The flames of the hall’s candles flickered, their shadows dancing over the frozen expressions of the crowd. No one spoke for a long time.
Among them, Lian-shixiong and Jiang Jiusi had the most complicated feelings. The two of them had been the sect's best hopes for slaying the black jiao lord. Yet after witnessing the sheer power of the black jiao lord, they immediately understood the chasm between their abilities.
As early-stage Nascent Soul sword cultivators, even ten of them combined wouldn’t be enough to kill such a formidable yao.
Now the black jiao lord lay dead in the sleeping quarters. Not even half an hour had passed. How could they not feel conflicted?
The hall remained silent. Li Lanxiu rested his chin on his hand, tilting his head slightly, lost in thought.
Chu Yue simply gazed at him.
All eyes were on them, waiting for someone to speak and explain this baffling scene.
Finally, Lian-shixiong couldn’t hold back. He stepped forward and asked, "Did you kill the black jiao lord?"
Li Lanxiu glanced at him and tipped his chin toward Chu Yue. "He did."
Lian-shixiong turned to Chu Yue, momentarily stunned, before remembering that Chu Yue was the talented outer-sect disciple bound to Li Lanxiu as his contracted servant.
Lian-shixiong had once been on the same team as Chu Yue, so he recognized him. But apart from Jiang Jiusi and Chuxuan, none of the other disciples in the hall knew who he was. They all stared at Chu Yue, scrutinizing him closely.
The xianzhang strode forward and looked Chu Yue over from head to toe. "You killed the black jiao lord?!"
Chu Yue’s eyes remained fixed on Li Lanxiu. Only when Li Lanxiu nodded did he let out a soft "Yes."
Who was he?
How had he done it?
Why was the black jiao lord’s corpse so mangled?
And what about the yao outside the sleeping quarters?
In less than half an hour, how had they all died?
How could someone have killed all the yao and demons in such a short time without a single drop of blood staining their clothes?
The xianzhang wanted to know the answer. It was the question in everyone's mind, including the Conundrum Sect disciples watching the battle.
The arguments in the Dao-Questioning Plaza vanished with the appearance of the black jiao lord’s corpse. Now, everyone was asking each other about the young man sitting beside Li Lanxiu. Who the hell was he?!
"What’s his name? Why have I never seen him before? Is he one of the outer sect disciples?"
"There’s a slave mark on his neck. Is he Li Lanxiu’s slave?"
"Li Lanxiu is wearing wedding robes… weren’t those the same robes that belonged to the black jiao lord’s beautiful wife?"
"That was Li Lanxiu just now? This robe and that figure are definitely his! The disciple who killed the black jiao lord was his man?"
"I admit I was mistaken about Li Lanxiu before. He’s not just some ugly freak or a useless waste. Where did he find someone like this…"
"Hmm… I suddenly understand why the black jiao lord wanted to forcefully marry Li-shidi. If it were me, I would…"
The floating island buzzed with excitement. The once-composed peak lords and elders were now whispering amongst themselves, all asking for the name of the young man who had slain the black jiao lord.
These old foxes, who had lived for centuries, had only encountered great yao a handful of times in their lives. Killing a great yao single-handedly was unheard of.
For yao like the black jiao lord, even with centuries of cultivation, they would have needed a grand demon-slaying formation and forty-nine days of battle to subdue one.
The inner sect disciples, usually arrogant and aloof, now stared at the boy in the grand mirror with reverence.
The peak lord of Surfoot Peak listened to the gossip from a nearby disciple and suddenly cried out, "What did you say? He reached the ninth stage of Qi Refinement in just ten days?"
The elders and peak lords were all shocked upon hearing this. Even Bai Zhenchuan raised their brows. As a dragon descendant and a natural vessel of the Dao, even they could not compare.
"He took ten days to reach the ninth stage of Qi Refinement… Such a prodigy, why have I never heard of him before?"
"He’s an outer sect disciple. Why is someone of such talent still in the outer sect?"
