71 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

The Ghost Market remained bustling with people coming and going, even in the late hours of the night. The first round of the long-running martial tournament was finally concluded after several days. Some cultivators were unwilling to leave just yet, choosing to linger nearby in anticipation of the second round. The Black River Outpost entered an unprecedented period of prosperity, with prices skyrocketing several times over. Yet, many were still willing to pay, especially female cultivators rarely seen in public, who exhibited great generosity and became the most welcomed patrons. Unfortunately, the fate of this temporary center of attention was to be marginalized post-tournament, marking the last of such excitement. In a quiet guest room on the second floor, members of the Chu Qin Sect gathered by the bedside of Gu Ji. Apart from He Yu, who was in seclusion, Zhang Shishi and Zhan Yuan, having received the news, all came down from Black River Peak to visit the unconscious Gu Ji, each pondering in silence. "Sect Master, the meal is ready. Please have a bite." A young mortal servant reported softly from outside the door. Trained well by Zhan Yuan, these clever lads selected from the immigrants were already capable of managing the inn's daily operations. Qi Xiu had no appetite and sent the disciples to eat, while he himself walked to the window. The view faced the market center where Bai Xiaosheng was locked up, looking more pitiful than a beggar. His head rested against a stone pillar, awake, and upon sensing Qi Xiu's gaze, turned to look back with eyes devoid of emotion or humanity. "Alas, a pitiable soul..." Sympathy rose within Qi Xiu, along with an impulsive desire to help. Normally, he wouldn’t dare involve himself in such matters, but today's choice by Gu Ji struck him profoundly. Gu Ji seemed like his shadow self—should one retreat or resist? Retreat, and you live in humiliation; resist, and you might end up like Gu Ji, severely burned and bedridden for days on end. However, recalling the Mountain Sect's disgraceful retreat brought Qi Xiu waves of delight. Defeating a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator at only the second stage—what more dazzling moment could one ask for? When he first arrived in the Southern Border, the Nan Chu Sect was like a deity and great benefactor to Qi Xiu, deserving admiration and reverence, even subservience. Yet, in reality? Chu Youmin was proud and selfish, Chu Youguang cruel and ruthless, and even Chu Duo, a high-ranking Jindan cultivator, committed heinous acts that tore families apart. Especially those deaf and mute so-called couples—probably artificially made through brutal means. Where was the reverence? Where was the grace? All that seemed to remain was fear. As an abandoned infant, Qi Xiu understood the agony of not knowing one’s birth parents. Those exceptionally gifted babies might live in a web of lies all their lives, in luxury, yet unknowingly regard their enemy as father, maybe even sacrificing themselves for the Nan Chu Sect—a truly ironic and tragic fate. "Zhan Yuan! Go fetch a new sect robe!" Once the impulse turned into a decision, a surge of heroic spirit rose within Qi Xiu. If he dared not oppose Chu Duo, could he not at least try against Chu Youguang? As a righteous cultivator, if one cannot empathize and aid the weak, how can they claim to be righteous? Even if ending up like Gu Ji, at least he would have tried and fought back, suffering no regrets in death. "Sect Master, what are you planning?" Zhan Yuan entered, handing the robe to Qi Xiu, but noticed a change in him—the Sect Master, even in a brief time apart, seemed different. His forehead faintly glowed, and his aura of righteous dignity surpassed that of some Foundation Establishment cultivators. "Going to do a small deed that ought to be done." Qi Xiu replied casually, leaping out of the window and walking towards Bai Xiaosheng. "Sect Master! Be careful!" Zhan Yuan realized his intention instantly and tried to stop him, but it was too late; Qi Xiu had already approached Bai Xiaosheng. "Though you erred gravely, you do not deserve such humiliation," Qi Xiu said, staring intently into Bai Xiaosheng's eyes, casting several [Cleansing Talismans] to wash away the layers of filth, and draping the robe over him. Bai Xiaosheng remained vacant and dull, letting him act, until Qi Xiu tidied him and turned to leave, murmuring, "Though well-intentioned, doing useless things brings needless trouble. Wise men avoid it." "One should hold onto something, shouldn’t they?" Qi Xiu replied slowly, standing with his back to him. Qi Xiu's actions attracted a crowd of passing cultivators, drawing the attention of Chu Youguang’s subordinates who rushed out, grabbing Qi Xiu and shouting viciously, "Who are you!? This man is a prisoner of the Nan Chu Sect, serving his sentence here! How dare you..." Before finishing, Zhang Shishi, who followed from the inn, pushed them aside. Seeing the number of Chu Qin Sect people, one quickly ran into the former auction house of Chu Youmin to call for reinforcements. "I wondered who it was. Where did you get the nerve, Qi Xiu? Who ordered you to do this!?" exclaimed Chu Youguang, storming out angrily and scanning the surroundings. He suspected someone must be behind it—Qi Xiu alone couldn’t dare do such a thing. "Greetings, Brother Chu," Qi Xiu responded humbly but firmly. "No one instructed me. I saw his plight and wanted to help. I also urge Brother Chu to refrain from such torture and humiliation—those are acts for demonic cultivators and cruel bureaucrats, not the righteous path cultivators. I hope Brother Chu will..." "Enough!" Chu Youguang interrupted, furious before Qi Xiu could finish, "You dare defy an order from a Nascent Soul ancestor from the Nan Chu Sect!? You wish for death?" "What’s this commotion!?" With the situation escalating and more spectators gathering, the Nan Chu Sect's Jindan ancestor overseeing the tournament descended, shouting from midair. "Ancestor, it’s this little..." "Don't," the Jindan ancestor cut off Chu Youguang’s complaint. "I’ve heard the whole story..." Given the tournament, he and several other Jindan cultivators from Qiyun hadn’t left the Black River Outpost. With such a public scene, every one of those cultivators likely noticed. As proclaimed righteous cultivators, and with the Nan Chu Sect priding itself on their righteous path affiliation, if they punished Qi Xiu now, the Chu family’s reputation in Qiyun would surely suffer. Fine, might as well do a good deed—it wasn’t a big issue. "A trivial matter; causing such a scene is unbecoming. Do not harass this sinner further; let him remain here, and disperse, everyone." Once the Jindan ancestor left, Chu Youguang deflated, thinking Qi Xiu must have some extraordinary backing, with even the Jindan ancestor speaking favorably. Not daring to yell further, he threw a fit within the auction house instead. Witnessing the outcome, members of the Chu Qin Sect gathered around, clapping Zhang Shishi, admiring this act of righteousness. Their usually meek sect master performing such a deed won his adoration, elevating his esteem for Qi Xiu. Cultivators watching joined in applause as well, prompting Qi Xiu to hurry the disciples back into the inn, finding the attention too conspicuous. "Thank you," Bai Xiaosheng's weak voice of gratitude followed. Qi Xiu paused, but ultimately did not stop to reply. When the second round began, Gu Ji still lay bedridden, and He Yu remained secluded in cultivation. Unwilling to interrupt his study, Qi Xiu left only Yu Denuo to compete from the Chu Qin Sect. Yu Denuo's two Tier 2 Jujube Pins, one lost in the initial round, rendered him even less formidable. Reduced to a quick defeat, there seemed little reason to remain and watch. Thus, the Chu Qin Sect chose not to stay further, appointing Shen Chang to oversee business and relay information from the market. Soon, they all returned to Black River Peak, resuming their previously tranquil lifestyle.