456 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

## Chapter 456: Gao Pei and Lianshui Involving the issue of He Yu still being alive, Qi Xiu dared not utter a single word. However, he was not a broad-minded person; he even had a bit of a wicked streak. Back when the war broke out deep in Mount Baishan, a ghost cultivator under Northern Ding Shen Mountain killed hundreds of pioneering cultivators. Several golden cores from the Great Zhou Academy were among them, and Chu Qin Sect suffered heavy losses as well. The conflict started when a cultivator from the Ancestor Return Faction of the Great Zhou Academy mysteriously got trapped in the mountains, prompting nearby cultivators to gather for rescue. Judging from the signal fire's level, the trapped cultivator held a high status within the academy. Yet, the deity-transformation elder in charge of the war, belonging to the Confucian Return Faction, deliberately delayed sending strong reinforcements, leading to the tragedy. Strangely, the person who set off the warning fire never appeared from beginning to end. Now, an obviously ghost cultivator-related teleportation array has been discovered in the landscapes around Northern Ding Shen Mountain, indicating that the events of that year were not so simple. Qi Xiu wasn't interested in the truth, but someone in the Great Zhou Academy surely was. As a descendant of the Ancestor Return Faction's Qi Yun from the Law Enforcement Peak, he might be able to contact someone from the Great Zhou Academy to cause trouble for the Nangong family, who now monopolize Northern Ding Shen Mountain. Of course, whether Nangong Mu, as one of this world's top exists and a host of the pioneering war, can withstand the Great Zhou Academy is yet unknown. As for the ghost cultivators who later fled to Xing Lion Valley and accidentally fell into a trap underground, ultimately perishing alongside Zhan Qiu—this had something to do with Qin Weiyu's soul, which Qi Xiu intentionally kept concealed. He also didn't fully share his ties with the Ancestor Return Faction with Law Enforcement Peak. After a whole night of secret discussion, Qi Xiu led Xing Jian, who harbored quite some resentment towards the Nangong family, along a treacherous, high-stakes path. However, Qi Xiu wasn't deceiving him. It was indeed a viable, perhaps the only viable path to forcibly intervene in the secret affairs of the deity-transformation family using external forces. Xing Jian, driven by determination, didn’t care about offending Nangong Mu. On the way out, he began pondering how to draw the Great Zhou Academy's attention to Northern Ding Shen Mountain to continue his pursuit of Jiang Yan. Both got what they wanted from each other, and the information from Xing Jian was likely crucial to the current situation in Baishan. “Let’s head to Chu Yun Peak!” Forcing himself to stay alert, Qi Xiu swiftly exited the underground, gathered Chu Wuying who had completed his task, and flew directly to Qi Yun Mountain. Familiar with the route, they soon met the plump Chu Shentong. The experience at the elite Songtao Blessing Land of the Nangong family had dulled his impression of the fifth-grade inferior spirit land at Chu Yun Peak. Moreover, Chu Yun Peak’s fifth-grade area was rather small, just enough to cover the meditation room where Qi Xiu first met Chu Zhen, his ancestors’ place of study. “Aren’t you always monitoring the Gao and Pei family movements?” Qi Xiu asked bluntly, feeling disdain for the current head of the Chu family at Qi Yun. “Of course!” Chu Shentong, either due to obliviousness or inherent optimism, remained unfazed, still amiably responding with a smile: “Gao Hetong is always well-behaved, like a lady from a prominent mundane family, barely stepping out of her chambers. Pei Wen, though somewhat annoying, merely barks occasionally from Administrative Peak.” He shifted his gaze to Chu Wuying, indulging in idle talk about Ji Xia Trials. “Sigh! You've been duped!” Witnessing Chu Shentong's indifferent demeanor, Qi Xiu felt exasperated on behalf of Chu Zhen, perhaps understanding why Chu Zhen would go to great lengths, even using dark blades, to remove Gao Guangsheng before his demise. If Gao Guangsheng were still alive and if Chu Zhen hadn’t used that encirclement incident to fuel blood feuds among the participating families, Chu Shentong would likely have already been outplayed. Annoyance surged within Qi Xiu as he smashed his mask, revealing a wrinkled, not fully healed face. “Duped? How?” Chu Shentong was finally startled by Qi Xiu’s harsh demeanor, immediately inquiring further. “The Baishan Lianshui Alliance has struck a deal with the upper echelons of the Five Peaks to integrate fully into Qi Yun. Gao and Pei families orchestrated this alliance, and you didn’t catch a whiff of such a significant maneuver!?” “Huh?” “Huh, my foot…” Qi Xiu almost felt like slapping him, huffing and puffing in