Five Immortal Sects

Chapter 96: Spending More Time with Zhao Min

“Brother...Tian, don’t do anything reckless. Killing a fellow disciple means a death sentence,”

Zuo Shengyan’s face turned pale at Wang Tian’s words. She glanced around nervously and lowered her voice.

“Relax. I’m not that foolish, at least not over someone like him. He’s not worth dying for,” Wang Tian replied coldly. “But if he just happens to be killed by an opponent, or ends up crippled because I failed to save him in time... well, what does that have to do with me? Besides, during the secret realm harvest, I’ll be sure to greet those few from Little Bamboo Peak properly.”

Zuo Shengyan breathed a small sigh of relief at the first part, knowing how strict the Sect was about infighting, especially killing intent toward fellow disciples. But hearing the latter half only made her heart tighten again.

She knew if Wang Tian really made a move, luck wouldn’t save anyone. The Sect’s methods for investigating the death of disciples were rigorous, even Foundation Establishment cultivators might not escape scrutiny. Still, seeing how attached he was in this, she knew there was no point trying to dissuade him further for now.

Meanwhile, in the later rounds of the competition, Li Yan’s absurd luck drew envy from many, he once again faced a mid tenth-level Qi Condensation opponent.

At this stage of the tournament, nearly everyone left standing was formidable. Even those below late tenth level had rare talents or unique cultivation techniques.

And then there was Li Yan, the only freak still below the eighth level.

As soon as the duel began, Li Yan resorted to his infuriating turtle-shell combo once more: Rain Curtain and Bone-Clinging Maggot, followed by the insidious Lingering Glance.

Occasionally, he’d even throw in the silent, suffocating death of Qi Linked Branches. His opponent cursed his shamelessness, but still couldn’t break through the curtain of rain and ended up ruining his own spirit artifact in the process.

Finally, in a careless moment, the disciple was struck by Lingering Glance, his pupils turned snow-white, and he began madly attacking his own gu insect.

By now, cultivators had begun to whisper among themselves the names of these poisons: Bone-Clinging Maggot, Lingering Glance, Qi Linked Branches, and Lovesick Under the Bright Moon. Their reputations quickly turned infamous and Li Yan, hated to the core.

The Qi Condensation stage battles lasted four days and five nights. In the end, Li Yan entered the final 108 with three wins and one loss. His ranking wasn’t announced, but it was clear he barely made it in.

After everything dispersed, Li Yan returned to Little Bamboo Peak, resuming his tasks at the Spiritual Plant Garden and daily cultivation. Sparring with others was now a thing of the past, everyone was focused on their own training. Li Yan also had much to digest from this grand tournament.

Through the battles, he not only gained practical experience with various immortal techniques but also earned some small recognition. Whether collecting tasks at the peak's mission hall or working in the garden, more people now greeted him.

Some called him “Martial Uncle,” others “Martial Brother,” and he gradually befriended disciples who had previously just passed him by.

Still, he didn’t leave Little Bamboo Peak or take on any other type of mission.

It wasn’t for lack of will, just that the expedition into the secret realm was only a few months away, and cultivation demanded most of his time. He could only take on the tasks he was most familiar with, ensuring a steady flow of spirit stones.

Thus, time slipped by quickly in busy routine...

One morning, while Li Yan was meditating cross-legged, he sensed a fluctuation in the token at his waist. Opening his eyes slowly, he looked down to see it flashing with white light. He extended his divine sense into it and stood up shortly afterward.

Walking along a bamboo-lined path on Little Bamboo Peak, Li Yan pondered quietly.

“So the secret realm harvest is finally approaching... its hard to predict the woes and blessings of this trip...”

Although he hadn’t ventured out lately, he had noticed a clear decline in the number of disciples picking up missions. Many were likely in secluded training, preparing for either the secret realm or the Wheel of Life and Death Selection.

The message in the token had been a summon from Li Wuyi to gather at the main hall, and based on the timing, it had to be about that.

Not long after, Li Yan arrived at the hall entrance and strolled in.

