Father and son of the Yi Family went to check on Yi Sihan's condition. After Yi Sihan's disciple, Yi Xiaoyue, confirmed that there was no serious problem, the two men stepped outside the room. Only then did Yi Xieyun recount in detail what had happened that day at Boshui Lake. Yi Renmei made sure Yi Sihan was asleep, left Yi Xiaoyue to look after her, and stepped out just in time to overhear their conversation.
"The highest realm of cultivation is only the Ninth Realm. In their eyes, the Ninth Realm is nothing at all. What about the other disciples?" Yi Xieyun still could not control his anger. "The Peak of Yunxiao has reached a critical juncture of life and death, so do not hesitate any longer. If he wants the Cloud Token, give it to him. If Sheng Tianjing wants it too, give it to him. The Yi Family did not come to the Peak of Yunxiao to enjoy leisure, much less to become the rulers of a fallen sect."
"Very well. We will bypass all complicated procedures, and I will notify the two families. Just set your mind at ease and master the Thunderous Roar Sword."
"Second Uncle, what about me?" Yi Renmei interjected.
"Go notify Wenxin and tell her to return quickly. There is no need to keep studying there."
Inside the main assembly hall, the father and son of the Sheng Family had been seated for quite a while. Sheng Tianjing was already growing impatient.
"This Second Uncle Yi just makes a fuss over everything," Sheng Tianjing said. "I was outside, slaying demons, minding my own business, when he suddenly sent someone to call me back. And when I returned, he left me stranded at home with nothing to do."
"Weren't you the one who liked to shut yourself away all day?"
"I was tending to serious matters—forging a more powerful Dharma Treasure."
"Forging a Dharma Treasure only helps one person. I hear that the Second Young Master of the Li Family wants to revitalize the Peak of Yunxiao to help a whole group of people."
"Such empty talk is something I can do as well. I too want to revitalize the Peak of Yunxiao."
"It seems Tianjing is willing to become my most capable right-hand man," Yi Lüchuan said as he walked over. "Lately, many disciples have been disappearing without a cause on the Peak of Yunxiao. Shall we go look for them?"
"Even if you found that bunch of disciples, they would still run away again. They are beyond saving."
"Do you mean to say you are abandoning the Peak of Yunxiao?" Yi Lüchuan demanded.
Sheng Tianjing was momentarily speechless, realizing he had spoken out of turn. At that exact moment, Li Gewen supported Li Chengji as they slowly walked in. After the usual polite pleasantries from all sides, they finally took their seats.
"Gewen, I have brought you the Cloud Token you wanted. Ordinarily, such a matter would require a very grand ceremony, but I figured you could not afford to wait, so I invited the father and son of the Sheng Family here to serve as witnesses."
"Splendid, it is entirely to my liking." Li Gewen took the token.
"You're just handing it over like this? Is this child's play? This Cloud Token is a supreme Dharma Treasure with many special privileges, and the rules explicitly state that one must possess the strength of the Seventh Realm to wield the Feather Token," Sheng Tianjing said.
"The Peak of Yunxiao can no longer afford to worry about such things."
"Second Uncle Yi, are you trying to make the Peak of Yunxiao perish even faster?" Sheng Tianjing said.
"With me here, I will never allow the Peak of Yunxiao to perish. Our Yi Family was invited by the Rune God to come and revitalize the Peak of Yunxiao, not to act as rulers of a fallen sect." As Yi Xieyun walked over, sparks of electricity radiated far from his body.
Everyone fell silent for a moment as they saw a woman of peerless beauty following behind Yi Xieyun.
"While everyone is here, allow me to introduce my sworn sister, Yu Biyue."
"This surname is wonderful. Coupled with this appearance, it makes me think of the Mermaid Clan."
"I see you are completely mad for mermaid blood. Even if you managed to get mermaid blood, it might not save your sister," Yi Renmei said.
"Very well, everyone is here," Yi Lüchuan said.
"Isn't Third Aunt Yi still on the Peak of Yunxiao?" Li Gewen asked.
"She was injured by someone."
None of the four believed it.
"Third Aunt was injured by someone right here on the territory of the Peak of Yunxiao?" Sheng Tianjing still could not believe it and asked again.
"Yes, right at Boshui Lake," Yi Xieyun said.
Sheng Tianjing sat quietly in his seat without uttering a sound. Even with his dull wits, he knew what this meant.
"Gewen, according to the rules, accepting the Cloud Token requires a three-year observation period. But for now, it is waived; it no longer matters. Whatever you wish to do, your uncle will support you. Come, I will directly empower it for you using the Patriarch's Token. Any disciple of the Peak of Yunxiao who sees this token shall view it as seeing the Patriarch himself; you can represent the entire Peak of Yunxiao." Yi Lüchuan glanced at the father and son of the Sheng Family, neither of whom said another word.
Li Gewen dropped a drop of his blood into the Cloud Token, and Yi Lüchuan stamped it with the Patriarch's Token. Two streams of spiritual energy expanded outward and then rapidly merged into one.
"Gewen, you wish to revitalize the Peak of Yunxiao. Can you tell me roughly how you plan to do it?"
"Allow the commoners to rise."
"Did we not allow them to rise before?" Sheng Tianjing asked.
"You did, but through layer upon layer of selection—assessing their talent and measuring their virtue—almost exclusively capable individuals were chosen. But the current situation is that the Peak of Yunxiao first underwent the internal strife of the Seven Meridians, and then the internal strife of the noble families, completely destroying the conditions for such selection. Even if you choose them now, they are unwilling; that is the big trouble."
"Are you saying that if I take out my family's ultimate secret techniques to teach them, they won't even be willing to learn?" Sheng Tianjing said.
"Would you like to try?" Li Gewen produced a set of scrolls. "The Li Family's Myriad Heroes Ten Thousand Swords contains thirty-six Heavenly Dipper Sword Techniques and seventy-two Earthly Fiend Sword Techniques, a total of one hundred and eight techniques. Pick ten people for me and try to see if they are willing to practice them."
"Are you giving me orders?"
"If you don't believe it, then try it."
"The cultivation formulas of my Sheng family are no less than yours. If I want to try, I don't need your help." Sheng Tianjing stood up. "I want this Cloud Token as well."
"Very well. Once you and Gewen settle the matter on Luzhu Peak, I will give you the clues to the Cloud Token."
"What trouble could possibly be on Luzhu Peak?"
"I want to replace Lei Yunshen and have Lady Biyue firmly take control of Luzhu Peak."
"Lei Yunshen has deep ties with the Wu Family. The Wu Family has never been willing to exit the struggle among the noble families, and he will not let this rest."
"That is precisely why we need a true Seventh Realm expert like you to help."
Sheng Tianjing nodded and flew away on his flying sword, though just as he was leaving, he cast one more glance at Yu Biyue.
"Why did he just leave?" Yi Renmei said.
"He has always been like this—growing increasingly eccentric. Please forgive him, everyone," Sheng Wuwei said.