Everyone turned to the outer sect elder, waiting for his explanation. His face turned pale, sweat beading on his forehead. When he had seen Chu Yue in the dormitory earlier, he had already felt an ominous premonition. Now how was he supposed to explain himself?
Because he was greedy, lustful and ambitious, he had looked down on Li Lanxiu and Chu Yue, never taking them seriously. Now this had led to a catastrophe.
He stammered and struggled to explain. "I…I just found out as well."
"That’s not right, Elder."
The xianzhang who had evaluated the outer sect disciples alongside the elder stood up and spoke righteously. "That day, I advised you in good faith, telling you that this person was no ordinary talent. Because of your personal grudge against Li Lanxiu, you forbade me from reporting this to Cloudwater Hall."
"What did you say at the time? If those above held us accountable, you told me to let them come find you and that you would bear the responsibility alone!"
The xianzhang spoke with impassioned conviction.
The elder, both furious and anxious, pointed a trembling finger at him.
Elder Shen of Cloudwater Hall listened intently. He cast a glance at the outer sect elder, shook his head in both disappointment and anger and said, "We will discuss this matter later."
Inside the giant mirror, Lian-shixiong’s pride in his own strength had been shattered. The shock in his heart was indescribable. He couldn't hold back his questions any longer. "How did you kill the black jiao lord? Why is its corpse like that? How did the other yao outside die?"
Chu Yue furrowed his brows and turned to Li Lanxiu.
Li Lanxiu raised his eyebrows slightly, signaling that he could speak.
Chu Yue turned to Lian-shixiong and answered succinctly. "He used yao magic and suffered backlash. I took the opportunity to kill him from inside his stomach. The ones outside killed each other."
This was the explanation Li Lanxiu had given him. The black jiao lord’s corpse was too terrifying—if others knew the real answer, they would only avoid him in the future.
After speaking, he glanced at Li Lanxiu again.
Li Lanxiu gave him a slight nod. His answer was acceptable.
Lian-shixiong wasn’t a fool. He was swallowed whole by the black jiao lord and yet was somehow still alive? The black jiao had lived for so many years without issue, but it just so happened to die on his wedding night? And the corpses outside clearly bore the marks of being torn apart…
He nodded and spoke with sudden realization. "I see. Now that Chu Yue has explained, I understand."
Facing someone who would soon be one of the most sought-after figures in the sect, Lian-shixiong knew how to navigate social situations.
The xianzhang hesitated. He had noticed even more inconsistencies than Lian-shixiong, but he said nothing. Voicing them would only frighten the gathered disciples. Instead, he asked in astonishment, "Who are you?"
Chu Yue answered calmly. "I belong to Li Lanxiu."
"...No, I meant your name. Whose disciple are you?" The xianshi stared at him intently.
"Chu Yue, Violetstage Peak."
Among the observing disciples of Conundrum Sect, one sharp-eyed disciple noticed something and asked their friend, "Why does he always glance at Li Lanxiu before answering a question?"
"He didn’t for that 'Who are you?' He answered immediately."
"He looks like a dog raised by Li Lanxiu, waiting for instructions before doing anything..."
At that moment, on the floating island, as soon as Chu Yue spoke, everyone's attention shifted to Li Yanbi. No one had ever known that Li Yanbi had such a prodigious disciple—one who had single-handedly slain a five-hundred-year-old yao.
Li Yanbi himself hadn’t known either.
His usually indifferent face flushed with excitement, the corners of his mouth curving uncontrollably upward. What master wouldn’t love a gifted disciple?
No matter how exhilarated he felt, he only smiled slightly and said with composure, "The boy is decent enough. Worthy of being my disciple. My son has a good eye for people."
"Master Xue, what do you think of my disciple?" Li Yanbi asked calmly.
Xue Wujiao’s face remained expressionless as his hands gripped the armrests of his chair, leaving deep imprints in the wood. Forcing a smile, he said, "Congratulations, Peak Master Li, on acquiring such an outstanding disciple."
