Chapter 3: “Haven’t You Harmed Her Enough?!”

Not long after Ren Qingyue left the banks of the Tianzhu River, her divine soul suddenly trembled, and she stopped in her tracks.

She sensed a faint, elusive trace of demonic soul power. The aura seemed to emanate from the deep forest to the north.

Had a great demon emerged within Tianzhu Peak? Was it related to the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon’s unusual activity today?

Her form dissolved into a wisp of green smoke, and when she reappeared, she was already outside a cave.

It had rained heavily the day before, leaving the forest floor damp. Outside the cave entrance were scattered footprints of over a dozen different demon beasts, varying in size.

She raised her sword to part the vines hanging over the cave mouth. A flash of azure light flickered through her chestnut-colored pupils.

A dense demonic aura still lingered within the cave. Several muddy footprints marked the bluestone floor, but the interior was empty. Whoever had been emitting the demonic energy had just left.

Ren Qingyue raised her hand, drawing a wisp of the demonic aura into her palm. She rubbed it between her thumb and forefinger. It felt similar to the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon she had just slain, but mixed within it was another, strangely familiar power.

Atop Tianzhu Peak, in the Yingxian Residence.

Yuan Yi sat on a prayer mat beside the low couch. While waiting for his tea to brew, he casually cast a divination.

He tossed six copper coins casually. One landed farther than the rest, slid off the table, and rolled straight toward the main door, spinning several times before finally settling.

“Tsk.” Yuan Yi observed this outcome, his face filled with worry.

He glanced sideways at the low couch beside him. Yan Zhao’s complexion was rosy, and she slept soundly, completely oblivious to the outside world.

Several talismans were affixed around the bed, confining the pure energy escaping from her body to a limited area.

“The Divine Origin within this child grows stronger year by year. Within three years, the seal will break.” Yuan Yi examined the divination result and muttered to himself, “If those old fossils in the sect find out, she’ll inevitably suffer another ordeal… Ah, a miserable fate. I must find an opportunity to send her down the mountain.”

His words were barely finished when his gaze sharpened. With a flick of his sleeve, he cast an illusion art, concealing Yan Zhao’s figure.

Not far away, the void distorted. Air currents coiled and knotted, and wisps of black energy seeped from the cracks, finally coalescing into a humanoid phantom.

Without looking up, Yuan Yi picked up the copper coins from the table one by one and placed them back into his sleeve.

Only then did he look towards the figure across the table. “What are you doing here? For someone of your status, appearing in Fuyun Sect is rather inappropriate.”

“Hand the Soul-Condensing Bead over to This Seat.” The phantom spoke, its voice unexpectedly a low, seductive female tone. “You have hidden it for a full three hundred years.”

Yuan Yi’s earlier flippancy vanished, his face turning cold. “I told you long ago, the Soul-Condensing Bead is not in my possession.”

The phantom did not accept his answer. “This Seat has given you a chance. Since you refuse to speak, do not blame This Seat for turning your Fuyun Sect upside down!”

Yuan Yi slapped the table and stood up. “My younger sister is already dead! Haven’t you harmed her enough?! Her belongings naturally have inheritors. Your obsession—do you wish to deny her peace even in death?!”

“Inheritor?” The phantom fell into deep thought. “As far as This Seat knows, Yuanqing had only one disciple.”

“You madwoman!” Finding further words futile, Yuan Yi flew into a rage and swept his sleeve. “Get out!”

The force of his palm shattered the phantom. The black energy surged, broke apart, and retreated into the crevice, vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

The Yingxian Residence was bustling today. No sooner had he sent off one uninvited guest than another figure stepped into the pavilion.

Ren Qingyue stepped on a copper coin; it dug into her foot.

She stopped, bent down to pick up the coin, and returned it to Yuan Yi.

Lingering anger remained on Yuan Yi’s face. Beside him, the tea water boiled over, the steam jostling the lid of the pot with a puffing sound.

Ren Qingyue reminded him, “Shishu, the water has boiled.”

Yuan Yi snapped out of it, as if waking from a dream.

He accepted the copper coin Ren Qingyue offered, casually placed it beside the table, then turned to lift the teapot, skillfully warming two teacups.

With tea already poured, Ren Qingyue had no choice but to sit.

Outside, birdsong and fragrant flowers filled the air; inside, the aroma of tea curled around them, the atmosphere quiet and still.

Ren Qingyue held the teacup in both hands, sipping slowly in small mouthfuls.

