NovelOnline Chapter 479: Successor to the Pavilion Master, Hongying Declines
Chapter 479: Successor to the Pavilion Master, Hongying Declines
Just because of this one reason, she couldn’t go behind Wei Tu’s back and take over Mirror Water Pavilion on her own.So after weighing all considerations, Cao Mi decided to hide the truth about Immortal Master Hongjing’s death. She chose to let Mirror Water Pavilion maintain its current structure and decline naturally, until it eventually faded out of existence.
Without a Nascent Soul ancestor for protection, and not being a native sect of the region, Mirror Water Pavilion would perish once the current generation of Golden Core True Lords died off.
“What? The ancestor is dead?”
The moment they heard this, all the Golden Core True Lords from Mirror Water Pavilion in attendance were visibly shocked and panicked, faces full of disbelief.
After all, that was a Nascent Soul Venerable Master!
Without a major war, it was rare for even one to fall in a thousand years.
“What danger was it that caused both Immortal Master Hongjing and Ancestor Luo to fall?” Ning Xuefeng, the current pavilion master of Mirror Water Pavilion, stood up and asked through gritted teeth.
But this time, she didn’t look at Cao Mi. Her gaze was fixed on Wei Tu instead.
Compared to Cao Mi, she trusted what Wei Tu said more.
—Alchemist Wei Tu’s reputation in the Kang Kingdom region was well-known.
Back when Wei Yan formed her Golden Core, though she hadn’t stepped in to stop Shen Yunqiu from trying to take revenge, she did help Wei Yan rent a cave dwelling from the Moon Condensation Palace.
In other words, both Wei Tu and his daughter owed her a favor—not big, but not small either.
Without her making introductions, Wei Tu and Cao Mi might never have met.
Now, both sentiment and reason said that Wei Tu should give her a hand and tell her the truth.
“This danger cannot be spoken of.”
Wei Tu shook his head. He looked seriously at Ning Xuefeng, standing in the hall, and calmly said, “Unless Mirror Water Pavilion gives birth to another Nascent Soul cultivator.”
After pausing a moment, he added, “More than forty years ago, your sect’s Daoist Hongjing also told only Junior Sister Cao about this matter.”
Once those words were spoken, the entire hall fell deathly silent.
The Nascent Soul realm was not so easy to break through.
A small Nascent Soul sect like Mirror Water Pavilion had only ever had one Nascent Soul cultivator at a time throughout most of its history.
The whole sect had to accumulate over one thousand years of foundation before it could possibly produce the next Nascent Soul ancestor.
And Immortal Master Hongjing had just recently entered the Nascent Soul stage. She was still in her “middle years” and hadn’t even reached the “elderly stage” where she’d begin preparing the next generation.
In simple terms, the sect's current foundation wasn’t enough to nurture another Nascent Soul cultivator.
Unless… Mirror Water Pavilion’s destiny suddenly soared and gave rise to someone who could reach the Nascent Soul Realm without needing much help from the sect. But everyone knew how slim that chance was.
If nothing unexpected happened, this generation of Golden Core True Lords would all die out before Mirror Water Pavilion ever saw another Nascent Soul ancestor.
Which meant the truth behind Immortal Master Hongjing’s death—guarded by Wei Tu and Cao Mi—might remain hidden from these younger Golden Core cultivators for the rest of their lives.
“No one from Mirror Water Pavilion will ever break through to the Nascent Soul realm again…”
At that moment, Ning Xuefeng suddenly recalled the curse Shen Yunqiu had uttered before dying a hundred years ago.
Back then, she hadn’t paid much attention to those words.
But now, as the pavilion master, watching her sect fall into this crisis and slowly slide toward extinction, she could no longer brush it aside.
‘I wonder if she can shoulder the sect’s future.’
Ning Xuefeng let out a quiet sigh. The image of Kou Hongying surfaced in her mind.
Because of Kou Hongying’s connection to Wei Tu, she had been carefully nurturing her over the years.
But that’s all it had been—favorable treatment, nothing more.
When it came to choosing her successor, she had always leaned toward her own disciples.
Yet now, there was no time left to hesitate.
Setting aside her personal interests… Kou Hongying, who had a strong bond with Wei Tu, was clearly the best choice to take over as the future pavilion master of Mirror Water Pavilion.
Thinking this, Ning Xuefeng’s heart settled a little. She gave a small bow to Wei Tu and quietly said, “This junior understands,” before falling silent.
