Chapter 60: Resolution

The entire arena was silent. On the stage, Jun Xie stood proudly, his black hair flowing over his shoulders, his gaze piercing and awe-inspiring. The disciples of the Profound Path Sect stared blankly at Liu Yun, whose face was pale as paper. In their eyes, their senior brother, revered as if he were a celestial being, had actually been defeated! How could they possibly accept this?

The elders of the Profound Path Sect wore equally unsightly expressions. Liu Yun was the chief disciple of the sect leader’s line, the senior brother of the Profound Path Sect, and his cultivation ranked among the highest of all the young disciples. Yet even he could not help the sect regain a shred of dignity.

"Fellow Daoist Yu Feng, it seems this round belongs to our Green Mountain Sect," Daoist Huanglong rose, clasping his hands with a faint smile toward Elder Yu Feng.

"Let us end the competition here for today. We shall continue tomorrow—what do you think?" Daoist Huanglong suggested. Elder Yu Feng’s eyes flickered, and after a long pause, he finally exhaled slowly.

"Let it be as you say, Daoist Huanglong. We shall continue the contest tomorrow."

The competition was adjourned. The elders of Green Mountain Sect led their disciples away. On the side of Profound Path Sect, the disciples were disgruntled and unwilling, yet powerless to change the situation. Even their senior brother Liu Yun had been brought low by Jun Xie—who among them could surpass Liu Yun’s cultivation?

If none could exceed Liu Yun in cultivation, then none could restore the sect's honor. This was the thought in the hearts of many Profound Path disciples; their only concern was how to save face for their sect. But the elders’ hearts were heavy with a different burden.

If all that was lost was a bit of face, it would be nothing; the sect had stood in the Clear Water Kingdom for many years, and as long as it did not fall, prosperity would eventually return. But now, a shadow loomed over the elders’ hearts, for they saw far more than the disciples did.

In the Profound Path Sect’s council hall, the elders sat in their seats, all faces set in grave lines. After a moment, Elder Qianchuan and Elder Xuan Yin entered the hall together.

"Sect Master, I fear the Green Mountain Sect did not come with good intentions this time," Elder Yu Feng said.

"In my view, once the Green Mountain Sect’s people leave our grounds, we should secretly eliminate their young disciples and be done with it," Elder Lei said coldly, murderous intent in his voice. "Isn’t this visit just for them to flaunt their so-called outstanding generation? If they’re all dead, I’d like to see how they strut about then!"

"Elder Lei, you’re not young anymore—why is your temper still so hot?" another elder said helplessly. "Even if you kill them, what good would it do? It’s just a matter of pride. For our Profound Path Sect, it brings no benefit and only endless trouble. It could even lead to war between the two sects."

"So be it! Let war come! Are we, the Profound Path Sect, afraid of Green Mountain Sect? They didn’t come here with good intentions anyway," Elder Lei shouted, raising his voice.

"Enough, let’s not argue further," Qianchuan raised his hand to halt the dispute, his gaze turning to Elder Xuan Yin. "Elder Xuan, what do you think we should do?"

"Hasn’t the Profound Path Sect secretly nurtured a group of disciples? Let them take the stage in tomorrow’s contest," Elder Xuan Yin replied calmly.

Every sect secretly cultivates a group of outstanding disciples. After all, resources in any given region are limited, and the sects are in constant competition. There are always some unscrupulous types who secretly assassinate the prodigies of other sects. While such acts might not harm a sect in the short term, over time, decline is inevitable.

Young disciples are the fresh blood of a sect. Only by ensuring a steady flow of new talent can a sect’s legacy endure. Thus, no sect would ever display all its geniuses openly.

"But wouldn’t that expose these disciples to everyone’s scrutiny? What if someone harbors ill intent?"

"Those disciples are the future of our sect—they must not come to harm," several elders voiced their concern.

"It’s precisely this way of thinking that has left the Profound Path Sect unchanged for so many years. The strong always grow amidst the blood of their enemies. Those disciples may be talented, but without the tempering of blood and fire, they are but hothouse flowers. Once they face the wider world, their chances of survival are slim indeed," Elder Xuan Yin said, his voice calm.

At these words, the elders fell silent. The Profound Path Sect had stood for centuries, and now ranked as one of the most powerful sects in the Clear Water Kingdom alongside the Green Mountain Sect. But in their hearts, they knew such prestige extended only as far as the borders of the Clear Water Kingdom.

Beyond those borders, who had ever heard of the Profound Path Sect?

Though they had embarked on the immortal path and called themselves cultivators, they were still not beyond the realm of mortals—petty desires and rivalries could not be erased from their hearts.

"Let it be as Elder Xuan says. Tomorrow, let those disciples take the field—it is time they face true battle." Qianchuan rose and addressed the gathered elders. Then, together with Elder Xuan Yin, he left the hall. The remaining elders sat in silence, frowning in deep thought.

On the southern mountain ridge, the disciples of Green Mountain Sect were quartered. The day was not yet over, and after their overwhelming victory in the competition, the disciples strutted through the Profound Path Sect’s grounds, airs of superiority on full display.

Faced with the Green Mountain disciples, the disciples of Profound Path wore gloomy expressions. Their own senior brother had been defeated; the blow to their morale was heavy. In the face of the Green Mountain disciples, they felt themselves diminished.

"Brother Ye, I’ve heard the female disciples of Profound Path are each as beautiful as flowers. Why not go take a look?" Several young men, walking through the sect grounds, glanced about. One of them spoke.

The one they called Brother Ye was a handsome youth, with a subtle arrogance between his brows. If Yin Tianfang were present, he would have recognized him instantly—this was Ye Tianxing.

Who would have thought Ye Tianxing would also come to the Profound Path Sect this time? In just a few months, his cultivation had reached the fourth stage of the Qi Refining realm. Such speed could only be called monstrous. Where others might take months or even a year or two to advance a single stage, Ye Tianxing broke through at an astonishing rate.

Among the disciples visiting the Profound Path Sect this time, Ye Tianxing’s cultivation was the lowest. Yet from the attitudes of the youths around him, it was clear his status in Green Mountain Sect was high.

Hearing his companion’s words, a faint smile appeared on Ye Tianxing’s face, but it quickly froze. His eyes were fixed ahead.

"Brother Ye, what’s wrong?" The others, puzzled by his sudden stillness, followed his gaze—and every one of them was stunned in place.

"What a beautiful woman—like an immortal fallen to the mortal world, elegant and otherworldly. She is as the gentle clouds veiling the moon, as the drifting snow carried by the wind," Ye Tianxing murmured.

In the direction he gazed, a young woman walked by, draped in a light gauze dress, her black hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist. She moved like a willow swaying in the breeze, her figure graceful and slender.

Ye Tianxing stepped forward, hurrying after her.