Chapter Five: The Three Great Clans of the Southern Sea

At this moment, all eyes in the square were fixed upon Qian Fu, standing atop the circular stone platform—more precisely, upon the purple-gold lotus hovering above his left palm. The lotus had now blossomed to seventy-two petals, and at last, under the attentive gazes of the crowd, ceased its unfurling. Above the lotus, a crimson cauldron mark slowly formed.

Witnessing this, Qian Fu’s face broke into a wide, satisfied smile; the outcome of the test had clearly delighted him. The elders seated on the Grand Taiyi Platform began to murmur among themselves:

“It seems his reputation is well deserved—this purple-gold lotus reveals the uniqueness of a person’s Dao-seed.”

“Indeed, an extraordinary talent for alchemy, and seventy-two petals no less.”

“I may not know why the young master of the Qian family, one of the Three Great Clans of the Southern Sea, has come to seek apprenticeship at Mount Taiyi, but since he’s here, gentlemen…” Li Ding, still lazily sprawled atop his great cauldron, spoke with a languid tone, though anyone could discern the meaning behind his words.

“Old Li, I’d say matters of apprenticeship ought to depend on the disciple’s wishes, don’t you think?” Qing Fuzi interjected, his envy of Qian Fu’s talent evident. He knew well that with such an outstanding gift for alchemy, Qian Fu would be best suited to study under Li Ding at Mount Taiyi. His words were little more than playful banter.

Li Ding, fully aware that Qing Fuzi’s remarks were but a diversion, made no further ado. He turned to Qian Fu and said, “Boy, join my Jade Spirit Peak.”

“Disciple greets Master.” Qian Fu, not one for unnecessary words, knelt on both knees and performed the formal salutation toward Li Ding. He was no country bumpkin unfamiliar with the ways of the world; he understood that Master Li Ding of Jade Spirit Peak was the preeminent alchemist not only of Mount Taiyi but all of Lingzhou.

At that instant, the crowd’s attention shifted once more, turning to Chen Wenxiang beside Qian Fu, and the purple-gold lotus floating in his palm. His lotus had also blossomed to seventy petals, but no further. It remained steadfast, and finally, the petals ceased to open, fixed at seventy.

Seeing this, Chen Wenxiang furrowed his brow, clearly dissatisfied with his result. With Qian Fu’s brilliance preceding him, he, as a fellow young master of the Three Great Clans, was unwilling to be outshone.

“Xiao Xiang, on the path of cultivation, talent is important, but it is not all that matters. You need not be overly concerned,” admonished Chen Yuxuan, his uncle, who naturally did not wish for his nephew’s future to be clouded by disappointment over this test.

“I understand, Third Uncle,” replied Chen Wenxiang, nodding. Chen Yuxuan had always been his idol on the path of cultivation, and his advice would be taken to heart.

As for whose tutelage Chen Wenxiang would enter, the various Peak Masters of Mount Taiyi saw no need for dispute.

Now, only He Mengwei remained upon the testing platform. All eyes turned to him. Under their gaze, the lotus in his palm blossomed, one petal after the next, soon reaching seventy-two—and then, astonishingly, it did not stop.

Whispers stirred among those on the Grand Taiyi Platform:

“This heir of the He family seems to surpass the other two in talent!”

“I’ve heard that after seventy petals, each additional blossom is as difficult as reaching the heavens.”

Before the crowd’s rapt attention, the lotus in He Mengwei’s hand continued to unfold—seventy-three, seventy-four, seventy-five petals. Only then did it finally stop. He Mengwei broke into a broad, satisfied grin, evidently most pleased with his result.

The square had grown lively. Not only did the new disciples murmur among themselves, but even the established disciples and the Peak Masters of Mount Taiyi could not help but take note. For a new disciple to reach seventy-five petals—such talent would surely set him apart in the years to come.

“Your uncle is quite something,” Zhang Chen said to Qin Yi with a teasing look.

“He is indeed,” Qin Yi replied with a smile, making no attempt to compare himself.

On the high platform, the Peak Masters eyed He Mengwei with various expressions, though most were filled with ardent desire—except for Xue Songmei and the Sect Leader, Qingxu Zhenren.

At last, Li Ding could not restrain himself. “Sect Leader Brother, this boy’s talent is remarkable, and he bears no unusual Dao-seed. My Jade Spirit Peak carries the lifeblood of Mount Taiyi’s alchemy, and we are in dire need of such gifted disciples!”

“Brother Li, that’s rather unfair of you! You’ve just accepted a disciple of extraordinary alchemical talent!” Before the Sect Leader Lingxu Zhenren could answer, Chen Yuxuan cut in.

Lingxu Zhenren nodded in agreement with Chen Yuxuan.

Seeing this, Chen Yuxuan was delighted and pressed his case. “Sect Leader Brother, the Sword Cliff Peak does not require any special Dao-seed for the sword path. I believe He Mengwei would be most suited to study under me.”

But before Lingxu Zhenren could respond, Qing Fuzi interjected again, “Brother Chen, you and Brother Li have both received outstanding disciples today. In my view, with such talent, He Mengwei should join our branch to study talismanic arts. In time, if he masters the ancient ‘Heaven-Piercing Talisman,’ he could greatly enhance our sect’s strength.”

“Tch! You have but a fragment—less than a millionth—of the ancient ‘Heaven-Piercing Talisman.’” At the mention of that scripture, Li Ding immediately exposed Qing Fuzi’s exaggeration.

Caught out, Qing Fuzi flushed, but quickly regained composure. “Even a millionth is still a part of the ancient ‘Heaven-Piercing Talisman,’ and as far as the world knows, ours is the only surviving piece.”

To this, none could retort, for he spoke true. Since the ancient wars, the ‘Heaven-Piercing Talisman’ had vanished along with its master.

“In my opinion, it would be best to let him choose for himself. What do you think, Sect Leader Brother?” It was then that Gu Beishan, who had until now kept his own counsel, addressed Lingxu Zhenren.

Lingxu Zhenren smiled and nodded his approval, clearly agreeing with Gu Beishan’s suggestion.

With that, Li Ding, Qing Fuzi, and Chen Yuxuan fell silent, each preparing to win He Mengwei’s favor.

“He Mengwei, do you have a Peak in mind?” Gu Beishan asked calmly.

He Mengwei seemed to ponder for a moment, then replied, “I would like to study under Master Gu.”

At these words, the other three were visibly unsettled and were about to expound upon the myriad benefits of their own lineages.

But Gu Beishan cut them off. “Brothers, this is his own choice. I trust you’ll refrain from interference.”

“Moreover, I believe He Mengwei’s decision will prove wise, wouldn’t you agree?” He turned to his peers.

Lingxu Zhenren, ever composed, broke into a smile and said, “Indeed.”

Hearing this, the trio could only acquiesce. They had to respect He Mengwei’s wishes, and Gu Beishan’s words rang true—Nanhua Peak had risen steadily in recent years, thanks to both Gu Beishan’s strength and his cultivation of many fine disciples.

Gu Beishan, heartened by gaining such a talented pupil, was about to continue with the selection process when, suddenly, from the distant sky above the square, there came the sound of wind splitting—a sharp, resonant peal, as if a great bell tolled through the air.

“The Wang Clan of Eastern Ridge comes to pay respects to Mount Taiyi!”