Transcendent Peak was one of the six main branches of Azure Cloud Sword Sect.
Within the peak lay a mid-grade spiritual vein. Over the years, it had advanced into a high-grade spiritual vein, meeting the requirements to establish a primary branch.
At the time, Azure Cloud Sword Sect required expansion, and thus Transcendent Peak was formally founded.
It had been established for 1017 years.
Present day.
Peak Master: Gu Chengxing (Peak Mid-stage Void Shattering Realm)
Grand Elder: Xiao Yaozi (Peak Nascent Soul Realm)
Protector Elders: None
Ordinary Elders: Four in total
True Disciples of Transcendent Peak: 0 (appointed by the Peak Master through accepting disciples or designation)
Inner Sect Personal Disciples: 6 (generally personal disciples of elders, limited in number; if exceeding the quota, they must compete among themselves. Outstanding Inner Sect Disciples may also compete.)
Ordinary Inner Sect Disciples: 234 (usually promoted naturally to the Inner Sect, or formerly Outer Sect Disciples under elders; if strong enough, they may compete for Personal Disciple positions.)
…
The early morning sky was bright and clear, a gentle breeze drifting across the peak.
Within the Inner Sect of Transcendent Peak, a faint chill lingered in the air. As many disciples stepped out of their cave dwellings, they could not help but shiver. Their slightly drowsy minds gradually cleared as most headed toward the training grounds.
The Inner Sect was unusually lively. The limited number of Inner Sect Disciples had been gathered together.
At the front of the assembled disciples stood Lin Qing.
Lin Qing was Xiao Yaozi’s personal disciple.
In fact, his only personal disciple.
Several decades ago, Xiao Yaozi had accepted Lin Qing despite opposition. Perhaps it had simply been fate.
Lin Qing’s talent was not high. By conventional standards, she would likely struggle even to cross into the Nascent Soul Realm in this lifetime.
Yet Xiao Yaozi had insisted on taking her as his personal disciple, and the only one at that.
Ordinarily, accepting disciples was a personal matter, and others should not interfere.
But the elders had been troubled. The Peak Master had not accepted a single disciple for a thousand years. When Xiao Yaozi, the face of Transcendent Peak as Grand Elder, finally decided to take a disciple, he chose one whose talent appeared mediocre and whose future prospects seemed dim.
What was this meant to signify? Was Transcendent Peak embracing a tradition of not accepting disciples?
How would it uphold the peak’s prestige in the long term?
But Xiao Yaozi was stubborn.
In truth, he had taken quite a few disciples, including multiple Outer Sect Disciples. However, he had never accepted a single True Disciple over the years.
In his own words:
“Before I advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm, no one believed I could ever reach it. No one imagined I would cultivate all the way to Peak Nascent Soul Realm and become a Grand Elder of a peak. On what basis do you judge that Lin Qing cannot succeed? I believe she is outstanding.”
“Her mindset and temperament surpass the vast majority in this world. With proper guidance and time, she will achieve something meaningful.”
Though Xiao Yaozi paid close attention to the affairs of Transcendent Peak and was especially concerned about its Inner Sect and personal disciples, he was extremely strict in choosing personal disciples. Perhaps having witnessed Jian Wushuang’s rise, he valued different qualities.
In others’ eyes, innate talent was paramount. In his view, it was the least important factor.
For Xiao Yaozi, accepting a disciple required virtue first, temperament second, comprehension third, and only then would talent be considered.
Thus, though he accepted disciples, he rarely took personal ones.
Over a thousand years, there had been only one. Lin Qing.
“Senior Sister Lin Qing, I heard from Master that Transcendent Peak will not miss the upcoming disciple selection ceremony. Is that true?”
A delicate-looking young girl asked softly.
She was Qingyan, one of Xiao Yaozi’s Outer Sect Disciples, standing behind Lin Qing.
Lin Qing turned around, raised a brow slightly, and pretended to be stern. She gently patted Qingyan’s shoulder and placed a finger to her lips, signaling her not to speak recklessly.
Qingyan pouted, clearly dissatisfied.
But under Lin Qing’s gaze, she quickly put on a pleading expression, silently mouthing, “Senior Sister, please forgive me.”
Lin Qing said nothing further and turned back, standing upright with solemn focus.
