Qingyun Sect, Tongtian Peak
As the highest peak of the Qingyun Mountain Range, Tongtian Peak pierced the clouds, its majestic form towering endlessly into the sky. Surrounding it stood six other peaks, each representing one of the remaining six branches of the Qingyun Sect.
Swish—
Streaks of sword light descended at the mountainside of Tongtian Peak. Due to the protective array enveloping the peak, no one was permitted to fly in its airspace. Violators, even the heads of the sect's branches, would be struck down by the array's power.
Tongtian Peak, Yuqing Hall
Deep, resonant voices echoed within the grand hall. Six daoists sat elevated on a platform, their presence commanding. One seat, however, remained conspicuously empty, as if someone was absent.
Below, three young boys knelt on the floor.
One boy's face was etched with sorrow, yet his eyes burned with determination. His words were clear and measured, marking him as a promising talent.
Another boy appeared bewildered, his expression dazed. He nodded along to his companion's words, clearly an honest soul, overwhelmed by the moment.
The last boy kept his head bowed, silent. His gaze was vacant, as if he hadn't yet recovered from some ordeal. He seemed almost stunned, lost in shock.
At that moment, Ji Changfeng was utterly bewildered. Sorting through the flood of information in his mind, he finally pieced together the truth.
He had transmigrated.
Not only that, he had crossed into the world of Zhu Xian—the Immortal Execution realm—and had become one of the orphaned survivors of Caomiao Village.
Ji Changfeng slowly raised his head. Beside him, Lin Jingyu was kowtowing to Daoist Daoxuan and the other Qingyun Sect leaders, pleading, "Please, revered masters, grant us justice!"
"Yes, Immortal Grandpas…" Zhang Xiaofan followed suit, banging his head against the floor. Midway, he tugged at Ji Changfeng's sleeve, urging him to join.
But Ji Changfeng remained still, unmoved.
The sect leaders observed the scene, nodding subtly. In their minds, they labeled Lin Jingyu a "genius," while Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan were dismissed as "dull."
"Good children, rise," Daoist Daoxuan said gently, lifting his hand. An invisible force raised Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu to their feet.
Caomiao Village lay at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, a place that should have been supremely safe. Demonic cultivators or wild beasts rarely dared to venture near, as Qingyun disciples frequently patrolled the area, ensuring the villagers' comfort. Yet, inexplicably, the entire village—over a hundred households—had been slaughtered. And this massacre had occurred right under the Qingyun Sect's nose. Only three boys and one middle-aged man had survived, the latter now reduced to a fool.
This was an utter disgrace!
If word spread, outsiders might think the Qingyun Sect had grown weak, allowing demonic cultivators to wreak havoc at their doorstep.
This must be thoroughly investigated! Daoxuan's gaze swept over the three boys before turning to his fellow sect leaders. "Junior Brothers, these children hail from Caomiao Village, their backgrounds clean. Now, with their families lost to tragedy, would any of you be willing to take them as disciples?"
It was well-known that Daoxuan no longer accepted disciples. He already had Xiao Yicai, a promising heir to the sect leader's position. Taking another prodigy risked sparking rivalry over succession—a headache best avoided by simply abstaining from taking new students.
At Daoxuan's words, the other sect leaders' eyes gleamed as they fixed their attention on Lin Jingyu. To them, he was the true gem. The other two? Mere extras.
Shang Zhengliang, head of Chaoyang Peak, rose first, pointing at Lin Jingyu with a hearty chuckle. "Senior Brother Sect Leader, I feel an instant connection with this boy. Perhaps it's a sign from the heavens? Why not let me take him under my wing?"
"Pah!" Tian Yun, head of Luoxia Peak, scoffed, shooting Shang Zhengliang a disdainful glance. "Senior Brother Shang, you already have over four hundred disciples. If every one of them is 'fated' to be yours, your fate must be awfully crowded!"
Shang Zhengliang's face flushed. Four hundred disciples—all male—did make his talk of "fate" sound a bit… awkward.
At that moment, Tian Buyi, head of Dazhu Peak, stepped forward with a grin. "Junior Brother Tian Yun is right. Senior Brother Shang's hall is bursting with four hundred disciples, but my Dazhu Peak? Only seven." One of whom was his daughter—a rather pitiful number. "Why not let me take all three?"
To secure Lin Jingyu, Tian Buyi was willing to accept the other two as well, despite their apparent mediocrity.
Daoxuan seemed momentarily swayed, but then Daoist Cangsong stood. With a single remark—"It's not ideal to place all three under one master"—he claimed Lin Jingyu for himself, revealing Daoxuan's clear favoritism.
Ji Changfeng watched the proceedings unfold, taking it all in. He said nothing. Why draw attention? He knew Qingyun Sect would accept him regardless. Better to stay quiet, wait for his assignment, and focus on cultivating the Taiji Xuanqing Dao.
As expected, Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan were taken in by Tian Buyi of Dazhu Peak. Tian Buyi, however, was far from pleased. His face darkened, and with a cold huff, he glanced at the two boys, said nothing, and stormed out of Yuqing Hall.
Ji Changfeng quickly pulled Zhang Xiaofan along, following after. He knew Tian Buyi's temperament—gruff but not malicious. Poor aptitude is what it is. Be grateful he took you at all.
Outside the hall, Song Daren, a senior disciple, approached and bowed respectfully to Tian Buyi. "Master."
"Hmph!" Tian Buyi pointed at Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan. "Take them back to Dazhu Peak." Without another word, he departed.
Song Daren, unfazed by his master's mood, turned to the two boys with a warm smile. "Junior Brothers, come with me."
Zhang Xiaofan shrank back, still intimidated by the unfamiliar surroundings. Ji Changfeng, however, smiled at Song Daren. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for guiding us."
"No trouble at all," Song Daren replied casually.
Joining Dazhu Peak wasn't a bad deal. With fewer disciples, the atmosphere was harmonious, free of scheming and rivalries—perfect for cultivation.
_
As they stepped out of the hall, a sea of clouds unfurled before them, a breathtaking vista. Ji Changfeng couldn't help but marvel inwardly. Truly a land of immortals. Such scenery could never be found in the mortal world.
Boom—
Suddenly, a wave of clarity washed over Ji Changfeng's mind. His entire being seemed to slip into a profound, almost mystical state. In that moment, a faint voice echoed in his ears, as if from the heavens themselves…
[Congratulations! You have awakened Heaven-Defying Comprehension!]
[By beholding the marvelous Qingyun scenery 'Sea of Clouds,' you have realized the insignificance of humanity and the profound mysteries of the world, creating an unparalleled sword technique—Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate!]