Once again, it was the early spring season, with a chill in the high air and a sudden flurry of snow.

A group of more than twenty people were conversing and laughing atop Chessboard Peak when they saw snowflakes drifting into the mountains. The Lichen Sect's Mountain Gate was vast and varied in terrain. As the snow fell, temperatures fluctuated unevenly, giving rise to a thin mist that mingled with the rolling clouds. The scene, shrouded in a vast, lofty expanse, was strikingly beautiful.

One among them exclaimed, "The Lichen Sect's Mountain Gate, aloof from the dust of the world, soaring beyond the heavens, gathers the three original Qi and encompasses all seasons within its embrace of cloud qi. Indeed, it is a premier cultivation site in this realm."

The speaker, adorned in a high crown and Crane Cloak, holding a Dust Whisk, was dressed in the ancient style, distinct from the others. Yet, his demeanor was exceptionally graceful, with a jade-like face and long beard. As he gestured towards the mountains and rivers, he seemed to possess an ethereal, otherworldly charm. The others, hearing his words, echoed with praises, and for a moment, the sounds of admiration were unceasing.

Then, with a hearty laugh, someone responded, "Our sect's Mountain Gate, since the founding patriarch, has been enhanced by successive generations, gradually reaching perfection. We disciples indeed bask in the grace of our forebears. Yet, being a work of human hands, it lacks a touch of the natural splendor, unlike your esteemed sect that faces the true void of the heavens, where the essence of myriad rivers converge, and the spirit of the jade veins gathers—a land truly blessed with exceptional natural beauty. How can one not be filled with envy?"

The speaker was none other than Li Hong, the Fat Li, a standout among the fourth-generation disciples of the Empirical Department. Though corpulent, he was not unattractive, yet next to the Crane Cloak Daoist, the difference was immeasurable. Fortunately, his presence was robust, and standing up, he did not seem out of place.

Over there, amidst the mutual flattery, Li You could hardly contain his laughter and hastily assumed a pose of turning his head to admire the scenery as a cover. Heaven knows that after decades in the sect, there was little scenery he hadn't seen. Beside him, Zhang Yan appeared even more weary, squinting his eyes as if dozing, his unkempt beard drawing the frequent attention of a female cultivator nearby.

Both men were not fond of such bustling scenes, but this occasion was different. The Jade Purification Alliance, comprising seven or eight large and medium-sized sects, had sent their elite disciples westward. This was to take advantage of the "east wind" from the Sword Garden and deepen the bonds of friendship. For this, the Lichen Sect's four divisions mobilized to receive guests in shifts. Today, the Empirical Department was hosting guests from the Clear Void Moral Sect and the Four Clarity Sect—two of the Lichen Sect's most important allies in the east—hence the exceptionally high standards. Every Golden Elixir cultivator among the fourth-generation disciples could not escape this duty.

Fortunately, no one expected the two of them to be all things to all people. For such tasks, the capable Fat Li took on the burden willingly. His conversation with the Crane Cloak Daoist grew more congenial by the moment, with terms of endearment like "Junior Brother Li" and "Brother Zihuai" exchanged warmly.

In the end, the Crane Cloak Daoist, with a gentle smile, spread his Dust Whisk and said, "Junior Brother Li is too modest. We are brothers; let's dispense with these formalities. Speaking of which, the time for Junior Brother Xifeng to break through the barrier is near. Where shall we, who have come to witness, go?"

Li Hong waved his plump hand dismissively, "Senior Brother Wang, such words should not be spoken lightly. Though it's indeed a cause for celebration that one achieves a breakthrough in Vacuum Walking, it hardly qualifies as an 'observance.' At the end of the day, it's merely an excuse for peers to gather together. I believe that after Senior Brother Xifeng emerges from his seclusion, he too will be delighted to meet everyone."

The two were discussing the imminent breakthrough and advancement of Huaxi Peak, the head of the Morality Department of the Lichen Sect.

Although the achievements of a Golden Elixir cultivator in breaking through the Barrier and ascending through Vacuum Walking were not as earth-shattering as a Vacuum Walking Cultivator breaking the "Three Great Barriers" to attain True Immortality, within the circles of the Fourth Generation Disciples, it was still a significant event.

Especially since Huaxi Peak was not only the head of the Morality Department's Fourth Generation Disciples but also the standard-bearer of the Lichen Sect's Fourth Generation Disciples. In recent years, he had been stagnant at the Golden Elixir Stage, his brilliance overshadowed by junior disciples like Zhou Yu. However, this was not due to a lack of subsequent power but rather a deliberate concealment of his capabilities, biding his time and amassing strength. On the path of immortality, he aimed high, and his moment of breakthrough was highly anticipated.

After some idle chatter, Li Hong took the lead in Sword Control, soaring into the sky and guiding the other cultivators through the void, circling around the mountain. This group, numbering more than twenty, consisted of Golden Elixir Cultivators, each manipulating artifacts. At the forefront were two individuals, including the Daoist in the Crane Cloak, who flew without relying on external objects, propelled by their qi—a testament to their capability for Vacuum Walking breakthroughs.

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Flying through the air, Li You looked around with a mischievous glint, as if itching to take a detour. At that moment, the bulky figure of Hong Qianqiu moved slightly back, aligning himself with Li You and Zhang Yan. He chuckled softly, "Hey, don't be like a restless monkey. Old Li specifically asked me to tell you that before Zhou Yu arrives today, we must hold the fort at all costs..."

