Mubai's gaze turned fierce. Perhaps this was just his imagination!
Above his head, a Dao Wheel materialized, taking the shape of an azure thunder roc that merged with his body, every single feather wreathed in lightning.
His Dao Wheel was the thunder roc, and the divine arts he unleashed with it possessed terrifying might.
The roc spread its wings, and in an instant, bolts of lightning surged and blotted out the sky. Violent winds whipped up around them, and a terrifying aura radiated outward.
Inside the Blazing Flame Array, the expressions of the disciples from the various peaks all shifted. Many of them were witnessing Mubai unleash his full strength for the very first time; the mere aura radiating from him was enough to make hearts tremble.
"Scree!"
The thunder roc shrieked, beating its wings as it lunged forward. Chu Yu's expression changed, and the Reincarnation Pagoda expanded to several dozen meters in height, blocking his path.
"Stop right there!"
Suddenly, a cold, crisp shout rang out. Following that, a divine sword blooming with five-colored glow was seen hurtling straight toward Mubai's back.
By striking where the enemy musters a defense, this person had come to rescue Chu Yu.
Every single Wèncāng Pavilion disciple present was startled. Who on earth was blind enough to make a move against Mubai for the sake of a new disciple from Hàorán Peak?
Mubai's expression changed drastically. This sword strike possessed astonishing power; he had no choice but to block it!
Clang!
The instant the roc's talons collided with the sword's edge, a piercing, metallic ring echoed out. The divine sword flew off to the side, and Mubai's figure was sent violently reeling.
A look of astonishment also surfaced in Chu Yu's eyes. Within Wèncāng Pavilion, he truly couldn't imagine who would step forward to help at a time like this.
"He is my man. No one is allowed to touch him!"
An imperious shout rang out as an ethereal figure slowly walked over, followed by a little girl of seven or eight years old.
"An Linglong?"
Chu Yu widened his eyes, staring in shock at the figure ahead. He had never expected that the person coming to his rescue would be her.
"An Linglong from Zǐxiá Peak?"
"She's cultivating in the Blazing Flame Array as well..."
"How on earth does that kid know An Linglong?"
The surrounding disciples from all the peaks were utterly shocked. An Linglong, the peerless talent of Zǐxiá Peak, enjoyed an immense reputation across the three ancient academies of the Eastern Wasteland. Regarded as a supreme figure among the top young geniuses, she was actually making a move against Mubai for the sake of a new Hàorán Peak disciple!
Just what kind of incredible luck did this brat have to actually know An Linglong?
"An Linglong, this brat has insulted me beyond endurance! Today, I am going to teach him a lesson whether he likes it or not! This is a matter between the disciples of Yúncāng Peak and Hàorán Peak. I hope you won't interfere!"
Mubai was both shocked and furious, the look he cast at An Linglong filled with wariness.
"I said it before: he is my man. No one touches him — and that includes you!"
An Linglong said coldly, wielding her divine sword with radiant Dao patterns glowing around her body like a cloud of rosy mist.
"What if I insist on touching him?"
"You can try. Let me see what improvements your thunder roc Dao Wheel has made!"
Mubai's face darkened, shifting through various shades. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the rage in his heart, and ultimately chose not to strike!
With a fierce glare at Chu Yu, Mubai let out a heavy cold snort and left the Blazing Flame Array in utter frustration.
The moment Mubai left, the many new disciples of Yúncāng Peak hoisted up Ye Chen and fled the Blazing Flame Array as if escaping for their lives.
The atmosphere in the arena lapsed into an eerie silence. The disciples from the various peaks looked at Chu Yu and An Linglong, utterly speechless.
As the news spread, with An Linglong protecting him, from this day forward no disciple from any peak in Wèncāng Pavilion would dare to trouble Chu Yu.
Chu Yu walked over to An Linglong and chuckled lightly, "I never expected the master of the Imperial City's Yúnxuān Pavilion to actually be a disciple of Zǐxiá Peak in Wèncāng Pavilion."
"I likewise didn't expect to meet the young master again here in Wèncāng Pavilion."
An Linglong smiled faintly. The last time they met, Chu Yu had freely given her a vast quantity of fire spirit stones and fire spirit marrow; stepping in to help today was her way of returning that favor.
"Is she that little girl?"
Chu Yu looked at the little girl standing behind An Linglong. From her, he could sense a trace of icy, sinister energy.
