Divine Replication System

Once everyone else had departed, Ruan Zhu couldn't contain herself any longer and blurted out her question. The resemblance was uncanny!    

"Uncle-Master Ruan, it's been a while," Lin Xuan responded with a warm smile, acknowledging his identity.    

"Nephew Lin, no, Lin Xuan, no, Hall Master, is it actually you?" Ruan Zhu was thunderstruck, her face etched with incredulity.    

Despite the mounting evidence and her own suspicions, the confirmation still sent waves of shock through her. It took a considerable moment for her to gather her wits.    

"Yes, indeed. Uncle-Master Ruan, there's no need for formality. Please, continue to call me Martial Nephew as you always have," Lin Xuan said with a casual smile, unfazed by her astonishment.    

Ruan Zhu finally snapped back to reality. "No, I'm not worthy. You are the esteemed Hall Master of Tianyuan Palace. It wouldn't be proper for me to overstep. Perhaps you should refer to me simply by my name?"    

She struggled to articulate her thoughts, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of maintaining their former manner of address. Though she was well-acquainted with Lin Xuan within the Elemental Spirit Sect, they lacked a close personal bond. Hierarchies were still respected in this world, based on individual strength.    

Lin Xuan's power had grown so formidable that she couldn't fathom its limits. Even the venerable ancestors and the entire Elemental Spirit Sect had acknowledged his supremacy. She no longer felt she deserved the title of uncle-master.    

"Then let's settle on Hall Master Ruan," Lin Xuan suggested, letting the matter rest. Titles and formalities held little importance to him.    

"Hall Master, about your strength..." Lin Xuan's demeanor remained friendly, a stark contrast to the domineering presence he once projected over the Elemental Spirit Sect.    

Recalling Lin Xuan's previous temperament, Ruan Zhu hesitantly voiced her doubts. "Hall Master, forgive my impertinence, I spoke out of turn..."    

She immediately sensed the potential impropriety of her question. His dramatic increase in power might be tied to personal secrets that were not hers to probe. Such inquiries could easily provoke his ire.    

He quickly tried to recover.    

"It's nothing."    

Lin Xuan waved his hand, his smile unwavering.    

"Just the usual cultivation process, with some fortunate opportunities. After the upheaval in Devil Essence City, I boarded the Million Treasure Ship from the Million Treasure Pavilion and set sail for the Central Essence Continent.    

"Over there, I went through a few experiences, and my cultivation progressed even faster than when I was in the Dongyuan Continent.    

"My current cultivation level is the same as yours, at the Emperor Level.    

"Of course, cultivation level isn't the sole indicator of combat strength.    

"I've faced off against peak Emperor Level opponents like Master Yuan Ling, and they've met their end at my hands—not just one or two."    

Lin Xuan spoke with an air of nonchalance.    

Ruan Zhu listened, her heart pounding with a mix of awe and trepidation.    

It was truly his own strength, not reliant on any other extraordinary means.    

This progress marked him as the first since the Middle Ages in the Dongyuan Continent.    

She was aware of Lin Xuan's prodigious talent, recognized as one of the top in the entire Dongyuan Continent.    

Yet she hadn't anticipated that he would far exceed her expectations.    

In just a matter of months, Lin Xuan had ascended to a level she hadn't even dared to contemplate.    

He now stood above the whole Elemental Spirit Sect.    

She struggled to maintain her composure.    

Thankfully, Lin Xuan had retained the same temperament as before, not allowing his significant increase in power to turn him into a tyrant.    

Thus, the Elemental Spirit Sect was, in essence, preserved.    

Even though it had been demoted to the Elemental Spirit Hall.    

But her approach was always people-first.    

Most of the Elemental Spirit Sect's senior members, along with the people she knew well, her peers, and her students, were still there, so it wasn't a problem.    

This gave her peace of mind.    

"Chairman Ruan, if there's anything else you wish to know, feel free to ask along the way," Lin Xuan offered.    

Ruan Zhu hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words.    

She and Lin Xuan weren't particularly close.    

"My disciple Xingyue, after the events in Devil Essence City, relocated the Murong family near Elemental Spirit City and then left to gain experience. She mentioned heading to the Dongyuan Continent. I wonder if you've come across any news of her there?"    

After some time, Ruan Zhu finally broached the subject that had been on her mind.    

"Xingyue has indeed reached the Central Essence Continent and rejoined her ancestral home, the Murong family—one of the Overlord Level Forces there. She's nearing the Late Martial King Stage and is held in high regard within the Murong family. You needn't worry, Master Ruan," Lin Xuan responded with a solemn tone.    

He had seen Murong Xingyue at the Jade Dragon Mountain during the martial contest for marriage, but they had not recognized each other. Lin Xuan wasn't particularly familiar with Murong Xingyue's circumstances. Nevertheless, the fact that she had accompanied the Murong family to Jade Dragon Mountain and her progress in cultivation suggested that she was well-regarded. That was as much as he could surmise.    

"That's a relief. Xingyue, while not on par with you, Master, is certainly a top-tier prodigy with the potential to reach the pinnacle of the Emperor Level. I'm glad to hear she's doing well," Ruan Zhu said, her expression brightening with a smile.    

"Furthermore, may I inquire as to how you plan to handle the Elemental Spirit Sect?" Ruan Zhu ventured cautiously. She was aware that the Sect had publicly branded Lin Xuan a traitor because he was a disciple of the Zhenwu Branch, a slight that many martial artists would find unforgivable.    

"I'm not so small-minded. I don't dwell on those matters; they had their reasons, and I've been under the protection of the Elemental Spirit Sect before. As long as the Elemental Spirit Hall remains compliant and doesn't stir up trouble, there will be no issues," Lin Xuan assured her, noticing her apprehension.    

Hearing Lin Xuan's stance, Ruan Zhu exhaled a sigh of relief.    

"Considering my level of cultivation, am I really qualified to lead the Hall?" she questioned once more.    

"If I say you're qualified, then you are—unequivocally. You hold the authority. Who would dare to challenge that?" Lin Xuan declared assertively.    

Ruan Zhu caught her breath. Indeed, Lin Xuan's current power meant that the destiny of the entire Elemental Spirit Hall hinged on his word.    

Even if the role were given to an ordinary person, no one would dare object.    

She couldn't very well say anything more about it.    

After all, there were considerable benefits in it for her.    

As the Vice Hall Master of the Elemental Spirit Hall, she held a position equivalent to the former Vice Sect Master of the Elemental Spirit Sect.    

The significance, status, and resources at her command were incomparable to her previous role as Master of the Mystic Yin Branch.    

Others could only dream of such an opportunity, so she had no reason to decline.    

Furthermore, since Lin Xuan had personally appointed her, no one dared to defy his decision.    

Both Hall Master Zhou Yu Xin and even the Old Ancestor, the Elemental Spirit, might oversee her work personally.    

She was assured of wielding real power.    

Such an extraordinary opportunity had left Ruan Zhu feeling somewhat overwhelmed.    

"However, your current level of cultivation is rather low.    

Take these; they will enhance your strength and cultivation, allowing you to advance to the late Emperor Level much more quickly," Lin Xuan's voice reached her.    

Ruan Zhu watched as a storage ring floated before her.    

Upon accepting it and infusing it with Pill Essence, she was once again utterly astonished.    

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