Chapter 28.2 As the galaxy bears witness
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
After the secret trial, Huang Fu Daoren summoned Pei Jing to the main hall. This time, the Peak Master didn’t greet him with anger but instead beckoned him to sit with a kind expression.
Pei Jing, seated at the other end of the table, was a bit puzzled and directly asked, “Peak Master, did you summon me for something?”
The palace was filled with the scent of incense, wafting gently and carrying a hint of bitterness.
Huang Fu Daoren’s voice was deep as he said, “Did you see anything in the Changtian Realm?”
Pei Jing decided to conceal the truth and replied, “No, I just spent a day and night there like usual.”
Huang Fu raised an eyebrow, his expression showing some confusion. “That’s strange. Pei Yuzhi saw the ancestral soul directly in Changtian, the first person to do so in hundreds of years. As his personally instructed disciple, you encountered nothing?”
Pei Jing pretended to look puzzled and asked, “Peak Master, I don’t quite understand.”
Taking a sip of tea, Huang Fu remained calm and spoke slowly, “Do you remember the person who gave you the bracelet? That was probably the first benefactor you encountered in your life, and you’re quite fortunate. That person is Pei Yuzhi, Yunxiao’s Chief Disciple. His name is engraved on the inside of the bracelet. At first, I didn’t believe it and sent a letter to Tianqian Peak to inquire, but I received a response from Pei Yuzhi. He mentioned that you have great potential and asked me to take good care of you.”
Pei Jing was taken aback and gaped, “Th-that’s Senior Brother Pei?”
Huang Fu snorted and rolled his eyes, “The three characters inside the bracelet are so big, and you wore it for a whole year without noticing?”
Pei Jing felt a bit ashamed and lowered his head.
“Where’s the bracelet? Show it to me.”
Huang Fu extended his hand towards him.
Pei Jing hadn’t expected there would be another day when he would need it. He had long forgotten where he had put it and scratched his head in frustration, “I didn’t have it with me.”
Losing patience, Huang Fu took a sip of tea in order to calm himself. “The bracelet gifted by Pei Yuzhi has the function of gathering spiritual energy and aiding in cultivation. If you had worn it day and night, it would have been equivalent to going through a profound purification. Sigh, you…”
He continued to drink his tea. Huang Fu shook his head and said, “I’ve noticed, your luck is quite good, but it’s of no use. Whenever the heavens bestow something good upon you, you manage to mess it up in various ways.”
Pei Jing found his comment unexpectedly amusing and a smile crept onto his lips.
However, his lighthearted demeanor shattered Huang Fu’s amiable expression.
Slamming his teacup heavily on the table, he angrily exclaimed, “And you’re still smiling! Do you think this is a funny matter?”
Pei Jing straightened his posture and tried to defend himself, “No, Peak Master, please don’t be angry. I was just thinking that perhaps this is another way of staying grounded and steadfast.”
Huang Fu tugged at the corner of his mouth, realizing he couldn’t convince him and had no intention to do so.
He had called Pei Jing here today for another, more important matter.
“At what level are you in Qi Gathering Stage now?”
Pei Jing combined the input from others and gave a relatively high number, “Seventh level.”
From Qi Gathering to Foundation Establishment, there were a total of twelve levels. Reaching the pinnacle of the twelfth level marked the entrance into the Foundation Establishment Stage. Looking around Yinghui Peak today, after a year, there were quite a few who were stuck at the first or second level of cultivation. Reaching the seventh level was considered outstanding.
Finally, Huang Fu nodded and stroked his beard, “Not bad. After the Yinghui Grand Competition, you should be able to enter two Outer Peaks with better resources: Ziyu Peak or Shangyang Peak. These two peaks are adjacent to the inner area and have a comparable spiritual energy. The peak masters of both peaks are also formidable cultivators in the mid-Golden Core stage, no less powerful than the thirty-six Inner Peaks.”
Pei Jing responded, “Understood.”
Huang Fu lamented, “If only you could put more effort into your cultivation, you might even reach the tenth level of Qi Gathering by now.”
Pei Jing suddenly asked, “If I reach the tenth level of Qi Gathering, is there a possibility of entering the Inner Peaks?”
