Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 452 New Sect Leader Of Heaven Sword Sect!

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[Host Info]

Host: Bai Zihan

Age: 18

Cultivation Realm: Void Refinement (Early)

Constitution: Supreme Dao Bone

Martial Arts:

Nine Shadows Flowing Light Sword (Major Mastery)

Eternal Flowing Water Sword (Greater Mastery) Fate Severing Slash (Greater Mastery)

Heaven's Mandate Reversal (Beginner Mastery)

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"Not bad!"

Bai Zihan whispered to himself.

Successfully, he had advanced into the Void Refinement Realm and even

secured his foundation there.

A deep breath escaped him.

"How much time did I spend in seclusion...?"

He halted, relying on his natural sense to figure it out.

"Over two months."

That was the minimum, he figured.

Bai Zihan stood up from the cultivation platform and stretched his body gently.

Dried spiritual remnants and sweat had soiled his robes, making them unfit for any encounters.

First things first...

"I should take a bath."

***

Once cleaned up from the bath, he summoned Kong Zhanghong, yet the transmission talisman stayed silent.

Realizing that reaching Kong Zhanghong was futile, Bai Zihan chose to stroll through the Bai Clan instead.

Bustling energy filled the Bai Clan.

Much more vibrant than during the pre-war times.

Fresh structures had sprung up. The training areas rang with the clash of blades.

Disciples hurried along with clear intent, their auras more refined, balanced, and potent. Wherever Bai Zihan wandered, eyes turned toward him.

And in every spot-

They offered deep bows of respect.

No murmurs spread.

No sympathy lingered.

No uneasy sidestepping occurred.

As though his former crippled condition meant absolutely nothing now.

Bai Zihan watched all this in silence.

He walked past known spots-ancient courtyards, serene nooks where he used to practice or relax.

But as he halted and scanned the area-

No companions appeared for conversation.

No one showed up for idle chatter.

Without thinking, a certain name rose in his thoughts.

"...Luo Qing."

Bai Zihan stopped short.

At least, with her around, he could share a few words. But these days,

solitude gripped him completely.

Bai Zihan lingered by himself in the courtyard.

"I truly have no friends left."

A wry smile crossed his lips as he spoke.

"Not that I ever minded much anyway."

Still, the quiet stretched out more than usual.

***

Calm days slipped by.

Usually, Kong Zhanghong would rush over right after the message, but some issue must have held him back.

Bai Zihan felt no rush.

He practiced cultivation at a gentle pace, roamed the clan territories, and noted the shifts caused by passing time and rising strength.

Suddenly-

By the fourth day-

Kong Zhanghong showed up in front of him, dropping to one knee instantly.

"Young Master!"

Bai Zihan regarded him with steady eyes.

"You kept me waiting."

Kong Zhanghong bowed his head even lower.

"Forgive me. An urgent matter demanded my focus."

Bai Zihan's stare intensified.

"Report!"

Kong Zhanghong wavered for the briefest instant.

Then he began.

"Sect Leader Tian Yuheng has been ousted."

The tranquil period shattered right then.

***

Kong Zhanghong kept his tone even, yet the gravity of his words hung heavy.

During Bai Zihan's closed-door session, Clan Head Bai Tianheng kept his word.

The High Earth-Grade cultivation technique was delivered to Tian Yuheng, free of any demand for the Heaven Sword Sect to side with the Bai Clan.

Still, the effort arrived far too late.

The harm had already taken root well before the technique reached them.

By that point, numerous disciples-particularly from outer, inner, and core ranks-had already secured the cultivation method via alternative sources.

Certain ones traced back to the Bai Clan's influence.

Others stemmed from the Li-Zhao Alliance.

The sect's inner discord had already hardened.

Inefficiency, in truth, sparked resentment quicker than flat refusal ever could.

Instead of steadying the Heaven Sword Sect, Tian Yuheng's choice turned into yet another tool for Elder Han.

Elder Han openly charged him with more "boot-licking" toward the Bai Clan, insisting that even on the edge of ruin, the sect leader preferred pleading for scraps over commanding with true power.

The moment struck with flawless precision.

Disciples already simmered with discontent.

Elders split deeply in loyalty.

A few Grand Elders opted for quiet-and in these affairs, quiet equaled support.

Supported by the Anti-Sect Leader group, Elder Han called a internal tribunal.

Tian Yuheng faced charges of failure, eroded command, and threatening the sect's path ahead.

The result proved unavoidable.

Forced from his seat, he yielded.

