Song Daren was stunned. That voice lingered by his ear like celestial music. Only after a moment did he wake as if from a dream and whirl around like lightning. Behind him stood five or six female disciples; judging by their clothing, they were from Little Bamboo Peak, the branch of Qingyun Sect that had always accepted only female disciples.
And standing at their head, facing them, was a beautiful woman with an oval face, hair like clouds, skin like snow, and the faintest trace of a smile at the corner of her lips. Zhang Xiaofan looked at the woman and was just about to turn back and ask which branch this senior sister was from, but when he glanced back, he saw that from Wu Dayi to Zheng Dali to He Dazhi, every one of them wore a strange smile. His thoughts stirred. Looking again at Song Daren, he saw that this usually shrewd and capable eldest senior brother had a foolish grin plastered on his face, staring blankly as if he had no idea what to say. After thinking it over, he guessed the woman’s identity.
Sure enough, He Dazhi and the others beside him were waiting to watch a good show, but to their surprise, Song Daren had suddenly fallen into a state of utter stupefaction. Not only could the Great Bamboo Peak disciples not bear the sight of his dazed expression, even the female disciples of Little Bamboo Peak across from them were covering their mouths and giggling. The beautiful woman standing before Song Daren blushed faintly and called softly, “Senior Brother Song.”
Song Daren still had not reacted. He Dazhi, growing thoroughly impatient, had already cut in, laughing, “Haha, Senior Sister Wenmin, you and I haven’t seen each other for many years. Have you been well lately?”
Wenmin’s lovely eyes shifted to this lean man and paused on him for a moment before she smiled and said, “You must be Senior Brother He Dazhi?”
He Dazhi nodded repeatedly and said, “That is indeed me. Senior Sister Wen, what a fine memory you have. You and I only met once, sixty years ago, yet you still remember me. I am truly overwhelmed by the honor.”
Wenmin smiled faintly and said, “Senior Brother He resisted a powerful opponent in the last tournament and displayed great skill. Naturally I remember.”
He Dazhi’s face reddened. In the previous Seven Peaks Martial Tournament, he had encountered an expert from the main branch, Tongtian Peak, in the first round. Though he had fought with all his strength, he had still been defeated. But he was a clever man, and he immediately laughed it off, saying, “Those are old matters; there’s no need to mention them. With my shallow cultivation, I am far, far beneath Senior Sister Wen—and our eldest senior brother as well. Speaking of which, ever since the last great competition, our eldest senior brother has been thinking of you constantly.”
Wenmin’s face reddened slightly, but she did not reply. She merely glanced at Song Daren from the corner of her eye. The young junior sisters behind her, however, had already burst into laughter. Song Daren, a rough and sturdy man, was now as flustered as a bashful youth. He quickly protested, “No, no, I haven’t been constantly…”
“What?” Before he could finish, a young woman behind Wenmin interrupted him. “So you haven’t been thinking of our Senior Sister Wenmin?”
Song Daren’s heart jumped. He secretly raised his eyes and glanced at Wenmin, only to see that Wenmin was also looking at him, her beautiful eyes not even blinking. Anxious, he blurted out, “N-no, that’s not it. I have been thinking of…”
“Ha!”
The disciples of Great Bamboo Peak and Little Bamboo Peak burst into laughter together. The young women behind Wenmin in particular laughed brightly and loudly, drawing several glances from disciples of the other branches nearby.
When the laughter had subsided somewhat, He Dazhi adopted a serious expression and said to the women of Little Bamboo Peak, “Senior Sisters, in truth, what our eldest senior brother means is this: it is not that he does not think of Senior Sister Wenmin, but neither does he think of her constantly…”
“Then what is it?” a Little Bamboo Peak female disciple called out with a laugh.
He Dazhi glanced at the woman and smiled. “It is that every quarter of an hour he remembers Senior Sister Wen once, and the next quarter of an hour he murmurs her name once more. That is why he says he has not been thinking of her constantly.”
