Yang awoke to the rhythmic, soothing roar of the waterfall. It had provided a steady backdrop throughout the night, and as he drifted into consciousness, it felt less like a disturbance and more like a gentle, atmospheric lull.
The morning light filtered through the cave, catching the mist from the falls and casting a soft, diffuse glow that blurred the line between illumination and ethereal mist.
Yang lay still for a moment, taking it all in, then pushed open the sheer curtains and stepped off the bed.
He took a long bath, dried off, wrapped a towel around himself, and went to the massive log table where Senior Brother Xiao Zhan had left his things the night before.
He unfolded one of the inner sect robes and looked it over. The embroidery along the edges was slightly different from the standard inner sect pattern he had grown used to seeing on most inner sect disciples. He recognised the style from Senior Brother Zhen Hao's own robes. It marked him not merely as an inner sect disciple, but specifically as a core disciple of Soaring Cloud Peak.
He chose a light grey inner robe, one that almost showed as white unless placed next to the true white of the outer robe.
As he dressed, he drifted toward the large mirror he had not noticed the night before, tucked behind a curtain near the sleeping area. He looked at himself in the floor-length mirror as he let his mind wander to the previous day.
After Xiao Senior Brother’s departure, Yang had spent hours exploring. The cave was far more expansive than he had initially realized, featuring a labyrinthine network of tunnels extending from the main chambers. The living quarters were protected by a formation, but the wider subterranean network beyond appeared unsealed, likely because the peak itself was private enough to require no further defenses. He had walked for hours without ever reaching an end.
He was still considering whether to use the formation to go up to the summit and seek Senior Brother Zhen Hao or Xiao Zhan when he heard the formation in the main chamber activate.
He came down through the round doorway, descended the carved stairs to cross into the main hall, and found Senior Brother Zhen Hao standing, looking entirely at ease.
"Senior Brother," Yang bowed. "You are here."
"Junior Brother." Senior Brother beamed at him. "How was your first night? Is it to your liking? We can change anything. I did tell Senior Brother Xiao Zhan this place needed more, but he wouldn't listen."
"It's perfect, Senior Brother. I love it," Yang said quickly, hoping to forestall any further renovation plans.
"That's good then." Though Senior Brother Zhen Hao's expression suggested it was less than ideal for the vision he had apparently been building. But Yang was not willing to have his residence transformed into a replica of an imperial palace, even if it would bring Senior Brother Zhen Hao joy.
"Let me make some tea for you," Yang said in an effort to distract Senior Brother Zhen Hao.
"No need, Junior Brother. I seldom drink tea nowadays. And that reminds me." Senior Brother spoke. "I brought breakfast. We all somewhat forgot that you have no way of getting food up here on your own. Senior Brother Xiao Zhan has arranged for someone to bring meals three times a day, but in the meantime."
"I wouldn't want anyone to go to the trouble of—"
"You cannot fly," Senior Brother said simply. "There is no meal hall or kitchen on the peak. Are you suggesting you would cook for yourself in here? Because Master will certainly not permit fasting pills before your foundation is established. There is no argument available to you on this one, Junior Brother."
Yang had no rebuttal so he graciously accepted.
"Senior Brother, would you like to join me?"
"I was hoping you would say that. I brought enough for two. Shall we?"
"Could we eat in the private quarters? The main hall is a bit formal."
Senior Brother laughed. "Of course. No need for such formality between us."
As they walked, Senior Brother eyed the rough, circular opening in the wall with distaste. "Are you truly satisfied with this? We could smooth the walls, make a proper moon door."
"I think it suits a cultivator perfectly as it is," Yang replied. "But 'moon door'—I like that. I shall call it that from now on."
"At least we share a taste in names if not in interior design," Senior Brother muttered.
They settled at the log table as Yang dragged two chairs into a clear section for them to sit on, and Senior Brother waved his hand, spreading out the dishes across the surface. Eggs, dumplings, steamed buns, several things Yang did not immediately recognise, and baskets of various fruits.
Yang looked at the spread. "This is considerably more food than two people need, Senior Brother."
"I brought extra. The dishes will keep everything fresh as long as you need." He filled a plate with eggs, dumplings, and buns and handed it to Yang before making one for himself.
Yang's estimate was that he could eat three meals a day for a week from what was on the table. He said nothing about this, took a small handful of berries from the nearest basket on the table, and recognised them immediately.
Red Pearl Berries. The same ones Master had given him.
Senior Brother Zhen Hao glanced at the things still piled on the other end of the table. "Ran out of time to organise everything?"
"I got distracted exploring," Yang admitted, with a small, embarrassed note. "The cave goes much deeper than I expected."
"I am not surprised. This is one of the oldest peaks in the sect. In its heyday, it likely housed many more people than it does now."
"Really?" Yang asked. "Are there records of who lived here? Senior Brother Xiao Zhan said this cave has been empty for a few thousand years."
"He is correct. Deep subterranean dwellings were the fashion in older times. For the past several millennia, floating peaks and summit residences have been the trend."
His tone then turned purposeful. "Junior Brother, I am actually here to deliver news. Your tea ceremony has been set for two weeks from today."
Yang set his chopsticks down. "Really? What will be expected of me?"
"Of you? Nothing too difficult. You serve tea to Master, kowtow three times, then repeat the same for the ancestors with the addition of lighting incense." Senior Brother's mouth curved. "Though do not expect the ancestors to drink their tea. They are either long dead or long ascended."
Yang kept looking at him, waiting to see if there was more. He was fairly certain Senior Brother would find it deeply entertaining if he blundered through the ceremony.
His expression apparently communicated this clearly, because Senior Brother grabbed at his chest with a mournful look. "Junior Brother, your lack of trust wounds me."
He held the expression for close to half a minute before accepting that it was having no effect.
"You don’t need to worry," he said. "There are several ways I could make the ceremony—shall we say, more eventful." He gave a grin that explained entirely what kind of thoughts he had. "But unfortunately, our dear Senior Brother Xiao Zhan has no concept of fun and would hang me upside down from the rafters if I interfered with the ceremony."
"Not Master?"
"Master? Master would find it hilarious. It is Senior Brother Xiao Zhan who lacks a sense of humour, and unfortunately for us, it is he who actually runs the peak.” Senior Brother Zhen Hao said with evident suffering.
Yang privately felt that this particular deficit of Senior Brother Xiao Zhan's was likely what kept the peak functioning at all, given that their master apparently shared Senior Brother Zhen Hao's sense of humour.
"Is there anything else I should know?" Yang asked.
"That was the main message I was told to pass along. Senior Brother Xiao Zhan is occupied with making arrangements for your tea ceremony. Enjoy your rest for now. Master will have things for you to start learning once the ceremony is over." Senior Brother frowned slightly. "He looked busy today, which is unusual. He rarely concerns himself with anything Senior Brother Xiao Zhan can handle."
"He mentioned he would be altering a technique for me," Yang said. "Perhaps that is where his attention is."
Senior Brother grew thoughtful. "Altering a technique... yes, that would occupy him. He has no patience for administration, but a project like that will hold his interest until it is finished. He will likely want it completed before your ceremony. May I ask which technique?"
"The Seven Element Technique," Yang replied.
Senior Brother Zhen Hao nodded, falling silent for a moment before smoothly shifting the topic to the latest sect gossip, his dramatic account of events filling the room.
Join my Patreon to read 10 advance chapters.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter