2364 Unless I’m Dead!

Most people in the Fire Worship Sect were terrified and worried when someone suddenly spoke up to reassure them.

"After Duan Ling Tian killed Lord Sect Leader, the four Guardians wisely decided to appoint Gan Ru Yan, Guardian Qing Huo's direct disciple, as our new sect leader! As many of you know, Gan Ru Yan is also the Saint Girl's twin sister. Since she's appointed as the new sect leader, Duan Ling Tian doesn't plan to eradicate the sect due to her relationship with the Saint Girl. Our new sect leader has also passed down the order that all members of the Fire Worship Sect aren't allowed to antagonize the people from Seven Absolutes Sect. This order has also been made into a rule."

Many elders and disciples sighed in relief when they heard these words.

"Hail to the four Guardians!"

"Hail to Lord Sect Leader!"

Many people began to say in unison. Many of them praised the Guardians for their quick wits in appointing Gan Ru Yan as the new Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect, helping the sect avoid a catastrophe and inadvertently saving their lives. There was no doubt they would die if Duan Ling Tian decided to eradicate the sect.

They also praised Gan Ru Yan, their new sect leader. As long as their new sect leader was around, they had no need to be afraid of the Seven Absolutes Sect.

"Lord Sect Leader!"

"I swear my loyalty to Lord Sect Leader!"

Many sincere voices could be heard supporting Gan Ru Yan, the new Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect, at this moment.

Duan Ling Tian had meticulously planned all of this. He had intentionally hidden the fact that he had appointed Gan Ru Yan as the new sect leader due to the Fire Worship Sect's connection to the dragon and phoenix clans. With his plan, many people in the Fire Worship Sect not only quickly accepted her as their sect leader, but they also seemed to sincerely support her. Even the former sect leader, Tang Xuan, did not receive such a treatment.

"Guardian Ling Tian is not only a genius in Martial Dao, but he's also very wise. With his plan, not only did our status rise in the sect, but even the new sect leader's position in the sect is stable!" Zi Feng said when the four Guardians got together.

"You're right. Even when Sect Leader Tang Xuan was in power, the support was not as unanimous as it is now!" Hong Yun nodded.

"Initially, I was worried people would complain about our new Sect Leader's young age and inexperience. I didn't expect Guardian Ling Tian's plan would put all these issues to rest!" Leng Yin exclaimed. Then, he looked at Qing Huo meaningfully and said, "Guardian Qing Huo, you've really accepted a good disciple. Henceforth, you're not only a Guardian of the Fire Worship Sect, but you're also the Sect Leader's master!"

"Even I didn't expect that girl would have a fate like this..." Qing Huo shook his head humbly. However, there was no denying he felt a hint of delight in the depth of his heart. He had no regrets in life for having such a disciple.

The Guardians of Fire Worship Sect still referred to Duan Ling Tian as Guardian Ling Tian when they spoke. They seemed to have forgotten that Duan Ling Tian had announced his departure from the sect and was no longer a member of the sect.

Hong Yun frowned as she said, "However, there's no doubt Lord Sect Leader's new order and rule will offend the Black Kshetra Sect and the Heaven Divination Sect. After all, since ancient times, three great sects have always been united in opposing the Seven Absolutes Sect. Now that we've declared we'll no longer provoke the Seven Absolutes Sect, the other two sects will definitely see us as a traitor."

"Indeed. This matter is a little troublesome." Zi Feng furrowed his brows and nodded in agreement.

Leng Yin scoffed. "So what if the other two sects are unhappy? Don't tell me they have a say in the Fire Worship Sect's decisions? Even if they decide to embark on a punitive expedition against us, would we be afraid of them?" He was fearless when he thought about the powerhouses at the Eighth and Ninth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage by their new sect leader's side, Duan Ling Tian who was an Eminent Celestial, and the Four Tribulation Bodiless Celestial by his side. In his opinion, it was better to have a good relationship with the Seven Absolutes Sect even if it was at the cost of offending the Black Kshetra Sect and the Heaven Divination Sect. After all, the current Seven Absolutes Sect was too formidable! Although there was enmity between the Fire Worship Sect and Seven Absolutes Sect, he thought the enmity would fade with the passage of time. In fact, he himself did not hold any enmity for the Seven Absolutes Sect.

