Chapter 247

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Chapter 247: Side Peak

The youth group competition concluded without attracting much attention. Though Ye Yun’s gains were limited, they still counted as something. He became even more eager for the upcoming sect competition – securing first place in the youth division would surely bring extraordinary rewards.

More importantly, claiming the top position would elevate his status within the Heavenly Sword Sect, better safeguarding his secrets.

Such was the way of cultivation. Exceptional talent and strength commanded respect from both rivals and sectmates alike. For most disciples, power ruled supreme.

"Ye Yun, are you ready?" Su Ling asked softly, looping her arm through his.

Ye Yun smiled and nodded. What surprise did Su Hao have prepared? Anticipation stirred within him.

Under the envious stares of young disciples, they left the Trial Hall plaza and headed toward the back mountain’s Small Courtyard.

"Wait!" Su Ling yanked his arm as he turned toward the mountain path. "Daddy’s not at the back mountain."

"Then where?" Ye Yun blinked.

"Fool! He’s at the Illusory Hall now. Well, not exactly the hall itself – the Side Peak." Her eyes curved into crescents.

"Side Peak?" Ye Yun stiffened. The thousand-meter peak was restricted to ordinary disciples, serving as the exclusive training ground for Shadowless Peak’s elite disciples who focused solely on cultivation.

"Feeling properly surprised now?" Su Ling giggled.

Excitement pulsed through Ye Yun. Shadowless Peak’s true power resided here. How many elite disciples had dwelled here over centuries? Had they reached the foundation establishment stage? Could some surpass even Su Hao?

Guided by Su Ling, they wove through mist-shrouded paths for half an hour before reaching the Side Peak’s base.

"Halt!" A thunderous voice boomed. "Identify yourselves!"

"Brother Chen! It’s Ling’er!" Su Ling called to the empty air. "Daddy sent us with Ye Yun!"

The air rippled as a white-robed man materialized. Though his square face seemed ordinary, his piercing gaze carried physical weight like winter frost.

"Ah, Ling’er." The coldness melted from Chen Ronghua’s eyes. "I received Master’s decree. This must be our new junior brother."

Ye Yun stepped forward and clasped his hands. "Ye Yun greets Senior Brother."

Chen Ronghua waved dismissively. "I’m sixth among the top ten disciples. Call me Sixth Brother or Brother Chen."

"Having only heard legends of the nine senior brothers, meeting you truly honors me."

"No formalities between brothers." Chen Ronghua beckoned. "Follow me."

Su Ling stuck her tongue out at Ye Yun before grabbing Chen Ronghua’s hand. Without warning, the senior brother shot forward like a phantom, leaving afterimages in his wake.

Ye Yun’s true qi surged. Enhanced by his Phoenix Feather speed, he still fell dozens of feet behind within moments. Frowning, he unleashed the incomplete Illusory Thunderlight Escape. Though far from achieving true Transformation into Thunder, his velocity quintupled instantly.

Chen Ronghua’s eyebrows rose as Ye Yun closed to within five zhang. The senior disciple accelerated further, becoming a blur that stirred the mist.

Gritting his teeth, Ye Yun pushed his Thunder Spirit Qi to the limit. The gap stabilized, neither gaining nor losing ground as they raced up the forbidden peak.

Chen Ronghua realized he was using eighty percent of his speed but still couldn’t shake Ye Yun off. To his shock, the gap between them kept narrowing. This was unbelievable – Ye Yun was merely at the second stage of Qi refining! Not only did he have abundant true qi enabling cross-level combat, but his sheer speed shamed all Qi refining disciples. Even newly promoted Foundation Establishment disciples couldn’t match this pace.

Though tempted to accelerate further, Chen Ronghua restrained himself. As a third level Foundation Establishment cultivator, matching speeds with Ye Yun at eighty percent power was embarrassing enough. Deliberately slowing down severalfold, he watched Ye Yun instantly adjust position to stay half-step behind.

"No wonder Fifth Brother constantly praises you," Chen Ronghua remarked. "With this speed alone, you surpass all Qi refining disciples."

Ye Yun modestly replied, "Sixth Brother held back. Another half-incense time and my Thunder Spirit Qi would’ve depleted."

"Stop the false modesty," Chen Ronghua laughed. "Your Thunder Spirit Qi reserves are massive. Once you advance your cultivation level, we’ll start practicing the Ten Killing Formation."

Curious, Ye Yun asked about the formation’s power.

"Shadowless Peak’s centuries-old secret," Chen Ronghua explained. "When activated, even Master couldn’t withstand it. Only Golden Core stage great cultivators could resist – no Foundation Establishment expert stands a chance."

Ye Yun gasped. He’d underestimated the formation’s might. No wonder Su Hao selected disciples so strictly – with this, Shadowless Peak would dominate Heavenly Sword Sect.

"The formation requires three exotic spiritual energy users," Chen Ronghua continued. "Eldest Brother has Golden Spirit Qi, Seventh Brother Earth Spirit Qi. You complete the trio with Thunder Spirit Qi."

"Three types?" Ye Yun’s eyes lit up. He possessed Thunder, Water and Fire Spirit Qi – now meeting Golden and Earth users. Maybe he could learn to absorb all five elements.

"Once you advance, we’ll practice the formation," Chen Ronghua said excitedly. "Shadowless Peak will lead the sect, securing Master’s path to Sect Leader position."

Ye Yun nodded absently. His ambitions transcended sect politics, reaching toward Great Qin Empire and the Eight Major Sects.

"Stop chatting and move!" Su Ling complained, pouting. "I don’t want Daddy’s punishment!"

Chen Ronghua affectionately patted her head. "Relax, Master’s gone for another hour. Let me introduce you to others – except Eldest and Second Brother, everyone’s here."

Su Ling added, "Eldest Brother looks stern but is kind. Ninth Sister’s my friend. Just avoid grumpy Third Brother."

"Wait – there are female disciples?" Ye Yun blinked.

"Of course!" Su Ling huffed. "I’d be top ten too if Daddy allowed!"

Chen Ronghua chuckled. "Keep dreaming. Master said he’ll confine you if you don’t reach Foundation Establishment in three years."

"He wouldn’t dare! I’ll tell Mom!"

"Mom won’t help."

A deep voice boomed from above, blending affection with mock sternness.