Journey to the Misty Cloud Sect

Xiao Li and Old Wang discussed alchemy for several days. Making an exception, Old Wang granted Xiao Li the title of Honorary Elder of the Alchemist Guild, which also helped build Xiao Li's reputation.

After all, although the Jia Ma Empire was small, impoverished, and lacking in experts, its people were full of schemes, and there were far too many who stabbed others in the back.

Old Wang himself was immensely powerful. Aside from Jia Xingtian and Yun Shan, no one could rival him. The various clans all feared Old Wang's strength, and under his leadership, the Alchemist Guild, the Royal Family, and the Misty Cloud Sect stood as the Jia Ma Empire's three transcendent powers.

Now that Xiao Li had returned after completing his studies, becoming a Dou Emperor would take no more than a year or two. Those with complicated intentions would also rein in their filthy thoughts.

After refining a batch of pills, Xiao Li looked toward the majestic mountain range beyond the Imperial Capital. That was Misty Cloud Mountain.

"What? Missing that girl? If you miss her, go see her. That girl has worked quite hard these past two years. Besides, that old man Yun Shan promised this old man quite a few things, so I refined plenty of pills for her.

"Now that you go see her, her growth will surely surprise you~ Whether in cultivation or other aspects."

By the end, Old Wang's grin had nearly reached his ears.

"Teacher, I'll be back in a bit," Xiao Li said with a foolish grin as he scratched his cheek.

"Get lost. This old man doesn't have a bed for you here," Old Wang cursed with a laugh.

"Got it."

A pair of translucent wings emerged from Xiao Li's back, and he flew toward Misty Cloud Mountain.

"At the end of the day, he's still just a young lad. Sigh~ I wonder how she's doing."

Misty Cloud Mountain

The mountain was steep, bordered by cliffs on three sides, with only a single path leading to the summit. It was a perilous place that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Misty Cloud Sect Disciples patrolled the entire mountain closely, making the range resemble a small fortress.

"There are winds everywhere here. Cultivating Wind Attribute Dou Qi in this place would yield twice the results with half the effort. Looks like the Misty Cloud Sect's Ancestor really knew how to pick a location."

As Xiao Li sensed the surrounding environment, he found that compared to the bustling Imperial Capital, he preferred the ethereal atmosphere of the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Who goes there?! Dou Qi Wings! A Dou Wang expert!"

Xiao Li had not concealed himself at all. He had arrived openly and directly.

The Misty Cloud Sect Disciples patrolling the mountain also noticed his Dou Qi Wings and realized he was a Dou Wang expert. A perceptive commander stepped forward and cupped his fists toward Xiao Li.

"Your Excellency, flying freely around Misty Cloud Mountain may cause some unnecessary trouble. Please descend first. Are you here to visit a friend or challenge the sect? We can lead the way."

The leader spoke and carried himself well, without the arrogant air of those petty factions. Xiao Li felt that these were indeed disciples properly trained by Yun Shan. His first impression was quite favorable.

"To visit a friend." Xiao Li held the jade token Yun Yun had given him in his hand.

"Your Excellency, could you descend first? You're flying so high that I can't see the token clearly."

Xiao Li ultimately descended and handed the token to the Misty Cloud Sect Disciple. The disciple froze the moment he received it, then immediately bowed to Xiao Li and apologized for his earlier disrespectful words.

Afterward, the disciple led Xiao Li up Misty Cloud Mountain on foot and instructed another disciple to hurry ahead and report to the sect.

"The atmosphere in your Misty Cloud Sect is quite good. At least you don't have the habit of looking down on people."

Along the way, Xiao Li saw quite a few Misty Cloud Sect Disciples. None of them carried that overbearing, arrogant air.

How should he put it? The Misty Cloud Sect Disciples all seemed calm and unhurried, without any impetuousness.

"These are the rules of our Misty Cloud Sect. Upon joining the Misty Cloud Sect, one's foremost goal is peaceful cultivation. We do not stir up trouble or bully others with our power. Should any disciple be found causing trouble or abusing their status to oppress others, they will be dealt with according to sect rules."

The disciple spoke gently.

"How are they dealt with?"

Misty Cloud Sect Disciple: "It depends on the circumstances. The lightest punishment is three years of facing the wall in reflection. More serious offenders are sent to Thousand Wind Cliff for punishment. The worst offenders have all their cultivation crippled and are expelled from the Misty Cloud Sect."

Xiao Li: ...I have a curse I don't know whether I should say or not.

"Has anything been happening in the Misty Cloud Sect recently? I can sense a faint killing aura around your sect," Xiao Li asked.

"Next year, the Chu Yun Empire and the Jia Ma Empire will hold the Strongest Experts Convention. As the Jia Ma Empire's foremost sect, the Misty Cloud Sect naturally bears the responsibility of protecting our homeland.

"The Sect Leader has ordered all disciples to cultivate diligently, so that we may have some means to preserve our lives during the convention." The Misty Cloud Sect Disciple spoke with some excitement.

"Your Excellency seems quite excited. Why would you have such a mindset toward something that could cost you your life?" Xiao Li asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Of course I am excited to defend the empire and uphold the sect's honor. From the moment I joined the Misty Cloud Sect, I was prepared for this. I am ready to die for the sect at any time," the disciple said proudly.

"But the Misty Cloud Sect has existed longer than the Jia Ma Empire, hasn't it? Why protect the empire?"

"Because I am not only a Misty Cloud Sect Disciple, but also a citizen of the Jia Ma Empire. I have a duty to protect my country. At the very least, the Chu Yun Empire is our mortal enemy!"

"Mm... Keep that spirit."

Xiao Li could not empathize with their way of thinking. To someone who had died once, he did not want to seek death again. Staying alive was more important than anything.

"But if the family were in danger, if Grandfather or Big Brother were in danger, would I prioritize surviving, or risk my life for the family?"

That question suddenly lingered in Xiao Li's heart. He feared death, yet he also had bonds he could not bear to sever.

Before long, Xiao Li and the Misty Cloud Sect Disciple reached the summit.

At the end of the endless stone steps, clouds and mist swirled. Beyond them lay a vast plaza paved entirely with uniform massive stones, giving it an ancient and imposing air. At the center of the plaza stood a towering stone monument, inscribed with the names of every past Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, as well as those who had rendered great service to the sect.

Xiao Li was the first to spot a woman who stirred his heart, standing there as though waiting for someone.

She wore a moon-white gown that wrapped around her voluptuous, delicate figure. Her long black hair was arranged in the shape of a singing Phoenix, faintly revealing an unmistakable nobility. Her face was serene and beautiful, like a clear spring deep in the mountains. Even as her noble status inspired reverence, one could not help but entertain tender thoughts.

When the woman saw the person she had missed for so long approach, she instinctively ran forward and threw herself into Xiao Li's arms.

The disciple leading him and the surrounding Misty Cloud Sect Disciples were all stunned.

Before everyone's eyes, the Misty Cloud Sect's Young Sect Master had rushed into the arms of an unfamiliar man.

Crack—

Who knew how many young men and women suddenly had their hearts shattered? The goddess in their hearts was in another man's embrace.

"You've grown up," Xiao Li said with emotion. A girl truly changed greatly as she grew. After two years apart, Yun Yun had grown in every way.

Yun Yun also calmed down at that moment and released Xiao Li from her embrace, her pretty face flushed red. She did not know why she had suddenly hugged him—perhaps longing, perhaps affection, or perhaps a mixture of countless complicated emotions.

After all, Xiao Li's figure had left an extremely deep impression in her heart.