Qi Yunke stepped forward as usual to mediate: "This Sima An is guilty of heinous crimes, and Brother Qiu acted out of righteous intentions. Since this matter is now settled, let us all proceed into the hall."
Song Shijun remained noncommittal, deciding to swallow his anger for now and bide his time.
Unexpectedly, Qiu Yuanfeng refused to let it go, his smile provocative: "Since Sect Leader Qi has spoken, Grand Beginning Temple naturally has no objections. However, I advise Sect Leader Song to thoroughly clean house upon your return..."
Song Shijun's face darkened: "What do you mean by that?"
Qiu Yuanfeng replied: "When Thunderbolt Village called for help, those who know might say Vast Heaven Gate was simply too busy with its vast operations to notice. But those who don't know might think Sima An bribed your sect's elders with enough gold and silver to turn a blind eye."
The insinuation was particularly venomous. Never in his life had Song Shijun endured such humiliation. Before he could erupt in anger, his eldest son Song Maozhi could no longer contain himself, cursing loudly: "Qiu, you're full of shit!"—Following his lead, Vast Heaven Gate's disciples surged forward, their voices raised in furious insults.
The many disciples Grand Beginning Temple had brought today weren't just for show either, and soon they retaliated with equal venom, shouting back just as loudly.
In no time, the front of Dusk Micro Palace resembled a bustling marketplace, filled with vulgar insults flying back and forth in a heated uproar. Fortunately, because of today's ceremony, all disciples were forbidden from using force—otherwise, the scene would have likely devolved into chaotic clashes long ago.
Shijing Yuantai remained silent, her head bowed in prayer—this was an internal conflict among the Big Dipper Six Sects, and outsiders naturally had no place to interfere. Only Venerable Fakong found the situation unbearable and urged Cang Qiongzi: "This matter is not for this old monk to meddle in, but infighting among brethren does not bode well for the righteous path. As the senior among the sect leaders, you should step forward and quell this dispute."
But Cang Qiongzi replied: "Nephew Yuanfeng acted righteously—should I, as his elder, reprimand him for that? Besides, I'm a cripple now. Even if I wanted to intervene, I couldn't."
Venerable Fakong shook his head, at a loss for words.
Watching this unfold, Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen frowned deeply, while Yang Heying quietly retreated a few steps, unwilling to get involved. Only Cai Pingchun stood by, unmoved.
On the other side, Ning Xiaofeng, bored out of her mind, had an attendant fetch a few oranges from an idle fruit basket outside. After tasting one, she found the oranges grown on Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff particularly sweet and delicious, so she instructed the attendant to send some to her daughter.
The attendant, arms full of oranges, arrived just in time to hear Chang Ning remark with barely concealed schadenfreude: "...Truly united as one, the Six Sects stand together." Turning his head, he saw the young girl clumsily picking at an orange peel piece by piece, so he snatched it away. "That's not how you peel an orange."
With practiced ease, he split the orange at its core, swiftly tearing the peel from both sides before placing the intact fruit in Cai Zhao's small, delicate palm, his tone laced with affection: "Here, eat."
The orange was indeed delicious, and Cai Zhao rewarded Chang Ning with a bright smile.
Seeing the girl's radiant expression, Chang Ning experienced for the first time in his life the peculiar joy of 'watching someone else eat being more satisfying than eating yourself.' Though he didn't understand why, he felt an inexplicable happiness and eagerly began peeling another orange.
Fan Xingjia: "..." To be honest, Senior Brother, I'm not very good at peeling oranges either.Ning Xiaofeng and her daughter were happily eating oranges when Yin Sulian could no longer contain herself. She rushed to the front and shrilled, "Today is the second anniversary of our ancestor's passing! If you want to make trouble, at least pick another day! Such disgraceful behavior, making a scene in front of our allied sects—are you deliberately trying to humiliate our Azure Tower Sect?!"
As the daughter of the Azure Tower Sect's former leader and wife of the current sect leader, Yin Sulian had been accustomed to giving orders for decades. The moment she spoke, Azure Tower disciples immediately began shouting for silence. Indeed, her move was clever—as a noblewoman with poor martial skills, if Qiu Yuanfeng confronted her directly, it would seem like bullying a woman. If he didn't refute her, he'd have to swallow his pride.
Unexpectedly, Qiu Yuanfeng turned his gaze and smiled, "Ah, Junior Sister Yin, has your Senior Brother Qiu returned today? Ah, come to think of it, it's been years since I last saw Brother Renjie."
At these words, Yin Sulian's face flushed crimson with shame and anger. Yet aside from some senior disciples, ninety percent of those present didn't understand Qiu Yuanfeng's implication.