Inside, Li Wuyi, Wei Chituo, Gong Chenying, and Miao Wangqing were already seated. Li Yan offered a respectful bow.

“Greetings, senior brothers and sisters.”

Li Wuyi smiled and nodded in return. Wei Chituo pointed to an empty seat beside him. Gong Chenying remained aloof and stunning as ever, giving only the slightest nod. Miao Wangqing’s large eyes, meanwhile, were darting around curiously.

“Junior Brother, you’ve grown more and more handsome these past months,” she teased.

“Fourth Senior Sister, you’ve seen your share of pretty boys. I bet you’re just saying that because I’m dark-skinned and stand out.”

Li Yan chuckled as he walked toward Wei Chituo. His plain looks were hardly worth mentioning, but if we’re talking about dark complexions, perhaps only Second Senior Brother came close.

Now that he had become more familiar with everyone’s personalities, he spoke more freely.

“I heard Martial Sister Min’s been visiting you lately, is that true?” Miao Wangqing asked, her voice light but curious.

“Min… Martial Sister Min?” Li Yan paused mid-step, then looked toward her with slight confusion. “You mean Senior Sister Zhao Min? I have seen her a few times recently. Why?”

At the mention of Zhao Min, Li Yan’s heart beat a little faster, and his face grew warm. He wasn’t some wide-eyed youth anymore, but he had grown fond of their quiet moonlit chats.

Sometimes he’d even delay his immortal technique practice just to wander near the mountain terrace, hoping to catch a glimpse of her graceful silhouette.

At his words, not only Miao Wangqing but all the others turned their eyes toward him.

Under such scrutiny, Li Yan suddenly felt the question was more pointed than he’d realized. Thankfully, his dark complexion masked the slight redness creeping onto his face.

“Oh? That is rather surprising. You rarely talk to others, and Martial Sister Min is even more distant when it comes to men,” Miao Wangqing said, clearly intrigued.

Even the ever-cold and aloof Gong Chenying gave him an odd look, which made Li Yan feel increasingly uneasy.

“It was just a chance encounter while training in the back mountain. She… she just wanted to hear stories from the mortal world. That’s why she occasionally comes to me to listen to them. Is there something wrong with that?” Li Yan asked, trying to sound casual.

“Oh, that does make a bit more sense,” Li Wuyi said, stepping in. The others, still skeptical, finally withdrew their gazes.

“…Is there something unusual about this Senior Sister Min?” Li Yan thought to himself.

Li Yan glanced at Li Wuyi. He had long been curious about this mysterious and androgynously beautiful senior sister, but had never found the courage to ask Zhao Min directly. Now was the perfect chance to learn more.

“Oh, nothing of the sort. Martial Sister Min is doing quite well. Since she’s willing to speak with you, you should spend more time with her.”

Li Wuyi smiled at the question, responding with a vague yet seemingly encouraging remark.

Li Yan sat back down, still feeling that everyone’s expressions were oddly unreadable. Before he could open his mouth to press the topic further, the light at the entrance dimmed as two people entered the hall.

One of them had an arm tightly looped around the other’s neck, while the other struggled in vain to escape.

Li Yan paused and looked up, shaking his head. Who else could it be? It was none other than Fifth Senior Brother Wen Xinliang, dragging along a clearly unwilling Lin Daqiao.

“Well now! All the senior brothers and sisters are already here, I see,” Wen Xinliang said with a grin as he glanced around the hall.

It had been months since they last met, and Wen Xinliang looked even fairer than before, so fair it bordered on pallid, with a faint undertone of something more sinister. This was Li Yan’s first time seeing his Fifth Senior Brother in several months.

Rumor had it he’d been in secluded cultivation ever since suffering the crushing defeat during his Foundation Establishment battle. Judging by his increasingly refined aura, it seemed that loss had only made him more determined.

Though Li Yan couldn’t tell whether his brother had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment early stage, the improvement in his cultivation was evident.

“So, Little Junior Brother’s here too! I didn’t come to cheer you on during the tournament, hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Wen Xinliang narrowed his eyes and strolled over, still hanging on to the struggling Lin Daqiao.