Yuan Yi was clearly distracted. Making idle conversation, he casually asked, “How old are you this year?”

“…” Ren Qingyue answered respectfully, “This disciple entered the sect nearly a thousand years ago. My mortal experiences are somewhat unclear in memory.”

“Soul Formation cultivation at just a thousand years old.” Yuan Yi sighed, impressed by the younger generation’s talent. “At your age, I couldn’t even grasp what the Dao was.”

Ren Qingyue set down her teacup. “Shishu is too modest.”

Yuan Yi hesitated to speak several times, refilling Ren Qingyue’s tea three times in succession.

After Ren Qingyue finished yet another cup and Yuan Yi still hadn’t spoken, she couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “Shishu, if you have something to say, please just say it directly.”

Having his thoughts seen through by a junior, Yuan Yi felt a bit embarrassed, but what needed to be said still had to be said.

He carefully considered his words and spoke euphemistically. “Recently, the Devil Clan has stirred again. The world is not peaceful. You should refrain from going down the mountain. Stay in the sect and cultivate diligently. I happen to have recently acquired several new Daoist texts; you can take them for study and contemplation.”

Ren Qingyue felt puzzled inwardly. Yuan Yi had never interfered with her cultivation before. Why was he suddenly bringing this up today?

She did not let it show on her face. She thanked Yuan Yi for his care, took the Daoist texts, and prepared to return to her own cave abode for meditation.

Just before leaving, she inadvertently glanced past Yuan Yi at the low couch behind him.

The couch was empty and bare, with only a neatly square pillow placed upon it.

Quietly pushing aside that trace of suspicion in her heart, Ren Qingyue turned and left the Yingxian Residence.

After Ren Qingyue departed, Yuan Yi gazed at the scenery beyond the door and sighed softly. “A great teacher produces a brilliant student. Ah, Little Sister, this disciple you took… she does possess a bit of your spirit.”

·

The Inner Sect junior brother brought the copy of the sect rules, even thoughtfully preparing a stack of white paper for copying.

Luo Qi was furious. He flipped the brush and ink onto the ground and pointed at the junior brother’s nose, cursing, “Are you out of your mind?!”

Lin Chao hesitated. “Senior Brother, if you don’t write it, how will you report to Eldest Senior Sister?”

It would have been better if he hadn’t mentioned it. Just bringing this up filled Luo Qi with anger.

“If not for that rotten idea of yours, how would we have provoked the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon?!”

Had they not provoked the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon, they naturally wouldn’t have ended up in such a pathetic state, nor been caught red-handed by Ren Qingyue.

“Who knew there was a fierce beast hiding in the river?” Lin Chao argued unconvincingly. “Besides, Senior Brother Luo also agreed to the plan. Ultimately, it was Senior Brother Luo who made the decision and pushed the person down.”

Luo Qi gave a cold, sarcastic smile. “So, you’re saying it’s my fault?”

Lin Chao pursed his lips. “Blame Yan Zhao.”

“Well said.” Luo Qi tore the sect rules into shreds and threw them into the charcoal brazier beside the table.

A bright flame ignited in the brazier, devouring the paper and burning it to ash.

Lin Chao withdrew his gaze and lowered his eyes. “If you don’t copy the rules, what about Eldest Senior Sister?”

“I’m a Direct Disciple, after all. She doesn’t have the authority to punish me.” Though Luo Qi said this verbally, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy, fearing Ren Qingyue might pursue the matter later.

He paused for a long moment. Catching sight of that stack of white paper from the corner of his eye made his heart panic.

Luo Qi couldn’t sit still any longer. He stood up and ordered Lin Chao, “Follow me.”

·

“Master! You must seek justice for your disciple!”

Luo Qi wept profusely, showing the Grand Elder the wounds he’d sustained while fighting the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon.

“It’s all because Yan Zhao lured the Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon over! To protect my junior brothers and sisters, your disciple nearly lost his life. If not for my good fortune, I fear you would never have seen me again after today!”

Luo Qi described the scene as exceedingly perilous. Especially the part where he claimed to have saved others—Lin Chao nearly couldn’t hold back his laughter. He could only bite down hard on his teeth, his cheeks puffing out slightly to maintain a serious expression.

The Tianzhu Peak Elder—Zhu Qiu, known as Daoist Shuhua—patiently listened to Luo Qi’s chattering. He glanced at the thumb-sized bruise on Luo Qi’s arm and sighed. “Is this truly what happened?”

