After Transmigrating as an Immortal Master, I Hold a Group Meeting - Chapter 94

“Who is Spirit Master Voidless?”

“He is the direct junior martial brother of Spirit Master Indifference, one of the previous standing elders who resided on White Cloud Peak. He is now one of the Grand Elders and was formerly in charge of sect discipline.”

The system pulled up a profile on Spirit Master Voidless for Ning Mingmei. The benefit he got from ordering the system to write code was now being fully utilized.

Ning Mingmei muttered, “Why would an academician want to see me? Is he going to dismiss all my research with a single sentence?”

The system: [No idea, but it’s probably nothing good.]

It was Ning Mingmei’s first time at the Supreme Clarity Sect’s Discipline Hall.

As its name suggested, the Discipline Hall enforced the sect’s rules. He followed the guiding disciple inside, flanked by two others, Xiang Wuxing and Chang Feichang.

“Senior Brother Qi’s coma is a major issue. We reported it to the elders in the Heavenly Cave. Master has reached a critical point in breaking through to the mid-stage of the Great Ascension realm and remains in seclusion, so for now, Spirit Master Voidless is in charge,” Xiang Wuxing said with a frown. “I just don’t understand why he summoned us at this hour. Couldn’t it wait until morning?”

Then, he turned to Ning Mingmei. “Junior Brother, stay behind me.”

Xiang Wuxing was truly a good senior brother. He knew it wasn’t going to be simple, yet he still stepped forward to shield Ning Mingmei from the trouble.

“Spirit Master Voidless has always been impatient,” a calm voice interjected. “He was like this in the past too.”

Both of them looked at Chang Feichang.

Xiang Wuxing said, “I remember… when that incident with your master happened, Spirit Master Voidless was also involved. Later, he was the one who ordered you to take the position of Elder Law Upholder.”

Chang Feichang didn’t respond at first. Then, he simply let out a quiet “Mm.”

The brief exchange was quite telling.

“So Spirit Master Voidless also knows that the Elder Swordbearer carries the Sword Bone. Before me, they must have been using the body of the previous Elder Swordbearer to nurture it. The former Elder Swordbearer’s tragic end may not have been just that; it was likely tied to the Sword Bone as well. The previous Elder Law Upholder, whose duty was to maintain the sect’s order, should have executed the Elder Swordbearer the moment he lost control. Was executing a rogue Elder Swordbearer also part of the Elder Law Upholder’s responsibilities?” Ning Mingmei pondered.

However, in the end, they were fellow disciples. And so…

Hundreds of years ago, in that fateful moment, the previous Elder Law Upholder stood in the wind and snow, sword in hand.

His sword intent… wavered.

That moment of hesitation likely led to devastating consequences. Mountains and rivers shattered, the sun and moon lost their light. Several elders and disciples of the Supreme Clarity Sect perished as a result.

Until Chang Feichang drew his sword and personally ended his master’s life.

The backlash nearly shattered his core and his cultivation never advanced again. A Nascent Soul genius at two hundred years old, but after another three hundred, four hundred, or even five hundred years had passed, he would still remain in the Divine Transformation stage.

The gray-clothed young man walked beside the others, expressionless. It was difficult to tell; when he struck down his master that day, did he have the same indifferent look as when he attacked Bai Mian?

There was another point worth noting.

Spirit Master Voidless had appointed Chang Feichang as the next Elder Law Upholder.

Everyone knew that Chang Feichang’s cultivation would never progress beyond the Divine Transformation realm. What gave Spirit Master Voidless the confidence that Chang Feichang would always be able to execute Ning Mingmei, the new Elder Swordbearer?

Chang Feichang was at the late Divine Transformation realm, just one step away from perfection, yet unable to progress further. Ning Mingmei was currently in the mid Divine Transformation realm. Even if Chang Feichang could fight beyond his level, was Spirit Master Voidless not afraid that Ning Mingmei might break through to the Void Refinement realm, or even the Body Integration realm?

