Chapter 17

The mountain road has eighteen bends, with a new scene at every step.

Qi Yunhe climbed up to Xianyun Peak along the mountain road, his heart filled with a mix of emotions. Years ago, he joined Xiandu Sect with extraordinary talent, possessing ten innate orifices. Within three years, he opened over twenty "acquired orifices," full of ambition and pride, looking down on his peers. However, he never managed to form a Dao embryo and, despite being the top trial disciple, was transferred to the outer sect, becoming a laughingstock. Meanwhile, his fellow disciples, who were less talented than him, advanced to the inner sect, pursuing the path of sword cultivation.

That was many years ago, like a fish bone stuck in his throat, a thorn in his heart, lingering and unforgettable.

Every time he went up to Xianyun Peak, he took the back mountain path straight to the summit, finished his business, and immediately went down, unwilling to stay longer, fearing the mocking glances of his fellow disciples.

The only one who treated him consistently, neither looking down on him nor pitying him, was the sect leader's chief disciple, Xun Ye.

Xun Ye did not tie his hair in a bun or have a Daoist name. He cultivated in the Eagle Beak Rock at the back of the mountain, going to the Changying Temple's Three Pure Ones Hall on the first and fifteenth of every month to convene meetings for the sect members on behalf of the sect leader.

The recruitment of trial disciples every three years was a major event for Xiandu Sect, and it should have been discussed in the Three Pure Ones Hall. However, Qi Yunhe always went to Eagle Beak Rock a few days in advance to meet Xun Ye, explained everything, and then made an excuse to go down the mountain to avoid meeting his fellow disciples. Xun Ye never forced him.

Eagle Beak Rock faced the sea of clouds, with a vast view. Xun Ye stood at the cliff's edge, hands behind his back, his robe flapping in the wind. The elemental energy of heaven and earth surged like a great river, and his long sword in the scabbard hummed, as if it wanted to fly out but could not.

Qi Yunhe watched his senior brother from a distance, sighing in his heart. Years ago, he was stuck at the "Dao embryo" stage and was transferred to the outer sect, feeling disheartened. His senior brother had taken two more steps, being stuck at the "sword control" stage for ten years, making no progress.

After waiting for more than half an hour, Qi Yunhe approached Xun Ye after he finished his cultivation.

"When did you return?" Xun Ye, seeing his wind-worn appearance, thought, "My junior brother has not achieved the great path, growing older day by day. This cannot go on forever; I need to think of a solution soon."

"I only arrived at Tiandu Peak last night. The five trial disciples have been settled."

"Shi Zhong and Jing He have not yet returned, but they should be back in the next couple of days. How are the disciples this year? Are there any who stand out?"

"There is a girl named Qin Zhen who is quite good, with seven innate orifices and an affinity for fire. The rest are not impressive. This year, we will probably lose to Lu Shi Zhong and Zhang Jing He again."

"Seven innate orifices, that's a top choice."

After a moment of hesitation, Qi Yunhe suddenly said, "There is also a hunter named Wei Shiqi, with one innate orifice and an affinity for earth. His talent is poor, but by chance, he obtained a fragment of a beast skin scroll and practiced a body-strengthening technique for a few days, becoming as strong as a bear. The Yin Xu Pill had no effect on him."

"Oh, what body-strengthening technique?"

"It seems to be the Moon Howl Technique of the Yunya Sect, incomplete, but he managed to practice it."

Xun Ye pondered, "The Moon Howl Technique, using the essence of the moon to strengthen the body, is much safer than the Great Sun Fire Body Strengthening Technique. With an affinity for earth, it's quite a match."

Qi Yunhe said, "Indeed. The human body cannot withstand the Great Sun Fire, but a demon body might. If Wei Shiqi can form a Dao embryo, even if it's of lower quality, he would be a good candidate for heavy sword cultivation. In our Xiandu Sect, no one has cultivated a heavy sword for nearly a hundred years."

Xun Ye nodded, "My junior brother is right. If there is an opportunity, it's worth a try."

"By the way, Wei Shiqi also had a brief encounter with Qi Du from the Pingyuan Sect and managed to survive by chance."

"What happened?" Xun Ye was somewhat surprised. Qi Du was notorious, and if he acted, a mere trial disciple would not have survived. There must be a reason.

Qi Yunhe recounted how Wei Shiqi met Qi Du and his disciples in the Kunlun Mountains. Xun Ye laughed, "So that's what happened. I see... Wei Shiqi had good luck. If he hadn't practiced the Moon Howl Technique for a few days, he might not have survived."

Qi Yunhe took the opportunity to ask, "Senior brother, is there a complete Moon Howl Technique in the Penglai Hall?"

Xun Ye knew his intentions and shook his head, "No. My junior brother, the Yunya Sect was exterminated over ten years ago. The Moon Howl Technique is not a remarkable technique, and it's not worth the effort to search for it."

Qi Yunhe felt disheartened. He took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Xun Ye, "The backgrounds of the five trial disciples are all written in the scroll. Changying Temple, heh... I won't go there."

"Alright, my junior brother can go to Tiandu Peak to take care of things. The trial disciples are new and might cause trouble."

Qi Yunhe turned and left with a bitter smile, walking down the mountain road, step by step, gradually moving farther away.

Watching his junior brother, Xun Ye suddenly thought of himself. The comforting words he spoke were light, but he was quite concerned. Deng Yuan Tong, who had accumulated strength for a long time, had already passed the "sword control" stage. He wondered when he would follow his junior brother's footsteps, viewing Changying Temple as a daunting place.

He had encouraged himself countless times, saying that a person with determination could achieve anything, that hard work and perseverance could lead to success, and that one could endure hardships and loneliness. However, the miracle never happened. Over the years, as the chief disciple of Xiandu Sect, he had made many sacrifices for the sect, maintaining a humble and upright attitude, earning respect, but... that was all.

Xun Ye's face showed a faint self-mockery.

Ten years had passed, and he had long come to terms with it. Being able to cultivate a sword seed was already a great opportunity. His world was no longer limited to a household or a region, a city or a country. Walking the path of cultivation, seeing different landscapes, was worth it. Even if he became an outer sect disciple like his junior brother, traveling around, recruiting disciples for the sect, guiding juniors in cultivation, and doing miscellaneous tasks, what difference did it make? They played different roles, but the essence was the same. After all, how many could wield a sword and travel the world, settling scores and breaking all laws with one sword? How many could transcend the three realms and be free from the five elements, living as long as the heavens and the earth?

Looking at Qi Yunhe's lonely back, Xun Ye murmured, "Junior brother, take care."

Qi Yunhe walked faster and faster, as if fleeing from Xianyun Peak. A fire burned in his heart, a mix of anger and humiliation constantly reminding him that the top trial disciple of the past had become a laughingstock.

Unconsciously, he arrived at the foot of Tiandu Peak.

He saw Wei Shiqi maintaining his bow and arrows, Yue Zhi Lan cleaning the stone room, the Song brothers chopping firewood, and Qin Zhen wiping the stove. Everyone was busy with their own tasks, fully focused and without distraction. Qi Yunhe's mood gradually relaxed. He resumed his high-minded demeanor, hands behind his back, and coughed loudly before walking forward.

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