Enemies on a Narrow Road

An invisible force suddenly descended, carrying Song Wen and Cui Huo, and flew towards the spaceship above the square.

"You two are both very good. Would you like to stay at Handsome Peak?" Cui San said to Song Wen and Cui Huo.

Handsome Peak is the residence and cultivation place of the Cui Family's outstanding young members.

"I do!"

Song Wen and Cui Huo said in unison.

Before stepping onto the arena, Song Wen used his Spirit-Seeking Treasure Eyes to observe Cui Huo and found that the only treasure on Cui Huo's body capable of containing a soul was a jade pendant on his chest.

Jade Terrace City is the Cui Family's stronghold, so it's clearly not feasible to forcibly seize it during the competition in full view of everyone. We have to find another way.

Cui Huo's outstanding performance in the competition will undoubtedly earn him the attention of the Cui Family.

After the competition, he will definitely be rewarded with Foundation Establishment, and then he will begin seclusion to Foundation Establishment.

Song Wen didn't have time to wait until Xugeng had established his Foundation Establishment against him.

After all, the Xing Family and Limitless Island could obtain the <Ten-Thousand-Mile Breath-Tracking Technique> at any time and then come looking for it.

Song Wen had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure: first, join the Cui Family, get close to Cui Huo, and then seize the jade pendant from him.

Cui San nodded in satisfaction and looked at Song Wen Wendao.

"Wei Ding, you were originally Rogue Cultivator. If you want to join my Cui Family, we need to verify your identity and make sure you are not a spy sent by other forces."

Song Wen said, "I will follow your instructions, senior."

Cui San turned to Cui Hongying and said, "Hongying, I'll have to trouble you to make another trip and take Wei Ding to Ancestral Shrine Peak. His injuries aren't serious, and he can move around on his own. Cui Huo is more seriously injured, and I need to take him to get treatment."

Cui Hongying smiled slightly, "This is a small matter."

After saying that, she said to Song Wen, "Wei Ding, don't resist, I'll take you away!"

Cui Hongying used her Law Power to carry Song Wen eastward toward Azurefall Mountain.

The inspection by Ancestral Shrine Peak was extremely thorough; they not only examined Song Wen's body but also carefully checked the Storage Bag at his waist.

Song Wen came prepared and passed the inspection smoothly.

After leaving behind a wisp of his soul's essence and crafting it into Soul Lamp, 'Wei Ding' became a member of the Cui Family.

The soul aura left behind by Song Wen was naturally not his own, but rather the soul of someone else that he had purchased in the market.

"Wei Ding, from this day forward, you are a member of the Cui Family. You must diligently cultivate and serve the Cui Family wholeheartedly. The Cui Family has always been fair in its rewards and punishments and will never mistreat any loyal member."

After leaving Ancestral Shrine Peak, Cui Hongying led Song Wen towards Handsome Peak, giving Song Wen some instructions.

"This junior will certainly follow your teachings and do my utmost to serve the Cui Family," Song Wen replied respectfully.

Cui Hongying continued, "After all, you are not of the same surname. The simplest way to gain a foothold in the Cui Family is to become an in-law. There are many outstanding women on Handsome Peak. If you can find someone who is compatible with you and become their dao companion, it will greatly benefit you. If you still do not have dao companion after ten years, then the Lineage will have to assign one to you."

Song Wen said, "This junior understands."

The residences on Handsome Peak are individual Small Courtyard.

Cui Hongying placed Song Wen in front of an unused Small Courtyard, handed Song Wen a Storage Bag, and then left alone.

Storage Bag were a token to control the restrictions on the Small Courtyard, the Cui Family rules, an introduction to Azurefall Mountain, and one hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, which were Song Wen's rewards for participating in the arena.

Song Wen controlled the token and walked directly into the Small Courtyard.

The Small Courtyard is simple and elegant, containing nothing but three rooms and a small yard.

After walking around the Small Courtyard, Song Wen got up and went outside.

He needed to find out Cui Huo's address as soon as possible, find a way to get the jade token, and then leave the Cui Family.

