Chapter 44: Chapter 44 - Enter Daoxuan Peak

To the north of Luanyun Mountain Range was an inverted peak.

As the top of the mountain was above the cloud, it looked as if it had descended from heaven and was off-limits to mortals.

Unlike other visible peaks, Daoxuan Peak was independent of the rest of the world and had remained undisturbed for ages.

It was as if the mountain was a place of divinity, and people would only look at it from afar.

Chen Jingzhai looked at Daoxuan Peak from far away while standing on his Five Bamboo Sword.

He couldn’t help but feel excited as it was his first time seeing such a unique mountain.

The definition of cultivation, celestials, and Taoism all seemed bleak when compared to the mighty force of Daoxuan Peak.

Chen Jingzhai immediately knew that this was the power he should be chasing after.

He immediately sent his spiritual power into the Five Bamboo Sword and charged toward the mountain.

For a moment, his mind was filled with emotions like confusion, as if he was lost.

That was the effect of the Reversed Formation.

It felt familiar to him, and when he finally came back to his senses, he had already arrived at the peak.

The token in his hand shone brightly, and a person soon approached him.

“Greetings, Master-Uncle. My name is Zeng Wangbei. Welcome to Daoxuan Peak,” the person politely greeted with a gentle smile. “Master and his wife have been waiting for you.”

The man who introduced himself as Zeng Wangbei had a refreshing face, shiny eyes, and a tall and slender body. He had the appearance that people would find hard to dislike.

“I see. You must be Senior Brother Yang’s disciple, the Merciless Water and Fire Zeng Wangbei.” Chen Jingzhai nodded with a smile and jumped down from the Five Bamboo Sword before hanging the token on his belt.

Since accepting the token and becoming a Master-Uncle of Daoxuan Peak, he had studied the celestial clan before heading there.

The Merciless Water and Fire Zeng Wangbei was one of the three exceptional geniuses of Daoxuan Peak’s current generation.

His name was known throughout the visible peaks.

“Master-Uncle, you’ve heard of my title?” Zeng Wangbei smiled. “I thought you would be too immersed in elixir alchemy at Hongluan Peak and wouldn’t have the chance to learn about other things.”

“Of course not,” Chen Jingzhai replied as he raised his brow. “It’s just that I’ve just joined the clan and still need some time to get used to it.”

“But, Master Wife might think otherwise,” Zeng Wangbei laughed. “I advise Master-Uncle to be careful.”

Chen Jingzhai’s heart immediately skipped a beat. “Is Senior Sister Mei angry?”

Zeng Wangbei simply smiled and led Chen Jingzhai deeper into the peak.

As they walked, Zeng Wangbei introduced Chen Jingzhai to his fellow peers and the peak to his Master-Uncle.

Unlike other peaks, the scenery at Daoxuan Peak was unique.

Not only did the place have caves and cliffs, but it also had waterfalls and a valley.

These places were all gorgeous and were the best locations to cultivate.

However, Chen Jingzhai could not bother with the beautiful scenery surrounding him at the moment.

With his mind weighed down, he couldn’t even force himself to smile.

Because of the dull expression on his face, the disciples of Daoxuan Peak who ran into him couldn’t help but feel that their Master-Uncle was cold and strict.

It was as if he had the temperament that would make others not want to get close to him.

Zeng Wangbei laughed in his head but pretended to be calm. He even took Chen Jingzhai through a longer path.

It took them half an hour to reach the Heaven and Earth Palace of Daoxuan Peak.

The Peak Master of Daoxuan Peak was sitting on the throne in the palace.

He wore a black and white robe. His face was pale and clean-shaven. To most people, he would look like an average middle-aged man, but to Chen Jingzhai, the Peak Master was strong and unpredictable.

“Peak Master!” Chen Jingzhai greeted the Peak Master with a bow.

“Oh! You’re here.” Peak Master Yang laughed. “You don’t have to be so tense. We’re basically family. Jingzhai will be my junior brother from now on. Wangbei, bring your Master-Uncle and help him find a suitable cave residence.”

“Yes, Peak Master,” Zeng Wangbei nodded.

