The next day, as dawn broke.
After a night of long talks, Li Xuan finally understood why the position of Pavilion Master needed to change.
When he had first heard about the Pavilion Master selection competition, Li Xuan had wondered what would happen to the former Pavilion Masters after their successors were chosen. After listening to Yao Yulong's explanation, Li Xuan finally understood.
Within the Tianyi Pavilion, there existed a special entity known as the Elder Council. All former Pavilion Masters, after abdicating their positions, would join this Elder Council.
One should not underestimate the Elder Council. Although they no longer held significant power within the Tianyi Pavilion, they were provided with extremely abundant cultivation resources. Moreover, they did not need to concern themselves with the mundane affairs of the Tianyi Pavilion, allowing them to dedicate themselves entirely to closed-door cultivation.
Unless a matter of life and death for the Tianyi Pavilion arose, the members of the Elder Council would rarely be called upon. It could be said without exaggeration that the Elder Council represented the Tianyi Pavilion's greatest foundation.
As for the battle with Yao Yulong, the outcome was not difficult to guess. Even though Li Xuan possessed the Three Rounds of Heavenly Sun, Yao Yulong had stepped into the Years Realm countless years ago. His number of Star Spirit Pearls had already surpassed fifty million. What was meant to be a sparring match felt more like guidance to Li Xuan.
After receiving Yao Yulong's three moves, Li Xuan gained considerable insights.
"Alright, I have explained all that needs to be explained. Pavilion Master Li Xuan, I congratulate you once again. I hope that under your leadership, the Wood Pavilion will achieve even greater brilliance," Yao Yulong said, standing up and cupping his fists in a smile towards Li Xuan.
"I will do my utmost to live up to Pavilion Master Yao's expectations," Li Xuan replied with a wry smile, returning the gesture with a cupped fist.
...
In the separate courtyard of Li Xuan's team, everyone was gathered, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. Firstly, with Li Xuan becoming the Pavilion Master of the Wood Pavilion, their own statuses and positions as former team members naturally rose.
Secondly, every Pavilion Master had their own personal guard team. Through their interactions with Li Xuan during this period, everyone naturally understood his character. To be able to become part of Li Xuan's guard team would be a true ascent for them.
"Do you think Pavilion Master Li... Pavilion Master Li Xuan will return today?" Bai Xinghan asked with some anticipation.
Wen Qing glanced at the entrance of the courtyard and replied, "It's hard to say. After all, the affairs of a Pavilion Master are numerous, and the handover process can take a long time."
"Speaking of Pavilion Master Li Xuan, he is the one who has been promoted the fastest that I know of. The past is a poignant memory; I fear we will no longer be able to speak to Pavilion Master Li Xuan as we did before," Gong Hanfeng remarked with emotion.
"Why can't we speak as before?" As Gong Hanfeng's words faded, a figure appeared directly before them. It was Li Xuan, who had left the main hall of the Pavilion Master.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master Li Xuan!"
Upon hearing this, everyone quickly bowed and shouted.
Seeing their restrained expressions, Li Xuan sighed helplessly and said, "Everyone, please don't be so formal. It will be the same as before."
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan, we wouldn't dare. Now that you are the esteemed Pavilion Master, it would be improper for us to act as we did before without adhering to proper decorum," Wen Qing said with a smile.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment before speaking with a serious expression, "You are all my team members, my companions. Even though I am now the Pavilion Master, our relationship remains unchanged."
"Don't worry, I don't like being bound by rigid frameworks. Freedom and ease are the best. We, as spirit masters, must not be constrained by the rules of the present. All of these are external things; only by maintaining our original hearts can we go further."
"We have learned our lesson." Everyone bowed in unison.
Li Xuan smiled and then said, "Alright, no more formalities. I have an important matter to announce next. I believe you will all like it very much."
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan, you're not thinking of having us become your personal guards, are you?" As Li Xuan finished speaking, Gong Hanfeng excitedly asked.
Wen Qing and the others also looked at Li Xuan with expectant gazes.
Li Xuan glanced at everyone and then nodded, "That's right. As I have just become the Pavilion Master of the Wood Pavilion, I am currently short-handed. Are you willing?"
"We are willing to follow Pavilion Master Li Xuan to the death!" Everyone replied in unison.
"I thought you might not agree. This is perfect," Li Xuan said with a smile.
"How could we not be willing to follow Pavilion Master Li Xuan? If it were someone else, we might have had to consider it," Gong Hanfeng quipped.
"Alright, everyone, pack your belongings and we will head to the Pavilion Master's residence shortly. Brother Qiu, I entrust the captain of the guard team to you," Li Xuan said with a smile, nodding as he looked at Qiu Jiugian.
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan, from now on, please just call me Jiugian. Don't worry, Pavilion Master, I guarantee I will lead them well!" Qiu Jiugian immediately said.
"Good. Then everyone, pack up. I have some matters to attend to. I will make further arrangements after I return," Li Xuan nodded, as he understood Qiu Jiugian very well.
Furthermore, entrusting the guard team to Qiu Jiugian, Li Xuan was confident that Qiu Jiugian would not disappoint him.
"Yes!" Everyone replied in unison.
Suxian Peak, stone pavilion.
"How is it? Now that you're the Pavilion Master, does it feel different from before?" As Li Xuan arrived, Bai Suxin, the White Venerable, put down her teacup and looked up with a smile.
"Greetings, White Venerable, Great Venerable's wife, Yun Venerable." Li Xuan replied with a wry smile and bowed to the three women.
"No need for formalities, tell us, how do you feel?" Lin Yun, the Yun Venerable, waved her hand and asked.
Li Xuan shrugged and said, "I feel like the burden is much heavier than before, and it's quite taxing on the mind."
"You can delegate the affairs of the Pavilion to the elders. Generally, you, as the Pavilion Master, do not need to handle them personally. Aside from the changes in your position, there isn't much of a major impact. Your primary objective should still be to improve your own strength," Mo Ningxiang said.
Li Xuan nodded and said, "I have already arranged for trustworthy people to be by my side, and I believe they will be able to relieve some of the pressure for me. After this period, I will be able to focus on closed-door cultivation with peace of mind."
"That is good. However, there's no need to be too anxious. Let things take their natural course. Rushing things will only bring harm," Lin Yun, the Yun Venerable, advised.
"Disciple understands." Li Xuan nodded.
Mo Ningxiang pondered for a moment before looking at Li Xuan and saying, "Cultivate diligently during this time. In about six months, the Six Regions Auction Convention will begin. It has always been the five Pavilion Masters who attend. Now that you are the new five Pavilion Masters, consider it an opportunity for training and broadening your horizons."
"Yes!" Li Xuan was somewhat surprised, but since the Great Venerable's wife had instructed him to do so, he would comply.
Moreover, since it was the Nine Regions Auction, he could take this opportunity to inquire about Feng Qingyang, who had ascended from the Eternal Continent to the Cloud World.
Li Xuan had not forgotten that he had promised Yun Qi Great Venerable to fight Feng Qingyang. Even if Feng Qingyang had perished, Li Xuan believed that such a person would surely have descendants.
...