An entire month had passed since the incident with Shu Huang. At that time, the progress of my meridians had come to a halt.

But I stayed until the pond provided results for the disciples. The first one to see no progress after me was Kexin, her case was understandable.

The second was Sun Lingling, her meridians and pathways were perfectly in tune with her spiritual root to begin with, so there wasn’t much higher it could go.

Unsurprisingly, Wang Yang was the last one to see a decline in his progress. However, the improvements were jaw-dropping in his case, in a way he profited more from this than all of us combined.

The disciples along with Yingyue and Zhi Rou were making their way to Huang City. I waited outside the tunnel leading to Heaven’s Pond. The plan over with, I revamped the protection and concealment formation around this place to the highest level I could.

Even erasing our traces from the nearby village and tying up any loose ends that remained before the demonic sect’s spies came along. Now, only the traces of Bian Que’s battle with the Iron Fiend remained they sent low-level—disposable—cultivators after.

There they are. And the people I have been waiting for finally arrived.

In front of me stood a team of ten cultivators, three of them wore pure white uniforms with a lotus imprint, one wore a yellow uniform with a chrysanthemum, two with red uniforms along with a tiger imprint, and the other wore pink uniforms with a peach flower.

The young man leading them wore pure white robes matching his short white hair, and his disciple token had a lotus symbol with the name, Lian Xu. Li Xianqian’s second disciple. Although he looked unassuming, this kid rivaled my realm in cultivation.

“Sorry to keep you waiting Peak Master Li.” He bowed as the team behind him followed.

“Don’t worry about it. I know the journey here is quite slow.” I waved it off.

“Your generosity knows no bounds.”

His overly respectful way of speech hadn’t changed yet, even when he was in a position of considerable power.

The Hidden Dragon Hall was built under the Grand Elder’s order, teams that could respond to any immediate call for support. Comprised of elites gathered from all the peaks, they only answered to the Peak Masters and the Grand Elder taking on missions of the highest difficulties.

“Follow me, I’ll show you the place you have to safeguard for the next six weeks.”

“Yes, Peak Master Li.”

The team followed me in the tunnel without a single complaint. Their eyes stole glances at me at every step, after all this was the first time I had called upon the Hidden Dragon Hall of our sect.

“I want you to hole up inside here. Use Heaven and Earth Formation to isolate this mountain and the surroundings in a pocket of space, then lock it with the Seven Revolving Door Formation for maximum security.” I gave them a more detailed plan etched on the scroll along with the placement of traps and such.

“Are we to turn this place into an artificial Grotto-Heaven?” Formations that dealt with space were Lian Xu’s specialty, therefore his team was sent.

“Simply put yes. However, what you are to defend is of great value, not just to Azure Sky Sect, but to the entire continent. So, keep that in mind.” I said eliciting some gulps from the team that followed, their nervousness was understandable but I had faith in the team that boasted a 95% mission completion rate.

“I understand, I shall guard this place with my life.” Not wavering a bit, Lian Xu followed me into the cavern.

It took them a few minutes to survey the area after marveling at the sight and start unpacking their supplies. I left them the houses to make the place a bit more comfortable. If possible, I would’ve wanted to place a Peak Master here. But with Hua Jiahao and Zhao Jun out of the sect, making another leave would weaken the force that was needed to defend the sect against any attackers.

So, the best option was to hide this place in a pocket of space and make arrangements for it in the meantime.

“Leave this place to us Peak Master Li, the Fifth Team will not disappoint you.”

“I would expect nothing less from you, Lian Xu.” At times like this, his serious demeanor was quite reliable, unlike the fourth team’s leader.

Leaving them to it, I left the tunnel and made my way towards Huang City on the flying sword. The disciples left early in the morning had only covered half the distance so far. The reason, traveling on foot.

“Finally, we can fly!”

Overjoyed to use the flying sword, Wang Yang stood in front of me with a big smile. Kexin and Lingling stood on the second one, as Yingyue and Zhi Rou operated their own. Now, our travel speed increased several times over.

“No matter how many times I see Senior Li use a second flying sword, it never gets old.” Yingyue said flying next to us.

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“Is it not normal?” Wang Yang asked.

“No, usually using one flying sword is hard enough. As it is connected with one’s mind, it is essentially seen as a third hand. Using it is like writing with both of your hands, but the hands are writing about different subjects.” Zhi Rou added. “Now add a second sword and three hands are writing about three different subjects at the same time. Processing, control, and avoiding mistakes in that state are very difficult.”

“…I’ve seen Master control four flying swords at the same time.” Kexin muttered.

“Since it was for transportation, the difficulty lowered quite a bit.” I cut in.

“You are the only one who could say something like that, Senior Li.” Yingyue had a wry smile.