Everyone roared with laughter. Song Daren glared fiercely at He Dazhi, but the corner of his eye was fixed on Wenmin. Seeing that she had a smile on her lips and did not seem angry, he could not help feeling secretly pleased. Yet his mouth only stammered, “Junior Sister Wen, they just love to joke. Don’t—don’t take it to heart.”
Wenmin smiled, then turned first to stop the junior sisters behind her, who were laughing so hard they swayed like flowering branches. Then she looked deeply at him and said, “Then what are you thinking in your heart?”
Song Daren pulled a long face. He muttered “I, I, I” several times, but could not say anything. Seeing him like this, the women could not help laughing again. Wenmin shook her head, gave him a glare, and ignored him. She walked over to Tian Ling’er, took her jade-white hand, studied her carefully, and said, “You must be Junior Sister Ling’er?”
Tian Ling’er asked in surprise, “Yes. Senior Sister Wen, how do you know me?”
Wenmin smiled and said, “You often come with Martial Aunt Su Ru to our Little Bamboo Peak to visit Master. We’ve known you for a long time. After not seeing you for a few years, you’ve truly become even prettier.”
Tian Ling’er held Wenmin’s hand and smiled. “Not at all. How could I compare with Senior Sister Wenmin’s flower-like beauty?” At this point, she lowered her voice and leaned forward to whisper, “My eldest senior brother has been utterly bewitched by you, Senior Sister Wen.”
Wenmin glanced at Song Daren. Song Daren immediately revealed a foolish grin. She shook her head and said softly, “That eldest senior brother of yours is truly a blockhead.”
Tian Ling’er burst out laughing with a “pfft,” and immediately felt as though she had met Senior Sister Wenmin far too late. Wenmin gently tugged her, and Tian Ling’er followed her into the group of Little Bamboo Peak women. After a few chattering exchanges, they instantly became extremely familiar with one another. Cheerful laughter rang out from among the women from time to time, leaving Song Daren and the others standing off to the side.
Song Daren stood nearby, his heart full of the desire to step forward and speak to Wenmin, yet for the moment he had no idea how to begin, so he could only remain rooted where he was. Not to mention the others—even Zhang Xiaofan, watching from the side, shook his head vigorously.
Just then, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly heard Du Bishu beside him give a soft “Eh?” and say, “A lot more people are coming.”
Puzzled, Zhang Xiaofan turned to look, and his body suddenly shook. In the distance, a group of people was walking over, more than thirty in all. Every one of them wore white, each looking spirited and heroic—or, to put it another way, it would not be wrong to say they were strutting proudly. The few at the front, however, truly possessed extraordinary bearing. Especially the one leading them: white robes like snow, handsome and elegant. If not Qi Hao, who else could it be?
Qi Hao!
Zhang Xiaofan stared at the group approaching them and repeated the name heavily in his heart. At the same time, he heard Fourth Senior Brother He Dazhi beside him suddenly laugh and say in a low voice, “The Dragon Head Peak branch truly is numerous and powerful.”
Qi Hao had also noticed the people of Great Bamboo Peak by then and immediately walked over. The others behind him followed as well. Arriving before them, he cupped his hands toward Song Daren and smiled. “Senior Brother Song, we meet again.”
Song Daren did not dare be neglectful and returned the salute. “Senior Brother Qi, you have come as well. I wonder if you will be participating in this great competition?”
Qi Hao smiled and said, “Originally, I did not intend to participate, but my master felt that my cultivation still needs tempering and ordered me to enter. So I have shamelessly taken one of our branch’s slots.”
Song Daren nodded with a smile. “That is excellent. With Senior Brother Qi’s talent, the victor this time can be none other than you.”
Qi Hao shook his head repeatedly and said modestly, “Not at all, not at all. Senior Brother Song praises me too highly.”
