As night fell.

The clamor of the day dissipated, and Dragon Tiger Mountain regained its tranquility, with Dao Rhythm extraordinary everywhere, even in decline, it was, after all, the ancestral court of the Daoist sect.

Inside the True Yang Hall, the abode of the Teaching True Monarch.

Zhong Shenxiu sat cross-legged, with a flash of purple in his eyes.

'The three Daoist sects indeed need a Corporeal Dissolution Immortal to firmly hold their ground... With my Dharma Body having ascended to power, not to mention outsiders, even the Miao Ji Zhen Sect wasn't quite convinced.'

'However, after that Corporeal Dissolution Immortal's visit, the emissary immediately changed his tune, it wasn't recognition of my position as Sect Master, but acknowledgment of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect continuing to be one of the three Daoist sects!'

If it hadn't been for Zhong Shenxiu displaying the top prowess of a Dharma Body, even capable of matching half a Corporeal Dissolution Immortal, it's likely that Miao Ji Zhen Sect would indeed have pushed the greatly weakened Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect out of the position amongst the three Daoist sects.

Understanding this, both the disciples and elders of the sect would only become even more convinced and compliant.

After all, without Zhong Shenxiu, the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect would truly fall, crashing down from the heavens to the underworld.

Never to recover its previous prestige as a top sect!

Considering this, Zhong Shenxiu could also be seen as one who stemmed the tide at the last moment, definitely a great merit in saving the sect.

In this era, it is also quite easy to gather people's attention.

This very night, he had already met with several groups of people, apart from Zhang Guique, the Zhang Family had others pledging their loyalty.

Beyond that, the Transmission and Enforcement branches were also showing some inclination towards him.

After all, this is a world where mighty power converges upon oneself, and to comply, to follow the strong, is instinct.

"Having crushed and wiped out in such a manner, I can more or less say I truly hold the power of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect... I just need some spokespersons, those faction leaders definitely won't do... Maybe... take in a few disciples?"

Zhong Shenxiu actually was not fond of spending time permanently stationed at the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect.

Although for many people this is a huge temptation, he didn't really care for the power that comes with being the Sect Master.

And if he were to reside in Changluo for long, matters on Dragon Tiger Mountain would inevitably become somewhat uncontrolled.

Not to say that he would be sidelined, after all, no one would dare to overtly defy his authority as Sect Master, but if he neglected affairs for too long, power would inevitably leak out.

And once power starts to leak out, it's basically impossible to reclaim.

However, Zhong Shenxiu could still manage it, since he could choose to kill everyone, although this would be a case where both parties suffer.

The best course is to take precautions beforehand and position some of his own people within the sect.

Having no offspring, he could only take in some disciples.

"Teaching True Monarch, the court envoy requests an audience!"

At that moment, a talisman flew in from outside, carrying the voice of Zhang Guique.

Zhong Shenxiu fell silent, then spoke, "Let him in."

Before long, an Imperial Primordial Pill practitioner entered, performing a grand salute: "Five Talismans Spirit Officer Shang Weizhi, pays respects to East Splendor Daoist True Monarch!"

Indeed, this time Zhong Shenxiu's succession to the position of Dragon Tiger Sect Master and his breakthrough in realms naturally garnered recognition from the court, which was to add two more characters to his title.

Then they composed one, which made Zhong Shenxiu almost want to roll his eyes when hearing this True Monarch title.

'Although I know I'm reading too much into it, is the court trying to remind me not to forget moral integrity, not to regret becoming the Dragon Tiger Sect Master?'

He inwardly made a comment, and with a wave of his hand, "Rise."

But Shang Weizhi dared not disrespect, and after another salute, he then rose, eyes on his nose, nose on his heart, his posture very formal.

After all, the position of Sect Master of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect is worthy of such respect!

As one of the three Daoist sects, they were not even to be called vassals of the court, but allies!

The status of Zhong Shenxiu who had succeeded as Sect Master now, was in fact not much different from that of Emperor Shenwu, and might even be a bit higher.

The court or rather, the Imperial Family, watched as the East Splendor Daoist True Monarch completed a graceful about-face and was not truly worried about any reversals.

Zhong Shenxiu directly said, "You go and inform Emperor Shenwu that this True Monarch will head to Changluo one month from now... You may also set the date for the grand wedding."

Shang Weizhi was overjoyed, "With the True Monarch's willingness, the court will ensure everything is arranged perfectly..."

Since the East Splendor Daoist True Monarch was still willing to be the Prince Consort for the court, there was no need to discuss the other matters.

Waving off the court envoy, Zhong Shenxiu looked at the luminous pearl in his room and fell into deep thought.

...

The next day.

Word spread throughout the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect.

"Brother Sima, have you heard?"

An Inner Sect Disciple approached Sima Shu's cave dwelling with an indefinable emotion on his face.

"What has happened?"

Sima Shu had just accepted an outsider as Sect Master and was intending to retreat to stabilize his emotions when he saw a fellow disciple who was on good terms with him visiting, which he found somewhat puzzling.

"The Teaching True Monarch is preparing to take on disciples!"

That disciple's eyes shone as if filled with stars, "It has been announced in Lie Xing Hall that the Sect Master's disciples will be ranked alongside the True Inheritors and may also participate in discussing affairs at True Yang Hall!"

"The Sect Master is taking disciples?"

Sima Shu's eyes sparkled but then he felt somewhat uneasy, mainly because he found it difficult to swallow his pride.

However, he also understood that once this condition was declared, the Dragon Tiger Sect would likely go mad with excitement.

In the outside world, if a Dharma Body powerhouse declared he was taking disciples, ninety percent of Cultivators would be fiercely tempted.

"Are there any requirements?"

Sima Shu continued to ask.

"There are no requirements, even the Outer Sect Disciples may participate... It seems the Sect Master is casting a very wide net this time."

The disciple said excitedly, "Brother, will you go? If so... your disciple will fully support you in becoming a Direct Disciple of the Sect Master!"

"Let me... think it over a bit more!"

Sima Shu's face twisted with conflict.

What he did not know was that while he was conflicted, many disciples had already been moved, even to the point of taking action.

This included Chen Wenji!

She wasn't the slightest bit embarrassed but instead felt that, relying on the hints of a prior connection, she might be able to earn special favor from the Teaching True Monarch.

Not just her, but even the real powerhouses from the Transmission and Enforcement lines, those Primordial Pill and Primordial Spirit Practitioners, were quite interested.

However, they also knew the situation and wouldn't make fools of themselves, but recommending distinguished juniors from their families was a typical move.

Dragon Tiger Mountain was thus stirred into an intricate pattern of covert currents, with countless undercurrents hidden beneath the surface.

...

Zhong Shenxiu was naturally aware of these subtle developments but could not be bothered to intervene.

For him, who aspired to be a hands-off Shopkeeper, having his subordinates carve out their own factions and engage in internal friction was far better than having them work together to sideline him.

Although this inevitably led to some internal consumption, he wasn't here to nurture the growth of the Supreme Dragon Tiger Sect.

Making full use of the resources of the Supreme Dragon Tiger Sect to develop himself was the correct approach!

Therefore, during this period, he was constantly immersed in the mountain of books, even commanding in his capacity as Sect Master that the three major branches open their storages and give him access to the real scriptures, from which he gained a great deal.

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