CHAPTER 437: BEHAVE YOURSELF, SECT MASTER!

Chapter 437: Behave Yourself, Sect Master!

"No, this won't do. Making me sect master is too childish." Li Qingran bit her lip. "This disciple is only at Golden Core stage—hardly fit for such responsibility, and it wouldn't command respect. The Cangyun Realm has strict hierarchies—how would cultivators stronger than me ever accept me as sect master?"

After much deliberation, she still found it inappropriate. She bowed to Chen Huaian. "Master, please reconsider your decree!"

Chen Huaian snapped his fingers.

Whoosh—Zhang Mengchu tore open a spatial rift and instantly appeared before them, the gust of wind blowing Li Qingran's hair sideways. "What are your orders, Ancestor?!"

The old man was still holding a freshly opened can of Wangzai milk—apparently he really had gone back to let it chill.

"This venerable one plans to establish a new sect in Cangyun Realm."

"That's wonderful! Absolutely no problem!"

"This venerable one plans to make Li Qingran the sect master."

"That's wonderful! Absolutely no problem!"

Chen Huaian waved his hand. "Very well, you may leave."

"Yes!" Zhang Mengchu responded before stepping through another spatial rift and vanishing from the room.

Chen Huaian gave Li Qingran an amused look.

The message was clear—if even a Void Fusion Stage 8 cultivator like Zhang Mengchu approved, what reason was there to refuse?

"Master, one person's opinion doesn't represent the majority." Li Qingran smoothed her hair with a bitter smile. "Uncle Zhang agrees because of his relationship with you, not because he respects this disciple."

Chen Huaian remained silent, simply snapping his fingers again with a slightly different pitch.

The roof tiles above them shifted as if something heavy had landed, then parted to reveal Sword Pavilion Master Su Qinian peering down through the opening, leaving Li Qingran dumbfounded.

"Ancestor, how may I serve you?"

"This venerable one plans to establish a new sect in Cangyun Realm with Li Qingran as sect master."

"Marvelous! What assistance do you require? Just name it!"

"None needed. Just wanted your opinion."

"I have an opinion!"

Chen Huaian raised an eyebrow, thinking Su Qinian might be getting too full of himself lately.

Until the Sword Pavilion Master flashed an ingratiating smile. "Ancestor, could you ask Qingran to make me an Elder Emeritus? I've never held the position before and likely never will—just want to experience how it feels."

Ah, so that was it.

Chen Huaian nodded and turned to Li Qingran. "Well? Sect Master Li, shall we grant Elder Su this title?"

It took Li Qingran a moment to realize "Sect Master Li" referred to her, her face immediately flushing crimson.

"Master! Must you tease me like this?" she protested. "Why would Pavilion Master Su need this disciple's permission for such matters?"

"You're the sect master now—your word is law." Chen Huaian glanced upward, his expression suddenly stern. "Pavilion Master Su, wasn't the Elder Emeritus position granted? How much longer do you plan to eavesdrop?"

"My apologies, Ancestor! Leaving at once!" Su Qinian replaced the tiles and vanished.

Silence returned to the room.

Chen Huaian studied Li Qingran, who kept her head lowered.

Ultimately, the decision rested with her—he wouldn't force her if unwilling.

After a long pause, Li Qingran took a deep breath and met his gaze with solemn determination.

"Master, is it truly necessary for this disciple to become sect master?"

Hearing her wavering tone, Chen Huaian immediately nodded. "Absolutely necessary."

"Then... what will Master's position be?"

"Naturally remaining as the sect's ancestral elder," Chen Huaian stated matter-of-factly.

"Isn't the sect master the highest authority?" Li Qingran pressed.

"Under normal circumstances, yes."

"Then normally... wouldn't Master..." She hesitated before mustering courage. "Wouldn't you also need to obey the sect master's orders?"

Chen Huaian considered this.

Ancestral elders were indeed the most senior figures, usually exempt from following sect master's commands.

Yet in most sects, sect masters and ancestral elders maintained harmonious relationships without conflict.

For routine matters, decisions typically rested with the sect master.

