Chapter Two: Journey Through the Mountains

Du Honggen was taken aback, his expression immediately darkening with disbelief. “W-what? You’ve already entered the sect? Has Senior Brother Han Jiang... also found out?”

The other two young men exchanged glances, their eyes filled with astonishment.

Everyone within the temple knew well about Jie Peiling’s situation; otherwise, after two years of arduous cultivation with no progress, it would make no sense. Even if others could barely manifest a faint red glow, it had absolutely no effect on him before. How could he have possibly entered the sect?

Based on their private speculations, given Jie Peiling’s physique and talent, he was far inferior to them. Without at least ten more years of cultivation, there was no way he could have succeeded.

Seeing their reactions, Jie Peiling remained silent, only smiling and nodding slightly.

A trace of gloom flickered in Du Honggen’s eyes. If Han Jiang hadn’t known, he could have concealed the matter, tried to cancel the bet, or at worst, resorted to some discreet means to quietly absorb the energy Jie Peiling had cultivated. But now that the other party was aware, hadn’t he truly lost the wager?

“If there’s nothing else, I won’t disturb you three on duty. After all, I must prepare to become an outer disciple. When that time comes, I’ll need you senior brothers to look after me in the outer sect,” Jie Peiling said with a smile, once again cupping his hands in respect to the three before him.

“Wait a moment, Junior Brother Jie, don’t be in such a hurry to leave. Although Senior Brother Han has confirmed it, his time in the sect isn’t long. He’s very gifted, but it’s possible that he’s only seen an embryonic stage and might be mistaken. Whether you’ve truly succeeded in cultivation still needs to be verified by senior brothers,” Du Honggen grinned, his eyes no longer filled with disdain but with a forced smile.

Jie Peiling understood then. Han Jiang’s wager with them likely involved cultivation resources.

Du Honggen bore no grudge against Jie Peiling himself but had a deep rivalry with Han Jiang. Yet, Han Jiang’s talent was extraordinary, and before these men could act, he had already advanced to become an inner disciple.

First, they had to abide by the temple’s rules—no insubordination. More importantly, no matter how they combined forces, they couldn’t match Han Jiang now.

“From my perspective, there’s no need. Senior brothers have been outer disciples for many years and must be busy with cultivation tasks. After all, entering the Way of the True Heart of the Immortal Elder’s Supreme Taiji is simple, but mastery is difficult. I’m sure Senior Brother Han has been waiting for you in the inner sect for some time. There’s no need to trouble you on my behalf.” Jie Peiling’s smile never faltered, but his tone carried a subtle firmness, replying in kind to Du Honggen’s earlier words.

He knew well when to be firm and when to yield. Were it not for the temple’s rules, he would have long ago fallen out with these men.

---

“Junior Brother Jie, why speak to Brother Du like that? He only means well. Is such a tone necessary?” a voice behind Du Honggen spoke sternly. The speaker was a young man holding a broom, his face stern.

Jie Peiling snorted coldly.

These men’s talents were no better than his; some were even inferior. Usually, as outer disciples, they bullied named disciples and even servants to build their reputation, which earned them some respect. But now, standing on the same level, faced with Jie Peiling’s demeanor, they found themselves at a loss, unsure how to respond.

“What are you all doing gathered here?” a tone devoid of emotion suddenly came from the side.

Jie Peiling looked toward the voice and saw a thin young man in a blue robe, carrying a long sword on his back, approaching slowly with a cold expression.

Everyone was startled and hurriedly greeted him respectfully. Du Honggen’s face twitched.

This man was no other than his younger brother, Du Huagen.

Though brothers, their appearances were strikingly different, and their talents worlds apart.

Unaware observers would never link the two as siblings.

When asked, Jie Peiling took the initiative to explain the situation in detail.

Du Huagen grunted softly, furrowed his brow slightly, and cast a glance at the three still standing at the hall’s entrance.

Cold sweat trickled down Du Honggen’s cheek without his realizing it, his body trembling, anxiety plain on his face, fearing reprimand.

Though the elder brother, in front of his younger brother, he dared neither assert authority nor even address him as “brother.” Since childhood, he had always avoided confrontation, even going out of his way to avoid crossing paths.

---

“Han Jiang is truly carefree, wagering such trivial things with you. I don’t know what he’s thinking—it’s really boring,” said Du Huagen, a direct disciple of the temple master. From start to finish, he barely cared about the quarrel between Jie Peiling and Du Honggen, thinking it a waste of time even if they fought to the death. His only concern was Han Jiang, a fellow inner disciple.

As for people like them, including Du Honggen, his elder brother, they were beneath his notice.

Jie Peiling thought this over, glanced at them, then took his leave with a farewell.

But before he had gone far, he faintly heard Du Huagen’s cold voice behind him.

“Wasting three months of cultivation resources on a worthless fool—you really have ambition. You’ve shamed me. You’d better go home and inherit the family business sooner…”

Jie Peiling paid no mind, merely smiling lightly, not taking the words to heart.

As he continued on, he encountered many senior brothers along the way. Without exception, he greeted them proactively and occasionally chatted briefly with those he knew well.

Previously, Han Jiang had told him of a place—once the residence of disciples within the temple. Perhaps he could scavenge some useful items there.

But hope was faint; after so many years, no one had ventured there.

The path here was narrower than elsewhere on the mountain and seldom traveled except by Jie Peiling himself. The ground was littered with fallen leaves, some decayed and soft beneath his feet. On either side were small single rooms, some built of stone, others of wood, all dilapidated and long abandoned.

Familiar with these surroundings, Jie Peiling finally came upon an old house by the roadside, half-hidden by wild grass reaching half a man’s height.

This old dwelling had long been deserted; the paint on its walls was severely faded and peeling. The paper on the windows and doors was mostly torn, and many window frames bore signs of insect damage.