive power was quite astonishing, but defensively, they were almost killed by his single strike, which clearly highlighted the Jade Clear Sect's strong offense but weak defense.

Yanhuang Soul was balanced in offense and defense but lacked standout features. It could be said that if one could master all Yanhuang Soul techniques to their peaks, then that individual would be the strongest. However, due to the multiplicity of techniques making mastery challenging, this led to situations where, facing the major schools, one could only compete but was always limited not being able to perform to full potential, as there were gaps.

To put it nicely, those with high comprehension in Yanhuang Soul could even dominate several major sects, individuals like Mengdie. If she had been born into Yanhuang Soul, perhaps these other families would not stand a chance. On the downside, Yanhuang Soul lacked uniqueness. Good luck might allow them to break each major school, as past examples were not few, but all such instances involved a degree of luck and were not highly regarded.

For Wu Tian at present, joy outweighed worries. Based on Mengdie's performance in this championship and obtaining the Storm Stance, she ought to return to her position as Protector.

In fact, years ago, Mengdie should have become a Protector of the Jade Clear Sect, but knowing her ability to judge people with keen insight, Wu Tian hoped she could experience more of ordinary disciples' life, see what couldn't be observed from the position of a Protector, thereby intentionally limiting Mengdie's growth for her to go further on the Daoist path later.

By then, Wu Tian had already put aside the matter of the alliance. In the vast Immortal Mountain Pavilion, where even inner disciples had no right to enter, stars circulated in purple radiance, enchantingly beautiful — here, Mengdie's crystal-clear gaze showed no surprise, as though she had foreseen something.

At this moment, the leaders and Elders of the Jade Clear Sect, including the Protectors, were all seated comfortably in their respective high-back chairs.

As Mengdie entered the Immortal Mountain Pavilion, the purple glow in the room suddenly flickered, and the high-backed chair of the flashing protector was strikingly eye-catching, as if silently calling out for something.

Wu Tian's distant voice suddenly echoed throughout the great hall, "Mengdie."

Mengdie's eyes widened slightly, staring directly at the long table.

Wu Tian said, "In this battle for the chief position, your performance was outstanding. Even though you suppressed your realm, you remained undefeated—and you also formed a good relationship with Feng Yi. Feng Yi fought for you, and he gifted you that technique, which clearly shows his goodwill towards you. Since it was his gift, from now onwards, that book belongs to you alone, so do not casually hand it over to others."

Wu Tian paused, and after a brief silence, he continued, "Starting from today, you will be a Junior Protector, holding the power of life and death in Jade Clear Sect, free to allocate resources as you see fit. Do you agree, or is there anything else you would like to say?"

Hearing this, Mengdie slightly lowered her gaze, and after a moment, she gently nodded...

She said, "Every flower and tree stirs my heart, every scene and object scratches my emotions, the stars flood with old memories, sweeping away the mundane ties, leaving no trace of the wind."

Wu Tian chewed on her words for a while, seemingly expressing emotion from the heart, "Everyone's growth has its own trajectory, the people of the past, the affairs of the past, the memories of the past, we can only try our best to retain them, or clear out the deepest clutter in the memory drawer, we must only cherish what is before us. Do you still remember what I said back then?"

"If you truly like him, then find ways to fall in love with him, follow his footsteps, continue his path, persist in his perseverance, bear his children..." Wu Tian's voice from back then, winding through her thoughts, gradually surfaced in Mengdie's ears...

Mengdie closed her eyes, as if suddenly enlightened, and with a single hand seal, she transformed into pieces of ice butterflies and disappeared within the Immortal Mountain Pavilion, leaving the senior members of the Jade Clear Sect exchanging looks in silence, their eyes communicating subtle hints although the scene was quiet.

Half an hour later, Mengdie emerged transformed. When she appeared in the hall dressed in a protector's attire, numerous disciples from various sects were captivated by the sight of her in a blue robe...

Her face was serene, her gaze deep and less bewildered, more profound, less plain, and more refreshing.

At this moment, Mengdie, draped in blue like noble, sacred snow, remained silent, yet the refined service of Linglong and the special seals of a protector clearly indicated that the Mengdie of now was no longer the Mengdie of yesterday, although she was still her, yet in a mystical sense, she seemed like two different people.

If it could be said that the original Mengdie still carried a hint of naivety, adorned now in the attire of a protector and transformed in demeanor, she had become even more ethereal and elusive, as if an otherworldly fairy ready to drift away at any moment...

The joyous atmosphere suddenly fell silent.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, a bold Holy Hall disciple broke the awkwardness, somewhat tentatively saying, "L-lord Archprotector, I like Protector Jin, may I...?"

Forbes clearly ignored the concerned disciple, smiling leisurely as he said, "Haha, congratulations, congratulations. Should I now address you as Junior Protector·Die, to follow etiquette with Junior Protector·Jin?"

This, of course, was a Western mode of address. Using the cloistered faction's terms, it would be appropriate to call them Protector Die and Protector Jin to distinguish between them, but as each protector carries a unique duty, they are usually addressed as Junior Protectors. Only when both are present are they referred to by their short names.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.