Chapter 150: Fate and Fortune Intertwined
Three days later.
The morning light was hazy.
Outside Tianye Town, there stood a small bridge.
Four figures arrived one after another on the bridge outside the town.
They were Gu Muzi, Yu Fei, Yu Xing, and Dang Guiyi. They had agreed to set out early together to head toward Yunchuan Peak.
“Senior Brother Gu, good morning!”
“Heh heh, greetings from Gu Muzi to the three fellow cultivators!”
“Senior brothers, junior sister Yu, we still have a hundred li to travel. Let’s set off!”
“And where is Fellow Yu?”
“Senior Brother Gu is unaware. I share a deep bond with him and could not bear to part face to face, so he left without saying goodbye.”
“He’s coming!”
“Ah…”
As the four exchanged pleasantries, a figure appeared at the town’s entrance.
A youth of about seventeen or eighteen, wearing short clothes, walking with steady steps—it was Yu Ye.
Dang Guiyi hurried forward, sighing, “Ah, Fellow Yu is a man of deep loyalty. No need to see us off in person; please, go back quickly!”
Yu Ye strode to the bridgehead, raised his hand in salute, and said, “I also wish to journey to Yunchuan Peak. First, to bid farewell; second, to broaden my horizons and gain experience. Please don’t disdain my company, fellow cultivators!”
“Heh heh, how could we disdain? Gu Muzi thanks Fellow Yu for the kindness of escorting us!”
“Fellow Yu, my brother and sister invite you to travel with us, please—”
“Well then… let’s go together!”
Gu Muzi and the Yu siblings were reasonable and kindhearted. Dang Guiyi found it hard to refuse, so he agreed, then smiled broadly, “I accept this kindness, ha ha!”
Yu Ye handed him two rings, once belonging to an old ghost cultivator master and his disciple. After taking out spirit stones, cultivation manuals, talismans, and formation flags, there were still some pills, gold and silver, and personal items left.
After receiving the gifts, Dang Guiyi grew warm and friendly, warning, “Your lightness technique is a bit weaker, don’t get left behind on the road!” Then he raised his arm and declared, “Onward to Yunchuan Peak, everyone show your prowess!”
Before the words had fallen, he shot off like a bolt.
Gu Muzi applauded in admiration and set off after him with the Yu siblings.
Yu Ye followed closely behind.
As he left, he couldn’t help but glance back.
Hesitating for a long while, weighing his options, he ultimately decided to go to the Yunchuan Immortal Sect.
From Yu Family Village to Xuanhuang Mountain, from Huazhou Town in Daze to Qihai Town in Qizhou, he crossed towering mountains and vast seas, enduring countless hardships over the span of a year before finally arriving here. He found no excuse to give up. Whether or not he could be accepted by the sect, or uncover the truth, no matter if it meant facing mountains of blades, seas of fire, dragon’s pits, or tiger’s dens, he would make this journey.
A hundred li was neither far nor near. Fortunately, they set out early and by sunrise had passed halfway. Gu Muzi and Yu Fei’s lightness techniques were exquisite, and their cultivation strong; they had already raced ahead. Leading the way, Dang Guiyi began to falter, and even Yu Xing could not keep pace. He was gasping for breath, repeatedly sending voice messages for help.
Yu Ye reached out and caught Dang Guiyi’s hand, helping him to keep up on the way...
By mid-morning, a towering mountain appeared ahead, standing like a pestle poised in the sky, grand and majestic.
Approaching the foot of the mountain, there was no market or dwellings, only an old stone archway on the hillside, where over a dozen young people had gathered.
Gu Muzi and the Yu siblings arrived first.
Yu Ye and Dang Guiyi soon caught up.
Having help on the journey, Dang Guiyi regained some strength and became lively again, chatting and laughing with Gu Muzi and the others.
Yu Ye stood alone to the side, looking up.
This was Yunchuan Peak!
The mountain rose steep and high, thick with lush trees, shrouded in clouds and mist, with its summit hidden from view. To the left and right, peaks rose and fell, stretching beyond sight.
The stone archway on the hillside was somewhat weathered and moss-covered, giving it an ancient and solemn air, yet its design was exquisite. On the plaque hung above were the four characters “Yunchuan Wonderland.” On the stone pillars to either side were inscriptions: one read, “Heaven and earth transform into pure emptiness; beyond the clouds, behold the soaring dragon”; the other, “Yin and Yang evolve the Five Elements; on the riverbank dwells a true immortal.”
This must be the sect gate of the Yunchuan Immortal Sect!
What did the inscriptions on the pillars mean?
As Yu Ye pondered the characters, a chill ran through him, and his heart trembled. He hurried to calm his mind.
At the same time, a thin middle-aged man appeared at the gate.
The man appeared to be in his thirties or forties, wearing a green Daoist robe, his hair tied in a topknot, short beard framing his ordinary face. Yet when he appeared, his gaze casually swept the surroundings, and a formidable spiritual presence enveloped the area. Everyone present was frightened into silence; even Dang Guiyi covered his mouth anxiously.
Several men, looking like sect disciples, stood guard by the gate. One called out loudly, “This is Uncle Changming, the Outer Gate Steward of Yunchuan Peak.”
