"Today, you must learn your place!"
Before Wang Teng even finished speaking, the spiritual energy within him erupted suddenly, transforming into gusts of wind that swept toward Qin Xuan.
"Heh, the Senior Brother is truly angry, and the consequences will be dire. This newcomer really has no idea of his own mortality. Does he think that just because he is the Dao Child of Tianling Peak, he can act lawlessly?"
"There are many people in this world with talent, but without strength, it’s all useless. That so-called Nine Stars Aligning? He’s just a piece of trash at the Zhoutian 1st Layer."
"Exactly, exactly. A mere Zhoutian 1st Layer cultivator daring to speak disrespectfully to senior brothers and sisters—he really needs a good lesson."
Watching Wang Teng make his move, the surrounding disciples looked on with schadenfreude, whispering among themselves. Even Bai Yu chose to stand by and watch coldly, failing to intervene as she had before.
Seeing this, Wang Teng’s expression became even more arrogant. He controlled his spiritual energy to envelop Qin Xuan, but stopped it just a foot away from him. He then feigned a posture of superiority and said, "Qin Xuan, I’ll give you one last chance. Kneel and apologize to Bai Yu, and I will let this slide."
However, Qin Xuan remained indifferent, saying coolly, "Go ahead."
"But, according to the Qingshan Sect’s rules, as an inner sect disciple, you are acting above your station by attacking the Dao Child of Tianling Peak. What punishment do you think that warrants?"
"This—"
As soon as these words were spoken, Wang Teng’s face stiffened; he froze in place.
At that moment, Qin Xuan began to walk straight ahead, completely ignoring the spiritual hurricane. Seeing this, Wang Teng’s face flickered with indecision. Finally, just as the spiritual wind was about to touch Qin Xuan, he hastily retracted his attack in a panic.
Qin Xuan continued forward. As he passed Wang Teng, he said flatly, "Move."
Wang Teng reflexively stepped aside, but then realized what he had done. His veins throbbed with fury, his chest heaving as his internal rage burned white-hot. He wanted nothing more than to cripple Qin Xuan, but he didn't dare!
Within the Qingshan Sect, the status of a Dao Child was immense. If he were to attack a superior, his cultivation would be stripped away and he would be cast out of the sect.
Without any expression, Qin Xuan walked past him and headed into the distance. Wang Teng stared at Qin Xuan’s retreating figure, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth in secret. "Damn it! Qin Xuan, you just wait. If I can't deal with you, someone else will!"
...
After shaking off Wang Teng and the others, Qin Xuan continued to search for his cave dwelling according to his map.
However, the Qingshan Sect was vast and boundless, its scale astonishing. Tianling Peak, one of the nine peaks, was not just a single "peak," but a continuous mountain range that stretched as far as the eye could see. How could it be easy to find a single cave dwelling in such a range?
"Senior Brother Qin Xuan! Wait for me!"
Just then, an urgent voice rang out from behind him. Hearing someone calling him, he stopped and looked in the direction of the voice. Not far away, a youth who looked as thin as a monkey, no more than twelve or thirteen years old, was rushing toward him.
The boy agilely vaulted over several patches of grass and arrived before Qin Xuan, bowing deeply. "Shen Tianming greets Senior Brother Qin."
Qin Xuan examined the youth before him, his expression unchanged as he simply nodded. "Is something the matter?"
Even though Shen Tianming had expected Qin Xuan’s coldness, he still found his breath hitching when he met that gaze, as deep and still as a dark pool. He stood there, stunned.
"I... I..." He stammered, then gathered his courage to ask, "You are looking for your cave dwelling, aren't you, Senior Brother?"
"I arrived a few days earlier and am more familiar with this area. Please, let me show you the way."
"Show me the way?" Qin Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly. He could see from Shen Tianming’s attire that he was an inner sect disciple. Why would an inner sect disciple be so eager to lead a newcomer around?
Thinking of this, Qin Xuan said coolly, "If you have nothing else to do, don't hold me up." He made as if to leave.
"No, no, no... I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you!" Shen Tianming grew anxious and quickly explained, "Sigh... there’s no point in hiding it now."
"As you can see, Senior Brother Qin, I am an inner sect disciple. But my family background is poor, and I have no foundation here in the Qingshan Sect. I’ve been here for a year, enduring cold stares, and I have no resources to speak of."
"The reason I dared to disturb you today is... well, I want to find a backer so I can gain a foothold in the Qingshan Sect. Please, Senior Brother, give me a chance to survive."
Hearing this, Qin Xuan understood. Shen Tianming seemed sincere. With his perception, he could tell the boy was not lying. He stared at Shen Tianming and pondered for a moment. He was new here and unfamiliar with everything; having someone to explain things to him would be useful.
He nodded slightly and said calmly, "Follow me, but it might not be as wonderful as you imagine. You need to be sure of your decision."
As the first genius in the Qingshan Sect to achieve the "Nine Stars Aligning," he knew how many eyes were watching him in the shadows. If Shen Tianming stayed by his side, he would naturally attract attention too.
"Senior Brother, rest assured! I have thought it through!" Shen Tianming was overjoyed. He knew that Qin Xuan had agreed.
"Very well. I am heading to my dwelling; you lead the way."
Qin Xuan nodded and flicked his finger, sending his token flying toward Shen Tianming. The boy caught it with both hands and, after a quick, thoughtful glance at the token, began to stride forward. "Senior Brother, follow me."
Guided by Shen Tianming, Qin Xuan soon found his dwelling.
It was an exceptionally elegant and exquisite mountain. The slopes were lush and green, and a clear stream flowed around the base. At the summit sat a courtyard—this was Qin Xuan’s dwelling.
The two walked up the mountain and soon arrived before the courtyard gates. Even before entering, Qin Xuan felt a concentration of spiritual energy many times denser than outside. Compared to the Qin Family, this place was a true paradise.
Shen Tianming took a greedy breath, looking at Qin Xuan with unconcealed envy. "This place is perfect for cultivation. It truly is a place reserved for the Peak Master’s disciples."
"Open the barrier," Qin Xuan said noncommittally.
"Right away." Shen Tianming was nimble, placing the token into a groove by the gate. A strange energy rippled over the courtyard, and the gates slowly creaked open.
"Please, Senior Brother..." Shen Tianming said, quick to show his usefulness as he gestured for Qin Xuan to enter.
Qin Xuan nodded and stepped inside. The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt a surge of spiritual energy so thick it was almost visible, like mist.
"Not bad," Qin Xuan nodded, satisfied. Cultivating in a place with such abundant energy would yield twice the result with half the effort.
"Huu... huu..."
Beside him, Shen Tianming began to breathe rhythmically. The fellow was already circulating a technique, carefully absorbing the spiritual energy. Qin Xuan watched him and couldn't help but smile helplessly, shaking his head.
Noticing Qin Xuan’s gaze, Shen Tianming scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "Forgive me, Senior Brother. I couldn't help it; the spiritual energy here is just too pure."
Qin Xuan waved a hand, not minding it. But a moment later, he looked at Shen Tianming with a meaningful glint in his eyes. "Do you want to be able to come here and cultivate every day?"