Entering the Purple Bamboo Peak at Night

"But there's one thing I must make clear to you—that child Ruobai's aptitude... isn't considered top-tier. When you spar with him, you must hold back appropriately."

Xuanyangzi spoke with utmost seriousness.

He deliberately emphasized his tone: "Especially you, Jinghong. Don't go drawing your sword at the drop of a hat, and rein in that Jinghong Sword Intent of yours! If you scare the kid and damage his enthusiasm for cultivation, I won't let you off!"

Shen Jinghong's mouth twitched. "Master, am I really that insensible?"

"You have the nerve to say that?"

Xuanyangzi snorted.

"Last time you sparred with that boy from Jianxiao Peak, he already conceded, yet you still chased him down to hack at him. If I hadn't stopped you, he would still be lying in bed right now!"

Li Xuanfeng chuckled on the side, but immediately went silent after receiving a cold glare from Shen Jinghong.

Xuanyangzi turned back to the two of them, his expression turning solemn.

"There's another thing you must keep firmly in mind. Your Uncle-Master Gu has a tranquil temperament and hates it most when outsiders cause a ruckus on his Zizhu Peak.

You've seen for yourselves how rich the spiritual energy is in that place—let alone the Core Condensation Realm, even for people of my level, it would be of great benefit."

Xuanyangzi suddenly put on a stern face. "When you arrive at Zizhu Peak, be obedient and listen to instructions! If you are told to go east, don't go west; if you are told to weed, don't water the plants! Whoever dares to displease your Uncle-Master Gu, I'll skin them alive when they get back!"

"Why?" Shen Jinghong pressed.

"Why so many whys!" Xuanyangzi glared at her.

"The treasures your Uncle-Master Gu holds are more abundant than the Sect Master's storehouse. Keep him happy, and just a tiny fraction of what slips through his fingers will be enough for your breakthroughs!"

Li Xuanfeng suddenly understood and quickly cupped his hands. "This disciple understands!"

"It's best if you do."

Seeing the two agree, Xuanyangzi finally revealed a satisfied expression, unable to hide the smugness at the corners of his eyes and brows.

He slowly took out a jade slip from his robes. The jade slip was entirely translucent white, its edges glowing with a faint spiritual light. One could tell at a glance that it was no ordinary item. He casually tossed it to Shen Jinghong.

"This is the essence of the Heaven-Supporting Palm. Bring it to Ruobai while you're at it."

Just as he finished speaking, Xuanyangzi seemed to suddenly remember something important and slapped his thigh.

He craned his neck forward, sweeping his gaze around the cave dwelling. After confirming no one else was around, he lowered his voice to a whisper, adding mysteriously.

"Remember, set off tomorrow morning before dawn, and don't come down until it's completely dark. Keep your footsteps light, and don't let people from other peaks bump into you."

He leaned in closer, his lowered voice full of vigilance.

"That Old Stone from Qingyue Peak is incredibly shrewd, with eyes like a falcon. Not the slightest rustle of the wind in the grass can be hidden from him. Those few from Jianxiao Peak aren't easy to deal with either; they are all sharp.

If they happen to spot you, they might also go beg your Uncle-Master Gu for special treatment—when the time comes and there are too many spots, causing overcrowding, how will there be any room left for you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanfeng's eyes instantly lit up like ignited sparks. He patted his chest forcefully, his words of guarantee resounding and powerful.

"Rest assured, Master! I promise to hold my breath, silence my voice, and tread lightly. I absolutely won't let a single soul discover us!"

Walking out of the room, the mountain breeze brushed past, carrying the fresh scent of vegetation.

Li Xuanfeng weighed the jade slip in his palm. The icy touch spread along his hand, and a rare, genuine faint smile curved the corners of his mouth. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"No matter what, being able to cultivate at Zizhu Peak and bathe in the spiritual energy there is always a good thing. Tomorrow... we really must go early. We can't miss this opportunity."

He gazed toward the distant, cloud-shrouded direction of Zizhu Peak, his tone full of longing.

