"Are you out of your minds!? If sect leader Li hears this—I don't know what will happen to you two!"
"Please, Senior! We really have no choice but to try and ask!"
At the highest tower of Yellow Peak Mountain, a disciple of the Green Sword Sect glared at An Yuanrui with anger.
However, after taking another look at the two, he realized they weren't joking at all.
He was a Foundation Building cultivator of the Green Sword Sect. That was rank enough to understand what the Great Elders had in store for their vassal clans and subordinate sects today.
In truth, hundreds of families had already approached him with the same purpose—to be exempted from the battle.
But he only had to utter one name—Grand Elder Wu—and they would all immediately turn pale and scurry away.
No one dared to face the wrath of a Golden Core cultivator. The best anyone could hope for was to survive the coming battle, rather than gamble with Great Elder Wu's temper.
An Yuanrui bit her lip and spoke, "Senior, I was one of the cultivators who fought alongside Master Wu during the rescue at Red Peak Mountain. I'm seeking Master Wu's grace—if my clan leader and I could be exempted from this battle. All our clan members have already perished, and only the two of us remain! I beg of you, please!" She bowed deeply.
Behind her, An Ling followed suit. "Please, Senior!"
Before approaching and declaring their plea, An Ling had already discussed everything with his Aunt Rui.
As survivors of the ambush six days ago—alongside Master Wu—they could at least use their clan's sacrifices as a shield against accusations of cowardice.
Whatever the outcome, they believed that, at worst, one of the higher-ups—or even Master Wu himself—would merely reprimand them rather than execute them as an example of disobedience.
When the Foundation Building cultivator heard An Yuanrui's words, his anger softened slightly.
This clan might truly be at their limit, he thought.
No one had ever made such a desperate move since the announcement to retake Red Peak Mountain. Their actions alone showed how cornered they were—their only salvation now was to gamble on Grand Elder Wu's decision.
"Don't blame me for not giving you a stern warning later!" he said sternly before instructing his disciple to watch over the two as he entered the tower.
Yellow Peak Pavilion Tower
Inside the highest tower of Yellow Peak Mountain, many high-ranking cultivators had gathered to discuss the upcoming battle for Red Peak Mountain.
Grand Elder Wu and Grand Elder Cao sat among them, leading the operation while opposite them were two Golden Core cultivators sent by the Immortal Jade Sect to help stabilize the frontlines. These two forces combined their armies.
The core was the Green Sword Sect's own two thousand disciples, a force that could only be mustered by stripping their sect mountains bare of every viable disciple. To this, their Yun State affiliates contributed a vital thousand, while the Immortal Jade Sect committed a formidable two thousand of their own. Together, they formed a combined force of over five thousand cultivators—a power finally deemed adequate to challenge the tens of thousands of demons defiling Red Peak Mountain.
The meeting had just concluded, and everyone was taking a brief moment of rest inside the grand hall atop the tower.
Grand Elder Wu was conversing with Daoist Chen in a yellow robe, one of the Golden Core cultivators sent by the Immortal Jade Sect. Beside them stood two young men at the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm, chatting quietly—until a Purple Mansion Elder approached.
"What is it, Junior brother Li? Did something happen?" Master Wu asked.
Sect leader Li glanced at Senior Chen and the young man beside him, who had stopped talking with Junior Xiao Chen—the most talented disciple of the Green Sword Sect, deeply favored by both Grand Elders, before speaking.
He bowed. "Grand Elder Wu, someone is requesting to be exempted from the coming battle. What should we do?"
As the acting sect leader—second only to the two Great Elders—Elder Li knew exactly what is happening in the battle against the demons and the plan of the two great elders.
Now that the battle was imminent and the smaller affiliated forces were scheming, the sect needed to display both authority and ruthlessness to straighten everyone out before the war.
When he first heard that someone was trying to avoid the battle just earlier, he was ready to punish them immediately to set an example. But upon learning that the request came from survivors of the ambush six days ago, he reconsidered.
If he acted without Great Elder Wu's approval, it could ruin the sect's image and the trust of those who had fought and bled for them.
Even as the overlords of Yun State, the Green Sword Sect still had to play politics—to display fairness and competence so that their affiliated forces would continue to follow them in each century's battle against the demons.
Thus, he sought Grand Elder Wu's decision.
"Who has the guts to shamelessly request to avoid repelling the demons from our land!?" Grand Elder Wu said coldly.
His tone was sharp—but his words were deliberate, careful not to expose their inner plans before Daoist Chen.
"Who is it?" Xiao Chen asked, his anger tightly restrained. "Master, let me handle this. I'll show them what happens to those who shirk the fight against the damned demons!"
Grand Elder Wu frowned. "I'll handle it myself! Tell me who these people are!"
Elder Li bowed. "It's a Qi Refinement clan, Great Elder Wu—two members, both survivors who fought beside you six days ago."
"…"
Grand Elder Wu fell silent, immediately understanding why the sect leader had sought his approval first.