"Who is this Qiu Renjie?" Cai Zhao also didn't know.
Fan Xingjia had actually heard some rumors but hesitated to speak.
"Qiu Renjie was the most outstanding among Old Sect Leader Yin Dai's seven disciples and originally the designated successor. My father said he was once betrothed to Madam Sulian," Chang Ning answered cheerfully.
"What happened then?"
"Then Sect Leader Qi broke through the meridian constraints of the 'Heavenly Fire Dragon,' made rapid progress in his divine skills, and astonished everyone during the Azure Tower Sect's grand competition, securing first place—after that, there was naturally no further development between Senior Brother Qiu and Madam Sulian."
Cai Zhao was taken aback and instinctively glanced at Qi Lingbo, Song Yuzhi, and even Dai Fengchi. "This Yin family really is..."
She suddenly thought of her mother, Ning Xiaofeng.
Within the six sects, probably no one was unaware of the enmity between Ning Xiaofeng and Yin Sulian. Ning Xiaofeng certainly knew about Yin Sulian's past, yet no matter how angry she got, she only mocked Yin Sulian for being ungrateful and two-faced, never mentioning Qiu Renjie in public.
Cai Zhao suddenly felt a surge of pride and cast a disdainful glance at Qiu Yuanfeng—for all his status as Grand Beginning Temple's leader, his pettiness couldn't even compare to her mother's!
Seeing Qiu Yuanfeng's disrespectful expression and insulting tone toward his wife, Qi Yunke finally grew angry. Drawing a deep breath, he bellowed, "This matter ends here!"—these six words resonated like a subterranean bell, each syllable imbued with immense pressure, startling everyone.
"The Thunderbolt Stronghold affair should be discussed and resolved between Vast Heaven Gate and Grand Beginning Temple. The Azure Tower Sect will not interfere. Eradicating evil and protecting the innocent is a noble cause—please, Temple Master Qiu, do not turn it into a weapon for scheming and expanding influence."
Qi Yunke fixed his gaze on Qiu Yuanfeng and enunciated each word: "I said this matter ends here. If there are other grievances, we'll address them another day—do you understand, Temple Master Qiu?"
After a long stare, Qiu Yuanfeng finally relented, his arrogant demeanor fading. "Very well, as the Sect Leader commands."
Song Shijun was furious and wanted to step forward to taunt Qiu Yuanfeng further, but Cai Pingchun held him back. "Xiao Chun, are you meddling too?" he snapped.
Cai Pingchun replied calmly, "Vast Heaven Gate was in the wrong to begin with, leaving Thunderbolt Stronghold with nowhere to turn. Brother Shijun, you should clean house when you return and avoid giving others opportunities to exploit."At first, Qiu Yuanfeng grinned while listening, but his smile vanished upon hearing the last part: "What does Valley Master Cai mean by that? Are you implying that our Grand Beginning Temple took advantage of the situation?"
Cai Pingchun replied calmly, "I wouldn’t say ‘taking advantage,’ but it’s well-known that Vast Heaven Gate is immensely wealthy. To suggest that Sect Leader Song would tolerate Sima An’s betrayal of his master and ancestors for mere trifles—no one would believe that. Still, upholding justice is always commendable. If Abbot Qiu ever feels inclined again, feel free to come dispense justice within the borders of Fallen Blossom Valley. Our humble sect will welcome you with lanterns and banners. Though our valley is small and weak, we can still serve you steamed buns dipped in soy sauce."
Song Shijun burst out laughing. "Xiao Chun, you were so honest as a child. Now your tongue’s as sharp as Ning Xiaofeng’s!"
"I’m merely stating facts. If Grand Beginning Temple is willing, Fallen Blossom Valley can even compile a record of injustices across the land and invite you all to uphold righteousness," Cai Pingchun added.
Song Shijun laughed uncontrollably, while Qiu Yuanfeng’s face darkened before he stormed off in a huff.
The dispute finally ended. With a chant from Venerable Fakong, the leading disciples of each sect filed into the Sunlit Hall, standing solemnly in their designated positions, eyes lowered and voices hushed. Incense smoke curled above the altar as Qi Yunke, holding a yellow silk memorial, began reading aloud:
"In this age of peace, with the world at rest, we disciples remember our forebears. Today, with three sacrifices, fresh flowers, and plain fruits, we honor the spirit of our ancestor, the North Star True Lord. In times when demons rose, ravaging lives, leaving bones strewn for miles and staining the earth red, heaven sent forth our ancestor, the North Star True Lord. Answering the call of peril, bearing the people’s cause, he took the world’s safety as his duty, upholding all under heaven..."