The rest seemed to agree so I didn’t say anything further. The journey to Huang City went by in a flash. And, as the last passengers for the Phoenix boat boarded, us, we set off to Azure Sky Sect in an instant.

By the time I reach the sect, the envoy group from the Purple Cloud Sect should’ve already finished their talks. If everything goes smoothly the Heaven’s Pond can be dealt with in the next three weeks after I send Yingyue back with them.

My plans were coming along pretty well so far, but I didn’t know that a wrench would soon fall on my head.

“What the hell took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you for hours.” A woman with purple hair welcomed me on Plum Peak with a scowl that could be seen from a mile away.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Senior Qian.” Yingyue and Zhi Rou paid their respect with a slight bow.

After all, the annoying woman in front of me was Qian Yun. The next Matriarch of the Qian Family, and my lifelong nemesis.

***

Around the same time, in a dark room where the light from the sun couldn’t reach, four altars made in the form of four divine beasts stood tall. However, their positioning was the opposite, the Azure Dragon soared in the west, the White Tiger roared in the east, the Phoenix spread its wings in the south, and the Black Tortoise slumbered in the north.

Each altar gave off its distinct light, there were no faces on them but their gaze focused on the man kneeling in the middle.

“Not only have you failed to eliminate that witch’s successor, but you have also failed to acquire that little girl and kill Bian Que, on top of that you lost an important ally in the process.” A voice devoid of all emotions came from the western altar, the only thing distinguishable about it was that it belonged to a woman. “What say you, Gu Changge?”

Gu Changge tried to hide it, but sweat dripped down his forehead like a waterfall as he answered.

“I… apologize. I didn’t expect Bian Que to be that strong, I had misjudged his strength and sent Iron Fiend. I hav—”

“Three times…” However, the aged voice from the southern altar cut him off. “The eastern front had failed to fulfill my request three times, I ought to cut your head off for that one Bai (White).”

The voice laden with anger made Changge tremble in place, even if it wasn’t aimed at him the power in that voice was more than he could handle.

“My My, so it is true that women get crankier with age.” A frivolous voice answered from the eastern altar.

“You cur!” The southern altar trembled as the red in the room intensified.

“Can it, you old hag. It isn’t like you have given an easy target anyway. I admit that we didn’t prepare enough for the battle of Jingyuan Pass, but didn’t your scheme to get that Wu kid fall apart? Isn’t that hoot?” The man spoke without a hint of mercy, but his voice stayed playful.

“Silence you two, do you not know whose presence you are in?” The voice from the western altar cut the conflict short.

Understanding the situation a short silence dawned in the room. They only continued after no voice from the northern altar.

“So, how should we deal with you Brother Changge? We usually cut people off after their first failure, but I gave you a second chance because I like your style and you fail again.” The first words came from the eastern altar. “Since you are my precious subordinate, I don’t want to kill you off for something like this. If only some heartless aunty would have mercy on me.”

“You brat…” The southern altar seemed to boil in anger, but it soon calmed down. “Bring me both, Li Muchen and Wu Kexin, do that I will forget your failures.”

“The old cow likes fresh grass, huh.”

“Stop egging her on, Bai.” A warning came from the Western altar.

“Yes, Yes, Lady Qing.”

“One ‘yes’ is enough.”

“Yes, Lady Qing.”

“Then, the trial is over. Gu Changge, if you want to overwrite your failures, you must bring in Wu Kexin and Li Muchen, dead or alive.” After the proclamation, the light from the three altars vanished.

How… how will I do that? My current force is not enough to attack Azure Sky Sect, if only that Li Muchen left his sect often I could’ve done something but I have to face both Bian Que and him. Gu Changge wanted to pull his hair out, but that would be disrespectful in his superior’s presence.

“Don’t mind me, Brother Changge. I understand your frustration, Li Muchen is as slippery as a mud skipper.” Bai laughed before continuing. “However, I can’t let you fail again. This task will determine my pride and honor in front of the lord too, so I will give you some help. But only after you finish the plan.”

“I am eternally grateful for your aid.” Changge felt a little load off his shoulder, but he remained tense.

“Come on now, no need to be that formal between brothers.” The guy laughed. “Normally I would’ve rejected that request, but you are lucky that a good opportunity to make this happen is at hand. Just hit me up when you have sorted the details.”

After the last altar lost its light, Gu Changge stood up and walked out of the basement. He locked the room and swallowed the iron key once again to keep it safe.

“Fucking bastards looking down on me!” His blood boiled every time he had to talk with them and get on his knees, it was a rage that burned brighter than the one he had for his former clan. “I’ll show you all, Bai, Li Muchen, and that pathetic sect what I am made of!”

Just like Bai had said, the opportunity was close at hand. His hand crumpled the poster for East Martial Meet as his emotions came under control.

“Gu Changge will never bow in front of anyone again.” He vowed to shake the entire continent in two months.