anger. Finding a seat, he accepted a calming pill from Chu Wuying and settled down with meditation to regain composure. After offering some insincere comforting words, Chu Shentong finally settled down, pacing heavily across the meditation room, eyebrow furrowed. “Times have changed, and our standing within Qi Yun Mountain is shaky. I must focus on my path forward, leaving little time for surveillance. Minor matters are manageable, but nascent soul-level affairs require intel from families like Guanghui Pavilion, Wanbao Pavilion, and Lingyao Pavilion, all of which were involved in besieging Gao Guangsheng and belong to Administrative Peak. They aren’t privy to much. But don’t fret…” “Our Qi Yun Sect may pretty much ignore bloodline and status, but Lianshui Alliance’s mid-course allegiance shift still raises concern. Unless Lianshui Alliance offers significant merit to Qi Yun or a dominant figure handles their case directly, it’s almost impossible to accomplish. Many hurdles lie ahead...” He patiently explained the responsibilities assigned to each peak within Qi Yun Sect to Qi Xiu. “First, you need solid backing from internal elders at the peaks, ideally reaching the level of late-stage Nascent Soul. And administrative officers must approve the proposal. I believe Gao Hetong can handle this. The Gao family, historically tied to the Five Peaks, would naturally have an advantage, especially with Lianshui Alliance's water-based innate interest making them a natural fit within Five Peaks.” “Furthermore, approval from Administrative Peak and Law Enforcement Peak is necessary, with late-stage Nascent Souls among the elders typically giving the final nod. Here, Administrative Peak elders hold more sway, while Law Enforcement Peak elders merely rubber-stamp. Although the Pei family has some influence, Wan Bao Pavilion’s Wan Tian Gang, current elder in charge, has overriding authority and as a participant of the Gao Guangsheng besiege, would likely obstruct the Gao family.” “And then there’s the matter of land for the migrating family. With Qi Yun Sect reaching full capacity and expansion motivation lacking, vacant spots are hotly contested internally, making it unlikely for Lianshui Alliance to procure land easily.” Hearing Chu Shentong's points, Qi Xiu pondered for a moment before realizing, “My intel comes from Law Enforcement Peak…” “Ah…” Chu Shentong inhaled sharply, “That indicates Administrative Peak is already over?” “Wan Tian Gang must’ve struck a deal with them…” Qi Xiu nodded, leaving both in silence. Wan Tian Gang, apart from the Nangong family, weighs heavily within the invisible alliance formed post-Gao Guangsheng siege. His involvement with the Gao and Pei families spells trouble. “Not possibly, definitely! For such dealings to pass through so many hands within Qi Yun Mountain, Wan Tian Gang’s collaboration is essential.” Chu Wen’s voice broke in from the entrance, nodding to Qi Xiu as he entered, joking, “I misjudged you at the trial grounds, forgive me.” “No harm done.” As Qi Xiu exchanged greetings, he noticed the interaction between the Chu family members—Chu Shentong oddly fell silent and promptly looked away, his gaze briefly catching a whiff of dissatisfaction as he perceived Chu Wen’s drunken aura. Unperturbed, Chu Wen casually sat opposite Qi Xiu, nonchalantly brushing aside the mask remnants on the floor. “The rumors about their strained relationship are true,” Qi Xiu mused, noticing this was his first time seeing them together. “Wan Tian Gang may not harbor ill will against us. With his living years dwindling, he might be seeking conciliatory relationships, offering minor assistance unrelated to himself as a means to reconcile with the Gao family.” Chu Wen seemed more worldly after the trial, clearly surpassing Chu Shentong in clarity of thought and judgment. “With the process reaching Law Enforcement Peak, we may be too late to halt it; instead, we might...” “How could it be too late!” Chu Shentong interrupted with displeasure, “Could their Nascent Souls reach Baishan? Qi Yun Sect handing territory to Lianshui Alliance—impossible!” “Since it’s reached Law Enforcement Peak, they likely have solutions for issues we can't yet see.” Chu Wen retorted calmly, dismissively hitting back at the clan's Nascent Soul elder. “Solution, what solution? It’s impossible!” Chu Shentong’s anger flared beyond containment. Seeing how the Chu elders were clashing without resolution, Qi Xiu muttered to himself, preparing to leave, “An Si’s funeral at the An family of Huanhou draws near. We must depart shortly.” He promptly took his leave. “Indeed, I was about to invite you along.” Just as Qi Xiu and Chu Wuying exited, Chu Wen caught up with them. As the three flew side by side halfway to their destination, Chu Wen suddenly sent a chilling and cold voice transmission, “Next time, don't let me see you speak to him that way. Never do it again!” (To be continued) ---