To be honest, she was a little nervous inside, unsure whether she could fulfill the role of Junior Palace Master.

However, regardless of whether she was up to the task, she had to take on the role of Junior Palace Master, as it was Xuji True Master's decision.

Stepping onto the high platform, Xuji True Master led An Qi, turned around, and faced the disciples of Cinnabar Palace below with a commanding and domineering presence.

At that moment, all disciples immediately knelt down to pay homage, "Hail to Xuji Palace Master, virtuous and martial; for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years, unifying the martial world! Long live, long live, long, long live!"

Witnessing thousands of disciples kneeling and chanting in unison, An Qi was stunned, never expecting this outcome.

She had thought such scenes only appeared on television, never imagining that they could also occur in the reality of a sect.

From the slogan chanted by the disciples of Cinnabar Palace, it was clear that Xuji True Master had great ambition. She was not content to maintain the status quo; she wanted to unify the martial world.

An Qi finally understood why Xuji True Master was so accommodating to her—it must be because she believed An Qi had the potential to cultivate the Treasure of the Palace, the "Ice Jade Sword Technique," to its highest realm. Later, she would grant the position of Palace Master to An Qi, compelling her to take on the heavy responsibility of leading the disciples of Cinnabar Palace to unify the martial world.

Truthfully, her reason for coming here to cultivate was merely to extend her own lifespan and that of her family members, as well as to lighten Yifan's burdens; she had not anticipated it evolving into this.

She felt as if she had boarded a bandit's ship, and now it seemed a bit difficult to disembark.

"I hope she doesn't have such ambition," An Qi prayed, feeling extremely uneasy.

It was a pressure that made her a bit panicky.

Meanwhile, Xuji True Master was smiling continuously, her face glowing with pride.

Once back in the palace, what she wanted was the feeling of being bowed down to, which greatly flattered her.

After a long while, she slowly spoke, "Rise."

Only then did the thousands of disciples below dare to stand.

Looking at the vibrant disciples within the palace, Xuji True Master explained and announced, "Today, I have gathered you all here to announce a matter. It is that our Cinnabar Palace has finally found a candidate for the long-vacant position of Junior Palace Master, and she is this young and beautiful woman of extraordinary talent by my side—An Qi."

"You must respect her as you respect me, and follow her as you follow me! Understand?"

"Understood!"

"Long life to the Junior Palace Master! We will surely follow you to the death," all the disciples said in unison, bowing.

"..." An Qi was a bit dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond.

As a modern person, she found it somewhat hard to adapt to these people bowing down to her. If all beings are equal, why must they follow someone so devotedly?

Seeing that An Qi had not responded for quite some time, all the disciples looked at each other, wondering about the intentions of the Junior Palace Master.

Could it be that the new official was starting with a drastic action? That would be too quick!

"Disciple, you should respond! Don't just stand there dumbfounded," Xuji True Master reminded.

"Ah? Oh!"

Only then did An Qi snap back to reality.

"Everyone, rise! Stop bowing."

"..."

The whole audience was baffled, not expecting this outcome.

With a new official assuming office, it was customary to say a line or two, but An Qi didn't say anything, simply instructing them to rise, leaving everyone uncertain of her intentions.

"Disciple! Share your thoughts on becoming the Junior Palace Master and the contributions you plan to make to the Cinnabar Palace in the future. Don't just stay silent," Xuji True Master said, somewhat frustrated and embarrassed by the behavior of this new disciple.

"Ah? I have to say all that?" An Qi was somewhat speechless.

She thought instructing them to rise would be sufficient; she hadn't realized she would need to make such formal speeches and promises. It seemed that being the Junior Palace Master was no easy task.

If she had a choice, she definitely wouldn't want to be any Junior Palace Master.

Nevertheless, despite this, she still intended to be true to herself and not play by the rules.

"As for my feelings, to tell the truth, I'm quite helpless; I don't know what I've done to deserve being your Junior Palace Master."

Hearing these words, Xuji True Master was so frustrated he really wanted to slap An Qi; however, hearing what she said next, he felt much better.

"However, since such a great responsibility has fallen upon this young woman, then I must comply with Heaven's will, and assist everyone, with the ambition of unifying the martial world for eternal glory!"

The disciples below hadn't expected the Junior Palace Master to be so articulate and cunning, playing the Palace Master and others like puppets on strings. It seemed they had underestimated the new Junior Palace Master.

"Long live the Junior Palace Master, we thank you for your promises," the disciples once again bowed down.

"All right, rise! This is what I should do as the Junior Palace Master," An Qi responded.

Now that she had been pushed into this position, she might as well make the most of it. To oppose Xuji True Master would only end in a trumped-up death, and it might also affect Lin Yifan and the others, so it was better to go along with this old witch's wishes for now.

In five years, if the Palace Guarding Poison wasn't neutralized, she would turn against her, comprehensively and completely.

"Thank you for your grace, Junior Palace Master!" The disciples below stood up and gazed at the Junior Palace Master on stage.

At this moment, no one was more resentful, angry, and humiliated than Lin Yanping. She couldn't accept An Qi as the Junior Palace Master, not one bit, not at all; but she dared not voice her dissent for fear of enraging Xuji True Master and being smacked to death.

So, she just endured and suppressed her feelings, showing not a trace of a smile throughout the ceremony.

After introducing the Junior Palace Master, Xuji True Master spoke a few more words of thanks for the future before dismissing the assembly.

After this ceremony, everyone in the palace was acquainted with An Qi as the Junior Palace Master. While they felt indignant for their senior sister, Xiao Bingbing, they also looked forward to the Junior Palace Master achieving great things and leading the Cinnabar Palace to a prosperous and powerful era.

Once the assembly was dismissed, Xuji True Master took An Qi to the location for seclusion, preparing to teach her how to cultivate.

On the other hand, Lin Yanping immediately entered seclusion to cultivate, striving to break through to a higher realm as soon as possible, defeat An Qi, and take the position of Junior Palace Master for herself.

Arriving at the site of seclusion, An Qi felt the air was incredibly fresh, moisturizing every inch of her skin, leaving her feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Although she had experienced this sensation when she first entered the Cinnabar Palace, it was nowhere near as intense as here.

"Master! What did you put in the air? Why does it smell so fresh?" An Qi asked curiously and naively.

"Silly girl, this is the effect of Spiritual Energy. It makes the body feel light and refreshed, banishing fatigue; it also activates the body, preserving your youth. There are so many benefits; you'll understand in time," Xuji True Master answered.

"So that's how it is, truly amazing!" An Qi couldn't help but exclaim.

She had never imagined that breathing in Spiritual Energy could feel like this; similar to taking deep breaths at the top of a mountain in the early morning or by a plummeting waterfall. Only, this sensation was a hundred times stronger, truly invigorating and revitalizing.

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