An Linglong nodded and spoke to the little girl with doting affection, "Miaomiao, this is the big brother I told you about."
The little girl had a chubby, doll-like face, long eyelashes, and eyes that blinked repeatedly. In a sweet, childish voice, she smiled and said, "Hello, big brother."
This little girl's smile was so healing that it was hard not to love her.
To suffer the torment of Yin baleful energy at such a tender age was truly pitiful.
"The six peaks of Wèncāng Pavilion each have their own unique traits, and there is no distinction of superior or inferior. Yi Canghai, the master of Hàorán Peak, had peerless aptitude in his youth and could be called a Young Supreme. If you can inherit all of Yi Canghai's legacy, it will also be a stroke of good fortune." An Linglong said.
There was no distinction of superior or inferior among the six peaks; An Linglong's view on this matched Chu Yu's own.
Chu Yu also felt that Yi Canghai, the master of Hàorán Peak, was not as simple as he appeared.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, An Linglong took Miaomiao and bid farewell, leaving the Blazing Flame Array.
After continuing his cultivation in the Blazing Flame Array for another half-hour, Chu Yu headed to the Heavenly Waterfall Array to train.
It was the same area as yesterday, but this time, Chu Yu was able to endure longer than he had the day before.
Emerging from the Heavenly Waterfall Array, Chu Yu felt a slight fatigue and returned to Hàorán Peak.
Back on Hàorán Peak, after meditating in his room for over an hour, Chu Yu's door was forcefully shoved open by Gu Changsheng.
"Damn it, Junior Brother, I just heard that you single-handedly beat up hundreds of new disciples from Yúncāng Peak, and even made Mubai kneel to you?"
Gu Changsheng cried out in astonishment, his face brimming with excitement.
A few days ago, he had repeatedly warned Chu Yu to lie low and avoid going down the mountain if possible, but he never expected that just a few days later, Chu Yu would stir up such a massive commotion.
"Second Senior Brother, your sources are certainly well-informed."
Chu Yu teased. Aside from his talent for hoodwinking people, his Second Senior Brother also had a knack for getting the latest gossip.
"Right now, is there anyone in the entire Wèncāng Pavilion who hasn't heard about this? Junior Brother, you really are something."
Gu Changsheng said. Normally, the disciples of Hàorán Peak frequently suffered bullying at the hands of the Yúncāng Peak disciples.
For Chu Yu to single-handedly sweep through the new disciples of Yúncāng Peak and completely strip Mubai of his dignity had truly saved face for Hàorán Peak.
"Tonight, I'll whip up a few dishes to go with some wine so we can properly celebrate. You have to come." Gu Changsheng said.
That evening, in a pavilion on Hàorán Peak, Gu Changsheng, Wang Dachun, Ren Hongni, Tie Hanhan, and Chu Yu sat together.
The dishes on the table were colorful, aromatic, and mouth-watering, all prepared by Gu Changsheng himself, whose culinary skills were nothing short of peerless.
Eldest Senior Brother Liao Danxin was absent; aside from alchemy, this alchemy maniac had no interest in anything else, and the other four were long used to it.
"Tonight's meal is to celebrate Junior Brother for ruthlessly thrashing the new disciples of Yúncāng Peak, stripping Mubai of his dignity, and bringing immense glory to Hàorán Peak!"
Gu Changsheng raised his cup, his excitement impossible to contain.
Wang Dachun, Ren Hongni, and Tie Hanhan had already heard all about it from Gu Changsheng, and each of them was overjoyed.
The Green Bamboo Wine of Hàorán Peak was mellow yet packed layers of flavor, truly a peerless brew.
"Junior Brother, I always said you had what it takes. You're a real man, miles better than certain people."
Third Senior Sister patted Chu Yu's chest, not forgetting to take a jab at Ren Hongni.
"Third Senior Sister, it's fine if you want to praise Junior Brother, but there's no need to elevate one person by stepping on another."
Ren Hongni looked deeply displeased, then leaned close to Chu Yu's ear.
"I heard that in the end, An Linglong from Zǐxiá Peak showed up and chased Mubai away. You and An Linglong seem pretty close. How about introducing her to your senior brother?"
Bang!
Third Senior Sister slammed her hand heavily onto the table and glared at Ren Hongni. "What did you just say? Ren Hongni, don't say this senior sister didn't warn you: if you dare harbor any thoughts about other women, I'll castrate you with my own hands!"