Hearing Xue Wujiao’s gritted teeth in his voice, Li Yanbi savored the moment. He had never felt this pleased before.
Xue Wujiao stared at the enormous mirror, glaring at Jiang Jiusi.
Rebellious disciple! he cursed inwardly.
He had entrusted Jiang Jiusi with two tasks, and Jiang Jiusi had failed both.
It was all because Li Lanxiu was too beautiful. Jiang Jiusi had always had a weakness for beauty—how could he possibly lay a hand on Li Lanxiu?
Something even more infuriating unfolded in the mirror. Jiang Jiusi walked up to Li Lanxiu, bent down and gazed at him. "Li-shidi, it’s thanks to you that I managed to escape unscathed this time."
Li Lanxiu turned his head slightly and chuckled. "Jiang-shixiong, you’re too polite."
Jiang Jiusi’s cheeks flushed faintly. In a soft voice, he said, "If you ever need anything in the future, just ask."
The disciples of Violetstage Peak approached as well, nudging one another awkwardly, heads bowed.
Li Lanxiu studied them with a probing gaze. "What is it?"
One of them lifted their head, smiled and pulled a bright red spirit fruit from their robe. "Xiao-Shidi... This is the last one we brought from the sect. Do you want it?"
Li Lanxiu raised an eyebrow. Violetstage Peak’s disciples had always avoided him, never once speaking to him voluntarily. He took the fruit, rolling it slowly in his palm. "Thanks."
Jiang Jiusi started to move closer but suddenly stopped. Shame flickered across his face—he had come here to kill Li Lanxiu.
Xue Wujiao had told him that everyone on Violetstage Peak despised Li Lanxiu and that killing him would be an act of justice.
His master had deceived him, but his own mistake was greater. He had believed Xue Wujiao’s words without question. Just because Li Lanxiu had humiliated the disciples of Thousandchance Peak, he had thought Li Lanxiu deserved to die.
Thinking back now, those Thousandchance Peak disciples had brought that humiliation upon themselves. They had deserved it.
Chuxuan felt even more conflicted than Jiang Jiusi. He stood in the distance, watching Li Lanxiu with a thoughtful gaze.
The xianshi recalled Li Yanbi’s brilliance. Then, looking at Chu Yue, he sighed—each generation surpasses the last.
He ordered the disciples to clean up the battlefield.
Even in death, the black jiao lord, a trophy that brought glory to Conundrum Sect, would not be left in peace. It had to be transported back to the sect by flying ship for public display.
According to the sect’s trial rules, Chu Yue of Violetstage Peak had claimed first place.
The other disciples could only scramble to gather medicinal herbs and slay as many yao as possible before the trial ended, hoping to earn a respectable ranking for their own peaks.
Chu Yue had obtained many true-intent jade slips in the hidden chamber, containing records of high-level martial techniques and cultivation methods. He found a secluded valley to digest the information within them.
The valley was tranquil and secluded, the rustling leaves whispering as the wind brushed past. Chu Yue sat cross-legged on a stone slab, eyes closed in deep focus. Ever since leaving the sect, he had scarcely found time to cultivate. Now, spiritual energy swelled within his core, brimming and unfurling.
Not far away, by the creek, Li Lanxiu sat with his feet idly swaying in the water. Chu Yue heard the rustle of fabric as he removed his shoes and socks, followed by the gentle splashing of water.
The rhythmic lapping of the stream seemed to pluck at his heartstrings. His eyelids twitched slightly, but he forced himself to remain focused, immersing himself in the profound insights of the true-intent jade slips. Following their guidance, he gathered his inner energy.
The spiritual energy coalesced into a small vortex, steadily pulling in the surrounding aura.
At that moment, footsteps approached from afar. Chu Yue was about to pause his cultivation when Li Lanxiu drawled lazily, “Focus.”
