"How in the world did Shen Ziling find such a disciple?"
When the elders heard that Xiao Qingluan was a disciple of Jade Bamboo Peak, they were utterly dumbfounded. One of them couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "What a waste, what a terrible waste! How can such a prime seedling stay on Jade Bamboo Peak?"
"Shen Ziling is powerful, yes, but she's completely hands-off! If such a good seedling is left in her care, she'll be ruined sooner or later."
"Indeed! This girl belongs on my Crimson Sun Peak!"
"Wrong! She should enter my Soaring Sword Peak!"
"What Sword Peak? She has the Phoenix Holy Body, a fire attribute! She should enter our Crimson Sun Peak! Only we are most suited to train her!"
"Hmph, my Apex Peak is the head of the seven peaks! She should join my Apex Peak and become the future pillar of our Azure Cloud Sect!"
"Crimson Sun Peak!"
"Apex Peak!"
"Damn it, are you trying to start a fight?!"
Several elders began to quarrel openly.
The disciples below were aghast. These were all high and mighty elders, yet now they were squabbling over Xiao Qingluan without any regard for their image.
This just showed how immense the allure of a Holy Body was!
Just as the argument was heating up, Chen Ye stepped forward. "Esteemed elders, my Junior Sister is already a member of Jade Bamboo Peak. If you wish to take her as a disciple, I'm afraid... my master will not agree."
As soon as he spoke, the quarreling elders turned their gazes to him, their brows furrowing.
Shen Ziling...
She was indeed a problem.
Her power was immense, known to be a half-step Transcendent. That was her cultivation level years ago. What realm had she reached now? What was her true strength? No one really knew.
Although they feared Shen Ziling, being called out by a mere disciple like Chen Ye was still a little embarrassing.
One of the elders snorted. "We are discussing important matters here. What right does a disciple like you have to interrupt?"
A powerful pressure began to emanate from him, attempting to force Chen Ye to retreat.
But when his oppressive aura fell upon Chen Ye, it vanished like a drop of water in the ocean, having no effect whatsoever.
The elder was shocked.
What is this boy's cultivation level?
How can he ignore my pressure? Isn't he just a mortal physique?
At that moment, from the distant Jade Bamboo Peak, an astonishing wave of spiritual energy shot into the sky, transforming into a golden pillar that pierced the heavens and rolled back the sea of clouds for miles.
A vast, overwhelming pressure descended!
Several elders felt as if mountains were crashing down upon them. They fell uncontrollably from the air, landing hard on the ground.
On Jade Bamboo Peak, a slender figure with white hair and silver eyes descended, her voice cold and indifferent. "Which one of you wants to steal my disciple?"
It was Shen Ziling.
Feeling her pressure, the elders' scalps went numb with fear. This woman was still as terrifying as ever.
Suddenly, another wave of pressure spread through the void, joining forces to block Shen Ziling's aura.
Shen Ziling frowned and looked towards the other six peaks. "You old geezers, still hiding? Come out and talk!"
Ripples appeared in the air, and several more figures emerged. They were the Peak Lords of the other six peaks, all with a status equal to Shen Ziling's!
Each one of them was at least... a Martial Sovereign!
Even the Sect Master of the Azure Cloud Sect appeared. Like Shen Ziling, he had white hair, but his eyes were gentle, exuding a peaceful temperament.
"Greetings, Sect Master!" everyone saluted.
The Sect Master nodded slightly. "At ease."
Then, his eyes fell upon Xiao Qingluan. "It is a great fortune for our Azure Cloud Sect to produce a Holy Body. Let us not quarrel. We will let her decide which peak she wishes to join."
A red-haired man, the Lord of Crimson Sun Peak, stepped forward. "My Crimson Sun Peak specializes in fire-attribute techniques. Though we have no fire-attribute Holy Body, we do have a fire-attribute Royal Body! I can pass on my life's learning and my understanding of physiques to you, which will help you avoid many pitfalls in your early cultivation!"
He was throwing out his chips, trying to entice Xiao Qingluan. The other Peak Lords quickly followed suit, each offering their own conditions.
Only Shen Ziling let out a lazy yawn.
Xiao Qingluan glanced at her, as if seeking her opinion.
Shen Ziling curled her lip. "Don't look at me. My Jade Bamboo Peak is poor and has nothing to offer. If you want to join another peak, I won't stop you."
The other Peak Lords shook their heads and smiled.
"I didn't expect Junior Sister Shen to be so honest."
"Indeed. It's a miracle Jade Bamboo Peak hasn't collapsed yet."
They were certain. This was a done deal. Jade Bamboo Peak had no way to retain a Holy Body!
Xiao Qingluan then looked at Chen Ye.
Chen Ye smiled at her. "No matter what choice you make, the door of Jade Bamboo Peak will always be open for you."
"I understand."
Xiao Qingluan took a deep breath. "I choose to stay on Jade Bamboo Peak!"
Everyone was stunned.
"What?"
"Little girl, don't let emotions guide you. This concerns your entire life. Think it through!"
"Jade Bamboo Peak has no resources! How can they possibly train you?"
Xiao Qingluan said firmly, "Jade Bamboo Peak may not have many resources, but my time here has been good. My Senior Brother has treated me very well. No matter what, I am not leaving."
Her mind was clear. She needed resources, yes, but staying on Jade Bamboo Peak didn't mean she would have none.
She hadn't forgotten about her greatest treasure, the Yin-Yang Celestial Ruler! As long as she defeated Chen Ye in their Comparison, would she need to worry about resources?
Besides that... Chen Ye had made her feel a warmth she had never known. The thought of leaving Jade Bamboo Peak and possibly parting ways with him... it left a hollow ache in her chest.
So she chose to follow her heart and stay.
In cultivation, resources were important, but so was having a clear and untroubled heart. Only by staying with her senior brother could her heart be at peace.
"You probably can't bear to leave your senior brother," the Crimson Sun Peak Lord said. "In that case, I can also accept Chen Ye into my Crimson Sun Peak and let you two stay together."
In the past, he would have scoffed at a mortal physique, but now, to secure a Holy Body, accepting one more useless disciple was a small price to pay.
But as soon as he said this, a bone-chilling cold radiated from the side.
Shen Ziling glared at him and snorted. "You try to snatch one of my disciples, and now you want to take them both... You damn redhead, have I been too lenient with you?"
The Crimson Sun Peak Lord retorted, "I am doing this for the good of the Holy Body!"
"Bullshit! I said she could choose for herself. She has chosen to stay on Jade Bamboo Peak, yet you still pester her. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"
Shen Ziling's aura exploded.
Her spiritual power caused the heavens and earth to vibrate, the Dao to roar, and the sea of clouds to churn. Thousands of bolts of lightning crackled, ready to fall at any moment. The terrifying power made everyone's face pale.
The Sect Master quickly intervened. "Junior Sister, calm down. We were all just thinking of the Holy Body's future. Since she wishes to stay on Jade Bamboo Peak, we will naturally respect her wishes. From now on, we will trouble you with her guidance."
Shen Ziling retracted her aura and snorted. "That's more like it."