Young Master Cold Mountain

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"Who goes there?!"

At the foot of the mountain, four mountain-guarding disciples stopped the group.

The stern young man stepped forward and called out, "We are from Jade Valley. This is Inner Sect Elder Mu Fengyuan. Why have you not cleared the way?"

"Jade Valley, an Inner Sect Elder!" The mountain-guarding disciples were startled. In the Heavenly Wind Kingdom, Jade Valley disciples strutted about like crabs when they traveled abroad, let alone with an Inner Sect Elder among them. Such a figure was practically an overlord; even the Lust Emperor had to receive him with courtesy.

"This way, please." The disciple at the front put on a smile and winked at the person beside him. "Hurry and notify the mountain-guarding elder."

Before long, Jade Valley's arrival had caused a stir throughout the Flowing Cloud Sect.

Flowing Cloud Sect's reception hall.

Besides several Inner Sect Elders seated to the left, a middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor. He was around forty, broad-boned, with a pair of tiger-like hands resting on the armrests. Sitting there, he had the imposing air of a crouching tiger and coiled dragon. He was the Flowing Cloud Sect's foremost expert, Sect Master Luo Xinglie.

Ordinarily, Luo Xinglie would not need to personally receive a mere Inner Sect Elder; the Grand Elder or Second Elder could handle it. However, Mu Fengyuan was no ordinary Inner Sect Elder. He ranked among the top ten Inner Sect Elders of Jade Valley, his cultivation having reached the Late Primal Origin Realm. His strength was not much inferior to Luo Xinglie's. The Grand Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder might not be weaker than him, but suppressing him would still be extremely difficult. For the sake of appearances, Luo Xinglie did not want the guest to outshine the host, so he had no choice but to come in person. After all, only he was clearly stronger than Mu Fengyuan.

On the right, Mu Fengyuan and the three young people sat in order.

"Haha, Elder Mu, what wind has blown you here? Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar!" Luo Xinglie laughed heartily before turning his gaze to Mu Fengyuan.

Mu Fengyuan smiled faintly, setting down his teacup. "I hope Sect Master Luo will not blame us for arriving uninvited."

The Flowing Cloud Sect's Grand Elder was likewise an old man, somewhat plump in build. "What are you saying? When our Sect Master heard you had arrived, he personally came out to receive you."

Luo Xinglie nodded, then changed the subject. "May I ask what brings Elder Mu here? Surely you did not come solely to pay us a visit?"

"A visit, naturally. And while I am here, I will also settle a private matter involving the younger generation."

"A private matter involving the younger generation? What matter would that be?" Luo Xinglie was somewhat surprised.

Mu Fengyuan cleared his throat and asked, "Does your sect have an Outer Sect Disciple named Ye Chen? This is his younger sister, Ye Xuan. The other young lady also has some connection to him."

At these words, Luo Xinglie and the Flowing Cloud Sect's Inner Sect Elders immediately looked toward Ye Xuan and the breathtakingly beautiful young woman, unable to suppress their admiration.

Their beauty was secondary; it was their cultivation that drew everyone's attention.

Ye Xuan looked to be under fifteen, yet her cultivation had already reached the True Condensation Realm Early Stage. Her True Qi was somewhat impure, so she had likely entered the realm only recently. In terms of talent, the Flowing Cloud Sect was not lacking in such geniuses, though there were not many—and she was a girl besides.

The other breathtakingly beautiful young woman was somewhat terrifying. She was only slightly older than Ye Xuan, yet her cultivation had reached the Mid True Condensation Realm Peak. Given a few more months, reaching the Late True Condensation Realm would not be a problem. Her talent was truly outstanding; in the Flowing Cloud Sect, she would definitely rank among the top three, perhaps even higher.

Luo Xinglie sighed inwardly without changing expression. Jade Valley truly produced geniuses one after another. Any one of them could contend with the Flowing Cloud Sect's finest disciples. No wonder it had always occupied the position of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's number one sect, with even North Snow Manor falling slightly short.