"There's no need for our sect to fear the two sects. Even if Guardian Ling Tian and the Bodiless Celestials by his side decide not to interfere with our sect's affairs, the two sects still might not be able to do anything to us!" Qing Huo said, "Currently, the Black Kshetra Sect and the Heaven Divination Sect don't have any Eminent Celestials at all. Moreover, there are certainly no Bodiless Celestials!"

It was no secret to the high-ranking officials in the three great sects that their sects had no Bodiless Celestials.

After a while, Hong Yun asked in confusion, "Don't you think it's a little strange that there are no Bodiless Celestials in the three great sects? Bodiless Celestials may be rare, but there has to be at least one or two in either one of the three great sects at the very least, right?"

"I agree that it's strange. After all, there are many strong powerhouses in the three great sects who had attracted the Celestial Ascension Tribulation. However, not a single one who failed the tribulation managed to survive… Shouldn't there be at least one or two?" Qing Huo said.

"Don't tell me the three great sects are cursed to not have Bodiless Celestials?"

"I guess we'll never know. This will remain a mystery for now!"

Based on the four Guardians' words, it was obvious that they were unaware that the Bodiless Celestials from the Black Kshetra Sect, the Heaven Divination Sect, and the Fire Worship Sect had been taken away by both the dragon and phoenix clans. They had brought these Bodiless Celestials to their clans since they were afraid that leaving the Bodiless Celestials in the sects would lead to the growth in the sects' power. This would cause them to lose control of the three great sects. Naturally, they would do everything possible to stop that from happening. Both the dragon and phoenix clans had stood high above the others since ancient times, how could they be willing to see another force rise to equal footing with them?

...

In the sky above the Saint Island in the Fire Worship Sect. On the highest floating island.

"Congratulations! I suppose your position as sect leader is stable now," Duan Ling Tian said to Gan Ru Yan who had just arrived.

"Thank you," Gan Ru Yan said solemnly. She knew very well that she could become the Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect and gain the support of everyone in the sect was all due to Duan Ling Tian alone.

"Since you're Ke'er's elder sister, you're like a sister to me as well. There's no need for you to thank me." Duan Ling Tian shook his head.

'An elder sister? Do you really only see me as your sister?' Gan Ru Yan felt a pang of disappointment when she heard Duan Ling Tian's words. Her eyes had also dimmed immediately. Although she was unwilling to admit it, there was no denying that she had somehow fallen in love with Duan Ling Tian during the time they were in the Lower Province of the Dao Martial Saint Land. He was handsome, strong, tender, and considerate. Although most of his virtues were only shown to her younger sister, it had inadvertently caused her to fall in love with him. It was too late for her to restrain her feelings. However, she knew her feelings were destined to be buried in the depth of her heart.

Gan Ru Yan took a deep breath and shifted her attention away from Duan Ling Tian to the two beautiful figures standing in the garden. Her twin sister, Ke'er, was teaching her niece, Duan Si Ling, how to wield a sword. Her eyes were trained on them as she asked Duan Ling Tian, "Regarding the matter of Ke'er's past life, what do you plan to do? If that cousin of hers is as strong as Tang Xuan said, I'm afraid he's much stronger than you. Let alone the mundane realms, I'm certain his strength is considered formidable even in the Devata Realms! He can tear a crack in the void that's over 1,000 meters long!" She felt a lingering fear when she recalled Tang Xuan's words.

Duan Ling Tian turned to look at the gentle and graceful figure in the distance when he heard Gan Ru Yan's words. A resolute expression appeared on his face as he said, "I don't care about Ke'er past life, she's my wife. No one can take her away from me unless I'm dead!"