When the man in black stepped out, his impossible-to-ignore presence swept through the area at once, drawing the attention of both new arrivals toward him.
The youthful, white-haired cultivator asked, “Is that Yun Lie?”
The resolute-looking man nodded. “He’s been overseeing the disciple recruitment these past few days. It must be about time for him to submit his report.”
Both were members of Peak of Discipline. The young-faced, white-haired man was Yuan Taihe, a middle Golden Core cultivator and the ninth-ranked Steward of Discipline. The resolute man was Zeng Yi, whose cultivation had reached the peak of middle Golden Core, and who occupied the sixth seat among the Stewards of Discipline. Both were renowned sword cultivators.
Several days earlier, they had heard that a young man at the peak of Core Transformation had been exceptionally promoted into Peak of Discipline because of his formidable fighting strength. Even though he held the lowest rank, he was clearly extraordinary, and they had naturally been curious. But Peak of Discipline had its own rules. The Steward of Discipline who had tested Yun Lie by receiving his moves was actually a member of the third grade.
This brought up the various ranks within Peak of Discipline.
Leaving aside the Disciplinary Hall’s master and disciplinary elders, there were forty-nine Stewards of Discipline, all Golden Core cultivators, divided into three grades.
The first grade comprised four people, all at late Golden Core. The second grade numbered nine, all at middle Golden Core. The third grade comprised thirty-six people, all at early Golden Core.
Even the people of Peak of Discipline prioritized their own cultivation. The higher their rank, the less often they were called upon to act. Thus, the thirty-six stewards of the third grade were in fact the busiest.
Yuan Taihe and Zeng Yi both belonged to the second grade. Unless a particularly difficult opponent appeared, they rarely needed to intervene. As a result, neither had witnessed Yun Lie’s abilities during his admission.
They were all outstanding geniuses, and Peak of Discipline was filled entirely with sword cultivators. How could sword cultivators hear that someone had mastered a legendary Sword Dao believed impossible to advance in without wanting to see for themselves?
Yet the Stewards of Discipline were mostly solitary people. They had more than enough to do with cultivation and assignments, and hardly ever saw one another. Apart from having been present when Yun Lie was admitted to Peak of Discipline, as required of all the Stewards of Discipline, they had had no real contact with him at all.
Now that they had chanced to meet, they could scarcely avoid paying him some attention.
What interested Yuan Taihe even more, however, was that after coming out, Yun Lie did not spare the two very much alive men a single glance. Instead, he directed all his attention toward the youth beneath the tree, who might not even still be alive… How very strange.
Wasn’t this fellow supposed to cultivate the Sword Dao of Merciless Slaughter? Could someone who practiced such a path actually have a person he cared about?
Thinking this, Yuan Taihe lost the urge to greet him. He tugged at Zeng Yi’s arm, and the two stood off to one side.
Zeng Yi did not understand. “What is it?”
Yuan Taihe smiled. “Just watch.”
Zeng Yi had known him for years and recognized the look that meant his companion’s curiosity had been aroused. He said nothing more and watched as instructed.
They saw Yun Lie take several steps forward, stopping five or six paces away from the green-robed youth and standing motionless.
Yuan Taihe laughed. “Is he standing guard over someone’s cultivation?”
Zeng Yi nodded. “Yun Lie isn’t quite as the rumors say…” He frowned, searching for words. “…someone who recognizes neither family nor friends?”
Yuan Taihe smiled. “Who knows?”
While the two watched from the side, the young man beneath the tree was passing through an extraordinarily dangerous moment.
His face shifted between green and red. At one moment, a vast flood of vicious energy seemed ready to burst out of him; at the next, his expression was calm, as though he were concentrating on withstanding the assault, steady as a boulder.
Nobody normally dared touch the Buddha-Heart Tree in front of the Disciplinary Hall. The severed heads hanging from its branches belonged to vicious criminals or people filled with tremendous resentment. The resentment they left behind after death was stored within the tree for a particular purpose.
Few knew what that purpose was. But everyone on Peak of Discipline knew that, although there were no restrictions before the Buddha-Heart Tree, it must not be treated lightly. Those who survived its ordeal could temper their will; those who failed would certainly die.
Yet some people did not know.
For example, someone like Xu Ziqing, who accompanied a senior brother or senior sister to Peak of Discipline on an errand. Others came under their master’s orders. If no one warned such visitors and they could not restrain their curiosity, they might suffer an ordeal at the hands of the Buddha-Heart Tree for no good reason.
As for why the Buddha-Heart Tree had never awakened its intelligence… Its name explained its nature. Possessing a Buddha’s heart, it took upon itself the duty of suppressing demons and wickedness. And it lived according to the principle, ‘If I do not enter hell, who will?’ enduring the agony of demonic thoughts gnawing at its heart.
Yet Heaven was merciful. It had withdrawn the Buddha-Heart Tree’s intelligence, transforming it into a Buddha among trees. Without consciousness, it knew no troubles. Only its instinct to suppress demons and evil thoughts remained, so it could live on forever, enduring without end.
After watching for a while, Yuan Taihe suddenly said, “That youth has good aptitude. He’s even taking this chance to break through.” Most disciples who touched the tree by mistake counted themselves lucky simply to survive. He had never expected anyone to attempt such a daring feat.
A trace of admiration entered Zeng Yi’s eyes. “Indeed, his nature is remarkably tenacious.”
