Chapter 81: The Gathering of Clans for the Martial Contest

After entering the gates of Mount Taiyi, they still had to travel further north before reaching the main peak; Snowdrift Peak lay even farther north, but Old Jiang, unwilling to make a fuss, parted ways here.

“Let’s get going too,” Qin Yi said with a laugh, giving his horse a pat after Old Jiang’s figure had long since disappeared from sight.

Zhang Chen also patted his horse, and the three rode up the mountain.

Before long, Zhang Chen parted from them, riding alone toward the western path that led to Sky Mystery Peak.

“Take Big White with you to Snowdrift Peak! Cloudrider Isle is inconvenient,” he called as he left.

In truth, Cloudrider Isle floated above the River of Clouds just beyond the gates of Mount Taiyi; Qin Yi could have flown there by sword long ago. Yet he escorted her all the way to the base of Snowdrift Peak. As that eternally snow-capped mountain drew near, Qin Yi finally dismounted.

“Will you participate in this year’s Gathering of the Branches?” Jiang Yao asked offhandedly.

Qin Yi nodded. The Gathering, truth be told, no longer held much meaning for him; yet after this journey, his opinion of the Wang clan of Eastern Ridge had only worsened. Even if he didn’t care for the title, he couldn’t let Wang Yuncheng have it. As for Cloudrider Isle, though there were years when none would participate, whenever a disciple entered the competition, they would always seize the crown. Not to mention his first and second senior brothers—both peerless talents—even Zhu Chunfu, the famously indolent third brother forbidden by their master to leave the isle, had claimed victory in his year with ease.

He might not care, but he had no wish to lose face.

“See you soon,” Qin Yi said with a smile, then mounted his sword and soared away. Jiang Yao, seeing this, rode her white horse up the snow-covered mountain, her figure in white merging with the snow.

Sword in hand, Qin Yi landed atop the Viewing Cloud Terrace—and there was Zhu Chunfu, lazing as ever. The man lounged amid drifting mists, his plump form only just discernible; a slimmer man would have vanished entirely in the clouds.

Qin Yi grinned mischievously and sought out a stray blade of grass nearby, intent on tickling Zhu Chunfu’s nose—an old pastime from his years on Cloudrider Isle.

With a sly smile, he crept forward, treading lightly to avoid detection.

“Stop right there! Trying that trick again, are you?” Zhu Chunfu’s voice rang out before Qin Yi could get close.

Qin Yi halted, resigned. No luck today—his senior brother must have only just dozed off.

Zhu Chunfu sat up, smiling as he eyed Qin Yi, who had already tossed aside the grass. “Trying to prank me again, eh?”

Qin Yi chuckled. “Who, me? I wouldn’t dare prank you, senior brother.”

Zhu Chunfu laughed. “Enough with the flattery. So, are you going to join the Gathering of the Branches next month?”

Qin Yi nodded with a smile.

“But you’ve only just reached Spirit Transformation, haven’t you?” Zhu Chunfu asked with a sly look.

Qin Yi nodded again. Since reaching Spirit Transformation, he hadn’t cultivated in earnest—his body might not be his, but his soul was strong. Besides, if there were Foundation Establishment techniques, why not techniques for Spirit Transformation? He could afford to wait patiently.

Zhu Chunfu grinned wickedly. “Do you know how your rivals are faring?”

Qin Yi replied nonchalantly, “If I don’t win, I’ll consider it a loss.”

“Still as arrogant as ever,” Zhu Chunfu scoffed. “That fellow from Southflower Peak—Mu Fengqing—has been in Spirit Transformation for years and is now the chief disciple of the Disciplinary Hall. And that boy from the Wang clan, though newer to Spirit Transformation, has studied both family arts. Aren’t you worried?”

Feigning fear, Qin Yi said, “Senior brother, I’m so scared. Why don’t you give me some miraculous pills?”

Zhu Chunfu laughed. “I really do have some.”

Qin Yi shot back, “Don’t think I don’t know—the side effects of most pills are severe. I’m not doing anything with a loss.”

Zhu Chunfu, prepared for this, replied with a grin, “But I’ve developed one with minimal side effects. While it’s not as potent, it should suffice.”

Qin Yi’s eyes widened in amazement. He never doubted his senior brother’s talent; if anyone on Mount Taiyi could have crafted such a pill, it would not be Master Li of Jade Spirit Peak, but his third senior brother. Their master had often said Zhu Chunfu was the most gifted among his four disciples—even the eldest could not match him. Pity that Zhu Chunfu cared little for cultivation, preferring his games.

Qin Yi asked suspiciously, “Has Uncle Li found out? Did he take your formula to study?”