By then, would Chang Feichang still be able to execute him? Considering this, why not choose someone whose foundation was intact to be the Elder Law Upholder?

Aside from Ning Mingmei’s cultivation furnace constitution… was there another reason?

What had driven the previous Elder Swordbearer to madness?

And what exactly was this Sword Bone, that it had to be nurtured within a human body?

The system could feel Ning Mingmei’s thoughts unraveling those mysteries. If it were human, it would be drenched in cold sweat by now.

With just a few casual words from Xiang Wuxing and Chang Feichang, he had deduced so many hidden truths.

And Ning Mingmei had already forgotten the contents of the novel after transmigrating… The system suddenly tensed.

It was beginning to feel that what it once considered a good thing, the fact that Ning Mingmei had forgotten the novel’s plot, was actually a bad thing. Without the framework of the original story, Ning Mingmei would dissect this world from his own perspective, trying to piece together what he believed he had forgotten about the novel he had entered. Without a fixed narrative to rely on, his mind would only expand further and his reasoning would only deepen.

If that was the case… would there come a day when Ning Mingmei deduced the truth of the system’s existence?

After all, a novel was ultimately written for transmigrators to read. But the world before his eyes was real.

But before that, the system thought of something closer at hand.

When Lian Chengyue took the Sword Bone from Ning Mingmei, he was merely reclaiming what originally belonged to him.

***

The Discipline Hall was built on white jade, with black stone pillars. The moment Ning Mingmei stepped inside, he felt an unrestrained pressure descending from above.

“What an overwhelming display of authority, Academician.”

Typically, Divine Transformation cultivators like Ning Mingmei and Xiang Wuxing would suppress their spiritual pressure when traveling.

First, it was out of courtesy, just as an alpha wouldn’t recklessly release their pheromones in public. Second, because a Divine Transformation cultivator’s spiritual pressure was terrifying to mortals.

Staring directly into the full release of a Divine Transformation cultivator’s spiritual pressure could cause a mortal to mentally collapse, or even go insane from the sheer weight of it.

Of course, etiquette was also important. Even someone as arrogant as the celestial dragon Fang Wuyu would not unleash his full pressure when facing disciples.

However, the Body Integration realm grandmaster clearly had no intention of concealing his attempt to intimidate the juniors. The disciple who had led them there had barely stepped inside before their legs stiffened, unable to move forward.

At that moment, Xiang Wuxing suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

“Spirit Master Voidless! It has been far too long! How have you been enjoying your time in the Heavenly Cave? It’s quite late, you see, and I invited my two junior brothers to have iron pot stewed goose with me. That’s why we’re all here together!”

His laughter resonated through his chest, clearly forced, but it was also an effort to suppress his own fear of the spiritual pressure. “Martial Uncle summoned us so suddenly, and Junior Brother Mingmei here—well, I persuaded him to drink quite a lot of wine. If he’s a little improper, I apologize in advance on his behalf!”

At that moment, Ning Mingmei peered past Xiang Wuxing’s shoulder and saw the martial uncle seated on the distant throne.

In the Supreme Clarity Sect, everyone was stunningly beautiful and this uncle was no exception. He appeared to be in his early thirties, yet his hair was completely white. Strangely, he had not tied it up and his silver-white locks cascaded down like a waterfall, resembling the tranquil, delicate branches of weeping cherry blossoms. His long eyebrows extended to his temples and his eyes were slender, jet-black pupils like two balls of ice, turning within their sockets as he looked at Ning Mingmei.

In that instant, Ning Mingmei felt as though his very soul was being scrutinized.

It probably wasn’t just his imagination, because the system said, [Don’t worry, he still sees you as the Sword Immortal himself.]

“Apologies for disturbing you at this late hour,” the Grand Elder said, although his voice was even more arrogant than Fang Wuyu’s, without the slightest hint of apology. “I only heard that my Martial Nephew Qi went on a journey and when he returned, he fell into a mysterious illness. There’s no choice; someone in the Supreme Clarity Sect must step up to take charge.”

