It was not only Gu Chengxing who was shocked.
Every Peak Master present, without exception, showed varying degrees of astonishment.
“Well… how should I put this?” Jian Wushuang seemed somewhat troubled, yet the look he cast toward Gu Chengxing unmistakably carried anticipation and a hint of schadenfreude.
Gu Chengxing took another step back.
Inside, he roared: What are you anticipating? What are you enjoying?!
With a flick of his hand, Jian Wushuang produced one marriage contract after another.
Gu Chengxing swallowed hard, momentarily stunned, as if his soul had been pulled from his body. He could only stand there stiffly, waiting for Jian Wushuang’s next move.
The other Peak Masters had clearly not expected this development either. Curiosity appeared openly on their faces.
Liu Wuyan was even quicker. She darted forward, snatched a small stack of contracts from Jian Wushuang’s hand, and began flipping through them while reading aloud in surprise.
“Wow, this one’s from Medicine Immortal Valley. The Valley Master’s youngest disciple, Gu Ruoxue!”
“And this—Lin Yishuang, granddaughter of the Beast Taming Sect’s Supreme Elder.”
“Oh? Dan Ran, daughter of the Sect Master of the Pill Array Sect.”
“And this one… the concubine of the other sect’s Master… hmm? What is this supposed to mean?”
“…”
Gu Chengxing felt his temples twitch violently.
“Stop! Sister Liu, please stop reading.”
At that moment, the system notification arrived as expected.
[Ding! After assuming the position of Peak Master of Transcendent Peak, the first headache you encounter is the eighty-seven marriage contracts arranged by your unscrupulous master. As you stare at this ‘calamity,’ you fall into contemplation and trigger a villain choice.]
[Choice One: Accept them all. Whoever comes, I will take them! Reward: Cultivator-exclusive contraceptive device × *]
[Choice Two: Eighty-seven marriage contracts? Is Master forcing me to become a scoundrel? But greed leads to ruin. Carefully choose one among them and strive to be a man of pure love. Reward: Major Mastery Pure Sword Intent.]
[Choice Three: Women? How could they compare to cultivation and the Great Dao? These pointless engagements will only slow my sword! Reject all marriage contracts. Reward: Moment of Dao Enlightenment +1.]
Was there even a need to think?
Of course he would reject them all.
“Sect Master, please say no more! I am still young. I have no intention of marrying anyone for now. I wish only to pursue the Great Dao.”
He added silently in his heart: I just want to go home. I want to return to Blue Planet.
Marriage was terrifying. If he still harbored any hope of returning home, he absolutely could not marry.
Jian Wushuang showed a trace of disappointment. He had wanted to watch some drama. It would have been entertaining.
“Very well. However, you must personally return each of these contracts.”
With a wave of his hand, the eighty-seven contracts floated before Gu Chengxing.
“Remember to bring sufficient ‘sincerity.’ Otherwise, you may be beaten.”
He added casually, “If you reveal your true cultivation, you could probably keep most of them.”
“Then perhaps Sect Master should take them instead, since your cultivation is even higher,” Gu Chengxing muttered.
“Hmm?”
Zhen Wuqing, sharp as ever, caught the detail immediately. “Cultivation? Has Peak Master Gu concealed his realm? Sect Master, what is his true cultivation? Has he already broken through to the Void Shattering Realm?”
A faint smile curved Jian Wushuang’s lips. He looked at Gu Chengxing. “You should be close to the Late-stage Void Shattering Realm by now, correct?”
“What?!”
“Ah? What?”
“Sect Master?”
“Is that true?”
Gu Chengxing stood there lifelessly, still holding the eighty-seven contracts, his mind in complete disarray.
Seeing their probing gazes, he no longer concealed his cultivation. The aura of someone approaching Late-stage Void Shattering Realm erupted from him instantly.
When the profound and unfathomable aura surged outward, the Peak Masters froze once more.
“This… Sect Master…” Chen Wunian hesitated.
Jian Wushuang understood the concern. “Chengxing advanced naturally. His spiritual power is full and steady, his foundation solid. Within ten years, he may attempt to enter the Three Forbidden Realms.”
When the others recovered, the way they looked at Gu Chengxing changed entirely.
No longer was it the gaze reserved for a promising junior. It was the gaze directed at a future pillar of the sect.
Bright. Almost shining.
Liu Wuyan moved beside him again and finally placed her hand on his shoulder, smiling sweetly. “If your big sister ever faces danger in the future, Xiao Gu must protect me~ By the way, would you like to visit Misty Peak later? There are many beautiful female disciples there. If you fancy one, I can personally deliver her to your… room. How about it?~”
“As expected of Senior Chen’s disciple,” Zhen Wuqing murmured, cheeks faintly flushed, as though he had suddenly realized something profound.
Chen Wunian and Feng Wujing were comparatively calmer, though only slightly.
At this moment, they were thinking of only one thing: whether the future crisis of Azure Cloud Sword Sect might find its solution in Gu Chengxing.
