The mountain path leading to Yunhua Sect was rarely traveled. Lower-level disciples in the sect who went out to purchase supplies were all equipped with flying mounts, and disciples who hadn’t reached Foundation Establishment must be accompanied by fellow disciples at Foundation Establishment or above when descending the mountain.

Wild grass grew abundantly on the bluestone path, forming a world undisturbed by people. Scattered sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, leaving mottled imprints of light on the bluestone slabs.

In her seven years since joining the sect, Kong Hou had never walked this small path before, giving her a sense of novel freshness. “Senior Brother Tan Feng told me about this road. When our Yunhua Sect was first established, most disciples under the sect had low cultivation levels, so this mountain path was built for disciples to travel up and down the mountain. Later, as more and more disciples joined the sect and more fellow disciples with high cultivation appeared, fewer and fewer people walked this path. But to commemorate those difficult early days, the sect repairs this road every few decades—this is a road marking Yunhua Sect’s journey from nothing to something.” Kong Hou turned to look at the steep mountain path behind her. Hundreds or thousands of years ago, those senior grand-uncles relied on this very road to establish Yunhua Sect’s foundation.

Huan Zong listened silently. Compared to Yunhua Sect’s humble beginnings, Liuguang Sect’s origins were considerably more noble. When Liuguang Sect first established itself, several sword cultivators with profound cultivation felt that their exquisite sword techniques shouldn’t decline after their ascension, so they scattered magical artifacts and spirit stones without regard for cost, constructing a magnificent sect.

Because the sect’s architecture was refined and elegant, beautiful as glazed glass, they named it Liuguang Sect. When ordinary common folk encountered disciples of Liuguang Sect, they would respectfully address them as Liuguang Sword Immortals.

From their very establishment, Liuguang Sect and Yunhua Sect had different destinies. That Liuguang Sect had remained standing all these years, firmly occupying the position of the number one sect, seemed simple but was actually extremely difficult. That Yunhua Sect had grown from an unknown, obscure sect to become one of the ten great sects was also a journey filled with hardship.

He hadn’t understood before, but gradually as he grew older, he came to realize that every sect capable of preserving itself during the evil cultivator assault on the cultivation world had something worthy of respect.

“Your esteemed sect is truly remarkable,” Huan Zong said slowly as he walked along the small path, as if strolling through clouds and mist. He raised his head to look at the sky above—from earlier until now, there had probably been several people secretly observing them from above.

“Of course!” When it came to her own sect, Kong Hou’s face was full of pride. In her happiness, she didn’t forget to praise Liuguang Sect as well. “Liuguang Sect is also very remarkable.”

Conquering territory is easy; defending it is difficult. That Liuguang Sect had been passed down in the cultivation world for so many years, maintaining such an exalted position throughout, required every generation of sect masters to possess both extraordinary self-discipline and capability—what a tremendous test this was for a sect.

Kong Hou really wanted to know—had a sect as serious as Liuguang Sect never produced even one unreliable sword cultivator?

Just as she was about to speak, several dried fruit shells suddenly fell from the sky. She drew her Shuishuang Sword with a swift motion, pointing it at the seemingly empty sky above. “If you keep watching, I’m going to get angry! Everyone scatter!”

The clouds and mist in the sky roiled a few times, then quickly returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Shuishuang Sword transformed back into a hairpin and was inserted into her hair. Kong Hou smiled apologetically at Lin Hu and Huan Zong. “The junior disciples in the sect don’t quite understand propriety. I’ve embarrassed you both.”

“It’s nothing.” Huan Zong smiled slightly, glancing at the sky. After Kong Hou spoke those words, the people hiding behind the clouds truly dispersed completely, not shamelessly remaining despite having outsiders present. “The disciples of your esteemed sect are all very… lively.”

“I told you not to go look, but you insisted on going anyway. Now you’ve offended a core disciple—you’re in for it.” Gui Lin jumped down from his crane’s back. Seeing the other fellow disciples still chattering excitedly, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Did these people have brains or not? That was a core disciple, a five spiritual root genius. If she became unhappy, with just one word from her, what good days would be left for these outer sect disciples?

