Chapter 21: Discussion

As soon as these words were spoken, the other six branch leaders appeared thoughtful, while Master Cangsong allowed a slight smile to surface on his face, clearly confident in his own disciple. Yet this was only a show; he did not truly believe his disciple was stronger than the master's own.

“To reach the final victory—my disciple Lin Jingyu is still very young. If he were a few years older, perhaps there might be a chance. However, another disciple from my branch, Qi Hao, does have an opportunity.”

At this, the heads of each branch all turned their gaze toward Cangsong, secretly cursing his arrogance. Master Dao Xuan smiled and nodded, saying, “Among the younger generation, your disciple Qi Hao’s cultivation is indeed impressive, and he handles affairs with great skill. He is certainly worth nurturing.” Then, deliberately, he added, “By contrast, my own disciple Qian Mo is somewhat dull-witted.”

Hearing this, Tian Buyi’s lips twitched as he thought, “Dull-witted? Your disciple dull-witted? Two years and already at the fifth level of Jade Purity! Now I can’t even see through him. I suspect you only offered the Sixfold Mirror as a prize because you already know who will win!” Though he thought this, outwardly he followed the others and said, “Indeed, senior brother.”

No sooner had Cangsong finished speaking than Shuiyue, her delicate features touched with a smile, turned to Dao Xuan and said, “Senior brother, the child who joined your Tongtian Peak three years ago—what is his current cultivation? I couldn’t see through him just now.”

As soon as Shuiyue finished, the other branch heads all fixed their gaze on Dao Xuan. Though none had mentioned it before, it did not mean they had forgotten; with such extraordinary talent and an unparalleled constitution, how could they forget?

Earlier, as Qian Mo drew lots, they had all paid attention, yet none could discern a hint of his cultivation. Even though Tongtian Peak was self-sustaining, three years was enough for some progress. They did not know that even Dao Xuan himself could not see through Qian Mo’s true cultivation, who had only feigned being at the eighth level of Jade Purity. If they had sensed anything amiss, what then?

Perhaps their inability to see through him was due to his constitution. Most importantly, they did not believe Qian Mo could win the Seven Branch Tournament this year; perhaps next time, but three years was too short. Only Dao Xuan and Cangsong thought differently.

Now, Shuiyue’s sudden question voiced the thoughts they all harbored. Though none believed Qian Mo could seize the crown, they still wanted to know how far such a powerful body had advanced in three years.

“Senior brother Dao?”

Pressed by the crowd, Dao Xuan felt a surge of pride. He waved his long sleeve and replied nonchalantly, “My disciple Qian Mo has dull aptitude. Under my guidance, it took him two years to reach the fifth level of Jade Purity. Later, after I sent him out to temper himself and he returned, he secluded himself to consolidate his cultivation. Now, a year has passed, and with his dull talent, I doubt there has been much change.”

“Hiss...! Really?! Senior brother, are you joking? Two years, Jade Purity fifth level?”

The words had barely settled when all the branch heads drew sharp breaths, exchanging glances as if they could not believe their ears. In just two years, an ordinary youth who had never practiced cultivation reached the fifth level of Jade Purity!

A monster, a prodigy! No, there was no word to describe it—it had surpassed all imagination!

Other than “prodigy,” they could think of nothing else. At the same time, a sense of crisis settled in their hearts. Now they understood why their senior brother offered the Sixfold Mirror as the prize—surely it was meant for his own disciple!

Previously, they had believed Qian Mo had no chance at the crown, but now things were different. If he could reach the fifth level in just two years, who could say whether he had made even greater strides in the following year?

After all, such a sacred body was incredibly powerful. None of them had ever encountered one before, so who could fathom its mysteries? Who could guess how high Qian Mo’s comprehension was, or how far he had advanced in the Supreme Jade Purity Dao?

Consider this: Qi Hao, disciple of Master Cangsong, had trained for hundreds of years and only managed the ninth level of Jade Purity. Yet Qian Mo had trained for so few years, and his current cultivation might be even higher than the fifth level... or higher still...

Each branch head had their own pride, and wondered if Qian Mo would have achieved more or less under their instruction.

Unable to contain his excitement, Cangsong asked, “Senior brother Dao, do you know what level the boy has reached? Does he have a chance at the crown?” He was certain the master’s disciple was hiding immense strength.

Dao Xuan furrowed his brow deliberately and said, “As you all know, cultivation becomes more difficult as one advances, and the Supreme Jade Purity Dao is ever harder to master. Two years to catch up with Qi Hao seems unlikely, but given more time, perhaps...”

Cangsong feigned relief and smiled, “Tomorrow is the Seven Branch Tournament. If the boy wants to win, it will probably have to wait until next time.”

At that moment, Dao Xuan pressed his hand downward and spoke slowly, “How far this child can go depends on himself. After the tournament, he must be carefully nurtured. For now, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you all.”

Seeing Dao Xuan’s solemn expression, the others put away their smiles and sat in earnest.

Dao Xuan returned to his seat, pondered for a moment, and finally said, “Everyone, are you aware of the mountain called ‘Kongsang Mountain’ three thousand miles to the east?”

Everyone was momentarily puzzled. Cangsong was first to recover, asking, “Is senior brother referring to the mountain where the ‘Ten Thousand Bat Cave’ resides?”

Dao Xuan nodded gravely, “Exactly.”

Uncle Chang frowned and said, “I have heard the ‘Ten Thousand Bat Cave’ is a vast natural cavern, plunging deep into the earth, its depths unknown, cold and damp, inhabited by countless bats—said to number in the millions. In such a barren place, why do you bring it up, senior brother?”

Dao Xuan replied slowly, “You may not know, but though the cave appears inhospitable, eight hundred years ago it was a crucial stronghold of the Demonic Sect. Its cold, damp nature suited the cultivation of sinister arts. Later, after we righteous cultivators besieged it, the Demonic Sect was routed and the place gradually fell into neglect.”

Master Shuiyue spoke icily, “If that is so, why do you bring it up now, senior brother?”

Dao Xuan paid no heed to her tone, sighed, and said, “Shuiyue, you are unaware. Half a year ago, I received a letter from Burning Fragrance Valley. Near the Ten Thousand Bat Cave, it appears there are signs of renewed activity by remnants of the Demonic Sect. They sought my counsel, and after consideration, I dispatched my second disciple, Yi Cai, to Kongsang Mountain to investigate.”

Shang Zhengliang of Chaoyang Peak laughed, “That’s excellent. Nephew Xiao Yi Cai is exceptionally talented and deeply cultivated—one of the brightest in our sect. At the last Seven Branch Tournament, he performed splendidly. With him there, what could go wrong?”

Dao Xuan smiled slightly, “Yi Cai did indeed discover Demonic Sect members near the cave, and their purpose was even more astonishing.”

“What purpose do those remnants of the Demonic Sect pursue?”

Dao Xuan’s face remained calm, betraying no emotion. “According to Yi Cai... he captured a Demonic Sect follower and forced out of him that their goal is the ‘Blood Devouring Pearl’!”

The branch heads were shocked. The Blood Devouring Pearl had vanished with Old Man Blackheart long ago, and they all had heard of its infamy. Little did they know that three years prior, Qian Mo had already visited the Ten Thousand Bat Cave, clearing away all its traps and mechanisms. What the Demonic Sect would do after three years was no longer his concern.

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