Mocking Qi Hao

"Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu, disciples of Cang Song Zhenren of Dragon Head Peak, pay respects to Martial Uncle Tian and Martial Aunt Su."

Inside Shou Jing Hall, Tian Buyi and Su Ru sat in the seats of honor. Jiang Ming and Song Daren, who had just arrived, sat to the side in order. Two men in white stood in the hall, paying their respects to Tian Buyi. Seeing this, Jiang Ming understood that one was Zhang Xiao Fan's childhood friend, Lin Jingyu, while the other was Qi Hao, the one who had lured Tian Ling'er away.

To be honest, Jiang Ming found Qi Hao extremely unpleasant. A man nearly a hundred years old had actually given gifts to a teenage girl and professed his affection for her. It was utterly disgusting. Even Qing Ye, the founder of Qingyun Sect, had only lived around seven hundred and fifty years despite his cultivation. As for Qi Hao, he would at most reach the Shangqing realm. Reaching the Taiqing realm was probably impossible. He might not even attain Tian Buyi's level, with a lifespan of no more than four or five hundred years.

As for Tian Ling'er, she was only in her teens. With Tian Buyi and the others around, she would live at least another four or five hundred years. Qi Hao had spent over a century following Cang Song and handling affairs, frequently descending the mountain for experience. He was undoubtedly a shrewd old hand, not some innocent fool. Jiang Ming did not believe Qi Hao had never seen women more beautiful than Tian Ling'er. Xiao Zhu Peak was full of beauties, and there was Lu Xueqi as well. Why had he never given them gifts or declared his feelings? Wasn't it because he could not win them over? Unlike Tian Ling'er, that little white rabbit.

Jiang Ming did not believe Qi Hao had fallen in love with Tian Ling'er at first sight. Before he came to Da Zhu Peak, Tian Ling'er had never even met him, which meant the two had not encountered each other directly. Perhaps he had learned of Tian Ling'er elsewhere. Then, after meeting her, he had calmly presented the Cooling Pearl as a gift. It was simply too insidious.

In the end, Qi Hao had merely set his sights on Tian Buyi's formidable cultivation and position as the head of Da Zhu Peak. Tian Buyi currently had no accomplished disciples, while Su Ru was Shui Yue's junior sister from Xiao Zhu Peak. With Su Ru involved, could ties with Xiao Zhu Peak possibly slip away? With the support of those two, the position of Dragon Head Peak's head would practically be his for certain. In Jiang Ming's view, he might even have other schemes.

While Jiang Ming was thinking, Zhang Xiao Fan saw that the visitor was his childhood friend Lin Jingyu and was overjoyed. The two exchanged meaningful glances.

Seeing that they were from Dragon Head Peak, Tian Buyi was naturally in no good mood. But when he heard them announce their names, he realized that the younger one was the orphan from Cao Miao Village who had been with Zhang Xiao Fan back then, the one Cang Song had shamelessly snatched away as a disciple. Three years had passed, and that boy could already control a sword.

Thinking of this, Tian Buyi subconsciously looked toward Zhang Xiao Fan, Song Daren, and the others. Comparing them, his mood worsened greatly. If not for Jiang Ming, few among his unpromising disciples could compare to Lin Jingyu. He immediately said coldly to Qi Hao, "What did your master Cang Song send you here for?"

Qi Hao cupped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Martial Uncle Tian, my master Cang Song Zhenren was entrusted by Headmaster Dao Xuan Zhenren with managing the various matters of the Seven Peaks Tournament two years from now. Because there have been a few changes, he specifically ordered Junior Brother Lin and me to come inform you."

Tian Buyi snorted coldly and looked Lin Jingyu up and down. "He deliberately sent him here to show off before me, didn't he?"

Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu's expressions changed drastically. Lin Jingyu, unable to hold back, wanted to say something, but Qi Hao grabbed him and held him back. Smiling, he said, "Martial Uncle Tian truly knows how to joke. We are all members of Qingyun Sect, and Martial Uncle Tian is highly respected. My master absolutely meant no disrespect."

Seeing Tian Buyi's grim expression and wishing to avoid further awkwardness, Su Ru said, "Do not mind him. Your Martial Uncle Tian was only joking with you. By the way, you said there were some changes. What are they?"

Qi Hao respectfully replied, "Reporting to Martial Aunt Su, this is the matter. In past Seven Peaks Tournaments, each peak of Qingyun Sect sent four disciples, while the Head Lineage of Tongtian Peak sent an additional four, making thirty-two in total. They drew lots for duels, with the victors advancing. After five rounds, the final winner would become the most outstanding member of Qingyun Sect's younger generation and receive careful guidance from the elders."