He had no doubt that Zhu Chunfu would not escape Master Li’s notice. Master Li valued Zhu Chunfu so highly he visited Cloudrider Isle more than his own disciples, leading even the disciples of Jade Spirit Peak to suspect their master was an imposter. Such attention from one of the mountain’s principal elders spoke volumes of Zhu Chunfu’s talent.

Zhu Chunfu nodded with a smile. Though a disciple of Cloudrider Isle, he was happy to advance the alchemical arts for Mount Taiyi.

Qin Yi waved dismissively. “I don’t want any pills. I’ll win with my own strength.”

Zhu Chunfu burst out laughing. “That’s my arrogant little junior!”

Seeing Qin Yi heading toward the courtyard, Zhu Chunfu called out, “Master isn’t back yet.”

“Where has he gone?” Qin Yi asked curiously.

“He didn’t take me, nor did he tell me,” Zhu Chunfu replied with a helpless shrug. Then, as if recalling something, he grinned. “Do you think he’s slipped off to Snowdrift Peak to meet our future mistress in secret?”

“Quite possible,” Qin Yi answered, grinning. He then eyed Zhu Chunfu. “Third brother, maybe you want to visit your junior sister Yu Xiao on Snowdrift Peak, too?”

Zhu Chunfu blushed. “Nonsense! You know Yu Xiao likes our eldest brother.”

“But you know what kind of man the eldest brother is. I doubt his beloved is on Mount Taiyi,” Qin Yi said, nudging Zhu Chunfu’s belly with a laugh. “A genius like you still has a chance.”

Zhu Chunfu quipped, “I remember the eldest brother used to fancy Jiang Yao, but you moved too quickly, little rascal.”

Qin Yi scowled. “Jiang Yao and I are mutually devoted.”

“I think I hear someone gossiping about me,” a familiar voice called out from the distant Cloud River.

Qin Yi and Zhu Chunfu looked up to see, as expected, a white-haired middle-aged Daoist in a purple robe riding his sword toward them. At once, the two disciples straightened their postures solemnly.

Master Zixuan ignored their playacting and seated himself at the stone table on Viewing Cloud Terrace. The two disciples joined him eagerly, eyes bright with anticipation.

After sipping his tea, Zixuan said, “I went to Lingyang City.”

Zhu Chunfu was puzzled, but Qin Yi frowned slightly.

Zixuan continued, “I heard all about what happened at Fish-Dragon Fortress.”

Qin Yi couldn’t help asking, “And about my origins?”

Zixuan sighed. “As I’ve told you, I found you in Lingyang City. All you had on you was a jade token with your name. Now the crown prince of Dongling has reappeared and told you about your twin, but I truly don’t know if you’re of royal blood. Nor did you develop the rumored dragon mark on your chest after coming of age. So, whether you are a royal of Dongling is something you must find out for yourself.”

Qin Yi nodded. He felt no urgency to verify his identity—the truth mattered little now. And even if he learned it, who would he have step into his present life?

Zhu Chunfu, curious, asked, “I hear the royal family’s secret art, ‘Azure Dragons in the Sleeves,’ is formidable. Have you practiced it, junior brother?”

Qin Yi nodded. Before Zixuan and Zhu Chunfu, there was nothing to hide.

But before Zhu Chunfu could press further, Zixuan scolded, “Curiosity is one thing, but only those with Azure Dragon blood can practice that art safely. Otherwise, you’d die without knowing how.”

Qin Yi grinned. “So, you’ll just have to watch me practice while you stand aside, senior brother.”

Zhu Chunfu’s eyes sparkled. “That’s enough for me. I’m satisfied just to see such wonders.”

Thus, over the following days, Qin Yi spent most of his time visiting Jiang Yao and Zhang Chen on Snowdrift and Sky Mystery Peaks, or playing around with Zhu Chunfu. Only a small portion went to cultivation—and that, he devoted solely to ‘Azure Dragons in the Sleeves.’ His master’s words about his messy cultivation were true: his path was tangled and hard to navigate.

He did not train with particular diligence; haste would only lead to ruin. Cultivation was not a matter of sowing and reaping as one wished—some toiled for little result, others gained much with little effort.

In the end, progress depended on talent and state of mind; the notion that hard work alone led to greatness was rare.

Most people, however, had to forge their own way; not everyone could be a sage like Master Nan Shen. Qin Yi’s own Dao was to let things come as they would, seeking nothing by force.

…

A month sped by, and the once-every-five-years Gathering of the Branches on Mount Taiyi arrived again.

