The Young Sect Master Ascends Little Cloud Peak at Night

The moon hung on the treetops.

Xiaoyun Peak was enveloped in silence as Ye Zhiqiu sat in meditation. Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"Who's there?"

"Lu Yun."

Lu Yun?

The son of the Qingyun Sect's Sect Master?

Ye Zhiqiu hadn’t expected the Qingyun Sect’s young master to visit him in the dead of night.

Pushing open the wooden door, Ye Zhiqiu stepped outside to find Lu Yun standing calmly before him, his expression unreadable.

"May I ask the reason for Young Master Lu’s visit?" Ye Zhiqiu inquired evenly.

Lu Yun studied Ye Zhiqiu carefully—his sharp brows and bright eyes, his dignified bearing. He was indeed a remarkable talent.

What surprised Lu Yun even more was the young man’s cultivation, which had already reached the fifth level of the Divine Ability Realm.

"So, you’re Ye Zhiqiu?"

"I know of you."

"What Jinxiu did back then was ill-considered. I only learned of it afterward."

"But what’s done is done, and our wedding is imminent. I don’t want any complications."

"If you harbor resentment, I can apologize on her behalf. Or if you seek compensation, I’m willing to make amends."

"What do you say?"

Lu Yun’s attitude took Ye Zhiqiu aback. As the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face. Since the other party had extended goodwill, Ye Zhiqiu couldn’t very well respond harshly.

"I don’t need any compensation."

"My purpose in coming to the Qingyun Sect isn’t to stir trouble."

"I only wish to prove myself in the upcoming martial assembly. That’s all."

Hearing this, Lu Yun understood—Ye Zhiqiu intended to use the martial assembly to demonstrate that he wasn’t the worthless figure others had dismissed him as.

But wouldn’t that imply Cao Jinxiu had poor judgment?

And what would that make him, Lu Yun?

Originally, this event had been arranged to bolster Cao Jinxiu’s reputation. But after seeing Ye Zhiqiu, Lu Yun suspected she might not be his match.

If so, all their efforts would be in vain, and Ye Zhiqiu would emerge victorious instead.

"Your actions, though not malicious, would humiliate Jinxiu and embarrass me, the Qingyun Sect’s young master."

"How about we both take a step back?" Lu Yun asked, frowning.

Take a step back?

Ye Zhiqiu looked at him in confusion, unsure of his meaning.

"Withdraw from the martial assembly."

"After my wedding, I’ll send someone to the Ye Family personally to restore your family’s honor. How does that sound?"

In Lu Yun’s view, as the young master, he had already made a considerable concession. Surely Ye Zhiqiu wouldn’t refuse?

Yet Ye Zhiqiu’s response was a simple shake of his head.

Lu Yun’s proposal was unacceptable. It wouldn’t restore the Ye Family’s dignity.

A visit from the Qingyun Sect after the wedding—what would that be?

Pity? Charity?

Whatever it was, the Ye Family would become a laughingstock, and Ye Zhiqiu himself would be ridiculed.

He wasn’t seeking conflict, but some things had to be done—or they would haunt him for life.

"I only want to prove that I’m no less than anyone else."

"The rest doesn’t concern me."

"Your affairs with Cao Jinxiu are none of my business."

"Besides, the Qingyun Sect Master declared the event open to all."

"Young Master Lu, instead of wasting time here, perhaps you should spend more time with your fiancée." Ye Zhiqiu’s tone was indifferent.

Lu Yun’s temper flared at Ye Zhiqiu’s obstinacy. As the young master, he was being outright disregarded by some nobody?

"You truly have no fear?"

"Why should I?"

"Fine, Ye Zhiqiu. I’ll remember this. Tomorrow, I’ll show you that proving yourself won’t be so easy."

With a cold snort, Lu Yun stormed off in a rage. Unfazed, Ye Zhiqiu returned to his room to resume his cultivation.

"Tsk, tsk. This kid’s got a spine of steel."

"Lu Yun was being polite and reasonable, yet he didn’t give an inch?"

Lu Yun’s late-night visit hadn’t gone unnoticed by someone of Fang Yunxi’s cultivation level, who had been observing the exchange.

Naturally, Chen Chang’an was also keeping an eye on things—after all, Ye Zhiqiu was his disciple, and he couldn’t let anything happen to him.

"Lu Yun’s upbringing is commendable. It reflects well on the Qingyun Sect’s discipline."

"But Ye Zhiqiu isn’t wrong either. If it were you, would you have agreed?"

Chen Chang’an’s question gave Fang Yunxi pause. Would he?

He shook his head uncertainly. Agreeing would leave him resentful, but refusing might invite danger. A true dilemma.

"That’s where you differ from him."

"Ye Zhiqiu doesn’t hesitate or compromise."

"He does what he believes in, regardless of opposition. Only with such resolve can one advance unhindered." Chen Chang’an smiled faintly.

"That may be so, but aren’t you worried Lu Yun might retaliate?"

Though he’d only observed from afar, Chen Chang’an judged that Lu Yun, while not a saint, was no villain either.

He was simply a young man with pride, especially as the Qingyun Sect’s young master.

He wouldn’t resort to underhanded tactics—such behavior would violate the sect’s principles and earn him universal scorn.

No intelligent person would sabotage their own future, and Lu Mengran would be the first to punish him if he did.

The most Lu Yun could do was ensure Ye Zhiqiu was swiftly defeated in the arena, denying him any chance to shine.

That way, neither his nor Cao Jinxiu’s reputation would suffer.

Fang Yunxi nodded at Chen Chang’an’s analysis. "Lu Yun’s got his merits, but he’s too caught up in romance."

"At just over forty, why rush into marriage?"

"Many cultivators don’t wed until they’re centuries old."

"Wasting prime cultivation years like this is a shame."

Though Fang Yunxi didn’t say it outright, Chen Chang’an understood—Lu Yun was somewhat lovestruck, and it might hinder his progress.

"To each their own. Everyone walks a different path."

"True. Why bother? He’s not my son anyway. But aren’t you concerned about Ye Zhiqiu? The Qingyun Sect’s core disciples include many stronger than him."

"No matter. Consider it tempering. Losses are part of growth. Besides, I don’t believe Ye Zhiqiu will lose."

"Cultivation level doesn't necessarily determine a person's true strength." Chen Chang'an smiled faintly, his confidence in Ye Zhiqiu unwavering.

"Fine, it's none of my business anyway. I'm just here for the show."

"Still, I’m curious to see how far that kid Ye Zhiqiu can go."

"By the way, where’s Gu Xian'er? What are her plans? If she joins in, things will get really interesting."

"Gu Xian'er’s strength is enough to crush all the younger generation here, isn’t it?" Fang Yunxi asked curiously.

Gu Xian'er?

Originally, Chen Chang'an had indeed considered letting Gu Xian'er participate, but given the current situation, he decided it was best to ask for her opinion first.

"Let’s head back. Tomorrow might bring quite a spectacle."