Li You first flashed a smile at an outsider cultivator, then rolled his eyes at Hong Qianqiu, "He really does have leisure to spare. Hey, today is the day Junior Brother Yu emerges from seclusion. Zhang Senior Brother and I have already planned to go and receive him."

Hong Qianqiu, fumbling with his disheveled hair bun, also seemed troubled. As he scratched his head, a figure swiftly descended from the high skies, and a voice called out sternly, "Have the members of the Jade Purification Alliance arrived?"

As the Daoist heard the voice, he chuckled, "I was just wondering why I hadn't seen Young Master Jade upon arriving at the Lichen Sect, and here he is, waiting."

The approaching figure was clad in a white robe with a coronet binding his hair, his posture strikingly handsome. However, the three long scars on the left side of his cheek were particularly eye-catching. This was none other than Zhou Yu, the foremost among the fourth-generation disciples of the Empirical Department. "Young Master Jade" had been his moniker in his youth, but since his face had been marred, few dared to address him so openly—those who did were either enemies using it mockingly or old acquaintances accustomed to the name.

Zhou Yu offered a slight smile, "Years have passed since our parting, yet Brother Zihuai remains as distinguished as ever."

After exchanging greetings with a few familiar faces in the group, he promptly bowed with hands clasped, "Fellow Daoists, my apologies for the tardiness. I was detained by some matters, please forgive me."

In such a situation, anyone would typically dismiss the concern with a 'no harm done,' but Zhou Yu added an explanation, "Lately, due to issues in the Sword Garden, numerous Trivial Clowns have been stirring up trouble..."

"Young Master Jade carries a heavy aura of killing intent," noted Wang Zihuai as he swished his Dust Whisk, seemingly to ward off the malevolent energy. Zhou Yu merely laughed in response, the scars on his face twisting slightly, but he said no more.

Li Hong, well-versed in playing along, always had a smile on his plump face. He gestured toward a gorge between two southern peaks, "Over there lies the 'Flying Cloud Gorge,' the secluded cultivation site of Senior Brother Xifeng..."

Before he could finish, someone with a strong curiosity interjected, "Beyond the Flying Cloud Gorge, is that the location of the Star Plucking Tower?"

"Indeed, the Star Plucking Tower is at the mountain's summit."

"It's said that the Star Plucking Tower can increase a Cultivator's chances of breaking through barriers. Why then does Senior Brother Xifeng..."

Li Hong replied with a beaming smile, "Senior Brother Xifeng is known within the Sect as 'the most profoundly cultivated,' valuing a solid foundation above all. His Golden Elixir, refined a thousand times over, is flawless, without a single blemish. He likely doesn't wish to rely on external forces that could damage his Daoist foundation."

This was the standard explanation, but Zhou Yu murmured softly, "Senior Brother Xifeng simply possesses a heart in pursuit of the utmost goodness and beauty."

Wang Zihuai tapped his Dust Whisk and laughed, "That is indeed how we of this path should be... Eh?"

He was gazing in that direction, his senses sharp, when he saw a rainbow light winding through the sky near the Sky-Supporting Mountain Pillar. It twisted and turned, occasionally bursting with intense flashes. Clearly, this was not the pattern of someone simply traveling.

A frown creased Zhou Yu’s brow, and he exchanged a glance with Li Hong, both harboring some confusion. But soon enough, a message was conveyed through their Communication Flying Sword.

"Xia Boyang of the Thousand Mountain Sect, and... Yu Ci?"

What on earth was this all about?

********

Yu Ci wanted to ask, what in the world was this matter about?

Today marked the end of his year-long seclusive cultivation at the Star Plucking Tower—well, to be precise, seventeen days shy of a full year. But he had already decided to reserve these seventeen days of the Star Plucking Main Tower for a critical moment, temporarily setting them aside. Now, he was hurrying down the mountain when he unexpectedly encountered this Fair-Faced Young Scholar. The scholar was neither a stranger nor someone he knew well.

Yu Ci's interactions with this person were limited to just a few occasions in the Sword Garden, or to be more accurate, during the encounters on the Manifestation of Myriad Images Heavenly Traveling Boat, as well as a few brief meetings in front of the Four Directions Pavilion. As for other matters like "utilization" in the Boundary River Region, those should be discussed with Xing Tian, as they were of no concern to him.

It was already strange enough to meet this young master of the Thousand Mountain Sect in front of the Sky-Supporting Mountain Pillar, but the hostility that hit him head-on was utterly baffling.

"Yu Ci?"

Xia Boyang's handsome face was clouded with gloom: "Since our parting in the Sword Garden, I had thought we would meet again at the Incantation Ceremony, but to think it would be delayed until today..."

"Incantation Ceremony?"

Heaven have mercy, Yu Ci had completely forgotten about that event, and even if he hadn't, there was nothing he could do about it. Since the incident in the Sword Garden, he had fallen into unconsciousness, taking more than three months to fully recover. The time for the Incantation Ceremony had long passed. Besides, Young Sect Master Xia was an elite of the Jade Purification Alliance. Such regional "small Incantation Ceremonies" were only participated in by a limited number of sects on both sides of the Sky Rift Valley. Why would he join in the hubbub?

"What do you mean by 'Young Sect Master'?"

Yu Ci glanced behind Xia Boyang, noticing someone seemed to be catching up in the distance. It seemed unlikely that this person had sneaked in, so he must be here as a guest. Yu Ci had no desire to tear apart their relationship in confusion.

"I have been waiting for you for a long time. The act of betrayal by Red Yin, was that your doing?"

"What?"

************

The subsequent plot was written and then deleted; let this chapter serve as a transition.