Changming Peak

Ning Fan believed he had already displayed sufficient talent. Now was the time to demonstrate an attitude of irreconcilable enmity toward the Zhao family.

With that, the forces hostile to the Zhao family would be highly likely to assist him!

Allowing him to grow was essentially "helping" the Zhao family raise a massive calamity. Any power wishing to undermine the Zhao family would never let such an opportunity slip by.

After all, protecting Ning Fan was not difficult. Conversely, if the Zhao family wanted to kill him, they would have to violate Sect rules and dispatch a martial cultivator whose strength completely crushed his.

The Zhao family's enemies only needed to keep an eye on them and prevent them from breaking the Sect's rules, and they would successfully nurture a great foe for the Zhao family.

Why wouldn't they gladly do so?

On the other hand.

If he swallowed his anger and failed to make his stance clear, the powers hostile to the Zhao family might not offer their unwavering support.

"Is no one making an offer?"

Ignoring the crowd's reactions, Ning Fan swept his gaze over the assembly and spoke in a clear voice.

Silence.

No one answered.

What a joke.

Ning Fan making an enemy of the Zhao family was a matter of having no other choice. If given an option, no one would openly stand against the Zhao family.

Replying to Ning Fan right in front of a Zhao family Dao Master was tantamount to declaring war on the Zhao family. Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance of drawing a Dao Master's resentment, it was absolutely not worth the risk. No matter how enticing Zhao Qi's Dao companion was, no one dared to make an offer.

"Tch."

Ning Fan lightly clicked his tongue. It seemed selling off Zhao Qi's Dao companion today was unrealistic, but it did not matter.

He held a living person captive; would he really be unable to exchange her for cultivation resources?

"Wretched boy."

"You will regret this."

The old woman stared deeply at Ning Fan, completely concealing her emotions. She looked at him with an expression as placid as an ancient well.

"Then we shall see."

Ning Fan met her gaze without the slightest hint of fear.

In the next moment.

The old woman tapped her dragon-head walking stick. A plume of black smoke rose from beneath her feet, engulfing both her and Zhao Qi before soaring into the sky.

In the blink of an eye, they vanished without a trace.

...

Ning Fan stared deeply in the direction where the old woman and Zhao Qi had disappeared, a heavy gloom settling in his eyes. This enemy was truly a headache.

But there was no helping it.

"Disciple Ning Fan, let us go. Return to the peak with me."

Yin Fengyue looked at Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao.

"Yes."

"Yes, Peak Master."

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao replied in unison. The crowd parted to make way; Yin Fengyue walked at the forefront, with Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao following closely behind.

As for Zhao Qi's Dao companion, she was reluctantly dragged along by Ning Fan.

The distance from the fork to each Main Peak was roughly the same; the only difference lay in their specific locations.

For instance, Yin-Yang Peak and Profound Female Peak were situated at the center of the Yin Yang Divine Sect, close to core areas like the bustling pavilions. In contrast, Changming Peak rested at the Sect's edge, making it relatively desolate.

Arriving at Changming Peak, Ning Fan gained a much deeper understanding of its quietness. After passing through the peak's gate and walking along the mountain path, they encountered very few disciples.

Thirty or so?

Ning Fan did not count carefully, but it should be around that number. For a Main Peak, this population was simply far too low.

"This is the disciples' living area. We will arrange a cave dwelling for you shortly. There is no need to return to the new disciples' quarters."

Yin Fengyue explained, gesturing to the rows of cave dwellings halfway up the mountain.

"Many thanks, Peak Master."

Ning Fan cupped his fists in a bow.

Continuing upwards from the mountainside, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao spotted a martial arena, an alchemy hall, and other facilities. Essentially, whatever a Main Peak was supposed to have, Changming Peak had.

It was, after all, one of the great Main Peaks of the Yin Yang Divine Sect; it could not be lacking in the essentials.

"Here is our Changming Peak's Martial Skills Pavilion."

Yin Fengyue came to a halt before a certain plot of land. Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao exchanged a glance, both utterly stunned.

This was the Martial Skills Pavilion?

Had they not been told, they would have assumed it was an ancient battlefield that had endured a bitter war. Broken walls, shattered ruins, and all manner of dilapidated sights were strewn everywhere.

It looked exactly like a massive junkyard.

Hiss-

Suddenly, as if recalling something, Ning Fan drew a sharp breath and tentatively asked.

"Could these be..."

"Correct. They are all items from the ancient ruins."

Yin Fengyue nodded.

Her gaze grew profound as she looked at Ning Fan. In the past, ancient ruins and whatever items they produced were nothing more than a pile of junk.

But now, things were different.

Ning Fan possessed the ability to comprehend martial skills from the stone stele's text. Perhaps the items produced from other ancient ruins could also be deciphered by him.

...

Ning Fan's eyes lit up. He was certain that Ye Honglian knew those ghost-like characters. This meant that as long as there was something useful within the ancient ruins, Ning Fan could crack it.

How was this a junkyard? This was an absolute treasure trove!

"No rush."

"Let us head to the main hall first. Your Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters have likely been waiting for some time."

Yin Fengyue looked up toward the peak's summit.

The summit.

That was where the main halls of the respective Main Peaks were located.

"Understood."

"We will follow your lead."

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao replied. The two followed closely behind Yin Fengyue, arriving at Changming Peak's main hall-the Changming Hall.

The Changming Hall was fairly magnificent, its overall architecture quite imposing.

It featured richly carved beams and painted pillars.

It did not disgrace the prestige of a Main Peak.

The moment Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao stepped into the great hall, two figures immediately lunged toward them. Before Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao could even react-

They were both pulled into tight hugs.

"Brother!"

"Sister!"

Enthusiastic greetings rang out from the two figures, accompanied by them throwing their arms around their shoulders. For a moment, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao were completely stunned.

What was going on!?

They were far too enthusiastic.

"Li Yunqi, Gu Mingyue, restrain yourselves a little. Do not frighten our new disciples. It took a great deal of effort to get such outstanding disciples to join our Changming Peak."

"If you scare them away, I will hold you both accountable."

Another voice rang out from the center of the hall, reprimanding the man and woman who were so affectionately hugging Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao.

"Back away."

"What kind of conduct is this!"

Yin Fengyue spoke in a stern tone. At her command, the pair finally grinned and released their grip on Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao's shoulders.

Yet, even as they let go, they continued to playfully wink at the two of them.

Despite Yin Fengyue's stern voice,

the disciples in the room did not display any fear on their faces. It seemed the atmosphere on Changming Peak was quite "relaxed."

"Let me introduce you."

"These two are Li Yunqi and Gu Mingyue. They oversee the distribution of cultivation resources on Changming Peak. If you need anything, you may ask them directly."

"But there is no guarantee they can satisfy your requests."

"As for those two further in..."

Yin Fengyue continued, looking toward the center of the hall.

Compared to the overly enthusiastic Li Yunqi and Gu Mingyue, the other pair of disciples in the center appeared much more composed and experienced.

"Lin Yu."

"Li Xiangnan."

"Please guide us."

"Please guide us."

"These two oversee the cultivation of Changming Peak's disciples. However, for now, that does not concern you. You do not need to follow the cultivation routines of ordinary disciples."

Yin Fengyue added.

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