The main hall of the Lingyuan Sect stood proudly at the center of the five great peaks. Built from ancient stone and reinforced with powerful formations, the hall radiated a dignified and imposing atmosphere. Pillars carved with spiritual runes supported the towering ceiling, and streams of faint spiritual energy flowed through the room like mist. Normally, only the most important matters of the sect were discussed here.
Today, the hall was unusually quiet.
Four figures sat on elevated seats arranged in a semicircle. Each of them carried a powerful aura that could make ordinary disciples tremble with fear. These were the remaining four Peak Masters of the Lingyuan Sect.
At the center sat a tall man wearing white robes embroidered with sword patterns. His posture was straight and dignified, and his eyes were sharp like blades. This was Jian Tianlong, the Peak Master of Heaven Sword Peak. Among the five peak masters, he was widely recognized as the strongest.
To his left sat a beautiful woman wearing elegant green robes. Her expression was calm and gentle, and a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs seemed to linger around her. She was Mei Lanyue, the Peak Master of Spirit Medicine Peak.
Beside her sat a muscular man with broad shoulders and fierce eyes. His red robes were decorated with lightning patterns, and he looked like someone who would rather fight than attend meetings. This was Lei Ba, the Peak Master of Thunder Flame Peak.
The final seat belonged to a quiet man dressed in dark robes covered with subtle formation symbols. His eyes were half-closed, as if he were constantly lost in deep thought. This was Gu Shenzhi, the Peak Master of Array Formation Peak.
One seat remained empty.
The seat of Cloud Mist Peak.
For many years, that seat belonged to the eccentric old man who rarely attended meetings. The old peak master was known for his strange personality and carefree attitude. Today, however, his absence carried a different meaning.
Jian Tianlong broke the silence.
"So it's confirmed?" he asked coldly. "The Cloud Mist Peak Master has disappeared?"
Mei Lanyue nodded slowly. "I personally checked the peak this morning. There were no signs of battle or disturbance."
Lei Ba snorted loudly. "That old drunk probably wandered off somewhere again. He's done that before."
Gu Shenzhi opened his eyes slightly and spoke quietly. "This time is different."
"The Peak Master Token is missing."
The hall instantly became silent.
Even Lei Ba's relaxed expression changed slightly.
The Peak Master Token represented authority over an entire peak. Whoever held the token possessed the right to lead the peak and command its disciples.
Jian Tianlong's eyes narrowed slightly. "His disciple."
Just then, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the hall.
A young man calmly walked inside.
All four peak masters immediately turned their attention toward him.
It was Lin Tian.
He walked forward with steady steps, stopping at the center of the hall. Even though he was standing before four powerful elders, his expression remained calm.
Lei Ba leaned forward and looked him up and down before chuckling.
"So this is the kid from Cloud Mist Peak?"
"You're the old man's only disciple, right?"
Lin Tian nodded slightly. "Yes."
Jian Tianlong spoke with a cold tone. "Where is your master?"
Lin Tian answered honestly. "I don't know."
A faint pressure filled the hall as Jian Tianlong's sharp gaze locked onto him.
"You expect us to believe that the Peak Master of Cloud Mist Peak disappeared and his only disciple knows nothing?"
Before the atmosphere could grow more tense, Mei Lanyue gently raised her hand.
"Let him speak," she said calmly.
Lin Tian bowed slightly before continuing.
"My master disappeared early this morning. I searched the entire peak but found no trace of him."
Lei Ba crossed his arms. "So he just vanished?"
"Yes," Lin Tian replied.
Silence filled the hall once again.
Gu Shenzhi suddenly asked, "Then who holds the Peak Master Token now?"
Lin Tian slowly reached into his sleeve and brought out a golden token.
The moment the four peak masters saw it, their expressions changed.
The characters carved on its surface were unmistakable.
Cloud Mist Peak.
Lin Tian spoke calmly. "My master left this behind."
"From today onward, I will take responsibility for Cloud Mist Peak."
Lei Ba immediately burst into laughter.
"You?"
"A kid barely twenty years old wants to become a Peak Master?"
Even Jian Tianlong looked unimpressed.
"The rules of Lingyuan Sect state that a Peak Master must possess sufficient strength. You are only at the Qi Condensation Realm. How can you lead a peak?"
Lin Tian remained calm.
"My master entrusted this to me," he said.
"That is enough."
Jian Tianlong's expression turned colder. "That old fool was already unfit to lead a peak. If Cloud Mist Peak declines further, it will damage the reputation of the Lingyuan Sect."
Lei Ba nodded in agreement. "Honestly, we should just dissolve that peak."
Before the discussion could continue, Mei Lanyue spoke again.
"That is enough."
Her gentle voice immediately silenced the room.
"The Peak Master Token was left to him," she continued. "That means the previous peak master recognized him."
Gu Shenzhi nodded slightly. "Sect rules state that whoever holds the token may inherit the peak."
Jian Tianlong remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"Very well."
"You may temporarily manage Cloud Mist Peak."
"But if the peak continues to decline, your authority will be revoked."
Lin Tian nodded calmly. "That is acceptable."
Lei Ba smirked as he leaned back in his seat. "Let's see how long Cloud Mist Peak lasts under your leadership."
The meeting soon came to an end.
Lin Tian turned and walked out of the main hall.
The moment he stepped outside, the fresh mountain air greeted him again.
Behind him, the four peak masters continued discussing the mysterious disappearance of the old man.
Lin Tian, however, was already thinking about something else.
Inside his mind, the system notification appeared again.
Mission Active: Open Computer Shop.
Lin Tian looked toward the distant Cloud Mist Peak and slowly smiled.
"Let's see what happens when cultivators start playing games."
Very soon, the quietest peak in the Lingyuan Sect would become the most unusual place in the entire cultivation world.