Though winning brought little in the way of tangible reward, many still readied themselves eagerly. The young, after all, relished the spotlight and hoped to win the admiration of their peers—and perhaps their future Dao companion.

The girls, too, had their favored male disciples, and it was well known that their vanity often outstripped the boys’.

Yet the true reason so many joined the competition was to represent their branch—a matter not just of honor but also of responsibility. No one wished to bring shame upon their lineage, for such a stain might become a grave obstacle on the path of cultivation.

Mount Taiyi might not be the most illustrious sect among the human race, but it was firmly second-tier. Of the Nine Provinces, Ling Province was among the largest, if not as storied as Sword Lake in the northeast or the venerable Xuanyuan clan of the northwest. It could hardly compare with the coastal Dao Palace or the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range of the southern wilds, home of the Witch tribe.

Still, Ling Province was one of the nine, and Mount Taiyi one of its three overlords. With thousands of disciples, excellence was not in short supply. Yet each branch was allotted only five spots for the competition; Cloudrider Isle was not its own branch but part of the main Qingxu Peak. Zixuan’s disciples were so few, and so dominant when they did compete, that Qin Yi didn’t even need to vie for a place.

From early morning, Mount Taiyi bustled with excitement—this year’s Gathering was special indeed.

First, Zixuan’s disciples would take part. They were legends in the competition, having won four times out of five—an unmatched feat, especially as the event was held only every five years.

Second, even the most elusive figures of the sect were said to be attending this year—Zixuan himself and Jiang Yao. Not even Xue Songmei, the aloof peak master, had ever managed such mysterious comings and goings; as a leader, he was compelled to appear at every major event.

“Just participate—you don’t have to win. Those are empty honors; your brothers and I care not for them,” Zixuan said to Qin Yi atop the Viewing Cloud Terrace.

The world might care for such titles, but to Zixuan, the happiness of his disciples was all that mattered.

He paid no mind to public opinion; he never had.

Qin Yi smiled. “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll be all right.”

Still, Zixuan was not entirely reassured and exchanged a glance with Zhu Chunfu.

Zhu Chunfu caught the hint, chuckled, and the two soared away on their swords.

Though Zixuan was said to be attending, he did not leave Cloudrider Isle with them. Zhu Chunfu and Qin Yi did not fly toward the main peak, for Zixuan would only appear for the final match. The Taiyi Platform, though large, could not host thirty-five duels at once; the first round would take Qin Yi to Snowdrift Peak. The opponents had been drawn the day before, but he would only learn who he faced upon arrival.

A journey to Snowdrift Peak was cause for delight—not only for Qin Yi, but also for Zhu Chunfu.

Soon, the two arrived near the peak, which was perpetually blanketed in snow. The white-clad buildings perched upon the stone cliffs were originally simple wooden pavilions, now draped in snowy robes.

They made their way to the center, where a small black stone square was ringed by pavilions. The square had been divided into two small arenas, but the southern side was clearly the center of attention—crowds filled the square and lined the balconies above.

Qin Yi noticed many male disciples, doubtless here under the pretense of supporting their brothers while actually hoping to glimpse the famed female disciples of Snowdrift Peak. Nearly all the women of Mount Taiyi were assigned here. Normally, few dared approach, for fear of Elder Xue Songmei; only during the Gathering could they come openly, making the peak throng with visitors. Qin Yi knew many were here for the women rather than the duels—he had done the same, and received Elder Xue’s special attention for it.

Their arrival quickly drew all eyes—Zhu Chunfu’s physique was hard to overlook, but more so, both were disciples of Master Zixuan.

Ignoring the clamor, Qin Yi scanned the balconies for Jiang Yao. He soon spotted her in a tall pavilion to the east, flanked by several Snowdrift disciples—one of whom was familiar to him.

Grinning, Qin Yi nudged Zhu Chunfu with his elbow, but found his senior’s eyes already fixed in that direction. He needed no reminder.

The two rode their swords to the pavilion. Qin Yi glanced around. “Uncle Xue isn’t here?”

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes. “You’d be glad if my master didn’t come.”

Qin Yi grinned. “How could I? She’s half my master, after all.”

Jiang Yao rolled her eyes again.

“So, you’ll be presiding today?” he asked.

Jiang Yao nodded, smiling.

“Then I’m sure to win,” Qin Yi laughed.

Jiang Yao only smiled, saying nothing.

Having brought Zhu Chunfu here, Qin Yi did not linger. With a leap, he vaulted over the rail and drifted to the center of the black stone square, smiling as he looked around. “I wonder who my opponent will be today.”

A young woman slipped past Zhu Chunfu, leaving him momentarily dumbstruck.