Chapter 35

(The turning point is basically over, written for four hours. Next, the exciting story begins. Please give recommendations and favorites.)

Qingyang Palace was desolate, with weeds covering the ground.

In front of the Qingyang Hall, Su Qignian and the other two exchanged glances, their hearts trembling. The Golden Summit Taihe Palace, for any novice disciple or visitor to Wudang, was impossible to ignore, and it was a place that required heartfelt pilgrimage.

The Golden Summit Taihe Palace was the holy land of all Wudang people, the residence of the successive Three Mad Daoists.

The Taihe Palace carried the dreams of countless Wudang people.

The Three Mad Daoists were not just successors but were better than successors. They were the preachers, protectors, and the highest achievers of martial arts in Wudang.

Throughout the generations of Wudang, the peaks and ridges pursued, besides slaying demons and eliminating evil, the goal was to take charge of the Golden Summit Taihe Palace, inheriting the legacy of the previous Three Mad Daoist. Even for the masters of the various peaks, even if they attained the pinnacle of the martial arts, they did not have the qualifications to step into the Taihe Palace.

Each generation of the Three Mad Daoists was a grandmaster who could turn the tide of fate.

The grandmasters of fate were the strongest forces in the human world, comparable to the emperors of the demon race. They could swallow the sun and moon and the rosy dawn with their breath, destroy mountains with a glance, and make the sun and moon dim and the stars fade with a roar.

They could even control fate and change the national fortune, and except for the inability to achieve immortality, they were comparable to the ancient gods in the mythological book "Classic of Mountains and Seas."

According to legend, once a martial artist reached the realm of fate, they could capture the river of destiny and see many things that ordinary people could not see.

...

Jinguang Zhenren was silent; this was clearly not good news. Did the one in the Taihe Palace foresee something?

However, he soon shook his head. Even a grandmaster of fate could not see through another's destiny, just like the feng shui masters in the world, who followed the direction of the Heavenly Dao and could grasp a thread of destiny, but compared to ordinary feng shui masters who studied the Yi Dao, the grandmasters of fate grasped a clearer trajectory, but that was all.

"Master, these two can wait until they successfully build their foundation, even ten years would be fine. If they cannot reach the first-class Hanyuan realm by then, we will select excellent disciples from our respective peaks to take over the Qingyang Palace," Jinguang Zhenren said. As soon as he spoke, Su Qignian felt his mental energy in the ancestral acupoint stir, with a faint sense of foreboding.

"But this young man is different!"

Jinguang Zhenren's gaze fell on Su Qignian, changing the subject.

Not good!

Su Qignian's heart sank, knowing it was not good.

The other five peak masters also looked at him. The old Daoist from Huixian Peak frowned slightly, while the other four peak masters shook their heads.

"That's right. I heard that this boy is not an outer disciple of Wudang but a suspended death row inmate from Xiaoyao Valley named Su Qignian," the Jima Peak master said. He was a short, bearded old Daoist with large, fierce eyes, like a dragon or tiger. He shook his head with some dissatisfaction: "Wudang's reputation of over five thousand years cannot be defiled. A suspended death row inmate cannot inherit Wudang's martial arts and take charge of a peak. No way! Absolutely not!"

"Our martial arts sects and families have always stayed out of the political arena. If this boy takes charge of a lineage and successfully builds his foundation next year, it will likely bring trouble, which would be detrimental to Wudang," said Jiudu Peak's master, a Daoist nun who looked to be over sixty. Her eyes were cold, and her aura was strong. Standing in mid-air, she was like a sharp sword out of its sheath, and wherever her gaze fell, there was a sharp edge. She was not polite at all, looking at Su Qignian with impatience.

"Master, please think carefully," Jinguang Zhenren said again. "I have heard of this boy occasionally. In Xiaoyao Valley, he is mockingly called Su Qier, and people say he has no blood or spirit, not even as good as a beggar. Now it seems there are some secrets about him. The Ministry of Punishments has a document stating that his father, Su Wangsheng, was imprisoned for colluding with the demonic path and stealing three top-tier demonic martial arts from the imperial armory. He is on a five-year suspended sentence. Regardless of the rights and wrongs, Wudang, as a legitimate Daoist sect, must be cautious of the demonic path's cunning."

