Xuanqing Guard

Chapter 301: Chapter 301: Ascending the Mountain

Following Nie Yun, Shen Hao realized he was being forced into the spotlight. Everyone who greeted Nie Yun would subconsciously cast a few extra glances his way, some even nodding at him in acknowledgment.

"Nie..."

"Just call me Senior Brother. Back at the Sword Emperor’s Tomb, when you called me ’Master Nie’, I already thought it was awkward."

Shen Hao hadn’t finished his sentence before Nie Yun cut him off. They were equals in age, and even if Nie Yun was just playing along, he couldn’t get used to being called "Master Nie."

Shen Hao didn’t mind, and went with it: "Senior Brother, are all these people here to offer congratulations?"

"Of course. Your Xuanqing Guard should have records on these sects, right? Tomorrow’s celebration starts early, so everyone who can come will arrive a day ahead. The sects in Jingxi basically should all give face and send people over.

Look, over there—are you familiar with those people?"

Nie Yun nodded his head toward the back. Shen Hao followed his gaze. A mass of clouds descended from the sky and landed at the foot of the mountain, causing a stir. All sorts of cultivators made way, and outside the mountain gate, a broad path opened up.

Three people came down from the cloud, and one of them Shen Hao did indeed recognize.

"Celestial Toad Sect, Zhang Lin."

"Heh, see that short, chubby old man next to Zhang Lin? That’s Yu Ao Feng."

Yu Ao Feng?!

Those three words instantly sent waves crashing through Shen Hao’s mind. Who was Yu Ao Feng? Ancestor to Yu Shengjue—whom Shen Hao tricked to death inside the Sword Emperor’s Tomb—and the Great Elder of the Celestial Toad Sect!

"Senior Brother, what’s Yu Ao Feng’s cultivation?"

"Heh, why? Scared?"

Shen Hao shrugged. Scared, no, but wary, definitely. Besides, he always claimed Yu Shengjue’s death had nothing to do with him, so naturally he wouldn’t take Nie Yun’s bait, nor did he have any reason to fear Yu Ao Feng.

Nie Yun gave Shen Hao a look, half smiling, but didn’t press it. Instead he answered: "Fifteen years ago, Yu Ao Feng came to Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute. My master met him, and said afterward that Yu Ao Feng’s cultivation surpassed his. And at that time, my master was at Profound Sea Realm Second Layer."

"That..."

Above Profound Sea Realm Second Layer... Shen Hao couldn’t help but feel a chill—these are true experts. Hearing Nie Yun’s words, he realized Nie Yun’s master was at Profound Sea Realm Second Layer fifteen years ago, so he must be an Elder level figure.

Now Shen Hao remembered he’d never really learned much about Nie Yun or the "Old Tree Peak" he’d heard about a few times.

"So what’s your master’s honorific?"

"Tsk, you still don’t know?!" Nie Yun curled his lip. In his mind, he found it hard to believe this guy, a named disciple of Old Tree Peak, knew absolutely nothing. He explained, "My master is Master Pingyang! Didn’t you learn a technique from my master? And you still didn’t know he’s the peak leader of Old Tree Peak?"

After Li Shuyang returned to the mountain, he’d mentioned a few times there were hidden talents out among ordinary folk, always using "Shen Hao" as an example. Nie Yun remembered that. After later getting to know Shen Hao by chance, he thought, "Master’s words are never wrong," and felt even closer to him.

Otherwise, Nie Yun isn’t some mother hen. Why would he be so friendly to Shen Hao from the start?

"Huh? Nie... You’re Master Pingyang’s disciple?!" Shen Hao lowered his voice, looking genuinely surprised.

"Tsk, keep shouting and everyone around will know you’re a fraud. Enough, let’s go up the mountain. You’d best avoid Yu Ao Feng—that old man’s tricky, might just sniff out your slip-up."

With that, Nie Yun shoved Shen Hao forward, and the two briskly made their way up Chang Baifeng’s mountain path.

Just as they left, another mass of clouds descended upon Chang Baifeng. A white-haired old lady came down, beaming as she cupped her hands in greeting toward Yu Ao Feng, who was standing at the mountain gate.

"Elder Yu! Sorry I couldn’t come out sooner, hope you don’t mind!"

"Heh heh, Elder Xu, it’s been years. Your cultivation’s improved quite a bit! Hahaha..."

Yu Ao Feng was no ordinary figure: one of only two first-class sects in Jingxi Territory, and, aside from the Sect Leader, the most esteemed Great Elder in the sect. Likewise, the one coming down to greet was Chang Baifeng’s own Great Elder, Xu Lingyan.

The two had known each other since their younger days.

The fact that Yu Ao Feng came to Chang Baifeng in person to observe the ceremony showed that the Celestial Toad Sect and Chang Baifeng were on good terms and valued their relationship.

But Yu Ao Feng’s gaze, for a brief moment, swept past Xu Lingyan, angling upward toward a back hurrying up the mountain, with a look that meant something.

...

Entering the mountain gate, Shen Hao noticed that along the uphill road, pavilions occasionally hung beside the path. In each pavilion, a few cultivators gathered, chatting, sometimes even fiercely arguing. This was different from Shen Hao’s long-held impression of "serene" sect cultivators.

"What’s up? Curious what they’re doing?" Nie Yun’s craving for liquor kicked in. He took out his flask, downed a couple gulps, then looked at Shen Hao’s curious face and grinned.

"Yeah, looks like they’re discussing something."

"It’s a cultivation study meeting."

"Study meeting? What’s that mean?"

"The road of cultivation branches in many directions. If you don’t want to end up on a dead end, a master’s guidance is crucial, but your own insights and knowledge matter too. Lots of this involves ’experience.’ One person’s experience is never as rich as a group’s, so cultivators of similar realm like to get together and bring up doubts or theories for group discussion and verification."

"But these folks aren’t from the same sect—isn’t that a problem?"

"What problem could there be? Nobody’s dumb enough to reveal their core stuff to outsiders. The things discussed are all details. Actually, if you ever get the chance, you could try out one of these study meetings."

"Me? Maybe someday."

Truth be told, Shen Hao hadn’t yet hit anything truly puzzling on his cultivation journey. His previous weak spot was in saber technique, but thanks to Nie Yun’s guidance and "Light Splitting Slash," he felt he’d patched it up. Besides, chatting about his cultivation insights with a bunch of strangers seemed very unwise to him.

They walked for almost an hour before leaving the mountain path. Ahead, the scenery opened up into a flat plateau, cleared out for use.

"Up ahead should be Chang Baifeng’s main peak. Tomorrow’s celebration will probably be held right there," Nie Yun pointed toward the peak extending from the plateau.

Nie Yun only got out a couple sentences before disciples from Chang Baifeng approached, asking if Nie Yun and Shen Hao wanted to rest at their lodging or have someone show them around.

"What’s worth seeing?"

"The sect’s back mountain has the Sword Washing Pool, where the founder achieved Sword Enlightenment. Even now, traces of Sword Intent linger. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to check it out."

"Sword Washing Pool?"

The two exchanged a glance; both were interested.

"Lead the way, up ahead."