Lin Yaoyao was also hit by the backlash, blood spilling from the corners of her mouth.
Sitting on the shore of the Bitter Sea, Yekong watched the phantom of the phoenix materialize in the air and shook his head.
"Little Phoenix, you're already dead, what are you still fussing about?"
Yekong reached out and grabbed into the void, and the remnant shadow of the phoenix instantly fell into his hand.
The phoenix phantom's face was full of terror; it saw the person it feared most.
"You, oh you, you're already gone, what are you still making a fuss about?" Yekong said with annoyance.
Amidst the terror of the phoenix remnant shadow, Yekong exerted strength with five fingers and crushed the phoenix remnant shadow into pieces.
Had he known his disciple was this weak, he would have refined the phoenix precious bone a bit more for her.
Lin Yaoyao had originally mobilized the spiritual power in her body, preparing to annihilate the phoenix remnant shadow, when she suddenly sensed that the phoenix remnant shadow had dissipated.
A wisp of remnant soul couldn't last long anyway.
Without the phoenix remnant shadow disturbing her, Lin Yaoyao concentrated on refining the phoenix precious bone, and her Dao foundation gradually formed.
On Xiaoyao Peak, celestial phenomena gradually manifested between heaven and earth.
With a wave of his hand, before the celestial phenomena could fully appear, Yekong transferred them over to Yushou Peak.
Celestial phenomena, don't block me from sunbathing!
Above Yushou Peak,
Dark clouds gathered densely, and golden light spread.
Nine dragon shadows and one phoenix shadow were soaring through the dark clouds, galloping across the nine heavens.
In the sky, purple Qi billowed and stretched for thousands of miles, golden lotuses emerged from the earth, presenting a scene of peace and harmony.
Nine dragons playing with a phoenix, thousands of auspicious omens.
This scene stunned everyone in the Stellar River Sect.
"Could it be that... a saint has been born on Yushou Peak?" Everyone watched in a daze.
The Sect Master of the Stellar River Sect stood on the pavilion, looking at the scene before him, his expression moved.
"Who on earth could trigger such celestial phenomena? This has never happened in the Stellar River Sect for thousands of years!"
"Great Elder, go to Yushou Peak to investigate the situation, see who brought about these celestial phenomena, and bring them to the main hall."
"As you command!" The Great Elder acknowledged, mounting a crane and flying away.
On Tianjian Peak, the Peak Master stood on the hilt of a giant sword, gazing into the distance at the celestial phenomena over Yushou Peak.
"Who could produce such a massive celestial phenomenon?" Peak Master Chen Chunyang murmured softly.
He summoned several disciples and hurried toward Yushou Peak to observe.
Qin Wuyi looked up at the phenomena in the sky, his jaw dropping in shock.
"Are these... are these the celestial phenomena triggered by my disciple?"
Qin Wuyi looked inside the house; right now on Yushou Peak, only his disciple was breaking through to the Nascent Soul.
"Hahahahaha!" Qin Wuyi burst into loud laughter.
"Wonderful, wonderful! My disciple, Qin Shou, possesses the bearing of a Great Emperor!"
Breaking through to the Nascent Soul and triggering celestial phenomena was something that hadn't happened in the Lianyun Sect for tens of thousands of years.
And now, his disciple Qin Shou was about to forge a myth!
Qin Wuyi was feeling utterly ecstatic, never expecting his disciple to have such capability.
If my disciple grows up, why need I fear falling behind Tianjian Peak?
Amidst the harmonious calls of dragons and phoenixes, a wisp of auspicious Qi descended and fell into Qin Shou's body.
Qin Shou, who was currently nurturing his Golden Core, suddenly sensed an extra surge of mysterious power inside his body.
He immediately circulated the power, rushing it into the Golden Core.
The Golden Core instantly cracked, and a powerful aura slowly bloomed.
Standing outside, Qin Wuyi felt such a strong aura and smiled even more brightly.
The dragon and phoenix chorused in harmony, continually circling above Yushou Peak. The various Peak Masters rushed over one after another to Yushou Peak to observe up close and witness this epic scene.
Countless disciples followed closely behind, heading toward Yushou Peak.
"Qin Wuyi, you've really struck gold." Chen Chunyang stood on Yushou Peak, sighing with emotion.
