Chapter 203: The Tenth Peak – Known for Their Gambling
To the north of Jade Sea City lies the Heng Tai Mountain Range.
The most famous peak in this range is Tai Mountain.
The entire Heng Tai Mountain Range serves as the mountain gate of the Jade Cauldron Sect.
Blessed with abundant spiritual energy and inhabited by rare and exotic creatures, it is the place every cultivator in Tai Mountain Prefecture dreams of entering.
However, the Jade Cauldron Sect is extremely selective in recruiting disciples.
Those with weaker constitutions have no chance of ever entering the sect.
Even Core Formation rogue cultivators can only hope to attain an ordinary steward position within the sect.
Throughout Tai Mountain Prefecture, from south to north, east to west, from mortals to cultivators, everyone reveres the Jade Cauldron Sect as a holy land.
Along the journey, Shen Mo occasionally inquired about the current state of the Jade Cauldron Sect, and He Tianchou answered every question.
This conversation provided Shen Mo with valuable insights into the sect.
After two days of flying together, Shen Mo and He Tianchou finally reached the Heng Tai Mountain Range.
"Elder Shen, we've arrived."
He Tianchou gestured toward the expansive, lush mountain range ahead with a smile.
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
The spiritual energy here was indeed the densest in all of Tai Mountain Prefecture.
Just breathing it in made him feel invigorated, as if he'd become a decade younger.
Swish! Swish!
The two descended swiftly, landing on the Jade Cauldron Sect's training grounds.
The training grounds alone were larger than the entire mountain gate of Qingxuan Sect.
The ground was paved with remarkably durable stone bricks.
When Shen Mo tapped his foot, he sensed a formation embedded within the stones.
With such a formation, even a Nascent Soul cultivator's attack wouldn't easily damage the stone bricks.
Disciples and stewards bustled about the training grounds.
The presence of Shen Mo and He Tianchou, both Nascent Soul cultivators, caught the attention of many disciples.
They all bowed respectfully as the two passed by.
A Core Formation steward noticed them and quickly jogged over.
"Hall Master He, I didn't expect to see you back at the sect. Why aren't you at Jade Sea Hall?" He greeted them with a respectful bow before asking.
He Tianchou gestured to Shen Mo. "This is Elder Shen, newly recruited into the sect by Elder Lü Dongxuan."
"I've brought Elder Shen here to complete the formalities, and we'll be on our way shortly."
The steward nodded repeatedly. "Please follow me. I'll take you to the Elder Hall."
With the steward leading the way, Shen Mo and He Tianchou proceeded forward.
Along the way, Shen Mo observed numerous pavilions and towers nestled amid lush greenery.
White cranes and black tigers rested peacefully, seemingly unbothered by the presence of cultivators around them.
"Hall Master He, why are we headed to the Elder Hall?" Shen Mo asked casually.
He Tianchou quickly explained, "Elder Shen, according to protocol, all new elders must first report to the Elder Hall."
"From there, they are assigned to one of the ten peaks, under the First Elder, Second Elder, or any of the other elders up to the Tenth Elder."
"Afterward, each elder is assigned to oversee specific regions of Tai Mountain Prefecture, either guarding cities or managing sect assets, depending on their talents and abilities."
"The Elder Hall is usually overseen by one of the First to Fifth Elders, who rotate monthly."
"Currently, the… um…"
He Tianchou paused, unable to recall who was on duty, so he asked the steward, "Who's currently overseeing the Elder Hall?"
The steward promptly replied, "The Second Elder."
At the mention of the "Second Elder," He Tianchou's expression turned a bit uneasy.
"What's wrong, Hall Master?" Shen Mo asked.
He Tianchou gave an awkward smile. "Elder Shen, from what I've shared with you over the past days, you might understand my concerns."
"I'd rather not say too much."
"That building up ahead is the Elder Hall. I'll leave you here."
He coughed lightly, "I haven't visited the sect in quite some time, so I'll go pay respects to my master at the Third Peak."
"Elder Shen, until we meet again."