Shen Jinghong walked beside him, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her sword hilt, a bit more anticipation in her eyes as well.

At night, during the Chou hour.

The world was enveloped in an impenetrable darkness, with even the stars and moon hiding behind thick clouds.

Two black silhouettes, like paper cutouts blending into the ink-like night, silently appeared on the mountain path leading to Zizhu Peak.

Li Xuanfeng and Shen Jinghong had both changed into tight-fitting black nightclothes, even covering their heads and faces with black cloth, revealing only their eyes.

Shen Jinghong's footsteps were brisk yet utterly noiseless. After walking a few steps, she couldn't help but nudge Li Xuanfeng beside her with her elbow.

She lowered her voice and said, "Senior Brother, is it really necessary for us to do this? We look like petty thieves."

Li Xuanfeng glanced at her sideways, his eyes exceptionally bright in the night. He similarly lowered his voice, but his tone carried a bit of solemnity.

"It is very necessary. It's not like you don't know—who wouldn't covet the benefits of Zizhu Peak?"

He paused and leaned in closer, as if sharing some heaven-shaking secret.

"A while ago, when I went out for a stroll to relax before my breakthrough, I passed by Zizhu Peak and saw Peak Master Shi of Qingyue Peak in the middle of the night, halfway up Zizhu Peak, finding a dog hole. I reckon he wanted to crawl in and cultivate secretly."

Shen Jinghong raised an eyebrow, clearly somewhat surprised. "Even Peak Master Shi acts like that?"

"Of course."

Li Xuanfeng chuckled softly.

"So, better safe than sorry. We can't fall short at the final hurdle. If we get discovered by others, let alone mooching off the spiritual energy, we'd probably be nagged by Master until our ears grow calluses."

Thinking of Xuanyangzi's nagging energy, Shen Jinghong couldn't help but shudder. She didn't say anything more, only making her footsteps even lighter.

The two of them hurried along, using the shadows of the trees along the mountain path for cover. Like two agile night cats, they crept toward the cloud-shrouded summit of Zizhu Peak.

The closer they got to Zizhu Peak, the richer the spiritual energy in the air became. Just taking a breath made them feel relaxed and happy, and even the circulation of their spiritual power became much smoother.

Li Xuanfeng and Shen Jinghong exchanged a glance, both seeing a trace of excitement and anticipation in each other's eyes.

Finally, the mountain gate of Zizhu Peak was right before their eyes.

That mountain gate was constructed from two thick purple bamboo stalks, entwined with some unknown vines that were indistinct in the night.

Li Xuanfeng signaled for Shen Jinghong to stop. He carefully scouted ahead himself, and only after confirming there was no one around did he wave at Shen Jinghong.

The two held their breath and tiptoed toward the mountain gate, on the verge of stepping into the territory of Zizhu Peak.

Suddenly, Shen Jinghong's foot seemed to bump into something. A faint white light flashed from her foot and instantly expanded, forming an invisible large net.

"Not good! It's a formation!"

Li Xuanfeng's heart tightened. He wanted to warn Shen Jinghong to retreat, but it was already too late.

With a soft hum, that invisible large net abruptly tightened, wrapping the two of them securely.

Immediately after, a massive pulling force came, hoisting the two of them into the air and hanging them between the two purple bamboo stalks.

Shen Jinghong swayed as she hung there, unable to stop herself from cursing softly: "Damn it! Uncle-Master Gu's formation is way too hidden!"

Li Xuanfeng also had a helpless expression. He struggled a bit, only to find that the net tightened the more he moved.

He could only smile bitterly and say, "It seems our skills as 'thieves' are still lacking."

The night remained heavy. The two people hanging in mid-air could only watch helplessly as spiritual lights occasionally flashed deep within Zizhu Peak, unable to move a muscle.

In their hearts, they silently prayed that they absolutely wouldn't be discovered in this embarrassing state by Uncle-Master Gu or that junior brother named Xiao Ruobai.