"Indeed, who would have thought Qin Shou possesses the bearing of a Great Emperor!" the others exclaimed in amazement.
With Demonic Beasts guarding the area, he didn't get close.
The other Peak Masters also stood behind, watching this miraculous scene.
Yekong sat by the Bitter Sea, watching Yushou Peak packed with people, feeling somewhat fortunate.
Good thing he had moved the celestial phenomena away. If this had happened on Xiaoyao Peak, wouldn't that have been a disaster?
The celestial phenomena quickly dissipated.
Qin Shou's Nascent Soul formed, and he successfully broke through.
Feeling that Qin Shou had stabilized, Qin Wuyi finally walked out in self-satisfaction to show off.
"Congratulations!" the Peak Masters chorused, a hint of sourness mixed in their tones.
Anyone could see that breaking through to the Nascent Soul and triggering celestial phenomena meant that Qin Shou possessed the bearing of a Great Emperor.
"Hahahahaha, my disciple making such a big commotion over breaking through to the Nascent Soul has startled you all. Allow me to apologize to you on his behalf here," Qin Wuyi laughed aloud.
The other Peak Masters wore ugly expressions.
Is this an apology? You're just flaunting shamelessly.
"The attacks of my Tianjian Peak are matchless, perhaps..."
"Chen Chunyang, that's my disciple, don't even think about it!" Qin Wuyi directly interrupted Chen Chunyang's words.
The other Peak Masters were about to speak up to win him over, but upon hearing Qin Wuyi's words, they all fell silent.
Fine, he couldn't be poached.
In the eyes of the various Peak Masters, there was nothing but envy.
Chapter 14: Master, I Have Reached the Foundation Establishment Realm
Xiaoyao Peak.
In the thatched cottage.
Lin Yaoyao slowly opened her eyes, a flash of red light passing through them.
The light on her body gradually returned inward; the nine dragon shadows inside her jade body now had an additional phoenix phantom, though it was very dim.
This was the innate power brought by the phoenix precious bone, though she had yet to discover it.
"Foundation Establishment." Lin Yaoyao said calmly, without any great joy.
Foundation Establishment, to her, was merely the very beginning.
Lin Yaoyao got up, clenched her fists, and felt the changes in her strength.
Using the phoenix precious bone for Foundation Establishment, I will surely surpass my past life and become an Emperor Realm powerhouse!
Thinking of this, Lin Yaoyao saw her Master still sitting by the Bitter Sea fishing.
She couldn't help but sigh.
Sigh, even though I've reached Foundation Establishment, Master's cultivation remains unchanged.
However, Master must have put a lot of thought into helping me reach Foundation Establishment.
Lin Yaoyao walked over, cupped her fists, and expressed her gratitude: "Thank you, Master; this disciple has reached Foundation Establishment."
Yekong glanced at her, nodded lightly, and said indifferently:
"Mm, you've reached Foundation Establishment."
Even if you've reached Foundation Establishment, you're still my disciple.
Looking at her Master's indifferent gaze, Lin Yaoyao felt as if reaching Foundation Establishment was just a trivial matter to him.
I've reached Foundation Establishment, and you're still this calm?
No wonder you're an old Qi Condensation Stage cultivator with zero drive.
Sigh, the plan to nurture a good-for-nothing master is going to be difficult.
Lin Yaoyao had wanted to provoke her Master a bit—look, I've reached Foundation Establishment, while you're still at Qi Condensation, aren't you going to work hard?
As a result, Yekong's reaction left her not knowing what to say next.
Yekong tugged on the fishing line and slowly said: "Disciple, you've only just reached Foundation Establishment. You need to properly consolidate your realm and avoid arrogance and impatience. The path ahead of you is still very long."
Hearing this, Lin Yaoyao felt scornful in her heart.
Master, aren't your cheeks burning when you say this?
I've reached Foundation Establishment!
You're still at Qi Condensation, don't you feel any shame?
I'm the disciple, and you're the Master.
You lecturing me is fine, but saying that without a blush or a skipped heartbeat, is that really okay?
Sigh, this Master is too hard to carry, he's completely given up on himself.
Lin Yaoyao sighed inwardly, but on the surface she said: "This disciple understands; this disciple will go cultivate right now."