While the two of them exchanged polite formalities, Zhang Xiaofan widened his eyes and searched behind Qi Hao. Sure enough, before long, he saw Lin Jingyu standing behind Qi Hao, his gaze sweeping back and forth, clearly looking for something as well. When their eyes met, both were overjoyed. They stepped out at the same time and clasped each other’s hands, as though they had a thousand things to say, yet for a moment neither could speak.
After a long while, Lin Jingyu finally said, “Xiaofan, are you taking part in this great competition?”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded and smiled. “Yes. My master treats me very well and showed mercy by allowing me to participate. What about you?”
Lin Jingyu said, “I’m participating too. Hmph, what’s so good about that short master of yours? Two years ago, when I went to your place, the way he treated you…”
Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly said, “No, he usually isn’t like that. He was just angry that day.”
Lin Jingyu had finally reunited with this childhood friend and did not wish to let such pointless topics disturb their mood. He immediately changed the subject and smiled. “You brat, I haven’t seen you in two years, and you’ve actually grown this tall?”
Zhang Xiaofan punched him and scolded with a laugh, “What, only you’re allowed to grow up, and I’m not allowed to get taller?”
Lin Jingyu laughed heartily. The two of them talked on their own off to the side. This time, with no elders beside them, they said whatever they wished to their hearts’ content, and no one else paid them any mind. But as they spoke, Zhang Xiaofan turned back unintentionally and saw that Qi Hao had, at some point, noticed Tian Ling’er and Wenmin’s group of women standing nearby and was walking over to greet them. For no reason he could explain, Zhang Xiaofan’s heart ached, and even his expression changed.
Lin Jingyu saw it and asked in surprise, “What’s wrong, Xiaofan?”
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head and forced a smile. “Nothing.” Yet though he said this, his eyes were still fixed on Qi Hao’s side.
Qi Hao had already walked up to Tian Ling’er and Wenmin. First, he smiled and greeted Tian Ling’er. “Junior Sister Tian, do you still remember me?”
Tian Ling’er had been speaking excitedly with Wenmin and the other Little Bamboo Peak disciples. Now, seeing Qi Hao suddenly appear, for some reason her face reddened, and her voice grew soft. “Yes. Greetings, Senior Brother Qi.”
From afar, Tian Ling’er’s delicate face was faintly flushed, and her large watery eyes seemed, at first glance, almost dreamlike. But reflected in Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes in the distance, that beautiful countenance was like a knife cutting into the depths of his heart.
“Xiaofan, what’s wrong? Why did your face suddenly turn so pale?” Lin Jingyu, not understanding, asked with concern. “Are you ill?”
“N-no, I’m fine,” Zhang Xiaofan said in a low voice.
In the distance, Wenmin’s mind was exceptionally sharp. After glancing at Tian Ling’er’s manner, she more or less understood. She immediately said to Qi Hao, “Senior Brother Qi, why is it that you only recognize Junior Sister Tian? Do you not see us sisters of Little Bamboo Peak at all?”
As soon as she said this, the women behind her all began to tease. Qi Hao hurriedly said, “Senior Sister Wen, how could you say such a thing? How would I dare slight the senior sisters of Little Bamboo Peak?”
Wenmin gave a soft laugh and said, “Senior Brother Qi is participating in the Seven Peaks Martial Tournament again this time. You must be determined to win, I presume?”
A sharp light flashed in Qi Hao’s eyes. He said, “In the previous great competition, Senior Sister Wen passed three rounds in succession. It was only a pity that you narrowly lost to Senior Brother Xiao Yicai of the main branch, which was truly regrettable. After sixty years of diligent cultivation, together with Master Shuiyue’s careful guidance, as Little Bamboo Peak’s foremost expert now, you must also be aiming for the championship of this competition.”
Wenmin smiled. “I would not dare, I would not dare. How could I dare contend with Senior Brother Qi? Moreover, I am even less worthy of the title of Little Bamboo Peak’s foremost expert.”
