Chapter Seventy-Four: The Fish Leaps Over the Dragon Gate

Dong! Dong! Dong! The evening bell tolled three times. Lin Feng, who was busy packing his belongings in the small hut, gently lifted his head. It had been two days since the contest at Serpent Vine Valley, yet the events still felt like a dream, unreal and distant...

After his utter defeat, Nangong Ke finally knelt and admitted his loss. In that moment, thunderous applause erupted throughout Serpent Vine Valley, as countless outer sect disciples rushed to spread the news across the entire Tianmen Peak.

High in the clouds, Feng Yiyuan watched from afar, let out a sharp whistle, and rode the wind away on his sword.

“Did you see clearly?” In the radiant Grand Hall of Junzi Peak, Jun Wujie asked in a calm tone.

Standing below, Feng Yiyuan replied in a clear voice, “Disciple saw it clearly. Lin Feng has indeed mastered the Earthly Azure Flame. All the outer sect disciples were present and can testify.”

“You may go.”

“Yes, Master. I take my leave.” Feng Yiyuan bowed respectfully and exited the sacred hall.

Jun Wujie lowered his eyes, and a quiet smile blossomed on his handsome face as he murmured, “This time, I wonder which junior brother will manage to win him over.”

Moments later, dazzling beams of light shot up from Heaven Pillar Peak, Longxiang Peak, and Hibiscus Peak, merging in front of Junzi Peak—white, green, and yellow rays converging and darting straight into the Grand Hall.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Sect Master,” the three heads—Yan Dongjue, Qin Menglan, and Huichunshan—bowed together.

“Brothers and sister, be at ease. I have called you here regarding the matter of the outer sect disciple, Lin Feng.” Jun Wujie gestured for them to sit, turning to take his place at the center seat.

Yan Dongjue’s face shifted, and he anxiously asked, “Senior Brother Sect Master, has Lin Feng committed some transgression?”

Jun Wujie smiled and waved his hand. “Your guess is mistaken this time. The reason I’ve called you is to see who among you wishes to take him as a disciple.”

Surprise flickered across their faces. Hibiscus Peak consisted solely of female disciples, so why had the Sect Master summoned Qin Menglan? Moreover, Lin Feng was merely an outer sect disciple who had not yet reached Foundation Establishment. Even if he qualified for the inner sect, by custom, he would join Longxiang Peak and only be chosen as a formal disciple after breaking through and demonstrating exceptional talent. What did the Sect Master intend by this?

Yan Dongjue spoke up, “Senior Brother Sect Master, at best, Lin Feng’s talent is above average, but still not on par with my own disciple Fang Xiaotian. His cultivation is among the lowest. Does he possess some remarkable quality?”

Jun Wujie laughed. “Indeed he does. An Innate Yang Body—does that suffice as a reason?”

“What!” All three faces paled simultaneously.

Among ordinary people, there exist various constitutions—metal, wood, water, fire, earth. Those with fiery tempers are often of the fire type, while gentle women are usually water type. Yet the Yang Body is exceptionally rare, and for someone to have cultivated such a constitution after birth is practically inconceivable.

Huichunshan, head of Longxiang Peak, chuckled. “Senior Brother Sect Master, you know well that my disciples are few and far between. Why not let Lin Feng join Longxiang Peak? With a Yang Body, he’d be perfect for alchemy and medicine.”

Jun Wujie nodded slowly. Huichunshan had only three talented disciples, making his peak the sparsest of the four.

Before the Sect Master could reply, Yan Dongjue declared loudly, “Such excellent material cannot be wasted in the flames of alchemy! Would we not be mocked for misusing talent? Senior Brother Sect Master, Lin Feng is proud and willful, but if he joins my peak, I will see to his proper discipline. Please, grant me this request.”

“What? Brother! You already have a handful of disciples. Can’t you let me have this one? Senior Brother Sect Master, I promise not to make him tend the furnace. Let him come to me,” Huichunshan objected urgently.

Jun Wujie smiled silently, shaking his head at the two. Suddenly, Yan Dongjue stood and said, “Senior Brother Sect Master, though I have many disciples, my discipline is strict. At Huichunshan’s peak, the alchemy tasks are numerous and oversight is lax. If you assign him to me, I will personally teach him the Immortal-Slaying Sword Technique!”

Jun Wujie pondered with a smile, while Huichunshan cursed his luck but found no words to refute. As expected, the Sect Master announced, “So be it, just this once. Yan Dongjue, you must cultivate him well. Huichunshan, fetch a Foundation Establishment Pill for Lin Feng to aid his progress.”