“Junior Brother Gui Lin, you’re overthinking it. Senior Sister Kong Hou was clearly joking with us in that sentence. She’s such a good person—how could she possibly do something like that?” Li Rou covered her face, her expression full of admiration. “Senior Sister Kong Hou is so beautiful, her voice is so pleasant, and even the sword cultivator she lured back is so handsome. There’s nothing in this world that Senior Sister Kong Hou can’t accomplish.”

Gui Lin: “…”

“That’s right! And there’s also the matter of acquiring Wuwei Manor. Even when the Sect Master personally took action, he couldn’t persuade Daoist Bai’an to join our sect. Who would have thought that Senior Sister Kong Hou, with her invincible personal charm, got Wuwei Manor to affiliate with our sect, greatly improving our food quality—this is truly a merit lasting a thousand autumns, a name that will endure through ten thousand ages!” Gao Jianyan patted his protruding little belly. “Being able to join Yunhua Sect is the greatest fortune of my life.”

“Senior Brother Gao, you didn’t much like reading when you were at home, did you?” Gui Lin asked expressionlessly.

Gao Jianyan touched his face, somewhat embarrassed. “You could tell even that—Junior Brother Gui Lin is truly amazing.”

Gui Lin: “…”

This sect is doomed—what kind of disciples are they accepting!

In Yunhua Sect’s main hall, Heng Yan, as Sect Master, was personally receiving several sect masters and peak lords who had come to offer congratulations. He hadn’t expected that Cheng Yi’s Nascent Soul formation ceremony would bring even some sect masters personally, and couldn’t help but suspect—could it be because Liuguang Sect had been frequently sending them gifts lately?

The recent actions of Liuguang Sect were quite puzzling. Fortunately, their sect master Jin Yue was an old man—otherwise he’d be unable to resist suspecting whether Jin Yue had taken a fancy to some female cultivator in their sect. Why else would he be so attentive?

As soon as invitations to Cheng Yi’s Nascent Soul formation ceremony were sent out, Liuguang Sect’s Peak Lord Song He brought his eldest disciple and gifts to visit, even more enthusiastically than those small sects. What was even more frightening was that when Song He discussed the Dao with him, he would smile at him from time to time, and occasionally praise how excellent Yunhua Sect’s disciples were.

Could he really not have been possessed by someone?

“Lately these disciples are becoming increasingly disappointing. Among the new disciples recruited last year, there were only two single spiritual root disciples—their aptitude doesn’t compare to disciples from previous years.” Shuangqing Sect Master, who had come personally to offer congratulations, shook his head and sighed. “We elders can only worry more on their behalf.”

On the surface this was a lament, but in reality it was boasting. The cultivation world was indeed declining year by year. That Yuanji Sect, though not among the ten great sects, could recruit two single spiritual root disciples—they could brag about this for fifty years without overdoing it.

“One can’t quite say it that way.” Song He, who usually spoke very little in crowded situations, said, “I think the Kong Hou girl that Yunhua Sect recruited a few years ago is excellent. Not only is she naturally intelligent, she also has a chivalrous heart—truly a rare cultivation seedling.”

“Precisely so.” The elder from Qingfeng Sect immediately chimed in. “Disciples from my sect were pursued by evil cultivators and relied on the assistance of Fairy Kong Hou and Daoist Huan Zong to escape danger. Such benevolent and kind virtue is truly the hope for our realm’s future.”

“Very much so, very much so.” Pavilion Master Sun from Jixiang Pavilion quickly nodded. “Fairy Kong Hou’s bearing is truly extraordinary.”

Daoist Shuangqing turned his square, blocky head away, pretending to lower his head to drink tea, secretly resenting these sycophants. He swallowed the tea in his mouth and said to Song He, “The esteemed Daoist Huan Zong from your sect has profound cultivation and exquisite swordsmanship—we are ashamed of our inferiority.”

