Tongtian Peak stood at the very center of the Tianyuan Divine Sect's Thirty-Three Peaks and was known as the lord of all peaks.
The entire mountain towered into the clouds. From halfway up the mountain, one could already feel as though they had entered an immortal realm. Misty clouds drifted about, while the buildings atop the peak resembled heavenly palaces.
Daoist Sanyuan and his group of six landed halfway up Tongtian Peak and made their way up along the mountain path. It took them a full hour to reach the summit.
"Welcome, Third Martial Uncle. Taihe Peak's assigned location is Stand Number Thirty-Three." A group of disciples wearing Tongtian Peak robes bowed to Daoist Sanyuan.
Daoist Sanyuan nodded without saying much and led Han Fei and the other five straight into the summit area.
The moment he stepped onto the summit, Han Fei was awed by the sheer size of Tongtian Peak's peak. Even the Imperial City where he had lived as a child was probably only this large, wasn't it?
As they walked, Wei Ying asked, "Master, that man called you Third Martial Uncle just now. Does that make them our senior brothers?"
Daoist Sanyuan shook his head. "Strictly speaking, they can no longer be considered your senior brothers. You are still disciples of the Tianyuan Divine Sect, while they have already truly graduated."
"You will all cultivate in the Tianyuan Divine Sect for at least six years. After ten years, you will face a choice. Aside from the limited few who can become Core Disciples of the Divine Sect, those whose cultivation reaches the Spirit Gathering Realm can become hidden guards, stewards, and so on."
"Of course, only a small number can remain in the Divine Sect. Many disciples return to their hometowns to live as recluses or serve their own nations. Some become villains and commit all sorts of evil. Every year, hidden guards and Core Disciples receive many missions to purge such traitors. You may face that in the future as well."
"As for the group you just saw, they have already graduated from being hidden guards. In other words, they served as hidden guards for ten years, and their cultivation has reached at least the Martial Origin Realm."
Han Fei and the others cried out in shock. The Martial Origin Realm again.
It was only at that moment that Han Fei truly sensed the strength of the Tianyuan Divine Sect. If the Tianyuan Divine Sect had existed for several hundred years, then wouldn't it have at least a thousand Martial Origin Realm experts?
Chiyou said, "So what if there are tens of thousands? Ants are still ants no matter how many there are. Group Leader, your perspective is still far too limited. Once you reach a certain height, you will no longer think your sect is powerful."
Han Fei said, "But no matter what, the Martial Origin Realm is my goal right now."
Chiyou refuted him, "You are wrong. Your current goal is to first reach the Spirit Gathering Realm. Don't aim too high. Still, with the few of us helping you, your cultivation speed certainly will not be slow."
Fuxi said, "That may be true, but do not rely entirely on us either. You must understand that in our era, there was no concept of cultivation. Our era emphasized comprehending the Dao. The only one who could truly be said to have cultivated was probably Pangu."
Yellow Emperor shook his head. "Though there has always been talk of attaining the Dao through the physical body, how many have ever succeeded? You want the Group Leader to learn from Pangu?"
In the middle of a massive plaza stood thirty-three stone pillars, each nearly ten meters tall, with numbers carved upon them.
Han Fei's group of six was at Stand Number Thirty-Three. Though all the stands looked the same, their reputations and statuses were worlds apart.
Even Daoist Sanyuan felt rather humiliated at this moment. But there was nothing he could do. Taihe Peak was the lowest-ranked main peak, and he was helpless about it.
A great deal of hushed discussion rose from the surrounding disciples.
"Hey, look. It's people from Taihe Peak."
"What's there to watch? Every martial meet, they get eliminated in the first round. Look around—none of even Tongtian Peak's stewards bother with people from Taihe Peak."
"It can't be helped. One step behind, always behind. Whenever the mountain gates open to accept disciples, Taihe Peak can only choose last. They get whatever other main peaks leave behind. If there are any especially monstrous talents, Tongtian Peak takes them away in advance. They never make it to the martial meet."
"You mean the Sect Master's final disciple from a few years ago? I heard he came from Taihe Peak. Is that true?"
"How could it not be? They say that person also had a Supreme Spiritual Root and reached the Innate Realm at thirteen. After the Sect Master learned of it, he personally went to Taihe Peak and accepted him as his final disciple. The whole Tianyuan Divine Sect knows about it."
The surrounding discussions continuously reached the ears of Daoist Sanyuan and Han Fei.
