After retrieving the Spirit Medicine with Mu Xian’Er, Yi Tianyun quickly returned to refine the Elixir Pills. No one disturbed him during the process—either they didn’t dare to, or there simply were no traitors left.

They had all been fighting in the main hall. The disciples outside were cultivating as usual, completely unaware of what had happened inside. They especially didn’t know that the Mansion Master was severely injured and trapped in the basement.

"Whew, it’s ready. Apply this Bone Healing Ointment to his hands and feet, and they should heal in time." Yi Tianyun handed over the full box of ointment.

The Great Elder took it, his voice filled with excitement. "Thank you so much. If you hadn’t been able to refine this, we would have had to make a trip to the Star Pavilion to buy it."

The Star Pavilion did sell Bone Healing Ointment. After all, they had fourth-grade Alchemists. If they didn’t even have fourth-grade Alchemists, they shouldn’t even bother opening a Treasure Pavilion. Not only did they have fourth-grade Alchemists, but they also had fourth-grade Blacksmiths; otherwise, their Overall Strength wouldn’t be so formidable.

"It’s nothing. As the successor to the Profound Celestial Spirit King, I’m practically a member of the Celestial Extreme Mansion. It’s only right that I help out." Yi Tianyun smiled and looked at the Mansion Master lying in bed. His complexion had already improved greatly. It seemed that if things continued this way, it wouldn’t be long before he could get out of bed and walk around.

"Ding! ’Heal the Mansion Master’ quest completed. Received 1,000,000 Experience Points, 10,000 Madness Value. Mansion Master’s Favorability +100, Great Elder’s Favorability +100, Mu Xian’Er’s Favorability +100, He Qianhan’s Favorability +100, Character Value +100!"

’This was an excellent quest. It increased a lot of favorability all at once, but most importantly, it increased my Character Value by one hundred points! This is a stat related to all my actions; the higher, the better. Eventually, I won’t even need to activate my Luck Aura—it’ll feel like it’s always on.’

"The successor to the Profound Celestial Spirit King..." The Mansion Master, lying in bed, gave a faint smile and pointed a finger at him. "Young man, my cultivation has been crippled. I can no longer serve as the Mansion Master. I now formally appoint you as the new Mansion Master, with the Great Elder to assist you. Are you willing to take on this position?"

The sudden request stunned Yi Tianyun. Even He Qianhan and the others at the side were floored by the Mansion Master’s words. It was all too sudden—making Yi Tianyun the Mansion Master! To become the Mansion Master, one definitely needed formidable cultivation, but more importantly, one had to be highly respected and of noble character.

Yi Tianyun had only just arrived and had no prestige. How could he win the support of the people? In contrast, the Great Elder beside them was all smiles, as if he had already discussed this with the Mansion Master.

"This... I have no prestige and will certainly not have the support of the disciples. If I can’t win their respect, how can I possibly serve as Mansion Master?" Yi Tianyun shook his head. ’I wouldn’t actually mind becoming the Mansion Master. It would mean that bridging the gap between our two factions wouldn’t be a big problem, and merging them would undoubtedly be much easier.’

"We’ve already considered that. As the successor to the Profound Celestial Spirit King, you already possess a degree of prestige. The Profound Celestial Spirit King’s prestige in the Celestial Extreme Mansion is extremely high. As his successor, it will naturally be easier for you to take the position. As for the other affairs of the Celestial Extreme Mansion, the Great Elder can assist you, so there won’t be any problems."

Clearly, they had already thought it all through and knew what to do. Yi Tianyun was highly capable and also had the status of the Profound Celestial Spirit King’s successor, so it would naturally be easy for him to take the position.

’The Celestial Extreme Mansion’s current situation is rather awkward. Besides the Great Elder, there are no elders left. I killed two of them, leaving only the Great Elder. As for any Ancestor Level figures, there are none at all. The entire upper echelon has been wiped clean. This means that the Great Elder is the only powerful expert left to hold the fort. In theory, it can no longer be called the Celestial Extreme Mansion, but the Celestial Extreme Sect. No wonder they’re ridiculed. Aside from their buildings, they have very few experts. It’s a truly desolate situation.’

Yi Tianyun was silent for a moment, then spoke truthfully, "Let me be frank. I’m actually from a sect on the Earth Realm Continent, where I am an elder of a second-grade faction. I don’t really plan on joining another faction. I only want to recruit disciples from other sects, or other Cultivators, to join and strengthen our second-grade faction. The Celestial Extreme Mansion has fallen into decline. If I were to become the Mansion Master, it would essentially be to merge our two factions. As for which one would be dominant, I don’t think I need to elaborate on that."

Yi Tianyun’s honest confession stunned them; none of them had expected him to say such a thing. ’If I didn’t say it now, I would have had to say it eventually. I can’t just slowly enact this plan in secret.’

"If we merge, according to your idea, your side would certainly take the lead, but that would mean the Celestial Extreme Mansion would completely disappear..." The Mansion Master shook his head and refused. "That is absolutely not an option. The Celestial Extreme Mansion has existed for many years. Even though we’ve declined, we don’t want to just vanish like this."

"Then let’s split into two branches. All female disciples will join my sect, and any male disciples recruited in the future will stay in the Celestial Extreme Mansion." Yi Tianyun had thought of a solution. ’The Merak Sect can continue to be female-dominated, while the male disciples can all be in the Celestial Extreme Mansion. That way, there wouldn’t be any conflict.’

"Hm? Your sect only recruits female disciples?" They were stunned. Although there were similar sects on the Celestial Realm Continent, they hadn’t expected to find one on the Earth Realm Continent as well.

"That’s right, only female disciples. This allows for targeted cultivation, which makes it easier for them to improve," Yi Tianyun said.

"That’s still not going to work..." The Mansion Master shook his head, then asked, "By the way, what’s the name of your sect?"

"The Merak Sect. It was originally called the Merak Palace, but its level was high enough to be promoted to a second-grade faction," Yi Tianyun explained.

"Merak Sect, Merak Palace... Merak!" the Mansion Master exclaimed in shock. "This... do you know whose name Merak is?"

"Don’t tell me..." Yi Tianyun paused, an idea immediately forming in his mind.

"That’s right! Merak is the Profound Celestial Spirit King’s name. His real name is He Tianxuan!" the Mansion Master said in surprise. "If this isn’t a coincidence, then the Merak Sect was very likely founded by the Profound Celestial Spirit King himself. Given the circumstances at the time, the Profound Celestial Spirit King was very dissatisfied with the Celestial Extreme Mansion, which is why he left. Looking at it this way, it’s quite possible he founded a sect outside... but it’s all female disciples."

"No, it seems the first Palace Master was male. It’s very likely that the sect was indeed founded by the Profound Celestial Spirit King. I’ll have to investigate this properly when I get back." Yi Tianyun smiled and said, "In that case, we’re all one big family. If that’s really the case, I wonder if the Mansion Master would be willing to merge the two factions?"

Merging was the best path forward. To truly strengthen a sect, one couldn’t rely solely on female Cultivators. After all, men were also needed to step up.

"If that’s the case, of course we are willing to merge!" The Mansion Master smiled. In that case, it was a completely different story.