The disciples of Wushuang Sect felt not the slightest sense of being isolated. On their way back to their quarters, they shouted and laughed loudly, their voices full of excitement.
When they finally met Yun Jin, they were practically glowing with joy, claiming that Wushuang Sect's reputation in Sky City was already established. They had just arrived, yet they were already the center of so many envious, jealous, and resentful stares.
They promised her that in the battles to come, they would continue pressing forward, step by step, until they carved out supreme glory for Wushuang Sect.
Looking at their eager, shining faces, even Yun Jin, a Saintly Patriarch, felt her breath hitch.
Hiss—
The training of the new disciples before coming up here had all been left to Gao Jingxuan. Just what exactly had her second disciple taught these people?
Their mental state was starting to look just as peculiar as his. What a disciple she had taken in. This strange talent for teaching was simply too useful, almost frighteningly so.
Yun Jin's curiosity stirred again.
Who exactly had her second disciple been in a past life? A great cultivator reborn? She had searched through records in the sect's archives, yet found no mention of any great figure renowned for teaching.
Perhaps he had been too low-key to leave a mark in history. Or perhaps he lived in such a distant age that his deeds had long since faded into the river of time. But Yun Jin only thought of it briefly. There was no need to dig too deeply. Whoever he had once been, now he was her disciple.
She smiled as she looked at the Wushuang Sect disciples competing in the Golden Core stage.
In the Conclave, the Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages each had ten disciples for the team battles and three for the individual battles. The rules were the same across all three stages.
This time, Wushuang Sect's three individual representatives were Si Wanning, Yu Songnian, and a bright-eyed, charming young woman named Shao Yunong.
All three had already reached the Golden Core peak.
Yun Jin observed carefully. Both Si Wanning and Yu Songnian's soul realms were already nearing the Nascent Soul threshold. After this sharpening experience, the two of them would likely break through to Nascent Soul soon.
Shao Yunong was still some distance from such a breakthrough, but that was nothing to worry about. Against the so-called prodigies of the super sects, her strength was already more than enough.
Yun Jin smiled faintly and said, "For the individual battle, taking first place should be no problem, correct?"
She did not demand all three top places, because if they ran into each other early in elimination rounds, one of them would be forced out. If luck held, and all three made it into the round-robin stage, then a clean sweep was certainly possible.
"Wushuang Sect disciples are invincible among peers," Si Wanning blinked playfully. "Since Sect Master has said it, how could it be false?"
Yu Songnian simply smiled and brushed his hand across the short sword at his waist.
Shao Yunong ducked her head, a little embarrassed. "Back at the sect, the three of us sparred often. I was no match for Senior Sister and Senior Brother. First place will surely come down to them."
Yun Jin chuckled. "No matter. Remember this—losing to a fellow disciple is nothing to be ashamed of. But if you lose to outsiders of the same realm, then I'll be the first to mock you."
Lose to outsiders? Impossible.
The disciples' eyes brimmed with confidence. In their minds, there were only two kinds of sects in the world: Wushuang Sect, and everyone else. Their only real competitors were their fellow sect members.
As for other sects? They hardly deserved notice.
Not even the Holy Land disciples felt like much in their eyes.
It wasn't arrogance without reason.
After all, their sect had a Sect Master who was clearly a reincarnated deity, and they had access to a mysterious place like the Trial Tower. Who wouldn't feel confident?
Yun Jin saw no reason to temper their spirits. She nodded, satisfied. "Good. Rest tonight. Tomorrow, the battles begin."
The disciples all responded in unison.
That night.
Because Si Wanning and Yu Songnian were competing, Lin Ya made time to come to Sky City.
The Tianjian Peak group gathered once again.
Sitting in the courtyard, drinking and chatting, Yun Jin's expression softened. This peaceful atmosphere—it had been far too long since they last shared it.
Yue Zhao and the others, who always addressed her as Sect Master, naturally called her Little Junior Sister tonight.
Yue Zhao chuckled mischievously, fanning the flames. "With this Golden Core match, Second Junior Sister and Third Junior Brother will definitely face each other. Well, Little Junior Sister, who do you think will win?"
Lin Ya shot him a sharp glance. "Yue Zhao, as Senior Brother, it's bad enough you don't smooth things over between them. You even ask such divisive questions? How do you expect Xiao Jin to answer? So then, Xiao Jin, who do you think is stronger?"
Yue Zhao: "???"
What difference was there between what he asked and what Lin Ya asked?
Yun Jin wasn't the least bit flustered. She smiled calmly. "In my heart…"
Si Wanning and Yu Songnian turned toward her, anticipation in their eyes. They truly cared about how she saw them.
Yun Jin's tone shifted, full of warmth. "In my heart, each of our bonds is unique. If you ask me who is strongest, then of course…"
Their gazes grew even sharper, waiting for her verdict.
Yun Jin grinned without hesitation. "Naturally it is our beloved Master. Without him, where would we be today? Come, let us all raise a cup to Master!"
Smooth as flowing water, she deflected the trap. What kind of fool would fall for such a life-threatening question?
Si Wanning smiled. "Yes, let's toast to Master."
Yue Zhao and Yu Songnian both raised their cups.
Lin Ya blinked, momentarily dazed. He had never thought of himself as a good teacher. Especially with Yun Jin—he had offered little aid, and Tianjian Peak had been more a burden than a help.
But now…
Looking at the four raised cups, Lin Ya chuckled softly, lifted his drink, and downed it all.
Moonlight bathed the courtyard in silver.
The question of who was stronger between Si Wanning and Yu Songnian was quietly brushed aside, replaced by easy conversation about the old days at Tianjian Peak. Nostalgia filled the night air.
Before Yun Jin came, their lives were precarious, never knowing if they would survive the next day. Who could have imagined they would see today?
Back then, even Zhao Wuji had pressed them down until they could hardly breathe. The disciples under Zhao Wuji alone had been overwhelming.
But now?
Now they dared to challenge disciples of the Holy Lands themselves.
The change felt like a dream.
After drinking heavily, Lin Ya slurred a question. "Xiao Jin, I still don't understand. Why did you choose me? Why choose Tianjian Peak?"
With her unparalleled talent, Yun Jin could have shone anywhere she went. Yet she had chosen them. For her, there was no advantage. For them, it was salvation.
Yun Jin only chuckled. "Master, does that really matter?"
Lin Ya blinked, then laughed and waved it off. "No, no, it doesn't. Come, let's drink more."
Her gaze softened. For the sword Lin Ya had once drawn against the Demon Sovereign in her past life, Yun Jin had no regrets calling him Master in this one.
Now, both Tianjian Peak and Tianxing Sect were stronger than ever. The future would only grow brighter. Her master, her brothers and sisters, who had once met with tragic ends—this lifetime, they deserved a broader stage.
Very soon, Si Wanning and Yu Songnian would shine.
Their brilliance would eclipse even the disciples of the Holy Lands.
Yun Jin tilted her head back to look at the night sky.
Though invisible, she could feel the Heaven slowly shifting.
In her previous life, at this exact time, her master and senior brothers and sisters had already been forced into despair, their lives bitter and hopeless.
But now…
Her master still laughed and drank his favorite wine.
Her senior brother exercised his talents freely.
Her senior sister lived boldly, as radiant as ever.
Her third brother, at last, had uncovered his origins and now poured himself into cultivation.
The fate of Tianjian Peak had been rewritten completely.
Yes.
This was truly wonderful.