Cai Zhao frowned. "Where did Senior Brother find this ghostwriter? The writing’s so poor—he might as well have hired the playwright from our town."
"...How do you know the writing’s bad?" Fan Xingjia almost asked how she knew their master hadn’t written it himself, then decided not to upset himself further.
Chang Ning answered, "Because she understood every word."
Cai Zhao: ╰_╯
Chang Ning:
Fan Xingjia: ...
After the memorial reading, the six sect leaders took turns offering incense. When it was Grand Beginning Temple’s turn, Qiu Yuanfeng stirred trouble again—insisting that Cang Qiongzi step forward to offer the incense.
Cang Qiongzi feigned indignation. "Only the sect leader may offer incense! Nephew Yuanfeng, what is the meaning of this?"
Qiu Yuanfeng, like a seasoned actor, tearfully declared, "Martial Uncle sacrificed himself for the safety of our temple, suffering the Demonic Cult’s vile schemes! How could we juniors be so ungrateful? Had Martial Uncle not met such misfortune, he would have rightfully become our abbot after Master’s passing! Though I unworthily hold the title, in my heart, Martial Uncle is the true pillar of Grand Beginning Temple!"
Cang Qiongzi repeatedly declined, while Qiu Yuanfeng tearfully persisted. Their master-disciple act, dripping with emotion, ended with Cang Qiongzi "reluctantly" agreeing.
—The surrounding crowd watched their performance stone-faced, offering no comment.
Once the incense offerings concluded, disciples from each sect presented their tributes: a pristine White Tiger pelt, a coral tree from the ocean depths, a jade wall as large as a room, a golden couch carried by two men, ginseng fruit that ripens once a century, life-extending immortal spring water, and a blood-copied scripture that sent shivers down the spine...
Cai Zhao marveled, "So many treasures—do they all go to Azure Tower Sect?"Fan Xingjia quickly clarified, "After the ceremony, the offerings are returned to each sect."
Chang Ning scoffed lightly, "Don’t listen to Fifth Brother sugarcoating things—when faced with the formidable and powerful leader of the Azure Tower Sect, the other five sects are eager to curry favor. If the sect leader takes a liking to any of the tribute offerings, the respective sect will leave it behind after the ceremony."
Cai Zhao sighed in disappointment, "Then Uncle Qi probably won’t get to keep much."
Fan Xingjia: "..." Don’t underestimate our master like that.
As the three chatted, they suddenly heard Ning Xiaofeng’s sharp cry—"Who are you!"
Ning Xiaofeng stood alert, one hand gripping Cai Han tightly while the other pointed straight ahead. Following her finger, the crowd saw a disciple from the Grand Beginning Temple.
The disciple kept his head low, carrying a golden bamboo basket about two feet tall, slowly making his way toward the altar—or rather, toward the two sect leaders standing beside it.
Qiu Yuanfeng frowned in displeasure. "Lady Ning, don’t go looking for trouble and deliberately harass my temple’s disciple—"
Ning Xiaofeng ignored him and continued shouting, "Someone! Surround this person immediately!" She then sneered at the man, "Stop pretending. I was mastering disguises when you were probably still nursing! Daring to play tricks in front of me—you must have a death wish! Speak! Are you a spy sent by the Demonic Cult to ambush us?"
The crowd gasped in shock—this person was actually a disguised infiltrator.
Having witnessed Ning Xiaofeng’s expertise in unorthodox arts over a decade ago, Qi Yunke knew she wouldn’t be mistaken. He immediately bellowed, "Men! Surround this impostor!"
Before his words faded, a flash of cold light cut through the air. Song Yuzhi leaped high from the back of the crowd like a soaring dragon, his three-foot blade unstoppable as he thrust several swift strikes at the disguised disciple—truly, a beauty like jade, a sword like a rainbow. Dai Fengchi and Ding Zhuo followed a step behind, raising their swords in unison, while the rest of the Azure Tower Sect disciples formed a sword formation to encircle the area.
Song Yuzhi unleashed another flurry of strikes, aiming to immobilize the man’s lower body. Yet the infiltrator’s footwork was remarkably agile, dodging with eerie grace. With a sharp tear, Song Yuzhi’s blade severed the embroidered strap securing the bamboo basket on the man’s shoulder, sending it tumbling to the ground.
The moment everyone realized a disguised infiltrator had breached the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, their first thought was, "The Demonic Cult is attacking!" Immediately, the sects huddled together, prioritizing self-preservation.