Only critical issues affecting the entire sect's future warranted intervention from Elder Emeritus or ancestral elders.

Thus Chen Huaian nodded.

"Correct. Even Elder Emeritus and ancestral elders must respect the sect master's authority under normal circumstances. The sect master holds actual governance over the sect's development. Excessive interference from elders would breed factions, preventing unified leadership and ultimately causing disintegration!"

"This disciple understands." Li Qingran nodded gravely.

Clenching her fists before her chest, she declared with solemn dignity: "In that case, this disciple accepts the position of sect master!"

The moment Li Qingran's words fell...

A system notification materialized in Chen Huaian's vision:

[Congratulations on completing Main Quest 4.0: Challenge Two Holy Lands, Expose Their Conspiracy (Current Status: Yue Qianchi, Yun Suxin, and Li Qingran all survive!)]

[Reward: Rebirth Lotus (Details: Born from chaos, dies in reincarnation. Plant in Nuwa's soil, grind its seed pod into powder mixed with living soul to reconstruct a physical form restoring 50% of original power. No rejection occurs—all innate talents are perfectly restored!)]

"Damn, what a treasure!" Chen Huaian inhaled sharply.

He'd always known main quest rewards were generous, but this was like receiving a pillow when drowsy!

With this Rebirth Lotus, Old Zhang's physical predicament would be solved!

Before he could share the good news with Zhang Yibai, a second notification appeared:

[Main Quest 5.0: Assist Your Electronic Girlfriend in Becoming the Top Sect Master. Time Limit: 100 Cangyun Realm Years]

[Failure to complete within century may result in Electronic Girlfriend's death during heavenly tribulation!]

"So even the Electronic Girlfriend game wants me to properly nurture Li Qingran?" Chen Huaian mused, stroking his chin—this aligned perfectly with his own plans.

Perhaps he'd cooperate closely with the Electronic Girlfriend system a while longer.

Noticing Li Qingran's expectant expression beside him, he patted her head.

"Excellent! Very promising! From today onward, you're a sect master—you must carry yourself with dignity. No more foot massages... Actually, my feet feel sufficiently relaxed now. Let's stop here."

Had it been Technician No.11, he'd happily prolong the session. But with Li Qingran serving him, he couldn't bear tiring his disciple.

To his surprise, Li Qingran firmly grasped his retreating foot and declared sternly:

"E-Elder Chen! Without this sect master's permission, how dare you withdraw your foot! Stay put and behave!"

Clearly unpracticed in such authority, her words stumbled from nervousness.

Chen Huaian stared wide-eyed, utterly baffled.

"Well well, all that buildup just to assert dominance now?"

"What dominance?" Li Qingran maintained a stern expression while massaging, adopting an oddly mature tone. "Within the sect, I'm sect master and you're ancestral elder. Outside, I remain your disciple—no casual familiarities during official business!"

"Moreover, this sect master's current actions serve the sect's development!"

Amused, Chen Huaian chuckled. "How does massaging my feet constitute sect development?"

"You're our supreme combat force! Should your condition decline from poor maintenance, that would be this sect master's failure!"

Withdrawing her hands from his thighs, Li Qingran lightly tapped his knee. "Turn over!"

...

After the foot massage came a full shoulder and back treatment.

Only after much persuasion did Li Qingran relent.

The credits spent adjusting sensory feedback through the game system mattered little.

But had Li Qingran proceeded with the full acupressure routine as taught by Lingxi Valley disciples, the next step would involve Dragon Tendon extraction!

Who does that casually?

He had no choice but to tactfully dismiss her.

"Everything's ready except for the final catalyst!"

Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes. Having decided to establish a sect in Cangyun Realm...

He wouldn't hold back.

Leaving his pocket dimension, he located a desolate mountainous region in Cangyun Realm's central continent.

Opening a portal between dimensions, he accessed the pocket dimension construction store and added several projects to his cart.

At checkout, a prompt appeared:

[Special conditions met. Confirm purchase of Advanced Spiritual Energy Module and Premium Spirit Vein x1?]

"Confirm!"

...