Huichunshan sighed, grabbed the Free Spirit Gourd, and was about to take out a pill when Yan Dongjue interrupted, “No need, Junior Brother. With his Yang Body, he shouldn’t require a Foundation Pill. Leave it to me.”

Huichunshan snorted, turned away, and brooded in silence, thinking, “If you don’t want it, all the better for me.”

The Sect Master laughed, “That concludes this matter. There is another task for you all. After the outer sect’s selection next month, each of the four peaks is to send an elite disciple to lead a team for training in the Divine Continent. Let us settle the roster now. Junzi Peak will be led by Yiyuan. What do you all think?”

Yan Dongjue replied, “Excellent. Tianzhu Peak shall be led by Xiaotian. What about you, brother and sister?”

Huichunshan glared at him, tossing his long beard over his shoulder in irritation. “I have no one. Longxiang Peak will not participate—you can send Cang Bailang in my place!”

Yan Dongjue fell silent, casting a pleading glance at the Sect Master, who chuckled, “There’s no need for that, Huichunshan. Next time you may choose first.”

Appeased, Huichunshan agreed, “Very well, I’ll send Yingming then.” He turned to Qin Menglan, signaling it was her turn.

The Fairy of Hibiscus Peak smiled gently, “From my peak, let Yuxi go.”

Jun Wujie rose, palms joined in a serene smile. “Good. With these matters settled, Yan Dongjue, you’re in charge of Lin Feng’s induction. Seek assistance from the elders if necessary.”

Yan Dongjue stood and accepted the order.

Jun Wujie nodded, waved them off, and departed for the inner hall, with the rest voicing their farewells in unison. Once he had vanished, Huichunshan joked, “Not long ago you wanted him punished, yet now you fight to take him as your disciple. Where’s your pride now?”

“You—mind your own business!” Yan Dongjue snorted and strode away with a sweeping sleeve.

Dusk shrouded the sky. After a hearty drink with Du Songsong, Lin Feng and Wuzhui returned to their quarters, preparing to rest. Suddenly, Wuzhui, ever alert, felt his eyelid twitch and said sternly, “Who’s there!”

“Hm?” Lin Feng spun around, pupils contracting, ready for action.

“So, you two have courage, sneaking around Tianmen Peak at will!” Out of the dimness, Yan Dongjue, dressed in plain hemp robes, stepped across a hundred yards in a single stride, appearing before them.

Wuzhui was about to attack when Lin Feng seized his arm. Facing such a formidable authority of the Hundred Flowers Sect, Lin Feng couldn’t suppress a trace of anxiety, instinctively clenching his fists.

“Answer me—why are you consorting with a demon beast?” Yan Dongjue demanded coldly.

“Wuzhui was picked up by me. He has just survived his tribulation and taken human form. Surely, senior, you can distinguish between man and demon? Demonic cultivators also seek the path to immortality—how is that consorting?” Lin Feng met his gaze, his voice neither servile nor overbearing.

Yan Dongjue’s brows shot up. “Are you lecturing me? Hmph! Do you think I don’t know what he is? Never mind that for now. You have two days to settle your affairs. After that, report with Fang Xiaotian to my Tianzhu Peak. Do not be late. As for him, leaving a demon beast in the outer sect is a disaster waiting to happen—bring him with you for proper instruction.”

Lin Feng was stunned, his body trembling. He couldn’t find words for a moment. This had come so suddenly, catching him utterly unprepared. To join the inner sect—was this not the dream he’d longed for day and night? Now that it was coming true, his mind was in turmoil.

“Hmph!” Yan Dongjue glanced at the pair and added, “Do not make a fuss of this yet. Wait until you are formally accepted as disciples.” With another cold snort and a wave of his sleeve, he vanished into the night.

“Big brother, who was that? Is he going to take us as disciples?” After a long silence, Wuzhui finally asked, seeing Lin Feng still lost in thought.

“Ah… Probably, maybe.” Lin Feng’s eyes widened suddenly. “Oh no, oh no! If I become his disciple, I’m bound to suffer!”

He remembered clearly that day in the Grand Hall, how Yan Dongjue’s fierce questioning had nearly brought him to trial before the Sect Master, and during the alchemy event, his display of the Tenfold Immortal-Slaying Sword had left everyone in awe.

What a mighty elder! In that instant, Lin Feng’s heart surged with excitement. Ten years of dreams were about to come true. To enter the inner sect in such a manner—no amount of hardship or trials would matter.

The night was beautiful, the stars sparkling, the bright moon high above. What would tomorrow—what would the tomorrows to come—bring?

Beneath the mountains, two figures gazed at the moon, quiet smiles blooming on their faces.