Song Shijun was torn between worry for his son and pride at his exceptional prowess, ultimately channeling all his mixed emotions into a glare at Qi Yunke.
Just as he was about to mock Qi Yunke, Zhou Zhizhen suddenly shoved him hard, nearly knocking him over. Before he could turn and curse, Zhou Zhizhen’s urgent shout rang out—"That’s Storm of Thunder! Everyone, take cover!"
Song Shijun’s face paled.
Earlier, when the golden bamboo basket fell, the disguised man panicked and reached for it, only to be forced back by Song Yuzhi’s relentless strikes. Growing desperate, the man suddenly yelled, "The plan has changed—act now!"
Two more disciples from the Grand Beginning Temple lunged forward, swords flashing as they attacked Song Yuzhi and the others, creating an opening for the disguised man. Seizing the moment, the infiltrator pulled two pitch-black spheres, each the size of a child’s head, from his bag and hurled them with all his might toward the crowds on either side.Zhou Zhizhen's pupils dilated at the sight of the familiar black spheres—it was precisely this concealed weapon that had wounded his father, Old Master Zhou, during a fierce battle years ago, leading to years of bedridden illness before his eventual passing.
Without hesitation, Chang Ning pulled Cai Zhao behind a massive pillar, with Fan Xingjia quickly following. Fortunately, the pillars in the Morning Sun Hall were thick enough to require two or three people to encircle, so the three of them had ample space to hide.
Two thunderous explosions followed, sending fragments of the ceiling raining down. Mixed within the debris were fine, needle-like poisoned barbs shooting in all directions. The hall echoed with cries of pain as the terrifying scent of black gunpowder filled the air, intensifying the fear gripping everyone present.
Shielded beneath Chang Ning’s wide sleeves, Cai Zhao felt dizzy. "I thought the Storm of Thunder was lost after Celestial Pivot Elder died—ah, where are those poisoned needles flying?!"
"..." Fan Xingjia stood dumbly nearby, glancing between Chang Ning’s solemn face and the drifting needles veering off in another direction.
Inside the hall, Qiu Yuanfeng shielded Cang Qiongzi first, while Zhou Zhizhen repeatedly struck the air with his palms, using his inner force to deflect the needles upward. Song Shijun seized the moment to drag his son back and hide beneath the altar table. Qi Yunke pulled Dai Fengchi and Ding Zhuo to safety beside him, while Cai Pingchun had already rushed toward his wife and child.
In truth, the two Storm of Thunder devices had been primarily aimed at Grand Beginning Temple. Most other sects, if quick to evade, remained largely unharmed.
Just as the poisoned needles finally scattered to the ground, a piercing scream erupted from Madam Sha of Four Stallions Gate—"Help! Tianci! My son Tianci, someone save him...!"
Earlier, the lengthy ceremony had bored the young and temperamental Yang Tianci, who couldn’t sit still and wanted to play. Fearing he might embarrass Four Stallions Gate with a tantrum, Madam Sha had allowed his nursemaid and maids to accompany him as he ran along the side hall walls.
Hidden by the crowd, no one had noticed. But when chaos erupted, the panicked mob scattered the nursemaid and maids, leaving Yang Tianci unattended.
When the Storm of Thunder detonated, the boy mistook it for celebratory firecrackers like those from the morning. Giggling, he covered his ears and stumbled toward the main hall, thinking it great fun. Amid the confusion, the Disguiser yanked the golden bamboo basket toward themselves and, spotting the richly dressed child, casually snatched him up as a hostage.
Yang Heying emerged from behind the altar curtains and nearly collapsed in terror at the sight of her beloved son struggling and wailing in the Disguiser’s grip. She clutched a handful of concealed weapons but dared not throw a single one. The other experts in the hall froze in place.
As Cai Zhao peeked out from Chang Ning’s embrace, she took in the scene. With no time to think, she shoved Chang Ning aside and charged forward. The crowd watched as a young girl darted from behind a pillar, striking the golden bamboo basket with one palm and the Disguiser with another.
The Disguiser scrambled to shield the basket, but the girl followed with two more strikes—her palm force like a mountain gale, slow yet inexorable. It was the eighth stance of Dragon Grasping Skill, Gentle Breeze Yet Unyielding —forcing the Disguiser to dodge sideways.
At that moment, Song Yuzhi broke free from his father’s protection. Spotting the opportunity, he tore a bead from his robe and flicked it with precision, striking the Disguiser’s wrist with a heavy impact.The Disguiser, already struggling to protect the bamboo basket while dodging attacks, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his wrist, followed by a lightness—the child in his grasp had been yanked away like a kite on a string.
