Chapter 26: Righteous and Awe‑Inspiring Senior Brother

Liu Shuang and Lu Youyou, who were revered as fairies by many Divine Sword Peak disciples, actually did such a thing.

In front of so many people, they collected the bones they had finished gnawing, and their wolfish manner of devouring food just earlier was completely unlike their usual selves.

In his heart, it seemed as if a sound of breaking dreams appeared.

"Why did Senior Sister Liu and Senior Sister Youyou become like this?"

Some disciples refused to believe it, but more were curious: what magic does the food in this mess hall have, that it can drive so many disciples into such frenzy?

For a moment, more people made up their minds: they would definitely come tomorrow to try it out.

Ye Zhangqing naturally had no idea about this.

After dinner, many disciples tidied up and left one after another; it was strange, however, that Hong Zun did not come tonight.

In the end, Lu Youyou said that the master had something to attend to, so he couldn't come.

"I see."

He smiled, nodded in reply, and after seeing everyone off, the system prompt sounded.

【Obtained one positive review, Talent +1, Cultivation +1】

【Obtained one positive review, Constitution +1, Cultivation +1】

【Obtained one positive review, Comprehension +1, Cultivation +1】

【Obtained one positive review, Technique Clear Heart Secret +1, Cultivation +1】

This meal alone earned a full eight hundred positive reviews, and even the technique was improved—one has to say, a cheat‑filled life is really this plain and unadorned.

"Open the panel."

【Host: Ye Zhangqing.】

【Identity: Menial Disciple of the Dao Yi Sect.】

【Cultivation: Body Tempering Realm Perfection (823/1000)】

【Technique: Clear Heart Secret, Minor Accomplishment (16/1000)】

【Reputation: Obscure and unknown.】

【Talent: Medium Low Tier (630/1000)】

【Constitution: Medium Low Tier (749/1000)】

【Comprehension: High Medium Tier (831/100000)】

His cultivation was just a point away from a breakthrough, while Clear Heart Secret directly broke through to Minor Accomplishment.

You must know that Ye Zhangqing only started cultivating Clear Heart Secret yesterday; in just one day he went from entry level to Minor Accomplishment—a speed that can literally be called heaven‑defying.

With the breakthrough of Clear Heart Secret, a hint of enlightenment also arose in his mind, and his understanding and experience of the technique grew ever deeper.

Upon trying to circulate the Clear Heart Secret technique, it was indeed much smoother than before, and his cultivation speed increased considerably.

"Not bad."

Satisfied, he nodded, then cultivated as usual for one Shíchén, took a medicinal bath, and afterwards slept peacefully.

As for cultivation, Ye Zhangqing's attitude has always been to balance work and rest.

Even with the system, he would not slack off; of course, there's no need to go all‑out—just proceed normally.

In his previous life he had already tasted the rewards of a 996 work schedule; in this life, Ye Zhangqing just wants to take it easy.

He neither wants to be a lazy salted fish nor to exhaust himself.

At night, Divine Sword Peak is actually not much different from daytime.

Points of light dot the mountain path; this is the glow of night pearls, very soft.

Disciples continued to walk along the mountain trails, and likewise, someone was training on the practice field.

All over Divine Sword Peak, it is estimated that aside from Ye Zhangqing, who still keeps a regular sleep schedule, no other disciples have this habit.

Cultivation is what matters most to them; of course, now there's also an added dry meal.

At the peak, in Hong Zun's dong fu, he was currently looking with a helpless expression at the young man before him.

The reason he didn't go to the mess hall for dinner tonight is precisely because of the young man before him—and this young man is none other than Hong Zun's eldest disciple, the Senior Brother of Divine Sword Peak.

As Senior Brother, Zhao Zhengping enjoys great prestige on Divine Sword Peak.

This is not only because of his status, but also because he despises evil like an enemy and possesses a righteous and awe‑inspiring nature.

It can be said that, from any angle, Zhao Zhengping is a qualified Senior Brother; his only flaw is that his character is somewhat stubborn and inflexible.

Just like now, after returning from an out‑of‑sect mission, he insists on dragging Hong Zun to report the mission details, leaving Hong Zun feeling helpless.

Having missed dinner, Hong Zun felt quite uneasy inside.

After listening for several Shíchén, the long and short of it is that Zhao Zhengping's recent outing was to hunt down a malevolent entity.

That malevolent entity was very strong, occupying a region and even committing massacres of cities; that's why the Dao Yi Sect took notice, and finally Zhao Zhengping moved against it.

The mission was completed successfully, and Zhao Zhengping also beheaded that malevolent entity.

But according to his investigation, behind that malevolent entity lies an extremely mysterious force, speculated to possibly involve a Ghost King.

Therefore Zhao Zhengping is worried; that's why he came specially to report to Hong Zun, hoping the sect will pay more attention, preferably locate this force's whereabouts and eradicate it.

"Zhengping, Master knows what you've said; if there's nothing else, go rest early—you've been toiling day after day."

After hearing Zhao Zhengping's words, Hong Zun spoke, but regarding this, Zhao Zhengping replied with a solemn expression.

"Disciple, I am not suffering; protecting the populace and exterminating demons is naturally the duty of us cultivators."

Regarding Zhao Zhengping's answer, Hong Zun was not at all surprised—he is just that sort of person: stubborn, inflexible, yet caring for the world and upright.

But right now I really have no mood to discuss these things with him; my mind is full of the food Ye Zhangqing made—damn it, why didn't I get to eat it tonight?

"Alright, Master knows you care for the world; at this moment Master will inform the sect to investigate."

"Yes, disciple takes his leave."

After finally seeing off Zhao Zhengping, Hong Zun glanced at the sky, let out a helpless sigh, and could only choose to close his eyes and meditate, waiting for tomorrow's breakfast.

One night passed quickly; when the morning sun rose, every area of Divine Sword Peak saw figures swiftly reappear almost at the same time, all heading straight for the mountain foot.

Needless to say, these were disciples heading to the dining hall to prepare breakfast.

"Holy shit, why are there so many people?"

An Outer Door Disciple, having finished a night's Xiūliàn, wasted no time and rushed out of the courtyard at once.

I thought I was already early, but who would have thought that as soon as I stepped out of the courtyard, I saw people rushing out from every courtyard, all heading for the same destination as me.

Damn, why are there so many people? Meanwhile, this disciple was speechless, yet their speed kept increasing.

Unfortunately, everyone was sprinting desperately, and no one gained any advantage.

The same was true in the Inner Door Disciple area: one after another, Inner Door Disciples rushed out from all sides, finally gathering on the main road, forming a stream that surged down the mountain with a clamor.

"Hurry up, hurry up, these beasts got up way too early."

"Don't push, we're still on the mountainside—is this necessary?"

"Sometimes you lose just because you're slow at the start—don't block the way, Flowing Light Step."

Even in the early morning, the entire Divine Sword Peak erupted in turmoil; mixed fluctuations of Línglì quickly stirred many Elders of Divine Sword Peak.

Standing on the summit, the Elders watched the streams of people flowing down the mountain, their faces bearing a look of bewildered confusion.

"Are they going to war?"

"What the hell are these little brats getting worked up about so early?"

With so many people recklessly charging down the mountain, those unaware might have thought a demon horde was attacking.