Ahead, Xiao Yaozi and the other elders stood with hands clasped, maintaining respectful postures.
Before long, a handsome yet faintly demonic-looking young man appeared slowly, facing the elders and nearly the entire Transcendent Peak.
“Peak Master.”
“Peak Master!”
“Peak Master, we have awaited this day for a long time.”
The five elders bowed slightly, greeting him one by one.
Gu Chengxing nodded to each of them calmly.
“Elder Zhang Shan, Elder Li Zhong, Elder Zong Qianhuan, Elder Ou Cheng, and Grand Elder Xiao Yaozi. I ask for your guidance in the future.”
Elder Li smiled in response. “Peak Master as well. Should we err in any matter, please correct us.”
The Inner Sect Disciples behind them were momentarily stunned.
After greeting the elders, Gu Chengxing stepped forward slowly.
Then Lin Qing’s clear voice rang out, “Welcome, Peak Master!”
This had been specifically instructed by Xiao Yaozi. She was to gather the disciples and lead the welcome to establish Gu Chengxing’s authority.
Though somewhat ceremonial and awkward, such formalities were unavoidable.
“Welcome, Peak Master!”
The Inner Sect Disciples quickly followed in unison.
Gu Chengxing raised his hand and nodded at them. “Today, I formally assume the position of Peak Master of Transcendent Peak.”
Lin Qing immediately responded clearly, “We ask Peak Master Gu to lead Transcendent Peak back to its former glory, to create new beginnings, and to uphold the name of Transcendence.”
The disciples echoed, “We ask Peak Master Gu to lead Transcendent Peak back to its former glory, to create new beginnings, and to uphold the name of Transcendence.”
Gu Chengxing answered solemnly, “I shall do so.”
Then his tone shifted. “This month’s spiritual stone stipends will be doubled. Additionally, each of you will receive one opportunity to enter Qingxuan Pavilion.” This chapter was copied from novelping dot com without permission.
The previously restrained expressions of the disciples brightened noticeably.
Gu Chengxing clearly observed the shift but was not surprised. After speaking a few more words, he returned to the elders’ side.
Xiao Yaozi stepped forward, exchanged a glance with him, and nodded lightly.
“Then Elder Xiao Yaozi, I leave the rest to you.”
With that, Gu Chengxing took a step and vanished from sight.
Xiao Yaozi stood above the gathered disciples and declared, “Disperse.”
“Thank you, Peak Master. Thank you, Elder Xiao Yaozi!”
This time, no prompting was needed. The disciples responded in unison.
After Xiao Yaozi and the elders departed, a small commotion broke out among the disciples.
“Wow… that was sudden. Were we caught off guard?”
“So he really became Peak Master? He’s only twenty-two, right? Is that true?”
“Watch your words. Junior Brother Gu is now our Peak Master. Show respect.”
“He’s younger than most of us. Why him?”
“He is the only True Disciple of Transcendent Peak. Strictly speaking, he was also the number one genius of the Desolate Domain and reached the Nascent Soul Realm at nineteen.”
“Wait… he broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm at nineteen? Since when?”
“You were in closed-door cultivation for five years and only came out this year. How would you know?”
“Oh… right. I was in seclusion.”
Lin Qing turned to the noisy group, faint displeasure crossing her face before softening into helpless resignation.
She resembled a class monitor trying to maintain order in a chaotic classroom, wanting to scold but holding back politely.
Out of sight, out of mind. She turned and walked in another direction.
After moving through the crowd, she called softly, “Junior Sister Yan Chu? Junior Sister? Are you still here?”
There was no response.
“Did she return already?” she wondered.
After searching again without success, worry surfaced on her face. She prepared to head toward Transcendent 001 to look for her.
Yan Chu had come at her invitation. Whenever there was a sect event, Lin Qing tried to bring her out.
She could tell that Yan Chu carried something heavy in her heart—something lifelong and difficult to let go of.
Thus, she paid special attention to this adorable yet resilient junior sister.
Halfway there, a message came through her Inner Sect token.
“Sorry, Senior Sister. I felt unwell just now and returned to 001. I left in a hurry and forgot to tell you.”
Upon receiving Shen Ruochu’s message, Lin Qing finally relaxed.
After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “It’s alright. Your health is important. Are you still feeling unwell? Should I accompany you to see the medical elder at Misty Peak?”