The two had misunderstood Xu Ziqing somewhat and consequently developed a favorable impression of him. Little did they know that he had not chosen this ordeal willingly at all. It was the trouble stirred up by the unruly demon vine in his dantian that had forced him into such desperate measures.
But whatever the misunderstanding, the outcome was what it was. Perhaps that, too, was a kind of fate.
About another hour passed. The air around the youth beneath the tree swirled, accelerating and slowing, gathering and dispersing irregularly. Then it burst apart with a sudden crack, like shattering glass, and his cultivation realm advanced naturally.
He had reached middle Foundation Establishment.
The youth opened his eyes. Green radiance gradually faded from them, and he seemed to spot the stern man standing before him immediately. The calm in his gaze rippled, and a hint of shame appeared.
Yuan Taihe found it quite amusing and laughed.
Xu Ziqing had finally subdued the chaotic energies within his body. He collected his thoughts, settled his breathing, and calmed himself.
Having just broken through, he ought to have continued circulating his technique to stabilize his cultivation. But now he dared not do so. His senior brother might return from his duties at any moment. If Senior Brother Yun saw what had happened, then truly…
Unexpectedly, when Xu Ziqing opened his eyes, Yun Lie was already standing before him.
An intense wave of shame rose from the depths of his heart.
Seeing his expression, Yun Lie said coldly, “You were far too careless.”
Xu Ziqing lowered his head. “Senior Brother’s reprimand is deserved. I really was careless.”
He had assumed that anything openly displayed within their own sect would probably not be particularly dangerous. He had therefore abandoned his usual vigilance and reached out to touch the tree directly… After causing these consequences, he could hardly call himself innocent of the trouble.
Having given his warning, Yun Lie did not lecture him further. “Come back with me.”
Xu Ziqing rose quietly. “Yes, Senior Brother Yun.”
He sighed inwardly. His senior brother’s refusal to scold him at length only made him more uneasy and ashamed.
When they departed, Yun Lie did not summon the puppet black vulture. He simply rose with the wind. Xu Ziqing hurried after him, following closely and not daring to fall behind in the least.
Yuan Taihe and Zeng Yi had watched Yun Lie offer Xu Ziqing instruction, then leave without another word, seemingly oblivious to anyone around them. The two exchanged glances.
“He just left like that?” Yuan Taihe exclaimed, his smile fading in surprise. “The two of us are standing right here in plain sight! Did Yun Lie truly not notice us?”
Zeng Yi replied, “Perhaps he simply didn’t wish to acknowledge us.”
Yuan Taihe shook his head. “I thought we’d have a chance to get acquainted with him and see what kind of person he is. Who would have expected him to be so… so…”
Apparently unable to find the proper word, he smiled and let the thought go unfinished.
Zeng Yi said, “Clearly he’s difficult to approach. If you want to compare swords with him, there’s no need to rush.”
Yuan Taihe glanced at him. “Don’t tell me you don’t want a match with him yourself?”
Zeng Yi replied, “At the sect’s grand competition, we’re all Golden Core cultivators. There’ll surely be an opportunity.”
After considering it, Yuan Taihe said, “That’s true. Let’s finish the duties we have in hand first.”
With that, the two dragged their black dragons toward the entrance to the Disciplinary Hall.
The great men bound within the black dragons were all unconscious. Whatever method had been used on them had left no injuries visible anywhere on their bodies…
Xu Ziqing followed Yun Lie, aware of his mistake and silently reflecting upon it.
Yun Lie led the way. Judging by their direction, they were not headed for Little Slaughter Peak, but for Little Bamboo Peak.
Xu Ziqing was briefly startled, then began to look forward to their destination.
He had already been in the Wuling Immortal Sect for half a month, but because he spent each day practicing swordsmanship and cultivating with his senior brother, he had scarcely had any opportunity to pay his master a visit.
Although Perfected Master Qiu He possessed a different constitution from Xu Ziqing’s and could not personally instruct him in the foundations of his cultivation, he had done everything else that a master could for him.
Xu Ziqing consequently respected him deeply and missed him somewhat.
They soon reached Little Bamboo Peak. Yun Lie waved his sleeve in midair, and the mountain-protecting formation immediately opened.
They became streaks of golden and green light and descended directly to the mountainside.
The scenery on Little Bamboo Peak was beautiful, especially halfway up the mountain.
Seven or eight young women had been practicing techniques and sword moves together. Suddenly they all felt a familiar chill run through their bodies, startling them sharply.
One young woman raised her head and saw a black-clad man radiating coldness descend not far away. Her pretty face instantly blanched. “Eldest Senior Brother is here!”
The others stiffened. Awkwardly and obediently, they lined up on either side, scarcely daring to breathe. “E-Eldest Senior Brother…”
Yun Lie said nothing and walked straight ahead.
Xu Ziqing was speechless. After hurrying after him for a few steps, he glanced to either side and said gently, “Junior Sisters, there’s no need to announce us. Senior Brother and I can go inside by ourselves.”
At the sound of his warm voice, the frightened female cultivators finally began recovering.
One bolder girl lifted her head. Seeing that their eldest senior brother had already walked away, while the newly arrived second senior brother was still comforting them, she finally smiled. “Yes. Thank you, Second Senior Brother.”
The young women drew nearer and spoke together. “Thank you, Second Senior Brother!” For a moment, they seemed ready to surround him again.
Now it was Xu Ziqing’s turn to be caught off guard. He hurriedly responded several times before making his escape and rushing after Yun Lie.