Chapter 1: Dressed in pure, plain white robes, untainted by the dust of the mortal world.

“Bi Lan, your innate talent is decent. From today onward, you are promoted to an Inner Disciple.”

The Elder gently stroked his beard. “All Inner Disciples must cultivate in the Back Mountain. Fuyun Sect’s inner sect has four immortal mountains: Tianzhu, Diling, Xuanjing, and Huangyin. Which peak do you wish to join?”

Bi Lan thought for a moment, then replied, “This disciple wishes to go to Tianzhu Peak.”

“Good.” The Elder granted her request. A peachwood Waist Token appeared in his hand out of thin air. He inscribed a Talisman Spell into it. “This is your Talisman Token. Keep it safe. With this token, you can pass through the Separation Transformation Array and reach Tianzhu Peak.”

“Seek out the Grand Elder’s Direct Disciple, Luo Qi. He will arrange a Cave Abode for you.”

Bi Lan accepted the Talisman Token and bowed three times. “Thank you, Elder.”

She moved from the front mountain to the Back Mountain. Exiting the array, a secluded little path appeared before her.

She had heard Fierce Beasts often roamed the Back Mountain, so Bi Lan proceeded cautiously. Suddenly, a gust of wind brought with it sounds of boisterous laughter.

She parted a clump of grass and looked toward the source of the sound.

Several Inner Disciples in white robes were gathered together. In their midst was a woman, her hair disheveled, thin as a rail. Had a few Senior Brothers not been holding her up, she likely wouldn’t have even been able to kneel steadily.

At the front, a Direct Disciple in blue robes snapped his folding fan shut and sneered coldly. “With your head held so high, where is any sign of respect for your Senior Brother?”

The two people flanking the woman understood. They immediately pressed down on her head, forcing her body low until her entire face was plastered to the ground.

Only then was the blue-robed disciple satisfied. He tapped his Jade Fan lightly against his palm. “A waste. Every year, the summit competition is held back by you, making our Tianzhu Peak the target of ridicule from the other peaks. Knowing we are in secluded cultivation here today, you still dared to appear and annoy us. Tell me, all of you, how should she be punished?”

He looked around, then casually pointed at someone. “You speak.”

That person glanced quickly at the woman on the ground, then lowered his head and spoke. “It is said that Immortal Venerable Yuanqing attained enlightenment in water. So… why not throw her into the river? Help her train. The cold water might shock her into awakening her potential.”

The blue-robed disciple clapped his hands and laughed. “An excellent idea! Since this woman lives on Tianzhu Peak, she should naturally carry on the Immortal Venerable’s spirit. Otherwise, such a fine person with a peach-blossom complexion has talent worse than a Human Cauldron. It’s truly a pity. Do it!”

Bi Lan couldn’t help but cry out in shock.

Tianzhu Peak’s water was famous for its bone-chilling cold. The season was already deep autumn. Without a cultivation base at the Body Tempering Realm or higher, even if she survived, she would likely fall gravely ill.

The blue-robed disciple turned back. “Who’s there?!”

Bi Lan was startled. She wanted to retreat, but a white shadow flashed before her eyes. An Inner Disciple Senior Brother appeared in front of her in an instant. Before she could react, he effortlessly subdued her and brought her to the riverbank.

The blue-robed disciple scrutinized her with a cold, questioning look. “Who are you? Why are you at Tianzhu Peak?”

Terrified, Bi Lan raised her Talisman Token with both hands and prostrated herself. “I am Bi Lan, a newly promoted Inner Disciple. It is my first time entering the Back Mountain, and I am not familiar with the paths. I have trespassed before the Senior Brothers. Please, Senior Brothers, forgive me!”

“So it’s a new Junior Sister.” The blue-robed disciple checked her Talisman Token, and his expression relaxed. “Very well, an unintentional mistake. We won’t hold it against you.”

Bi Lan’s heart settled a little. Unexpectedly, he changed tack. “But since you are joining the inner sect, you should first undergo an examination by your Senior Brothers to test your resolve.”

Trembling with fear, Bi Lan asked, “W-what kind of examination?”

“Simple.” The blue-robed disciple used his folded fan to lift Bi Lan’s chin, nudging her face to force her to look at the barely breathing woman behind her. “See her? Push her down!”

