Sun-Watching, Sun-Awakening

The other disciples looked up.

Changle Le Shi Shu's friend?

Cheng Shiyan nodded slightly and continued in a low voice, "He also said that all disciples should prioritize their own lives and not die because of him, so as not to have any further disputes with Yellow Luminary Peak."

After he finished speaking, the valley became even quieter.

Hua Liuli was still young, and finally couldn't hold back her tears, which fell silently. She bit her lip tightly to keep from crying out loud.

Ning Ya pursed his lips tightly, looking down at Zhao Changle's coffin.

Cheng Yu took a deep breath and whispered, "Even on his deathbed, my martial uncle was still thinking of us."

Zhao Lingzhi nodded gently.

They all knew that Liu Changle had been stubbornly holding on for the past two years.

The Dao Platform was severely injured when he stood up for Sun-Watching Peak against Yellow Luminary Peak, a figure on the Dragon-Transformation Immortal Ranking, and has been declining day by day ever since.

He never mentioned to anyone how serious his injuries were.

He simply said, "Sun-Watching Peak is fine; I have my own plans."

Until that day, a spiritual energy suddenly emanated from Liu Changle's secluded cultivation place. When the disciples rushed into the stone chamber, they found that he had already passed away peacefully.

"With such a deep-seated hatred... our martial uncle still tells us not to fight..."

Zhu Qingjian shook his head.

If they continue to stay here, Yellow Luminary Peak will not let them go.

If one were to descend the mountain to Rogue Cultivator, one would inevitably be devoured by other superior cultivators.

Moreover, there are still many cultivation sites on this Sun-Watching Peak...

"The world of cultivation is like this, like ten thousand demons clashing and a hundred ghosts roaming the road. If you are not careful, you will be smashed to pieces."

Cheng Shiyan softly, slowly walked to the stone coffin, raised his hand, and gently closed the coffin lid.

The movements were extremely gentle, as if afraid of disturbing the person inside the coffin.

The moment the coffin lid closed, it made a very dull, soft sound.

"Seal the formation," Cheng Shiyan a low voice.

Zhu Qingjian stood up, formed a hand seal, and a beam of spiritual light fell into the great formation.

The array patterns lit up one after another, then fell silent again, protecting the stone coffin within.

The six people stood silently for a long time.

Finally, Cheng Shiyan spoke first, his voice calm. "You have all heard what was said in the letter."

Those who wish to descend the mountain, those who do not... shall temporarily seek refuge with me.

He turned around and looked at Cheng Yu and Zhao Lingzhi.

"You two are still young. Although your cultivation foundation is not shallow, you have not seen too much of the dangers of the world."

After descending the mountain, find a small market town, hide your identity, and you may be able to live a peaceful life.

Cheng Yu lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

Zhao Lingzhi remained silent.

Cheng Shiyan did not urge him.

After about half a cup of tea's time, Cheng Yu finally raised his head. He took a deep breath, walked up to Cheng Shiyan, and bowed deeply. "Senior Brother Cheng, I... Lingzhi and I will go down the mountain now."

His voice trembled slightly, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "Over the years, Sun-Watching Peak has taken good care of us, but now..."

He didn't finish speaking.

However, Zhu Qingjian and Cheng Shiyan a glance, naturally knowing what he wanted to say.

Now that both Dao Foundation Realm cultivators from Sun-Watching Peak have died, and Yellow Luminary Peak is also eyeing them covetously, for Cheng Yu and Zhao Lingzhi, their status as disciples of Sun-Watching Peak has become a burden.

Zhao Lingzhi also stepped forward and bowed to Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian.

She didn't speak, but simply bowed her head in silence.

Cheng Shiyan looked at her, without criticizing her, and simply nodded. "Okay."

"You two, leave tonight."

Cheng Yu and Zhao Lingzhi exchanged a glance, then knelt down and kowtowed three times to the stone coffin. They then bowed to Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian before getting up and walking down the mountain without looking back.

Their figures were quickly swallowed up by the mountain mist.

Only after the two figures completely disappeared from sight did Cheng Shiyan turn around, leaving behind Hua Liuli and Ning Ya among the others.

Hua Liuli wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye and stood up straight. "I'm not leaving."

Her voice was still a little choked up, but unusually firm. "I was born among refugees, rescued by my master, and raised by Sun-Watching Peak. Now that Sun-Watching Peak is in trouble... I am even less willing to leave."

Moreover... if I were to descend the mountain and become Rogue Cultivator, wouldn't I just be devoured by those high-level cultivators?

"It would be better to die on this peak, at least then I could guard the graves of my master and uncles."

Ning Ya, standing behind her, added, "Me too."

Cheng Shiyan observed them for a few moments, then finally gave up trying to persuade them further.

He sighed deeply and said in a low voice, "But I don't know if my uncle's friend is trustworthy, or if he will really come."

Zhu Qingjian didn't look at them; her gaze remained fixed on the distant mountain ridge, as if she were looking at something.

Just then, she suddenly frowned slightly.

