Chapter 8: Entering Moon-Cold Peak

"Peak Master Yue... while I know this child possesses exceptional talent and you wish to take him under your wing," the Peak Master of Heavenly Sword Peak began, his brows slightly furrowed, "to reach the Yuan Dan stage in a single year—isn't that a bit too exaggerated?"

Xiao He chimed in, "Exactly! A century ago, that disciple surnamed Zhang, who triggered the Seven-Star Alignment... even with his astonishing comprehension, it still took him three years to barely reach the Yuan Dan stage!"

The others expressed their disbelief as well. After all, such a feat had never occurred in the history of the Daoyan Sect. Even these powerful cultivators at the Dao Palace realm did not believe it was possible.

Yue Qingshuang ignored their questioning and walked aside with a cold, indifferent expression. Observing the reactions of those around him, the Sect Master of the Daoyan Sect gave a light cough and smiled.

"Enough," he said, turning to Lu Changfeng. "Since the various peaks have laid out their conditions, do you have a preferred place to cultivate? Decide now."

Lu Changfeng scanned his surroundings. A moment later, he cupped his hands respectfully, his tone filled with determination. "I wish to join the Yuehan Peak."

As soon as these words were spoken, the other Peak Masters looked at him fixedly, their eyes filled with disappointment. The Sect Master gave another light cough and asked, "Are you... certain? While I understand the cultivation methods of each peak, reaching the Yuan Dan stage in a year is still far too... alas."

Before Lu Changfeng could reply, Yue Qingshuang waved her hand, and a mist dispersed to envelop him. In the blink of an eye, he was swept into the air alongside her.

"From this day forth, you are a disciple of Yue Qingshuang," she stated calmly.

Lu Changfeng knew that reaching the Yuan Dan stage in one year was indeed an exaggeration. However, he felt an aura from this Peak Master of Yuehan Peak that could not possibly be fake. He understood that a mere Dao Palace realm cultivator capable of emitting the Dao Rhyme of the Divine Treasury realm was clearly extraordinary. There was another reason, too: since the Peak Master of Yuehan Peak rarely took on disciples, the peak could not have many people. It was the perfect place for him to go into seclusion and cultivate in peace.

The next moment, Lu Changfeng felt the scene around him shift. When he stood steady again, he found himself in a tranquil valley. The valley was brimming with spiritual energy, and the clouds on the horizon seemed to be manifestations of that energy. Cultivating here would yield twice the result with half the effort.

They were standing in a small courtyard with a thatched cottage at the center of the valley. Yue Qingshuang waved her hand, and a flash of spiritual light landed in his palm. "This is Yuehan Peak. Since you are now my disciple, the treasures within this spatial ring are my welcome gift to you."

"Inside, you will find one thousand spirit stones and three Profound-tier spiritual artifacts!"

Lu Changfeng accepted the ring, thinking to himself, *This 'cheap' master is quite generous.* For a Peak Master, a thousand spirit stones were nothing, but Profound-tier spiritual artifacts were rare treasures that could not be sought out at will. To produce three at once was truly uncommon in the Tianyuan Region.

Just as Lu Changfeng was deep in thought, Yue Qingshuang pointed a finger, and a profound rune landed on his palm.

*Hum—!*

Lu Changfeng’s body tensed, instinctively wanting to dodge, but sensing no hostility, he stayed where he was.

"This is the token of a Yuehan Peak disciple," Yue Qingshuang said, looking at him with an inscrutable expression. "You may use this to enter the Scripture Hall to choose the techniques and divine abilities that suit you. Since you have acknowledged me as your master, I will naturally protect your path of cultivation. I care not how you acted in the past, but now that you are a disciple of Yuehan Peak, you must never harm the innocent, bully the weak, or provoke trouble. Do you understand?"

Under her gaze, Lu Changfeng bowed calmly. "I understand." He realized that his earlier reaction had likely been observed by her.

Yue Qingshuang nodded slightly and gestured with her hand. In an instant, Lu Changfeng felt a sense of vertigo. When he regained his focus, he found he had left the small valley courtyard.

*It seems this 'cheap' master of mine is no ordinary person,* he mused. He sensed that while her cultivation base was clearly at the Dao Palace realm, there were moments when even Divine Treasury realm experts would pale in comparison. On second thought, the other Peak Masters of the Daoyan Sect showed a trace of reverence when facing her. It would be strange if she weren't special.

*When in Rome, do as the Romans do,* he thought. *Since I am here, I should first find a place to settle down.*

Across the valley, formations flickered with faint light, and pulses of energy resonated with the token in his hand. If not for the token, these formations would surely have destroyed him instantly.

Just as Lu Changfeng was following the guidance of the token to find his cave dwelling, a group of young cultivators in plain white robes approached him. Their expressions were cold, and the tall woman leading them exuded an air of arrogance. It was clear she was the leader.

"So, you are the... disciple the Peak Master just took in?" she asked, frowning.

Lu Changfeng looked at their unfriendly demeanor and replied, "And what of it?"

Seeing his attitude, a sharp-featured youth beside the woman flew into a rage. "What kind of attitude is that! This is the Senior Sister of Yuehan Peak, Ye Yunlan! As a newcomer, how dare you speak to the Senior Sister in such a manner? You have no manners at all!"

Ye Yunlan waved her hand, mocking Lu Changfeng. "You are the disciple who triggered the Nine-Star Alignment on the Daoyan Stele? You are merely at the first level of the Meridian Opening stage; how could the Master have taken you in?"

Lu Changfeng sensed that the girl's cultivation was only at the third level of the Zhou Tian stage. He glanced at her indifferently. "Noisy." He turned to leave, as he had not come to Yuehan Peak to squabble.

"Presumptuous!" The sharp-featured youth was incensed by Lu Changfeng’s actions. "I am the Second Senior Brother of Yuehan Peak, Liu Chengqian! A newcomer like you dares to treat the Senior Sister with such an attitude? You uncultured wretch! Let me teach you a lesson today!"

As he spoke, his cultivation flared, and a faint breeze swirled around him. The pressure of a ninth-level Meridian Opening cultivator surged toward Lu Changfeng.

"Enough!"

Before the youth could make a move, a sharp, cold voice echoed through the area. Ye Yunlan frowned and blocked the youth's path. Liu Chengqian was taken aback and couldn't help but protest, "Senior Sister! He's just a newcomer; why can't we teach him a lesson for such an attitude? You might be able to tolerate it, but I cannot!"

Hearing the youth's words, Ye Yunlan’s eyes flashed. She turned to look at Lu Changfeng. "Are the rumors outside true? Did the Master really take you in?"

Lu Changfeng frowned, his tone cold. "Go ask her yourself. I can't be bothered to explain it to you."

"You!" Ye Yunlan was furious. Her cultivation was the highest on Yuehan Peak, and she had been there the longest. No disciple had ever dared to speak to her like this. Although Yue Qingshuang had not officially named her as a personal disciple, everyone on Yuehan Peak knew the position belonged to her. The arrival of a disciple with a Nine-Star Alignment made her feel that her status was suddenly under threat.