Chapter 164: The Bootlicking Immortal Lord Who Wants to Live Off a Woman (30)

On the day the Grand Competition commenced, the Sect Leaders of all the major sects gathered together. Someone asked, “Sect Master Xia, why hasn’t it started yet?”

Sect Master Xia stroked his beard calmly and replied, “No rush, no rush. We’re waiting for one more person.”

Someone scoffed. “Who could possibly warrant such fanfare, making all of us Sect Leaders wait for him alone?”

Sect Master Xia gave a faint smile. “Naturally, it’s our sect’s Ancestral Master.”

“What?!” The man shot to his feet in disbelief. “You mean that Ancestral Master Shen?”

Sect Master Xia answered with an air of nonchalance, “Of course.”

He had no idea just how much shock those two simple words stirred in the hearts of everyone present.

How many years had it been since Ancestral Master Shen last emerged from seclusion? There had been countless rumors about him—some said he was gravely injured, others claimed he had already passed away—but no one dared to ask Wu Nian Sect directly.

If the rumors were false, they’d have to face the wrath of Wu Nian Sect.

But if they were true… then the power rankings of the entire cultivation world would have to be reshuffled.

They’d been suppressed for far too long. What made Wu Nian Sect stronger than the rest of them? Wasn’t it just that they had Ancestral Master Shen?

Now that he was making an appearance, all those rumors would be crushed without a word.

Many people present silently thanked the heavens that they hadn’t foolishly asked about him.

After all, just the spiritual pressure from Ancestral Master Shen alone was more than their sects could bear.

The Sect Leaders, ever the savvy ones, immediately changed their tune.

“You’re really something, keeping such big news to yourself.”

“Yeah, why didn’t you say something earlier? Should we go out to welcome him?”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Sect Master Xia waved them off. “No need. We’ll just wait here. When the time comes, the Ancestral Master will descend the mountain himself.”

“Alright, alright.” The Sect Leaders all grew solemn, no longer complaining, and waited patiently.

The Sect Leaders above sat comfortably, so waiting was no issue for them. But the disciples below weren’t so lucky.

The crowd was packed tight, shoulder to shoulder, with barely any room to move.

The murmuring among them grew louder.

Wang Gang whispered, “Why hasn’t it started yet?”

Su Mingyue looked puzzled too. “Maybe they’re waiting for someone. The Sect Leaders all look incredibly serious.”

Ning Cui nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I think so too.”

Shen Xiuyan’s heart skipped a beat. Crap—he’d forgotten he promised Sect Master Xia he’d come down the mountain.

Who else could possibly make all these Sect Leaders wait so solemnly? No doubt, it had to be him.

But in a setting like this, if he tried to send a clone, there were plenty of high-level cultivators around. If they sensed even the slightest fluctuation, he’d be exposed in an instant.

Shen Xiuyan tugged on Wang Gang’s sleeve and leaned in to whisper, “My leg’s cramping up a bit. I’m going to stretch it out.”

Wang Gang didn’t suspect a thing. “Go ahead, just come back soon.”

Shen Xiuyan glanced at Su Mingyue, who was staring intently at the stage, then quietly slipped away into the crowd.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze stirred the previously still air. Robes fluttered in the wind, and vibrant clouds began to gather in the sky. A familiar spiritual pressure swept over the area, and everyone’s expressions turned grave, their nerves taut.

The sheer force of the spiritual pressure made it impossible—no, forbidden—to look up at the sky.

One by one, the Sect Leaders of every sect bowed toward the heavens.

All their past pride and arrogance had vanished.

The younger disciples below didn’t understand what was happening, but their cultivation was far inferior to their elders’. The pressure nearly brought them to their knees. Some with weaker cultivation clutched their chests as if they’d suffered internal injuries.

Wang Gang was drenched in cold sweat. He whispered, “What’s going on? This spiritual pressure is terrifying! Who the hell is this?!”