Xiang Wuxing responded with deep respect, “Martial Uncle speaks the truth.”

Spirit Master Voidless said, “Martial Nephew Qi’s fainting is suspicious and I hear that Jiang Duo has awakened. This is a turbulent time and it’s best for everyone if we quickly get to the bottom of things. Martial Nephew Ning, don’t you agree?”

Ning Mingmei adjusted his glasses. “Martial Uncle speaks the truth.”

“In that case, let’s hear it from you.”

Ning Mingmei stood there and repeated what he had previously told Fang Wuyu and the others. It was nothing more than the same story; he had gone on a journey, encountered fiend cultivators, witnessed them breaking a seal, met Jiang Duo, fought a battle, and Qi Miancheng was injured before falling unconscious in the Lian family’s territory.

“Oh? So it was all to save Martial Nephew Ning?” Perfected Wukong smirked, his tone mocking. “After over a hundred years, not only has Martial Nephew Ning become far more articulate, but even your appearance has grown uniquely distinguished. When I stepped out just now, I heard the disciples saying that since coming out of seclusion, Martial Nephew Ning has been quite active in the Supreme Clarity Sect. Even outside the sect, you’ve been making rounds, going to Yaochuan City, then to Liuyue Lake.”

At that moment, Ning Mingmei understood.

“This academician isn’t just here to investigate. He dislikes me; he wants to use me, yet also fears me. He suspects I harbor ulterior motives, that I refuse to play the role of a proper sword sheath, and now he’s here to probe, interrogate, and condemn me.”

And judging from Spirit Master Voidless’s stance, Ning Mingmei had a feeling that if he answered incorrectly, he might be eliminated on the spot.

Ning Mingmei said, “I was in seclusion for ten years and during that time, my thoughts became much clearer. After coming out, I realized that as an elder of the Supreme Clarity Sect, I had not contributed or shown enough concern for the sect. Everything I’ve done was to ease Senior Brother Qi’s burdens. Back when my master was still alive, he often taught us to act with virtue and remember our roots. If it benefits the Supreme Clarity, life or death should not matter; one should not evade calamity for the sake of fortune. Confucius once said…”

Spirit Master Voidless: …

“What is all this nonsense?” Spirit Master Voidless sneered coldly. “Martial Nephew Ning, do you even understand what it means to be the Elder Swordbearer?”

His words carried a chilling menace. Ning Mingmei responded with the humble answer of a scholar facing a powerful figure, “I ask Martial Uncle to enlighten me.”

“To be a sword oneself, to guard the Supreme Clarity Sect. Defending the sect is the duty and obligation of the Elder Swordbearer. Furthermore, the divine sword’s seal in the forbidden grounds must be reinforced by the Elder Swordbearer once every ten years. Every generation of Elder Swordbearers has remained steadfast in the Supreme Clarity Sect for centuries without fail. Yet after just one journey outside, you’ve already caused so much trouble.”

Spirit Master Voidless suddenly barked, “Ning Mingmei, do you acknowledge your crimes?”

A crushing weight, like a thousand tons, suddenly bore down upon him. Even the disciples at the entrance of the Discipline Hall collapsed to their knees. In that moment, Ning Mingmei understood that Spirit Master Voidless was pressuring him.

His knees trembled slightly, but instead of yielding, he straightened his posture. If he knelt now, he would never stand again in the Supreme Clarity Sect.

Calmly, he said, “What crime have I committed?”

“You dare argue?” Spirit Master Voidless snapped. “It seems you’ve long harbored resentment toward the Supreme Clarity Sect.”

At that moment, a cold smile surfaced in Ning Mingmei’s mind.

Among those present, Xiang Wuxing was unaware of the truth about the Sword Bone. Only Chang Feichang, as the Elder Law Upholder, knew.

