Wu Tian's words were rather cold, startling Lei Zhengxuan.
Wu Tian's status was no longer ordinary; he was the legitimate Sect Master of the Sacred Thunder Sect.
Even he, the former Sect Master, dared not offend him lightly.
Thus, he quickly said, "Sect Master, you misunderstand. That's not what I meant."
"Regarding the Grand Elder, I've already explained. You are the successor of Lord Thunder God, and you hold the Thunder God's Scepter."
"Therefore, there is no other choice for the position of Sect Master."
"It's just that the Grand Elder is highly respected within the sect, so no matter what, we should give him some face, shouldn't we?"
"Otherwise, it would be difficult for me."
A rare trace of bitterness appeared on Lei Zhengxuan's face.
He was not exaggerating; such matters were indeed not easy for him to resolve.
Wu Tian nodded and said, "Alright. Doesn't he just want to see if I'm qualified?"
"No problem. Since everyone has already met, what's wrong with meeting a second time?"
Seeing Wu Tian agree, Lei Zhengxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, he spoke to the crowd, "Grand Elder, the Sect Master has agreed. What are your plans?"
The crowd parted, and the Grand Elder stepped forward.
His old face was tightly drawn, his expression exceptionally serious, exuding pressure just by looking at him.
However, Wu Tian's expression did not change much. He smiled and said,
"Grand Elder, we meet again. How have you been recently?"
The Grand Elder maintained his stern demeanor, sizing up Wu Tian, and said, "I truly did not expect this."
"I was only away for a few months, and I didn't expect the Sacred Thunder Sect to have undergone such a drastic change."
"And the one who brought about this change is you."
"Even though I have lived for so many years and seen so many things, I still have to say that life is unpredictable."
Wu Tian smiled and said, "Grand Elder, your words are too strong. What do you mean by a drastic change?"
"Ultimately, the Sacred Thunder Sect has merely gained one more person."
"Besides, since Su Dong is no longer here, it seems like the balance is maintained."
Hearing this, the hearts of the disciples couldn't help but be greatly shocked.
Everyone in the Sacred Thunder Sect knew that Su Dong was the Grand Elder's disciple.
No one dared to mention Su Dong's matter in front of the Grand Elder.
Yet, Wu Tian dared to say such a thing.
Wasn't this clearly provoking the Grand Elder?
However, the Grand Elder showed no signs of anger and continued to say,
"I heard that Su Dong died by your hand?"
This statement, in actual fact, was not entirely accurate.
After all, Wu Tian had only severely injured Su Dong; the one who truly delivered the final blow was Lei Zhengxuan.
But Wu Tian had no intention of explaining such a trivial matter. He nodded and said,
"You could say that."
"What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with me and want to take revenge?"
The Grand Elder said, "Don't speak of me so ill."
"Su Dong met such an end because he brought it upon himself."
"He was tainted by demonic creatures, and even dared to attack the Sacred Thunder Sect."
"If I had been here, you wouldn't have needed to act; I would have purged my own sect."
"Is that so?" Wu Tian chuckled. "It seems the Grand Elder is truly wise and just."
"I greatly admire your resolve to uphold righteousness over kinship."
The Grand Elder did not want to engage in this war of words with Wu Tian. He let out a cold snort and said,
"Enough. That's not the main point today."
"You know my purpose. Since you possess the Thunder God's Scepter, according to the rules, you should rightfully ascend to the position of Sect Master."
"However, as the Grand Elder of the Sacred Thunder Sect, I cannot allow such an important position to be held by an incompetent person."
"Since you were able to defeat Su Dong, your current strength has earned you the right to face me."
"How about this: as long as you can withstand my full-power strike, I will acknowledge your position. What do you think?"
This condition immediately caused an uproar among the crowd.
Lei Qianjiao, who was also a disciple of the Grand Elder, quickly said to him,
"Master, isn't this a bit much?"
"You are an Eight-Revolutions Golden Immortal, while Wu Tian is a Five-Revolutions Golden Immortal. How could he possibly withstand your full-power strike?"
The Grand Elder glanced at her and said, "What, are you feeling protective?"
"I recall you didn't like him. Why are you trying to dissuade me now?"
Lei Qianjiao was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.
Lei Zhengxuan, also worried about Wu Tian's safety, stepped forward and said, "Grand Elder, perhaps you could change the condition."
"The Sect Master is the chosen candidate of Lord Thunder God. If anything were to happen, how would we explain ourselves to Lord Thunder God?"
The Grand Elder said, "The condition stands. There's no need to change it."
"I recall that when you became Sect Master, the previous Grand Elder also made the same demand, didn't he?"
"You could accept it, so why can't he?"
Lei Zhengxuan was stunned.
The Grand Elder was right. He had indeed accepted the same test back then.
But the situation then and now was completely different.
At that time, he had already reached Seven-Revolutions Golden Immortal, and the previous Grand Elder was also a Seven-Revolutions Golden Immortal.
Facing such a condition between individuals of the same level naturally lowered the difficulty significantly.
Among Golden Immortals, each level difference represented a vast gap in strength.
Now, Wu Tian and the Grand Elder were separated by a full three levels. How could he possibly withstand it?
Just as Lei Zhengxuan hesitated, Wu Tian instead smiled and nodded, saying,
"Is that the only condition? No problem, I can agree to it."
"If you are willing, then we can begin now."
"What did you say?!" Lei Zhengxuan exclaimed in shock.
Even the Grand Elder's expression couldn't help but falter slightly.
Wu Tian continued to smile, "Since the Grand Elder has said so, what else can I say?"
"Whatever needs to be done, I'm indifferent."
Lei Qianjiao said with great concern, "Wu Tian, you can't force yourself."
"I know you are very strong now, but the Grand Elder is among the strongest of the Eight-Revolutions Golden Immortals."
"You cannot possibly withstand his full-power strike."
"Let me try to talk to him. Master usually listens to my opinions. As long as I talk to him, everything will be fine."
Wu Tian shook his head, a hint of stubbornness in his smile.
"Actually, such things are not important to me, because I never wanted to be the Sect Master in the first place."
"But I have one trait: I dislike being provoked."
"So, without further ado, I repeat myself."
"Alright, I'm ready. Grand Elder, you can make your move now."