"But this time, after my master discussed matters with Headmaster, some changes were made to the rules. I was specifically ordered to report them to the two Martial Uncles."

Tian Buyi and Su Ru's expressions shifted slightly. They immediately asked, "What changes?"

Qi Hao answered, "My master Cang Song Zhenren believed that the purpose of the Seven Peaks Tournament was to discover promising disciples from each peak and cultivate them further. Qingyun Sect now has nearly a thousand disciples, with especially many new members among the younger generation. There are no shortage of exceptionally gifted individuals among them. Considering this, an opportunity that only comes once every sixty years, with each peak sending merely four people, is truly too limited. Therefore, my master proposed that each of the seven peaks send nine disciples, making sixty-four in total. The format would otherwise remain the same: lots would be drawn for duels over six rounds, until the winner was determined. This would also prevent worthy talents from being overlooked."

Hearing this, Tian Buyi and Su Ru exchanged a glance and immediately understood Cang Song's intentions. Cang Song knew that Da Zhu Peak had always had few disciples and none of much promise. The only accomplished one, Jiang Ming, had been concealed by Tian Buyi. Thus, in practical terms, this change most benefited Tongtian Peak of the Head Lineage and Cang Song's Dragon Head Peak.

Tian Buyi was infuriated. Cang Song had always opposed him. If not for Jiang Ming, Da Zhu Peak would have lost face badly again in this Seven Peaks Tournament. He looked at Su Ru, and after their eyes met, they both looked toward Jiang Ming. The two had already formed a plan, though Tian Buyi still said coldly on the surface, "Very well. I have no objections."

Qi Hao secretly let out a huge sigh of relief. He then said to Tian Buyi, "Then many thanks, Martial Uncle Tian. Before we departed, my master also instructed us regarding one matter. My Junior Brother Lin here is an old friend of one of Martial Uncle Tian's disciples, Junior Brother Zhang. My master hopes Martial Uncle Tian will allow the two of them to catch up."

Tian Buyi became even more certain that Cang Song had sent Lin Jingyu here specifically to anger him. He knew Zhang Xiao Fan could not compare to Lin Jingyu, yet he still said this. On the surface, it was a kind gesture, but in truth, it was meant to strike at and mock him. Tian Buyi grew furious and said coldly to the two, "Granted. Do as you please."

Watching this scene from below, Jiang Ming disliked Cang Song even more. Other than Lin Jingyu, there was no one from Dragon Head Peak he did not find detestable. They were all so shameless. No wonder Tian Buyi was so eager for him to surpass Cang Song in the Seven Peaks Tournament.

After Zhang Xiao Fan obtained Tian Buyi's permission, he had already gone outside with Lin Jingyu to reminisce. Meanwhile, Qi Hao's eyes shifted slightly as he surveyed Song Daren and the others.

How could Jiang Ming not know what Qi Hao was thinking? He looked at Qi Hao and said, "You must be Qi Hao, the outstanding disciple of Martial Uncle Cang Song from Dragon Head Peak."

Qi Hao immediately returned the salute. "That is indeed me. You must be Jiang Ming, Martial Uncle Tian's seventh disciple."

With a mischievous smile, Jiang Ming said, "I heard Senior Brother Qi achieved the excellent result of second place in the Seven Peaks Tournament sixty years ago, losing only slightly to Senior Brother Xiao Yicai of the Head Lineage. Truly remarkable ability!"

How could Qi Hao fail to understand that Jiang Ming meant no goodwill? Yet every word Jiang Ming said was true, without a single falsehood. He could only accept it and say, "Not at all. Senior Brother Xiao's cultivation was profound. I accepted my defeat wholeheartedly."

Jiang Ming raised his voice again and said to Qi Hao, "Ah, Senior Brother Qi became so formidable after only a little over a hundred years in the sect. Junior Brother Xiao Fan, Junior Sister Ling'er, and I have cultivated for only a few years, barely ten or twenty years so far. We are far inferior to Senior Brother Qi's century of cultivation. Master and Martial Mother have always told the three of us to learn from and seek guidance from Senior Brother Qi. We would like to ask whether Senior Brother Qi has any secrets or methods from his century or so of cultivation. After all, Senior Brother, you are widely experienced. You have eaten more salt than we have eaten rice."

"Pfft..." Tian Ling'er finally could not hold back and burst out laughing.

Although Su Ru did not fully understand Jiang Ming's meaning, she caught the gist of it. She pulled Tian Ling'er over and whispered, "Ling'er, do not be rude!"