Shocked, Bi Lan retorted, “I have no grievance with this Junior Sister. I absolutely cannot do this!”

The blue-robed disciple raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

The other Senior Brothers around them began to clamor. “You, a little immortal child just entering the inner sect, how can you be so ignorant of the rules? You won’t even listen to Senior Brother Luo’s words? How about we shatter your Talisman Token and send you back to the Outer Sect!”

“If you fail the examination, and without Senior Brother Luo’s approval, you won’t enter the inner sect even with that Talisman Token.”

“Sending you back to the Outer Sect is just a matter of a word from Senior Brother Luo.”

Bi Lan’s eyes widened in sudden panic. “Senior Brother Luo? You are the Grand Elder’s Direct Disciple, Luo Qi, Senior Brother Luo?”

Luo Qi curled his lip. “You recognize me?”

Bi Lan lowered her head, her expression conflicted.

“Why so afraid?” Luo Qi looked completely at ease. “Do I look like an utterly wicked person to you?”

Bi Lan swallowed hard and reluctantly shook her head.

Luo Qi was very satisfied with her reply. He then pointed to the woman not far away and asked Bi Lan, “Do you know who she is?”

Bi Lan shook her head again. “I don’t.”

Luo Qi told her, “Her name is Yan Zhao. A child Immortal Venerable Yuanqing brought back from the mortal world. She is also the only disciple on our Tianzhu Peak with blocked meridians, unable to cultivate.”

As he spoke, the named woman raised her head slightly.

Her disheveled hair hid her eyes. No one saw the cold, silent look deep within her pupils behind the black strands.

Luo Qi unfurled his Jade Fan, playing with it in his hand, while offering Bi Lan an explanation.

“She has lived on Tianzhu Peak for three hundred years, surviving solely on the Magic Treasure Immortal Venerable Yuanqing left her to nurture her body. We, your Senior Brothers, are truly concerned. So we came up with this method to help her break through.”

Finishing, he stared directly into Bi Lan’s eyes. “Junior Sister Bi Lan, do you still have any doubts?”

Bi Lan had no way out. Trembling, she replied, “N-no.”

“Good.” Luo Qi stood up, lifted his chin toward Yan Zhao with an arrogant look, and said, “Go.”

Hesitantly, Bi Lan stood.

Her legs felt as if they were filled with lead. She’d move one step, then pause for three breaths.

But the distance was only a few yards, and a few extra steps brought her to the spot.

She arrived before Yan Zhao.

Through the gap in the hair, she met a pair of eyes.

Those eyes were black as ink, deep as the caverns of Jiuyou, bottomless. They shook Bi Lan to her core, making her heart race with panic and confusion.

Her gaze dodged away, falling downwards. She saw the woman’s lips twitch, and that hoarse, raspy voice unexpectedly held a hint of laughter. “Do you really believe his nonsense?”

The laughter was chilling. Bi Lan’s back went cold, goosebumps rising on her skin.

“I’m sorry.” Bi Lan closed her eyes. “I don’t understand your grievances, but… I must enter the inner sect. I owe you for what happens today!”

Yan Zhao let out a cold laugh. “Indeed, humans are the most detestable things in this world. You all always have all sorts of reasons.”

Bi Lan couldn’t bear to hear more. She decisively thrust out a palm and pushed Yan Zhao into the water.

The Senior Brothers on the bank clapped and laughed. But Bi Lan felt a buzzing in her ears. The deafening sound of water and Yan Zhao’s words tangled together, hammering against her eardrums, tormenting her conscience.

A few splashes bloomed on the surface, but Yan Zhao didn’t even have the will to struggle, letting her body sink bit by bit.

Bi Lan watched her disappear into the water. An indescribable emotion wrenched at her heart.

“Junior Sister!”

Resolve hardened in her heart, she moved to jump in and save her.

Suddenly, the now-calm water surface began to bubble as if boiling, gurgling loudly.

Bi Lan stopped in her tracks.

The Senior Brothers’ laughter faded. Luo Qi approached the pool with a suspicious look.

The bubbles on the water increased, the area spreading from two yards to ten. A dark whirlpool appeared in the center, as if something was about to burst out from below.

“What’s going on?” Luo Qi muttered. “The Tianzhu River’s flow is usually so gentle. Why this strange phenomenon today?”

