The three elders of the Yanhuo Sect breathed a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that a fight had been avoided, as the Yanhuo Sect's current strength was no match for the Zhengdao Sect.
Yu Daohén's suspended heart finally settled, and he exhaled heavily. Pretending not to fear death was a lie to himself.
The reason he dared to confront Zhao Huan of the Zhengdao Sect was because he knew the Zhengdao Sect's strength had declined in recent years. The battle thirty years ago had severely weakened them, killing nearly half of their elite disciples who possessed Tianzi-rank strength. Furthermore, Zhao Huan was wary of the person in his shop, leading Yu Daohén to believe Zhao Huan would not dare to make a move.
Thinking of this, a thought suddenly popped into Yu Daohén's mind: if Zhao Huan had killed him, would that person have turned the entire Zhengdao Sect upside down?
Young Master Yu, please go inside and take a seat. The leading elder interrupted Yu Daohén's thoughts.
Yu Daohén nodded and smiled, "Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, senior."
After speaking, Yu Daohén looked at Wen Jiao beside him, "Miss Wen Jiao, would you like to join us?"
"Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Yu, but I will wait outside."
Wen Jiao knew that the discussion that followed would be about the sect leader of the Yanhuo Sect, and it would be inappropriate for an outsider like herself to be present.
"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Wen Jiao."
Yu Daohén did not insist. The matter of the Yanhuo Sect's leader was to be discussed next, and it would be awkward for them, as well as for Wen Jiao herself, if he forced her to accompany him.
The three elders led the way, and the remaining disciples dispersed.
They walked past the small lawn they had just crossed and arrived at a guest room on the left side of the main hall.
Yu Daohén casually found a chair and sat down. The leading elder instructed a disciple to fetch tea.
"I am Hu Ting, the Grand Elder of the Yanhuo Sect." The leading elder cupped his hands and introduced himself.
"Yanhuo Sect Second Elder Wu Shanping."
"Yanhuo Sect Third Elder Zhou Jingmin."
The two elders beside him also cupped their hands and introduced themselves.
Yu Daohén nodded and cupped his fist, "Yu Daohén of the Midnight Spirit Shop."
After the introductions, Hu Ting exchanged a look with the other two and asked, "Young Master Yu, what brings you here?"
Yu Daohén nodded, "I believe the three elders already know the purpose of my visit."
Hu Ting and the other two nodded.
"Please show us the Sect Leader Token, Young Master Yu."
Hu Ting knew that Yu Daohén being the next sect leader was almost a certainty, but the rule that only the holder of the Sect Leader Token could become the sect leader could not be broken.
Yu Daohén also understood Hu Ting's intention. He took a black token from his pocket and handed it to Hu Ting.
Hu Ting took the token and examined it carefully, then passed it to Wu Shanping and Zhou Jingmin for them to see.
After Wu Shanping and Zhou Jingmin confirmed it and nodded to Hu Ting, Hu Ting took the token back and handed it to Yu Daohén, "This is indeed the Sect Leader Token."
Yu Daohén took the Sect Leader Token and asked, "Do the three elders want me to demonstrate the Devouring Flame Technique again?"
Hu Ting shook his head and said politely, "No need. The rule of the Yanhuo Sect is that whoever holds the Sect Leader Token is the sect leader of the Yanhuo Sect."
Yu Daohén nodded. Hu Ting and the other two exchanged glances and cupped their fists simultaneously.
"Hu Ting pays respects to the new Sect Leader."
"Wu Shanping pays respects to the new Sect Leader."
"Zhou Jingmin pays respects to the new Sect Leader."
Yu Daohén waved his hand, "The three elders have upheld the Yanhuo Sect on your own. I, your junior, admire you."
Hu Ting sighed, "If my strength were even a little greater, the Yanhuo Sect would not have fallen to this state."
Just as Yu Daohén was about to offer comfort, the disciple who had gone to fetch tea walked in, "Grand Elder, the tea is ready."
Hu Ting nodded, "Just place it on the table."
The disciple placed the brewed tea on the table beside the four of them and then turned to leave.
"Sect Leader, please have some tea." Hu Ting said politely.
Yu Daohén nodded, picked up the teacup, and took a sip. He then asked, "Elders, what is the current situation of the Yanhuo Sect?"
Hu Ting looked at Wu Shanping beside him, "Second Elder, you tell him."
Wu Shanping nodded and explained the current situation of the Yanhuo Sect.
"Including old and new disciples, the Yanhuo Sect has over fifty people. Among them, only five or six possess Earth-rank strength, and only the Grand Elder, the Second Elder, and I have Heaven-rank strength."
Yu Daohén frowned. The situation of the Yanhuo Sect was even worse than he had imagined. Currently, even a second-rate sect would have at least fifteen disciples with Earth-rank strength.
"By the way, Sect Leader, how is the former Sect Leader doing?" Hu Ting asked.
A bitter expression appeared on Yu Daohén's face. He knew exactly who Hu Ting was asking about.
"My master..."
Seeing that Yu Daohén did not finish his sentence, Hu Ting and the other two realized that Elder Tai had passed away.
Since Yu Daohén had come to the Yanhuo Sect alone, Hu Ting and the other two had guessed this would be the outcome, but they had been unwilling to believe it.
"Sect Leader, you don't need to be too sad. Since the former Sect Leader passed the Sect Leader Token to you, it means he believed you could lead the Yanhuo Sect to glory."
Yu Daohén remained silent. He had inherited Elder Tai's mantle by chance, but Elder Tai had treated him exceptionally well, entrusting him with his lifelong learning and the Yanhuo Sect.
The four chatted casually about the Yanhuo Sect for a while longer, and then Yu Daohén decided to leave the Yanhuo Sect and return to Jiangdu.
Hu Ting and the other two intended to ask Yu Daohén to stay at the Yanhuo Sect. Although the Yanhuo Sect had declined, it was still a sect, and staying would only benefit Yu Daohén.
However, Yu Daohén refused. He felt he could not contribute much by staying at the Yanhuo Sect at the moment. Revitalizing the Yanhuo Sect would not be possible in a short time, and he had other matters to attend to.
Hu Die Lan