“I’m sorry for arriving late. I’ve been practicing elixir alchemy back at Hongluan Peak, and I lost track of time,” Chen Jingzhai apologized.

“No worries. There’s nothing wrong with you being focused on the path of elixir alchemy. I’ve heard that you have created a couple of high-quality Essence Cultivation Elixirs? It looks like even our disciples will have to rely on you in the future.”

“Oh? Senior brother, have you heard about that?” Chen Jingzhai grinned.

Peak Master Yang only replied with a smile.

“Master-Uncle, I think you have underestimated yourself too much,” Zeng Wangbei explained. “You are the first to become a direct disciple as an aspirant cultivator and have even become our Master-Uncle. The visible peaks and even the hidden branches follow your movements closely.”

“Oh?” Chen Jingzhai was surprised, as he had never thought of that.

He had been too focused on his cultivation ever since he had arrived at Hongluan Peak, and the only time he had left the peak was his trip to Tianzhu Peak.

That was why he didn’t know about anything happening in the outside world.

He never thought that even his venture into elixir alchemy would garner such attention either.

“Is it because I became famous at the Luo Sheng Sword School?” Chen Jingzhai laughed bitterly in his head.

“Every peak is curious about you, Jingzhai,” Peak Master Yang added. “Not only us Peak Masters, but even the disciples and genius talents all want to know more about you.”

“Are you sure it’s because they are curious and not envious?” Chen Jingzhai sighed.

“Well, that’s normal!” Peak Master Yang laughed. “But, what can they do? You’ve passed the test and even endured the Master’s interview. However, now that you are here at Daoxuan Peak, it would be best if you prepared yourself. Unlike the hidden branches, the competition in visible peaks is much more intense.”

“I just wish to cultivate quietly and peacefully,” Chen Jingzhai said. “The competition or the rivalry has nothing to do with me. As their Master-Uncle, wouldn’t it be weird for me to challenge them?”

“That’s where the problem is.” Peak Master Yang grinned. “As long as you have yet to gather your core and as long as you remain as a Foundational Cultivator, the inner disciples will have a chance to challenge you, even if you are their Master-Uncle.”

“They can challenge me?” Chen Jingzhai was confused.

“The clans will host the battle forum once every five years,” Zeng Wangbei explained with a smile. “This is specially hosted for the visible peaks so that the disciples can challenge other disciples of their same level.”

The battle forum had been around for 1,200 years.

The Luo Sheng Sword School was the one that came up with it so that the visible peaks could learn from each other.

There was only one battle forum, and it was inside the clouds in front of the Cloud Palace.

The forum was hosted once every five years, and inner disciples of different peaks would challenge each other to a duel.

Rankings of inner disciples would also be established through the battle forum.

Foundational Cultivators of all levels were allowed to use spiritual items as well.

Thousands of participants from the Three Great Sword Branches and the 15 visible peaks would gather in one place.

It was the most significant event hosted by the Luo Sheng Sword School.

“Every five years? Doesn’t that mean it’s going to happen soon?” Chen Jingzhai asked.

“Yes.” Peak Master Yang smiled. “The forum will be hosted when the flowers bloom next year. You might embarrass yourself then if you don’t train enough.”

“Even I’m looking forward to learning from Master-Uncle next year,” Zeng Wangbei said sincerely.

“I’ll even be challenged by disciples from the same peak?” Chen Jingzhai raised his brow.

“Where you are doesn’t matter in the battle forum. It’s a place where strength means everything,” Zeng Wangbei replied. “During the last forum, I lost to a disciple from one of the sword branches and was only ranked 21. My goal this year is to get into the top 20. If I get into the top 10, I’ll become the eldest senior brother among my peers.”

“Interesting!” Chen Jingzhai grinned. “Then, what happens if someone ranks first?”

“Then you’ll become the eldest senior brother of the Luo Sheng Sword School,” Peak Master Yang explained. “Not only will our peak reward the one who ranks first, but other peaks will also reward them with spiritual stones. But that’s not all. The first ranked will gain the right to order other disciples when no higher authority is around.”