With Ning Xuefeng saying no more, the other Golden Core True Lords of Mirror Water Pavilion naturally held their tongues as well.
And just like that, the matter of Immortal Master Hongjing’s death sank like a stone into a lake—quietly disappearing within Mirror Water Pavilion.
But though the surface was calm, the ripple it left behind became a heavy burden pressed deep into the hearts of all the Golden Core True Lords in the sect.
Later, when Wei Tu and Cao Mi were leaving Mirror Water Pavilion, Ning Xuefeng’s disciple, Rong Qing, stopped them and said something that made it clear the weight of that burden hadn’t lifted.
“Senior Wei, Senior Cao.”
“My master has entered closed-door cultivation today to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. The position of successor has already been passed to Junior Sister Kou. After my master passes, the future pavilion master will be Junior Sister Kou.”
Rong Qing gave a deep bow and said, "She’s entered seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage?"
Hearing that, Wei Tu paused and turned to look toward the cave dwelling behind Mirror Water Pavilion.
With his experience, he immediately understood Ning Xuefeng’s intent—either succeed or perish.
If she succeeded in breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, the crisis brought about by Hongjing’s death would be resolved. If she failed… then with her death, the biggest obstacle standing in the way of Kou Hongying becoming pavilion master would disappear.
Then, as Hongying’s "Third Uncle," he would naturally defend Mirror Water Pavilion on her behalf, continuing the legacy left by generations of its ancestors.
"The plan is solid, but it’s a shame she's using her life to bet on it."
Wei Tu fell silent. He couldn't help but feel some respect for Ning Xuefeng’s resolve.
In his four hundred years of cultivation, he’d seen all kinds of schemes and betrayals. This was the first time he’d seen someone so willing to sacrifice themselves to protect the sect founded by their ancestors.
'No—there’s also Huang Juzhi.'
Wei Tu recalled Huang Juzhi, the Second Ancestor of the Huang family on Heshan, who went to challenge Qi Chengchu to avenge his clan after the entire Huang family was slaughtered.
Even though he’d defected to the demonic path, he still held deep feelings for his family. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have thrown himself into a hopeless fight for vengeance.
"This matter, I understand."
Wei Tu nodded slightly, raised his hand, and used his magic to form a jade slip inscribed with the character "Wei." He handed it to Kou Hongying, who looked a bit stunned upon hearing the news.
"Since Hongying was chosen by Pavilion Master Ning as the successor of Mirror Water Pavilion, then I, Wei, will provide some protection."
"This is my personal token. If your sect ever runs into trouble, you may bring it to Ying Ding Tribe and seek me out."
Wei Tu swept his gaze over the Mirror Water Pavilion cultivators who had come to see them off and spoke calmly.
As his voice fell, the reactions among the cultivators varied.
Some looked sorrowful, calling out “Pavilion Master” repeatedly. After all, they understood that the price of Wei Tu’s protection was Ning Xuefeng’s life.
Others looked visibly relieved.
It wasn’t that they were ungrateful—rather, most of them weren’t closely tied to the sect’s core interests. In fact, Ning Xuefeng stepping down from a lineage that had long held the position of pavilion master was a favorable turn for many of them.
They didn’t believe Ning Xuefeng’s sacrifice was for their future.
On the contrary—
Wei Tu’s pledge of support was a huge boon for them.
With this token, even if Mirror Water Pavilion’s future couldn’t compare to what it was under Hongjing, it wouldn’t immediately plummet either.
"Thank you, Uncle Wei."
Kou Hongying finally came to her senses. Joy flashed across her face, and she respectfully bowed in gratitude.
Unlike those around her who reacted with relief, Kou Hongying understood very well why Ning Xuefeng had passed the title to her.
She owed everything to one person—Wei Tu. Without him, Ning Xuefeng wouldn’t have stepped aside, nor cleared the way for her future.
So while she respected Ning Xuefeng, she didn’t let sentiment cloud her judgment here.
…
After resolving the matter at Mirror Water Pavilion, Wei Tu and Kou Hongying met privately to discuss whether reuniting the Righteous Society Brotherhood was feasible.
"Getting support from a Nascent Soul cultivator is a rare opportunity in a thousand years. Whether it's me or Uncle Fu, we’d gladly take it."
Kou Hongying said this with a half-joking tone, as if casually.
But Wei Tu knew what she meant—it was up to him whether Righteous Society would reform or not.