“Not at all. He merely relies on his natural talent to get by—he’s not as spiritually refined as Fairy Kong Hou.” After praising Kong Hou, Song He felt he couldn’t excessively disparage his own grand-nephew in front of Yunhua Sect, so he quickly added, “This child’s greatest virtue is that he’s steady, reliable, and good-tempered. In his early years, he discovered several secret realms, went in to explore them, and accumulated some family wealth. We elders just hope the younger generation can live well—we have no other wishes.”

Was this Peak Lord Song He from Liuguang Sect ill? When he praised disciples from Liuguang Sect, this peak lord turned around and said his own disciple wasn’t as good as a little girl from Yunhua Sect who had only cultivated for less than ten years?

Could there be some unspeakable transaction between Song He and Yunhua Sect?

Shuangqing held back and ultimately couldn’t bring himself to say a single bad word about Kong Hou. Yunhua Sect would be pulled down from their position sooner or later, but that little girl… forget it. One matter at a time—he was a man of principles.

“Finally arrived.” Kong Hou looked at Yunhua Sect’s great gate, wiped the thin sweat from her forehead, and turned to smile at Huan Zong. “Come, I’ll take you inside.”

Lin Hu: “…”

His sense of presence had already become so faint that he didn’t even deserve the plural “you all.”

Just as the three reached the entrance, five people jumped down from flying swords in the air. Kong Hou turned to look at the arrivals—they were those four Jiufeng Sect disciples and an elder in a blue robe.

Could it be a peak lord from Jiufeng Sect? But yesterday at the inn, this elder hadn’t been present.

Kong Hou’s guess was correct—the Jiufeng Sect peak lord had only caught up later. Previously, when Kong Hou and Ling Yue’s group encountered each other at the mountain’s base, Ling Yue didn’t travel with them because she was waiting for the peak lord to catch up. Originally, Jiufeng Sect hadn’t planned to send a peak lord, but later, hearing that Liuguang Sect and Zhaohan Sect had both sent peak lords, and even Qingjing Temple had sent disciples to offer congratulations, they hastily sent a peak lord to catch up with Ling Yue’s group.

In matters of hospitality and etiquette, they could lose to anyone except Zhaohan Sect.

The greatest coincidence in the world was when sects with less-than-harmonious relationships would unexpectedly encounter each other—for instance, Zhaohan Sect and Jiufeng Sect. Just as the Jiufeng Sect group landed, a flying palace also gracefully arrived. Emerging from the flying palace were a Zhaohan Sect peak lord and their sect’s leading disciple, Chang De.

The two peak lords’ gazes met. The Jiufeng Sect peak lord smiled politely and falsely: “It’s been many days—everyone is still as graceful and elegant as ever.”

Hearing this, the Zhaohan Sect peak lord thought: Is this mocking us for not making much progress in our cultivation? He chuckled lightly: “Not at all, not at all—not as magnificent as your esteemed sect’s enduring brilliance.”

“Your esteemed sect is still as modest as ever.” The Jiufeng Sect peak lord glanced at Chang De. “Worthy nephew has already reached Golden Core Great Perfection—advancement to Nascent Soul is in sight, isn’t it?”

The Zhaohan Sect peak lord sneered: “Thank you for your concern. Matters of cultivation cannot be rushed or forced. Some days ago, we heard that your esteemed sect intended to arrange a match between a sect disciple and Liuguang Sect’s Daoist Zhong Xi—we wonder if this is true or false?”

The Jiufeng Sect peak lord’s expression changed slightly: “Matters of the younger generation depend on affinity—what business do we elders have arranging matches? When did our cultivation world ever adopt such practices as blind marriages and mute unions from the mortal realm?”

“Good that it’s just a rumor.” The Zhaohan Sect peak lord smiled with relief. “Worthy nephew Ling Yue has outstanding natural talent, and Daoist Zhong Xi is also a proud son of heaven—both are pillars of their sects. How could they be subjected to such groundless rumors?”

