So, that’s how it really was?
The disciples of the Five Peaks stood there with dazed expressions, unable to make heads or tails of the situation.
They had thought the previous outburst was absurd enough, but they hadn’t expected someone even more ridiculous to show up.
Was he just here to provide comic relief?
Yan Bingling’s lips curved into a rare smirk.
After the Great Baldy’s chaotic meddling, her anger finally dissipated.
She grabbed her unfilial son and flew back.
Shen Zhong’s wisest decision in his life was likely leaving the sect’s affairs to his smooth-talking Junior Brother.
Otherwise, this foundation built over thousands of years would have been ruined by these idiots sooner or later!
“Grand Elder, is this matter simply going to be dropped like this? Heng’er is a Golden Spiritual Root with the potential for a Great Circle Dan Forming. At the very least, Yun Liu must be made to hand over a Reversion Pill!”
An elder from the Fang family tried to argue, but he was silenced by a cold, sweeping gaze.
“This boy has a malicious heart; how could he possibly suffer a backlash? He didn’t even know he had lost. His cultivation is insufficient, yet his ego is sky-high. Shut up! All the dignity of Falling Cloud Peak has been disgraced by your lineage. It serves him right to learn this lesson!”
The Grand Elder broke into a cold sweat.
Fuming, he threw Jiang Fangheng toward his attendants and ordered them to take him to the Medicine Hut so Mr. Kuai could look after him.
It seemed the disciples of the First Peak had truly become too accustomed to their pampered lives.
They were ignorant of the world and didn’t understand that a pill above Grade 4 was a rare treasure.
It didn’t matter if the Fang family and the Yun family were at each other’s throats, but personal grudges should not involve the sect.
Other disciples were still hungry for resources.
Just look at those girls; they were being raised so well, plump and healthy.
Setting aside whether they could even keep a Heavenly Dao Alchemy Master, next year’s sect sponsorship fee was still up in the air.
Even if the Aunt Master didn’t fly into a rage, Sage Empress Zhu was still watching from behind!
‘A group of big idiots doing nothing but causing trouble. They have the worst results in the Heavenly Concord Alliance’s Peak Debate, but they’re experts at infighting. They don’t let me have a moment of peace.’
‘When it comes down to it, it’s all bitterness and tears. Is it easy for me to support such a massive sect all by myself!?’
***
On Jueyun Peak, Zhou Zhouyan shook her head speechlessly while Zhuang Heng clapped happily.
The Shenhua Sect’s Great Competition was far more exciting than the Mingguang martial arts assembly.
She didn’t acknowledge anyone else except for her.
“Haha, as expected of Fairy Bingling.”
“Did you think that in the past, she suppressed the Radiant Light Sect solely by being the former Sword Dao Leader? That’s because you’ve never seen the terror of the Sword Scripture of Celestial Phenomena.”
The Senior Sister of the Radiant Light Sect gave a bitter smile, suddenly feeling that the burden of reviving her sect was a long and difficult one.
Just as the declining Sword Sect was about to exit the stage of history, all these monstrous figures had suddenly appeared.
Xiao Ran and Ji Shiyu’s talents were already beyond imagination, yet neither was as terrifying as this East Extreme Pavilion Master.
“No, no matter what, we must make sure Mr. Yun remains firm in his original intentions. The scenery of Guangming Ye is no less beautiful than the Sea of Clouds.”
Bai Yu keenly captured the key point and mused, “But…”
“Guangming Ye doesn’t have Qin Xiang.”
“Guangming Ye has me.”
The dance practitioner was full of conviction, though it was unclear where her confidence came from.
To the side, Lin Shu’s lips twitched.
It was worth celebrating that her young master had won, but was it really okay for them to be plotting so loudly?
Yun Liu had once again caused a major upset by advancing, albeit in a way that was even more suspicious than Ji Shiyu’s victory—it was practically effortless.
He hadn’t even activated his Qi Sea, which was simply inconceivable to outsiders.
“Why did you come out? Is Xiao Ran all right?”
“What do you think?”
Yan Bingling frowned and looked back.
Her eyes were tightly shut, yet Yun Liu felt as if he were being glared at, causing his eyes to sting.
That Ice Skin Pill could keep Xiao Ran safe, and of course, helping her upgrade the Burning Silence Art in the process would be a different price altogether.
There was no point in letting such benefits go to outsiders; the Xiao family had plenty of money, anyway.
“You’re having quite a lot of fun, aren’t you? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be the Chief of Celestial Phenomena anymore?”
“And who taught you the Moon in the Well?”
Yun Liu’s lips curled, but he offered no explanation.
“I know even if you don’t say it. Your Junior Sister is single-minded. Even if you told her to strip naked, she wouldn’t refuse.”
Yan Bingling sighed softly.
