Among the seven peaks of the Tianyun Sect, Cloud-Falling Peak is the only one isolated from the main Tianyun Peak, no longer connected by the iron chain cloud bridge. It takes about ten minutes of flight on the sect's special Cloud-Ascending Steps to reach it.
At this moment, Han Yun was leading Ye Feng through the air on the Cloud-Ascending Steps. Watching the clusters of white clouds pass by, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
When did the Tianyun Sect fall to such a state...
A small family in Fengxiang County City was enough to make the sect fear and compromise, sacrificing the future of its disciples to appease them.
Is this really the same Tianyun Sect that once roared across the world, shaking the eight directions?
How sad, how lamentable!
Han Yun glanced at Ye Feng beside him. Throughout their journey, this young man hadn't uttered a single complaint, nor shown any sign of disappointment. Anyone else treated this way would likely curse the heavens and the earth, yet Han Yun sensed a maturity and open-mindedness in Ye Feng far beyond his years. Even on the Cloud-Ascending Steps, Ye Feng had the leisure to look around and chat with him occasionally.
"Elder Han, is that Cloud-Falling Peak ahead?"
"Hmm?" Han Yun paused, nodding, "Indeed."
"It looks quite nice, at least better than Level Cloud Peak where the outer sect is."
"Ye Feng... do you really not resent the sect for treating you this way?"
Han Yun looked at the calm expression in Ye Feng's eyes, unable to fathom what the young man was thinking.
To his surprise, Ye Feng turned to Han Yun with a faint smile:
"Does resentment help?"
"Hmm?"
"Elder Han, if resentment could make someone stronger, I would have long become the top expert of the Tianyun Sect..." Ye Feng seemed to want to say more, but swallowed his words, maintaining a polite smile towards Han Yun:
"Still, I'm very grateful to Elder Han."
"Grateful for what?"
"Thank you for saving Ji Fanchen's life that day in the arena. Otherwise, my troubles would have been much greater. If it had been someone else, they might have struck hard to stop me, but you only used soft force to push me away... I remember all of this."
"You..." Han Yun felt a strange emotion stir within him.
This young man, with his hesitant demeanor, clearly understood many things but kept them all inside. It was a cautiousness born of distance, yet also a commendable grace and composure.
Even if he spoke those words to me, what difference would it make?
Ye Feng, you are 'considerate' to the point of heartache.
"Ahem." Han Yun coughed lightly, smiling, "It's nothing, Ye Feng. Although you are to meditate in reflection on Cloud-Falling Peak, life there won't be too difficult. You can rest assured."
"I understand."
The two continued their conversation as they traveled, the mountains passing beneath them.
Finally, they landed on a platform at the summit of a distant peak.
Is this Cloud-Falling Peak? New chapters come out on novelping.com first.
Ye Feng looked around, seeing that the platform they stood on was not very spacious, roughly the size of four or five martial arts arenas. On the platform stood many dilapidated palaces, now collapsed into ruins, with only some ancient blue bricks and broken pillars exuding a solemn aura, as if telling the stories of the past.
Behind the ruins, Ye Feng saw a massive cliff at the end of the summit, not very high, resembling a low wall blocking the northern mountain winds.
The entire Cloud-Falling Peak was steep and far from the other main peaks of the Tianyun Mountains. Only a small path behind Ye Feng connected it to the other peaks, but running to the main Tianyun Peak would take at least half a day. Thus, the name 'lone peak' was well-deserved.
"Follow me."
Han Yun, familiar with the place, led Ye Feng through the ruins to a large hall at the end.
Ye Feng saw that this was the only relatively intact part of the ruins. The hall, though covered in dust and cobwebs, still stood firm, its four towering wooden doors tightly shut, exuding a faint pressure of Profound Qi, deterring others from approaching.
Han Yun didn't approach the hall but led Ye Feng to a small courtyard beside it, which seemed newly built. Inside were only two rooms, with a large golden-furred dog lazily dozing at the door of one.
The dog was over a meter long, plump, clearly well-fed, its golden fur shimmering in the sunlight, quite eye-catching.
"Ahem... Martial Uncle Huang, disciple Han Yun, has brought third-generation disciple Ye Feng to Cloud-Falling Peak for meditation."
Ye Feng watched as Han Yun bowed from afar upon entering the courtyard, thinking Elder Han was quite respectful, bowing from such a distance.
But soon, he realized something was off.
