Chapter 520 - 367: Regional Influence
This was the first time Fang Yun had demonstrated his power in front of the sect’s leadership.
Unlike during his Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Stages, now that he was at the Core Formation Stage, he was no longer afraid to display his power.
There were many reasons for this.
The most important reason was that the power he displayed could be explained. The bonus from something as nebulous as Combat Talent was too difficult to justify, and the same was true for ordinary Magical Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts. This applied to common Magical Treasures as well.
A Lifebound Magical Treasure, however, was completely different.
If one tried to use another’s Lifebound Magical Treasure after its owner’s death, they would be unable to unleash even a tenth of its power.
And if the cultivator was still alive, others naturally couldn’t use his Lifebound Magical Treasure. This was one of the unique traits distinguishing a Lifebound Magical Treasure from a regular Magical Treasure.
Therefore, Fang Yun didn’t need to explain anything regarding his Lifebound Magical Treasure; the sect’s leadership could figure it out on their own.
Among the remaining reasons, the increase in his own power and the influence it gave him within the sect were also very important.
Over the past thirty-plus years, Fang Yun had also come to understand one thing: the sect’s leadership was united in its goal of developing and strengthening the sect.
For all these reasons, he chose to display his strength now.
He hadn’t had the opportunity to display his strength at other times, as everyone was more focused on his talents in Alchemy and Artifact Refining. Besides, he wasn’t the type to show off deliberately.
"Elder Fang Taishang’s defensive capabilities are truly extraordinary."
"That’s to be expected. Elder Fang Taishang himself said that defensive techniques are theoretically his strongest asset, not stealth."
"The Skillful Heaven-Stealing Technique... that Core Formation Technique is truly miraculous. For Junior Brother Fang to have chosen it back in the Purple Mist Sect means it must be an exceptionally good match for him."
With the exception of Song Qiaoqiao, all the other high-ranking members of the Celestial Cloud Sect were extremely surprised.
Soon after, much like Miao Qinghong, their surprise gave way to joy.
Joy over the extent of Fang Yun’s power.
Duan Qingyun now understood one thing.
Fang Yun was implementing a plan against the Celestial Demon Sect, a plan whose final step was to annihilate them. His confidence in carrying out such a plan was partly derived from his own strength!
"Elder Fang Taishang, if my last strike had been thirty percent more powerful, would you still have been able to block it?" Miao Qinghong asked, looking at Fang Yun without launching another attack.
That had just been her strongest strike under normal conditions.
Her strongest strike while in a heightened state would be much more powerful.
But entering that heightened state would certainly have side effects.
"Even if you increased its power by fifty percent, I’m still confident I could block it," Fang Yun said, being very conservative.
Fang Yun didn’t want Miao Qinghong to use a Secret Technique.
’It’s damaging to the body.’
His conservative statement was also meant to convey a message: ’As you are now, you still can’t break my defense.’
’Knowing Miao Qinghong’s personality, she likely wouldn’t try to compete with him in a battle of attrition... ’
’...using her advantage as a mid-Core Formation Stage cultivator to grind him down until his Spiritual Power was depleted.’
’Even if Miao Qinghong really did think that way, she definitely wouldn’t succeed.’
’Thanks to the bonus from his High-Star Combat Talent, the amount of Spiritual Power he had just consumed was truly pathetic.’
’Within the same Realm, no Cultivator could match his endurance.’ This was the confidence his Combat Talent gave him.
"Then forget it." With that, Miao Qinghong sheathed her sword.
’If I can’t even break Fang Yun’s defense, there’s no point in continuing this fight.’
’Even if I could break Fang Yun’s defense in my heightened state, I’d still think he is qualified to sit in the Sect Leader’s seat.’
’He has this level of strength, and his philosophy isn’t that far off from mine.’
’Combining those two factors, Fang Yun is fit to take the seat of Sect Leader.’
’Of course, judging by the current situation, even if Fang Yun’s philosophy was at odds with hers, there would be nothing she could do. She truly could not break his defense.’
"The victor is decided, and the outcome is clear," Duan Qingyun said, stroking his long beard, a smile blooming across his face.
For a Sword Cultivator like Miao Qinghong to sheathe her sword meant she had conceded defeat.
Fang Yun becoming Sect Leader was the outcome Duan Qingyun had most wanted to see.
The isolating Spirit Array was dispelled, and the two of them landed simultaneously.
"Elder Fang Taishang, go and prepare yourself. In three days, you will become the sect’s new Sect Leader."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
The sect’s leadership dispersed.
Some of the high-ranking members were still discussing Fang Yun’s strength as they left.
The only disappointing part of the contest for the Sect Leader’s seat was that Fang Yun had only shown his defensive techniques, not his offensive ones.
They hadn’t seen nearly enough.
’If his defenses are this powerful, his offensive techniques can’t be far behind.’
’Offensive techniques paired with stealth... now that we think about it, with Fang Yun’s power, killing an early-stage Core Formation Demon would indeed be easy.’
「During the three days Duan Qingyun gave Fang Yun to prepare.」
A piece of news had already spread throughout the Celestial Cloud Sect.
The sect’s next Sect Leader had been confirmed.
"Senior Brother, quick, tell us! Which of the eight Supreme Elders is going to be the next Sect Leader?"
"You can take a guess. I don’t think the answer is that difficult."
"Is it Elder Miao? I heard she’s already broken through to the mid-Core Formation Stage. I wonder if that rumor is true."
These disciples knew very little about the sect’s leadership; most of the information they got about the higher-ups was just unverified gossip.
"No, it’s not Elder Miao. The next Sect Leader is Elder Fang Taishang."
"Elder Fang Taishang? Huh? Did the sect change the rules for choosing a Sect Leader? I thought it was supposed to be whichever Supreme Elder is the strongest becomes the next Sect Leader. Did they change it to whoever made the biggest contributions?"