Chapter 202
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Chapter 202: Su Ling in Distress
Fire Dragon Cave?
Ye Yun froze; he’d never heard this name.
Before he could question, Shui Qingxuan continued, "The Fire Dragon Cave is Shadowless Peak’s most formidable trial ground. Its true fire surges violently, capable of directly searing souls."
Ye Yun’s face paled. "Then Su Ling’s in grave danger?"
His immediate thought was how Su Ling’s cultivation level could withstand soul-scorching flames.
"Ling’er’s cultivation indeed can’t resist it. But don’t panic—I gave her protective treasure. She’ll survive without mortal danger." Shui Qingxuan’s elegant eyes flickered with restrained anger.
Ye Yun’s voice turned icy. "Why did the Peak Master send Su Ling there?"
His resentment toward Su Hao burned—no longer using "Master" but the distant "Peak Master" title.
Shui Qingxuan sighed, sensing his fury. "This wasn’t your Master’s choice. External pressures forced his hand. Refusing would’ve brought greater disasters."
Ye Yun’s brows knotted. "What trouble dares challenge my Master? Elder Shi’s doing?"
Elder Shi’s face flashed through Ye Yun’s mind instantly.
Shui Qingxuan’s eyes widened slightly at his quick deduction. "Correct. Though Elder Shi failed to sabotage your Tian Shen Peak visit three days ago, and you became Elder Seven’s Registered Disciple, he retaliated through the Four Peak Masters’ disciple assessment—assigning Ling’er to Fire Dragon Cave. If she endures, this ends."
"Endure or perish?" Ye Yun’s voice dripped killing intent.
"Not death, but…" Shui Qingxuan shook her head bitterly. "Soul damage from true fire would cripple her foundation establishment stage hopes. Even Qi refining progress would become agonizingly slow."
"So you yielded to Elder Shi’s blackmail?"
"Reality binds us. Resistance risks impeachment from Higher-ups. Losing the Peak Master title invites endless schemes—even your Master’s Exceptional Cultivation Level couldn’t protect us then." Her calm tone contrasted with clenched fists.
"Why’s Elder Shi targeting us?"
"The Sect Leader’s term ends soon. Four candidates emerge for succession."
"Master, Murong Wuqing, Ouyang Wentian… and Yu Guangyuan? Jing Ru Shui?"
"A dark horse—Chen Tianyun from Elder Shi’s faction."
Ye Yun frowned. "Never heard of him."
"He emerged suddenly—completed impossible missions, gained sect prestige rivaling Four Peak Masters. Unlike Murong Wuqing’s aloofness, he charms disciples as ‘righteous brother’."
"I thought Murong Wuqing was our top genius. Now this Chen Tianyun appears from nowhere?"
Shui Qingxuan nodded. "All overlooked him while watching Four Peak Masters. His rise shocked everyone."
"When does Ling’er return?"
"Ten-day trial. Three days passed—seven remain."
"Other participants?"
"Four Peak Masters each sent Qi refining disciples. Murong Wuqing chose Murong Wuhen. Elder Shi sent fifth level Qi refining stage disciple—a girl named Jun Ruolan."
"Jun Ruolan?!" Ye Yun’s eyes bulged. "Aunt Xuan, you said Jun Ruolan?!"
Shui Qingxuan asked curiously, "Yes, she should be called Jun Ruolan. Do you know her, Ye Yun?"
Ye Yun nodded. "This girl took the outer disciple assessment with us. Her cultivation level was already much higher than ours back then. The assessment was as easy as flipping her palm for her, and she passed effortlessly. Later, it was said the higher-ups took notice of her, then all news ceased. I never imagined Elder Shi’s group would choose to nurture her in seclusion."
"Correct. After the news emerged, your Master and I investigated. This girl broke through from the fifth stage of body refinement to the fifth level of Qi refining stage in mere six months. Then she used unknown secret techniques to seal her cultivation level and began refining anew. She only reappeared three days ago for the trial. They say her true cultivation now ranks first among all below foundation establishment stage. Even that young fellow Murong Wuhen can’t match her," Shui Qingxuan said, her tone gentle despite the astonishing news.
Ye Yun nodded. Having met Jun Ruolan just once, he’d known her future achievements would be boundless. Her talent proved even more monstrous than expected – reaching such heights in half a year, then sealing her realm to restart cultivation.
If Shui Qingxuan claimed Jun Ruolan surpassed Murong Wuhen, her true strength must approach early foundation establishment stage experts.
"Never thought our Heavenly Sword Sect would see so many geniuses emerge. Starting with Murong Wuqing, then Chen Tianyun, Murong Wuhen, Ye Yun, and now Jun Ruolan. I’ve also heard the Sect Leader himself has been quietly nurturing another youth of extraordinary talent," Shui Qingxuan remarked, her eyes glimmering.
Ye Yun stood silently. None of this concerned him – Su Ling’s safety was all that mattered.
Their discussion ended there. With Shui Qingxuan’s protective treasure guarding Su Ling, Ye Yun relaxed. He stayed by her side, watching her wash vegetables and prepare meals.
An unprecedented tranquility filled Ye Yun’s heart, like an exhausted traveler finally finding shelter to lay down burdens and rest.
No more Heavenly Sword Sect talk passed between them. They occasionally chuckled over Su Ling’s childhood antics, fond smiles blooming.
Ye Yun listened quietly, inner turmoil stilling.
The sun climbed high, then drifted westward.
When crimson sunset hues painted the sky, a figure entered the courtyard.
"Disciple Ye Yun pays respects to Master!" Ye Yun stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Ye Yun. Rise." Su Hao’s stern expression softened as he helped his disciple up.
"You’ve returned. Ye Yun waited all day," Shui Qingxuan said, gliding forward.
Su Hao nodded, settling onto a stone bench.
"I don’t insist on making you my registered disciple. But this status offers convenience when moving through Shadowless Peak."
Ye Yun replied, "Master speaks too humbly. Becoming your registered disciple is an immense honor. Were it not for Tian Shen Peak’s incident, I’d already be your formal disciple."
Su Hao smiled. "Being Senior Brother Seven’s disciple aids your cultivation far more than following me."
Curiosity surfaced. "Why does everyone revere Senior Brother Seven so? Even Elder Shi seems helpless around him, almost fearful."
Su Hao’s smile deepened. "Do you know his cultivation level?"
Ye Yun hesitated. "The seventh level of Foundation Establishment?"
"Correct! He reached that stage twenty years ago while suppressing breakthroughs. Otherwise, he’d have achieved Golden Pill Dao long ago. Two decades past, he was our sect’s most promising genius to reach Nascent Soul stage – surpassing even Murong Wuqing."
Admiration colored Su Hao’s eyes as Shadowless Peak’s leader spoke of Senior Brother Seven.
Ye Yun marveled inwardly. He’d never imagined Senior Brother Seven’s past glory.
"But why remain at seventh level? And why… occasional mental confusion?" Ye Yun pressed.
Su Hao’s gaze turned grave. After prolonged silence, he uttered, "Twenty years. That old agreement… it’s been twenty years now."
