Chapter 1562: 96: Devoting Oneself Utterly to One's Duties

Chapter 1562: Chapter 96: Devoting Oneself Utterly to One’s Duties

“Crossing Tribulation… the Sect Master’s position?”

Upon hearing Qu Shentong’s words, Wang Ba couldn’t help but feel slightly startled.

He immediately sensed it, and indeed discovered the faint aura of completion emanating from Qu Shentong, as though he could step past that critical threshold at any moment.

While he was pleased for the other party in his heart, he suddenly felt a heavy weight bearing down.

At present, he was occupied with matters of the Dao Intent Spirit Beasts and Taoist Field; if he were to be distracted by mundane sect affairs, he truly would not have the ability to manage everything simultaneously.

He refrained from asking Qu Shentong whether he could endure for a while longer, as he understood Qu Shentong’s character very well. If it weren’t already at the point where suppression was nearly impossible, he would never bring up such matters lightly.

His thoughts turned rapidly, and he immediately said:

“Elder Xumi can take on the role of Sect Master.”

Qu Shentong frowned slightly and directly vetoed Wang Ba’s proposal:

“Setting aside the fact that Elder Xumi is unversed in mundane affairs and might not be competent, he is currently at the Immortal Ascension stage. When issues arise, he will ultimately not be as suited to act decisively and promptly as a Nascent Soul Cultivator… In the current situation, the Sect Master’s position is most appropriately held by a Nascent Soul Cultivator alone.”

Wang Ba furrowed his brow slightly upon hearing this, yet he acknowledged that Qu Shentong’s reasoning was indeed sound.

Following this, Qu Shentong gazed at Wang Ba, hesitated for a moment, and finally said:

“There is another matter I’ve never told you about.”

Wang Ba’s heart brimmed with doubt, but he promptly and solemnly replied:

“Sect Master, please speak.”

Qu Shentong nodded lightly and then revealed something Wang Ba had never known:

“Only after becoming Sect Master did I learn of certain secrets within the sect that only the Sect Master is privy to. Even Elder Ji Ying and Elder Xumi are unaware of these.”

“Neither Elder Ji Ying nor Elder Xumi knows? What kind of matter is that?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ba couldn’t help but reveal a hint of surprise on his face.

Qu Shentong shook his head and said:

“I can’t say specifically. According to the tradition of past Sect Masters, I swore an oath in the Ancestral Hall when I was officially inaugurated as Sect Master. These secrets can only be known by you after you assume the role of Sect Master.”

“For now, I can only offer a slight hint.”

“Secrets known only to the Sect Master…”

Wang Ba frowned slightly and muttered in a low voice.

But soon, he seemed to realize something, gazing at Qu Shentong with a trace of helplessness on his face:

“Sect Master, you wouldn’t be using this as a way to pressure me to take on the Sect Master’s position, would you?”

Qu Shentong suddenly burst into hearty laughter:

“You truly saw right through me!”

However, his expression quickly turned solemn as he said:

“I am not intentionally trying to make things difficult for you. It’s just that the construction of the Taoist Field is an undertaking of distant and uncertain progress—it’s not something that can be accomplished overnight. Even if you were to become Sect Master, I imagine it wouldn’t have much impact. I am about to cross my tribulation and cannot rest easy knowing the sect’s various matters unresolved. If you don’t take on the Sect Master’s position, even if I successfully cross my tribulation, my mind will remain worried and uneasy.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ba fell silent and pondered deeply for a moment.

Qu Shentong did not press him but simply watched Wang Ba quietly.

He knew that, given Wang Ba’s character, he would eventually see reason in all this.

However, the words Wang Ba uttered next sent a slight ripple of shock through his heart:

“Sect Master, it’s not that I wish to evade responsibility, but what if I told you the construction of the Taoist Field already has a clear direction?”

“What—what did you say?!”

Qu Shentong instinctively took a step forward, his gaze fixed firmly on Wang Ba, a flicker of astonishment glowing in his eyes:

“The Taoist Field construction already has a clear direction?”

Wang Ba nodded but did not conceal anything:

“Not long ago, two of the Dao Intent Spirit Beasts I’ve been raising—the very source for the Dao Domain required for the Taoist Field—have successfully mated.”

“What does that mean?”

Qu Shentong frowned in confusion.

Wang Ba replied solemnly:

“It means, if they manage to produce offspring successfully this time, and if that offspring can reproduce further… we can start preparing for the construction of the Taoist Field.”

“Abundant feed for raising the Spirit Beasts, adequate spiritual energy, a sufficient number of dungeons, proper breeding grounds…”

Qu Shentong, however, didn’t inquire further and simply asked one question:

“How confident are you?!”

“The main factor is whether the offspring of these two Spirit Beasts meets the necessary standards. If feasible…”

Wang Ba refrained from using words like “absolute certainty.” In this world, no event is guaranteed, but much hinges on human effort.

Despite this, Wang Ba’s response still gave Qu Shentong a sense of reassurance akin to swallowing a calming pill.

He knew Wang Ba’s personality well—if he weren’t reasonably confident, he wouldn’t have made such a statement.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but express his excitement:

“Good! Excellent!”

“The matter of the Taoist Field is naturally of greater importance than my tribulation crossing to Immortal Ascension!”

He clapped his hands vigorously, his gaze sharp with resolve as he turned to Wang Ba:

“Since that’s the case, I will hold on a little longer. Once I truly cannot suppress it any further, I’ll pass the leadership to someone else within the sect. Rest assured, whether it’s me or my successor, we will fully cooperate with your efforts!”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ba nodded slightly and bowed respectfully: “Thank you, Sect Master, for your understanding.”

But Qu Shentong immediately stopped him with prompt words:

“Go and focus on your tasks. Should you require anything, the Three Halls will offer full support! Any sect arrangements will prioritize your needs!”

Wang Ba immediately offered another respectful bow to Qu Shentong.

Yet he hesitated slightly, soon standing firm and adding solemnly:

“The establishment of the Taoist Field defies the heavens, and barring any exceptions, its construction will inevitably attract corresponding Dao Tribulations…”

“Dao Tribulations?”

Qu Shentong’s eyes gleamed with contemplation as he asked in return: “What kind of tribulations might they be?”

Recalling the detailed information Jiang Yi had given him about Taoist Field construction, Wang Ba weighed the details, then cautiously replied:

“Even if we succeed in the construction, it will only be elementary—capable of accommodating early-stage Immortal Ascension cultivators. Given the current state of the Little Cang World, the difficulty of the tribulations shouldn’t be too severe. Based on my estimation, it should fall somewhere between Class V and Class VI in intensity. But, of course, this remains an approximation…”