The Suzerain

Due to the heavy losses of elders and core disciples, the sect had to promote some people to the position of elders, while bringing in some outstanding outer sect disciples to train in the inner sect.

When all the inner and outer sect elders gathered in the main hall, the sect leader announced the purpose for summoning everyone.

Tang Xiaoyu stood at the back without making a sound, watching a group of inner sect elders arguing with flushed faces.

The sect leader could not stand it anymore and scolded, "What's with all the yelling and shouting? Where is your dignity?"

Only then did everyone quiet down.

"I nominate Tang Xiaoyu as the Enforcement Elder. Does anyone have any objections?" The sect leader nominated Tang Xiaoyu right away to set an example for the others.

His intention was: This is my standard, you can take it or leave it.

Liu Xuning was the first to stand up, "Although Tang Xiaoyu is my disciple, he has never caused me any worries. Today I will worry on his behalf."

"In terms of public and private interests, I agree that Tang Xiaoyu should serve as the Enforcement Elder. In terms of public interests, his performance over the years is plain for the sect leader, myself and everyone here to see."

"Has he made any major mistakes? If someone has done better than him, I have nothing more to say and will let that person take over immediately."

"In terms of private interests, as his master, I have not provided any help since he entered the sect. Everything he has today is through his own hard work."

"If I don't speak up today, what kind of master would I be? Let me make this clear, whoever dares to obstruct my disciple from becoming an elder is going against me."

With both Liu Xuning and the sect leader endorsing Tang Xiaoyu, would anyone else dare to object? And were there even suitable candidates who could compete with Tang Xiaoyu at this time?

Seeing that no one had any objections, the sect leader looked to Tang Xiaoyu, "Elder Tang, since you became an outer sect elder, you have never disappointed me. Don't let me down this time either."

Tang Xiaoyu hurriedly came forward and saluted, "Please rest assured, sect leader and master, I will definitely not fail to live up to the sect leader's, master's and all the elders' expectations."

"Good, with you saying this, I can rest easy."

The sect leader continued, "The position of Enforcement Elder is not supposed to go to a junior disciple who has been with the sect for just over a decade, but looking at the current state of affairs in the sect, you can see..."

"Those qualified are unsuitable, and those suitable are either dead or crippled. At present, you are the only one who can take on this position."

Tang Xiaoyu saluted again, "Disciple understands and is grateful for the sect leader's, master's and all the elders' trust."

After that, some others were appointed to fill the vacant positions.

Tang Xiaoyu looked over the list and saw no one who could be a threat.

Just as the sect leader was about to dismiss everyone, Tang Xiaoyu spoke up to stop him, "Sect leader, master, elders, please wait a moment."

The sect leader asked curiously, "Elder Tang, do you have other matters?"

Tang Xiaoyu saluted and said, "I would like to ask, will the injured and crippled disciples be sent down the mountain to return home after they have recovered?"

The sect leader replied, "They can also stay in the outer sect to do menial work until they die of old age."

Tang Xiaoyu quickly interjected, "That must not happen at this time. The sect has just undergone massive changes and people's hearts are unstable. Doing so will only make the sect more turbulent."

"Oh? Then what do you suggest we do?" The sect leader asked.

"Sect leader and elders, you know the situation at Falling Leaf Peak. It's not exactly a land of heroes and treasures, but it is especially suitable for retirement."

"Why not send these people to Falling Leaf Peak to farm the land, fish, and be self-sufficient? This will not only stabilize morale but also not consume any resources."

Tang Xiaoyu smiled and added: "Most importantly, I need people to manage the things I have set up there. I hope the sect leader and elders will permit this."

The sect leader smiled approvingly, "Since you have put it this way, what reason do I have to object?"

The elders who had disciples crippled were grateful, "Nephew, the elders thank you on their behalf."

Tang Xiaoyu heaved a sigh, "Their plight today could well become ours tomorrow. I hope the elders will be understanding if such a day comes for me."

Everyone felt heavy-hearted but did not know what to say. For a sect to grow stronger, it had to abandon useless people and things.

Before anyone else could respond, Liu Xuning spoke up, "Don't worry my disciple, if such a day comes, your master will provide for you for life."

Liu Xuning dared to say this because she had keen insight and took very few disciples. Even if she had to provide for all of them, it would be no burden at all.

The other elders could not do the same. Still caught up in vanity, each had hundreds of formal disciples. How many could they really provide for?

The elders pledged one by one, stopping short of promising Tang Xiaoyu a lifetime of glory and wealth, but vowing they would never kick a man when he was down.

Walking with her disciple to Falling Leaf Peak, Liu Xuning said gratefully, "Thank you."

Liu Xuning continued, "I don't know what you're planning, but since I have taken you as my disciple, I will support you unconditionally. Even if I'm wrong in the end, it will have nothing to do with you."

Tang Xiaoyu did not know how to respond or face this master in the future.

"To be your disciple is my honor."

Liu Xuning laughed and scolded, "What now? More melodrama?"

"Alright, let's hurry back! We still have to build houses for your fellow disciples tomorrow!"

Tang Xiaoyu asked curiously, "Master, you seem very happy. Becoming so diligent all of a sudden?"

"Because what you did is something I have never accomplished before. What's wrong with me being diligent for once?"

"Alright, alright, whatever you say."

Everything was going according to plan. Tang Xiaoyu used his old tricks to recruit Li Zijie and the others.

Among them, Li Zijie was an outlier who agreed without hesitation when he heard there was action to be had.

With those exiled to heaven as the foundation, and the new inner sect disciples being mainly Tang Xiaoyu's supporters, Tang Xiaoyu had become the most influential voice in Fengxi Sect.

He only needed to wait for an opportunity, an opportunity to control the entire Fengxi Sect.

From then on, Tang Xiaoyu returned to tranquility, focusing only on cultivation and working diligently without the slightest fault.

Time passed bit by bit.

In ten years, not only had Fengxi Sect failed to recover, but it was oppressed even more severely.

To secure the sect's future, the Fengxi Sect leader personally apologized with generous gifts, only to be despondent upon his return.

Although the crisis was resolved, the sect showed no sign of progress.

At times like these, someone needed to step up and take charge.

The sect leader summoned the inner sect elders to the main hall, looking at everyone dejectedly, "I no longer have the ability or face to continue leading the sect."

"Now someone needs to take over as sect leader."

While everyone spouted noble-sounding rhetoric, they all hoped to sit in that seat of power.

This time, instead of staying silent, Tang Xiaoyu took the initiative to speak up.

"Sect leader, I feel that I am up to this position, not for any other reason than not wanting to see Fengxi Sect decline from now on. I don't want my efforts over the years to be in vain."

The sect leader looked at Tang Xiaoyu with satisfaction and praise in his eyes, "Elder Tang, while you are the most suitable candidate in my mind, I'm afraid you are still too young to command the room."

Tang Xiaoyu confidently replied, "Sect leader, apart from those present, I believe no one will object to me becoming sect leader."

"I can assure you that if I become sect leader, I will stomp anyone who has humiliated you under my feet."

Liu Xuning was the first to speak, "Senior brother, I believe in Xiaoyu's words. Please give him this chance."

Many elders who knew they had no chance also voiced their support.

"I support Nephew Tang."

"I also support Nephew Tang."

"I have never agreed with conservatism, so I support Nephew Tang."