Luo Qi hastily answered, “Master! Every word your disciple speaks is true! Lin Chao, he can bear witness for me!”

Receiving Luo Qi’s signal, Lin Chao nodded and supported him. “Elder, this matter is indeed true.”

Zhu Qiu turned a page of the Daoist book in his hand, his face expressionless. “You entered the sect six thousand years ago and have barely cultivated to the Early Golden Core Stage. You can’t even defeat a Heavenly Pearl Flood Dragon, and you still have the face to come and complain to your master?”

Luo Qi’s cheek twitched.

“Go back. Copy the sect rules twenty thousand times as punishment. Submit them within three days.”

Zhu Qiu waved his hand, dismissing him. Luo Qi felt as if his heart had turned to dead ashes.

Lin Chao lowered his head, his expression management failing as his shoulders shook uncontrollably.

Just as the door closed behind them, Luo Qi kicked Lin Chao in the backside.

Lin Chao tumbled head over heels, covered in dust and dirt. He loudly protested, “You made the miscalculation yourself, why always take it out on me!”

Luo Qi clenched his fist. “Don’t think I don’t know, you were laughing the whole time!”

Lin Chao couldn’t hold it in and nearly laughed again. He feigned a cough to clear his throat, turning his face away to gloss it over.

Suddenly, a pile of white paper materialized out of thin air in his arms.

Luo Qi patted his shoulder. “If we’re brothers, help me copy ten thousand.”

·

Yuan Yi watched over Yan Zhao as she refined the Demon Core. Unknowingly, the sun had set in the west outside the house, warm orange sunset light spreading over the small path down the mountain—a view of elegant beauty.

Not knowing when Yan Zhao would awaken, Yuan Yi brewed another pot of tea.

Footsteps sounded on the bluestone path outside the courtyard gate, each step taken very slowly. Looking over, the junior disciple who had guided Yuan Yi earlier that day appeared outside the courtyard, her demeanor respectful.

After surveying the surroundings briefly, she gently knocked on the courtyard gate.

With a light sweep of the whisk in Yuan Yi’s hand, the gate opened by itself.

Bi Lan heard the Daoist respond, “Enter.”

Not daring to look around, she lowered her head, lightened her footsteps, and stepped onto the stone steps outside. “Disciple Bi Lan greets the Acting Peak Lord.”

While cultivating in the Outer Sect, Bi Lan had already heard of the two extraordinary individuals of Tianzhu Peak.

Within Fuyun Sect’s Inner Sect, besides the Main Peak, there were four other immortal mountains, with Tianzhu Peak as the foremost. The original Peak Lord, Immortal Venerable Yuanqing, at twenty-six thousand years old, had passed seven Purple Lightning Tribulations and cultivated to the Mahayana Realm, becoming the youngest Mahayana Realm cultivator in history.

Her elder brother, Yuan Yi, though not as innately talented as Yuanqing, excelled in diligence and hard work. He, too, had achieved complete merit two thousand years ago, merely awaiting the right opportunity to pass away in meditation and ascend.

Three hundred years ago, Immortal Venerable Yuanqing was treacherously murdered by fiends. Not only was Fuyun Sect dealt a heavy blow, but Tianzhu Peak under her purview suffered a drastic decline in power, failing to recruit a single disciple of superior aptitude for nearly a hundred years.

After Immortal Venerable Yuanqing’s passing, the Sect Master appointed her elder brother, Immortal Venerable Yuan Yi, to succeed as Peak Lord. However, Yuan Yi declared himself incapable of being Peak Lord and only assumed the title of Acting Peak Lord, asking the Sect Master to choose another capable person.

Earlier on the mountain path, Bi Lan hadn’t recognized Yuan Yi. But upon hearing him mention the Yingxian Residence, she instantly understood.

Yuan Yi knew the reason for Bi Lan’s visit. He had already handled the matter of the cave abode before coming up the mountain. He thus took out a talisman token and returned it to Bi Lan:

“On your way up the mountain, you should have noticed a small path. Head east, ascend five hundred steps, and you will find an empty cave abode. This Seat has already set up an array using your token. When you bring the token near, the abode’s entrance will reveal itself.”

To think such a minor matter warranted the Acting Peak Lord’s personal attention! Bi Lan was utterly overwhelmed, and after accepting the token, she was about to kneel in thanks.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Yi repeated his earlier trick. The whisk swept out a gentle breeze, supporting her body and preventing her from kneeling.

