Beast Peak.
Just as on his last visit, Wang Ba discovered the moment he landed that Qi Yan's disciple, Mo Qi, had already been waiting outside Beast Peak for some time.
"Deputy Sect Master."
Mo Qi bowed respectfully to Wang Ba.
Wang Ba nodded, exchanged a few pleasantries, then asked:
"Where is Martial Uncle Qi? Is he still in the Beast-Rearing Cave?"
Mo Qi shook his head slightly and raised a hand in invitation.
"Please follow me, Deputy Sect Master."
Under Mo Qi's guidance, Wang Ba soon arrived where Qi Yan was staying.
To Wang Ba's surprise, however, Qi Yan was not in the Beast-Rearing Cave cultivating spirit beasts, but sitting peacefully in an exquisitely furnished pavilion.
He wore a loose, ornate robe.
Sitting cross-legged before a tea table, he leisurely sipped his tea.
He seemed much more spirited than when Wang Ba had last seen him.
Yet the sight brought Wang Ba no joy whatsoever.
Within Qi Yan's body, he could clearly sense a steadily weakening vitality, on the verge of withering away.
His expression could not help darkening.
"Martial Uncle, you..."
Seeing Wang Ba arrive, Qi Yan smiled and hurriedly rose, stepping around the tea table.
He bowed to Wang Ba.
Wang Ba hastily stopped him.
"What are you doing, Martial Uncle? There's no need for this in private."
Qi Yan shook his head and said solemnly:
"Only an orderly hierarchy can endure. Since you are already the sect's Deputy Sect Master, once Sect Master Qu steps down, it is inevitable that you will replace him and succeed as Sect Master. As an example to the entire sect, what distinction is there between public and private?"
Wang Ba fell silent briefly, then shook his head.
"If that's the case, I would rather forgo the position of Sect Master."