Demonic path!

When Jinguang Zhenren finished speaking, the peak masters and even the old Daoist from Huixian Peak showed a look of surprise, then their expressions became serious. If it involved the demonic path, it could not be taken lightly. The inheritance of this lineage was no small matter. It could be refined over time, but there could be no mistakes.

"This Jinguang Zhenren has deep scheming. He seems casual but is actually harboring ulterior motives. I, a suspended death row inmate from Xiaoyao Valley, am insignificant to such a top-tier figure, yet he knows everything about me, while the other lineage masters know nothing. The Confucianists say that human hearts are as treacherous as deep waters, capable of burying lives, and Wudang is no exception," Su Qignian thought, already preparing for the worst.

"Master!"

Qing Yu and the other two almost spoke at the same time, but once they opened their mouths, they didn't know what to say. They were insignificant and had no influence in front of the master and the peak masters.

After a moment's hesitation, Ning Tong Daoist said, "A suspended death row inmate from Xiaoyao Valley taking charge of a peak is unprecedented in Wudang's history... "

Indeed!

Su Qignian took a deep breath. His expression remained unchanged, and his gaze became even more calm. Standing in front of the Qingyang Hall, his spine was straight, and even the peak masters showed a hint of admiration. Regardless of other factors, the temperament and character of this young man were already evident.

However, Jinguang Zhenren's pupils subtly contracted because Ning Tong Daoist spoke again.

"However, since Wudang's founding, we have been rooted in Tai Chi and Yin-Yang, embracing all rivers. The Heavenly Dao also has a thread of hope. Young man, I will give you two choices. The first is that I will now strip you of the inheritance mark and give you ten Kai Tian Pills to help you build your foundation. If you succeed, you can be removed from the criminal register and enter the outer court."

"The second choice is to give you five years. If you fail to build your foundation within five years, that's fine. If you succeed but do not reach the first-class realm, you will not be allowed to step out of Wudang Mountain for the rest of your life. You will devote yourself to martial arts research in the Qingyang Palace, and all past events will be forgotten."

"The second choice." Su Qignian spoke without hesitation.

He wanted to force himself. Gradual progress might not give him a chance, but a desperate move could offer a glimmer of hope. Moreover, after witnessing the power of a top-tier Yuan Shen figure, Su Qignian no longer had any confidence. Previously, he thought reaching the second-class realm would be enough, but now it seemed laughable.

The Great Han Dynasty had stood for over five thousand years, coexisting peacefully with various martial arts sects and families, without interfering with each other. This was due to a profound foundation that could suppress all variables. Su Qignian suddenly felt a suffocating pressure, realizing that even if he became a first-class figure, it would be of little use. The only thing he valued now was the identity of the master of the Qingyang Peak lineage, which might still carry some weight.

...

Jinguang Zhenren's gaze became even deeper, but he did not speak again.

The five peak masters also finally put aside their contempt and seriously examined Su Qignian. His decisiveness made them take notice.

"Since that's the case, this matter is settled. Except for those in seclusion, all will witness this, and it will be announced throughout Wudang from today," Ning Tong Daoist said. His gaze retracted, and he turned and walked, as if ascending a heavenly ladder. With one step, he rose hundreds of feet into the clouds, clearly demonstrating the famous Wudang top-tier step technique, the "Cloud Ascending Step".

Jinguang Zhenren snorted and turned, transforming into a brilliant golden light that vanished into the void.

The five peak masters did not say much, just giving Su Qignian and the others a deep look before leaving. Entrusting the Qingyang Peak lineage to three uninitiated juniors for ten years, even with the approval of the one in the Taihe Palace, was a cause for concern, as the outcome was uncertain.

Pang!

After the real people left, the fat man finally couldn't hold it and sat down on the ground. He panted heavily, feeling suffocated even with the protection of the Qingyang Sword Seal, his heart pounding in his throat.

Qing Yu also took several deep breaths, his chest heaving. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took three steps forward, patted Su Qignian's shoulder twice, and nodded at him. (The turning point is basically over, written for four hours. Next, the exciting story begins. Please give recommendations and favorites.)