As he spoke, Feng Wuchen made his way through the crowd and stood beside Shen Hongyi.
"Senior Sister, when will you take me back to Wuhen Peak?"
"Senior Sister? Wuhen Peak?"
Everyone was momentarily stunned.
Shen Hongyi hesitated before frowning tightly.
"Kid, you can't call me Senior Sister so casually. Now that you've entered the Qingchen Sect, if you call me that, it means you've chosen to become part of Wuhen Peak."
It was clear Shen Hongyi understood that Feng Wuchen's address wasn't just a typical term of endearment between disciples.
"What? Is Wuhen Peak really only for failures? Now that I'm no longer one, does it mean I'm not welcome anymore?"
"Who said that?" Shen Hongyi smiled, lifting her sword. "From now on, you're a disciple of Wuhen Peak. If anyone bullies you, your Senior Sister will deal with them!"
Feng Wuchen nodded and then walked over to Mu Qing, holding Feng Ning in his arms. He offered Mu Qing and Yue Qingyin a slight smile. "Thank you both for your help today."
"Nothing at all," Mu Qing responded politely.
Yue Qingyin, after a moment's thought, looked at Shen Hongyi, then back at Feng Wuchen. "Is this your final decision?"
"Indeed. Do you have any advice?" Feng Wuchen replied.
Yue Qingyin shook her head. "No. Go on, then."
Just then, the head of Canglang Peak, dressed in a black robe, spoke up. "Wait, young man!"
"Wuhen Peak has long fallen. It has no resources, no disciples, and isn't even recognized by Qingchen Sect anymore. Joining them would only ruin your future!"
"Yes! With your talent, you would thrive in any of our other peaks. But Wuhen Peak will bring you no benefit; do you even understand that?"
"I don't understand." Feng Wuchen paused briefly without turning around.
"Fallen? Forgotten? That's because I wasn't there. From this moment forward, let it be known—Wuhen Peak shall rise because of me!"
Wuhen Peak shall rise because of me!
What an incredibly bold statement! Supporting an entire peak on one's own was unheard of in the thousand-year history of Qingchen Sect.
After that declaration, Feng Wuchen carried Feng Ning and followed Shen Hongyi forward. Pausing briefly, he turned to Elder Lu in the crowd. "Elder Lu, I won't forget the favor you did for me."
The crowd watched in awe as he left, stunned by how the matter had concluded. Such an outstanding talent joining a fallen peak like Wuhen was unheard of.
Yue Qingyin sheathed her sword and looked at Mu Qing. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Mu Qing smiled warmly. "Not for you—but for him."
Yue Qingyin gave a slight smile. "That's none of my concern." With that, she turned to leave.
"Wait!"
"Something else?"
Taking a deep breath, Mu Qing's smile grew more confident. "One day, I'll surpass you."
Yue Qingyin raised an eyebrow, seeing the determination in Mu Qing's eyes. "I'll look forward to that day."
---
Meanwhile, the head of Qingmu Peak approached Elder Lu. "What did Feng Wuchen mean by owing you a favor?"
Elder Lu laughed bitterly, recounting the events in Luofeng City. "Miss Yue once warned me I'd regret it, and now it seems she was right—I failed to see his potential."
The head of Qingmu Peak sighed. "So be it. If he rises, he won't forget our Qingmu Peak."
"Yes, though I worry—will others allow Wuhen Peak to rise?" Elder Lu mused thoughtfully.
"That matter is in the past; they must have forgotten by now. I'm more concerned with present company," replied the head of Qingmu Peak, casting a glance at Chilian.
Both sank into contemplation.
After a moment, a murmur went through the crowd: "The Sect Master is here!"
Everyone turned to see a white-haired man drifting swiftly toward the mountain gates. Despite his youthful features, this man, Cang Hao, was the head of Qingchen Sect and the most powerful figure in Cangzhou.
All members bowed in respect. "Greetings, Sect Master!"
Yue Qingyin addressed him as well. "Master!"
"No need for formalities. What's all the commotion?"
The head of Qingmu Peak quickly explained.
"A genius capable of ringing the Dao Bell? Impressive!" Cang Hao marveled.
"Hmph! All thanks to Chiyang Peak's excellent work, driving such a talent to Wuhen Peak," snorted the head of Qingmu Peak.
Chilian scoffed. "As if Qingmu Peak is so noble. Don't tell me your men weren't among the gatekeepers."
"Enough. All this bickering is undignified," Cang Hao chided, and both immediately quieted down.
Cang Hao raised his hand, sending a strand of energy toward the ancient path.
A resonant bell sound echoed through the mountain gates.
Everyone gasped. "What… what's going on?"
"The Dao Bell is only supposed to ring when a talent passes the ancient path's killing array!"
Cang Hao chuckled. "Looks like our ancient path and Dao Bell are showing their age. Disperse."
"Showing their age?"
The peak masters exchanged puzzled glances. Did this mean Feng Wuchen wasn't a true genius and only got through by luck?
"Seems it was all just a misunderstanding. We nearly wasted resources on a mediocre disciple!"
Chilian was equally relieved. "A mediocre disciple after all! As if I'd misjudge someone!"
---
In the grand hall at Qingchen Sect's center, Cang Hao and Yue Qingyin were alone.
"The ancient path and Dao Bell aren't malfunctioning, are they?" Yue Qingyin asked abruptly.
Cang Hao smiled. "You figured it out? Well, smart as you are, it's no surprise. But you must understand why I did it."
Yue Qingyin nodded. "To ease tensions among the peaks…and to protect him." She paused, then added, "But did you consider he might not need your protection?"
Cang Hao raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"His defiance toward Chilian—everyone else sees it as foolish."
Cang Hao laughed dismissively. "A congenital cultivator challenging a Blood Sea expert? Absurd."
Yue Qingyin's gaze turned solemn. "You're mistaken. This is the way of the swordsman! Even in life and death, a swordsman will never abandon their conviction. In front of an enemy, 'endurance' is not in their vocabulary! Besides, I doubt Chilian could kill him."
Cang Hao's eyes flickered, and after a long pause, he sighed. "If anyone else said this, I wouldn't believe it, but from you, I do. Though I'm your master, you've taught me a lot."
After a moment of silence, Cang Hao asked softly, "How much time do you have left?"
"Six months at most." She showed no emotion. "If I survive, one day the Qingchen Sect will claim its place in the Central Domain."