Holding the esteemed position of an elder in the sect, Lu Changfeng found even his steadfast Dao Heart faltering at this moment.
His face quickly flushed with anger.
Lu Changfeng always had a temper and found it hard to keep calm.
Now, hearing Tang Zhixian speak of leaving the sect, how could he remain composed?
Lu Yuanshan was slightly better; though Tang Zhixian’s answer was unexpected, he did not speak, only sighed regretfully and shook his head.
Lu Zhiwei was even more composed, glancing at Tang Zhixian twice before paying no more attention.
Tang Zhixian, aware that his answer had angered Lu Changfeng, and surprised his fellow sect members, continued unabashedly:
"I come from the Tang Family. The Tang Family’s patriarch broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage a year ago, promoting us to a Foundation Establishment Clan, and significantly raising our status in Lushan County."
"But look at Cyan Mountain Sect, after all these years, the overall strength of the sect has been declining. Even you, Sect Leader, are only at the late-stage Qi Cultivation, and the sect’s status has dropped precipitously, not even matching the Tang Family."
"So I don’t want to stay in Cyan Mountain Sect anymore. I think returning to the family to cultivate is more promising."
Within Cyan Mountain Sect, many disciples were voluntarily sent by cultivation clans affiliated with the sect, aiming to strengthen ties and provide better cultivation resources for their young members.
Tang Zhixian came from the Tang Family.
The Tang Family used to be one of the affiliated families of Cyan Mountain Sect, following it for over fifty years.
With the sect’s decline, the Tang Family, like other affiliated clans, had long since parted ways, forming their own path.
"You... you really want to abandon the sect and return to the Tang Family?"
Senior Sister Song found it hard to believe.
As the chief disciple under Lu Changfeng, he chose to desert in the sect’s crisis, abandoning it altogether. She regretfully realized she had misjudged Tang Zhixian.
"Senior Brother Tang, don’t be impulsive..."
Even Zhao Ziliang couldn’t help but speak, wanting Tang Zhixian to think it over.
Leaving the sect at this critical moment was not the conduct of a noble person.
Alas, Junior Brother Zhao’s words fell on deaf ears, as Tang Zhixian was not one for noble conduct.
Tang Zhixian refused to look back, saying firmly, "I came to Cyan Mountain Sect to seek enlightenment, not to tighten my belt and live a hard life."
"Neither of the two paths the Sect Leader mentioned suits me, and I won’t stay in Cyan Mountain Sect any longer."
Wishing to say no more on the topic, he turned to Lu Changfeng and said, "Master, I am an unworthy disciple. Today I take my leave, please take care."
He then bowed to Lu Yuanshan: "Sect Leader, once the meeting is over, please open the sect’s array and allow me to leave the mountain. The fate between me and Cyan Mountain Sect ends today."
"You ungrateful wretch!"
Hearing Tang Zhixian speak at this length, Lu Changfeng couldn’t contain himself.
"I taught you to set a good example, and this is how you lead?!"
Disappointed in his years of teaching Tang Zhixian, how did he raise such an ungrateful person?
He wanted to rush up and slap Tang Zhixian awake.
Talking about leaving the sect now was nothing but making trouble.
But the next moment, Lu Yuanshan’s words stopped him.
Lu Yuanshan stopped Lu Changfeng’s actions.
He looked down at Tang Zhixian, his tone neither joyful nor sorrowful.
"Tang Zhixian, are you really leaving Cyan Mountain Sect at this time?"
"Very well, since your heart is not with the sect, forcing you to stay is pointless."
As the Sect Leader, Lu Yuanshan was very calm. Since Tang Zhixian was determined, he understood that holding him back would be futile, better to let him go.
The Tang Family wronged Cyan Mountain Sect in the past, and now Tang Zhixian too—a traitor.
Such an ungrateful disciple, Lu Yuanshan had no further regard for.
Having received Lu Yuanshan’s permission, Tang Zhixian had no face to stay. He greeted the disciples, a farewell of sorts: "Take care, everyone."
With that, he left the hall without turning back, eager to pack and wait at the mountain gate.
As he left, the people present became strangers.
The disciples watched Tang Zhixian leave the hall, their hearts unsettled.
This meeting had begun with such a farce, and it was uncertain what else might happen...
Senior Sister Song gritted her teeth, growing angrier the more she thought about it.
She glared at Tang Zhixian’s back, shouting, "Tang Zhixian! Once you’ve left, don’t return!"
Like Lu Changfeng, Senior Sister Song was seething with anger, astonished that he was such a person, whose conscience had been devoured by dogs.
Tang Zhixian seemed not to hear, instead quickening his pace.
Leaving today, he never intended to return.
In his view, Cyan Mountain Sect was on the brink of collapse, and staying was impossible.
Even if Lu Yuanshan decided to save the sect, its prospects wouldn’t match those of the Tang Family.
Escaping in time and returning to the family was the correct choice.
Tang Zhixian’s figure quickly vanished from sight, gone completely from view.
Nearby, Lu Ping watched coldly, having no impression of Tang Zhixian.
If he wanted to leave Cyan Mountain Sect, then let him go far away. Lu Ping couldn’t be bothered.
Witnessing this farce, Lu Ping gradually realized that Cyan Mountain Sect’s decline was worse than imagined.
Everyone was holding on together, yet it was hard to maintain the sect’s dignity, leading disciples to leave, thinking there’s no future here.
Financial issues were indeed urgent, in need of resolution.
Lu Yuanshan was cautious, never reckless, and it was for this quality that Lu Ping entrusted the sect to him before going into secluded cultivation.
Lu Yuanshan had already done well, considering two ways forward based on the sect’s situation.
From Lu Ping’s perspective, either path was feasible. The sect’s decline was severe, and there was little else to do.
Disciples had their views and choices; the sect’s future depended on everyone coming together. The sect was a group.
The future development of Cyan Mountain Sect, and how to survive the crisis, was up to them to decide.
Without intending to interfere, Lu Ping quietly awaited the outcome.
As time passed, Tang Zhixian’s farce sparked heated discussions among the disciples.
Some said Tang Zhixian was ungrateful, without honor or virtue, while others felt he had his reasons and wanted to rise, though his methods weren’t worth emulating.
In frustration, Lu Changfeng said, "Anyone else who wants to leave, get out immediately" and stopped speaking, sitting with a sigh, visibly upset.
Fortunately, after Tang Zhixian’s departure, no one else spoke of leaving the sect.
After calming down, the disciples began discussing the two paths, and the atmosphere in the hall heated up.
Facing the sect’s struggle, avoiding the problem wasn’t a solution, decisions had to be made.
Everyone was willing to choose between the two options.
While waiting, Lu Ping summoned the ’Sect Simulator’ and began studying it.
This Golden Finger needed careful understanding to be truly beneficial.
Its features included [Communication], [Secluded Cultivation], [Mall], [Experience], and [Doorway Affairs].
With things divided into categories like [One-Star - Spiritual Peach Tree], [One-Star - Healing], [Tier One-Earth Heart Method Tree] and [A Tier One Top-Grade Spiritual Wood].
Items were available at Two-Star Tier with higher sect levels, but even this was a treasure trove for Lu Ping.
In its current state, a piece could only be exchanged once. Afterward, it would disappear from the mall, requiring level advancement for further purchases.
This rule ensured that each item could only be redeemed once, adding value to the opportunity.
With a keen interest, Lu Ping decided to explore the item that intrigued him the most.
[Spiritual Peach Tree: Tier One Top-Grade Spirit Wood ×3]