Chapter 133: Great Accomplishment Seems Flawed
Clumsy Peak, as its name suggested, had no beautiful scenery, no majestic momentum, no spiritual immortal roots—nothing outstanding about it at all. It was ordinary, almost desolate, like a patch of wilderness. Withered vines, old trees, and dusky crows; a blood-red setting sun in the west; an atmosphere of utter decline. It didn't resemble a main peak of an immortal sect at all. On Clumsy Peak, broken walls and collapsed ruins stretched everywhere, with endless rubble, overgrown wormwood, and thorny brambles covering the ground. Even the mountain path had disappeared. In the sky, seven or eight figures flew past. When they passed by here, they all paused and then descended.
These were several young disciples, all no more than twenty years old. Seeing that someone had come to this desolate main peak, which had been abandoned for many years, to seek immortal fortune today, they found it very strange and thus came over to take a look. "Greetings, Uncle-Master Li." Among them were both males and females. After they finished paying their respects to the old man, they all sized up Ye Fan and Ji Ziyue. "Senior, what kind of test will be conducted?" Ye Fan asked what kind of trial they had to undergo.
This old man, whose body was withered and appeared somewhat frail, was the only remaining disciple of Clumsy Peak. His name was Li Ruoyu. He shook his head and said, "Actually, there's no need for a test. No one has come here for many years. If you insist on staying, you both pass."
The seven or eight young Tai Xuan disciples beside them all chuckled softly. They couldn't understand why these two had chosen a declining main peak. "I reckon these two have terrible aptitudes..." Li Ruoyu, and even the young disciples nearby, had guessed their intentions. They were surely shocked by Ji Ziyue's talent and wanted to take her as a disciple of "Star Peak."
"I understand what you mean." Li Ruoyu sighed and said, "Now that Clumsy Peak has declined, keeping such a fine talent here would only hinder her cultivation. As long as she is willing, you may take her away."
Several old men all cupped their hands toward Li Ruoyu in thanks. Snatching away someone else's disciple like this made them somewhat embarrassed.
In an instant, Ji Ziyue was completely surrounded by the several old men from Star Peak. Each of them looked extremely kind, as if admiring a precious treasure, nodding continuously. "Hey, hey, hey, you white-bearded old grandfathers, could you please not smile like that? Why do you feel like big bad wolves?" Ji Ziyue muttered discontentedly in a low voice.
The old men were amused and didn't mind. They took turns speaking, lavishing praise on Ji Ziyue, telling her about the glory of Star Peak, and directly stating their intention to take her as a Star Peak disciple. "I only want to join Clumsy Peak. I'm not interested in other main peaks." "Clumsy Peak has been in decline for many years and has no inheritance left. Star Peak, on the other hand, is extremely prosperous and is currently ranked among the top three of the one hundred and eight main peaks." "But really, I have no interest in Star Peak."
The several young disciples nearby were all stunned. Several elders were pleading like this, yet someone simply didn't appreciate it and didn't care at all. If this got out, it would probably shock countless people. Truly, comparing people could drive one mad.
"You must want to learn that legendary secret art, right? But it has been lost for many years. Staying here won't get it either." The several old men patiently guided her, taking turns speaking. "Once you join Clumsy Peak, you cannot enter another main peak. But disciples of other main peaks can choose again." "Yes, you can join Star Peak first. If the inheritance here reappears, you can come back."
The disciples nearby felt very bitter. They had never imagined that the elders of Star Peak would be so humble just to take on a disciple. This was truly incomparable.
"Let me think..." Ji Ziyue had accidentally stolen the spotlight, which didn't align with her original intention. Her lively big eyes rolled around, and she said, "Alright, I can join Star Peak, but don't let them talk nonsense." She pointed at the several young disciples nearby. She wanted to lie low in the Tai Xuan Sect and not be noticed too early. "You can rest assured..." The several old men from Star Peak all laughed.