Huang Fu sneered, “Do you know how those ten disciples who entered the Inner Peaks together with you are doing now? The lowest among them has already reached the tenth level of Qi Gathering. If you want to enter the Inner Peaks, you need to surpass them at the very least. Let me tell you, you all are truly fortunate. Yunxiao used to have a rule that only those who directly entered the Inner Peaks without going through the Outer Peaks were exceptional geniuses like Pei Yuzhi or the children of elders like Chen Xu. Every Inner Peaks disciple had to go through a rigorous selection process from the Outer Peaks, and only a few were chosen among thousands.
“We should thank the previous Inner Peaks selection. Those arrogant elders who looked down on the top hundred of the Outer Peaks directly offended the Sect Master, which gave you all this opportunity. Many Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters were envious to the point of gritting their teeth. But you don’t appreciate it. With your triple spiritual roots and decent aptitude, entering the Inner Peaks would have been well within your reach. Now, tell me about your performance on the suspension bridge.”
Pei Jing: “…” This old man was quite interesting. But he did seem genuinely concerned about him. Pei Jing came up with an excuse and said, “I think I did quite well. I remained calm in the face of danger and unfazed by changes. While they were all shouting blindly, I crossed the bridge as if walking on level ground.”
Huang Fu heard him talking nonsense and asked, “If you were so exceptional, why did you come to me?”
Pei Jing: “I don’t know. Perhaps Senior Brother Pei saw my potential early on during the suspension bridge. He thought of me as a rough gem that hadn’t been polished yet but had a stubborn nature. He also believed that you, Peak Master, are better at nurturing disciples than the Inner Peaks Elders. So, he sent me here for a year to truly grow and gain enlightenment under your guidance.”
His flattery was seamless, flawless, and extraordinary. He had to give himself credit for that.
Huang Fu’s hand trembled slightly from the excessive praise. He almost couldn’t hold the cup steady, his heart filled with joy. However, he had to maintain a composed expression.
“It’s possible. Just remember that you have a stubborn nature.”
Pei Jing: “Actually, I’m curious about Chu Junyu, Peak Master. I can’t figure out his cultivation level. How far has he progressed?”
Huang Fu pursed his lips and shook his head. “Ah, him. How could you figure him out? Upon entering the Sect, he was already at the peak of Qi Gathering. He should be in the early Foundation Establishment stage now. How many people under twenty can compare to that in the current era?”
Pei Jing exclaimed in surprise, though he already knew the answer, “Then why couldn’t he enter the Inner Peaks?”
Huang Fu couldn’t figure it out either, so he had to be vague, “He will definitely enter eventually. It’s just a test for him now.” Considering their close proximity, he advised, “In matters of cultivation, everyone has their own destiny. You shouldn’t underestimate yourself or harbor jealousy.”
Pei Jing laughed, “No way.” He had initially thought that the old man Huang Fu would speak ill of him behind his back.
Before leaving, Pei Jing decided to report something.
“Peak Master, can we bring out the spiritual plants and beasts from the Changtian Realm?”
Huang Fu raised an eyebrow, “Who told you that? The Changtian Realm is the legacy left by the predecessors of our Yunxiao Sect. Every blade of grass and every tree is treasured. Who dares to take anything out?”
Pei Jing said, “Ah, I heard it from Xiao Chen, the one who was punished to work in the fields. He said there are treasures inside, and instead of relying on elusive opportunities, it’s better to take matters into our own hands and steal some precious materials to sell.”
Huang Fu was so infuriated that he nearly sprayed tea. He squeezed his hand tightly, making cracking sounds, and said, “Can’t even do farming to cultivate one’s character? Go and bring him here!”
“Yes, Peak Master.”
Pei Jing had been waiting for this command. He returned to the spiritual garden, where Xiao Chen and his group were toiling, and as soon as they caught sight of the elegant and refreshed Pei Jing in his white clothes, their eyes turned bloodshot, as if they were seeing their sworn enemy. Xiao Chen put down his water bucket and rushed over, wanting to pick a fight with him.
Pei Jing blocked him with a tree branch he picked up casually and smiled, “Hey, Brother, why are you so enthusiastic? Hold on, I’m just passing by with a message, and I didn’t bring anything to visit you. There’s no need for such a warm welcome.”
Xiao Chen cursed angrily, “Warm welcome, my arse! You’re just a turtle’s grandson! You’ve caused trouble for me twice!”
Pei Jing: “No, I haven’t.”
