“I would actually prefer if my imperial brother let me have a bit more leisure.”

“Prince Morgan, you really have no right to complain. Overseeing information is basically a cushy job. The Holy Light Empire is at peace now—what’s there that requires much effort? Pity me, David Young, all the personnel responsibilities of the entire Immortal Mountain rest on my shoulders. I barely have a moment to catch my breath! Compared to you two, I truly want to ask my sect master senior brother to let me retire and return home.”

“Haha, Elder David Young, the great Supreme Shouyang has been full of grand strategies lately, aiming to completely wipe out the magical beasts invading near Immortal Mountain. If you’re a bit busier, it’s all for the good of the human race.”

“Magical beasts… sigh, I suppose I can only accept my fate.”

David Young sighed, looking rather troubled.

“Speaking of magical beasts, I heard that this March, Benjamin York of the Grand Sword Sect actually slew an epic magical beast with a single sword strike. Such swordsmanship is truly astonishing. I, Edward Hunt, am impressed. If there’s a chance, I hope to spar with Benjamin York of the Grand Sword Sect.”

The speaker was a black-clad man who rarely spoke, following in the circle of David Young, Prince Morgan, and the others.

“Heh, the Nine Deadly Swords of Heaven’s Calamity, created by the Lord of Absolute Heaven City, is something I’ve admired for a long time. Edward Hunt, James Hunt, and Robert Hunt, as the Lord’s final disciples, must have inherited the true teachings.”

“I wouldn’t dare claim so.”

Edward Hunt cupped his hands slightly.

“It’s about time!”

Samuel Lincoln spoke, his gaze already falling upon Eric Longman.

“The succession ceremony—let’s begin.”

Chapter 11: Drawing Near

“It’s starting.”

“That one—is that the new sect master of Linmen Sword Sect, Eric Longman?”

“Truly a young talent. I heard that back when the Holy Demon Hall was destroyed, it was entirely due to Eric Longman’s brilliance. At the critical moment, he detected the internal strife within the Holy Demon Hall and, under his strong advocacy, led the experts of Linmen Sword Sect to deliver a fatal blow.”

“That’s no exaggeration. Linmen Sword Sect owes its current glory in large part to Eric Longman.”

“I am a core disciple of Linmen Sword Sect. Of all the vice sect masters, I trust none but Senior Brother Eric Longman. With Senior Brother Eric Longman taking charge as sect master, he is truly deserving.”

A flurry of discussions broke out as Samuel Lincoln led Eric Longman onto the high platform built especially for the succession ceremony.

At that moment, all eyes focused on Eric Longman atop the platform. From today on, this young man would become one of the most powerful figures in the entire Holy Light Empire. Now was the time to remember him well—and to be sure never to offend him, even in the slightest, in the future.

“Silence.”

Amid the lively chatter, Samuel Lincoln’s voice seemed to carry a strange power, forcibly suppressing all discussion and echoing clearly through the void.

Just those two simple words fully demonstrated the sect master’s formidable control over his own strength.

“Sect Master Samuel Lincoln… he must have reached the peak of the demigod realm. Now that he’s stepping down as sect master, I suspect he’s preparing to break through to the mythic realm.”

David Young of Immortal Mountain sighed, his expression faintly grave.

“Mythic Supreme…”

Morgan looked at Samuel Lincoln on the platform and said in a low voice, “Sect Master Samuel Lincoln has long had the foundation to attempt the mythic realm. Unfortunately, his state of mind is not yet complete, so he hasn’t truly tried.”

“His state of mind isn’t complete?”

David Young was moved. “You mean… the battle at the Holy Demon Hall?”

Morgan nodded slightly.

“The battle at the Holy Demon Hall?”

Edward Hunt was clearly not familiar with the details, a hint of confusion on his face.

“It’s a long story.”

Morgan sighed softly.

Clearly, now was not the time to go into detail.

Seeing this, Edward Hunt did not press further.

Once the scene had quieted down, Samuel Lincoln nodded. At his side, True Spirit Master, who seemed to be presiding over the ceremony, immediately stepped forward and announced in a clear voice, “Linmen Sword Sect, succession ceremony, officially begins!”

Hearing True Spirit Master’s announcement, Eric Longman beside him looked a bit nervous, but even more so, excited.

Finally!

The moment had finally arrived.

Soon, he would become the sect master of Linmen Sword Sect, one of the most powerful people in the entire Holy Light Empire.

“Steward Jason Young, have you noticed anything?”

Outside the Linmen Sword Sect succession ceremony, a middle-aged man with innate grand completion cultivation walked over.

“That’s Steward George Harris.”

Jason Young nodded to the approaching man. “There’s been nothing unusual in the area I’m responsible for.”

“Good. The inner areas are being watched by other elders, so we don’t need to worry. We just need to guard our assigned area well.”

“Rest assured, Steward George Harris, I’ll stay on full alert at all times. I absolutely won’t let any unauthorized person disrupt our Linmen Sword Sect succession ceremony.”