Han Yun's words weren't directed at the house but at the large yellow dog at the door.
This...
Ye Feng's eyes widened.
"Woof~~"
The large yellow dog half-opened its eyes, glanced at Han Yun with eyes still crusted with sleep, let out a low whimper, then continued to nap.
What's going on?
Ye Feng had heard of strange Profound Beasts capable of cultivating Profound Qi and even gaining intelligence, but this large dog had no trace of Profound Qi, definitely not a Profound Beast. Yet its gaze clearly held a human-like understanding, as if saying:
"I get it, keep it down, don't disturb my sleep!"
What kind of strange dog is this?
While Ye Feng was surprised, Han Yun, seemingly unfazed, walked past the golden dog to the larger room, bowing again:
"Disciple Han Yun, greets Martial Uncle Meng."
No response came from inside.
"Third-generation disciple Ye Feng has come to Cloud-Falling Peak for meditation, requesting Martial Uncle's guidance."
"Snore~~ Snore~~"
This time, Ye Feng heard it clearly, the sound of even breathing came from inside, someone was sleeping soundly.
This Cloud-Falling Peak... seems a bit out of tune!
"Ahem..." Han Yun awkwardly coughed again, the golden dog half-opened its eyes, this time not even lifting its head, as if saying:
"Disciple takes his leave."
Han Yun shivered slightly under the dog's gaze, turning to leave the courtyard.
Ye Feng watched Han Yun's strange expression, unsure of Cloud-Falling Peak's situation, but saw Han Yun give him a deep look, seemingly making a decision, whispering to Ye Feng:
"Ye Feng, come with me."
Ye Feng followed Han Yun to the courtyard entrance, where Han Yun's hand glowed with Spiritual Light, a blue book appearing from a ring on his finger, which he handed to Ye Feng:
"Ye Feng, we have a connection. I am the teaching elder responsible for guiding inner disciples at Sky-Touching Peak. Consider this Profound Skill as an early assignment for you. Study it well, and I'll personally assess your progress in a year!"
"Elder Han..."
Ye Feng held the thin book, clearly titled "Angry Thunder Palm," feeling a warm current in his heart. Though the book was thin, it carried an indescribable weight.
Having experienced the coldness of human nature and the warmth of the world over the past eight years, Ye Feng no longer cared for superficial praise. But how many truly offer help in times of need? Not kicking someone when they're down is already a testament to human decency.
Fortunately, in past years there was Li Xiang, and now, though Elder Han had only met him twice, this ordinary Profound Skill was a precious warmth for Ye Feng in his predicament.
As Ye Feng was about to express his gratitude, Han Yun had already turned and walked away.
Ye Feng didn't know that a year later, he would be expelled from Tianyun, facing the Ji family's revenge. Han Yun's imparting of skills was a hope for Ye Feng to have some means of self-preservation, but it was also his way of resisting the current state of the Tianyun Sect as a disciple.
Ye Feng...
If you can master the 'body technique' recorded in Angry Thunder Palm, you'll have a better chance of escaping the Ji family's pursuit after leaving Tianyun Sect. This is all I, Old Han, can do for you.
"Elder Han!!" Ye Feng called out again, "I will repay your kindness tenfold in the future!!"
Heh.
Han Yun didn't look back, a helpless smile on his face, and eventually walked away.
...
With Han Yun gone, Cloud-Falling Peak felt instantly deserted, leaving Ye Feng alone.
The warmth in his heart was gradually chilled by the mountain wind. Looking at the lush surroundings, Ye Feng shook his head bitterly.
How could he not resent?
Ji Fanchen, such a scoundrel, deserved to die a hundred times over. Yet now, Tianyun Sect exiled him for such a scum. Is there any justice in this world?
From the moment the decree was announced, Ye Feng was filled with disappointment towards Tianyun Sect.
But as he said, complaining is the most useless thing in the world. What he needed to consider now was how not to waste the year at Cloud-Falling Peak and ensure his cultivation progress.
After all, he had endured eight years; another year wouldn't make much difference. No matter what, his desire to become stronger hadn't diminished. He would become a powerful figure, roaring across Tianyun, walking out of Great Qin.
For now...
He should first report to the sect elder in charge here.
Ye Feng turned, intending to re-enter the courtyard, but as he stepped in, the golden dog slowly opened its eyes again, giving him an impatient look:
"Woof~~~ Didn't I tell you not to disturb my sleep, don't you understand?"