Chapter 4: The Five Peaks True Man

In the depths of the grand hall, the ancestral tablets of the Bai family, who had established themselves in the Black Mountain Range, were enshrined. These tablets honored the ancestors who had made outstanding contributions. On either side stood twenty-four long life candles as thick as arms, their dim light flickering on the tablets.

Seated in the center of the hall was Bai Xianzhong, the current patriarch of the Bai family. He was at the initial stage of the Foundation Establishment realm and had led the family for twenty years, his influence growing stronger. It could be said that he single-handedly upheld the sky of the Bai family.

On either side sat four men and one woman, all cultivators at the late Qi Condensation stage. They managed the family's various affairs and were the five elders of the clan.

Further down, the hall was divided into many rows according to department and cultivation level, the crowd dense and dark. Almost all of the Bai family cultivators currently in the clan territory were present, the atmosphere solemn and quiet.

Bai Zichen and Bai Ying stood at the very back. Being short, they could only see the backs of the adults in front of them, even when they stood on tiptoe.

"Uncle seems to be in the second row. It looks like his status in the clan is quite good. After all, he's just one step away from the late Qi Condensation stage. Once he breaks through, he'll be one of the main forces in the clan," Bai Zichen whispered to Bai Ying.

At their age, if it weren't for the special nature of the clan meeting, where all Bai family cultivators, regardless of age or cultivation level, were allowed to attend, they wouldn't have the qualifications to enter this council hall. But they were just there for show; in a clan meeting, there was no way two children in their early teens would have a say, and no one else would pay attention to them.

Bai Zifat, the chubby one, was very excited, his head craning forward. He whispered, "Brother Chen, did you hear what the patriarch said? Even the Green Maple Sect has confirmed it's the Five Peaks True Man's cave. If we can excavate a few treasures, the Bai family will be in for a windfall. Maybe in a few years, we'll have a place among the five major cultivation families!"

The Five Peaks True Man, Chen Taige, was known as the first independent cultivator of Mizhou three hundred years ago. He was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator with the potential to reach the Yuan婴 realm, and he was well-known throughout the Liang Kingdom.

In his later years, after returning to his hometown, Black Mountain County, he suppressed the Green Maple Sect, which was already struggling. After all, although the Grand Elder of the sect was also a Golden Core cultivator, he was far inferior to Chen Taige, the first independent cultivator of Mizhou.

Chen Taige's signature magical treasure was a set of five mountain-shaped heavy weapons, from which his title derived. When all five peaks were unleashed, countless cultivators fell to this weapon.

However, this true man seemed to have no successor. After his death, his disciples quickly dispersed, and the Five Peaks Divine Peaks and other magical treasures vanished without a trace.

At the time, some speculated that the Five Peaks True Man had a secret treasure cave hidden somewhere. This sparked a treasure-hunting craze that lasted for a hundred years after his death. Over time, the enthusiasm gradually waned.

Bai Zichen carefully recalled the records about the Five Peaks True Man in the Black Mountain County Annals, his heart filled with admiration.

"The key to the Five Peaks True Man's cave lies in the attitude of the Green Maple Sect. If they are willing to share, it would be ideal. But if they want to monopolize this opportunity and exclude all cultivation families, even if we, the Bai family, go all out, we might end up losing both our resources and our people," said Elder Bai Shousun, whose white beard and hair contrasted with his ruddy complexion. He not only had a perfect Qi Condensation cultivation but also held a high position in the clan. "Honggu, your son Jiang Liang is from the Green Maple Sect, and his master is an elder in the Talisman Hall. Has he heard any news from the sect? What are the intentions of the major figures?"

In Black Mountain County, the Green Maple Sect had the final say, occupying the best and most resources, and there was a subtle rivalry with the other cultivation families.

However, over the years, the lines between them had blurred, and they were now intertwined.

For example, the Bai family had more than ten generations of disciples who had joined the sect. Elder Honggu's partner was once an inner disciple of the Green Maple Sect. Although he was not skilled in combat, his talisman-making technique was renowned, and he was already a first-class talisman master.