Grinding his teeth, Xiao Chen said, “You’re the one who caused me to work in the fields here, aren’t you? And it was you who caused trouble in the Changtian Realm! Because of your reckless behavior, I didn’t manage to bring anything out! Damn it!”
“No, it was three times,” Pei Jing calmly corrected, “This time, I’m delivering a message for the Peak Master, which means you get to stay in a hotel.”
Xiao Chen remained silent.
He muttered “fack you” through gritted teeth, his eyes turning red, and raised his fist, ready to strike.
Despite his best efforts, he was easily stopped by Pei Jing with a tree branch.
Xiao Chen froze in place.
Pei Jing coldly stated, “Three times, and you still haven’t figured out where you went wrong?”
Xiao Chen roared angrily, “What did I do wrong? I’m just trying to cultivate! You’re nothing but a worthless piece of trash who got in through connections! Who are you to judge me?”
Connections again. Pei Jing twirled the tree branch and smiled leisurely, “I didn’t participate in the sect’s selection process because it wasn’t necessary. I was afraid I’d be too strong and shatter your confidence. Your mind is filled with opportunistic and unorthodox methods. What kind of cultivation is that? There’s no hope for you. In three days, we have the Yinghui Grand Competition. I only seek for one defeat. If you lose to my sword, then get out of Yunxiao.”
Xiao Chen’s eyes turned bloodshot as he glared fiercely at Pei Jing. Without saying a word, he turned and walked towards the main hall.
Pei Jing watched his retreating figure.
Could one really disregard everything for the sake of cultivation? Was it right to do anything in order to improve oneself?
The concept of might made right.
Although it seemed a bit ridiculous, Pei Jing vaguely remembered from the original book of “Executioner’s Sword” that this world was exactly like that.
Three days later, the Yinghui Peak Grand Competition.
The newly admitted disciples faced the year-end assessment.
The Elders from Outer Peaks came to preside.
The venue was set at Yinghui Peak, with ten arenas, providing an opportunity for self-expression and showcasing what they had achieved over the year to the Outer Peak Elders.
The disciples arrived at the venue, feeling both nervous and excited, only to find ten lonely arenas.
There was no one to explain the rules of the competition to them.
They were instantly dumbfounded, standing there like a group of bewildered geese.
On a distant high platform, clouds and mist drifted about. The Gold Core Elders sat with various postures. Some sitting upright and meticulous, while others slouched lazily, showing their carefree nature.
They had different appearances, but what remained unchanged was the deep and unfathomable pressure emanating from their bodies.
The sky was a dull gray, indicating that it was about to rain. The peaks appeared desolate before the mountain rain arrived, and the rustling of leaves could be heard. A group of newly admitted disciples had no idea what to do, standing there looking at each other with confusion.
On the high platform, the seventy-two Outer Peak Elders were accustomed to such awkward scenes and were unfazed by them.
With nothing better to do, they could engage in a casual chat.
One person spoke up, “A few days ago, I went to the Scripture Repository Tower and nearly got scared off by Elder Lou’s expression. He looked like he wanted to devour someone. Who could have provoked him this time?”
Someone immediately chimed in, “Who else but Pei Yuzhi?”
Another person peeled a lychee and said, “No need to even think about it. The only person daring enough to provoke Elder Lou in the entire Yunxiao is Pei Yuzhi. Ever since the paper and ink for display in the Celestial Pavilion disappeared, Elder Lou has developed this annoying habit of favoring things related to refined tastes. Pei Yuzhi must be really talented.”
Someone chuckled and said, “After all, he is the number one in the Trial. I heard that he came out of seclusion a year ago and immediately set off on a journey. Is it true?”
“It might be. I visited Tianqian Peak once, but I didn’t see him there.”
“Then, has he broken through the Nascent Soul stage?”
“Probably not. Breaking through the Nascent Soul stage would bring celestial signs and even Heavenly Tribulations, but none have been seen. He’s likely stuck at a bottleneck period.”
The inquirer nodded. “I was in seclusion during that period and didn’t pay attention. I heard someone at the Celestial Pavilion mentioning his Nascent Soul breakthrough. Indeed, the Celestial Pavilion is not reliable.”
The young cultivator who was peeling the lychee paused and turned his head. “You’re referring to the one at the Celestial Pavilion, ‘Guess who will be the first in the next Trial of Challenging the Heavens.'”
“Yes, exactly.”
