---
It had been three days since Lin Feng accidentally summoned an ancient Demon King during a sneeze, and life at Azure Sky Sect had grown... tense.
Disciples bowed nervously whenever Lin Feng walked by with his massive demonic bodyguard stomping behind him, and elders had started offering him free tea and not-so-subtle bribes to "take his horrifying aura elsewhere."
But Lin Feng had a new problem.
He was exhausted.
Between daily "You Might Be Cursed" spiritual checkups, accidental fan mail from the Demon Realm, and trying to house-train the Demon King (who refused to stop melting furniture with his aura), Lin Feng hadn't had a proper nap in days.
So, when he wandered into the main sect hall one afternoon and found it mysteriously empty, with a ridiculously comfy-looking chair at the top of the dais, he did what any reasonable cultivator would do.
He flopped into it and passed out.
Unfortunately, the chair in question was The Seat of Unity—reserved for the Elder overseeing sect matters.
Also unfortunately, today was the Azure Sky Sect's quarterly Elder Assembly.
---
One Hour Later…
The grand doors of the hall swung open, and a flood of elders in elegant robes filed in, their expressions stern and schedules full.
The moment they saw Lin Feng snoring softly in the Elder Chair—drooling slightly—they froze.
Head Elder Yun narrowed his eyes. "...Who is that?"
Bai Xue, having heard the commotion, peeked in and immediately turned pale. "Oh no…"
Before she could stop them, the ceremony began.
A gong rang.
A disciple shouted: "The Elder of Unity is seated! Let the proceedings commence!"
Lin Feng snorted awake, blinking sleepily. "Huh? Where am I? Is it snack time?"
Elder Yun stepped forward and bowed. "Honored Elder, we are pleased to have you join the council today. May we begin the debate on resource distribution?"
Lin Feng sat up straighter. "Wait, what? Me? I'm not—"
Before he could protest, a group of sect stewards carried over a large scroll and unrolled it before him.
"Honored Elder, please approve or reject the proposal to allocate spirit stones to the Alchemy Hall."
Lin Feng panicked.
He randomly pointed at the scroll. "Uh… Yes. But also, reduce the snack tax."
Elder Yun blinked. "A bold fiscal move. Approved!"
The crowd murmured in respect.
Flame Duck, now wearing a tiny ceremonial hat, let out a proud quack from the armrest.
The Demon King loomed silently behind the chair like an ominous tapestry.
The meeting continued, with Lin Feng half-napping, half-randomly approving things like "monthly massage budgets" and "mandatory duck appreciation day."
By the end of the meeting, the elders were deeply impressed.
"He's so unorthodox," whispered one.
"So daring," murmured another.
"I think he's asleep with his eyes open," noted a third.
Regardless, it was official:
Lin Feng was now Azure Sky Sect's youngest honorary elder.
---
Later That Evening…
Back at his room (now upgraded to a mini-palace), Lin Feng held his new elder badge and stared blankly.
"I… just wanted a nap," he whispered.
Bai Xue barged in, waving a scroll. "Do you have any idea what you've done?! You approved an underground hot spring in the middle of the training field!"
"I did? That sounds amazing," Lin Feng said.
"And you doubled the budget for 'Mystical Snack Research'!"
Lin Feng gasped. "You mean we can finally unlock the secrets of spicy dumplings that don't explode?"
Bai Xue groaned. "You're insane."
The Demon King, sipping tea while reading a pamphlet titled How to Be a Better Henchman, grunted. "He's efficient."
Lin Feng sighed happily. "Maybe I really am elder material."
Just then, a messenger disciple ran in, pale and breathless.
"Elder Lin Feng! There's trouble! The Crimson Shadow Sect has challenged Azure Sky Sect to a formal duel!"
Lin Feng blinked. "Who?"
"The ruthless, arrogant sect from the west! They claim you mocked their founder in a public speech!"
Lin Feng scratched his head. "Was that the 'banana-faced warthog' comment?"
Bai Xue: "...You did say that during lunch. Loudly."
The messenger gulped. "Their Champion arrives at dawn tomorrow… and they demand you face them in combat."
Lin Feng looked at the demon king.
The demon king shrugged. "Shall I reduce them to ash?"
Lin Feng: "Let's not start with war crimes. Maybe we can talk it out!"
Flame Duck quacked skeptically.