Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao (50)

Su Han held the jade pendant, still warm to the touch, and shook his head with a wry smile. The icy beauty of Yuheng Peak did not seem as cold and distant as she appeared.

When he returned to Tian Ya Peak, Su Han was stunned by the sight before him.

From the foot of the mountain to its summit, every disciple of Tian Ya Peak stood in neat lines on either side. At the sight of Su Han's return, they all bowed in unison. "Welcome back in triumph, senior brother Su!"

Their voices shook the heavens and soared into the clouds.

Elder Lin stood at the very front, his aged face brimming with gratified smiles, his eyes even slightly moist. "Good! Good! Good! Su Han, today you have brought great honor to Tian Ya Peak! From this day onward, all disciples of Tian Ya Peak shall treat you as they would treat me!"

"You praise me too highly, Elder." Su Han hurriedly returned the salute. "This disciple merely did what he should have done."

"What he should have done?" Elder Lin burst into laughter. "Do you know that Tian Ya Peak has not had anyone enter the top three of the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament for a full eighty-seven years, much less take first place? Eighty-seven years!"

The old man's voice caught, and the surrounding disciples lowered their heads as well. Every disciple keenly felt Tian Ya Peak's decline over the years—its share of resources was the smallest, its recruitment standards the strictest, and whenever they went out for training, they were often mocked by the other peaks.

But today, Su Han had shattered Faxiang with a single sword strike and overwhelmed all challengers to claim first place, finally allowing Tian Ya Peak to hold its head high!