"Um?"

Cheng Shiyan noticed her unusual behavior and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Zhu Qingjian did not answer immediately, but slowly raised his head and looked towards the distant horizon.

There, a brilliant yellow suddenly appeared on the horizon.

The yellow hue appeared very quickly, initially just a thin, light halo, but in an instant it spread rapidly like ink into water, dyeing half the sky a dusky yellow.

Cheng Shiyan's pupils contracted slightly.

Hua Liuli and Ning Ya both changed color at the same time.

"A cultivator has arrived? Is he from Yellow Luminary Peak?"

Zhu Qingjian shook his head. "No."

Her gaze sharpened slightly. "They came from the direction of Clear Pond Peak."

Before the words were even finished, a cloud of mist rose up from the distant, golden clouds.

The thick fog, carrying a heavy, oppressive aura, surged and condensed in the clouds, gradually taking on the outline of a person.

The person came riding on clouds, approaching from afar, and landed on the clouds in front of the Sun-Watching Peak.

The newcomer was dressed in a gray-blue Daoist robe, with a white jade ring around his waist. He had a thin face, slightly high cheekbones, and long, narrow eyes with a shrewd look.

This person was none other than Zhao Heju, a cultivator from Clear Pond Peak.

His cultivation had reached the Twelve Levels of Qi Circulation, and he had completed the Dao Platform. He was originally the most outstanding figure among the current generation of Clear Pond Peak.

However, he is somewhat inferior to Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian.

In the past, when he met Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian, he would always greet them with a cupped hand and address them as "Senior Brother" and "Senior Sister," and his words were always somewhat polite.

But today, Zhao Heju's face was cold and his tone was distant. He stood in front of the Sun-Watching Peak and did not even bow to the two of them.

He merely glanced at the grand formation and then at the stone coffin before slowly speaking, "Fellow Daoist Cheng, Fellow Daoist Zhu, how have you been?"

Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian exchanged a glance.

Zhu Qingjian remained expressionless, only saying, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, have you come to my Sun-Watching Peak today for some business?"

Zhao Heju stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm. "I've come on my master's orders to conduct a transaction with Sun-Watching Peak."

"A transaction?" Cheng Shiyan frowned slightly. "But what kind of transaction is it?"

Zhao Heju did not answer immediately, but took two steps forward slowly, his gaze falling on the low-lying spiritual field on the mountainside of a mountain not far away.

That spiritual field was only twelve acres in size and of no more than the fifth rank; it was one of the last remaining assets of Sun-Watching Peak.

The crops planted in the fields are all of decent quality spiritual rice and spirit medicine. Although they cannot compare to the fertile spiritual fields of the upper peak, they are enough to support the most basic cultivation needs of the disciples of Sun-Watching Peak.

Further up, you'll reach the Sun-Watching Main Peak.

On the mountainside, a Spirit Vein coils, though it is only of the Fourth Profound level, it is precisely this vein that makes the Spiritual Qi on Sun-Watching Peak more than twice as concentrated as that outside.

Cultivators who practice on this Spirit Vein will achieve twice the results with half the effort.

Zhao Heju withdrew his gaze and calmly said, "Clear Pond Peak is willing to exchange two fifth-grade Spirit Artifact and five bottles of fifth-grade spiritual pills for twelve acres of spiritual fields covering the Qieman Mountain, as well as the Fourfold Profound Spirit Vein atop the Sun-Watching Main Peak."

Upon hearing this, both Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian's expressions changed.

Hua Liuli and Ning Ya couldn't help but feel angry.

Spiritual fields and Spirit Vein are the lifeblood of a peak.

With spirit fields, Spirit Plant and spirit medicine can be grown, providing income for the sect and allowing its cultivators to cultivate pills.

The Spirit Vein are even more important. It is because of the Spirit Vein that the Spiritual Qi on Sun-Watching Peak is more than twice as rich as that outside, making it much more effective for cultivators to practice here.

Now, Clear Pond Peak wants to "trade" spiritual fields and Spirit Vein with Sun-Watching Peak. On the surface, it is a transaction, but in reality, it is taking advantage of the situation and trying to seize Sun-Watching Peak's century-old foundation.

Cheng Shiyan remained silent, his expression cold.

Zhu Qingjian suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, the spiritual fields and Spirit Vein are the foundation upon which my Sun-Watching Peak was established. I regret that we cannot trade with them."

Zhao Heju merely shook his head slightly, his tone somewhat impatient. "You don't need to rush to refuse. This deal Non-Self the intention of Clear Pond Peak."

As he spoke, he reached into his sleeve and took out a token.

The token was about three fingers wide, dark blue in color, with intricate cloud patterns engraved on the edges, and the character "Yang" branded on the front.

"Guanri and Qingchi are both under the command of [Sun-Awakening Upper Peak]." Zhao Heju's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

"This deal has already received the approval of Elder Liu Zhi."

Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian stared at each other, their eyes filled with anger and surprise.

Sun-Awakening Upper Peak?