They glanced at Jian Wushuang with obvious inquiry in their eyes.
Jian Wushuang noticed but merely nodded faintly.
“Today’s sect master meeting concludes here.”
“I’m leaving! Xiao Gu, let’s go. Big sister will find you a bed companion!”
Liu Wuyan’s voice rang out, full of impatience and rebellious delight.
Gu Chengxing had intended to offer a polite farewell, but she seized his arm and dragged him out.
“Ah?”
Her grip tightened, softness brushing against him, triggering involuntary sensations that he firmly suppressed.
“Come on, I’ll take you to Misty Peak.”
[Ding! Moment of Dao Enlightenment +1.]
…
Azure Cloud Province.
The Outer Sect region of Azure Cloud Sword Sect.
At this time, the central city of Azure Cloud Province was already decorated with lanterns and banners.
The locals bustled about busily. One glance made it clear that an important occasion was approaching.
In Azure Cloud Province, the most significant event each year was the Promotion Ceremony.
The Promotion Ceremony offered Outer Sect Disciples, ordinary citizens of Azure Cloud Province, the opportunity to ascend to the Inner Sect.
Every ten years, the Disciple Selection Ceremony would be held.
This year’s ceremony was especially grand. The six main peaks would fully open their Inner Sect to recruit cultivators from across the Desolate Domain.
During each ceremony, leading elders from every peak would attend to oversee and accept disciples.
How could such an event not be treated seriously?
Rumors also spread that this year was unprecedented. All five Peak Masters would appear in person, along with the Sect Master himself.
Such a sight had never occurred before.
All Void Shattering Realm experts of Azure Cloud Sword Sect would be present. It was impossible to overstate the significance.
It also meant that participants might be directly selected as disciples by the Peak Masters.
What an opportunity that would be.
With news of the six Peak Masters’ attendance spreading, far more people than usual had flocked to Azure Cloud Province this year.
The entire province was overcrowded.
They were exhausted beyond words.
At this moment, amid the bustling preparations, a group of youths arrived leisurely, their expressions curious.
At the front stood a refined young man of handsome appearance and fine attire.
If Shen Ruochu were present, she might recognize him.
He was Lin Qing’s cousin, Lin Zhe.
“This year is far livelier than previous ones,” Lin Zhe remarked.
A similarly noble-looking youth beside him nodded. “Naturally. This year’s ceremony is special. First, Transcendent Peak has reopened after three years. Second, the Sect Master has declared that all Peak Masters will attend and may accept one or two disciples.”
“With both factors combined, of course it must be grand. I heard the stationed elder of Azure Cloud Province has been overwhelmed lately.”
Lin Zhe nodded. He already knew this but did not interrupt his friend’s enthusiasm.
“By the way, Lin Zhe, you’re nineteen this year, right? Planning to join the Inner Sect?” another youth asked.
“Yes,” Lin Zhe replied promptly. “I intended to join Transcendent Peak three years ago, but that year they stopped accepting disciples.”
“That’s unfortunate, but it’s not too late this year.”
Lin Zhe changed the topic. “Which main peak do you favor?”
“Azure Cloud Main Peak!”
“I want Sword Formation Peak. One formation into ten thousand swords, ten thousand swords into one. Sounds incredible!”
“I’m aiming for Misty Peak. I’ve always dreamed of building a harem!”
“Huh?”
“What?”
“Eh?”
“Yo!”
“You’re not right in the head. And neither are you!”
“…”
Behind their laughter, three young girls whispered among themselves.
“Caiyun, weren’t you planning to join Transcendent Peak?”
The girl named Caiyun nodded gently. “Yes.”
“I like Transcendent Peak too. It’s a pity. If I go to Misty Peak, we won’t be together anymore.”
Caiyun smiled softly, though sorrow flickered in her eyes.
Transcendent Peak…
Caiyun was a Hidden Agent of the Heavenly Divination Sect. One of the most important agents planted in Azure Cloud Province.
Three years ago, after she locked onto the target Shen Ruochu, most of the Heavenly Divination Sect’s agents within Azure Cloud Sword Sect shifted their focus toward Transcendent Peak.
But Gu Chengxing’s lockdown plan had kept them trapped in the Outer Sect for three years.
They were furious, yet helpless.
Azure Cloud Sword Sect had many agents from other forces, but Transcendent Peak had only one or two over the years. Those had died several years earlier due to accidents.
Which meant that when Shen Ruochu entered Transcendent Peak, it was completely secure. Not a single Heavenly Divination Sect agent remained there.
For three years, despite their numbers, none had managed to contact her.
Outer Sect Disciples of Azure Cloud Province were forbidden from entering the main peaks.
As a result, they had suffered repeated punishment from their superiors.
If Transcendent Peak still did not accept Inner Sect Disciples this time, and they remained unable to make contact…
She might be forced to take drastic measures. Otherwise, the Heavenly Divination Sect would not spare them.
Gradually, the smile on her face faded. Determination and gravity deepened in her eyes.