“Daoist Zhong Xi and Fairy Ling Yue intend to become cultivation partners?” Kong Hou hadn’t expected to hear such shocking gossip, and transmitted to Huan Zong: “If Daoist Zhong Xi’s appearance is decent, with both being exceptional in swordsmanship, they would be quite compatible…”

“Not compatible!” Huan Zong interrupted Kong Hou’s transmission and spoke directly. “Daoist Zhong Xi and Ling Yue have never even met—how can there be talk of compatibility or incompatibility?”

Kong Hou was stunned. Huan Zong seemed extremely displeased about this matter?

Huan Zong spoke without the slightest attempt at concealment, causing both sect peak lords to look at him in unison. The Jiufeng Sect peak lord in particular had his expression darken, though he maintained a smile in front of so many people: “May I ask which fellow daoist this is?”

Ling Yue had long since noticed the three—Kong Hou, Huan Zong, and Lin Hu. Hearing Huan Zong suddenly speak, she was quite surprised. This cold man didn’t seem like someone who would meddle in others’ affairs—why would he have such a rash action when two peak lords were conversing?

Peak Lord Qingyuan, who was receiving visiting sect guests, hurried over. Seeing from afar the people from Jiufeng Sect and Zhaohan Sect, he sighed inwardly—how did these two sects’ people arrive together?

“Fellow Daoists Zhihe and Mingzhai, thank you both for traveling such a distance with your disciples. This humble one failed to greet you properly—please forgive me, forgive me.” Qingyuan smiled broadly. “Why are you standing here? Please, please come in.”

He clapped once, and a row of cranes descended with flapping wings, standing docilely before everyone: “Please.”

“Congratulations to your esteemed sect on gaining another Nascent Soul ancestor. The younger generation is formidable, truly formidable.” Zhaohan Sect’s Peak Lord Mingzhai spoke first. “Fellow Daoist Qingyuan needn’t be so polite. Please.”

“Please.” Qingyuan bowed to both again.

The remaining disciples paid their respects to their elders. Qingyuan turned to see the three in the corner, his face showing more delight: “Nephew Kong Hou?”

“Martial Uncle.” Kong Hou smiled as she stepped forward and performed a deep bow to Qingyuan. “How has Martial Uncle been lately?”

“Good, good, good.” Qingyuan looked Kong Hou over repeatedly—she had grown a bit taller and become even more beautiful. He looked at the two male cultivators behind Kong Hou, his expression becoming somewhat serious. Of these two, the one in black had already reached Nascent Soul stage cultivation, while the handsome gentleman in white initially seemed like an ordinary person, but upon second glance felt extraordinary. He was at Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivation, yet couldn’t see through this person’s cultivation level at all—clearly, the other’s cultivation exceeded his own: “Who might these two fellow daoists be?”

“Martial Uncle, these are two close friends I made outside. Senior Lin Hu from Liuguang Sect, and Huan Zong, a core disciple of Liuguang Sect. I specially invited them to attend Senior Brother’s Nascent Soul formation ceremony.” Kong Hou smiled at Huan Zong and Lin Hu. “Huan Zong, Senior Lin, this is our Yunhua Sect’s Chenxia Peak’s Peak Lord, Martial Uncle Qingyuan.”

“This junior greets Martial Uncle Qingyuan and congratulates your esteemed sect’s disciple on great advancement in cultivation.” Huan Zong bowed in greeting, his bearing graceful and elegant, without the slightest flaw.

“So you’re distinguished disciples of Liuguang Sect.” Qingyuan smiled. “Thank you both for making this special trip. Please.”

“Thank you, Martial Uncle.” Huan Zong straightened and walked to Kong Hou’s side.

The cultivation world didn’t view gender relations particularly strictly. Cultivators made friends widely throughout the realm—when had they ever separated by gender? Qingyuan didn’t think much of it either, summoning three more cranes and instructing Kong Hou to properly host these peers of hers.

Chang De bowed to Kong Hou, and Kong Hou returned the bow. With elders present, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to exchange too many pleasantries.

