Elder Jian struggled to keep his expression in check. "T—the Chief Disciple?"
In the Kunlun Sword Sect, there was only ever one Chief Disciple, a title earned through strength. For the past century, that position had belonged to one person and one person only.
Cang Li.
His name seemed permanently welded to the title. No one else had come close.
Though still considered of the younger generation, Cang Li had reached the Tribulation stage within just five hundred years of cultivation. His command of the sword far surpassed any of his peers. Even many of the sect's elders would not dare face him directly.
Some rumors went even further.
If the Kunlun Sword Body could never be found, Ji Wusi might simply pass the Sect Master position to Cang Li instead. Technically, that would break with tradition. But surprisingly, when the news spread, few opposed it.
Cang Li's brilliance was such that he was considered no less exceptional than someone born with the Sword Body. And now this famed genius, this treasured disciple personally trained by Ji Wusi, had come all this way for one person—Yun Jin.
Elder Jian tried to remain composed, but his face simply wouldn't cooperate.
Cang Li gave Elder Jian a brief glance, nodded slightly, and got straight to the point. "Take me to Yun Jin."
He was well-practiced at hiding his emotions, yet even his voice carried a trace of urgency. Beyond his master's orders, he wanted to see that ring again for himself. If it truly confirmed her identity as a descendant of the Yun Clan, then perhaps he could finally repay a long-overdue debt.
"Yes, of course," Elder Jian replied at once. "Yun Jin is most likely cultivating in seclusion at Tianjian Peak. I'll take you there now, Chief Disciple!"
He could already picture Yun Jin's reaction. Surely, she would be thrilled to see someone from the Kunlun Sword Sect.
After all, it was every sword cultivator's dream.
And this time, it wasn't just anyone. It was Cang Li, the Chief Disciple himself.
That could only mean one thing—within the sect, Yun Jin was being regarded with extraordinary importance. Once she joined Kunlun, there was no way she would remain a mere outer disciple like he had.
This time, Yun Jin was truly about to rise.
Elder Jian's eyes sparkled with joy. He was genuinely happy for her.
Cang Li nodded, voice still cool. "Lead the way. Quickly."
He didn't want to waste another moment. He had to see Yun Jin as soon as possible.
Seeing the urgency on his face, Elder Jian hurried to take the lead.
~
Tianjian Peak.
Though Qing Yun and Shen Yanye were drinking tea, it felt more like they were drinking wine. The conversation had grown increasingly exaggerated, and their words a little slurred.
Yue Zhao and the others watched them with a mixture of helplessness and concern. These two… had they gone mad from wanting disciples?
Both were clearly cultivators of immense status and accomplishment. Yet here they were, taking turns bragging about disciples they hadn't even accepted yet.
One claimed his future disciple was a once-in-a-century beastmaster genius.
The other said his was a peerless prodigy in alchemy.
One said matchless under heaven.
The other said enough to shake the world.
While the two were boasting away, Gu Jinghong entered again, his face as expressionless as ever, leading in two more guests.
Yue Zhao blinked in disbelief.
What was happening today?
Some kind of celebration?
Why were important guests arriving one after another?
"Elder Sword? This is…?" Yue Zhao asked, nervous.
The man beside Elder Jian hadn't spoken, yet simply standing there, he felt like a sword drawn from its sheath. Sharp and intimidating. It was hard to meet his eyes.
Elder Jian was about to introduce him, but Qing Yun narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Well, well. Cang Li, what brings you here? Don't tell me you're here to recruit a disciple too?"
Even Cang Li seemed surprised to see Qing Yun.
He gave a respectful bow. "Senior Qing Yun."
Few cultivators had the fortune to meet someone like Qing Yun.
But Cang Li held a high status within Kunlun, and they had crossed paths several times before.
"Come, since you're already here, sit down and join us for some tea." Qing Yun chuckled, then gestured to Shen Yanye. "This is Shen Yanye from the Beastmaster Sect."
Shen Yanye nodded at Cang Li.
Cang Li—one of Kunlun's rarest talents in the past century. Of course he recognized him.
Still…
They were both in the Tribulation stage. Shen Yanye didn't see himself as inferior.
After all, a beastmaster's strength came from their spirit beasts. Though he had kept a low profile for many years, his contracted beasts… well, he had some confidence.
"Brother Shen," Cang Li greeted with a nod before sitting down.
"Senior Brother…" Si Wanning whispered, eyes wide. "Who do you think he is?"
Yue Zhao let out a long sigh. "Three of the Four Great Holy Lands… they're all here."
Elder Jian had escorted him personally. That piercing aura—there was no mistaking it. This man was from Kunlun Sword Sect.
And now, with Qingxiao the only one missing, three of the four great sects were already here.
Yue Zhao's chest tightened.
Was Cang Li also here for their little junior sister?
For some reason, an image flashed through his mind—three top cultivators fighting over their junior sister, reducing Tianxing Sect to dust in the process.
Yue Zhao shivered at the thought.
Qing Yun looked at Cang Li with a relaxed expression. "So then, what brings you here?"
He had no reason to worry. The alchemy prodigy he was looking for had nothing to do with Cang Li.
Cang Li set down his teacup and cupped his fists toward the east. "At my master's command, I've come to take in a disciple."
"What kind of disciple would require you to come in person?" Shen Yanye's expression shifted. A strange sense of unease settled in his chest.
He remembered something.
Ling Fei had once mentioned that Yun Jin was talented in swordsmanship.
But at the time, he hadn't thought much of it. He hadn't even asked further.
And now…
The Chief Disciple of Kunlun Sword Sect had come to Tianjian Peak. He was here to take a disciple back to Kunlun?
Shen Yanye suddenly felt a wave of panic.
Cang Li didn't hide the truth. "Yun Jin. I'm here to take Yun Jin to Kunlun Sword Sect."
As he spoke, he glanced around. "But it seems she isn't here?"
Yue Zhao, face tight, quickly answered, "Junior Sister is in seclusion. If nothing goes wrong, she should emerge in three days."
"In seclusion?" Cang Li was mildly surprised, but nodded. "Then I'll wait here."
Yue Zhao: "…"
Wonderful.
This little Tianjian Peak of theirs really was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Qing Yun listened with growing amusement. He pointed at Shen Yanye, whose expression had darkened. "Cang Li, did you know Shen Yanye also wants to bring Yun Jin to the Beastmaster Sect? I wonder who she'll choose in the end."
He sounded genuinely delighted.
After all, this didn't concern him directly. Let them fight over her if they wanted. Once he got the information he needed from Yun Jin about that alchemy prodigy, he would have nothing more to do with her.
Yue Zhao and the others, however, looked at Qing Yun with sympathy.
They weren't sure what he was feeling so smug about…
"Beastmaster Sect?" Cang Li frowned. "We cultivators need only one sword. Placing hope in spirit beasts is not the true path."
Shen Yanye let out a cold laugh. "Sword cultivators? A bunch of brutes. Contracting all things and linking to the heavens—how is that not a grand path? The only problem is your mind is too narrow to understand it."
Cang Li's eyes suddenly sharpened, filled with sword intent.
Qing Yun, watching from the side, was thoroughly enjoying the show.
He was even tempted to shout, "Fight, fight!"