Chapter 301 - 206: Sword Peak

Chapter 301: Chapter 206: Sword Peak

"Alright, go back and prepare. Over the next few days, don’t let your excitement over this cause you to neglect your cultivation. The fruits of consistent, hard work are worth ten thousand times more than any epiphany you might have on Sword Peak."

With that, the four of them bowed to Li Xingtuo and took their leave, following a disciple out of the study.

Li Xingtuo sat behind his desk, his gaze sweeping over their departing figures. The corners of his mouth curved into a faint smile.

When the four returned to the Outer Courtyard on the mountainside, a chattering crowd immediately surrounded them, asking why the Sect Leader had summoned them.

It wasn’t until they confirmed with their own mouths that they had entered the Inner Sect that the Outer Sect disciples began congratulating them one after another. Many acquaintances even said things like, "Don’t forget about us when you’re on top!"

Though everyone had mixed feelings, they all had to keep up appearances.

Xie Yuan and Lin Cheng, in particular—that pair of absolute try-hards—had actually managed to get into the Inner Sect, leaving many with a complicated mix of feelings.

Everyone had always wanted them gone, but now that they were actually leaving, they felt a restless itch, as if ants were crawling all over them. They almost wanted to call them back...

In terms of talent, those two were by no means considered the best in the Outer Sect, yet they had entered the Inner Sect before anyone else. It was hard to accept. ’Could training like them really be effective?’

A whole spectrum of human drama unfolded around the four of them. The Lin family siblings and Pei Yu, experiencing this for the first time, found it hard to adjust. ’Why are our fellow disciples, who are usually so friendly, speaking so strangely now?’

Some were dripping with sour grapes, while others seemed separated by a sad, thick barrier.

Very few were able to offer sincere congratulations, neither fawning nor condescending, even though the disciples of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect were generally known for their good character.

After all, few people can genuinely smile when they see a newcomer surpass them.

Three of the four returned to their courtyard with mixed feelings to pack their things. Xie Yuan, however, had seen it all before and paid it no mind.

He simply watched the stream meander and rush over the cliff’s edge, dissolving into a fine mist. ’I might miss the moonlit nights on this cliff someday,’ he thought.

’I wonder what the scenery is like on Ruyun Peak, where the Inner Sect is located? I’ve never been there.’

’A pity there’s no one to share it with. Such a fine view on a fine day, and I have to enjoy it all by myself.’

After a moment of reflection, Xie Yuan finished packing his belongings—mostly various Spiritual Medicines, which he hid deep inside his bundle. He then waited for the other three, and together, they followed an attendant away from the streamside waterfall they had called home ever since arriving on the mountain.

Ruyun Peak was not far from Cloud Mountain’s main peak.

The main peak of Cloud Mountain was like a sword piercing the heavens, jutting straight through the clouds. Ruyun Peak, by contrast, was more like a large platform. It was a hundred zhang lower than the Main Peak Hall, situated precisely where the clouds and mist lingered year-round, hence its name: Ruyun Peak.

’Won’t the Inner Courtyard be damp?’

Xie Yuan wondered as he made his way through the dense fog.

The mist wasn’t so thick that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, but even with a Cultivator’s vision, it was impossible to see more than a few zhang ahead. His line of sight was severely limited.

However, as soon as he followed the stone steps up to where the buildings began, Xie Yuan felt his vision clear. The mist thinned considerably, becoming just a hazy shimmer. Not only was his view almost unobstructed, but when he took a deep breath, he noticed the Spiritual Qi was much more abundant here.

"Starting from near the summit, there’s a grand Cloud-Clearing Spirit Gathering Array."

The guiding disciple noticed their surprise and took the initiative to explain. "It draws Spiritual Qi directly from the surrounding clouds and concentrates it here."

Xie Yuan had a sudden realization. ’So there’s a Spirit Gathering Array here. The benefits really are much better than in the Outer Sect.’

’No wonder they chose Ruyun Peak for the Inner Sect,’ he mused. ’The Inner Sect is larger than any of the other peaks or halls, and building a Spirit Gathering Array for it would be too costly.’

’But by placing the Inner Sect on Ruyun Peak, within the clouds, they could use this Cloud-Clearing Spirit Gathering Array. It’s a perfect solution that adapts to the local environment and uses available resources. The effect is optimal.’

’And here I thought the founding ancestors just liked the atmosphere. Turns out it was all about money... Running a Sect really isn’t easy.’

"From here to the summit, there are many small courtyards. Several are empty, so you can choose your own."

’A private courtyard for each person?’

’As expected of the Inner Sect! This is the life.’

Not that Xie Yuan disliked Lin Cheng, but having his own place was always better than having a roommate.

Especially with all the secrets he was keeping, a private courtyard would make his cultivation much more convenient.

Xie Yuan chose a secluded, cliffside courtyard. Pushing the gate open revealed a vista of a thousand verdant peaks and a ten-thousand-zhang gorge. The view was spectacular and breathtaking.

Unsurprisingly, Lin Cheng chose a courtyard near his, though it was set further inland. His opened onto a lush green lawn dotted with rugged rock formations—a much more refined and elegant scene.

Lin Zhen chose an elegant residence by a stream, and Pei Yu a secluded villa among the rocks. Just like that, the four new Inner Sect disciples all had their new homes.

"Junior Brother Zhang, it’s such a shame we can’t be roommates anymore. The days we spent eating, sleeping, and discussing the sword together were so enlightening for me. Hey, this courtyard of yours looks pretty spacious..."

"...Senior Brother Lin, we’re neighbors now. We can see each other anytime. I’m heading in."

BAM! Xie Yuan slammed the door shut and threw the bolt, leaving Lin Cheng outside shaking his head in disappointment. Inside, Xie Yuan shook his head in resignation.

’With my help, especially after our trip down the mountain, Lin Cheng is on the right path now. He doesn’t need me to watch over him every day anymore.’

The small courtyard was similar to those in the Outer Sect—a small yard, a few rooms—but now it was for one person instead of two.

Xie Yuan put his things away, then took out his treasures. He carefully counted and organized them, a smile spreading across his face.

He couldn’t help it; seeing his haul always made him happy.

He mulled it over for a moment and decided to start consuming them after he returned from Sword Peak and could focus on his cultivation. For the next few days, he would do as Li Xingtuo had advised: adjust his condition and prepare for the insights he might gain on Sword Peak.