Chapter 1201: Chapter 52: Sword Roar, Western Winds
Amidst the vast sea of clouds, the long wind stretches for tens of thousands of miles.
Yumen Pass.
Lin Yao took the Spirit Jade, and her form transformed back into a graceful woman amid ripples.
Xie Qingyun looked at Lin Yao, who was lowering her eyes modestly, and nodded slightly.
Immediately, he formed a sword with his finger and gently waved it.
A strand of hair fell with the wind, suspended in front of Lin Yao.
In the realm of Sword Immortal, others can’t harm even a single strand of his hair.
Thus, one must cut oneself.
Lin Yao no longer hesitated and reached out directly to grasp the strand of hair.
"Next, you three need to pay special attention," Xie Qingyun instructed Xia Daoyun and the others.
Sword Immortal is not so easily disguised.
Therefore, it requires the assistance of Xia Daoyun, Yu Canghai, and Xue Wujian, the three Peak Masters.
Xia Daoyun coolly said, "Rest assured, Sect Master, there will be no mistakes at Yumen Pass."
"We will guard Yumen Pass and wait for your triumphant return."
"Good," Xie Qingyun smiled and said, "I trust you."
Then, he turned his head to look at Lu Qingshan, and softly asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Lu Qingshan had been quietly listening. When the Sect Master addressed him, he finally looked up and said, "I’ve made my decision."
"Sword Sect’s westward expedition, as the Young Sect Leader, I should not lag behind."
"If this westward expedition ends in defeat and I perish in the Central Spirit, then you will be the hope of Sword Sect," Xie Qingyun said plainly, without shying away from discussing death.
"You should stay in the Eastern Domain and slowly grow."
"Sword Sect’s hope..." Lu Qingshan mused on these words, unable to help but laugh, "You say this, and it puts a lot of pressure on me."
Xie Qingyun laughed out loud, and after a moment, his laughter subsided. He quietly looked at Lu Qingshan and said, "When I was young, I was not like you."
"Moreover, the reason I chose you as the Young Sect Leader of the Sword Sect is not only due to your potential and performance, beside Daoyun’s great admiration but the most important reason is, I’ve never been able to see through you... even Qi Butian couldn’t see through you."
"You are the unknown."
"The unknown represents hope."
"Am I the unknown?" Lu Qingshan found the idea interesting, laughed, then shook his head and said, "Regardless of whether I’m hope or the unknown, first and foremost, I am a Sword Cultivator."
His expression became serious, and he solemnly said, "My heart tells me where I should go."
Xie Qingyun looked at Lu Qingshan and smiled, saying, "Cultivating the sword also means cultivating the heart. Our Sword Sect is renowned in the world not just because of the swords in our hands, but also the swords in our hearts."
"Since you’ve made up your mind, I naturally cannot dull the sword in your heart."
He paused, spread his hands, and continued with a smile: "Today, our Sword Sect’s old Sect Master and new Young Sect Leader venture west together; one day, this might be a significant story."
"It’s an honor," Lu Qingshan clasped his fists and said.
Xie Qingyun spoke casually, creating a relaxed atmosphere and boosting morale.
But sometimes, words can become a prophecy.
In the distant future, when the Human Race reflects on its history, it will find that no matter how they try to bypass it, they can’t avoid mentioning the joint westward expedition by the old and new Sect Masters of Sword Sect in the eighth year of Tianyuan.
It’s like an anchor, firmly placed in the grand historical chronicles of the Human Race.
"Since you plan to join the westward expedition, there’s a matter you’ll need to address," Xie Qingyun spoke again.
"The decision for Sword Sect’s westward expedition has been communicated."
"At Yumen Pass, none of the Sword Sect disciples objected; they all volunteered for battle."
"However, within Sword Sect, some old Sword Cultivators and younger disciples have various opinions and dissatisfaction, requiring a leader to appease them." Xie Qingyun explained unhurriedly.
"I need to collaborate with Lin Yao to create an illusion of staying at Yumen Pass, so it’s inconvenient for me to appear."
"The Peak Masters are busy with final pre-battle preparations and can’t spare the time; others aren’t suitable for this task."
"You are the Young Sect Leader of Sword Sect, recognized by all Sword Sect disciples, so it’s fitting and reasonable for you to step forward."
"Return to Sword Sect once," Qingyun Sword Immortal instructed.
"The old Sword Cultivators and younger disciples have many opinions and dissatisfaction?" Lu Qingshan furrowed his brows, unable to resist asking, "What are their opinions?"
Xie Qingyun smiled inexplicably, looked at Lu Qingshan meaningfully, "You’ll know when you return to Sword Sect."
"You are the Young Sect Leader; there are matters you can already decide for yourself."
"In this matter concerning Sword Sect, I have no demands on you; whatever decision you make, I will not stop you, act freely."
It’s gradually indicating the transfer of Sword Sect matters to Lu Qingshan.
This veteran Sect Master, who has led Sword Sect for ten thousand years and upheld it for ten thousand years, is finally ready to let go of some things.
Words have reached this point, Lu Qingshan looked at Xie Qingyun, a strange light flickered in his eyes.
"I understand," he said.
"Go on," the old Sect Master waved his hand.
Lu Qingshan was silent, clasped his fists and bowed once more, then turned and left.
Xie Qingyun’s eyes flashed in an instant, staring at Lu Qingshan’s back from afar, unknown what he was pondering.
Lin Yao and Xia Daoyun also focused their gaze on Lu Qingshan’s back, each lost in thought.
Lu Qingshan didn’t speak further, nor did he look back, he stepped straight out of Qingyun Palace.
Just as he stepped out of the palace doors, throughout the Yumen Pass, Qingyun Sword Immortal’s voice echoed.
"From this moment on, Lu Qingshan... becomes my Sword Sect’s Young Sect Leader, the sole Young Sect Leader."
This statement, like thunder, spread throughout Yumen Pass in an instant.
At that moment, countless cultivators in Yumen Pass were startled.
Lu Qingshan being favored by Qingyun Sword Immortal and granted the position of Young Sect Leader was something all within Yumen Pass knew.