With that, Lin Yaoyao returned to the thatched cottage.
Yekong tugged on the fishhook, Qi Condensation +1...
...
Yushou Peak.
The Great Elder stood in mid-air and announced:
"The Sect Master has ordered: the Peak Master of Yushou Peak is to lead Qin Shou to immediately enter Xinghe Hall for a discussion."
"The Peak Masters of all peaks, if you have no business, return to your respective peaks and prepare for the once-a-decade Nine Peaks Grand Competition!"
The Great Elder proclaimed loudly from the sky.
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked.
They hadn't expected the Sect Master to get involved as well.
"We strictly obey the Sect Master's decree!" the various Peak Masters saluted.
Reluctantly, the various Peak Masters withdrew.
Qin Wuyi took Qin Shou, who had just come out of seclusion, and headed toward the Stellar River Sect.
"Qin Shou, remember this: later, if the Peak Master gives you a reward, just take it. If they try to win you over, refuse them," Qin Wuyi instructed.
"Why?" Qin Shou asked, puzzled.
"You triggered celestial phenomena when you broke through to the Nascent Soul, possessing the bearing of a Great Emperor," Qin Wuyi said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Qin Shou widened his eyes instantly.
"Master, you're not lying to me?"
"Everyone saw it, do I have any reason to lie to you?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Shou was utterly shocked.
No wonder I suddenly broke through the Golden Core; so I was the one who triggered the celestial phenomena!
Won't I be able to walk sideways through the Stellar River Sect from now on?
...
In Xinghe Hall.
Qin Wuyi, the Peak Master of Yushou Peak, led Qin Shou into the grand hall and paid respects with a cry of:
"Sect Master!"
Luoyang Tian, the Sect Master of the Stellar River Sect, swept his divine sense over them and nodded.
"Mm, not bad, a youth of natural talent. Since you've broken through to the Nascent Soul, this deity shall reward you with a Nascent Soul magical treasure."
With a wave of Luoyang Tian's hand, a glowing little tower landed in Qin Shou's hand.
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Qin Wuyi received the magical treasure and bowed in gratitude.
Luoyang Tian nodded slightly and slowly said: "Mm, go back and cultivate properly, and do not fail your own talent."
"Yes!" Qin Shou replied.
Seeing that the Sect Master hadn't tried to win Qin Shou over, Qin Wuyi was somewhat surprised.
Yet he accepted it.
"Very well, go down and make preparations." Luoyang Tian waved his hand.
Qin Wuyi turned and left with his disciple. Before they had walked two steps, Qin Wuyi suddenly remembered something.
"Sect Master, the envoys of the Dayan State have already arrived, and Dayan State seems to be suffering from a disaster," Qin Wuyi cupped his fists and said.
"Such a trivial matter, just send anyone to handle it," Luoyang Tian waved dismissively.
Qin Wuyi continued: "Sect Master, the affairs of Dayan State may be trivial to you, but they are different for Xiaoyao Peak."
"This year, it should also be Xiaoyao Peak's turn to host."
Walking on the starry river, his back to the crowd, Luoyang Tian pondered for a moment before saying:
"Dismissed."
"Yes!" The Peak Master of Yushou Peak acknowledged, turning to leave with Qin Shou.
...
The next day.
Xiaoyao Peak.
Yekong sat by the Bitter Sea, pondering how he could make his disciple cultivate properly.
Soaking in baths every day wasn't a solution.
And once she soaked, it took a whole day.
He now believed the saying that women are made of water.
While Yekong was worrying, a fairy crane shattered the clouds of Xiaoyao Peak, landed on the Bitter Sea, and transformed into a boy.
The boy expressionlessly cupped his fists and spoke: "Master Uncle Ye, the Sect Master has ordered you to go down the mountain and host the envoys of the Dayan State."
Dayan State was a vassal state of the Stellar River Sect, sending envoys every year to discuss matters of tribute.
This was a tedious chore, and the upper echelons of the Stellar River Sect were unwilling to run around. Fueled by the pushing and pulling of the Yushou Peak Peak Master, it fell upon Yekong.
"This seat still needs to cultivate; at a time like this, just have the Sect Master arrange for another elder," Yekong waved his hand in dismissal.
"Master Uncle Ye, this is the Sect Master's order," the boy continued.
