Chapter 151: Entering Chenshui Peak

The scorching autumn sun hung high, but fortunately, two thick islands blocked it from high above in the sky, casting a large shadow down, so the mortals in Xianyuan City did not feel the heat.

When Ruan Xing returned from the Black Market, it was already past noon, so she found a secluded corner, transformed into the appearance of the young girl from yesterday, and walked toward the entrance of the hall where she had agreed to meet Zhao Cheng.

Zhao Cheng was already waiting there; seeing Ruan Xing, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over.

The two were in no rush to enter; Ruan Xing spoke first, asking, "Brother Zhao, why didn't I see you this morning? What were you busy with?"

Zhao Cheng gave a mysterious smile, "I went to inquire about some things and was just about to share them with you."

"Oh? Then this junior sister will listen with rapt attention," Ruan Xing said with a smile.

Although what Zhao Cheng cared about was likely not in the same direction as what she wanted to know, they could still verify things with each other.

Zhao Cheng rubbed his chin and said in a low voice, "Do you know that after we two enter the Inner Sect, we both have to be assigned to a peak?"

Ruan Xing nodded, and Zhao Cheng continued, "What I inquired about was precisely this matter of peak assignment. On the way here, I always heard about the one hundred and eighty peaks of the Xuanbing Sect, but after inquiring this morning, I realized it is not entirely the same as the rumors."

"Of these one hundred and eighty peaks, not all of them have a Peak Master; there are dozens that are vacant!"

Ruan Xing widened her eyes very cooperatively and asked in surprise, "Then are those one hundred and eighty Nascent Soul True Monarchs fake as well?"

This matter was indeed beyond her scope of knowledge; after all, she had never cared about how many people were on which peak.

"That is not necessarily the case," Zhao Cheng shook his head. "Some True Monarchs dislike constraints and prefer to wander the world rather than be a Peak Master; as for exactly how many Nascent Soul True Monarchs there are, I couldn't find that out."

That was true; after all, how much living force a sect possesses is a secret of the sect.

"As for the remaining peaks that do have Peak Masters, not all of them accept disciples. For example, Qingyuan Daojun's Nebula Peak doesn't have a single assigned Registered Disciple, and the only two Personal Disciples were picked up by him while he was wandering. It is said they are both exceptionally gifted geniuses who reached Foundation Establishment in their teens. I likely don't have the opportunity to catch the eye of a Spirit Severing Daojun, but since you, Junior Sister, also reached Foundation Establishment in your teens, perhaps you have a chance."

There was a hint of envy in Zhao Cheng's gaze.

He had spent fifty or sixty years cultivating to his current Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Ruan Xing, however, remained unmoved. Although Qingyuan Daojun had high combat power and was quite protective of his own, Ruan Xing felt he was not a good master; he was narrow-minded, held grudges, showed no mercy to his fellow sect members, was headstrong, and quite paranoid.

Moreover, he was strict with his disciples and lacked human warmth; he was not even as good as Qinghong Zhenjun, who at least said what was on his mind.

Thus, she said with some shyness, "Brother, please don't tease me. I am just luckier than other cultivators; how could I compare to the geniuses raised by a Daojun in the sect? Why don't you tell me about the other Peak Masters?"

"There are also Chenshui Peak, Zhengyang Peak, and others. Because those Peak Masters all come from cultivation clans, their disciples are basically all clan descendants, and they almost never accept assigned disciples," Zhao Cheng scratched his head in distress. "Of the remaining dozen or so Peak Masters, only Xiaochi Peak accepts everyone, but for some reason, in the last two months, Xiaochi Peak hasn't taken in any new disciples. I wonder if there has been some change?"

Neither of them knew that because Peak Master Li of Xiaochi Peak had been severely injured while using brute force to resist the suction of a space-time rift while investigating it, he was still in a coma.

"Forget it, since we are here, we must be at peace with it. Even if we aren't assigned to a peak, we are still Inner Sect Disciples. Being an Inner Sect Disciple is much better than when I was a Loose Cultivator before," Ruan Xing comforted him.

Zhao Cheng smiled bitterly, "That may be so, but haven't you heard the old saying in the cultivation world: choosing the wrong master is harder to endure than marrying the wrong person. Between those who ignore their disciples and exploit them, and those who care for and teach their disciples meticulously, which do you think is better?"

Ruan Xing felt that Zhao Cheng was worrying unnecessarily.

Because, even with a master, most masters ignore their Registered Disciples... being able to give a public lecture once a month is enough to make the disciples weep with gratitude.

However, Ruan Xing did not remind him; let him keep his expectations for now, otherwise his enthusiasm would not be so high and positive.

"Naturally, the latter is better," Ruan Xing nodded with deep empathy.

"Right? Oh, there is one more thing," Zhao Cheng said. "I heard it by chance: the original Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall fell while performing a mission for the sect. Now the sect is going to appoint a new Hall Master. It is said they might transfer one from those Peak Masters who don't accept disciples to hold the post concurrently, or they might pick a Nascent Soul True Monarch from the Law Enforcement Hall disciples to succeed."