Before he finished speaking, a splash erupted. A giant serpent shot out of the water, the river water cascading down like a waterfall, causing a torrential downpour on the bank.

Everyone near the bank was drenched by the river water.

Luo Qi froze. The Inner Disciples behind him cried out in alarm. “It’s a Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon!”

The Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon, a Fierce Beast unique to Tianzhu Peak. The weakest had at least Golden Core cultivation. Usually, it hid deep in the mountains, rarely emerging, and would not actively attack disciples cultivating there. No one knew why it was in such a frenzy today.

The giant serpent roared, ferocity fully displayed. Its mouth was so huge it could swallow a man whole.

“That Beast has gone mad!” Luo Qi shrieked. “Run! Report to the Acting Peak Lord!”

He hadn’t finished when the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon swooped down, its bloody maw agape.

Luo Qi swatted Bi Lan aside with one palm, then with his other hand summoned his Jade Fan.

The fan spun, sending slashes of wind at the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon’s face, slicing its hide and briefly checking its momentum. Luo Qi himself was also knocked back by the recoil.

The Senior Brothers fled in panic. Knowing he was outmatched, Luo Qi turned and ran as well.

“Junior Sister Yan is still in the water!” Bi Lan shouted.

Luo Qi didn’t look back. “That waste has already filled the Fierce Beast’s teeth! You caused this trouble. If you want to save her, then die with her!”

The water of Tianzhu Peak was bitingly cold, freezing flesh, blood, and meridians inch by inch. It lived up to its reputation.

But this torture was not a new experience.

Yan Zhao opened her eyes. The water rippled before her, the surface growing more distant.

A dark, sinister shadow flickered beneath the water. A long tail swept, stirring a whirlpool several yards wide.

Her body was torn by the violently surging currents, accelerating her descent.

A dark-gold pearl on a cord around her neck swayed with the waves, its light flickering.

The Giant Beast broke the surface. Over a third of its ten-yard-long body emerged, revealing its ferocious visage. Its head, large as a water vat, cast a huge shadow, awe-inspiring to behold.

Luo Qi’s fan strikes had enraged the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon. Demonic Power churned underwater, blasting up several water columns with thunderous booms.

A powerful current sent Yan Zhao flying into the air. The Fierce Beast’s pair of brilliant gold, slit-like pupils locked onto her.

The Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon opened its mouth, revealing four sharp fangs. Yan Zhao’s thin frame wasn’t even enough to get stuck between its teeth.

Sunlight shimmered over the river, water droplets scattering everywhere.

A string of beads flew past Yan Zhao’s eyes. The daylight pierced through, illuminating a shadow of murky blood-red deep within her gaze.

The Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon’s fierce, vertical pupils suddenly dilated. Its body froze in mid-air, terror flashing in its snake-like eyes.

Yan Zhao’s knuckles twitched.

Whoosh-whoosh—

Several streaks of Sword Qi materialized out of nowhere, slicing across the water’s surface and slashing toward the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon.

Half a breath later, the water parted by the Sword Qi slowly flowed back together. Within the clear river, a large crimson stain bloomed. The Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon, with its Golden Core cultivation base, had been severed into several pieces. Flesh and blood splattered onto the bank with loud splats, like ripe fruit falling from a tree.

Yan Zhao plummeted rapidly from the high altitude.

Just before hitting the water, someone grabbed her by the back of her collar. Her descent halted, and in the blink of an eye, she was back on the bank.

The collar tightened, choking her uncomfortably, making it hard to breathe.

She was held by the collar like a puppet.

She lifted her eyelids, casting a sidelong glance upwards.

The newcomer’s features were indistinct. All she could discern was the faint, trailing fragrance of a fresh breeze.

A clear wind swept by, dispersing the thick stench of blood at the riverbank. The person beside her was dressed in pure, clean white robes, untainted by any speck of mortal dust.

She was probably a beauty, like an exiled immortal.

Luo Qi and the other Inner Senior Brothers, who hadn’t yet gotten far, stopped in their panicked flight. After a moment of stunned silence, they gradually came back to their senses. They immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look for a moment longer, afraid of offending the newcomer.

Luo Qi’s throat worked. In a trembling voice, he said, “Eldest… Eldest Senior Sister!”