It's amazing that Azure Pool Peak was able to get such a person to come.

The two had no choice but to suppress their anger.

Cheng Shiyan said in a deep voice, "Spirit fields and Spirit Vein are too precious. As disciples of Sun-Watching Peak, we have no right to engage in transactions with them."

"I have a senior uncle who is traveling abroad and will be arriving soon. Please trouble the senior brothers of Clear Pond Peak to go back and inform him. Once my senior uncle returns, Sun-Watching Peak will send someone to invite him."

This was clearly a concession.

Zhao Heju simply chuckled and shook his head.

He casually tossed the token into the air.

The token, suspended in mid-air, suddenly emitted a beam of white light.

A figure emerged from the white light.

The moment that figure appeared, the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth suddenly sank.

He looked quite young, around twenty years old, with a handsome face, but his eyes and brows exuded a majesty completely incongruous with his age.

He was surrounded by a layer of shimmering, watery spiritual light, with faint ripples flowing around him, as if the entire world was enveloped by his aura.

Dao Foundation Realm.

This is the manifestation of Divine Ability powers of a Dao Foundation Realm master.

Zhu Qingjian and Cheng Shiyan both felt a chill run down their spines.

"It is the Daoist Jushui, the master of Clear Pond Peak."

Hua Liuli and Ning Ya also involuntarily took a step back.

The young man looked at them quietly for a moment, then spoke.

"Sun-Watching Peak has lost the battle with Yellow Luminary Peak."

Both of the sect's Dao Foundation Realm have perished.

These spiritual fields and Spirit Vein are extraordinary things, and since we are powerless to protect them, they will inevitably be swallowed up by other superiors.

"It's better for it to be handed over to my Azure Pool Peak than to be taken away by a lower peak under the jurisdiction of another higher peak."

The voice echoed through the valley, its tone leaving no room for argument.

Cheng Shiyan a deep breath and forced himself to say, "Spirit fields and Spirit Vein are the foundation of our Sun-Watching Peak sect... If they were to be..."

"There are no ifs." The figure's voice was calm, yet carried a hint of coldness. "Since Elder Liu Zhi has agreed, this matter is not something you can refuse."

After he finished speaking, the white light slowly receded and disappeared back into the token.

Zhao Heju caught the falling token, looked up at Zhu Qingjian and Cheng Shiyan, and revealed a hint of smugness in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Cheng, Fellow Daoist Zhu, you have already understood the superior's meaning."

If you still have questions, you can naturally go to Sun-Awakening Upper Peak to ask him for guidance.

He paused, then lowered his voice slightly. "Two Dao Foundation Realm cultivators have perished, and your senior uncle's whereabouts are unknown."

Although spirit fields and Spirit Vein are valuable, they simply cannot be protected under the Dragon-Offering Sect.

He smiled slightly, "Instead of waiting for it to be forcibly taken away by other superiors someday, it's better to take advantage of it now and get some real benefits."

This is already an act of kindness from Elder Liu Zhi."

Neither Cheng Shiyan Zhu Qingjian responded.

They knew that Zhao Heju was telling the truth.

The word "superior" alone was enough to suppress all their struggles.

Dragon-Offering Sect has nearly two hundred peaks, of which twenty-eight are upper peaks.

Achieving the highest level means having one Dao Foundation Perfection Stage cultivator under one's tutelage, a second-grade Spirit Artifact, a second-grade spiritual field, Second Profound Spirit Vein, or even more than five Dao Foundation Realm cultivators.

Even outside of Dragon-Offering Territory, and within the vast Nine-Towers Land, it would be considered a colossal entity.

Now that an elder from the upper echelons has spoken, it seems that Sun-Watching Peak may not be able to protect the spiritual fields and Spirit Vein.

Seeing their silence, Zhao Heju's smile deepened.

He turned around as if to leave, but then suddenly stopped, turned back and said, "You'd better think about it quickly."

Elder Liu Zhi's patience is no greater than that of Yellow Luminary Peak.

After he finished speaking, he prepared to ride the clouds and depart.

Cheng Shiyan and Zhu Qingjian both remained silent.

Zhu Qingjian lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the stone coffin, and remained silent for a long time.

She recalled Liu Changle's words in his letter, "Preserving one's life is of utmost importance."

She remembered the promise she had made to the stone coffin earlier: to "protect the Sun-Watching Peak."

She gritted her teeth and whispered, "If we can't leave behind spiritual fields Spirit Vein, it will become increasingly difficult to stay in Dragon-Offering Territory, especially with the Yellow Luminary Peak cultivators looking down on us and being aggressive."

It seems... it's time to leave Dragon-Offering Territory with my junior brothers and sisters."

Before the words were finished, a bolt of lightning suddenly exploded in the distance.

The lightning struck incredibly fast; almost at the same instant it exploded, it had already traversed the sky, torn through the clouds, and illuminated the entire sky, which had been stained with a brilliant yellow, into a pure white.

As the lightning flashed, a figure appeared in the Void.