Feeling the murderous intent in the elder's gaze, Feng Wuchen smiled faintly.
"What's the matter? Want to kill me to keep me quiet?"
Sensing that things were taking a bad turn, the other Peak Masters quickly stepped forward, their eyes fixed on Chilian.
"Chilian! Whatever personal grudge you have against this young man, you must now consider the bigger picture. This boy has rung the Enlightenment Bell, marking him as a pillar of our Qingchen Sect. We cannot let you kill him!"
Chilian's face grew uglier by the second as the three of them spoke up.
To his utter shock, this prodigy was none other than the same boy he had crippled a year ago as a sacrificial pawn. Their enmity was already beyond reconciliation.
Forget about taking him as a disciple. Once this boy matured, he would surely seek ruthless revenge on him and Lin Wan. For Chilian, it would be nothing less than a disaster of cataclysmic proportions!
But this child's talent was undeniable, and the other Peak Masters would likely accept him as a core disciple. That would make it almost impossible for Chilian to get his hands on him.
And sure enough, the other three crowded around Feng Wuchen with warm expressions.
"Young friend! I am Cang Xuan, Master of Canglang Peak. Would you be willing to join Canglang Peak and become a core disciple?" The black-robed elder spoke first.
Not to be outdone, the refined-looking middle-aged man chimed in, "Ha! Canglang Peak? With your meager foundation, you have the nerve to take disciples? Kid! Come to Qingmu Peak. I guarantee you'll reach the Golden Body Realm within a year!"
"Boasting, are we?"
At this moment, the old woman also stepped forward, causing the other two to sneer.
"Granny Liyou, your Danxia Peak doesn't specialize in combat techniques. Taking him under your wing would only hold him back as a sword cultivator."
"While Danxia Peak may not specialize in combat, we control over 80% of Qingchen Sect's pill resources. I, along with the other Danxia elders, are all alchemists; we even have spirit alchemists among us. Join us, and I'll feed you medicinal pills like meals!"
"…"
"Old hag! Tempting the young with pills—isn't that going too far?"
"Ha! Recruiting disciples is all about capability and resources. If you've got it, bring it out!"
"You… you're pushing me!"
The black-robed elder gritted his teeth and took out a jade slip from his robe.
"This is Canglang Peak's high-tier Profound-rank martial skill—the Wind Blade Technique! If you master it and integrate it with your swordsmanship, your power will reach a whole new level!"
Not to be outdone, the middle-aged man also pulled out a jade slip.
"This is the ultimate skill of Qingmu Peak—the Withered Soul Palm! It's the only low-tier Heaven-rank technique in the entire Qingchen Sect. If you become my disciple, it'll be yours immediately!"
"I'll even add a high-tier Spirit-level spirit sword!"
"I'll add a storage ring!"
"I'll add…"
The competitive atmosphere intensified, and it seemed as though the three Peak Masters were about to fight each other over the disciple.
Just as tensions reached their peak, the silent Chilian finally spoke.
"Anything they can offer, I can match!"
"What?"
Everyone turned, surprised to see Chilian staring intently at Feng Wuchen.
"Kid, you should know that in the world of martial artists, strength speaks loudest! They may treat you kindly now, but only because they see your talent!"
"I admit that I misjudged you back then, but I'm willing to make it up to you. If you're willing to let bygones be bygones, I'll do everything in my power to cultivate you. Within three years, I can make you the strongest of Qingchen Sect's younger generation!"
When Chilian spoke, the others fell silent. They knew he wasn't exaggerating.
In recent years, Chiyang Peak had been riding high, with resources to back its words. Given the ample conditions, a personal feud could indeed be set aside. Taking such a prodigious disciple would further elevate Chiyang Peak's strength, leaving the other peaks in the dust.
"Are you finished?"
To Chilian's irritation, Feng Wuchen showed no reaction, not even a hint of interest, making Chilian feel humiliated.
Feng Wuchen sneered. "I was a bit curious before. How did a mere Lin family get their hands on a technique to strip a spirit vein? Now I understand—you're the mastermind behind it all, aren't you?"
Feng Wuchen had no intention of believing Chilian's deceitful words. This old fox had concealed his murderous intent well, but Feng Wuchen still sensed it.
The generous terms offered were likely just bait to get him to join Chiyang Peak so he could kill him easily. Feng Wuchen was certain that if he accepted, he'd suffer a mysterious death soon after.
However, he had gleaned a crucial piece of information: Chilian had been involved in what happened to him a year ago!
"It seems… I have one more person in Qingchen Sect to kill."
"What did you say?"
Chilian's sharp gaze bore into Feng Wuchen, but Feng met his stare fearlessly, not a hint of fear in his eyes.
Feng Wuchen even lifted his sword, pointing it directly at Chilian.
"Old dog! You conspired to strip my spirit vein and ruin me. Within three years, I will kill you!"
"Boom!"
As Feng Wuchen's words landed, Chilian's powerful aura burst forth, his Sea of Blood Realm pressure bearing down, forcing the surrounding disciples to their knees, immobilized.
"A bloodthirsty heart at such a young age—someone like you cannot be allowed to live!"
With that, a red glow formed in Chilian's palm, and he struck out.
"Boom!"
At the critical moment, a sword aura sliced through the air, shattering the red glow with ease.
"You… You dare to kill him here, ignoring my presence?"
Moon Qingyin's voice rang out, causing Chilian to turn, his expression horrified.
"You… have reached Sword Master level?"
Seeing Chilian's unease, the crowd took a sharp breath. The sect leader's personal disciple's power was such that even a Peak Master had to back down!
At this moment, the other Peak Masters also intervened.
"Chilian, isn't this going a bit too far?"
"We don't care what grudges you hold, but we won't let you kill this boy!"
"Kid, rest assured. No matter which peak you join, we won't let this old man harm you!"
In response to their words, Feng Wuchen remained silent, smiling faintly. Just as Chilian had said, they were not acting out of kindness but because of his talent.
When Chilian first attacked him, the first to act was Moon Qingyin, not these three Peak Masters—a fact that said it all.
These people were no different from Feng Tianrui and his ilk. They were experts in weighing interests.
"Three Peak Masters, I have a question for you."
"What question?"
"If Feng Wuchen were a useless waste today, would you still accept me?"
At this question, the three of them exchanged uneasy glances, unable to respond.
Finally, after a long silence, Granny Liyou, the oldest, spoke.
"Your question is meaningless because we're only here because you rang the Enlightenment Bell. You're a one-in-a-million genius, not some worthless waste!"
"No need for so many words. Just answer: would you, or wouldn't you?"
Pressed by Feng Wuchen's persistence, the three all shook their heads.
"No one would take a waste."
With that, a faint smile touched Feng Wuchen's lips.
"Someone would."