The Seven Peaks Tournament had officially concluded.
After Ji Changfeng claimed the championship, Taoist Cangsong stepped forward on behalf of Master Daoxuan to deliver a lengthy speech filled with grand principles. Finally, Master Daoxuan himself wrapped things up.
It was much like a school assembly from Ji Changfeng's previous life: first the grade director speaks, then the principal closes.
"Nephew Changfeng, stay a moment," Master Daoxuan said with a warm smile.
At this, the sect leaders exchanged glances. Truth be told, they too wanted to linger. Master Shuiyue, Su Ru, and Tian Buyi had countless questions for Ji Changfeng, but with Master Daoxuan subtly dismissing them, they had no choice but to leave.
Master Shuiyue glanced back every few steps, her eyes on Ji Changfeng, hesitating as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. In the end, she departed.
Ji Changfeng, oblivious to Master Shuiyue's turmoil, followed Master Daoxuan into the Jade Purity Hall. Now, it was just the two of them.
"Nephew Changfeng, do you recall what I promised you?" Master Daoxuan asked with a smile.
Ji Changfeng raised an eyebrow slightly. "Of course, Sect Leader Uncle. You said if I won the Seven Peaks Tournament, you'd give me a gift."
As for this gift, Ji Changfeng had his suspicions. Most likely, it was the Six Harmonies Mirror. In the original story, it was the prize for the tournament's champion. But this time, Master Daoxuan hadn't presented it publicly as the prize. Instead, he'd promised it to Ji Changfeng privately.
The outcome was the same—Ji Changfeng would receive the Six Harmonies Mirror—but the significance was different. A prize awarded by Qingyun Sect for the tournament champion was one thing; a personal gift from the sect leader was another entirely.
One represented the sect's recognition.
The other was a private gesture from Master Daoxuan himself.
Could they be the same? Of course not.
With a smile, Master Daoxuan produced a mirror. Its design was ancient, framed in bronze with dragons carved above and tigers below, inscribed with the eight trigrams. This was the treasure passed down by Qingyun Sect's tenth-generation ancestor, Master Wufangzi—the Six Harmonies Mirror.
"Take it," Master Daoxuan said lightly.
Ji Changfeng respectfully accepted the mirror, bowing. "Thank you, Sect Leader Uncle, for this treasure!"
Master Daoxuan nodded, his smile unwavering. "Nephew Changfeng, I have another task for you."
"Please instruct me, Sect Leader Uncle," Ji Changfeng replied softly.
Master Daoxuan nodded. "Recently, the demonic sect has been stirring. My eldest disciple, Xiao Yicai, infiltrated their Blood Refining Hall and discovered that its remnants have reestablished a base in the Ten Thousand Bats Cave on Kongsang Mountain. I want you to lead the top four from this Seven Peaks Tournament down the mountain to eliminate those Blood Refining Hall survivors."
He paused, then added, "By the way, disciples from Tianyin Temple and Fenxiang Valley will also be sent for this mission."
Master Daoxuan's tone softened. "As for the matter of Caomiao Village, I've already contacted Master Puhong of Tianyin Temple. Nephew Changfeng, don't dwell on it too much. Qingyun Sect will ensure justice for you."
"Yes, Sect Leader Uncle," Ji Changfeng replied, lowering his head slightly.
The issue of Zhang Xiaofan practicing both Buddhist and Taoist cultivation was easily resolved. By informing Master Daoxuan that Zhang Xiaofan was a victim, the matter was essentially settled. The massacre of Caomiao Village and Zhang Xiaofan's acquisition of the Great Brahma Prajna would be handled by Qingyun Sect in negotiations with Tianyin Temple.
As long as Ji Changfeng remained in Qingyun Sect, this matter would never be swept under the rug. Why? Because of his talent.
In the logic of a fantasy world, Ji Changfeng was essentially Qingyun Sect's holy son. The slaughter of a holy son's family—could that be considered a trivial matter? Of course not.
Not only was it not trivial, but Qingyun Sect would make a grand show of confronting Tianyin Temple. Why? It was a matter of stance. The sect needed to show its holy son that it was his unwavering shield, that he had nothing to fear.
Only then would the holy son feel a true sense of belonging and contribute to the sect's future. If a sect couldn't even protect its own holy son, what was its purpose? It might as well disband.
Master Daoxuan stroked his beard lightly and waved a hand. "Go now. Rest at Dazhu Peak for the night. I'll notify the others to gather at Tongtian Peak tomorrow morning. You can lead them down the mountain then."
"Yes, Sect Leader Uncle!" Ji Changfeng nodded and turned to leave the Jade Purity Hall, flying back to Dazhu Peak on his sword.
Upon returning to Dazhu Peak, Ji Changfeng was immediately met with questions from Tian Buyi and Su Ru. They were aware of the situation at the Ten Thousand Bats Cave on Kongsang Mountain and the mission for the tournament's top four, but their real curiosity lay with the Ghost-Slaying True Art.
Fortunately, that was easy to deflect. Ji Changfeng simply echoed Master Daoxuan's fabricated explanation, and the couple didn't press further.
"Changfeng, Xiaofan, go rest well," Su Ru said gently. "You have a mission tomorrow."
Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan nodded, excused themselves, and returned to their courtyard to rest.
The next day, at Tongtian Peak.
Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan had just arrived at the Jade Purity Hall when they found Lu Xueqi already there.
"Senior Sister Lu," Ji Changfeng greeted with a smile.
"S-Senior Sister Lu," Zhang Xiaofan stammered, following suit.
"Hm." Lu Xueqi nodded slightly. She stole a discreet glance at Ji Changfeng before walking to one side, clutching her Tianya sword… a spot just a bit closer to Ji Changfeng.
The three waited briefly. Soon, Qi Hao arrived at Tongtian Peak.
"Go now," Master Daoxuan said from within the Jade Purity Hall, waving them off.
The four exchanged glances, then set off down the mountain together, passing through the sea of clouds and crossing the rainbow bridge.
As they prepared to fly on their swords, Ji Changfeng suddenly spoke up. "Senior Sister Lu, why don't you carry me on your sword?"
Truth be told, he wasn't keen on zooming through the sky on his "skateboard." But using his sword technique would be too fast—Lu Xueqi and the others couldn't keep up. So, he figured he'd let someone else carry him.
And who to choose? That was obvious.
Of course, it had to be Xueqi!
Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan turned to Lu Xueqi, expecting the aloof girl to refuse. To their surprise, she silently summoned Tianya, stepped forward, and left a generous space behind her.
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly and stepped onto the sword without hesitation.
Whoosh!
Feeling the presence behind her, Lu Xueqi's fair cheeks flushed slightly. She silently urged the sword to speed forward, leaving Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan behind without a second thought.
"Senior Sister Lu, you smell so nice~"
Ji Changfeng's teasing whisper tickled her ear, and her entire face flushed crimson. Her heart pounded wildly, and even her delicate earlobes turned a soft pink.
She appeared calm.
But inside, she was anything but.
___
If you want to support me and read advanced 100+ chapters and also other stories: patreon.com/Caluem