Chapter 65: A Sense of Helplessness

“Here to attend the ceremony?” Wang Changsheng was puzzled as well. “What ceremony?” He had no idea what was happening, completely out of the loop.

A ceremony?

Could it be the ceremony for his appointment as deacon? That couldn’t be right.

In a sect like the Corpse Refining Sect, deacons were supposed to remain hidden—how could there be any ceremony? Besides, he hardly warranted such attention.

Wang Changsheng was utterly bewildered.

Something so unusual must hide a deeper scheme!

“Come with me,” Elder Yun said to Wang Changsheng.

Without giving him any chance to object, Elder Yun led him toward the gathering of cultivators from other sects.

Wang Changsheng glanced at the disciples and elders of the Corpse Refining Sect. Realizing escape was impossible, he braced himself and followed.

“Fellow Daoists, this is Wang Changsheng, who will henceforth be responsible for leading the Corpse Refining Sect’s disciples in their journeys outside the sect—Deacon Wang!”

No sooner had Wang Changsheng arrived than he heard Elder Yun introducing him.

Damn it!

Immediately, Wang Changsheng sensed something was wrong.

Then, realization dawned.

He had been wondering how the Corpse Refining Sect could trust him to lead disciples out for training. There had to be some kind of backup plan. Now he understood what it was.

Of all the possibilities he’d considered, he never imagined the Corpse Refining Sect would play this card!

Recalling Elder Yun’s previous words, it became clear—the Corpse Refining Sect was coming out of seclusion. That explained the ringing of the seven bells.

A reclusive sect emerging from hiding—this was a paramount event for the Corpse Refining Sect, perhaps more significant than the death of a sect leader.

It warranted the ringing of the seven bells!

These people were guests invited to witness the ceremony, all of them notable figures in the cultivation world—some were even leaders of great sects. Wasn’t this equivalent to announcing to the world that Wang Changsheng belonged to the Corpse Refining Sect?

Given the sect’s notorious reputation, just walking outside could mean mysterious disappearance!

Moreover, as the one responsible for external affairs, Wang Changsheng was practically the spokesperson of the Corpse Refining Sect.

With the sect’s protection, he might be safe for now, but without it, he’d be dead in minutes at the hands of the cultivation world’s practitioners!

“What a scheme!” Wang Changsheng said in a low voice. “A masterstroke—cutting off my retreat!”

Now that he understood, he had to admit the Corpse Refining Sect’s move was brilliant. They had tied him irreversibly to their chariot.

This was why Little Gray had said Wang Changsheng was finished.

Little Gray often traveled the world and understood the cultivation world well. The identity of a Corpse Refining Sect deacon was supposed to remain secret; even if disciples’ identities were exposed, the deacon’s should never be.

And now Wang Changsheng was put on full display—a death sentence in itself.

“Deacon Wang, Deacon Wang!”

As Wang Changsheng was lost in thought, Elder Yun’s voice broke his reverie.

“Huh?”

Wang Changsheng snapped to attention.

“What are you standing there for? Greet your fellow Daoists. In the future, when you lead our disciples in the outside world, you’ll rely on their help to smooth the way,” Elder Yun said with a smile.

But that smile sent a chill down Wang Changsheng’s spine.

Greet them?

Wang Changsheng’s expression darkened. He felt utterly manipulated.

To be precise, it wasn’t just him they were manipulating—the Corpse Refining Sect was playing a deep game.

Greet them at a time like this? Was he out of his mind?

Wasn’t this just inviting everyone in the world to hunt him down?

“Oh? Has the Corpse Refining Sect’s reclusive years made even their deacons this bold? Daring to defy an elder openly?” a discordant voice came from the back of the crowd.

“I think this Deacon Wang is quite gutsy. Just now, he put Elder Zhang in his place! If I run into him in the future, I hope he’ll go easy on me,” the voice continued.

Who is that?

Wang Changsheng fumed inwardly. Such words at a time like this only made things worse for him. He had been thinking of how to gloss over the situation, and now someone had made it worse.

Looking toward the source of the voice, Wang Changsheng’s expression shifted.

Damn, why is he here too? When did he return?

And since when was he a prominent figure in the cultivation world?

Wang Changsheng’s surprise was understandable—he knew the speaker well: Li Fusheng, a man with whom he had a tangled history.

Wang Changsheng was baffled. Wasn’t Li Fusheng still in the Chengtian Realm? When did he return to the Shentian Realm?