With that, he waved and bid Shen Mo farewell.
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
"Elder Shen, we're here," the steward said respectfully.
Shen Mo looked up to see a grand, imposing building before him.
Above the entrance, three majestic characters were inscribed in a calligraphy style that exuded power:
Elder Hall!
The sword intent in these characters was so sharp that staring at them too long made his eyes sting.
Shen Mo's expression grew contemplative.
He estimated that this plaque must have been written by at least a Soul Transformation stage sword cultivator.
If the conditions of time, place, and people align in the future, perhaps just staring at this plaque could lead one to enlightenment.
"Elder Shen, the Second Elder is waiting for you," the steward called from up ahead.
Shen Mo nodded and followed.
On the second floor, he encountered an elderly man with snowy white hair.
The man had a hooked nose, a gaze as sharp and cold as ice, and a broad, muscular frame.
If not for his white hair, many would likely mistake him for a robust, vigorous middle-aged man.
A powerful and dangerous aura radiated from him.
Clearly, this was a Soul Transformation stage cultivator.
"So, you are Shen Mo?"
The Second Elder looked Shen Mo over with a neutral expression, showing no hint of emotion.
It seemed he was simply evaluating him.
Shen Mo nodded. "Yes."
"Since Lü Dongxuan recruited you, you'll be assigned to the Tenth Peak."
The Second Elder continued indifferently, "Our Jade Cauldron Sect has extensive assets, spanning artifact crafting, alchemy, and beast taming."
"The beast-taming division is currently in need of revitalization. So, you will go to Dragon Snake Mountain outside Jade Sea City to oversee those operations."
Without asking Shen Mo's opinion or if he even wanted the assignment, the Second Elder waved his hand, dismissing him.
The steward beside him whispered, "Second Elder, according to tradition, Elder Shen also needs a set of elder's robes."
Only then did the Second Elder look up, offering a forced smile, "Ah, right, I almost forgot."
He retrieved a set of pristine white elder's robes from his storage ring and handed it to the steward, who accepted it with both hands.
"Now, go do what you need to do. Don't get involved with the wrong people, and don't meddle in affairs that don't concern you."
The Second Elder sat back down, resuming his tasks, clearly uninterested in further conversation.
Shen Mo raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. He simply bowed and turned to leave.
Outside the Elder Hall, the steward handed the robes to Shen Mo, his hands shaking slightly.
"Farewell, Elder Shen. If I'd known you were connected to the Tenth Peak, I wouldn't have dared to guide you here."
He gave a wry smile before quickly departing.
Judging by his hurried steps, he was clearly anxious.
Shen Mo's expression remained calm.
The Second Elder's last words were clearly a warning to the steward.
"It seems my guess was correct. There's tension between the factions of the Second Elder and the Tenth Elder."
"He Tianchou and this steward clearly want no part of it."
Shen Mo shook his head.
He hadn't expected to be caught up in factional strife as soon as he entered the Jade Cauldron Sect.
"Wherever there are people, there are factions. No matter, let's check out the Tenth Peak first."
"I wonder what kind of person the Tenth Elder is, and what kind of figures Lü Dongxuan's fellow disciples are."
After asking for directions to the Tenth Peak, Shen Mo took to the air.
A short flight later, he found himself before a towering mountain that seemed to pierce the heavens.
The other peaks, rich in spiritual energy, had houses scattered from the base to the summit.
The Tenth Peak, however, had shockingly few structures.
Looking closely, Shen Mo could see only a few buildings situated near the summit.
He descended directly onto the mountaintop.
Before he saw anyone, he heard voices.
"Bet big, bet small, make your call!"
"Um… bet small, I'll go with small! My last bottle of Infant Transformation Elixir is on the line!"
"Alright… three, five, five—big! You lose! That elixir is mine now!"
"Aaaah! That was my last bottle of Infant Transformation Elixir!!"
Shen Mo's mouth twitched.
What's going on here? Gambling as soon as I arrive.
Is this all the mighty Tenth Peak does every day?
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