"Tell them it's impossible to grant their request," Wu Feng said, waving his hand dismissively. "As human cultivators, they are obligated to fight the demons so our race can survive in the Ten Thousand Mountains. No one has the privilege of avoiding war—not even me!"
Elder Li nodded, bowing before preparing to leave. He already knew what to do—reprimand the two and send them to the battlefield.
"Senior Wu, may I speak?"
Before Elder Li could walk away, the young man in yellow robe standing beside Daoist Chen spoke up.
Grand Elder Wu looked at him—a flicker of respect flashed in his eyes.
As a Great Elder of the Green Sword Sect, Wu Feng knew exactly who the Immortal Jade Sect had sent.
Daoist Chen wasn't truly from the Immortal Jade Sect; rather, he was an envoy dispatched by the central human sects of the Ten Thousand Mountains to assist the three great sects of the western states—Immortal Jade Sect of Wei State, Ice Palace Sect of Song State, and Piercing Sword Sect of Jin State—in resisting the Beast Tide.
Why Daoist Chen was accompanying an Immortal Jade Sect cultivator to aid the Green Sword Sect remained a mystery.
However, Wu Feng was certain of one thing—Daoist Chen was a disciple of many powerful forces in the Central Human World.
And the handsome young man beside him—someone Daoist Chen clearly protected—was no ordinary disciple.
Wu Feng smiled faintly. "Speak your mind, junior."
"Thank you, Senior Wu." The golden-haired young man smiled politely. "Forgive me for shamelessly interfering in your sect's affairs—but I have a request."
"Speak freely, junior. We'll try to accommodate you as best we can. After all, it's only right to show gratitude for your help in retaking Red Peak Mountain."
"Then I won't be polite, Senior Wu." The white-haired youth bowed deeply. "Actually, I believe strongly in fate and karma—perhaps a strange superstition, but one that has often guided my life. I have a gut feeling that misfortune will occur if I ignore this clan that survived the ordeal six days ago, which I also took part in. May I request that they be exempted from this battle, to ease my unease?"
"This request is impossible, junior disciple," Wu Feng shook his head. "Every single man is vital to retaking Red Peak Mountain. Our Green Sword Sect cannot afford to be altruistic when one of our vanguard mountains is in the hands of demons; leaving it be would be catastrophic, not just for my Green Sword Sect, but for the entire Yun State and the low-level cultivators living in here!"
"Senior Wu, this is only my request..." The golden-haired young man glanced at Daoist Chen for help.
Catching his signal, Chen Che stepped forward.
"Daoist Wu, you might not believe this, but our disciple Lu has this odd superstition that sometimes turns out to be true. Even I—a Golden Core cultivator—am starting to believe he can see the future! If you can't believe that, then I don't know what else to say." He chuckled lightly at the end.
However, Wu Feng heard something between his line.
"Disciple Li?" He murmured. "You mean the disciple of the renowned Senior Yun Lingxiao—Li Mufeng!?" His voice carried a hint of surprise.
Sect leader Li and Xiao Chen were equally stunned.
Who hadn't heard of of these two names!?
As one of the Grand Elders of the Golden Sun Palace Sect—one of the Five Great Sects that housed over twenty Nascent Soul experts—Yun Lingxiao stood among the late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. His authority and prestige, second only to the three Divine Transformation seniors, ranked among the highest in the entire Ten Thousand Mountain Immortal World!
And this young man before them... was Yun Lingxiao's disciple!
Fifteen years ago, when Li Mufeng was tested to possess a natural spirit root, Yun Lingxiao had accepted him as his personal disciple. It was an event that shook the Ten Thousand Mountains—for it was the first time Yun Lingxiao had ever taken a student.
So everyone knew who Li Mufeng was. And that very person now stood before them.
"Yes, I am Li Mufeng, Senior," Li Mufeng replied with a modest smile—long accustomed to the looks of awe people gave him.
"What is someone as renowned as yourself doing here, Junior?" Wu Feng couldn't help but ask.
A figure of Li Mufeng's stature should have been far away from a battlefield like this. The Golden Sun Palace Sect couldn't possibly be so careless with someone of his standing. If they were, then Wu Feng would be even more foolish to think otherwise.
"Answering Senior Wu," Li Mufeng said calmly, "my master sent me here to gain experience.
"Now that I've reached the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm, I must temper my Dao heart and experience the world myself, and the Beast Tide here is the perfect opportunity to understand the struggles of cultivation."
"I see," Wu Feng nodded thoughtfully. "Then allow me to give you a word of advice, Junior Li—the fight will be bloody once we reach Red Peak Mountain. Be careful not to die."
"Thank you, Senior Wu, for the reminder," Li Mufeng said with a respectful bow.
Wu Feng nodded, feeling a sudden wave of relief.
When Daoist Chen first mentioned Li Mufeng's name, Wu Feng had been terrified—afraid that someone so important might die under the watch of Green Sword Sect. But as his thoughts settled, he found reassurance.
There was no way Daoist Chen alone was tasked with protecting Li Mufeng—the disciple of Yun Lingxiao! There were likely other Golden Core cultivators hidden nearby, secretly ensuring the young man's safety.
