Yu Tiancheng looked at the Peak Masters and said, "All you know how to do is complain. Do you know what Qingtong has done these past few years?"
"Over these five years, Qingtong ventured into danger alone, traveling to the Demon Baleful Forest, the Valley of the Dead, and the Black Witch Marsh in succession. He fought the Demon Beasts there to the death and nearly lost his life several times. Only then did he create Trial grounds for the disciples!" Yu Tiancheng continued.
"In the Valley of the Dead, there were even Corpse Fiends comparable to middle- and late-stage Golden Core cultivators. Which of you could have gone there and wiped them out?"
His words left the Peak Masters speechless, and they said no more.
Xu Qingtong led the victorious disciples to collect their rewards, then returned to Cloudsky Peak.
Along the way, all the disciples were in high spirits, overjoyed. Whether they had won or failed to place, everyone was talking animatedly, discussing and exchanging their experiences.
Only Du Siwen remained silent, keeping her head down as she traveled, as though something weighed on her mind. Xu Qingtong noticed that his senior sister seemed a little unusual and wanted to strike up a conversation several times, but seeing her lack of enthusiasm, he did not speak to her again.
Back at Cloudsky Peak, Xu Qingtong gathered everyone in front of the Council Hall and announced the results of this Autumn Sword-Tournament. Everyone was thrilled to hear them, each proud to be a disciple of Cloudsky Peak.
Afterward, Xu Qingtong announced several previously agreed-upon plans, encouraging the disciples to cultivate diligently and not squander their time. Cloudsky Peak officially settled onto its intended course, presenting a fine prospect of healthy development.
Time slipped by, the years flying like