Wang Changsheng maintained his composure, but he made a mental note to hold another grudge against Li Fusheng.

Damn it. Li Fusheng’s words had nailed him to the Corpse Refining Sect for good.

“No, no, fellow Daoist, you misunderstand!” Wang Changsheng immediately cupped his fists toward Li Fusheng. “Elder Zhang and I are old friends—I always joke with him. He’s used to my insults!”

“What can I say, Elder Zhang is one of those people who can’t rest easy unless someone curses at him every day!”

Wang Changsheng made up stories as easily as breathing—he was already in trouble, what did it matter?

“Oh? Is that so?” Li Fusheng replied. “You should have said so sooner. Cursing people is one of my favorite pastimes!”

With that, Li Fusheng looked straight at Elder Zhang and laughed. “Hey, you idiot, come here and let Grandpa the Great Benefactor pat your head!”

He even stretched out his right hand as if waiting for Elder Zhang to present his head.

Wang Changsheng: “...”

Elder Yun: “...”

Not only were Wang Changsheng and Elder Yun dumbstruck, but so were the disciples and elders of the Corpse Refining Sect.

Was there really such a person?

Yet the other sects’ cultivators, seeing it was Li Fusheng, merely snickered in secret—they weren’t surprised at all.

“You!” Elder Zhang was about to erupt, but before he could speak, the Grand Elder’s presence suppressed him.

The Grand Elder sent a message: “Today, the Corpse Refining Sect is reemerging—many sects will be looking for trouble. Don’t act rashly…”

“But he…” Elder Zhang replied in kind.

The Grand Elder interrupted, “Letting Deacon Wang make a scene might be for the best. If this commotion helps us get through the day, all the better!”

Hearing this, Elder Zhang sat back down, not daring another move.

Wang Changsheng recovered, glanced at Li Fusheng, and secretly gave him a thumbs up. Looking at Elder Zhang, he had to admire his restraint.

If only Elder Zhang and Li Fusheng would fight! Whether one or both died, it would be good for Wang Changsheng.

What Wang Changsheng didn’t realize was that, while it looked like mere banter between him and Li Fusheng, this was actually a contest between several sects and the Corpse Refining Sect.

Did he really think these sects had come with goodwill?

They were here to probe the strength of the Corpse Refining Sect.

Even during its years of seclusion, the Corpse Refining Sect was considered one of the top five powers in the cultivation world, despite their small numbers. Who knew how strong they had become now?

Otherwise, would any ordinary sect’s emergence draw so many notable figures from the cultivation world?

Among them were even leaders from great powers like Cloud Palace Peak!

The banter between Wang Changsheng and Li Fusheng had thrown many into confusion.

“Truly a glutton for insults!” Li Fusheng said, seeing Elder Zhang remain silent. “People like him are my favorite. If I didn’t have urgent matters, I’d stay at the Corpse Refining Sect for ten days or so and curse Elder Zhang until he was satisfied…”

With that, Li Fusheng shook his head regretfully, as if truly disappointed he couldn’t stay to heap more abuse on Elder Zhang.

“Brilliant! I salute you!” Wang Changsheng gave Li Fusheng another thumbs up.

Li Fusheng returned a look that said, “You get it.”

Thus, the two, over this exchange, found tacit understanding.

“All right, everyone, the Corpse Refining Sect’s ceremony is nearly concluded. Please move to the main hall, where there will be spiritual fruit and wine for our guests,” Elder Yun announced.

In fact, the grand ceremony for the Corpse Refining Sect’s return had concluded before Wang Changsheng even arrived—his delay meant he had missed it.

If not for the need to introduce Wang Changsheng, the gathering would have dispersed already.

Soon, under the guidance of the Grand Elder, the notable figures of the cultivation world flew toward the main hall.

All the elders of the Corpse Refining Sect departed as well, leaving Wang Changsheng with the remaining disciples.

Most of the disciples gradually drifted away, but a few who were on good terms with Wang Changsheng came over.

“Old Wang, congratulations! You’re a big name in the cultivation world now!” Old Xian said.

Old Quan added, “That’s right, you haven’t even set foot outside, and you’re already famous!”

But Little Gray approached with a grave expression. “Old Wang, I’m afraid it won’t be safe for you in the cultivation world from now on. You’d better be careful when you travel alone…”

“What can I do?” Wang Changsheng spread his hands helplessly. “I’m really out of options!”