A master like the Sect Leader of the Qingshan Sect is a figure at the very pinnacle, even when surveying the entire Qingyang Domain.
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
The seven Peak Masters all bowed to the Sect Leader of the Qingshan Sect. Only the Peak Master of Tianling Peak offered a slight nod, saying nothing more.
The Qingshan Sect Leader waved his hand slightly, signaling for everyone to stand at ease. "No need for formalities."
Following this, he shifted his gaze to look at Qin Xuan. His deep, profound eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything as they fixed upon the young man. Qin Xuan remained calm, his expression as unruffled as an ancient well; his eyes were, if anything, even more serene than the Sect Leader’s.
"Not bad, truly not bad. Your resolve is as firm as a rock, and combined with your unprecedented Nine-Star Alignment talent, your future achievements will be limitless," the Qingshan Sect Leader said, looking more pleased the longer he observed.
If an ordinary person were praised in such a manner by the Qingshan Sect Leader, they would surely be floating on cloud nine. Qin Xuan, however, merely gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "You are too kind, Sect Leader."
The Qingshan Sect Leader nodded, a gentle smile on his face. "Very well. Now that the nine peaks are all present, the choice is yours. I give you my word as the Sect Leader of the Qingshan Sect: regardless of whom you choose today, no one will be permitted to give you any trouble."
"The nine peaks...?"
As soon as these words were spoken, several of the Peak Masters cast sidelong glances. From the Sect Leader's words, it sounded as if the Qingshan Peak—the Sect Leader's own peak—intended to compete for him as well.
Qin Xuan pondered for a moment, appearing somewhat hesitant, and did not immediately make his decision.
"How interesting." Seeing this, the Qingshan Sect Leader let out a laugh. "You are playing the field, waiting for the best offer. That is indeed a clever choice, a way to maximize your own interests. Since that is the case, let us all show what we can offer."
"Understood!" The Peak Masters nodded and began to state their respective advantages.
Yuan Tianba of Kaitian Peak was the first to step forward, his eyes burning as he looked at Qin Xuan. "Qin Xuan, as long as you are willing to join Kaitian Peak, the position of Dao Child shall be yours. Furthermore, I will pass down our peak’s secret technique, a Low-Grade Earth-tier martial art: the Kaitian Pidi Blade."
A stir ran through the crowd at these words.
"As expected of the Kaitian Peak Master, truly domineering! Giving away an Earth-tier martial art just like that!"
"An Earth-tier martial art is tempting enough, but Qin Xuan is even going to become a Dao Child!"
The other Qingshan Sect disciples looked at Qin Xuan with immense envy. An Earth-tier martial art and the status of a Dao Child were things they wouldn't even dare to dream of. A Dao Child was the designated successor to a Peak Master. This meant that if Qin Xuan accepted, he would be second only to the Peak Master within the entire peak.
"Qin Xuan, besides the status of Dao Child, if you are willing to come to Potian Peak, you shall have unrestricted access to the Heavenly Sword Tomb," Li Wushuang declared.
This, too, caused a massive sensation.
"The Heavenly Sword Tomb!"
"He's actually allowed free access to the Heavenly Sword Tomb? You have to realize, even the Peak Master himself is reluctant to use that privilege," some disciples of Potian Peak exclaimed, their eyes wide. Cultivating within the Heavenly Sword Tomb could hone one's sword intent, making it purer. If one were lucky enough, they might even gain insights into the path of the sword left behind by the predecessors who were buried there—something that no amount of money could buy.
"I won't waste words. Qin Xuan, come to my Xuandan Peak! Every medicinal pill you need, every martial art, technique, or weapon—I will cover it all! Even those 'secret techniques' they mentioned, I can get my hands on them!" Danyangzi, wealthy and bold, sneered.
"Oh? You can even procure the secret techniques of the other peaks?" The Qingshan Sect Leader raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he glanced at the other Peak Masters.
At this, the corners of the other Peak Masters' mouths twitched. In the past, in order to obtain precious pills from Xuandan Peak, they had indeed sold their respective peak's secret techniques to this old man... They hadn't expected that boomerang to hit them now. They all let out cold snorts and said nothing further.
Following this, with the exception of Tianling Peak, every other peak laid out various enticing conditions based on their own strengths. It could be said that each peak was willing to pour all their resources into Qin Xuan. After all, he was the first peerless genius in history with a Nine-Star Alignment. Resources could always be earned again, but if they missed out on a genius of this caliber, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.
The disciples present listened until their throats were dry; they had only ever heard of such resources, never seen them, let alone enjoyed them. Yet, for Qin Xuan, these were all within arm's reach.
At this moment, all eyes turned to the Peak Master of Tianling Peak. Everyone was curious about what this most mysterious of Peak Masters would offer.
Despite the gaze of the crowd, the Peak Master of Tianling Peak remained cold and detached. She pondered for a brief moment, her gaze falling on Qin Xuan as she said faintly, "If you take me as your master, I guarantee you will break through to the Tongxuan Realm within one year."
"Hiss—"
Everyone present gasped in unison. The sound of so many people inhaling simultaneously made the air feel thin. Those with weaker cultivation levels couldn't get any air at all and turned beet red, gasping for breath.
Breaking through to the Tongxuan Realm in just one year! That was simply a fairy tale! One had to realize that Qin Xuan was currently only in the Zhoutian Realm.
"Crossing an entire major realm in a short year? That’s impossible, isn't it?" Li Wushuang of Potian Peak frowned, his voice deep.
The others nodded in agreement.
"Peak Master Ye Qingxuan... you cannot just make promises like that. The conditions we are stating are ones we can genuinely fulfill," Danyangzi said, stroking his beard with a smile. His implication was clear: everyone should compete fairly, and one shouldn't promise the impossible just to win Qin Xuan over.
"I mean what I say," the Peak Master of Tianling Peak replied, her eyes flashing coolly.
*So her name is Ye Qingxuan...* Qin Xuan looked at her, memorizing the name in his heart.
At that moment, Ye Qingxuan’s gaze fell upon him as well. Their eyes met for a fleeting second before they both looked away.
"Very well, it is my turn now," the Qingshan Sect Leader said with a smile, stepping forward.
He looked at Qin Xuan, his expression becoming incredibly earnest. "Little one, I don't have much to offer you. I don't know how to refine pills, and I don't have that many spirit stones."
"How about this... if you join my sect under my tutelage, then in the future, this Qingshan Sect shall be yours. What do you say?"
*Whoosh!*
As soon as the Sect Leader finished speaking, everyone’s pupils constricted, and their jaws nearly hit the floor.
"What? The Sect Leader wants to pass the position of Sect Leader to a disciple who just joined?"
"Does that mean this guy is going to be our Young Sect Leader in the future?!"
"Damn it! Why does such good fortune never fall to me?!"
The Qingshan Sect disciples were stunned, and once they recovered, they began to discuss the matter heatedly. At the same time, everyone’s eyes were fixed squarely on Qin Xuan.
The heaven-gifted prodigy, Qin Xuan—which peak would he choose to join?