"This has nothing to do with us, but I asked a few more questions. It turns out that Inner Sect Disciples without a Peak Master as a mentor can choose to join the Law Enforcement Hall or the Sect Affairs Hall within the Inner Sect, and obtain Contribution Points and resources by helping the sect with tasks. If one works hard, one can also surpass those Personal Disciples."

Zhao Cheng was full of longing.

Ruan Xing, meanwhile, pondered inwardly. Previously, when Xu Shengping was in the Law Enforcement Hall, he was the sole authority, and disciples in the sect gave way to Xu Sirui because of his face. Now that he was dead, she didn't know whose hands the Law Enforcement Hall would fall into; she feared Xu Sirui no longer had his former prestige at Artifact Refining Peak.

"So, Brother Zhao, have you decided which hall to join?"

"Yes, I feel that with my aptitude, it is hard to be noticed by any Peak Master, but I am already at Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and I still haven't secured a Breaking Boundary Pill or a cultivation technique. I plan to join the Law Enforcement Hall; if I work hard for a few years, perhaps I can save up enough Contribution Points by the time I reach Foundation Establishment Perfection," Zhao Cheng said with a grin.

The ideal is beautiful, but reality is harsh; the price of a Breaking Boundary Pill and a cultivation technique is likely not something that can be bought with Contribution Points saved over a few years.

Ruan Xing did have a Breaking Boundary Pill in her possession, which she had saved by exploiting a bug in the Simulator when she was undergoing her tribulation to form her Golden Core, but that was something she intended to leave for Ruan Tao; Zhao Cheng was not worth her investing so much.

Ruan Xing encouraged Zhao Cheng a few times, and the two went inside to collect their Sect Jade Tokens.

After injecting her Spiritual Power, Ruan Xing was still a bit worried that her hidden cultivation would be discovered, but seeing that the cultivators inside had no reaction, she breathed a sigh of relief and began to check the contents of the jade token.

As expected, Cheng Bi handled things quickly; it was also possible that the Brother Jia from yesterday had helped.

Chenshui Peak.

Zhao Cheng's expression was somewhat dejected.

Seeing that Ruan Xing had finished reading the contents of the token, he smiled reluctantly, "I really didn't guess wrong; it is an Inner Sect Disciple. What about you, Junior Sister? Which peak were you assigned to?"

"Chenshui Peak," Ruan Xing said.

Zhao Cheng was stunned, "Is that so... Doesn't Chenshui Peak only accept descendants of cultivation clans..."

Ruan Xing's expression suddenly became somewhat fearful and flustered, and she asked for help, "Brother Zhao, yesterday I met a few male disciples of the Xuanbing Sect who said they wanted to look after new disciples, so they asked for my name. I saw they didn't look like good people, so I left in a hurry. Is it because of that...? Brother Zhao, I am a little scared."

Seeing Ruan Xing's pitiful expression and helpless appearance, Zhao Cheng immediately forgot the strangeness and jealousy that had just welled up in his heart. He thought that even if one were to meticulously select and reshape a body, one could not craft a female cultivator with such looks and temperament so naturally; perhaps those clan descendants had deliberately asked their elders to take her into Chenshui Peak.

He hurriedly said, "Junior Sister, do not panic. I will go join the Law Enforcement Hall in a moment. Presumably, the duty of the Law Enforcement Hall is to supervise the disciples in the sect. I will familiarize myself with the sect rules first. With the name of the Law Enforcement Hall, I assume they won't dare to do anything to you in name."

Ruan Xing said with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, Brother. If it weren't for you, I would be all alone here in the Central Province, and I truly wouldn't know what to do."

She lowered her eyes secretly. Although she didn't know if there would be any place where she could use Zhao Cheng later, it was only a matter of a few words, so it was best not to alienate him if she could win him over. She had already sensed Zhao Cheng's feeling of disparity just now, so she could only show weakness.

Regarding beautiful things, a normal person's instinct is to unconsciously believe and protect them.

This was also one of the reasons she chose this identity. After the two parted ways, Zhao Cheng went to the Law Enforcement Hall, while Ruan Xing headed to Chenshui Peak to report.

However, what she did not know was that because of last night's accident, the story of Cheng Bi's "hero saving the beauty" had been spread around again.

Cheng Lu had not yet met her, but his impression of her had already dropped a level.

Cheng Bi had long been waiting at the mountain gate to receive her. Seeing Ruan Xing, he said with some worry, "Normally, Registered Disciples only need to bow to the main hall and don't need any cumbersome procedures, but Grandfather wants to see you..."

He paused and gave an apologetic smile, "Don't be afraid of him; just tell the truth about whatever he asks."

Ruan Xing nodded timidly.

Upon entering the main hall, she discovered that Cheng Shuo was also there.

They seemed to be talking about something; seeing the two arrive, they tacitly stopped their previous topic, and Cheng Shuo also put a long, glowing object into his Storage Bag.