Chu Yue, obedient as always, kept his attention on his practice.
The newcomer was a woman in white Daoist robes, wearing a veiled bamboo hat. She had a slender frame, and a violet longsword hung at her waist. Stopping by the creek, she gazed at Li Lanxiu.
Li Lanxiu looked back at her. Judging by her attire, she was from Jademaiden Sect.
She seated herself across the creek with natural grace, lifting her veil to reveal a face as cool and ethereal as moonlight. “Daoxiong, have you seen any disciples from my sect?”
Li Lanxiu had never encountered a Jademaiden Sect disciple before. Tilting his chin slightly, he replied, “Past this valley, there’s a camp of Conundrum Sect disciples. Someone there might have seen them.”
“You’re from Conundrum Sect?”
Her voice lifted slightly, a trace of admiration in her gaze. “I’ve heard your sect’s Peak Master Li is unparalleled in swordsmanship. I’ve long admired him, but, unfortunately, never had the chance to witness it firsthand.”
The energy within Chu Yue’s core surged violently. Even with his eyes shut, just from her voice alone, he could tell that this woman must be beautiful.
Li Lanxiu chuckled softly and sat upright. “That’s my father.”
Her eyes brightened as she looked him over. “With such a skilled swordsman for a father, you must not be lacking yourself. May I see?”
"I’m not skilled with the sword."
"Hm?" The Daoist woman frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his answer. "Are you afraid I’ll steal your techniques? If you let me witness your father’s swordsmanship, I’ll show you my own original martial art."
"Original martial art?" Li Lanxiu tilted his head, intrigued.
The Daoist woman brushed her fingers over the sword at her waist, as if caressing the face of a beloved. "I created a sword technique of my own. If you're willing to spar, you won’t find this trip to be wasted."
Li Lanxiu hesitated for a moment, studying her once more. "You’re Jing Mei?"
Jing Mei looked surprised. "How did you know my name?"
"I heard the holy maiden of Jademaiden Sect is a martial arts fanatic. Seeing you today, it seems the rumors are true."
In the original story, this holy maiden had been written as a prodigy obsessed with martial arts, eager to challenge anyone she met. It was rather endearing.
Jing Mei nodded calmly and looked toward Chu Yue, who was not far away. "Since you refuse to spar with me, what about your friend? He’s about to reach Golden Core stage. Can he spar with me instead?"
Li Lanxiu turned his head. A faint golden glow radiated from Chu Yue’s body, as if he were basking in sunlight. He was on the verge of breaking through from his perfected Foundation Establishment stage to Golden Core stage.
However, the light around him flickered slightly, as though something was disturbing his concentration, preventing him from fully shattering the barrier and condensing his core.
Li Lanxiu glanced at Jing Mei, immediately understanding.
The black jiao lord had died earlier than in the original story, so Chu Yue had yet to fall into the ancient tomb and meet the holy maiden. Yet even at their first meeting, she had already unsettled his Dao heart.
He spoke casually. "Chu Yue, focus."
At his command, the golden light around Chu Yue instantly stabilized. In the blink of an eye, golden radiance burst forth from his dantian, condensing into a brilliant golden core.
Chu Yue exhaled a breath of turbid air. A surge of unprecedented power coursed through his body, emanating from the golden core rotating steadily within his dantian.
His golden core had formed!
His breathing grew slightly rapid. He clenched his hands into fists on his knees, suppressing his trembling excitement. He opened his eyes and looked at Li Lanxiu. "I've reached Golden Core stage."
At that moment, a faint sting pricked his neck, like the prick of a needle.
Li Lanxiu glanced at the side of his neck. The moment he entered early Golden Core stage, the slave mark inscribed with "Li Lanxiu" vanished without a trace.
Chu Yue's dark pupils widened slightly. He raised a hand to touch the spot where the mark had been. His skin was smooth and taut, with no trace of an imprint under his fingertips.
An unexpected sense of loss welled up in his heart.
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