By noon, all the disciples had climbed to the summit of Rising Cloud Peak. For Jiang Beiran, who rarely participated in group activities, this climb was exhausting in its own way.
'No matter which world I'm in, staying alone in seclusion is always the most comfortable choice,' he mused inwardly with a sigh before silently rejoining the ranks of Blue Heart Hall.
Amidst the reprimands of the various Hall Masters, the disciples of the twenty-four halls lined up in formation before the Heart Returning Hall, where the past sect leaders were enshrined.
"Dong!"
As the bell tolled within the hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark gray brocade robe with cloud patterns stepped out.
"Greetings to Incense Master Qin!"
All the Hall Masters, Guardians, and disciples shouted in unison. Nodding toward the crowd, Qin Yuan flicked his long sleeve and faced Heart Returning Hall, declaring, "Bow!" Upon hearing this, all the Hall Masters and disciples knelt and bowed three times toward the hall.
"Enter the hall!"
With the ceremony complete, the disciples of the twenty-four halls filed into Heart Returning Hall in an orderly manner. As the iconic structure of the Heart Returning Sect, Heart Returning Hall was built with extravagant luxury. Measuring 56 meters long, 34 meters wide, and 26 meters high, it spanned nearly two thousand square meters—enough to accommodate hundreds of people.
Inside the hall stood sixteen bronze cauldrons of various designs, surrounding a golden lacquered throne adorned with nine beasts. Flanking the throne were four statues: the Spiral Shell Fish, the White Marsh Beast, the Feathered Crane, and the Water Qilin.
The Spiral Shell Fish symbolized the sect's stability, the White Marsh Beast was an auspicious beast, the Feathered Crane represented ambition, and the Water Qilin signified inheritance. Around these four statues stood nine towering pillars, each intricately carved with nine different ancient mythical beasts, so lifelike they inspired awe in all who beheld them.
Having joined the Heart Returning Sect five years ago, Jiang Beiran had only visited this hall once during his initiation ceremony. At the time, the sheer opulence of the grand hall had left him speechless. Now, returning after all this time, he could still feel the same overwhelming sense of grandeur.
Once the disciples of the twenty-four halls had assembled in formation before the golden throne, Incense Master Qin Yuan called out loudly, "Welcome the Sect Leader!" All the Hall Masters and disciples immediately lowered their heads and cupped their hands, shouting in unison, "Welcome the Sect Leader!"
When they looked up again, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark cyan brocade python robe descended from above, landing before the golden throne. This was none other than the leader of the Heart Returning Sect—Lu Yinlong.
"Greetings, Sect Leader!"
Everyone in the hall shouted in unison.
"Hahahaha! Excellent! Today, the finest disciples of our Heart Returning Sect gather under one roof. This seat is most pleased."
With that, Lu Yinlong took his place upon the golden throne. After sweeping his gaze over the assembled disciples, he continued with a smile.
"This year, our Heart Returning Sect has produced an outstanding disciple—one who has reached the rank of Mysterious Master at the mere age of nineteen. Truly, he is the most exceptional talent our sect has seen in thirty years!"
The moment Lu Yinlong finished speaking, all eyes turned toward Wu Qingce. Ever since Wu Qingce had claimed victory at the JB District martial tournament, his reputation had spread throughout the sect.
Now, having broken through to Mysterious Master at just nineteen—an age when many disciples were still stuck at the fifth level of Mysterious Practitioner—he left countless jaws hanging open in shock.
"Wu Qingce, step forward."
Hearing the sect leader call his name, Wu Qingce immediately stepped out and responded, "Your disciple is here!"
"For this journey to the Hidden Moon Sect, I appoint you as the leader of all disciples, wielding the authority of Azure Steel. During this expedition, all disciples shall be under your command."
"Your disciple accepts this duty!"
Wu Qingce had already known about his appointment as captain beforehand—this was merely a formality. Thus, he showed neither surprise nor excitement. Once Wu Qingce had finished his salute, Qin Yuan approached, holding a purple-gold token.
"Wu Qingce, receive the token."
"Yes!"