This place was the core of the Cui Family, so to avoid being discovered, Song Wen did not rashly release the Shadow Gu.

He had just reached the entrance of the Small Courtyard when he saw a graceful figure arriving on a sword.

"You're the Rogue Cultivator who recently joined the Lineage?"

Song Wen stared at the figure standing on a sword before him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The person who arrived was actually Cui Qiao.

What a small world!

"My name is Wei Ding, and I have indeed just joined the Cui Family. May I ask your name, fair lady?"

"Giggle..."

Cui Qiao covered her mouth and laughed. "You're quite interesting, unlike those clansmen who just bury themselves in their cultivation all day. However, since you're only at the Qi Refinement stage, you should call me 'senior'."

Song Wen said, "The fairy is in the prime of her life, with unparalleled beauty. To call her 'senior' would make her sound old."

Cui Qiao smiled radiantly, "What you said makes some sense. From now on, you can call me by my name, Cui Qiao."

"The fairy truly lives up to her name, being both clever and charming," Song Wen continued to flatter.

"You're quite good at praising people," Cui Qiao said.

"I'm just stating the facts," Song Wen said. "May I ask what brings Fairy Qiao here?"

Cui Qiao's smile vanished abruptly, her eyes flickered, and after a brief moment of stunned silence, she forced a smile back.

"It's nothing. I just heard there are some new people from other clans here, so I've come to make acquaintances. If you have any questions about Azure Sky Peak, feel free to ask me."

Song Wen cupped his hands and said sincerely.

"Thank you, Fairy Qiao. I will remember your kindness. It just so happens that I have many questions in my mind, and I would like to ask you to enlighten me. May I come into my Small Courtyard for a chat?"

Song Wen stepped aside, making way for the Small Courtyard gate, and gestured for someone to enter.

Cui Qiao stepped into the Small Courtyard.

The two sat down at the stone table in the Small Courtyard, where Song Wen laid out Spirit Tea and fruits to warmly welcome them.

Soon, Song Wen gained a general understanding of Azurefall Mountain and Handsome Peak from Cui Qiao.

There are not many cultivators living on Handsome Peak, only a few hundred.

It mainly consisted of the exceptionally talented Qi Refining Stage cultivators from the Cui Family, as well as some young cultivators who had recently Foundation Establishment and had not yet been assigned Lineage affairs.

There are fewer than ten cultivators of different surnames like Song Wen on Handsome Peak.

Every month, the Cui Family would distribute valuable pills and Spirit Stone to the cultivators of Handsome Peak based on their cultivation level.

The cultivators on Handsome Peak also need to complete some tasks assigned by their Lineage every month. These tasks are mostly aimed at the Heart-Refining Mountains and cultivation, and are not very dangerous.

Handsome Peak is like the Cui Family's "Imperial Academy," dedicated to cultivating talented members of the Cui Family. Joining Handsome Peak means having one foot in the Foundation Establishment realm, and the vast majority of the Cui Family's Foundation Establishment cultivators come from Handsome Peak.

Handsome Peak offers generous benefits, but this comes with extremely strict regulations. Handsome Peak holds an annual assessment to weed out those who lack ambition.

Furthermore, the Cui Family stipulates that Qi Refinement cultivators on Handsome Peak cannot leave the Azurefall Mountain area without permission; if a Qi Refinement cultivator wants to leave Azurefall Mountain, they must be accompanied by Foundation Establishment cultivator or above.

"Fairy Qiao, do you know which courtyard Cui Huo lives in?" Song Wen asked.

"Cui Huo? Cui Huo, the champion of the competition?"

"It is indeed this person."

Why are you asking about him?

"On the arena, both Fellow Daoist Cui Huo and I were injured. It's better to resolve enmity than to let it fester. I was worried that Fellow Cui Huo might hold a grudge, so I wanted to apologize to him in person," Song Wen said.

"I don't know where he lives. But I can ask someone to help you find out."

"Thank you, Fairy Qiao," Song Wen said, bowing.

Just then, a piercing sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"You new, strange-sounding young man, open the door at once and come out to pay your respects to me!"