Chuu Guang thought of Wen Qingye’s recent plight and nodded in understanding. He then sank back into his memories. "So we returned to Thousand Nether Valley, and I naturally claimed the child in Nan Xiang’s womb as my own. Nan Xiang’s only wish was to protect the child, but she clearly underestimated the Valley Master’s expectations for her. Or maybe she overestimated my standing in Thousand Nether Valley. Looking back, it all makes sense now. I had just become a Core Disciple then, utterly insignificant. Why would the Valley Master have ever thought highly of me? And then? Without a hint of surprise, the Valley Master had her drugged, and the child was lost. I was driven out of Thousand Nether Valley, and Chuu Qi was dragged down with me. He became a victim of the whole affair and was also cast out. Afterward, we journeyed a thousand miles to the Celestial Profound Sect. That’s also why Chuu Qi has hated me for half his life—for decades—especially after he found out the child wasn’t even mine."
Chuu Guang slowly rose to his feet. He looked at Wen Qingye and smiled. "Lonely for half a lifetime, burdened for half a lifetime, misunderstood for half a lifetime... this life is almost over. I can’t believe I’ve said so much. These could be considered deep secrets, so you must not spread them. Otherwise, Thousand Nether Valley will hunt you to the ends of the earth."
Then, Chuu Guang looked ahead and continued, "Alright, I should get going. I still have many disciples to check up on, especially lazy ones like you."
After he finished speaking, Chuu Guang walked away. It was nearing dusk, and the sunset’s afterglow bathed his retreating figure. For some reason, Wen Qingye felt that he had aged.
Wen Qingye slowly stood up with a soft sigh, then left the West Garden.
.......
「Five days passed in the blink of an eye.」
Wen Qingye stood at the foot of the Main Peak, gazing at the straight, stone-paved path that ascended before him. The stairs seemed to stretch all the way to the heavens.
Qin Wuya chuckled beside him. "Let’s go. The Three Pristine Platform must be exceptionally lively right now. The name Wen Qingye carries a lot of weight."
At the Great Wilderness Ancient Stele, Wen Qingye had slain several experts from other sects, including a disciple from Taiyi Pavilion. He had even managed to escape Lim Tian’s pursuit. As a result, Wen Qingye’s fame had skyrocketed within the Celestial Profound Sect. Everyone, especially the Core Disciples, was incredibly curious about him.
The two then began their ascent, climbing the Main Peak one step at a time. Flying was forbidden on the Main Peak, leaving walking as the only option.
After what felt like an eternity of walking, the two finally reached the summit of the Main Peak. The Three Pristine Platform was located on the southeastern side. It was a place where disciples went to comprehend the Martial Arts and Daoist Techniques of the Celestial Profound Sect. Many of the platforms here were inscribed with the insights and enlightenments left behind by predecessors and talented disciples, available for all to study and contemplate.
The Three Pristine Platform was already crowded. Everyone present was a Core Disciple of the Celestial Profound Sect, each boasting profound strength and limitless potential.
As Wen Qingye stepped onto the Three Pristine Platform, he looked at the myriad of markings. It felt as if countless Profound Mysteries were flooding his Sea of Consciousness. ’These must have been left behind by predecessors or contemporary geniuses during moments of sudden insight,’ he thought.
A row of people standing up ahead was particularly conspicuous. These were the opponents Wen Qingye would face today—all Core Disciples of the Celestial Profound Sect with a Bone Age similar to his own.
"I hope this Wen Qingye isn’t unlucky enough to face me," a man said with an air of indifference. "I really don’t get it. How could someone who’s only at the Yin-Yang Realm Eighth Layer Heaven at twenty years old make it to eleventh on the Cyan Cloud List?"
A few people nearby seemed accustomed to the man’s complaints and paid him no mind, though several others nodded in agreement.
This man was Zhang Chong. His combat prowess ranked near the top among those present, and his cultivation had already reached the peak of the First Level of the Destruction Realm.
Aside from Zhang Chong, there was another cultivator at the peak of the First Level of the Destruction Realm. But the one with the highest cultivation present was at the Second Level of the Destruction Realm: Lu Shaoyou of Cloud Conceal Peak, Lu Wushuang’s older brother.
Jin Ming stared at Wen Qingye, his eyes blazing with battle intent. "It’s a shame I couldn’t go to the Great Wilderness Ancient Stele. I missed seeing Wen Qingye’s brilliance for myself. I hope he doesn’t disappoint me this time."
"Brother Wen’s strength... it’s incredible. I’m no match for him," Duan Hui said in a simple, earnest tone, scratching his head as he watched Wen Qingye and Qin Wuya approach.
Nangong Xin stood in the distance, her eyes fixed on Wen Qingye in disbelief. She found it utterly incredible that he was still alive after facing an opponent as powerful as Lim Tian.
An Elder from the Main Peak stood in the center of the Three Pristine Platform. He watched Qin Wuya ascend, then his gaze shifted to Wen Qingye beside him. In a booming voice, he announced, "Will the candidate please come forward."
Qin Wuya nodded to Wen Qingye, who then began to walk slowly forward.
Hundreds of Core Disciples watched in unison as Wen Qingye made his way, step by step, toward the Chief Elder.
Qii Yue, the Peak Master of Cloud Conceal Peak, watched Wen Qingye and remarked, "So that’s Wen Qingye. His innate talent is quite good. Reaching the Destruction Realm at his Bone Age is truly remarkable."
"Just as I expected. That’s him," Situ Yun said with a nod, her gaze also falling upon Wen Qingye.
Qii Yue’s eyes fell on the One Thought Sword at Wen Qingye’s waist. "I hear his Swordsmanship is exceptional," he said with curiosity. "I’d very much like to see just how exceptional it is."
"I, on the other hand, am more interested in his innate talent," Situ Yun said with a charming laugh. "My Purple Bamboo Forest is rather sparsely populated, especially when it comes to male disciples."
Hearing Situ Yun’s comment, Qii Yue couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head before turning his gaze back to Wen Qingye.
Of the Peak Masters of the Seven Peaks, only the two of them had come. The other peaks had sent a Steward, as was customary. But in the presence of Qii Yue and Situ Yun, the five Stewards were of a much lower standing and could only stand off to the side.
"Draw your lot!"
The box contained bamboo slips, each bearing the name of a Core Disciple with a Bone Age similar to Wen Qingye’s. Their cultivation levels, of course, varied. This was the moment Wen Qingye would choose his opponent.
Wen Qingye stepped forward and casually drew a slip. He pulled it out and read the two words written on it: Lu Shaoyou.
The crowd below erupted into an uproar upon seeing the name.
Jin Ming couldn’t help but frown when he saw the name. "Lu Shaoyou?"
Duan Hui slowly commented from the side, "His cultivation may not be that high, but his talent for Swordsmanship is extraordinary. I can’t believe Brother Wen actually drew him."
Yann Xiangyang stood amidst the crowd. She wasn’t a Core Disciple; as a Registered Disciple, she had duties to attend to, but she had taken a half-month leave just to hurry here.
Standing right beside her were Qiuyue and Zhou Ming.
Only after seeing Wen Qingye with her own eyes did her heart finally settle. She was, of course, aware of the rumors surrounding him from the Great Wilderness Ancient Stele. Her heart pounded in her chest. She, too, wanted to see just how far he had come. ’The young man who came to the Celestial Profound Sect with me... just how much will his cultivation shock me now?’
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