Lightning Is the Only Way

"It's been over ten minutes, Sect Master," the young Vice-Sect Master said with a worried look on his face.

"I know that!" the Sect Master snapped. "What do you want me to do about it!? I also don't know what's going on!"

The Vice-Sect Master frowned. He had been a Vice-Sect Master for quite a while, and the Sect Master had been his fellow Vice-Sect Master just 50,000 years ago. The Vice-Sect Master also knew the previous two Sect Masters.

And in his opinion, their current Sect Master was the worst out of these three, by far. The other two had always remained calm, but their current Sect Master constantly lost her temper. Not only that, but she was also always acting like she had everything under control when, in reality, she definitely didn't.

However, what could he do? The Sect Master was appointed by the current Ancestor, and the current Ancestor had family ties with the current Sect Master. So, even if the Vice-Sect Master didn't believe that the current Sect Master was deserving of her position, the only option he had left was to deal with it.

"Check his Spirit Vial," the Vice-Sect Master said neutrally.

The Sect Master furrowed her brows. "You think he's dead?" she asked.

"Why else wouldn't he have returned by now?" the Vice-Sect Master asked. "In this time, he could have nearly gone around the world. Either he died, or he betrayed us."

"Impossible!" the Sect Master shouted. "There is no one in this world that can stop Sten from leaving! He knows the level six Law of Space!"

"So, he has betrayed us?" the Vice-Sect Master asked.

"Also impossible!" the Sect Master shouted. "Sten has everything in the Nine Elements Sect. He has nearly no obligations, and he can visit any Law Comprehension Area he wants for as long as he wants."

"Then it shouldn't be a problem for you to check his Soul Vial," the Vice-Sect Master said.

The Sect Master frowned. The current attitude of her Vice-Sect Master wasn't appreciated by her.

However, he had a point.

The Sect Master stretched her Spirit Sense into an area where only she and the Ancestor had access.

This was the chamber where the Soul Vials of the most important members of the Nine Elements Sect were located. Only Vice-Sect Masters and higher would have the honor to leave a small part of their Spirit in this hall.

Soul Vials were flasks that kept a small part of a Cultivator's Spirit. The lower world had something similar, but back then, leaving a part of one's Spirit somewhere else would weaken them slightly.

Of course, with the power of Immortal Emperors, leaving a tiny part of their Spirit behind wouldn't affect them at all. This tiny part of their Spirit wasn't even 0.00001% of their total. Exchanging this tiny bit to allow the Sect to keep track of their status was worth it. After all, if someone died, they would want the Sect to take revenge for them.

was already empty. This one had belonged

Sten's Soul Vial, and her

of his Spirit was still there. If

was something

slightly moved around and showed a

Spirit

it didn't move. There were no undulations and no fluctuations. It just lifelessly levitated in the

Master's face turned white in the great

noticed her change in

will has been destroyed," the Sect Master

a perfectly intact person that was still alive. Their organs were still working, and their body still generated Life

Vice-Sect Master was intensely shocked deep down, but he suppressed it. It was crucial to quickly find a solution.

Master clenched

What was going on!?

How could Sten die!?

Sect Master took

she transmitted.

Sect in danger of being destroyed?" the Ancestor asked neutrally

took a deep breath again. "Sten

Elements Sect in danger of being

Sect Master's shoulders shook

you have the responsibility to guide the Nine Elements Sect. You are the

but

with a slightly annoyed tone, "but as far as I know you, I can tell that this situation has something to do with you. I told you back then that you need to destroy this prideful and scheming self of yours. Cooperation is

Master didn't answer, but the Ancestor knew that he had hit the

hasty. Evaluate all your options. Don't jump the sword as soon as something doesn't go your way. You are not in the position of Sect Master to satisfy your own vanity but to guide the Nine Elements Sect into

also saw your bright mind and talent. I believed that you would have been able to grow with more responsibility. Take this situation as the last warning. Your methods have

gained be worth the sacrifice

The Sect Master grimaced.

would she

died, their cooperation had been weakened significantly.

nowhere near enough for such

would have become the Holy Son of the Nine Elements Sect. That was also the initial reason for