Painting of the Nine Immortals
chapter-424

Right now, the giant Sun was hanging high in the sky, shining down onto the Bai Clan's mountain peak.

At this moment however, the brightest being was not the eternal Sun. It was Bai Xiao Qi, who was standing alone on top of a mountain.

Her expression was solemn, her hair was tied up, her robe was long and gold with phoenix patterns sewn on top. With her golden crown and a staff that represented control, she had the demeanor of a ruler.

Everyone who looked up to Bai Xiao Qi had complex emotions in their eyes. There was jealousy, overwhelm, and hatred. However, without an exception, they all shared one expression.

Respect.

The same type of respect they show to Gods.

Without a doubt, at this moment, Bai Xiao Qi was standing tall like a goddess as she looked down onto everyone. Though there was no heavenly light exuded, to everyone else, she shone.

However, when she looked at Ling Xian, all her light diminished. No longer like the goddess who rode the clouds, she reverted back to being Ling Xian's tail and shadow.

She was willing to go anywhere in the world with him.

"Greetings, Clan Leader!"

Someone shouted and everyone finally reacted. They all bowed down to Bai Xiao Qi to show how much they respected her.

However, everyone here knew that the real ruler was the handsome young man standing on the side. All these days, they had all heard about Ling Xian. Especially after seeing the way Bai Xiao Qi looked at Ling Xian, it became apparent to them that Bai Xiao Qi relied heavily on Ling Xian.

Thus, everyone here thought that Bai Xiao Qi was merely a Clan Leader by name. Reality was that Ling Xian was the true leader.

They didn't know that Ling Xian was not interested in power. These people here were just being petty.

"Aye… after thousands of years of work, we are giving our Clan to an outsider?"

Everyone sighed to themselves but nobody dared to say it out loud. Nobody dared to show unpleasantness towards Ling Xian neither. What could they do? The Bai Clan was greatly hurt and there were no completion levelled cultivators anymore.

Plus, Ling Xian's actions just now were far too attention catching. Enough to petrify everyone and make them afraid of getting killed.

"Very good."

Feeling everyone's respect, Bai Xiao Qi nodded in satisfaction. She then made a statement that silenced the entire area.

"From this moment on, you have to treat Xian Ling as the Ruler. In other words, the Bai Clan has two leaders. You have to listen to him first, then you listen to me."

The moment the statement was made, the area was silenced. All gazes were shifted onto Bai Xiao Qi. Though they had guessed it, after Bai Xiao Qi confirmed it, they were shocked speechless.

After the initial moment of shock, anger replaced it. Especially the older generation who relied on rules heavily, they were infuriated. Angry statements were thrown into the air.

"I disagree! Leader! My Bai Clan worked for thousands of years, how can we just hand it over to an outsider?"

"Yes, we cannot do that!"

"I disagree. I will never agree!"

After hearing the angry disagreements below, Bai Xiao Qi's expression turned cold. After glancing around, she hissed, "Shut up!"

"Disagree? What right do you have to disagree?"

Bai Xiao Qi's face was cold. She thought of how much sweat and blood Ling Xian lost for her, and thought of how these people didn't seem to care. She became angered and coldly snickered, "Who was the one that lent me a helping hand when I was the most helpless? Who was the one that came back for me? Who was the one that stood out and killed the traitor? It was Xian Ling, it was always Xian Ling!"

"How about you? When the traitor took the seat, you didn't protest. When I was helpless, you didn't help me. And now, you are all jumping out. How great of you." Bai Xiao Qi coldly smiled and glanced around once again, "You are all trash. What right do you have to disagree?"

After she finished speaking, everyone was puffy red faced. It wasn't due to anger, it was due to shame.

After hearing Bai Xiao Qi, they could imagine how much Ling Xian did for her. When they thought of how afraid they were, they felt ashamed and wanted to crawl into a hole.

As for the few people who stood out to disagree, they were speechless.

Yes, compared to Ling Xian, everyone here was trash. Not only in terms of capability, also in terms of bravery. They had no rights to disagree!

"Okay. Now I announce…"

She glanced around and nodded softly. She then spoke out a statement that silenced the entire Bai Clan.

"From now on, Xian Ling is the Ruler of the Bai Clan!"

In that instant, everyone became fixated on Ling Xian in a complex manner. There was anger and some helplessness. Without exceptions however, they all carried respect in their eyes.

It wasn't because Ling Xian became the Ruler of the Bai Clan. It was because what he had done for Bai Xiao Qi was enough to garner anyone's respect!

At this moment, Ling Xian had the attention of thousands. Though he was not emitting any light, the feeling he gave everyone was that he shone brighter than the eternal Sun!

Even the shine from Bai Xiao Qi was covered up by him.

"You actually announced it…"

Ling Xian sighed to himself, unable to believe that Bai Xiao Qi would go against the current and hand him the Bai Clan. This touched him somewhat, but he also felt helpless.

He was naturally simple. Other than his dream of stepping up to the heavens, he did not care about rights and control. Thus, under everyone's gaze, he uttered out a sentence that made others feel lifeless.

"The seat of the Ruler, I will not take it. You can all just listen to Bai Xiao Qi."

Not taking it?

This… is rejection?

Everyone widened their eyes, wondering if their ears had gone deaf.

The seat of the ruler, once accepted, will become the most important position of the Trading Island. Who can decline this temptation?

But now, Ling Xian had rejected it. He also rejected it in such a crisp and casual manner. He obviously didn't think much of this position.

"Bai Xiao Qi, please take care of the Bai Clan." Ling Xian grinned and shifted his gaze up to the empress like figure who was standing on top of the mountain peak. "I have to go deal with another battle to help you solve the last problem."

He then disappeared.

"I knew you wouldn't accept…."

As the silhouette flashed across the sky, Bai Xiao Qi's lips curled up. Her beautiful eyes were full of infatuation.

"But, you will always be the Ruler of the Bai Clan. And you will always be… my only Ruler."