Chapter 18: The First Person in Azure Cloud Sect to Make Me Feel Threatened!

A gentle breeze carried the drifting clouds across the sky, the plaza abuzz with hundreds of disciples from the Azure Cloud Sect. Soon, a few began walking toward the Jade Purity Hall, and as the first led the way, the others shook off their daze and gradually followed toward the front of the plaza.

None among them summoned their magical artifacts to fly, but instead walked dutifully on foot. Tian Ling’er and the female disciples from Bamboo Peak strolled together, radiant with smiles and clearly in good spirits.

Song Da Ren and the disciples from Great Bamboo Peak followed closely behind. Yan Mo and Lu Xueqi walked at the end of the procession, quietly chatting, undisturbed by anyone.

As for those from Dragon Head Peak, seven or eight from Qi Hao’s group wandered about, exchanging greetings with disciples from other branches.

Especially Qi Hao himself, who naturally recited the names of disciples from other branches with a practiced smile, displaying his adept social skills. The others responded in kind, showing the breadth of his connections.

“This man is shrewd and diplomatic, not one to forge deep friendships with,” Lu Xueqi said coolly, observing the Dragon Head Peak disciples and Qi Hao’s greetings. “He possesses advanced cultivation and enjoys the trust of Master Cangsong, so within the Azure Cloud Sect, everyone shows him respect.”

Hearing this, Yan Mo nodded almost imperceptibly. Lu Xueqi seldom spoke, her demeanor always frost-like, yet her insight was keen.

After a short while, the two reached the end of the plaza, where stood the famed “Rainbow Bridge,” one of the Six Azure Cloud Views. Setting foot on the bridge, its magnificent structure seemed almost sculpted by divine hands, and the clear waters flowing down either side refracted a mesmerizing seven-colored rainbow—truly a scene beyond mortal beauty.

Though the scenery was breathtaking, Yan Mo sensed a hidden deadly force emanating from the Rainbow Bridge. Such peril, should he attempt to cross without permission, would pose a grave threat even to him. No wonder the elders forbade flying over the bridge by sword.

“Why not simply fly across on our swords? Wouldn’t that be faster?”

Lu Xueqi’s beautiful eyes flashed with surprise. She’d heard Yan Mo had been at the Azure Cloud Sect for three years, and was even the Sect Leader’s disciple, yet he was unaware of this rule.

“Disciples are not permitted to fly by sword near the main hall of Tongtian Peak. My master explained that this is to show respect to the Grand Master. In the sacred grounds of Jade Purity, one must proceed on foot. Furthermore, when the Azure Cloud Sect was first founded, the ancestor established an extremely powerful restriction atop Tongtian Peak, called the ‘Immortal-Slaying Sword Array.’ Anyone who attempts to fly over the peak will be struck down by its force.”

Yan Mo’s sword-like brows flickered. “No wonder no one dares to fly here.”

Lu Xueqi gazed up at the towering mountain ahead. “It’s said that this ‘Immortal-Slaying Sword Array’ was passed down by the founder and perfected a thousand years ago. Its power is unmatched. Since then, no one has dared to cause trouble on Azure Cloud Mountain.”

Yan Mo followed her gaze, looking at the majestic peak. With such formidable power, the sect’s founder must have been a cultivator beyond the ordinary. Even he felt threatened, let alone others; flying across would only hasten one’s demise.

They walked and conversed, following Song Da Ren and his group. Yan Mo observed the young elite of the Azure Cloud Sect—over sixty in number, most of them male, with perhaps a dozen or so females.

All wore the attire of Bamboo Peak, and whether male or female, each possessed an impressive bearing. The men were dignified and spirited; the women beautiful and poised—a gathering of handsome men and lovely women. Nearly all of them had attained the Jade Purity stage, with many reaching considerable depths of cultivation.

After crossing the Rainbow Bridge, they arrived at the Bixuitan, the pool where the sect’s guardian spirit beast, the Water Qilin, resided.

Arriving at the pool, the spirit beast was not hiding in the water but basking in the sun on the open ground, much as it had three years ago.

At that moment, the Water Qilin sniffed the air, catching a familiar scent. Its golden eyes slowly opened, and upon seeing Yan Mo approaching, its heart leaped with joy.

A low, rumbling growl issued from beside the pool as the giant Water Qilin awoke from its slumber, its golden pupils shining with excitement. Its gaze locked onto Yan Mo as he ascended the steps, softly growling in greeting. Yan Mo had met it a year before, passing through this place.

The other disciples clearly did not think the spirit beast’s demeanor was one of excitement. Though it only growled softly, to their ears it resounded like thunder.

All the disciples standing on the steps, including the most accomplished such as Qi Hao, could no longer maintain their composure. Their expressions changed abruptly; some even went pale and trembled.

Sensing the Water Qilin’s gaze, Lu Xueqi’s delicate brows furrowed, her grip tightening on the Tianyao Sword, puzzled as to why the ancient spirit beast was focused on Yan Mo.

Yan Mo, of course, had already noticed the creature’s attention. The old fellow was as spirited as ever, unchanged from a year ago.

The spirit beast’s golden eyes glanced at the young girl before him, and Lu Xueqi felt a wave of pressure, but it quickly dissipated.

The Water Qilin raised its massive claw, gently tapping Yan Mo’s shoulder, growling softly as if to say, “Boy, why haven’t you come to see me in so long?”

Yan Mo seemed to understand its meaning and smiled, “Well, I’ve been in seclusion, cultivating and venturing out for training, so I haven’t had the time.”

A moment later, as they followed the crowd, Lu Xueqi couldn’t help but ask, “Are you well acquainted with this ancient spirit beast?”

“I met it once when I first joined the Azure Cloud Sect, and again a year ago,” Yan Mo replied, offering no further explanation. He followed the others into the grand and spacious Jade Purity Hall alongside Lu Xueqi.

Inside, a sudden flash of green appeared, and Master Dao Xuan materialized in the hall. The elders of Azure Cloud Sect immediately turned their attention to him.

Dao Xuan wore a smile, thinking, “My disciple is truly exceptional!” He then turned, his expression gentle, and addressed the dozens of young disciples gathered in the hall, “Have all the participants for the Seven Branches Martial Tournament arrived?”

The disciples bowed in unison, “Greetings, Sect Leader.”

Dao Xuan smiled, returned to his seat, and glanced at Master Cangsong, who immediately stepped forward and spoke in a resonant voice:

“Each of you is a paragon among the younger generation of our Azure Cloud Sect. Since our founding more than two thousand years ago, we have remained the orthodox Daoist sect, the leader of the righteous path. As the ancients said, ‘Success is born of diligence, ruin from idleness.’ There is another saying: ‘Sailing against the current, one must advance or be swept back.’ To caution future generations and nurture young disciples, our founder established the grand tradition of the Seven Branches Martial Tournament. Today marks the twentieth occasion of its celebration.”

The crowd below listened attentively.