"Brother Liang sent a message yesterday. The elders of the Green Maple Sect have decided to collaborate with several cultivation families. They plan to first secure the Five Peaks True Man's cave, drive away the independent cultivators, and then develop it slowly," said the only woman among the five elders, a middle-aged beauty with a plump figure and a hint of age in her eyes. She paused for a moment before continuing.

"It's good that there's a chance for cooperation. Our family contributes a lot of resources to the Green Maple Sect every year and responds positively to their requests. We shouldn't be left out this time," said another elder.

"It's hard to say. Those five families are powerful. If they unite, even the Green Maple Sect will have a headache. They will certainly consider their opinions," said another elder.

What was called a clan meeting was essentially a discussion among the five elders. Occasionally, Bai Xianzhong would speak, and everyone would immediately stop to listen, waiting for him to finish before continuing. No one else, regardless of their status, dared to speak without being called upon by an elder.

Bai Zichen, hiding at the back, leaned against a pillar, listening intently. Reading books alone couldn't provide such detailed insights into the various factions in Black Mountain County and the intricacies within his own clan. Many of these were things he needed to be aware of as he navigated the cultivation world in the future.

"…That's settled then. Tomorrow, Honggu and Bai Lu will lead a team of clan members with me to the Five Peaks True Man's cave. The clan affairs will be handled by the Great Elder. Additionally, the patrol teams must be vigilant, increase manpower, and patrol more frequently. If necessary, use decisive measures. With so many independent cultivators gathering recently, we must prevent any troublemakers from targeting our Bai family," said Bai Xianzhong, the patriarch, making the final decision. The Bai family's next actions were thus determined.

With one Foundation Establishment cultivator, two elders, and a team of elite family cultivators leaving, the internal strength of the Bai family would be significantly weakened. Bai Zichen suddenly felt that the clan was not as safe as he had imagined. The steady development plan he had in mind might need to be revised. He was still too weak.

A child who had just succeeded in Qi Condensation and had not yet learned any spells, with no means of self-preservation, could be threatened by a few armed adults.

…

"Chen, here are five Golden Body Talismans, five Fireball Talismans, and five Divine Speed Talismans. I've already taught you how to use them. Remember them well," said Bai Jiuan, stroking Bai Zichen's head, his tone earnest. "While I'm away, don't wander around. Stay on Qingfeng Cliff with Bai Ying's family and don't return to Fufeng Ridge for now."

"I understand, Uncle," Bai Zichen nodded obediently.

After the clan meeting, Bai Jiuan received a notice and was selected as one of the twelve members to accompany the patriarch to the Five Peaks True Man's cave.

He could not disobey the family's order, and the risks were great, but so were the opportunities.

As a cultivator with four spiritual roots, he was less than ten years away from the age of fifty, when his vitality would begin to decline. If he wanted to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, he had to take risks.

But he was worried about his young nephew, who had just embarked on the path of cultivation. The Bai family's territory was centered around Hanxiu Peak, with a large array protecting it. However, the outer areas only had basic warning and concealment functions, and only the main peak's array could truly defend against attacks.

After much consideration, he decided to entrust Bai Zichen to Bai Ying's parents. Both were mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators and could protect themselves if they encountered trouble, giving the family patrol team time to arrive.

To give his young nephew some means of self-preservation, he also provided him with a stack of talismans.

It was often said that in the cultivation world, relationships were shallow, and even fellow cultivators, clan members, partners, and masters could betray each other for personal gain. But Bai Zichen felt genuine concern from his uncle.

After explaining the matters and greeting Bai Ying's parents, Bai Jiuan hurriedly left. Watching his uncle's back, Bai Zichen felt a heavy weight in his heart.

He was worried about his uncle's uncertain journey, anxious about his own low cultivation level, and uncertain about the fate of the Bai family in the midst of turmoil.

If a clan member like him lost the protection of the clan, his future would be as precarious as that of the lowest independent cultivator, drifting and homeless.