In terms of sword dao comprehension, a certain grand disciple was completely inferior to his Junior Sister.
“Really? I’ll try that next time.”
The human-shaped air conditioner grew even angrier, her Spirit Breath turning bone-chillingly cold.
Yun Liu fled quickly, his heart still preoccupied with the sister who was waiting for him.
Urged on by Tu Gou, he dove into the ICU ward.
She seemed to have no sense of self.
Jia Yinglian was truly the most obedient girl Yun Liu had ever met.
The mission instilled by her family was deeply rooted; she was obedient to a fault.
As for the Sword Scripture of Celestial Phenomena, Yun Liu had only learned up to the third level from Yan Bingling.
The subsequent parts, and even other sword scriptures, hadn’t been secretly taught by his Junior Sister, but instead, they were unlocked while ‘playing with Huangmao’.
Soon, Ji Shiyu would steal all the secret techniques of the Five Peaks Sword Canon.
To her, seeing was equivalent to mastering.
With the Formless Spiritual Root, all paths were compatible.
“Wuhu, taking off!”
On the other side, outside the Shanhai Pavilion, Ao Tian was dancing happily, as carefree as ever.
His full position in his Sworn Father’s stock continued to hit the limit up!
“We made money, Shiyu, did you hear that? One, two, three, four, five… so many zeros. Hiss, should I quit while I’m ahead or keep pressing my luck?”
“Hello? If you don’t speak, I’m going to keep going all-in!”
Ji Shiyu rested her chin on her hand, appearing deaf to his words.
Her finger drew a ‘#’ symbol in the sand, seemingly having realized something.
‘The weakness… of the Sword Scripture of Zhuiyun?’
***
In a secret room within the Alchemy Room, Qin Xiang had already dressed Xiao Ran in clean clothes and was currently writing notes.
In less than 1 hour, the fire in the furnace reached the perfect temperature, and the fluctuations of Spirit Breath began to take shape.
It was an astonishing display of the mystery behind the formation under the tripod.
The Martial Smelting Formation catalyzed the process at double speed.
The spiritual medicine that originally required 36 shichen began to emit a scorching aura.
The Grade 3 Flame Tremor Powder was far simpler than a Reversion Pill.
The clouds above the Shenhua Pavilion shifted as purple mist poured down, surging into the Rosy Fragrance Pavilion.
“Another Heavenly Dao spiritual medicine has appeared. It can only be Mr. Yun’s work. Wasn’t he just here? I guess sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the woodcutting.”
It seemed someone had gained a fortuitous opportunity from this disaster.
The cultivators of the Sea of Clouds had no time to focus on the next round of duels; they were all curious about what was happening there.
The first to walk out was Yun Liu.
He said nothing and only sighed, causing everyone’s hearts to sink.
A moment later, Xiao Ran arrived in the hall with Qin Xiang’s support.
Her Qi Sea was still weak, but her eyes were shining, and her skin seemed significantly more radiant.
“Xiao Ran, are you… all right?”
“I’m fine. It’s just a loss; I’ll become stronger next year.”
Regarding what had happened afterward, Xiao Ran touched the bandage on her face and gave a forced smile, not realizing she had actually won.
It wasn’t until Ge Lan patiently explained it to her that she covered her small mouth in realization.
“Even though… it was thanks to the Flame God protecting its master?”
Tu Gou’s expression was one of shock as his Divine Sense inspected her.
The girl’s Earthly Grade Innate Spiritual Foundation in her Jade Palace had expanded, and the sword shape of her Divine Soul had become increasingly distinct.
The benefits of the Burning Silence Art advancing were comprehensive.
Yun Liu hadn’t expected to succeed so casually.
A Great Female Lead who didn’t slack off was truly too monstrous; she was moving further and further down the path of the broken engagement trope.
Now, who exactly was the Protagonist?
The group of Medicine Hut disciples was incredibly envious, but they cared more about the cosmetic effects.
They rushed forward to massage her shoulders and back, reaching out to ask for the pill recipe.
“It’s good that you’re okay. We owe this to Mr. Yun and the other Immortal Elders. The Xiao family will always remember this kindness.”
Xiao Wang breathed a sigh of relief and cast a grateful look at the white-robed youth, offering his daughter a few simple words of concern.
Yun Liu yawned and said, “No need for thanks, that’s too formal. Just give me the money.”
Seeing the distant look in Xiao Ran’s eyes, the group understood her feelings.
They smiled bitterly and left the two young people some space.
Ge Erniang’s eyes widened; she was the first to be displeased, fearing that old flames might be rekindled.
However, she was laughed at and pushed out by Qin Xiang, and even the Medicine Hut disciples weren’t allowed to stay.
Yan Bingling “looked” at Yun Liu.
She seemed to have something to say, but she held it back and left with a flick of her sleeve.