Proofreader & Editor : Howard Wong

"Shu Mountain, ah…"

As Master Sun watched the young figures in the arena, he sighed deeply:

"For some reason, ever since Shu Mountain lost the Demon Suppression Tower, it's been increasingly disadvantaged in the struggle for key resources, and the sect's strength has been waning. If it were any other sect, they might have gradually declined and vanished from the stage of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, as per the laws of heaven. But every few decades, Shu Mountain always produces one or a few exceptional talents capable of revitalizing the sect, holding up its banner against fate."

What he expressed was a common law in the world of cultivation. No matter how prosperous a sect once was, after reaching a peak and starting to decline, it was destined to fade from history.

There was no need to lament this. It has always been the case, just like the once-great Heavenly Star Sect. How could any sect remain invincible forever?

Yet, after thousands of years of prosperity, Shu Mountain, despite suffering a severe setback that should have signaled its exit, always had one or two individuals who refused to let it fade away, propping up the sect at critical moments.

"Indeed, sixty years ago, there were Feng, Master Yan, and that man. Now, sixty years later, we have Jiang Yuebai, Xu Ziyang, and Chu Liang…" Master Huang nodded in agreement. "The similarity is striking."

"It's like the embers of a flame, seemingly dead, but a gust of wind can reignite a dazzling light," continued Master Sun.

"Perhaps this is the legacy of a sect's spirit," mused Master Huang. "A prodigy can protect a sect for hundreds of years, a divine artifact for thousands, but only the spirit can be passed down through the ages."

"The spirit of Shu Mountain…" murmured Master Sun.

"Wang Xuanling! Speak up!"

"…"

Amidst the elders' contemplation, a haughty shout from Di Nvfeng broke the silence, causing them to fall silent.

Di Nvfeng looked down at Wang Xuanling, "Little Wang, no need to look so glum. Once I become the head, I won't target you."

Wang Xuanling, his face ashen, finally spoke after a long pause: "Don't be arrogant yet. Our bet was that if your disciple takes the top spot, I would relinquish the position of peak leader to you."

Di Nvfeng recalled the bet, and indeed, it was so.

At the time of their heated wager, Wang Xuanling had been concerned about a direct confrontation between their disciples, fearing that his from Silver Sword Peak might be eliminated before even facing those from Jade Sword Peak.

Thus, the bet was about whose disciple would claim the top spot.

Now, although Chu Liang had defeated Xu Ziyang, Wang Xuanling had only lost the chance to win, not yet assuredly lost.

His foresight had become his lifeline.

"Hmph," Di Nvfeng conceded, nodding. "We'll see."

After a pause, she turned to Master Yan, "But it makes no difference whether my disciple or Yan Zi's wins, our two peaks are family."

Master Yan's pupils visibly shrank, her lips quivering as if to say, "Who's your family?" But she restrained herself, turning away, pretending not to hear.

Wang Xuanling, feeling suffocated, stood up and flew down to the arena.

Xu Ziyang, just finished being bandaged by his fellow sect members, walked down weakly. Seeing Wang Xuanling's grim face, he bowed slightly, "Master, I failed to win."

"How are your injuries?" Wang Xuanling asked.

"Just surface wounds, nothing serious," Xu Ziyang replied.

"That's good," Wang Xuanling didn't scold him, merely saying, "A single win or loss doesn't mean much, don't take it to heart."

"I understand…" Xu Ziyang looked up at his master, seeing a face filled with unhappiness… even a hint of grievance, the first time he'd seen such an expression on his master's face.

Xu Ziyang's lips quivered, unsure whether to speak.

Master, it's you who shouldn't take it to heart.

…

This defeat didn't hit Xu Ziyang as hard as expected. He had never known defeat since his debut, always seen as Shu Mountain's rising cultivation star.

Both the world and his own heart had placed great pressure on him, feeling like a heavy burden on his shoulders.

But the moment he fell, a childhood memory flashed in his mind – lying lazily on the grass behind Jade Sword Peak, watching clouds drift in the blue sky, feeling as carefree as those clouds.

Such peace had only been felt then.

As his extraordinary talents in cultivation emerged, the expectations of his master and Shu Mountain grew, sometimes expectations weighing more than commands.

Revitalizing Shu Mountain's glory seemed his destined mission.

Yet, when he fell, he felt an unexpected relief. Shu Mountain didn't need just him to bear its banner; others could do it, maybe even better.

As for Chu Liang, Xu Ziyang had always had a good impression of him.

Though a righteous man, he didn't disdain Chu Liang's style, even admiring his creativity and boundless ideas.

Losing to such an opponent wasn't so hard to accept.

Of course, learning from shame and striving for improvement was necessary.

He would certainly cultivate more diligently upon returning, though this battle wasn't lost due to a lack of cultivation level… At least he learned never to underestimate any opponent.

Fight as fiercely as a lion, even against a rabbit.

Throughout the match, his initial underestimation of Chu Liang had put him at a disadvantage, unable to recover from wave after wave of attacks. Even now, there were techniques he hadn't used.

Not that he didn't want to, but having lost the initiative from the start, Chu Liang never gave him a chance. This was just a summit competition, where Chu Liang still avoided his vital points. In the broader world, who would hold back?

These were lessons for reflection. For now, he walked straight back to the Jade Sword Peak group.

As the day's competition ended and the audience dispersed, the Jade Sword Peak disciples, all concerned, waited for him.

Everyone knew, their senior brother had never lost. Today's defeat, against the odds, worried them all.

Xu Ziyang approached, calm as the clouds, "Let's go."

"Huh?" Xu Ziyang's sister, Xu Ziqing, was taken aback. "Go where?"

"Back to Jade Sword Peak, of course." Xu Ziyang patted her head, adding, "I feel like having hotpot."

"Hehe." Seeing her brother seemingly unaffected, Xu Ziqing brightened up immediately, "Yes, let's!"

The siblings, surrounded by their fellow disciples, headed back to Jade Sword Peak. On the way, Xu Ziyang whispered, "Chu Liang's quite good. If you like him, I support you."

"Huh?" Xu Ziqing's eyebrows shot up, "What are you talking about, brother?"

Her reaction caught Xu Ziyang off guard. "Aren't you…"

"How could I possibly like Senior Chu? He already has someone," Xu Ziqing asserted confidently.

"Really?" Xu Ziyang asked, "Who is it?"

"Hehe," Xu Ziqing grinned smugly, "I know, but I won't tell."