"May I ask this young lady's name?" the Grand Elder could not help asking.

The breathtakingly beautiful young woman remained composed. "Greetings, Grand Elder. I am Ji Xueyan."

"Ji Xueyan? Could you be a member of the Ji Family?"

"Indeed."

Luo Xinglie smiled. "With a descendant like you, the Ji Family's place among the Eight Great Families is even more secure. Congratulations."

"Indeed." The other Inner Sect Elders nodded in agreement.

"Someone, summon Ye Chen here." Luo Xinglie did not know Ye Chen, but as Sect Master, a single word from him was enough.

After receiving Mu Fengyuan's consent, the stern young man who had remained silent rose and said, "Sect Master Luo and Elders, Liu Wuxiang has an impertinent request. Before settling Junior Sister Ji's matter, I hope to exchange blows with your sect's Young Master Cold Mountain."

Luo Xinglie's expression stiffened. "You mean my son, Luo Hanshan?"

Mu Fengyuan smiled. "Liu Wuxiang is one of our sect's Four Great Core Disciples. Exchanging blows with Young Master Cold Mountain should not disgrace him, should it?"

"Of course not. It is merely that my son is unwell, so he may not be able to accept this matter." Luo Xinglie looked troubled. On closer inspection, a trace of sorrow could be seen hidden deep in his eyes.

Liu Wuxiang was somewhat disappointed and wanted to say more, but Mu Fengyuan stopped him.

"Father!" Suddenly, a young man in blue appeared outside the reception hall.

Luo Xinglie looked over in surprise. "Hanshan, why have you come?"

The young man in blue looked at Liu Wuxiang and said, "Father, agree to it. I also wish to witness the strength of Palm Absolute Liu Wuxiang."

"But..."

"Do not worry. I know my limits." The young man in blue was Young Master Cold Mountain, Luo Hanshan, Luo Xinglie's son. He ranked second among the Core Disciples, second only to Hidden Fragrance Sword Zhu Mei.

Liu Wuxiang rose to his feet. "Two years ago, the four strongest figures of the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's younger generation were named the Four Great Young Masters: my sect's senior brother, Young Master Jade; Young Master North Snow of North Snow Manor; Young Master Duanmu of the Duanmu Family, foremost among the Eight Great Families; and Young Master Cold Mountain of the Flowing Cloud Sect. Now, my senior brother and Young Master North Snow are both striving to break into the Primal Origin Realm, while you have lost your title as the Flowing Cloud Sect's number one Core Disciple. It truly is difficult to understand."

Luo Hanshan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Zhu Mei defeated me fairly and openly. I presume you know something of her strength as well."

"Hidden Fragrance Sword Zhu Mei is indeed strong. But frankly speaking, she falls more than a notch short of my senior brother. Perhaps your understanding of him is still stuck two years ago. If so, you are gravely mistaken."

Luo Hanshan had no desire to argue with him. "Enough idle talk. How shall we compete?" The other man was one of Jade Valley's Four Great Core Disciples, known among the Heavenly Wind Kingdom's younger generation as Palm Absolute. His True Qi and palm techniques were exceptionally formidable. It was said that he was second only to Young Master Jade, so he could not be underestimated.

"It is simple. We will exchange three palms. The time for a true duel has not yet come."

"As you wish. Here will do."

Luo Xinglie, Mu Fengyuan, and the Flowing Cloud Sect's Inner Sect Elders all stared intently at the two of them. Duels between the younger generation's foremost talents were rare, especially for Luo Xinglie, whose tension was already impossible to conceal. He was worried, yet also somewhat expectant.

Ji Xueyan and Ye Xuan's eyes shone even more brightly. Being able to witness a contest between Senior Brother Liu Wuxiang and Young Master Cold Mountain, they had indeed not come in vain.

"Please." Luo Hanshan walked several steps forward, one hand behind his back while the other made an inviting gesture.

Liu Wuxiang strode forward. "I hope you will give it your all. Otherwise, you will be no match for me."

"Of course."