Stuffing a lychee into his mouth, the young cultivator continued, “That one, I’m talking about it. In a place like the Celestial Pavilion, where they don’t need to draft lies, if we lose momentum, we’ll lose face. Haven’t you seen how arrogant the disciples from other sects are? How can we of Yunxiao be left behind?”
“…” A female Elder sighed and rubbed her temples. “I can already guess who those people are in the Celestial Pavilion, making up things without any hesitation. People like you who have nothing better to do.”
The few conversing individuals were young elders who had recently advanced to the Golden Core stage. The other senior elders sat upright, with their gaze fixed outside. In their hearts, the selection of disciples was of utmost importance. Especially this year, there was a single Spirit Root youth who had been left in the Outer Peaks.
The young elders had no concerns. Those with exceptional aptitude usually didn’t fall under their jurisdiction. They had the leisure to play around and count people. Halfway through the counting, someone spoke up, “That youth’s name is Chu Junyu, right? He couldn’t even enter the Inner Peaks with a single Spirit Root. What a pity.”
“I can’t fathom what Senior Brother Pei was thinking. The thirty-six senior elders of the Inner Peaks must be heartbroken. This time, it benefits the Ziyu Peak and Shangyang Peak.”
“It’s too early to say. Not to mention that in five years, he may pass the selection and enter the Inner Peaks. Just for this Yinghui Peak competition, I don’t think the Inner Peaks will let anyone go. Perhaps after it concludes, a cloud crane will suddenly arrive and take Chu Junyu away.”
Laughter erupted among the crowd.
Despite their laughter, they took the matter of selecting disciples seriously. It was out of a sense of responsibility and duty. It was not just about the honor of nurturing outstanding disciples but also the pride of contributing to the sect. They had waited for a long time, and as usual, this group of inflexible disciples stood still, looking around with timid and confused expressions.
Several elders sighed.
“How long will it take to break this deadlock?”
“They are so young, they don’t know that the first one to step forward is always the most conspicuous.”
Among the crowd, two young men stood side by side, remarkably outstanding. One had a bold temperament, while the other exuded a cool aura. Both were handsome young boys, Pei Jing and Chu Junyu. Everyone stood there dumbfounded, feeling both anxious and lost. Their detached state of watching the scene didn’t fit in at all.
Pei Jing glanced around and said to Chu Junyu, “Guess what they want us to do?”
Chu Junyu didn’t answer, but simply looked at the sky. The color was a hazy gray, heavy and oppressive, as if waiting for something.
Beside them, Xu Jing was particularly nervous. Even if Pei Jing wasn’t talking to him, he wanted to interject to ease the tension. “I guess they are testing our temperament, testing how calm we can be when faced with such unconventional situations.”
Pei Jing twitched the corner of his mouth, glanced at the dumbfounded expressions of the crowd, and remarked, “You call this calm?”
Xu Jing scratched his head and speculated, “Maybe… we just have to stand here quietly, without clamor or commotion. Who knows, maybe a Senior Elder will jump out later and praise us. Then they will announce the rules.”
“Impressive.”
Pei Jing laughed uncontrollably, leaning on Chu Junyu’s shoulder to maintain his balance.
Xu Jing was a genius when it came to logic, a laid-back master.
However, he still needed to make the genius recognize the reality. “But this isn’t staying calm in the face of changes. You guys are simply scared silly. I guess they are waiting for someone to step forward.”
Xu Jing asked in a daze, “Waiting for who?”
Pei Jing replied, “Waiting for someone who is the most handsome.”
He took out a wooden plaque that he had prepared earlier. The five bold words on it danced vividly: “Only seeking for one defeat.”
Xu Jing vaguely sensed what he was going to do, shocked and speechless. He stammered, “W-what are you going to do?”
The young man held up the large wooden plaque, wore a long sword at his waist, and his garments fluttered. Under the gray sky, he stood out with his black hair flowing, forming a bright line. “Just watch me be handsome, and that’s all.”
The impatient Elders on the high platform suddenly straightened their postures.
They watched as a white-robed young man walked out from the crowd. He leaped onto the arena, his garments swirling like snow in the wind, brimming with confidence. He firmly planted the wooden plaque on the ground and unsheathed his sword, proclaiming, “Then let me go first. Only seeking for one defeat.”
If you enjoy this novel, support the Translator ginevre on her ko-fi account :))
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