Because clearly, he would take the biggest loss from it.
As for Kou Hongying and Fu Zhizhou, they’d naturally benefit and had no reason to object.
"I’ve already given it serious thought."
"Even if I take a short-term hit, in the long run, having the two of you as allies will be more advantageous for me."
Wei Tu paused a moment and said this seriously.
Without the "Soul-Devouring Wood," reforming Righteous Society would’ve just been him bleeding resources.
Over time, it wouldn’t be sustainable.
But things were different now. He had the demonic artifact—Soul-Devouring Wood.
It could rapidly forge a new Nascent Soul cultivator!
Once both he and Fu Zhizhou reached the Nascent Soul stage, they could formalize a pact, just like when they built their Foundation Establishments. Then, they could support Kou Hongying’s own breakthrough.
When she succeeded, with her level, she could repay the "spirit stones" owed in no time.
By then, the three of them together would form a formidable Nascent Soul force—whether in the Guixu Sea cultivation world or the Great Cang realm.
Of course, there was always a chance of failure, and he could lose everything.
Still—
Their friendship was worth the risk.
Hearing Wei Tu’s confirmation, Kou Hongying grew serious and said, "It’s good Uncle Wei wants to help me and Uncle Fu, but I’ve already received so much from you. I don’t want to drag you down further."
She was already over four hundred years old but still only in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
Breaking through in the short term was nearly impossible.
Even if she managed to reach peak Golden Core within the next few hundred years, she’d likely be nearing her end by then. The chance to form a Nascent Soul would be slim.
Sure, with Wei Tu’s help, she could shave off one to two hundred years and prepare sooner, but she knew—she wasn’t his only friend.
"To have made it this far with only a middle-grade spiritual root, I’m already satisfied."
She smiled lightly.
The Nascent Soul stage was a wall most cultivators would never cross.
She didn’t see herself as an exception.
Wei Tu was momentarily dazed. He remembered, four hundred years ago, that blue-robed girl who’d approached them to form a spiritual pact, seeking support from their brotherhood.
And now, she was turning it down?
"Xinghua…"
He saw in Kou Hongying the same qualities he’d seen in Xinghua.
Back then, Xinghua gave up her chance at life to help him and Wei Yan by using the Ice Profound Soul-Sealing Talisman.
At this moment, he felt Kou Hongying’s Dao heart was even stronger than his own.
Because seeking immortality was easy—but knowing the path was there and still walking away took far more courage.
"Hongying, the Righteous Society pact was never about handouts."
Wei Tu’s tone turned cold.
Kou Hongying paused, not quite sure what he meant.
"You don’t want to trade with me or your Uncle Fu, fine. But when did we ever give you anything for free?"
His tone was calm.
Thinking it over, Kou Hongying realized he was right.
Though Wei Tu had given her immense help, he never said any of it came without a cost.
Talismans, pills—sure, they came at internal prices. But Wei Tu always made something off it.
Still, she knew full well—what he treated as normal generosity, others would kill for.
Now, she finally understood what he meant: he would give her the opportunity to reach Nascent Soul, but none of it would be free. She’d have to earn it and repay him in time.
That thought put her at ease, and she let go of her earlier stubbornness.
"Uncle Wei, you’ve said all that, but have you considered that it was you and Uncle Wei who unilaterally disbanded Righteous Society? I never left the group."
She smiled and shot back playfully.
"True."
Wei Tu suddenly remembered that Kou Hongying had never actually left.
Back then, they’d disbanded because Wei Fei had failed to form his foundation and lost the will to continue. He’d written to request the dissolution.
Wei Tu had only acted after receiving that letter.
At the time, Kou Hongying and Fu Zhizhou had agreed but never officially quit.
"Since you're on board, I’ll write to your Uncle Fu right away."
Wei Tu nodded and prepared to leave.
But Kou Hongying stopped him.
"With just the three of us, Righteous Society is a bit too small. I heard Uncle Wei has a son and daughter with good character."
She suggested.
"Xian’er and Wei Ping?" Wei Tu rubbed his chin and fell into thought.
He had a good impression of Wei Xian’er and Wei Ping, but neither had the strength to qualify for the new Righteous Society.
"Still, bringing them in might not be a bad thing."
He understood Kou Hongying’s deeper meaning.
She wanted to expand Righteous Society into something more than a small private trading group.
And including Wei Fei’s children—it wasn’t just a gesture. It was a legacy.