The former Ning Mingmei hadn’t known either. That was why he had been willing to sacrifice everything for the Supreme Clarity Sect.

However, now, it was clear that Spirit Master Voidless knew that Ning Mingmei knew.

After confirming that Ning Mingmei’s soul showed no abnormalities, he likely suspected that the drastic change in personality was directly linked to Ning Mingmei’s discovery of the truth.

Even though every action Ning Mingmei had taken so far seemed to be for the betterment of the Supreme Clarity Sect, Spirit Master Voidless did not believe that anyone could accept such a revelation without resentment.

Perhaps he suspected that Ning Mingmei sought revenge against the Supreme Clarity Sect. Or at the very least, that Ning Mingmei had stood by and allowed Qi Miancheng to be injured.

To someone like Spirit Master Voidless, Qi Miancheng might not have even mattered. Would the owner of a grand estate care about a mere property manager? But to him, what truly needed to be eliminated was the sword sheath that had developed thoughts of its own when it was meant to hold and safeguard the treasured sword.

And who could guarantee that Ning Mingmei wouldn’t take the Sword Bone and flee?

Now, he and Spirit Master Voidless were clearly maintaining a surface-level civility while both fully aware of each other’s hidden motives, engaged in a mutual test of wills.

Given this, there was absolutely no way Ning Mingmei could kneel.

“Spirit Master Voidless, your words are rather strange. The Supreme Clarity Sect has never wronged me. The sect took me in, taught me swordsmanship, helped me reach the Divine Transformation stage at a young age, and even made me the Elder Swordbearer…” Ning Mingmei deliberately emphasized the title ‘Elder Swordbearer’ heavily. “With all that, why would Martial Uncle suspect I bear resentment toward the Supreme Clarity Sect? Could it be that there is something I don’t know?”

With Xiang Wuxing present, Spirit Master Voidless naturally couldn’t openly mention the matter of the Sword Bone.

Ning Mingmei continued, “Moreover, since coming out of seclusion, have I done anything that was not for the benefit of the Supreme Clarity Sect? I have trained disciples, restored Misty Peak, taught swordsmanship, and traveled to Yaochuan City and Liuyue Lake to uphold justice; all to enhance the Supreme Clarity Sect’s reputation. Martial Uncle’s suspicions leave me at a loss. Is there truly something I am unaware of…?”

Ning Mingmei trailed off.

Spirit Master Voidless’s narrow eyes fixed on him.

His expression was like that of a venomous snake; dangerous.

The full weight of his spiritual pressure suddenly bore down on Ning Mingmei, forcing him to stop speaking.

Danger.

Cold sweat dripped from Ning Mingmei’s forehead.

“I have come here today primarily for two matters,” Spirit Master Voidless said idly. “First, since Martial Nephew Qi remains in deep sleep, I will temporarily take charge of sect affairs. That is one.

“Second, the Fiend Lord Jiang Duo has emerged. Regardless of the circumstances, the Elder Swordbearer has failed in his duty. He was entrusted with guarding the Divine Sword but did not remain within the sect. From today onward, the Elder Swordbearer will be confined to the back mountain for reflection. He may not leave without the sect master’s order.”

There it was.

So confinement it was. Ning Mingmei sneered internally.

“They’re afraid I’ve grown wings and will take my skills, projects, and resources elsewhere!” Ning Mingmei said to the system. “And they fear that my change in perspective might lead to unpredictable consequences. So they’re acting preemptively to imprison me.”

The previous Ning Mingmei had never been treated this way; perhaps because he had rarely left the sect in the past.

“But…” Xiang Wuxing was the first to react, struggling under the pressure, sweat beading on his forehead. “Martial Uncle, isn’t this a bit too—?”

“Leave,” Spirit Master Voidless suddenly commanded. “I have more to say to Martial Nephew Ning alone.”

Chang Feichang and Xiang Wuxing were both stunned. Just then, a disciple rushed in to report.

“Reporting… Sect… Sect Master Qi—”