Master, I Want to Go Down the Mountain!

Great Bamboo Peak.

Scripture Depository.

"Buyi."

"Don't just stand there gawking."

"Seventh's progress like this is an unprecedented joy for our Great Bamboo Peak."

Su Ru stood to the side, her beautiful eyes shimmering.

She looked at her husband's comical expression, as if he had swallowed a raw egg, and couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Tian Buyi finally snapped back to reality.

The flesh on his chubby face bunched up. He originally wanted to say a few stern words to maintain his authority as the head disciple.

But no matter how he tried to press his lips down, the corners of his mouth kept curling upwards uncontrollably.

"Ahem!"

Tian Buyi, hands behind his back and his round belly protruding, circled Ye Xuan three times.

His gaze...

was like he was looking at a rare treasure, afraid of bumping or scratching it.

"Master, since I've already reached the fifth level..."

"What about what we agreed upon before?"

Ye Xuan saw that the time was right.

He blinked, looking at Tian Buyi with an innocent expression.

The smile on Tian Buyi's face froze instantly.

He certainly remembered.

Six months ago, Ye Xuan had clamored to go down the mountain to train.

To get rid of the kid, he had casually said, "Talk about it when you reach the fourth level."

That was a delaying tactic!

What kind of proper disciple could reach the fifth level in half a year?

For a normal person to reach the fourth level, the Object Moving Realm, it would take at least twenty to thirty years!

Going down the mountain then would naturally be safe.

But now?

Tian Buyi lowered his head.

He looked at the little brat in front of him, who only reached his chest.

Ten years old!

This kid was only ten years old at most!

He was carved from jade and sculpted from pearl, his face so tender you could squeeze water out of it.

Letting him go out to train now?

He'd probably be snatched away by a wolf grandma as soon as he left Qingyun Mountain!

"No!"

"Absolutely not!"

"How old are you?"

"You're at an age where you can't even tie your own belt, so why would you go down the mountain?"

"The world is treacherous, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Do you think this is still playing house on the mountain?"

Tian Buyi shook his head like a rattle drum, his thick eyebrows almost knitting together.

"Master!"

"A gentleman's word is his bond, faster than a team of four horses can carry it away!"

"You are the dignified head disciple of Great Bamboo Peak, how can you go back on your word!"

Ye Xuan had long expected this short, fat Master to go back on his word.

He spread his small hands and said calmly.

Tian Buyi choked.

His chubby face turned the color of liver.

He stole a glance at Su Ru beside him.

Su Ru was looking at him with a half-smile, clearly enjoying the show.

"I... I meant that..."

"That's the standard for ordinary disciples!"

"Look at your senior brothers, how many of them trained for twenty or thirty years before coming down the mountain?"

"You have cultivation now, but your mindset… in short, you're too young!"

"What if you run into Demonic Cult Yao, they kill without blinking!"

Tian Buyi sputtered for a long time.

Finally, he waved his fat hand, truly resorting to shamelessness.

"Master!"

"Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

"As a disciple who possesses the Innate Dao Body, I can still improve by staying behind closed doors, but I lack practical experience and insight."

"Besides."

"You don't want me to have cultivation but end up as a flower in a greenhouse, do you?"

"If I get stage fright and lose at the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament…"

Ye Xuan wasn't annoyed.

He slowly tidied his cuffs.

This mention of the "Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament" precisely struck Tian Buyi's soft spot.

What was Tian Buyi's greatest obsession in life?

It was to hold his head high in the grand competition!

To outshine that Cang Song, the old Daoist from Dragon Head Peak, who was always so arrogant!

Tian Buyi fell silent.

He paced back and forth in the room.

The wooden floor creaked with a mournful sound.

"It's not impossible for you to go down the mountain."

"But!"

"You have to stay for three more days!"

"During these three days, I, your Master, will personally teach you some life-saving Spiritual Power!"

"What's the use of only being able to conjure a fireball?"

"If you encounter a real tough opponent, they'll cleave your fireball with a single sword strike!"

"If you don't learn it, you're not allowed to go anywhere!"

After a long while.

Tian Buyi suddenly stopped pacing, turned around, and stared intently at Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan's eyes lit up.

This fatty was still all bark and no bite, as expected. He was afraid he'd suffer outside and was going to give him private lessons and teach him secret techniques.

The next morning.

Great Bamboo Peak's dining hall.

The mountain mist hadn't yet dispersed, but the dining hall was already steaming.

Song Daren was busy with breakfast, leading several junior brothers.

A large basin of white porridge, several plates of crisp pickled vegetables, and dozens of steaming steamed buns.

This was the simple morning of cultivation practitioners.

Everyone took their seats in order.

Tian Buyi and Su Ru sat at the head of the table.

Ye Xuan sat obediently next to Tian Ling'er, holding a large steamed bun and eating with relish.

The atmosphere was a bit strange.

Usually.

Tian Buyi would eat with a stern face, or scold the disciples about their cultivation.

But today.

The fatty kept glancing at Ye Xuan, who was munching on a bun.

Then he would inexplicably let out a chuckle.

After chuckling, he'd immediately put on a stern face again, acting as if nothing had happened.

Song Daren and the others felt uneasy.

"What's wrong with Master?"

Fourth, He Dazhi, lowered his voice and nudged Du Bishu beside him with his elbow.

"Is it last night... Mistress?"

Du Bishu winked, a lecherous look on his face.

"Slap!"

A chopstick flew over precisely, hitting Du Bishu's forehead.

"Can't you shut your mouths even while eating?"

Tian Buyi snorted coldly.

Du Bishu clutched his forehead and dejectedly buried his head in his congee.

Tian Buyi cleared his throat.

He put down his bowl and chopsticks, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone.

The expression of wanting to show off but desperately suppressing it was written all over his fat face.

"I have an announcement."

The disciples immediately sat up straight.

Even Tian Ling'er, who had been fighting Ye Xuan for pickled vegetables, stopped her chopsticks.

"Seventh, you'll be in seclusion with me to learn magic these next few days."

"We'll pause the bamboo-cutting homework for now."

Tian Buyi pointed at Ye Xuan, who was diligently peeling an egg.

"Yes, Master."

Song Daren was stunned, then nodded with his usual simple honesty.

"But Junior Disciple Brother has only been here for half a year. Isn't it too early to learn magic now?"

"After all, his foundation isn't stable..."

"Early?"

Tian Buyi shrieked, his voice instantly rising eight octaves.

He seemed to have finally found an outlet for his emotions.

"Do you think he's like you blockheads?"

"Let me tell you!"

"Seventh broke through to the fifth level of Yuqing Realm last night!"

As soon as he spoke, the entire dining hall fell into deathly silence.

Even the birds outside seemed to pause for a moment.

"Clatter!"

Du Bishu's spoon fell into his bowl, splashing congee all over his face without him noticing.

Song Daren's mouth hung open, half a steamed bun falling onto the table.

He Dazhi's book slipped from his hand, falling to the ground with a "thud."

Everyone's expression was as if they had been struck by lightning.

Scorched.

Completely scorched.

"Wh-what level?"

Song Daren stammered, suspecting his ears had malfunctioned.

"Fifth level."

Tian Buyi was very satisfied with their reaction.

He slowly repeated it again, his tone carrying a hint of disdain for their ignorance.

"Gulp."

Someone unknown swallowed audibly.

It was remarkably clear in the quiet dining hall.

Everyone's gaze mechanically turned towards the small figure still peeling his egg.