Cheng Lu scrutinized Ruan Xing with some seriousness; after a moment, he asked about what happened yesterday.

Ruan Xing answered them one by one.

It was the same as what Cheng Lu had understood.

Although he did not ask anything amiss, he still felt it was suspicious, so he could only say a few words to tell Ruan Xing to behave herself before letting them withdraw.

Without waiting for Ruan Xing to lead the conversation, Cheng Bi asked curiously, "Cousin, what did Grandfather say to you just now?"

Ruan Xing silently gave Cheng Bi a like in her heart; she wanted to know too.

Cheng Shuo glanced at Ruan Xing, and not guarding against her, he took out a jade slip, "This is what Grandfather gave me just now; it is the matter that Junior Brother Jia mentioned yesterday."

Cheng Bi was somewhat surprised, "Lotus Pond Secret Realm? Is this jade slip the proof for the Lotus Pond Secret Realm?"

Cheng Shuo casually handed the jade slip over for Cheng Bi to see, "Right, two days later, using Spiritual Power to activate the jade slip will allow entry. Grandfather told me to prepare some Dharma Artifacts and talismans suitable for underwater use in advance. This is my first time encountering this method of entry; it seems the owner of this Secret Realm must have been very proficient in space-time Magic Arts and water-element Magic Arts during their lifetime."

"Oh? That sounds very similar to Guangyou Xianjun who has already ascended." Cheng Bi took the jade slip with great interest, played with it a few times, and then gave it to Ruan Xing, "Here, you take a look too, to broaden your horizons."

Ruan Xing held the jade slip with a flattered expression, took only one look, and returned it to Cheng Shuo.

This was similar to the method used for that key, but the material of the key was special, making it even more complex than this jade slip.

Cheng Shuo frowned and said, "Do not speculate recklessly."

"I know," Cheng Bi laughed, "I was just saying it in front of our own people."

Our own people? Cheng Shuo glanced at Ruan Xing again and said silently, "Then I will go back to prepare first. When I come out, I will organize a set of data for you; perhaps you will be on the list for the second or third batch."

"Okay."

After Cheng Shuo left, Cheng Bi turned to Ruan Xing and said, "Chenshui Peak is mostly filled with Cheng Family disciples. Everyone has been familiar with each other since childhood, so they might be a bit exclusionary. Don't mind it; if anything happens, just come find me."

The two exchanged contact information for their Sect Jade Tokens, and then he laughed again, "Because those below the Nascent Soul Stage cannot take on disciples, many disciples are still Grandfather's direct or Registered Disciples even if they are a generation apart. On our own peak, we address each other according to our own standing, and only when we go out do we call each other Senior Brother or Junior Brother. You don't need to worry about that; just call everyone Senior Brother or Senior Sister. It's not your concern if they have mixed up generations."

"I understand." Ruan Xing gave him a sweet smile.

Cheng Bi said that since he had nothing to do today anyway, he would take Ruan Xing to familiarize herself with the environment.

Ruan Xing cooperated with her words, but her heart was thinking about other things.

She had already lived on this Chenshui Peak for many years in her memories and had long been very familiar with it, so she let the words go in one ear and out the other, while calculating in her heart how to obtain a jade slip.

She had to enter the Lotus Pond Secret Realm; if she didn't go and get the other key back, where would she find a father to return to Qintai He?

She didn't want to lose someone else's father either.

She could only blame the Simulator; she didn't know what bug had occurred, but the upgrade had caused both her points and the key to disappear.

Thinking about it, she didn't know exactly who was on the list, and what she knew was only what she had heard at the restaurant yesterday.

Judging by the success rate, she had Divine Ability, so stealing from Cheng Shuo was the most convenient.

But once discovered, she would be the first one suspected.

Although Cheng Shuo had accepted her into Chenshui Peak on the surface because of Cheng Bi, Ruan Xing could feel that Cheng Shuo had a very strong defensive mentality toward her.

Perhaps in his heart, she was just a bad woman who had abducted his younger brother.

Cheng Shuo treating the jade slip so casually might just be him fishing; she wouldn't fall for it.

If she really were a Loose Cultivator with ulterior motives, a spot in the first batch to enter the Guihu Secret Realm would be enough for her to take the risk.

Since Cheng Shuo was ruled out, among the remaining few, Xu Sirui was undoubtedly the best candidate.

Because her cultivation was the lowest, and she frequented many places, even if the jade slip were lost, one wouldn't be able to guess where she had lost it.

Plus, her current identity had nothing to do with Xu Sirui.

Even more perfect.

Having made up her mind, the smile on her face widened unconsciously.

Seeing Ruan Xing's genuine joy, Cheng Bi's originally uneasy mood also calmed down quite a bit.

He couldn't help but think with gratification, I didn't expect Junior Sister Xing to like Chenshui Peak so much!

He had to help Junior Sister Xing integrate here properly.

My shoulder has been hurting so much for the past two days qaq (End of chapter)