Qi Hao frowned. “Senior Sister Wen, you are too modest…”
Wenmin smiled. “Not at all. My master, Master Shuiyue, possesses learning that reaches heaven and man. My aptitude is dull, and I have not obtained even a fraction of her true teachings. Our branch has another extraordinarily gifted sister. Senior Brother Qi, you had best be careful.”
The light in Qi Hao’s eyes brightened greatly, but his face still held a smile. “That is even better. Anyone who can make Senior Sister Wen willingly concede must surely be a peerless genius. I truly wish to see her abilities soon.”
Wenmin laughed softly, nodded in acknowledgment, and said no more. She took Tian Ling’er, who still seemed somewhat reluctant, and walked aside.
Just then, a piercing whistle suddenly came from above the square, its sound like thunder, shaking the entire place. The several hundred Qingyun disciples in the square all raised their heads to look. They saw a streak of red light shoot over like lightning and, in moments, stop above the square. A red immortal sword radiated streams of celestial aura as it hovered horizontally in midair. Standing upon it was a Daoist from the Tongtian Peak main branch. In a clear voice, he addressed the disciples of the various branches standing in the square:
“Senior brothers, the Sect Leader and the branch chiefs have given orders. All senior brothers participating in the Seven Peaks Martial Tournament are invited to Yuqing Hall to receive instructions.”
The mountain wind blew, and white clouds drifted hazily. The several hundred Qingyun disciples in the square stirred for a while, then people began to step out one after another and walk toward the front of the square.
Zhang Xiaofan had originally thought that those disciples with profound cultivation would directly summon their magic treasures and fly through the air. To his surprise, watching everyone, it seemed none of them had any such intention. Each and every one walked honestly on foot. He walked together with Lin Jingyu and looked to either side. Tian Ling’er was walking with Wenmin and the other Little Bamboo Peak women, her face full of smiles; she seemed to be in quite a good mood. The disciples of Great Bamboo Peak, Song Daren and the others, followed behind them.
As for the Dragon Head Peak branch, seven or eight people stepped out from Qi Hao’s group. At this moment, they had again gone elsewhere and were greeting disciples from several other branches who had also stepped out. Qi Hao in particular called out the names of disciples from the other branches with practiced ease, greeting them smoothly from every direction. The disciples of the other branches also all welcomed him with smiles. It seemed he had very wide connections.
“Senior Brother Qi is very good at making friends,” Lin Jingyu, walking beside Zhang Xiaofan, said when he noticed that Zhang Xiaofan’s gaze had remained fixed on Qi Hao. “And his cultivation is profound. He also has Master Cangsong’s trust, so within Qingyun Sect, everyone gives him face.”
Zhang Xiaofan listened with an expressionless face and merely nodded slowly.
At the end of the square was the “Rainbow Bridge,” one of Qingyun’s Six Scenic Wonders. Five years ago, when Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu had been rescued and brought up Qingyun Mountain, they had both passed through this place. Now, revisiting it, they could not help feeling a wave of emotion.
They stepped onto the bridge, its form so wondrous it seemed carved by ghosts and gods. Looking at the clear water streaming down along both sides, still refracting into an illusory, beautiful seven-colored rainbow, they thought of how the two boys who had known nothing of the world five years ago were now disciples under Qingyun Sect. Walking at the very rear of the crowd, Lin Jingyu suddenly sighed softly. “Five years.”
Zhang Xiaofan remained silent and only continued forward. The scene before him was just as it had been back then. As the Rainbow Bridge rose, the white clouds gradually fell beneath their feet, while the blue sky overhead was clear as if washed.
“Why don’t you fly up on your sword?” Zhang Xiaofan suddenly asked.
