Chapter 33: The Promise

The Master of Heavenly Sword Peak remained unyielding.

"This matter is not up for negotiation!"

"My peak possesses three high-grade Profound-tier spiritual artifacts. If Lu Changfeng wants one, I am willing to let him pick one!"

Yue Qingshuang shook her head slightly; she intended to secure the greatest possible benefit for Lu Changfeng.

"Lu Changfeng is a genius of the sword path."

She turned to look at the Sect Master beside her, her expression calm as she spoke.

The crowd was taken aback. Then, they cast their gazes toward Zang Wufeng. For a moment, Zang Wufeng’s expression grew complex, even tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction. A sword path genius had been taken in by Cold Moon Peak, and now, he wanted to go to the Hidden Weapon Valley to select a weapon? He felt as though he hadn't benefited from any of these good fortunes himself.

Just as he was about to continue his refusal, Yue Qingshuang narrowed her eyes and interjected, "This matter was promised by the Sect Master! Does the Sect Master’s word no longer hold weight?"

"You...!" Zang Wufeng’s face darkened.

If Lu Changfeng were a disciple of his own peak, he would not only agree but would even personally escort him there. After all, with the aptitude of the Nine-Star Alignment, his future achievements would surely far surpass his own, perhaps even exceeding the Sect Master’s! But as it stood, Lu Changfeng belonged to Cold Moon Peak. While they were all members of the Daoyan Sect, each peak operated within its own faction, and a competitive relationship existed between them all.

"Hmph! No means no!" Zang Wufeng snorted and turned his face away. He would never allow Lu Changfeng to gain even the slightest advantage at Heavenly Sword Peak.

For a moment, a sense of oppression permeated the lakeside. The disciples standing at the foot of the mountain could already feel the heavy atmosphere and instinctively retreated a few paces. This was a battle between Peak Masters; they, as disciples, had no place to intervene.

"You two, both of you are masters of a peak, why let this matter damage your harmony?" Qi Pingsheng of Myriad Array Peak sighed slightly and spoke.

The crowd looked toward Qi Pingsheng. Though he was known for being stingy, those who knew better understood it was merely a facade. One could not become a Peak Master without extraordinary capabilities. Hearing his words, Zang Wufeng’s expression softened. As a Peak Master, he still possessed a measure of magnanimity, and he knew that Yue Qingshuang had a significant background. He did not wish to make the situation too awkward.

"Hmph!" He gave a light grunt, signaling he was listening.

Qi Pingsheng nodded slightly and continued, "Isn't the Inter-Peak Grand Tournament approaching? If Lu Changfeng can secure a ranking in this tournament, perhaps Peak Master Zang could take a step back? How about that?" He then turned to Yue Qingshuang and added, "And if he does not reach the top three, Peak Master Yue, let us never speak of this again. How does that sound?"

This condition served to neutralize the conflict between them. The Peak Masters present nodded in agreement, though the final decision rested with the masters of Heavenly Sword Peak and Cold Moon Peak.

Zang Wufeng glanced at Lu Changfeng and remarked dismissively, "The top three? Having just entered the Zhou-Tian Realm, I fear he won't even survive the first round!" He then turned back and said, "I naturally agree, though I worry the Master of Cold Moon Peak might not!"

To him, this condition was highly favorable. Even if a disciple progressed rapidly through the Meridian-Opening Realm, the Zhou-Tian Realm was a different matter entirely. Thus, he did not hesitate to agree.

All eyes turned to Yue Qingshuang. She did not agree immediately, furrowing her brows in thought. The Inter-Peak Grand Tournament was intended to test the progress of the disciples, but it was also a stage for the Peak Masters to compete in secret. Having a disciple who could suppress all others brought great prestige to their respective peaks. Yue Qingshuang had much to consider; every tournament was filled with disciples at the ninth level or peak of the Zhou-Tian Realm. Lu Changfeng, by contrast, was merely at the first level.

She looked up at Lu Changfeng, seeking his thoughts. Lu Changfeng stood there with a calm expression and nodded slightly.

Yue Qingshuang sighed softly. "Very well." There was no other choice. Given the attitude of the Heavenly Sword Peak Master, Lu Changfeng would never enter the Hidden Sword Valley otherwise.

Sect Master Ying Xuanji stepped forward with a chuckle. "Since this has been settled, let it be decided thus!" He then turned his gaze to Lu Changfeng. "Lu Changfeng, since you are a sword cultivator, the Hidden Sword Valley will be a treasure trove for you! You must put in your best effort for the upcoming tournament!"

"Understood," Lu Changfeng nodded.

Once the matter was finalized, Lu Changfeng left the area and headed toward his cave dwelling, while the other Peak Masters remained, still pondering what exactly had transpired at the Cold Moon Pool.

...

When Lu Changfeng returned to Cold Moon Peak, many familiar disciples swarmed around him. "Senior Brother Lu! You've finally returned!" "Senior Brother, you are truly amazing to have stayed in the Cold Moon Pool for ten full days! Do you have some kind of secret?" They asked with expectant eyes.

Lu Changfeng frowned, just about to speak, when a voice rang out. "Move aside! My Senior Brother has just broken through; why are you all crowding him? My Senior Brother is of a cold temperament—if you offend him, you'll have to pay the price! All of you, step back!"

Outside the crowd, the little fatty, using his physical advantage, squeezed his way in and dispersed the surrounding disciples. The crowd left, looking disappointed.

"Well done," Lu Changfeng nodded to Zhou Xuantong.

Zhou Xuantong scratched the back of his head and chuckled. "Congratulations, Senior Brother, on becoming a Zhou-Tian Realm cultivator! Your talent is truly exceptional; I am quite envious of such cultivation speed!" He bowed in compliment.

Lu Changfeng nodded and walked toward his dwelling. As he walked, he asked, "What sort of place is the Hidden Sword Valley?"

Zhou Xuantong was stunned for a moment before pondering and explaining, "The Hidden Sword Valley is actually quite similar to our Cold Moon Pool! Disciples go there to be chosen by their own swords, and these swords all belonged to our predecessors." He then asked with a look of confusion, "Senior Brother, why do you ask about the Hidden Sword Valley?"

"I am in need of a weapon," Lu Changfeng replied without concealment.

The little fatty frowned, speaking cautiously, "Senior Brother... that weapon... I fear it won't be easy to obtain."

"No matter," Lu Changfeng replied, recounting what had happened by the Cold Moon Pool.

For a moment, envy flickered in the little fatty’s eyes.