Resign as Dragon Gate Master?
Ye Qiu’s words struck like a bolt from the blue, immediately met with opposition from the group.
“I disagree!” Cao Qingcheng said. “Dragon Gate is what it is today because of you. It cannot function without you.”
“Exactly, Boss. You were appointed by the Nine Thousand Years. Are you defying his dying wish?” Han Long said.
Qing Long added, “Gate Master, please reconsider!”
Though Qilin and Zhao Hu remained silent, their expressions clearly showed they opposed Ye Qiu’s resignation.
“Don’t get worked up. Hear me out,” Ye Qiu said. “Though the Nine Thousand Years entrusted Dragon Gate to me, honestly, I haven’t managed it. Everything has been handled by Qingcheng.”
“Dragon Gate’s success today is entirely due to your efforts.”
“If we’re talking about contributions, you all deserve the real credit.”
“The reason I’m stepping down is because I’ll soon head to the cultivation world. I’ve decided to let go of all worldly affairs.”
Ye Qiu took out the Gate Master’s token and said, “Qingcheng, take the token!”
Cao Qingcheng’s face hardened. “I won’t.”
Though she managed Dragon Gate, she knew Ye Qiu was its soul.
“Stop being stubborn. Take it!” Ye Qiu said.
Cao Qingcheng persisted, “The Gate Master position belongs to you alone. I won’t take it.”
She’s gone too far. I’ll deal with her tonight, Ye Qiu thought, glaring sternly at Cao Qingcheng and saying coldly, “Are you defying my orders? Take the token!”
Seeing Ye Qiu’s anger, Qing Long urged, “Zhu Que, take the token.”
Reluctantly, Cao Qingcheng accepted the token.
“Pay respects to the new Gate Master!” Ye Qiu declared.
At his words, Qing Long and the others saluted Cao Qingcheng, saying in unison, “We pay respects to the Gate Master.”
Ye Qiu said, “How Dragon Gate is managed from now on is up to Qingcheng. I have only one request.”
“Though Dragon Gate is a martial faction, it must uphold justice and maintain social order.”
“Only then can Dragon Gate endure.”
Ye Qiu shifted the topic, “You should know that the martial path is divided into the Tiger List, Dragon List, and God List.”
“Above the God List are cultivators.”
“Now, Xiao Zhan has crossed the threshold into cultivation, a true cultivator.”
At this, Qilin and the others looked at Xiao Zhan with envy.
“Now, the second matter,” Ye Qiu said. “I appoint Xiao Zhan as Dragon Gate Elder, equal in status to the Dragon Envoys. If you face tough problems, Xiao Zhan can step in.”
“Also, before I leave, I’ll help Qing Long, Qilin, Zhao Hu, and Han Long enhance their cultivation.”
“How far you progress depends on your own potential.”
Hearing this, everyone’s faces lit up with joy.
“Now, return to your rooms. I’ll come to you shortly,” Ye Qiu said.
The group quickly dispersed.
Seeing Cao Qingcheng linger, Xiao Zhan tactfully left the hall, leaving Ye Qiu and Cao Qingcheng alone.
“Go back to your room,” Ye Qiu said to Cao Qingcheng. “Get ready and wait for me.”
With that, he left the hall and went to Qilin’s room.
He used true qi to clear Qilin’s meridians, gave him a thousand-year-old spiritual herb to boost his cultivation, and taught him the Slaughter Technique.
By the time Ye Qiu left, Qilin had cultivated five streams of true qi.
Next, he went to Han Long’s room.
“Boss, can you take me to the cultivation world?” Han Long said. “I want to stay by your side.”
Ye Qiu replied, “The journey to the cultivation world is fraught with danger. I don’t know when I’ll return, so I can’t take you.”
“Besides, though Dragon Gate has pacified the realm, many matters still need you.”
“Train diligently. If the chance arises later, I’ll take you to the cultivation world.”
Ye Qiu gave Han Long a thousand-year-old spiritual herb, helped him absorb its power, and said, “Next, I’ll teach you a fist technique called Dragon-Slaying Fist, created by my father. It’s very powerful. Watch closely.”
Ye Qiu began demonstrating.
Han Long watched intently, fully focused on Ye Qiu’s movements.
An hour later, when Ye Qiu left Han Long’s room, Han Long had cultivated six streams of true qi.
Then, he entered Zhao Hu’s room and taught him techniques.
Zhao Hu’s martial talent was slightly lesser, and he only cultivated three streams of true qi.
Finally, Ye Qiu entered Qing Long’s room.
Qing Long was sipping tea and poured a cup for Ye Qiu, asking, “Gate Master, must you leave?”
Ye Qiu nodded. “I must.”
“Any instructions for me?” Qing Long asked.
Ye Qiu said, “Dragon Gate has many members and complex affairs. Qingcheng is headstrong, so help her shoulder some burdens.”
“If you face trouble, seek help from the Underworld Palace. I’ll speak to the War God.”
“As long as Dragon Gate doesn’t break the law, the War God won’t stand idly by.”
Qing Long nodded. “Rest assured, I’ll assist Zhu Que in managing Dragon Gate.”
“Now, I’ll help you boost your cultivation. Strengthening you benefits both you and Dragon Gate.”
Ye Qiu gave Qing Long a thousand-year-old spiritual herb, had him consume it, and taught him techniques.
By seven in the evening, when Ye Qiu left Qing Long’s room, Qing Long had cultivated eight streams of true qi, enough to rank in the top five of the God List.
Finally, Ye Qiu entered Cao Qingcheng’s room.
Upon entering, he saw a round wooden bathtub in the room. Cao Qingcheng was bathing inside, her skin glowing like fine white jade under the light.
“Qing Long and the others have significantly improved their cultivation. With diligent practice, they should all cross into cultivation eventually.”
Ye Qiu said, “Qingcheng, Dragon Gate’s affairs are complex. You don’t need to handle everything yourself. Focus on major matters and let Qing Long and the others handle the rest.”
“And…”
“Enough. I’m not new to managing Dragon Gate. I know what to do,” Cao Qingcheng interrupted, asking, “When will you return from the cultivation world?”
“When I’ve settled matters, I’ll come back,” Ye Qiu said.
“When will you settle those matters?” Cao Qingcheng pressed.
Ye Qiu answered honestly, “I don’t know.”
“So, you don’t know when you’ll return?” Cao Qingcheng asked.
“Yes,” Ye Qiu nodded slightly.
Cao Qingcheng stood abruptly, her body bare, adorned with water droplets, resembling a lotus emerging from water, radiant and captivating.
Ye Qiu swallowed hard. “Qingcheng, you—”
“Don’t talk. Get in here!” Cao Qingcheng quickly helped Ye Qiu undress, pulled him into the tub, and hugged him, saying, “I want to love you fully. Hurry~”