Tian Yuheng avoided resistance, knowing it would ignite civil war within the Heaven Sword Sect, something he sought to prevent above all.

He believed resigning served as the wisest choice for the Heaven Sword Sect's sake.

Thus, the expected inner conflict that many anticipated never erupted.

Tian Yuheng's life stayed untouched.

His cultivation base endured unharmed, and he was allowed to hold an Elder's rank.

But Tian Yuheng gave up that post on his own-without delay.

He recognized that Elder Han offered it merely to mock him.

"Elder Han has risen to Sect Leader."

For a fleeting second, silence blanketed the courtyard. Under the tree's shadow, Bai Zihan froze briefly.

The end result felt neither shocking nor hard to grasp.

Kong Zhanghong went on.

"Formally, the Heaven Sword Sect announces 'internal restructuring!'

Behind the scenes-"

"They've joined the Li-Zhao Alliance," Bai Zihan stated bluntly.

Their heavy involvement in this was undeniable.

"Correct," Kong Zhanghong confirmed.

"Elder Han's allies now dominate all vital roles. Resources, disciples, outside dealings-every aspect."

Bai Zihan's eyes drifted far off.

The identity of the Sect Leader held no interest for him.

Whether Tian Yuheng led or Elder Han took over-it didn't matter.

However-

"For Li and Zhao to seize a premier sect like this..."

"I won't permit that."

Kong Zhanghong felt another tremor at Bai Zihan's declaration.

Facing any foe, Bai Zihan showed no trace of doubt.

Kong Zhanghong started to speak, then held back once more.

Bai Zihan caught it right away.

"There's more to tell?"

Kong Zhanghong's fist tightened slightly, then eased.

"Indeed."

He stood tall and locked eyes with Bai Zihan.

"Speak your mind," Bai Zihan urged. "Hide nothing."

Kong Zhanghong drew a steady breath and pressed forward.

Elder Han lost no time in securing his hold over the Heaven Sword Sect.

The instant Tian Yuheng resigned, rapid reforms swept in-swift, firm, and ruthless.

The initial step targeted inner cleansing.

Disciples showing open ties to the Bai Clan faced expulsion.

Pushback arose as expected.

Outcries burst from inner and core disciples.

A handful of elders raised objections.

Certain sword halls outright rejected the orders.

Yet none of it counted.

With Elder Han enthroned as Sect Leader, his commands stood as absolute rule.

Resisters got branded as holdovers from the prior era.

Debaters faced claims of undermining the sect's destiny.

And waverers received equal treatment.

What stunned observers wasn't the banishments alone-

But their vast reach.

Not just Bai Clan supporters fell to the purge, nor solely those from the Sect Leader's circle.

Neutrals got pulled into the chaos too.

Including-

Qinglan!

The mentor to Bai Zihan, Bai Xueqing, and even Kong Zhanghong.

Throughout the turmoil, she stayed unaligned.

She backed neither Tian Yuheng nor challenged Elder Han.

But staying neutral turned into an offense.

In the fresh regime, neutrality counted as subtle rebellion.

Qinglan ended up under "temporary confinement."

Her powers got revoked.

Her actions faced constant watch.

Her students suffered the same.

Bai Xueqing, especially, exploded in anger.

Her rage burned hot.

Unlike Bai Zihan, she shared profound bonds with the Heaven Sword Sect and Qinglan alike.

Worsening it all, an expulsion notice hit Bai Xueqing and every Bai Clan member soon after.

She received orders to depart the sect.

For the moment, she stayed inside the Heaven Sword Sect-but Elder Han showed no sign of backing down.

Elder Han's group kept squeezing tighter. Supporters of Tian Yuheng once loyal now faced subtle curbs. Questioners got called in for "disciplinary discussions."

Silent elders now drew close inspection.

The Heaven Sword Sect transformed completely.

No more fractures. Unity reigned- enforced by terror and control.

Kong Zhanghong wrapped up his account with a somber look.

As a past Heaven Sword Sect disciple, seeing its decline left a sour ache within him.

"The Heaven Sword Sect lies solidly in Li-Zhao hands now," he summed up.

"And the Young Miss endures treatment as a foe."

The atmosphere near Bai Zihan chilled sharply.

This went beyond mere sway or equilibrium.

Boundaries had shattered.

And Elder Han turned it deeply personal.

The man abandoned any pretense of hidden loyalties.

Bai Zihan gave a cold smile.

"Kong Zhanghong," he commanded evenly, "get my ship ready." "Time to face this idiot."

"And show him his true standing!"