“Greetings, Fifth Senior Brother. There's no need for such words. That was a perfect time to comprehend the insights of battle. This Junior Brother may be quite weak, but I can still sense that your aura has grown significantly stronger. Allow me to offer my congratulations!”

Li Yan rose unhurriedly, gesturing politely and offering his seat.

“Alright, alright have a seat!”

Wen Xinliang smiled faintly and finally let go of Lin Daqiao, who immediately pulled Li Yan over to sit with him on the other side.

Li Wuyi shook his head at Wen Xinliang. This Fifth Brother had always treated his fellow disciples well, but his roguish demeanor made it difficult to take him for a proper cultivator.

Lin Daqiao sat beside Li Yan with a miserable expression.

“Junior Brother, it was this very Fifth Senior Brother who brought me into the sect. Even back then, he had wicked intentions...

I tried to come alone today, but the moment I opened my courtyard gate, he was already waiting for me outside...”

He began grumbling at length, occasionally casting dissatisfied glances toward Wen Xinliang, who was now sprawled lazily in his seat, chatting idly with Wei Chituo.

Not long after, Yun Chunque arrived in haste, looking quite disheveled. His robes were stained with blood, clearly having just returned from outside.

Li Wuyi glanced at him with concern but didn’t ask questions. Instead, he began speaking.

“I’m sure most of you already know why I called you here today. The time for the Secret Realm Harvest has come, yet Master and Mistress are still in seclusion, with no word from them.

Therefore, I’ll lead Second, Third, Sixth, and Eighth Junior Brothers to the site. The event should begin in just over an hour.

As for matters on the peak, Fourth Junior Sister will handle internal affairs. The mission hall and grounds will be overseen by Fifth and Seventh Brothers, along with the three junior disciples. If there are no objections, let’s depart immediately.”

After his brief address, Li Wuyi looked around.

Miao Wangqing sighed. Once again, she would be left in charge of peak affairs. She couldn’t help feeling a twinge of resentment toward their master, why hadn’t he recruited more disciples? Every time something important came up, the handful of them were stretched thin.

Wen Xinliang shrugged indifferently, and Lin Daqiao nodded in agreement.

The Secret Realm Harvest typically lasted about a month, and this time it would also include the Wheel of Life and Death Round. Naturally, that meant someone had to stay behind and manage the peak.

Satisfied with the arrangements, Li Wuyi rose. With matters settled, there was no time to delay. That was why he’d summoned them so early in the morning, yet it had still taken quite a while for everyone to arrive.

In truth, everyone but Li Yan had more or less anticipated this outcome. None of them were surprised that Wei Chongran hadn’t emerged from seclusion.

After reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, a single closed-door cultivation could last more than half a year. For those in the Core Formation stage, it could stretch into decades. They’d long figured out who would be handling what during this time.

Li Wuyi led the way outside, with Li Yan and the others following close behind. Miao Wangqing and the others remained to discuss internal matters further.

Outside, Li Wuyi flicked his sleeve, releasing a flying jade scroll. In a few breaths, it expanded to four or five zhang in length, hovering silently a few meters above the ground.

Li Wuyi stepped forward, and Li Yan and the other four followed, soaring onto the jade slip. Though Li Yan couldn’t fly, he had no trouble making a short glide.

As the scenery beneath them sped by, Li Yan was momentarily stunned, the scroll wasn’t heading toward Old Lord Peak, but toward the summit of Little Bamboo Peak instead.

He quickly recalled something Lin Daqiao had once mentioned: there were two entry points to the Secret Realm. One was at Ten-Step Court, and the other was within the Wraith Sect itself. specifically halfway up Little Bamboo Peak, at the site guarded by the temperamental stone stele.

Sure enough, after just a dozen breaths, they landed on a vast, open platform.

Li Yan scanned the area and saw a crowd of about 150 people already assembled, disciples of the Wraith Sect all clad in sect robes. Compared to the total number of disciples across the peaks, it was clear that only those participating in the Secret Realm Harvest and Wheel of Life and Death were present, along with a few key elders.

Judging by the crowd, they had arrived later than most.

(Chapter End)