The several Jiufeng Sect disciples were somewhat surprised—these two were truly Fairy Kong Hou and Daoist Huan Zong? Daoist Huan Zong was a sword cultivator from Liuguang Sect, yet between him and Fairy Kong Hou…

“So fish and birds really can produce offspring together.” Jing Yuan murmured. “This Fairy Kong Hou is formidable indeed.”

Ling Yue couldn’t help but glance at Kong Hou a few more times. When this little girl smiled, she was like a fragrant and sweet spirit fruit—no wonder even a sword cultivator like Daoist Huan Zong couldn’t help but like her. If she were a man, she too would be unable to resist liking this little girl.

Zhaohan Sect’s Peak Lord Mingzhai glanced at Jiufeng Sect’s Peak Lord Zhihe. Daoist Huan Zong had clearly stated that Daoist Zhong Xi and the Jiufeng Sect disciple weren’t suitable—Jiufeng Sect’s plans were probably going to fall through.

Peak Lord Zhihe glared fiercely back at him. With Zhaohan Sect’s rotten character, he could guess what they were thinking just by how they stuck their butts out.

Qingyuan, who was leading the way up front, looked back at Huan Zong several times, vaguely feeling he looked familiar. After pondering for a long while, he remembered that three hundred years ago, because Jin Yue Sect Master’s disciple became the first in the cultivation world to reach Foundation Establishment in merely three to four years, he had specially gone to offer congratulations. For the cultivation world, any disciple with a chance of ascending was their shared hope.

That disciple named Zhong Xi was just a half-grown child, yet his every movement was full of nobility and elegance, leaving no flaw to be found. That appearance was extremely similar to Huan Zong’s.

It seemed that Sect Master Jin Yue’s standard for selecting disciples was this type—good-looking, well-mannered, highly talented disciples. Who would have thought that Sect Master Jin Yue, who seemed upright and serious, was also a man who judged by appearances?

The cranes carried the guests and descended outside the main hall. Huan Zong looked at the dharma light atop the main hall’s roof and took a deep breath.

“Huan Zong, what’s wrong?” Kong Hou noticed Huan Zong’s cheeks had become somewhat pale. She secretly squeezed his hand—even his fingertips were cold. What was happening?

Huan Zong slowly shook his head, his beautiful peach blossom eyes looking at Kong Hou: “Kong Hou, if I deceived you about a small matter, would you resent me?”

Kong Hou thought for a moment, somewhat hesitant: “Did you secretly hide Miaobi Ke’s new book without giving it to me?”

That would indeed be quite excessive.

“No, I…” Before Huan Zong could finish his next words, he was interrupted by Peak Lord Zhihe’s voice.

“Rather than Fellow Daoist Mingzhai concerning himself with trivial matters of my sect’s disciples, he should focus more on guiding his disciples’ cultivation.” Zhihe smiled without warmth. “The matter of forming cultivation partnerships is for the parties involved to decide. Daoist Zhong Xi isn’t even present—whether he’s willing or not also depends on him and my sect’s disciple. Wouldn’t you say that’s reasonable?”

“Martial Uncle.” Ling Yue spoke. “We should go in.”

Continuing this would make everyone look bad.

Peak Lord Mingzhai didn’t dare to truly provoke Zhihe’s fury either. This was Yunhua Sect’s territory, and there were people from other sects present—this wasn’t the place for arguing.

Kong Hou turned to see Huan Zong preparing to speak up for Zhong Xi again and quickly grabbed his sleeve, placing her index finger to her lips: “Shh, let’s not speak.” Jiufeng Sect and Zhaohan Sect were arguing—let them argue all they wanted. If Huan Zong spoke up, Liuguang Sect would also get dragged in, which wasn’t worthwhile.

Huan Zong looked at Kong Hou as if he wanted to say something but held back, restraining himself and nodding: “Alright.”

Qingyuan pretended not to see the friction between Zhihe and Mingzhai, leading everyone into the main hall. Other sect guests were already inside the hall. After everyone exchanged greetings, the entire hall immediately became lively.