A look of slight surprise appeared on Lin Jingyu’s face. “You don’t know? We disciples are not permitted to ride swords through the air near the main hall of Tongtian Peak. I heard Senior Brother Qi say that first, this is to show respect to the main branch; in the sacred grounds of Yuqing Temple, we must ascend on foot. Second, it is said that when our Qingyun Sect was first established, in order to protect this place, Patriarch Qingyun set an extremely formidable restriction at the summit of Tongtian Peak called the ‘Zhu Xian Sword Formation.’ Anyone who dares fly unauthorized through the air above Tongtian Peak will inevitably be slain by the Zhu Xian Sword Formation.”
Zhang Xiaofan was startled. “No wonder there are so many powerful fellow disciples, yet not a single one is flying on a sword. Right, is that Zhu Xian Sword Formation powerful?”
Lin Jingyu looked toward the towering peak ahead. “I have never seen it myself, but I imagine it is extremely powerful. It is said that this Zhu Xian Sword Formation was passed down from Patriarch Qingyun and was later further perfected by another Qingyun patriarch a thousand years ago. Its might is unrivaled. Ever since then, there has never again been any word of anyone daring to cause trouble on our Qingyun Mountain.”
Zhang Xiaofan followed his gaze toward that majestic, lofty mountain peak and sighed. “How formidable!”
The two of them walked and talked like this, following the dozens of people across the Rainbow Bridge. Along the way, Zhang Xiaofan looked over these elites of Qingyun Sect’s younger generation and saw that among the sixty-odd people, men made up the majority. There were probably only thirteen or fourteen female disciples, and most of them wore Little Bamboo Peak attire. But regardless of whether male or female, looking around, nearly every one of them possessed outstanding bearing. The men were dignified and imposing; the women were beautiful and graceful. Handsome men and lovely women filled the eye. Anyone who saw them would have to say that Qingyun Sect had worthy successors and a bright future.
After crossing the Rainbow Bridge, they arrived at the Jade Pool, where Qingyun Sect’s mountain-guarding spirit beast, the Shui Qilin, resided. Unlike when Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu first came here five years ago, this ancient strange beast, respectfully called “Lingzun” by the disciples of Qingyun Sect, was not hiding in the pool. Instead, it had long since been sprawled on the open ground by the pool, basking in the sun. But looking at its lazy appearance, it did not seem any different from five years before.
The Qingyun disciples came down from the Rainbow Bridge and bowed one by one to this enormous creature. Then they stepped onto the stairs beside the pool and headed toward the high and lofty main hall of Yuqing Temple. Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan followed behind the crowd. Lin Jingyu whispered to Zhang Xiaofan, “Do you still remember what happened when we first came here?”
Zhang Xiaofan nodded, still feeling lingering fear. “I remember. We were drenched all over. That was one thing, but seeing such a huge monster nearly scared me to death.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Lin Jingyu’s mouth. “Exactly. Back when we were in Grass Temple Village, when had we ever seen something like this? I used to think the biggest animals in the world were the black bears on Qingyun Mountain.”
Zhang Xiaofan burst out laughing. For a moment, everyone turned back to look. Zhang Xiaofan was startled and quickly stopped laughing. Lin Jingyu was also taken aback and coughed dryly twice, his face slightly red.
The others looked a few times, then turned back and continued on. Only then did Zhang Xiaofan let out a breath of relief. He turned to look at Lin Jingyu, and when their eyes met, both smiled.
The dozens of people ahead soon walked on. Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu descended the Rainbow Bridge and came to the edge of the Jade Pool, where they bowed respectfully to the Shui Qilin. However, from the very beginning, the Shui Qilin seemed to be sleeping especially deeply. No matter who bowed, it gave no response. At this moment, its head was buried in sleep, its snores like thunder; it was utterly unaware that these two Qingyun juniors were saluting it.
Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu had not expected the Shui Qilin to pay them any attention either. After bowing, they climbed the stairs. Zhang Xiaofan said, “Jingyu, last time you came to Great Bamboo Peak, it was so hurried that I didn’t even congratulate you. I never imagined that in just a few years, you would attain such high cultivation.”
