The eyes of True Lord Kunshan had become rather cloudy, yet he still stared intently at Shen Qing.
Unable to bear refusing, Shen Qing nodded in agreement, thinking that if the gift was too precious, she would find an opportunity to return it.
"Originally, I didn't know why the Qingyun Sword Sect valued you so highly. If we're talking about geniuses, you're not the only one in the sect. But it's only you whose name has spread far and wide. Now I understand. You, child, are blessed with good fortune. Staying by your side always helps one escape danger. Your coming to the Beast Taming Sect... was destined to happen. Just as you said, going with the flow is fate, and good fortune is on its way."
"I was on the verge of running out of my lifespan. The only thing I was worried about was the Beast Taming Sect and my disciples. Now you've given me hope. It's like a withered tree coming back to life. I don't have many demands. I just hope to spend more time with my spirit beasts."
True Lord Kunshan rambled on for a long time. Shen Qing could tell that it had taken a great deal of his energy just to stay awake and talk to her.
He had started by thanking Shen Qing, but then his thoughts drifted back to his youth.
True Lord Huxiao was so touched that he shed tears. He took out his handkerchief and wiped them away in a corner.
True Lord Kunshan's voice gradually weakened. His eyes slowly closed, and he fell into a deep sleep.
During this period, whenever he appeared in public, he had to use magic to make himself look more energetic. Now, this frail appearance was his true self.
Shen Qing knelt by True Lord Kunshan's bedside. She listened to him for a long time. Only after he fell asleep did she slowly stand up with Li Xian's help.
"Shen Qing, Master has dedicated his whole life to the Beast Taming Sect. I feel so sorry for him. I just hope that we can really save Master this time so that I can fulfill my duties as his disciple in the future."
Shen Qing turned her head and looked at the elders of the Green Wood Sect who were still busy. Elder Yaoyue was among them. They were harmoniously preparing medicine.
True Lord Huxiao sent Shen Qing and Li Xian back to their small courtyard. Shen Qing waited anxiously for a long time. It wasn't until nightfall that good news came.
The antidote had been developed, and True Lord Kunshan had taken it.
After taking the antidote, True Lord Kunshan visibly regained his energy. His shrunken meridians returned to normal, and even his stagnant spiritual power began to flow slowly.
With Elder Yaoyue and the elders of the Green Wood Sect taking care of him, Shen Qing believed that True Lord Kunshan would recover soon.
One day later, the twenty - five disciples who had gone to collect materials in the Beast Forest also returned to the Beast Taming Sect together.
There was joy on their faces. Although they were in a mess and their eyes were filled with exhaustion, they were generally in high spirits.
They surrounded Chu Lanqiu in front, looking at her with admiration.
When Shen Qing saw the bloodstains on the sleeves and hem of Chu Lanqiu's clothes and the wound wrapped in gauze, she knew how dangerous the past day and night had been for them.
Chu Lanqiu led the twenty - five disciples to obtain all the materials on the list through division of labor. Those who worked more got more, and the distribution was fair.
Even some disciples who got fewer materials because they contributed less were convinced.
Especially when they were in danger, Chu Lanqiu appeared like a celestial being, resolving the crisis for them, which made them admire her even more.
The disciples who had collected all the materials sincerely recognized Chu Lanqiu as the champion of the third round.
The announcement of the champion of the third round made the training ground boil.
It was the first time that the same person had won the championship in three consecutive rounds of the disciple selection in the Beast Taming Sect.
After taking the antidote, True Lord Kunshan no longer needed someone to support him. He stood against the wind. Although his face still showed signs of illness, one could still see his former heroic appearance.
"I hereby announce that the champion of this disciple selection in the Beast Taming Sect is Chu Lanqiu!"
"Moreover, with the consent of all the elders and the Law Enforcement Court of the Beast Taming Sect, and with the witness of all the disciples and guests..."
True Lord Kunshan paused as he met Chu Lanqiu's eyes, which were full of passion and gratitude.
He knew that he hadn't misjudged. Chu Lanqiu was the one who would lead the Beast Taming Sect further.
Chu Lanqiu felt a warmth in her heart. Her heart was full of longing for the future. She had grown up and studied in the Beast Taming Sect. She had long regarded the Beast Taming Sect as her home.
For the Beast Taming Sect, she was willing to sacrifice everything!
So, even though the disciple selection had been so difficult, she had never thought of giving up.
Now that her efforts were about to pay off, how could she not be excited?
Everyone present already knew what True Lord Kunshan was going to say, and they secretly admired both True Lord Kunshan and Chu Lanqiu.
According to the tradition of the Beast Taming Sect, the position of the sect master was passed down to men, not women. How much courage and boldness did it take to break this tradition that had lasted for tens of thousands of years?
Now, as onlookers witnessing history, they were convinced by the courage and boldness of these two people.
"On behalf of the Beast Taming Sect, I announce that Chu Lanqiu will assume the position of the young sect master of the Beast Taming Sect. She will also be the next inheritor of the Ten Thousand Beasts' Roar!"
As soon as True Lord Kunshan finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted on the training ground.
Some disciples of the Beast Taming Sect had heard the rumors before the selection. Seeing that Chu Lanqiu had won the championship, they were dissatisfied with her gender.
However, her courage and ability in the second round had already won their admiration. In the third round, they had also heard that Chu Lanqiu had led twenty - five disciples to collect all the materials on the list in just one day and night.
Her leadership and courage made them feel ashamed.
So, those who were less capable than Chu Lanqiu had no face to raise any objections.
Therefore, when True Lord Kunshan announced that Chu Lanqiu would succeed as the young sect master, they sincerely recognized her.
They also hoped that the next sect master would lead the Beast Taming Sect further and better.
"Senior Sister! Wuwuwu! You're really amazing! I'll always love my senior sister!!"
"Senior Sister Chu's ability really makes me admire. If I could ever be like Senior Sister Chu and restore the spirit beasts corrupted by demonic energy, I'd die without regret!"
"The next sect master of the Beast Taming Sect will be a woman. I think this news will cause quite a stir in the Nine Wastelands Continent. But I believe she won't be afraid of the rumors."
...
The discussions of the crowd reached Chu Lanqiu's ears to some extent.
But she didn't care at all, because at this moment, she was receiving the jade pendant representing the identity of the young sect master from True Lord Kunshan.
She stood where everyone could see her, enjoying the enthusiastic applause. At this moment, she had already achieved half of her dream. In the future, she would face difficulties without fear and become more and more courageous!
After the ceremony of appointing the young sect master was over, Shen Qing was chatting with Chu Lanqiu when she saw the elders of the Green Wood Sect hurriedly come to bid farewell to True Lord Kunshan.
Shen Qing was about to step forward to talk to Elder Yaoyue when she heard the elder of the Green Wood Sect say anxiously,
"Your young sect master has been selected, but something has happened to our young sect master. Sigh, it's really a headache. We have to return to the Green Wood Sect immediately. We won't attend the evening banquet. Farewell!"