Ren Hongni let out a miserable wail, a wry smile plastered across his face. "Third Senior Sister, there are so many men in this world; why couldn't you fall for someone else? Why did you have to set your sights on me?"
"Cut the crap! Who told you to peek at me while I was bathing?" Wang Dachun said.
Chu Yu was completely dumbfounded; the implications in these few lines seemed a bit overwhelming!
"Heaven and earth bear witness, Third Senior Sister! What do you mean by 'peek'? How was I supposed to know you were taking a bath in that lake? Besides, with a figure like yours, what was even worth looking at?" Ren Hongni argued craftily.
"Ren Hongni, I think you're itching for another beating!"
Wang Dachun bellowed in anger, jumping up to launch an immediate attack, throwing a punch straight at Ren Hongni.
Seeing that things were turning south, Ren Hongni turned around to bolt, but Wang Dachun was too fast. She grabbed Ren Hongni by the shoulder, and the two of them instantly tumbled into a brawl.
"Ahem, Junior Brother, just get used to it. You'll get used to it."
Gu Changsheng laughed awkwardly. After all, he was the one who had coaxed Chu Yu — a peerless genius who had cultivated dual Dao Wheels — up to Hàorán Peak. The more embarrassing Ren Hongni and Wang Dachun behaved, the more ashamed he felt.
Chu Yu had mentally prepared himself long ago. Ever since the first time he set foot on Hàorán Peak, he knew none of the disciples here were quite normal, and nothing they did would surprise him.
Before long, Ren Hongni and Wang Dachun decided the victor, ending with Wang Dachun sitting squarely on top of Ren Hongni and forcing him to concede defeat.
"The three pavilions — Wèncāng Pavilion, Tianxuanshen Pavilion, and Nanqian Pavilion — will send new disciples to train in the ancient treasure land one month after enrollment. As far as I know, among the new disciples of Yúncāng Peak, there are still a few top-tier geniuses. You'll need to watch your step when the time comes." Gu Changsheng said.
"What's there to be afraid of? If they aren't convinced, just beat them into submission! With Junior Brother's strength, he can handle them. And with An Linglong covering him, the senior disciples of Yúncāng Peak won't dare pull anything," Third Senior Sister said.
Chu Yu had also heard of the ancient treasure land. It was a valley belonging to the three pavilions of the Eastern Wasteland, and the showdown among the new disciples of the three ancient academies also dictated the rankings of the three pavilions.
"It's a pity that Master swore an oath thirty years ago never to step into the Supreme Realm in this lifetime. Otherwise, our Hàorán Peak might not have failed to become one of the top three peaks." Gu Changsheng said.
Among the masters of the six peaks of Wèncāng Pavilion, only Yi Canghai of Hàorán Peak had not stepped into the Supreme Realm.
Nearly everyone believed that Yi Canghai simply lacked the ability to enter the Venerable Realm, but only the disciples of Hàorán Peak knew that their master simply chose not to step into it.
As for why Yi Canghai refused to become a Supreme, very few people knew, and even Gu Changsheng and the others weren't entirely clear on the details.
Several days later, Chu Yu once again arrived at the bamboo grove where Yi Canghai lived.
"The complete text of the Heaven and Earth Haoran Art is right here."
Yi Canghai tossed an ancient scroll in front of Chu Yu, looking as lazy and apathetic as ever.
Chu Yu committed the Heaven and Earth Haoran Art to memory. The entire text was extremely profound, and there were many parts he couldn't instantly comprehend.
Following that, Yi Canghai imparted his insights on the art to Chu Yu, and a surging, boundless aura of righteousness emanated from Yi Canghai's body.
Only at moments like this did Yi Canghai display a fraction of the demeanor befitting a peak master.
Hours later, Chu Yu returned to his quarters and began practicing the Heaven and Earth Haoran Art.
The Heaven and Earth Haoran Art focused solely on artistic conception rather than physical forms. This state of conception was exceptionally difficult to grasp, but once one entered it, it could complement and enhance any force of the Great Dao.
Chu Yu's Primal Dao Wheel was capable of accommodating myriad Daos, sharing a miraculous affinity with the Heaven and Earth Haoran Art — which was precisely why Chu Yu had been coaxed onto Hàorán Peak by Gu Changsheng in the first place.
He went into seclusion to contemplate it, spending over ten days in deep meditation before grasping even a sliver of the profound mystery within the Heaven and Earth Haoran Art.