Ning Cui was sweating bullets too. She cautiously guessed, “Could it be… the Ancestral Master?”

After all, who else in the cultivation world could make all these Sect Leaders act so reverently?

Su Mingyue tilted her head at the two of them. “Huh?”

“Spiritual pressure?”

“What spiritual pressure???”

She didn’t feel a thing.

Looking completely unbothered, she asked, “What are you two talking about? I don’t feel anything at all. And where’s Little Junior Brother? Where’d he go?”

Wang Gang was stunned. She’s totally fine?!

Heavens, just what level of cultivation did Senior Sister have to be this unfazed?

Seeing her worried about their junior brother, Wang Gang quickly said, “Little Junior Brother said his leg cramped up and went to stretch it out. He’ll be back soon, don’t worry, Senior Sister.”

Ning Cui gave him a strange look from the side.

Alright, no need to confirm anything.

It had to be Ancestral Master Shen.

Who else could be this blatantly biased and still get away with it? She couldn’t think of a second person.

Ning Cui clutched her chest, feeling like she might cough up blood.

Forget it. Pull yourself together, Ning Cui!

Just then, Sect Master Xia raised his voice and called out, “Wu Nian Sect disciple Xia Zhishang respectfully welcomes the Ancestral Master!”

His tone was full of pride and triumph. See? As long as their Ancestral Master was willing to show up, all these so-called elites were nothing but trash.

The more arrogant they were before, the more humbled they were now—none of them dared say a word.

As his voice echoed out, the disciples below all shuddered.

Ancestral Master?

Could it be… that Ancestral Master Shen?

Of course! Who else could possess such overwhelming spiritual pressure?

Whether they were from Wu Nian Sect or other sects, every disciple was filled with excitement. This was Ancestral Master Shen, the undefeated legend of the cultivation world! He hadn’t emerged in centuries, and now they had the rare chance to witness his true form.

After a brief flurry of wind and clouds, a man in a white robe trimmed with black ink-like patterns appeared before them.

Once again, the Sect Leaders of the various sects felt that familiar pressure—as if they were forever trapped beneath an immovable mountain, unable to summon even the slightest thought of defiance.

One by one, the Sect Leaders bowed deeply and cupped their hands. “We respectfully welcome Ancestral Master Shen down from the mountain.”

The disciples below followed suit, bowing and shouting in unison, “We respectfully welcome Ancestral Master Shen down from the mountain!”

The thunderous chorus echoed across the peaks of the Thirty-Two Peaks, rippling outward in waves. Faint echoes could still be heard reverberating through the mountains.

Shen Xiuyan waved his hand lightly and took his seat atop the High Platform. “Everyone, please be seated.”

“Yes, sir.” The Sect Leaders lowered their heads and obediently responded, as meek and docile as quail.

This display once again gave the disciples below a visceral sense of the Ancestral Master’s overwhelming authority.

Sect Master Xia stepped forward respectfully and asked, “Ancestral Master, shall we begin the opening ceremony?”

“Mm.”

Straightening his robes, Sect Master Xia stood tall and announced, “The Centennial Grand Competition officially begins now. I believe everyone here is already aware of the rewards at stake, so I won’t repeat them. I hope all of you achieve results you can be proud of.”

“The drawing of lots for group assignments will begin shortly. The official matches will commence tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir!!!”

After finishing his announcement, Sect Master Xia sat back down quietly, once again as obedient as a little quail.

Under the guidance of designated attendants, the disciples began the official lot-drawing process.

Su Mingyue looked around anxiously. “Where’s Little Junior Brother? Why isn’t he back yet?”

Wang Gang was worried too. “No idea. Want me to go look for him?”

Su Mingyue glanced at the crowded scene and shook her head. “No need. Maybe he got stuck in the crowd and couldn’t make it back. He’s an adult—he should be able to line up and draw lots on his own.”

Wang Gang continued scanning the area but nodded reluctantly. “Alright then. Let’s draw our lots first. We’ll look for him after that.”