Yekong remained unmoved; mere Sect Master of the Stellar River Sect—he truly didn't take him seriously.
But right at that moment.
"Ding! Successfully breaking the peace. Now issuing a temporary mission."
"Temporary mission: Proceed to handle the affairs of Dayan State. Reward: One chance to fish for special items."
Chance to fish for special items?
Yekong's heart stirred slightly, and he changed his tune: "Since that's the case, then I'll go."
The boy sneered inwardly, thinking: *What is a broken peak master putting on airs for? The moment the Sect Master's order is brought out, you cower right away.*
"I hope Master Uncle Ye will head down the mountain soon. The Dayan State envoy delegation is staying right inside Xinghe Town."
"Oh," Yekong replied indifferently.
"Ever since Yaoyao took me as her master, special items have kept appearing."
"Thinking about it that way, the first special item I obtained was also from fighting a horned man in black."
Yekong sat by the Bitter Sea, deep in thought.
"Perhaps my method of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm lies in breaking the peace and continuously taking on disciples."
With a slight flick of his hand, he put away his fishing rod.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he slowly walked down the mountain.
For so many years, this was his very first time going down the mountain.
Although the place he was going to was merely Xinghe Town at the foot of the sect's mountain.
As he headed down the mountain, Yekong conveniently activated the grand defensive array of Xiaoyao Peak.
Only those holding the Xiaoyao Peak token could freely enter and exit; this was also to guard against anyone sneaking in to peep at his beloved disciple bathing.
After all, his beloved disciple was either taking a bath every day or on her way to take a bath.
Just as Lin Yaoyao was bathing, she suddenly sensed that the sect-protecting array had activated.
Looking around in all directions, she just happened to see her Master walking down the mountain with his hands behind his back.
What is this cheap master going down the mountain for?
Doesn't he know down the mountain is dangerous?
What will you do if you encounter danger going down the mountain all by yourself?
Sigh, whatever.
Considering you found an item for the Great Emperor's Foundation Establishment, this Great Emperor will reluctantly escort you for a stretch in secret.
Thinking this, Lin Yaoyao leaped out of the water, put on her red dress, and quietly followed behind Yekong.
Yekong, who had just walked off Xiaoyao Peak, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
His divine sense spread out, sensing his disciple tiptoeing along behind him.
I'm going down the mountain to handle a matter, what are you following me for?
And sneaking behind me at that, are you afraid I'll discover you and scold you?
Sigh, a disciple being too clingy isn't a good thing either!
Yekong sighed with emotion, shook his head, and continued walking down the mountain.
Lin Yaoyao followed behind, watching her Master stop right after coming down the mountain.
Sigh, Master really is too useless; taking a single trip down the mountain exhausts him and requires a rest stop.
If she didn't follow in secret to protect him, who knows if he'd drop dead on the way down the mountain.
Sigh, this Great Emperor really has to worry to no end for her cheap master.
Lin Yaoyao shook her head and sighed, silently following behind.
Reaching the mountain gate, the gate-guarding disciple said with an indifferent face: "Which peak are you from? Do you have an exit pass to go down the mountain?"
"Peak Master of Xiaoyao Peak!" Yekong said calmly.
He hadn't been down the mountain in several years; apart from showing his face at the Ascension Assembly, the rest of his time was spent on Xiaoyao Peak.
This resulted in quite a few disciples not recognizing this particular Peak Master.
Hearing this, the gate-guarding disciple immediately opened the heavy gates.
"Peak Master, please!"
Though Yekong's authority wasn't high, he was still a Peak Master, nominally an upper-echelon figure.
When disciples met him, even if they despised him in their hearts, they still had to respectfully call him Peak Master or Master Uncle.
Otherwise, if he went to complain to the Sect Master, you'd be done for.
Once the gates opened, Yekong walked leisurely down the mountain with his hands behind his back.
Not long after he left, Lin Yaoyao emerged.
"Junior Sister, which mountain peak are you from, and why are you going down the mountain?" the gate-guarding disciple asked cordially.
"Chief disciple of Xiaoyao Peak, I'm following my Master down the mountain," Lin Yaoyao said coldly.
If they weren't fellow disciples, she wouldn't even bother to reply.
Hearing this, the gate-guarding disciple opened the gates to let Lin Yaoyao out.