Song Yuzhi's eyes filled with admiration as he loudly praised, "Well done!"
It turned out that Cai Zhao had seized the moment when Song Yuzhi struck the Disguiser's wrist to once again employ the fifth stance of the Dragon Grasping Skill, Singular Merit Stance, channeling her inner energy to 'pull' Yang Tianci toward her.
Qi Lingbo, seeing her fiancé praise Cai Zhao, pouted in displeasure. "What's so impressive? Can she not go a single day without flaunting her martial prowess?"
Zhou Zhixian, who had just been shielding her, stood up and overheard the remark. Though she didn't rebuke the girl, she inwardly thought that Qi Yunke and Yin Sulian had raised their daughter with little sense of propriety.
Now empty-handed, the Disguiser retaliated with a heavy palm strike toward Cai Zhao. With one hand holding Yang Tianci and the other blocking the attack, Cai Zhao felt a surge of formidable internal energy rushing toward her, instantly causing her qi and blood to churn. Refusing to show weakness, she gritted her teeth and endured it.
Madam Sha was the first to rush over, wailing as she snatched her son from Cai Zhao's grasp and ran off without even a word of thanks.
Chang Ning, witnessing this, was furious. He dragged Cai Zhao back, scolding, "See what happens! Even when doing righteous deeds, you should pick your targets. What if you run into an ungrateful wretch?"
Cai Zhao forced a smile. "It's fine. It was just a small effort."
"Small effort? Your face is deathly pale!" Chang Ning was so angry he wanted to hit someone.
"I just need to regulate my breathing," Cai Zhao said, clutching her chest. "Stop yelling and help me sit down to rest. Oh no, my mother's coming—say less, will you…"
Chang Ning helped Cai Zhao sit down before storming off in a huff.
Cai Zhao blinked in confusion. "Why is Brother Chang so angry?"
Fan Xingjia thought to himself, He probably thought saving him was something special to you. Now that he knows you’d save anyone, of course he’s upset.
Ning Xiaofeng soon arrived, pouring two 'Medicine King Heart-Nourishing Pills' from a porcelain vial. Unlike Chang Ning, she didn’t scold her daughter for saving someone—only berated her for her lack of skill and told her not to embarrass herself by attempting things she wasn’t confident in.
The pills needed hot water to dissolve. Just as Ning Xiaofeng was about to fetch some, Chang Ning returned with a cup of hot water.
Ning Xiaofeng praised, "Ning'er is so much more sensible than you! With so many people here, did you really need to be the one stepping forward?"
"I was afraid any delay might endanger Young Master Yang!" Cai Zhao protested.
"Unlikely," Chang Ning said stiffly. "That person never intended to harm the Yang boy."
"How do you know?" Cai Zhao asked.
"When the Yang boy ran over, poison needles were flying everywhere, yet not a single one hit him. The Disguiser must have deflected them before grabbing him," Chang Ning explained.
Ning Xiaofeng nodded approvingly. "You didn’t even see the whole scene from behind the pillar, yet you deduced everything correctly. Ning'er, you're quite sharp." After a pause, she added, "Sister Xue back in the day was also quick to grasp the whole picture from just a hint."
Chang Ning froze, unsure whether to accept the compliment.
Cai Zhao groaned. "Oh, Mother, why must you bring up painful memories?" His birth mother went mad shortly after he was born, and then died young. Is this really the right way to praise someone?
Just then, Venerable Fakong's resonant voice echoed through the hall: "Esteemed guests, please cease hostilities for a moment and hear this old monk's words!"
As the most senior elder present, the crowd immediately stilled their hands and voices.Venerable Fakong took two steps forward and said, "This old monk does not know who you are, but judging from your actions just now, you do not seem like a despicable person. Since you have gone to great lengths to climb the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, you must have a purpose. Why not speak it directly?"
Seeing that the disciples of Grand Beginning Temple had suffered the most injuries, Qiu Yuanfeng roared in fury, "First reveal your true face! I want to see which heretical villain of the Demonic Cult you are!"
The Disguiser fell silent for a moment, then nodded to the two helpers behind them.
The three simultaneously began peeling off the materials on their faces. With a few rustling sounds, their true appearances were revealed. The leader turned out to be a middle-aged woman with delicate yet cold features, while the other two were burly men around thirty years old.
Neither Ning Xiaofeng nor her mother recognized these three, but the members of Grand Beginning Temple reacted with shock.
Yin Sulian even cried out in disbelief, "...Sister Yuan Rong, you—you're alive?!"
Wang Yuanjing also exclaimed, "Fourth Junior Sister, how—how did you get here?!"
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