It wouldn't even be far-fetched to assume that a Nascent Soul cultivator was present in Yellow Peak Mountain, silently observing and guarding Li Mufeng!
The more he thought about it, the more confident Wu Feng became in retaking Red Peak Mountain.
If the Demon Kings who ambushed him six days ago appeared again, these hidden cultivators would surely lend a hand.
And not only that—this could be a golden opportunity to befriend someone like Li Mufeng, who was destined to become one of the great figures of this era!
He glanced toward Xiao Chen and transmitted his thoughts through his divine sense: Make sure to entertain and befriend Li Mufeng. This will benefit you greatly in the future—don't miss this chance!
Xiao Chen nodded faintly.
At first, he had thought Li Mufeng was merely an ordinary disciple under Daoist Chen and only wanted to form a casual acquaintance. But now? He saw Li Mufeng as a golden ticket for his cultivation path.
If he could win his favor—even once—he could gain access to countless spiritual fruits and pills across the Ten Thousand Mountains.
Under the Immortal Jade Sect's watch, all Nascent Soul–related spiritual resources in the western Ten Thousand Mountains were tightly controlled by the three great sects and a few powerful families. Using their immense wealth, they outbid others in auctions and set fixed prices so high that everyone in the western region knew ordinary forces like the Green Sword Sect could never afford them.
As a result, anyone who possessed treasures related to the Nascent Soul Realm would rather trade with these three powerful sects than waste their time dealing with lesser forces.
However, with Li Mufeng's future status, Xiao Chen could obtain a Nascent Soul Pill through his connections without even searching within the western region.
If he succeeded in forming his nascent soul, the Green Sword Sect would rise as one of the true overlords of the western world alongside the three great sects.
What a perfect opportunity!
Wu Feng noticed Xiao Chen's brightened expression and nodded approvingly. He and Senior Brother Cao Jiying hadn't been wrong in choosing him as the next Golden Core seed.
Born with a natural gold spirit root—the most compatible spirit root for sword cultivation—Xiao Chen was destined to inherit the Green Sword Sect's legacy.
Ambitious and around the same age as Li Mufeng, there was no way he would let this chance slip by.
Now, Wu Feng only needed to play his part.
"Alright then," Wu Feng said with a broad smile. "Since Daoist Chen has spoken, we'll follow Junior Li's request and exempt this clan from the coming battle."
He turned toward Elder Li. "Junior brother Li, carry out Junior Li Mufeng's request. And while you're at it—reward them generously for their efforts in fighting alongside me."
He intended to leave a good impression on the young Li Mufeng, which might help Xiao Chen curry favor with him in the future.
"Yes, Great Elder Wu!" Sect leader Li bowed respectfully, fully understanding the situation.
"Daoist Chen," Wu Feng said cheerfully, "why don't we have a drink before the battle? Now that I know you're from the renowned Golden Sun Palace Sect, I must show my admiration and exchange Dao insights with you. Who knows—I might even gain enlightenment from your sect's profound teachings!"
"You flatter me, Daoist Wu," Chen Che laughed. "But I won't decline a good drink. Perhaps I might even develop a fondness for the wines in Yun State!"
"You won't be disappointed, Daoist Chen," Wu Feng replied, laughing heartily. "My senior brother Cao happens to be a wine enthusiast—he surely has something rare and unforgettable!"
The two Golden Core cultivators walked away together, approaching Cao Jiying and the Immortal Jade Sect's elder, leaving Li Mufeng and Xiao Chen behind.
"Brother Li," Xiao Chen said with a smile, "how about we invite Brother Song and Sister Liu for a drink before the war?"
The two people he mentioned were the Immortal Jade Sect's most talented disciples. It had become clear now to Xiao Chen that they hadn't come to Yun State out of goodwill toward the Green Sword Sect, but rather, like him, to befriend Li Mufeng.
"Yes! That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Li Mufeng beamed.
"Good..." It was the first time since their initial meeting that Xiao Chen had seen Li Mufeng so lively.
"Let's go—the transport ship embarks in a couple of hours. We shouldn't miss our chance to enjoy ourselves."
"You're right, brother Li!"
—However, the reason for Li Mufeng's mood didn't matter. Whether it was the wine or some sudden feeling of camaraderie, Xiao Chen didn't care to know.
He could see Li Mufeng thought it was a great idea for all of them to connect. And from Xiao Chen's perspective, he was right—they were all recognized Nascent Soul Seeds, geniuses on the same path. To form bonds now, before their destinies were set, was the wisest course of action.
This was also a perfect chance to befriend the two disciples from the Immortal Jade Sect.
If they came to consider him a friend through these shared moments, they might be less inclined to create obstacles for him when he attempted to form his Nascent Soul in the future.
If that did not happen, however, it was of little consequence. He would still have achieved his primary goal: befriending Li Mufeng, a connection he hoped would prove valuable in the times to come.
Together, the two followed their seniors, where the Immortal Jade Sect's disciples were gathered beside their elder.
Meanwhile, below that very tower, An Ling—unaware of everything happening above—waited patiently, hoping for good news.