The wind and waves rise, without a moment's pause.

Tianyan Sect, Zhuji Peak.

At this moment, Zhuji Peak had become the highest-security area of the Tianyan Sect. Aside from a select few high-ranking members, no one else was permitted to approach. Warning signs had been set up far in advance to deter any unauthorized entry.

Lv Xuan sat quietly in a hall at the foot of Zhuji Peak, his gaze slightly raised as he observed the sharp, swirling fluctuations of spiritual energy emanating from the mountain.

The entire peak was enveloped in a specially arranged formation, its radiant glow now flickering as it struggled to contain the violent surges of spiritual power.

"The seventh calamity..."

Lv Xuan lightly traced his fingers in a divination gesture, an inscrutable sensation flowing at his fingertips.

After a moment, he ceased his repeated calculations and sighed softly.

"Perhaps it's just that I haven't mastered this art well enough. A disgrace to my master and ancestors."

He sighed again, his gaze drifting absently toward Zhuji Peak.

Soon after, the turbulent waves of spiritual energy atop the peak subsided.

Lv Xuan swiftly rose and transformed into a streak of light, soaring toward the summit.

Passing through the formation, he pushed open the gate of the small courtyard on Zhuji Peak. His eyes immediately locked onto Bai Xuanling, who sat calmly on a jade chair, a teacup held lightly in his hand. His white robes fluttered slightly in the breeze.

Seeing Bai Xuanling’s composed and indifferent demeanor, Lv Xuan couldn’t hide his surprise.

"You’re unharmed?"

Bai Xuanling raised an eyebrow, his tone light.

"If not dying counts as being unharmed, then yes, I’m fine."

Lv Xuan was momentarily speechless. "……"

"How can you still joke at a time like this?"

"What else do you expect? Should I put on a pitiful face and say—'Sect Leader, I’m dying, I’m scared'?" Bai Xuanling took a sip of tea before setting the cup down with a faint look of disdain.

"How is this spiritual tea worse than the ordinary brew Little Baiqing makes? You old man, are you skimping on quality and cheating me with cheap leaves?"

Lv Xuan sat down on another jade chair and retorted,

"Do you think I’d risk my peaceful retirement for a handful of spirit stones?"

Bai Xuanling leaned back comfortably.

"Who knows? You’re always muttering cryptic divinations—clearly your mind isn’t all there. Who’s to say your sanity hasn’t slipped too?"

"Cryptic? That’s the Tianyan Divination passed down by our sect’s founder. It’s never wrong."

"Never wrong? Then tell me, what’s my fate? A peaceful end, or an early grave?"

"At your age, 'early grave' is a stretch. Strictly speaking, it’d be more like passing from old age—"

BOOM!

Lv Xuan was sent flying.

Moments later, he walked back into the courtyard.

"Strong hit, but your energy is unstable. I never should’ve let you go last time. What have you ever done besides stubbornly charging ahead?"

Bai Xuanling stood, his eyes glinting coldly.

"What else was I supposed to do? Waste my life trapped on this peak, clinging to survival like a coward? Should I rot away in obscurity?"

"I’d rather die on the battlefield than wither away on Zhuji Peak."

"I’ve lived a grand life. I refuse to fade quietly."

"Let the world remember the Bloody King of Hell, not some forgotten elder who died in his sleep."

Lv Xuan sighed. "You could still mentor Little Lingyu. Why insist on throwing your life away?"

Bai Xuanling scoffed. "Didn’t you divine my fate? How much longer do I have?"

"I thought you didn’t believe in divination," Lv Xuan deflected.

Bai Xuanling didn’t press further. Instead, he picked up his teacup again and changed the subject.

"How are things on Chu Xingchen’s end?"

Lv Xuan handed him an information jade slip.

Bai Xuanling scanned it with his spiritual sense, then smiled faintly.

"Passable work. There’s no point staying here any longer. Clear out the guards—I don’t want people thinking I’m just a toothless old tiger."

Lv Xuan didn’t argue. He nodded.

"Chu Xingchen has some free time now. If you’re bored, you could visit. With you gone, I’ll finally have room to handle other matters."

"That rebellious disciple of mine, Yanyun, keeps complaining—says I dump everything on her and that Chu Xingchen keeps provoking her."

"She claims it’s ruining her cultivation. Hah! Excuses. Let her sit in this seat once, and she’ll understand how hard it is."

Bai Xuanling stood, ignoring Lv Xuan’s grumbling. In a flash of light, he shot toward the sect’s outskirts, leaving only a single sentence behind.

"Sorry for the trouble, Sect Leader."

Lv Xuan remained seated, silently watching the streak of light vanish beyond the horizon.

He murmured to himself,

"He must be in bad shape…"

"Since when does he apologize?"

With a final sigh, he rose and departed.

---

Blossom Ridge.

Daoist Yuyang and Xu Jin had originally come to demand an apology from Chu Xingchen—along with another jar of Spring Warmth wine—before leaving.

They hadn’t planned to stay long.

But plans changed. What was meant to be a brief visit stretched into days.

After meeting Wukong, Chu Xingchen had Li Yingling prepare a grand welcome feast.

He even personally cooked—a rare occurrence—and brought out two more jars of Spring Warmth.

That night was filled with laughter and cheer.

At first, Xu Jin and Daoist Yuyang maintained their dignified air as elite disciples. But as the night wore on—whether from the wine or the lack of pretension among the guests—they relaxed completely.

Even Chu Xingchen bickered playfully with Dian Shu and San Dong. The two visitors soon joined in the revelry.

Without formalities, they found themselves enjoying the carefree atmosphere.

The following days saw no more feasts, but sipping tea brewed by Chen Baiqing, watching the amusing trivialities of sect life, and admiring the blooming flowers of Blossom Ridge…

It was impossible not to marvel—Chu Xingchen lived well.

"Brother Chu, is your life always like this?" Xu Jin asked, sipping tea as he watched Cui Hao feed fish in the deep pond.

Chu Xingchen sighed dramatically. "Ah, life’s been rough lately. But as sect leader, I must weather the storms to provide my disciples a stable path."

"...I wish you could see how we live," Xu Jin muttered.

Chu Xingchen feigned horror. "Please, no. I’d laugh, and then you’d beat me."

Daoist Yuyang punched him lightly on the shoulder.

"I’m tempted to do it now!"

Chu Xingchen burst out laughing.

Xu Jin shook his head with a wry smile—until his expression suddenly shifted. He retrieved a communication talisman from nowhere.

A moment later, he stood abruptly, his face grave.

"The Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect has urgent matters to attend to. Brother Chu, I must apologize for the disturbance during my stay. I shall take my leave now."

Before Chu Xingchen could even offer a polite farewell, Xu Jin's figure swiftly vanished into the distance.

Daoist Yuyang narrowed his eyes and murmured,

"Once the storm rises, there truly isn’t a moment’s respite left."