Chapter 188
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Chapter 188: Coping
For his residence, Ye Yun sought only quiet and seclusion. He harbored too many secrets, and keeping them undiscovered was paramount.
Duan Chenfeng and Yu Minghong selected dwellings near Ye Yun, as the trio’s close bond naturally drew them together.
The new quarters differed little from their Tian Zhu Peak courtyard—merely larger, with more secure defensive restrictions and denser spiritual energy. Beyond these minor upgrades, the accommodations felt familiar.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Ye Yun replayed the day’s events at Cloud Hall.
The cultivation levels of the Black and White Elders remained impenetrable to him. Even that white-clad disciple’s power seemed to tower above Elder Lan’s group, likely having reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
At Shadowless Peak, disciples at the pinnacle of the Qi refining stage must be commonplace. Only Foundation Establishment cultivators could truly stand out here.
His thoughts drifted to the Heart Refining Demon Trial Pill—a marvel that could seal restrictions within itself, manifesting mental demons to control its consumer. Though inexperienced in the alchemy path, Ye Yun recognized genius in its creation. Such a mastermind surely held high status here.
Though keeping his gaze lowered earlier, he’d stealthily studied the Two Elders in Black and White. Beyond their unfathomable cultivation, an unsettling hostility clung to them—unbecoming of guardian elders serving Leader Su Hao. The reason eluded him, but caution around them remained prudent.
"Tomorrow’s master selection…" Ye Yun mused, eyes closed. "Refusing Leader Su Hao initially might’ve been unwise. Yet with my secrets, becoming his disciple without understanding him first would be reckless."
Returning to Shadowless Peak made him wonder about Su Ling’s whereabouts. Her absence during his Tian Zhu Peak days contradicted her restless nature. He smiled faintly, anticipating their reunion—her blend of naivety and willfulness always amused him.
At dawn’s first light, Ye Yun sprang from bed. His Quenching Heart Method differed from common cultivation techniques. Once mastered, it operated perpetually like a whispering stream, refining him even during rest.
But his true qi now brimmed at capacity. Without a realm breakthrough, further cultivation proved futile—no compression or condensation remained possible.
As surging energy pulsed through him, purple light shadow flickered across his palm. Thunder roared when he drew Purple Shadow Sword, its blade tracing lightning across the sky.
Thundercloud Lightning Sword’s first stance: Thundercloud Emergence!
"Who dares shatter the peace?" A frosty voice pierced the courtyard’s sound restrictions.
Ye Yun stiffened, sheathing his sword. Dispelling the barriers, he emerged to find a white-robed youth glaring from ten zhang away.
"Name yourself!" The stranger commanded. "Your thunderous racket disturbed my meditation. Despicable!"
Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed. "You penetrated my courtyard’s restrictions. What special cultivation techniques grant this ability?"
"Not entirely clueless, I see." The youth clasped hands behind his back. "But comparing yourself to me? Laughable. We exist on different planes."
"Big talkers crowd this world." Ye Yun smirked. "Their actual worth? I’ll refrain from comment."
The youth’s face flushed. "You dare mock me? Ants like you should know their betters! Hear this—I am Duan Ye. ‘Ye’ as in unstoppable ambition!"
"Duan Ye?" Ye Yun’s eyebrow twitched. The name matched its owner’s glaring arrogance.
"Exactly. Now you’ll serve me henceforth. Speak my name when troubled here—none will dare oppose you."
Ye Yun stared, bewildered. Even Murong Wuhen hadn’t displayed such brazen entitlement. Without responding, he turned back toward his courtyard, lips pressed thin.
"Hey, did I say you could leave? Do you have no manners? You dared to walk away without my permission? Seems you don’t want to stay on Shadowless Peak anymore. Do you know what ties exist between the Peak Master of Shadowless Peak and me?" Duan Ye roared.
Ye Yun turned and smiled. "What relationship do you share with the Peak Master, Brother Duan?"
"The Peak Master wished to take me as his inner disciple. I refused at first, but he came to me in person. Seeing his sincerity, I agreed to consider it. If you’re smart, once I become his disciple, I might pull you up with me," Duan Ye declared arrogantly.
Pfft!
Ye Yun couldn’t hold back his laughter. If it were anyone else, he might’ve let it slide—but Duan Ye claiming the Peak Master wanted him? Absurd. If true, Peak Master Su Hao must’ve been desperate to fill his tenth disciple slot, snatching up any stray dog he found.
Or perhaps Duan Ye had overheard rumors of Ye Yun rejecting the Peak Master and decided to boast. Little did he know the very disciple the Peak Master sought stood right before him.
"Your kindness is noted, Brother Duan. Farewell." Ye Yun waved and walked toward his courtyard.
"You insolent brat! How dare you mock me? Give me your name, so when I kill you by accident, I’ll know whom I’ve slain!" Duan Ye barked, fury thick in his voice.
Ye Yun glanced back, grinning. "I’m Ye Yun. Heard of me?"
Without another word, he entered his courtyard and shut the gate.
Duan Ye froze, his anger vanishing as his face twisted in humiliation.
"That’s the Ye Yun Senior Brother Murong Wuhen mentioned? The one who rejected the Peak Master? And I made a fool of myself in front of him!"
A strange glint flashed in Duan Ye’s eyes before he snorted and stormed off.
Time marched on, and noon arrived.
In Cloud Hall, Ye Yun and seventy-one disciples stood divided into two groups.
Eight figures sat atop the platform—two women and six men.
"Brother Luo, let’s stick to the usual routine. Pick a few disciples to meet the quota," a middle-aged man in a purple robe said bluntly.
"The sect always dumps these new inner disciples on us. Who has time to mentor them?"
"Sister Yue’s right," another added. "The higher-ups siphon our elites yearly. Without fresh blood, our ranks thin."
"Once the Black and White Elders and the Peak Master arrive, we’ll begin. For now, pick your candidates."
"It’s all just a formality anyway."
Their dismissive chatter echoed openly.
Ye Yun and the others stiffened, realizing the higher-ups saw them as mere tokens, unworthy of genuine attention.
Most had dreamed of expert guidance, rapid advancement, and becoming pillars of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Those hopes now crumbled.
"Seems harsh," Duan Chenfeng muttered beside Ye Yun.
Ye Yun remained calm. "It’s expected. Without proving our worth, earning their respect is impossible."
"True. If they’re going through motions, so will we. On the cultivation path, self-reliance trumps patronage. Our fate lies in our hands." Duan Chenfeng smirked, unbothered.
Of the seventy-one, only Ye Yun and Duan Chenfeng weren’t under the Heart Refining Demon Trial Pill’s control—the rest were ticking bombs, their minds poisoned.
"Who’s the strongest among the eight?" Duan Chenfeng whispered, eyeing the platform.
"All mid-Foundation Establishment stage or higher. How could we tell?"
Duan Chenfeng leaned closer, conspiratorial. "I can. The man on the far left—Foundation Establishment Fifth Level, human tribulation phase."
Ye Yun stared. "How?"
Before Duan Chenfeng could answer, three streaks of light descended. Before the Two Elders in Black and White stood an imposing figure—Peak Master Su Hao of Shadowless Peak!