Daoist Sanyuan was not too bothered by it, though he did feel somewhat bitter. After all, Fu Jiahao possessed a Supreme Spiritual Root. If he had remained at Taihe Peak, it would surely have delayed him.
Of course, now that he had Han Fei, Daoist Sanyuan did not care as much. At the very least, after today, Taihe Peak could no longer remain at the bottom. He had great confidence in Han Fei.
Han Fei, however, fell silent. The childhood companion he had grown up with had now become the Sect Master's final disciple, someone even stewards had to bow to. His temperament had changed along with his status. That was what hurt Han Fei the most.
Second Senior Sister Qi Mengyu said, "Master, it seems that the people here to watch are also from other main peaks. Why did you not have the people from Taihe Peak come earlier? They have probably only just arrived at the foot of the mountain by now, right?"
Daoist Sanyuan snorted. "What would be the point of having them come early? So they could listen to this gossip? The martial meet will not begin for a while yet. It is not as though there is not enough time."
Qi Mengyu stuck out her tongue and said no more.
Third Senior Brother Heran said, "Master, do not worry. Even if I have to give it everything I have, I will win at least one match and not disgrace you."
Daoist Sanyuan sighed and said with a gratified expression, "I am already happy that you have such resolve. When you truly fight, do not act recklessly. Though the martial meet advocates stopping at the right point, every martial meet has people killed in battle. You must all be extremely careful."
The moment Daoist Sanyuan finished speaking, another group entered Stand Number Thirty-Two. The word "Giant God" was embroidered on the chests of these disciples. It seemed the people of Giant God Peak had arrived.
Giant God Peak was connected to Taihe Peak, but it ranked one place higher. Thus, Giant God Peak always pressed Taihe Peak down. After all, judging by the rankings, Taihe Peak was the only one they could bully.
Moreover, Giant God Peak's Headmaster was named Daoist Yiyuan, and he was also Daoist Sanyuan's senior brother.
"Junior Brother, you came quite early. You actually arrived before your senior brother."
Daoist Sanyuan said, "Senior Brother, you are too polite. Since our Taihe Peak ranks at the bottom, how could we make main peaks ranked above us wait? It is better for us to be more sensible."
Daoist Yiyuan frowned. Giant God Peak ranked thirty-second and was actually not much better than Taihe Peak. Daoist Sanyuan's words were clearly a jab at Giant God Peak.
The clash between the two Headmasters also helped the disciples of the various main peaks pass the dull time before the martial meet began.
The Headmasters of the main peaks and the disciples participating in the martial meet gradually took their places. Familiar main peaks greeted one another, while the Headmasters exchanged idle conversation.
Yet Taihe Peak alone was practically ignored by the other main peaks, as though it had been isolated.
Qi Mengyu, Heran, and the other Taihe Peak disciples clenched their fists, determined to win a ranking for Taihe Peak.
Daoist Sanyuan looked at Han Fei beside him. "Are you under pressure?"
Han Fei shook his head. "I have my own purpose, but I will act with Taihe Peak's honor as my starting point."
Fourth Senior Brother Du Kun laughed. "Little Junior Brother, the few of us were prejudiced against you at first. But now we realize that we were the frogs at the bottom of a well. In only a few days, you reached the Innate Realm Fifth Level Peak. The few of us senior brothers probably cannot catch up to your achievements. We only hope that when you rise high in the future, you will not forget that we were once your senior brothers."
Han Fei smiled. "I will not. Also, Fourth Senior Brother, there is one thing you got wrong. My cultivation is not at the Innate Realm Fifth Level Peak. It is the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm."
Everyone froze at once. Daoist Sanyuan frowned. "In merely one day and two nights, you... you broke through again?"
Han Fei smiled and nodded. "Just luck, just luck!"
After saying that, Han Fei began scanning his surroundings while communicating with several Ancient Gods in the Primordial Group.
"Elders, your souls are all far stronger than mine. If you discover that man in black, please make sure to tell me."
Fuxi said, "He has already arrived, but I do not intend to tell you."
"Why?" Han Fei asked in confusion.
Yellow Emperor said, "You cannot rely on us for everything, including revenge. Besides, you should encounter him eventually. If you make it to the end, perhaps the two of you will fight. Wouldn't that be perfect? Settle your grievances and avenge your hatred then."
Han Fei's fists clenched with audible cracks. He closed his eyes and recalled every detail about the man in black, so that he could recognize him immediately when they met.
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