Yuan Yi waved his hand dismissively. “Tianzhu Peak doesn’t stand on those empty formalities. In the future, you need not bow when you see me.” Having said this, he picked up an empty teacup. “Would you like a cup?”

Bi Lan did not decline. She obediently sat down at the table.

Yuan Yi handed her a cup of tea, his gaze flicking over her downcast features. “Do you still have some difficulty?”

Bi Lan’s heart trembled. She thought to herself, truly, there are no secrets before a Mighty Figure; any thought can be seen through.

After hesitating for a long moment, she finally steeled her resolve and voiced her true intention for coming: “Disciple… wishes to participate in the Immortal Sect Disciple Assembly.”

The Immortal Sect Disciple Assembly was a grand ceremony of a hundred sects, held only once every hundred years. Chosen disciples would take their sect tokens and go down the mountain for training, arriving at the Bright Mirror Platform within three years to compete and exchange pointers with cultivators from all corners of the world.

Participating disciples from various sects not only had the chance to obtain abundant cultivation resources but could also widely make friends, establish their own networks, and increase their renown.

For ordinary disciples, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But for Bi Lan, there was someone she absolutely had to see. This grand assembly was her only chance.

Each Elder could recommend one disciple. As the Acting Peak Lord, Yuan Yi held two spots.

However, a person could only participate in the Assembly once. Over the last hundred years, Tianzhu Peak had recruited the fewest new disciples, so there might still be remaining spots.

This sudden request was rather presumptuous, but the Assembly was approaching—it was this year—and only Inner Sect disciples could receive recommendations. Bi Lan could only stake everything on this attempt.

As expected, Yuan Yi was surprised. But within a moment, he understood. “So that’s how it is.”

Bi Lan felt ashamed and hung her head even lower.

“You have reminded me.” Yuan Yi propped his chin on his hand, his train of thought opening up as a brilliant idea occurred to him. “This matter is easily settled. Go on my behalf to Qingyun Studio and summon that lass Qingyue here.”

·

Ren Qingyue rode her sword, arriving at the Main Peak in no time.

With a sweep of her long sleeves, she landed gracefully. Directly in front of her, she met the Sect Master’s Direct Disciple, Eldest Senior Brother Ling Jiancheng.

“Junior Sister Qingyue!” The man had sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, a face as if carved by knife and axe, a broad forehead and wide features—strikingly handsome. Spotting Ren Qingyue from afar, his eyes lit up, and he immediately approached to talk. “It’s been a while since you came to the Main Peak. What have you been busy with lately?”

Ren Qingyue answered him with one word: “Cultivation.”

Ling Jiancheng felt a bit awkward. He rubbed his nose and changed the subject. “Junior Sister seems to be in a hurry. Is there something important?”

Only then did Ren Qingyue give him a direct look. “I’m looking for the Sect Master. Senior Brother Ling, may I ask where the Sect Master is at the moment?”

“Master is in the Sect Affairs Hall discussing matters with several Elders.” Ling Jiancheng’s expression relaxed, and he said attentively, “Junior Sister Qingyue, I’ll lead the way.”

Ren Qingyue nodded. “I appreciate the trouble.”

The two arrived at the Sect Affairs Hall, one after the other. Ling Jiancheng waved his hand, signaling to the gate-guarding disciples that there was no need to announce them.

As they approached the hall entrance, Ling Jiancheng was just about to speak when he heard a few sentences coming from inside:

“Recently, the Devil Clan has been stirring frequently. The Devil Venerable shows signs of emerging from seclusion. With Yuanqing dead, our Fuyun Sect no longer has an expert capable of facing her in battle.”

“What is there to fear? Didn’t Yuanqing leave a child within Fuyun Sect? With this child’s connection to the Devil Clan, as long as she remains in Fuyun Sect for a day, why should we fear Devil Venerable Cangli?”

“Ultimately, Yuanqing’s fate was of her own making. A perfectly good Immortal Sect Disciple, throwing away a bright future, unable to overcome the emotional tribulation. Not only did she secretly liaise with a fiend, but even on the brink of death, she refused to reveal the child’s father. Back then, if she hadn’t sacrificed her entire cultivation base to protect that bastard, how could she have died?”

Ren Qingyue’s steps halted abruptly, her expression drastically changing.

Shizun’s death held hidden circumstances. And Yan Zhao… was actually Shizun’s child?!