Lin Jingyu smiled. “It is all thanks to the devoted instruction of my esteemed master, Master Cangsong, and my senior brothers.” At this point, his voice paused, then gradually grew low. “Actually, in those first few years, whenever I was working hard at cultivation, I would think of that pile of bloody corpses in Grass Temple Village, and my heart would ache. So I steeled myself and cultivated desperately, hoping that one day I could avenge my parents and the people of the village.”
Zhang Xiaofan’s heart ached. He reached out and patted Lin Jingyu’s shoulder. Lin Jingyu composed himself, gathered his emotions, and smiled. “All right, let’s not talk about the past. What about you? How has your cultivation been?”
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head. “You know that since childhood I was never as clever as you. These years on Great Bamboo Peak, Master and all my senior brothers have treated me very well, but I am too stupid. My progress in cultivation has been extremely slow, and I have really let Master and Eldest Senior Brother down.”
Lin Jingyu snorted. “How are you stupid? From what I see, it’s most likely that short master of yours is deliberately making things difficult for you and not passing on the true Qingyun cultivation arts.”
Zhang Xiaofan had not expected that Lin Jingyu would still bear a grudge against Tian Buyi over the conflict two years ago. He immediately smiled and said, “No, my master isn’t that kind of person. Forget it, let’s not talk about me. By the way, is your magic treasure still that ‘Dragon-Slashing Sword’ from two years ago?”
Lin Jingyu nodded and smiled. “This divine sword is a supreme treasure of the Dragon Head Peak branch. Thanks to my esteemed master’s kindness, he passed this sword to me. Not only is its power immense, the sword also possesses spirituality, which has been of tremendous help to my cultivation.”
Zhang Xiaofan felt envy in his heart, and it showed on his face. “That’s for the best.”
Lin Jingyu smiled and asked in return, “What about you, Xiaofan? Do you have any magic treasure?”
Zhang Xiaofan froze for a moment and subconsciously reached into his robe to touch that pitch-black “fire poker.” A trace of coldness, faint and intermittent, seeped into his palm.
“No,” he said softly. “My cultivation is not sufficient. I still cannot wield a magic treasure.”
Lin Jingyu did not mind and seemed to have expected as much. He comforted him, saying, “It’s all right, Xiaofan. As long as you cultivate diligently, you will definitely succeed. In any case, we’re still young. Just treat this time as coming to broaden your horizons.”
The corner of Zhang Xiaofan’s mouth moved. Looking at his old friend’s kind face and hearing his gentle words, he felt not the slightest comfort.
Broaden his horizons?
Everyone thought he had come here merely to broaden his horizons. At this thought, an indescribable surge of anger suddenly rose in his heart, like a ball of fire burning deep within him. Yet in the blink of an eye, it scattered. He lowered his head and said nothing. He did not even feel like blaming his friend, because he discovered that even he himself thought the same.
As if responding to his thoughts, the “fire poker” in his robe, still in contact with his palm at this moment, suddenly reacted faintly. In an instant, its chill greatly intensified, spreading directly from his palm to his shoulder.
Zhang Xiaofan was greatly shocked, but he immediately discovered that this sensation caused his body no harm at all. On the contrary, the coolness was rather comfortable. He looked to the side and saw that Lin Jingyu had noticed nothing.
Just as Zhang Xiaofan breathed a sigh of relief, a deafening roar suddenly erupted from behind them. Zhang Xiaofan was one thing, but even Lin Jingyu, whose cultivation far surpassed his, was just like him: his entire body shook, his ears thundered, and the ringing would not stop. Some of the Qingyun disciples walking ahead of them seemed to be in the same state.
Everyone was utterly astonished. How could there be such a strange sound in this sacred ground of Qingyun Sect? They all turned back at once, and at a single glance, they were even more horrified.