Although Chu Yu was still unable to enter the Haoran state of conception, it granted him a deeper, more profound understanding of his Primal Physique, paving out a cultivation path uniquely his own.
The day for the ancient treasure realm to open arrived as promised, and the many new disciples of Wèncāng Pavilion gathered within the ancient array of Wèncāng Pavilion.
Chu Yu's arrival immediately drew the attention of quite a few people.
In the span of this single month, the name Chu Yu had completely spread throughout Wèncāng Pavilion.
The array activated, filling the sky with divine runes. The surrounding space began to warp, and a spatial tunnel radiating a colorful glow appeared, prompting the many disciples of Wèncāng Pavilion to step into it.
Stepping out from the spatial tunnel brought them directly to the ancient treasure land.
This was a divine land where spiritual herbs grew everywhere and sacred medicines were by no means rare. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was turbulent, the aura of the Great Dao was rich, and all kinds of powerful entities nested within.
At the center of the valley stood a mountain piercing the clouds; the peak of this mountain was where the disciples of the three pavilions would ultimately decide the victor.
"Whoever travels with the disciples of Hàorán Peak is making an enemy of Yúncāng Peak!"
Among the many disciples of Yúncāng Peak, a cold shout rang out.
The speaker was a handsome youth clad in lavish robes. Judging from the aura radiating from his body, his realm and cultivation had already reached the Dao Pattern Realm, possessing top-tier aptitude.
The numerous disciples from Heavenly Sword Peak, Zǐxiá Peak, Qingming Peak, and Yanbo Peak broke into an uproar, all casting strange glances toward Chu Yu.
Ferocious beasts ran rampant within the ancient treasure land, and powerful entities at the Dao Pattern Realm were far from rare. Even when disciples from the various peaks traveled in groups, it was extremely dangerous.
For a single person to wander the ancient treasure land alone was far too difficult; whether he could even make it to the divine peak in the center of the valley was a question in itself.
"He's screwed now. Since Su Ming has spoken, which disciple from the other peaks would dare travel with him?"
"Who asked him to offend anyone? He just had to offend the disciples of Yúncāng Peak. Is the head of the top three peaks a title earned for nothing?"
"What a pity, too. For the new disciples of the three pavilions, the ancient treasure land is a rare cultivation opportunity. Without companions, he won't be able to take a single step."
...
The many Wèncāng Pavilion disciples murmured among themselves, some gloating over his misfortune while others secretly felt a sense of injustice on Chu Yu's behalf.
Mu Miaotong, who had already become a Zǐxiá Peak disciple, cast a sympathetic glance at Chu Yu and let out a helpless sigh.
Chu Yu's eyes turned icy, a cold smile curling the corners of his lips.
Back when he escaped the Martial King's Manor without even reaching the Inscription Realm, he had braved the Yúncāng Mountains all by himself. Now, in this ancient treasure land, traveling alone was hardly something he couldn't handle!
With that, Chu Yu extended a hand, pointed toward the divine peak in the distance, and let out a long whistle. "You fellows from Yúncāng Peak think far too highly of yourselves. Even traveling alone, I will reach the summit of that divine peak!"
"This brat is so arrogant!"
"Without companions, getting anywhere near that divine peak is impossible, and he still wants to reach the summit? In his dreams!"
"He's not even afraid of biting his tongue from talking big, utterly laughable!"
...
The disciples from the various peaks erupted in uproar. Reaching the summit of that divine peak alone was a feat that even Su Ming, the new disciple of Yúncāng Peak, might not have the confidence to pull off.
Chu Yu sneered, too disdainful to bother with them. His figure flashed as he charged straight into the forest, hurtling toward the center of the ancient treasure land!
Roar!
No sooner had he plunged into the forest and covered a thousand meters than the roar of a tiger shook the surrounding mountains.
A black tiger at the Dao Pattern Realm lunged out, its body covered in sheets of black Dao patterns and its fierce baleful aura soaring to the heavens. With a tiger's paw that seemed capable of splitting mountains and shattering boulders, it whipped up a terrifying gale and swiped fiercely at Chu Yu.
The expressions of many Wèncāng Pavilion disciples instantly took on a teasing, mocking look.
"Hah, the moment he charges into the forest, he runs into a Dao Pattern Realm ferocious beast. This brat really has terrible luck!"
Su Ming laughed playfully. Facing a Dao Pattern Realm ferocious beast like this, a punk like Chu Yu would only have room to run for his life.