Ji Ziyue knew that the Tai Xuan Sect, as a superpower, would definitely investigate the identities of incoming disciples. She didn't really care much; even if they found out, it wouldn't matter. As long as she could hide here for a few months and temporarily get out of the sight of those in the Ji Family who wished her harm, that would be enough. Even if the Tai Xuan Sect somehow discovered her true identity, they would most likely turn a blind eye, and might even use this opportunity to build a relationship with the elders of the Ji Family. In the end, Ji Ziyue would join Star Peak in a low-key manner and become their disciple. "There's still one more person. Let's see his aptitude!" The people present were also very interested in Ye Fan's bone structure. He had come here with Ji Ziyue, so he might also be a genius.
Ye Fan had completely sealed his Sea of Suffering, making it as hard as divine iron, without a single ripple. He didn't want to casually reveal his physique. "He walks with the stride of a dragon and the step of a tiger; his bone structure should be extraordinary..."
Before the person beside him had finished speaking, Ye Fan had already stepped onto the first heavenly staircase. A green light flashed, and he flew backward several meters, crashing to the ground. "This... he didn't even make it past the first step?!" "This kind of aptitude is too..." The people beside him all stopped their words, feeling utterly speechless. "Junior brothers, please make an exception and take him into Star Peak as well," Li Ruoyu spoke up for Ye Fan. "This..." The several old men from Star Peak hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded. Having snatched away one genius, they had to consider Li Ruoyu's feelings somewhat. "Thank you for your kindness, seniors, but I don't want to join Star Peak. I only want to stay here." Ye Fan bowed to them and said this.
The several elders present all looked at each other in bewilderment. What was going on today? When had Clumsy Peak become so attractive? The extremely prosperous Star Peak was being repeatedly rejected. The earlier genius being arrogant and aloof was understandable, but now even a youth with a worrisome aptitude was acting the same way. To them, this was truly a blow.
The several young disciples nearby were practically going crazy. Back then, they had gone through untold hardships and various trials to stand out from the crowd and become Star Peak disciples. They never expected that today, people would repeatedly disregard Star Peak. A genius was one thing, but even a youth like this was doing the same. How could they bear it?
Ji Ziyue blinked her clever big eyes and smiled, "It's good that you're staying here..." This peak was their true target. Only that secret art was what interested them.
In the end, the group from Star Peak flew away on rainbows and disappeared. Clumsy Peak became quiet, leaving only Ye Fan and Li Ruoyu.
Night fell. Starlight flowed like water from afar, cascading down. The Star Peak ahead looked very ethereal, shrouded in endless radiance. Ye Fan gazed into the distance and felt somewhat surprised. Star Peak was actually drawing upon the stars in the sky. Boundless star essence gathered there, creating a hazy scene. The light was like water, resembling a fairyland.
Li Ruoyu stood at the summit of Clumsy Peak and said, "That is the inheritance of Star Peak. It uses the power of the stars as its source. When cultivated to the extreme, one can even communicate with the stars, drawing them into the body to achieve a supreme immortal body with unmatched combat power." "I believe Clumsy Peak is no less than Star Peak and will flourish again," Ye Fan said. He was indeed interested in the power of the stars, but he valued the secret art of Clumsy Peak even more. "Five hundred years ago, Clumsy Peak was shrouded in immortal mist, surrounded by auspicious colors. Jade towers and pavilions sat atop the clouds, and experts emerged in great numbers. It was truly a place of outstanding people and spiritual land. Unfortunately, it gradually declined..." "How can the inheritance be made to reappear? That heavenly staircase..." Ye Fan suspected that the nine-step heavenly staircase might contain the secret art's inheritance.
Li Ruoyu shook his head and said, "The entire main peak is the scripture. The inheritance is not within the nine-step heavenly staircase. Only when Clumsy Peak shines brilliantly, with light soaring to the heavens and immortal qi swirling around, will it mean the inheritance has reappeared." "Does it have to be this way?" Ye Fan didn't quite believe it.
"In the past ten thousand years, there has been only one exception. A former sage once obtained the cultivation method of the secret art when the inheritance had not yet appeared. His eventual achievements rivaled those of the ancient great powers, with dharma power that dominated the world." Li Ruoyu sighed. "How did he obtain it?" Ye Fan's eyes immediately lit up.
"No one knows. On his deathbed, he only spoke twelve words." "What twelve words?" "Great accomplishment seems flawed; great fullness seems empty; great skill seems clumsy..." (To be continued)