Wu Qingce respectfully extended both hands to accept the Azure Steel Token. Within the Heart Returning Sect, the hierarchy was as follows: above the Iron Seal was the Floral Crown, and above the Floral Crown was Azure Steel—the highest rank a disciple could attain. Historically, this position required both immense prestige and formidable strength.
Though Wu Qingce possessed extraordinary talent, his current reputation and power were not yet at the pinnacle, so this appointment was only temporary. Yet even a temporary appointment signified the sect leader's high expectations for him. As Wu Qingce accepted the Azure Steel Token, Jiang Beiran discreetly scanned the expressions of the surrounding disciples with his spiritual sense.
Most of the female disciples looked at Wu Qingce with admiration, while a small number of male disciples regarded him with respect and envy. However, far more harbored resentment and jealousy. Though these emotions flickered only briefly across their faces, Jiang Beiran meticulously noted every disciple who displayed them.
"Salute!"
Once Wu Qingce turned to face the assembled disciples with the Azure Steel Token in hand, Incense Master Qin called out to the crowd.
"Bow to Azure Steel!"
As everyone saluted him, Wu Qingce barely suppressed the urge to turn away and avoid his senior brother's gaze. With a mix of nervousness and resolve, he responded, "Having accepted this responsibility, Qingce pledges to spare no effort in ensuring the safety of all senior brothers and junior sisters on this journey!"
"And?"
Qin Yuan prompted with a smile. Wu Qingce immediately understood and declared firmly, "I will not fail the sect leader's expectations—I shall claim victory at this Young Heroes Tournament!"
"Well said!"
Lu Yinlong laughed heartily, clapping as he rose to his feet.
"I hope every disciple here remembers their mission. Our visit to the Hidden Moon Sect is secondary—our primary goal is to seize victory in the competition! We must not allow the Hidden Moon Sect to look down upon the disciples of the Heart Returning Sect. Understood?"
"Your disciples obey!" the crowd chorused.
"Excellent! That's the spirit I want to see! Let us depart!"
'Sigh, the sect leader's competitive nature is as strong as ever.' Jiang Beiran had long known that Lu Yinlong had no concept of humility. Most people, even when paying lip service, would say things like "friendship first, competition second."
But Lu Yinlong found such sentiments hypocritical—if this was a competition, they should give it their all. Matters of friendship could wait until after they had won. Exiting Heart Returning Hall, the sect leader and the various Hall Masters and Guardians descended the mountain first, finally giving the disciples a chance to catch their breath.
The atmosphere inside the grand hall had been stifling. After a brief moment of relaxation, the disciples also began making their way down the mountain. Ye Xincai glanced around and soon spotted Jiang Beiran preparing to descend.
Just as she was about to follow him, a sudden chill ran down her spine, raising goosebumps all over her body.
"Gulp..."
Swallowing hard, Ye Xincai trembled as she turned to look behind her. There, Lin Yuyan was staring at her with an utterly terrifying expression, her smile so predatory it seemed ready to devour someone whole. Nearly screaming, Ye Xincai whipped her head back around, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead like raindrops.
'Who was that!?
Lin...
Senior Sister Lin?
Impossible...
Senior Sister Lin is always so gentle. I must have imagined it... Yes, just my imagination.'
When she turned to look again, she saw Lin Yuyan chatting and laughing with a group of female disciples as they descended the mountain, her demeanor as warm and kind as usual—the very picture of a gentle elder sister.
"Junior Sister Ye?"
Just as Ye Xincai was pondering whether what she had seen was real, a voice suddenly spoke beside her. Startled, she yelped and stumbled backward.
"Junior Sister Ye, what's wrong?"
Senior Brother Lin asked worriedly. Regaining her composure, Ye Xincai patted her chest and forced a smile.
"It's nothing... I just saw a caterpillar. It scared me."
"Ah? A bug?"
Senior Brother Lin immediately stepped protectively in front of her.
"Don't worry, if you see another one, this senior brother will take care of it for you."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Hehe, it's nothing. Here, I'll walk ahead—just follow behind me."
"Okay~" Though she followed Senior Brother Lin down the mountain, the bone-chilling image from earlier continued to replay in her mind.
'Hallucination?
It must have been a hallucination...'
(End of Chapter)