"What's going on with Xiaoyao Peak today? Why are they both going down the mountain?"
"Didn't you know? The Dayan State envoys have come to pay tribute, and the Sect Master ordered Xiaoyao Peak to host them."
"Xiaoyao Peak only has two people."
"After the grand competition, Xiaoyao Peak will probably be done for."
The gate-guarding disciples chatted idly for a bit and continued guarding the gate.
Chapter 15: Master Going to a Brothel Is Just Too Much!
"Master, Yekong and his only disciple from Xiaoyao Peak have both gone down the mountain."
After returning to Yushou Peak, Qin Shou reported the situation.
Hearing this, Qin Wuyi nodded deeply: "Good, follow me to Xiaoyao Peak!"
When Qin Wuyi flew to the edge of Xiaoyao Peak...
Bang!
His face smashed into the barrier of Xiaoyao Peak.
The other disciples also crashed into Xiaoyao Peak's array, falling down from the air one after another.
Qin Wuyi pulled his face out, stared coldly at Xiaoyao Peak, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
"The defensive arrays of the nine peaks of the Stellar River may differ, but they are all built upon the spiritual veins of the Stellar River Sect. If I sever the spiritual vein of your Xiaoyao Peak, I refuse to believe I can't break your array!"
Qin Wuyi said coldly, looking down at the ground.
In the Stellar River, a spiritual vein ran through all nine peaks, supplying spiritual power for cultivation to every peak.
Looking at the spiritual vein beneath Xiaoyao Peak, Qin Wuyi's mouth curled slightly.
"Dig it up!"
With a wave of Qin Wuyi's hand, Qin Shou and the others pulled out their own magical tools and excavated the spiritual vein of Xiaoyao Peak.
Clang! Clang!
Amidst flying dust, the Qi of the spiritual vein was affected.
...
At the foot of the Stellar River Sect mountain.
Yekong had just descended the mountain when he saw an eight-bearer sedan chair parked ahead.
Standing beside the sedan chair was a petty official dressed in official attire.
Seeing Yekong come down, he hurried forward to greet him.
"May I ask, is Your Excellency the Honorable Envoy?" The official cupped his fists and asked.
"Mm," Yekong nodded slightly.
"Honorable Envoy, Lord Sima is already waiting at Wanhua House," the official cupped his fists and said.
Hearing this, Yekong put his hands behind his back and stepped onto the sedan chair.
Lin Yaoyao followed behind, frowning slightly as she watched her Master being carried away.
"What kind of place is Wanhua House?" Lin Yaoyao wondered aloud.
A chubby vendor carrying a pole of baked sesame cakes passed in front of Lin Yaoyao and answered:
"Wanhua House? Ah, that's a place where people go to have a carefree and merry time."
"What do you mean?"
"It's a brothel, duh!" Just as the chubby vendor finished speaking, his wife shouted from afar: "Dalang, time to come home and take your medicine."
"Ah, coming!"
Dalang the sesame-cake seller went home to drink his medicine.
Lin Yaoyao froze in place.
Master... Master is actually going to a brothel?
Of all places to go, why a brothel? Doesn't he know that kind of place is very dangerous?
Going to such an unclean place makes it very easy to lose oneself.
Better let his disciple save you.
Thinking of this, Lin Yaoyao followed behind the sedan chair.
The eight-bearer sedan chair was carried all the way to the front of Wanhua House, where the official shouted outside:
"Honorable Envoy, Wanhua House has arrived."
Yekong stepped out. The moment he emerged, he saw quite a few women dressed in... revealing attire standing on the street soliciting customers, the scent of rouge lingering far away.
"Young master, come play!"
A few young, pretty women dressed flirtatiously came forward to pull at Yekong.
"Heavenly Palace, lead the way!" the official said to the woman.
"Oh, so it's an honored guest! This way please!" The woman led the way, guiding them all the way to Heavenly Palace.
The moment the door opened, Yekong froze in place.
Inside, it was magnificent and illusory, wreathed in immortal mist, with no shortage of singing and dancing girls drifting like phantoms through the mist.
Seeing people arrive, the Grand Administrator, the envoy of Dayan State, immediately stepped forward to welcome them.
"Honorable Envoy, please!" the Grand Administrator bowed and said.