Across the clamor of polite exchanges, Huan Zong’s and Song He’s gazes met. Song He nearly bounced up from his chair—this child’s courage was really too great, actually daring to follow Fairy Kong Hou and run to Yunhua Sect.

Never mind that his current cultivation could only display sixty percent of his power—even if he were at peak cultivation, he couldn’t defeat that pile of protective peak lords and elders from Yunhua Sect.

The blame lay only in how they constantly had this child practice swordsmanship and cultivate, forgetting to let him understand more about interpersonal relations. This was delivering himself to death!

Heng Yan was very happy to see Kong Hou return, but after seeing the white-robed gentleman behind her, he nearly failed to grip his tea cup. He silently wiped the tea from the back of his hand, blinked, and confirmed this wasn’t his eyes playing tricks.

Wasn’t this the once-in-a-millennium cultivation genius who killed evil cultivators above his level, making the entire evil cultivator realm tremble, capable of stopping children from crying at night—Daoist Zhong Xi? What had this girl Kong Hou done while out that she actually brought back such a figure who rarely appeared even once in a hundred years?

“This junior greets the Sect Master.” Huan Zong, facing Heng Yan’s shocked gaze, stepped forward to give him a junior’s bow.

“Worthy nephew needn’t be so polite—please take the seat of honor.” Heng Yan forced a smile and turned to look at Song He. Song He raised his head and squeezed out a smile at him.

Heng Yan: “…”

Kong Hou pulled Huan Zong to sit in the back, where all the junior disciples from various sects were seated. Heng Yan couldn’t stand watching anymore. Kong Hou was usually quite clever—why was she acting foolish today? Zhong Xi was a peak lord in Liuguang Sect. Having a peak lord sit together with these disciples was disrespectful.

“Worthy nephew has traveled from afar—please take the seat of honor.” Heng Yan made a gesture of invitation.

“Thank you, Sect Master. This junior and Kong Hou are close friends—it’s fine for me to sit with her.” Huan Zong stood and performed a junior’s bow before sitting back down beside Kong Hou.

Seeing that he himself was willing, Heng Yan didn’t insist further. After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, he had disciples lead the newly arrived guests to the courtyards that had been prepared for them to rest.

After all the guests had left, Heng Yan’s expression became grave: “Wu Chuan, what exactly does Liuguang Sect intend? Could it be that because we sent out merman scales, they think we have other good things?”

Wu Chuan pondered for a moment before shaking his head: “Given Liuguang Sect’s character, they don’t seem like people who would do such things.”

“Then what do they want to do?” Heng Yan’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Could it be…”

“Be what?”

“It’s said that Jiufeng Sect intends to further their relationship with Liuguang Sect. Could they want Zhong Xi and Ling Yue to meet and sound out each other’s intentions?”

Wu Chuan had a sudden realization: “So that’s it.”

In a separate courtyard, Song He looked at Peak Lord Zhihe, who had voluntarily come to visit: “Fellow Daoist Zhihe said earlier there was an important matter to discuss—could it be news of evil cultivators?”

Zhihe shook his head: “I have no news of evil cultivators, but my sect has something your esteemed sect needs.”

Song He’s eyebrows moved slightly: “Oh?”

“Phoenix blood.” Peak Lord Zhihe spoke directly. “Fellow Daoist Song He, do you know that our Jiufeng Sect’s founding patriarch has the remnant bloodline of the Phoenix clan in their veins?”

Seeing Zhihe speak this secret so frankly, Song He said: “I wonder what your esteemed sect would require in exchange with my sect?”

“My sect’s idea is very simple—we only wish to unite our strengths with your esteemed sect’s…”

The closed door was pushed open. Huan Zong, in white robes, stood expressionlessly outside the door: “Martial Uncle, Peak Lord Zhihe, please forgive this junior’s impropriety in coming to disturb you.”

The wind lifted the corners of his robe, the fabric dancing freely.