With a thought, Qian Duoduo exited the Zongshi Hall and arrived at Zongshi Ridge, standing before the Eight Ancestors, whose Divine Souls were still unsettled.

The moment he disappeared, Zhao Yanran's clear shout of "Brother—" came from behind him.

Qian Duoduo had just felt a moment of relief after escaping Zhao Yanran's assault when Zeng Zifang called out to him, "Little Qian, you're finally out! I was so worried."

Saying that, Zeng Zifang stepped forward, about to embrace Qian Duoduo and carefully check if he was missing any parts or had gained anything extra.

Qian Duoduo, who had just assumed a domineering stance and stood tall, immediately deflated at the sight and prepared to flee Zongshi Ridge.

Zhao Family Old Ancestor waved his hand, stopping Zeng Zifang.

Ancestor Zeng gently pushed Zeng Zifang with his palm, sending her outside the circle of the Eight Ancestors.

The Eight Ancestors exchanged glances, then bowed, "Greetings, Ba Zu."

Since the Ba Ling Sect moved to this location, no one had ever walked out of the Zongshi Hall.

Generations of Old Ancestors conducted countless collective studies on the Zongshi Hall, at most mastering a few methods of borrowing its power, but never being able to use it at will.

They knew nothing about what the Zongshi Hall looked like, whether it contained high-grade Magic Treasures, Cultivation Techniques, or Medicinal Pills.

The Aura on Qian Duoduo was identical to the one that had previously probed them.

The Old Ancestors saw very clearly that Qian Duoduo's Cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, but in front of these old foxes, this was nothing.

As long as he could bring them benefits and advantages to the Ba Ling Sect, even if he had no Cultivation, it wouldn't matter.

Qian Duoduo raised his Aura, cupped his hands, and said, "There's no need for such formality, Old Ancestors."

He then subtly directed the Ba Zu Aura towards the Old Ancestors.

The Cultivation of the Eight Ancestors, which had just calmed down, began to involuntarily fluctuate again.

The Old Ancestors were like children seeing their favorite food, each one introspecting their bodies, diligently seeking that sliver of hope for advancing to the Heavenly Human stage.

Before they could even rejoice for a moment, Qian Duoduo pressed down the Ba Zu Aura again.

With a "crack," the Old Ancestors' Cultivation began to drop; Nascent Soul Great Perfection dropped to Nascent Soul Late Stage, then from Nascent Soul Late Stage to Nascent Soul Stage, and then from Nascent Soul Stage to Nascent Soul Initial Stage.

Seeing the Old Ancestors' Aura drop, Zeng Zifang couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

If her own grandfather hadn't been among them, she would have burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, Long Jinxuan and Hua Biaobang, who stood in the distance, closed their eyes, reined in their Spiritual Awareness, and did their best to turn themselves into stones.

Not hearing or seeing was the safest approach.

The Eight Ancestors stood dumbfounded, savoring the shock of their Cultivation suddenly dropping by three stages, trying to guess Ba Zu Qian Duoduo's profound intentions.

After a long while, their Cultivation still hadn't recovered, and Qian Duoduo hadn't spoken, so Ancestor Zeng lightly coughed:

"I have a suggestion, what do you think? I suggest we invite Ba Zu to preside over our Sect."

The other Old Ancestors' bodies trembled, and they cursed the old fox in their hearts.

The entire Sect knew that the relationship between Zeng Zifang and Qian Duoduo was ambiguous.

Now that Qian Duoduo had become Ba Zu, able to both enhance and suppress Cultivation, if you let Ba Zu preside over the Ba Ling Sect, wouldn't that be letting the Zeng Family preside over the Ba Ling Sect?

The seven Old Ancestors had all secretly tested it and confirmed that their Cultivation had indeed dropped from Nascent Soul Great Perfection to Nascent Soul Initial Stage.

And this was just Ba Zu's greeting gift; whether there would be a grander gift later was still unknown.

Whoever disagreed with Ancestor Zeng's suggestion would be standing against Ba Zu.

At their current Cultivation, standing against Ba Zu would be inviting trouble.

Ancestor Feng Fan pondered for a moment, then was the first to nod, "Seconded."

Once he nodded, the other six Old Ancestors also nodded in agreement.

Qian Duoduo withdrew the Ba Zu Aura, and the Eight Ancestors' Cultivation immediately recovered to Nascent Soul Great Perfection.

He waved his hand, "Old Ancestors, you are too polite. This junior was fortunate enough to receive the Ba Zu Legacy and still needs to Cultivate much more before he can shoulder such a heavy responsibility. Please do not mention presiding over the Sect again. The Ba Ling Sect is currently vibrant and its strength is steadily rising, which is all thanks to the efforts of you Old Ancestors. I ask that you continue your hard work."

With their Cultivation restored, the Old Ancestors all felt at ease, and hearing Qian Duoduo voluntarily decline to preside over the Ba Ling Sect, they felt even more relieved, except for Ancestor Zeng, who was a little disappointed.

Zeng Zifang, standing nearby, felt inexplicably lost when Qian Duoduo didn't agree to use his influence to preside over the Ba Ling Sect, and she blurted out:

"Is it over? Little Qian, you must be tired after the Zongshi War. Come on, let's go home. I'll brush the dirt off your clothes and scrub the mud off your body, just like before."