A small figure suddenly pushed through the crowd and knelt, “Disciple Dang Guiyi pays respects, Uncle!”
“Heh heh, you’ve not yet formally joined the sect, so you’re not truly a disciple. Just call me senior. And with only the first level of Qi Refining cultivation, I’m afraid—”
“Senior Bu Yi is my uncle, so naturally Senior Chang is also my uncle.”
“Bu Yi?”
“Uncle Bu Yi recommended me to join the sect.”
“He has not returned yet?”
“Disciple carries Uncle Bu Yi’s token; please, Senior Chang, take a look!”
Dang Guiyi produced a jade token, holding it high.
The Outer Gate Steward Changming nodded, “Bu Brother’s token. Very well, I accept you as a disciple. Rise!”
“Thank you, Senior!”
Dang Guiyi kowtowed heavily several times, then sprang up and stood proudly beside Changming, already taking on the posture of a sect disciple.
Changming then said, “Every spring, Yunchuan Peak opens to recruit disciples. To join, one must have Qi Refining cultivation and a recommendation. I personally vet each candidate before admitting them. Prior to that, registration is required—”
He waved his sleeve and sat cross-legged on a stone. Dang Guiyi followed respectfully.
Two sect disciples, one holding a register and pen, the other a jade tablet, instructed the gathered crowd to state their names and origins.
“Li Yun, from the south of the mountain, Qi Refining level four…”
“Gu Muzi, Qi Refining level six, formerly a disciple of the Three Mountain Sect, recommended by senior elders…”
“Yu Fei, Qi Refining level five, from the Yu family of Spring Mountain, with an uncle once a sect disciple…”
“Yu Xing, Qi Refining level two, also from the Yu family of Spring Mountain…”
“Ming Ye, Qi Refining level six, recommended by a sect elder, proof provided…”
Yu Ye stood alone in the distance, dejected.
He lacked Dang Guiyi’s shrewdness, dared not grovel on the ground, had no illustrious background or sponsor. Though the sect was so close, it seemed fate had no place for him.
He scrutinized the mysterious gate and towering Yunchuan Peak, his thoughts wavering as he paced back and forth.
The dozen or so young people gathered at the gate had all come seeking apprenticeship. After stating their names and origins, their information was recorded in the register and jade tablet. They then approached Changming one by one for verification. A nod from him meant admission to the sect. The so-called opening and accepting disciples seemed simple and lacked any elaborate ceremony.
In the blink of an eye, nine young men and three young women had successively met Changming, all accepted without exception.
“Twelve in total?”
“Congratulations, Senior Uncle, on gaining twelve new disciples.”
Changming sat calmly on the stone, surrounded by the crowd. Before he could finish speaking, Dang Guiyi answered first.
“Heh heh, Dang Guiyi? Quite a clever one.”
“Oh, Senior Uncle has already noted my name; allow me to kowtow once more…”
“Enough. Follow me up the mountain!”
Changming swept his sleeve and prepared to lead the new disciples up.
At that moment, a voice rang out, “Yu Ye, from the State of Wei, Qi Refining level three, recommended by a sect disciple, please judge impartially!”
All turned to look.
The young man who had stood at a distance, seeming like a farmer’s son, suddenly stepped forward, holding a jade token aloft. He was at Qi Refining level three.
Dang Guiyi’s eyes widened.
Gu Muzi and the Yu siblings looked slightly stunned.
It was Yu Ye. He had claimed to come only to see them off—how had he obtained a recommendation and now sought to join the sect?
The crowd fell silent, watching quietly. One young man’s eyes flickered with a strange expression.
Yu Ye’s gaze swept him, and he was briefly startled. He had not paid much attention before and did not expect to meet a familiar face here. Though the young man was unfamiliar, this was not their first encounter. Just as suspicion grew, the jade token in Yu Ye’s hands suddenly flew up. He forced calm, took a few hurried steps, and then bowed respectfully.
Changming caught the jade token in midair and examined it. “This is an inner sect disciple’s token, but whose, I wonder?”
Yu Ye lowered his head and replied, “Gan Song.”
“Gan Song?”
Changming suddenly stepped before Yu Ye and demanded sternly, “When did Gan Song go to the State of Wei? Tell the truth.”
Yu Ye remained calm, head bowed, and said evenly, “Senior Gan Song has old ties with my family elders, so he left this token behind. As for his whereabouts, I do not know.”
“You do not know?”
“No.”
The crowd was puzzled, all eyes fixed on Yu Ye. Dang Guiyi broke out in a cold sweat, eyes wide and unsure what to do.
“Oh…”
Changming’s expression softened, muttering, “Several disciples left years ago and have not returned. Their whereabouts are unknown. Hmph!” He then looked Yu Ye over and nodded, “How old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
“Hmm, eighteen years old, Qi Refining level three, decent constitution. You may stay.”
Changming turned and headed toward the mountain gate, waving his hand, “The thirteen of you are only outer sect disciples. Whether you can enter the inner sect depends on your fate and opportunities. Go now to Baichuan Hall for accommodation—”
He stepped forward, releasing a sword light that flew toward the summit, vanishing into the clouds in the blink of an eye.
An older sect disciple stood on the stone steps, overlooking them, “The sect’s pure land has strict rules. Fellow juniors, follow me—”
They passed through the gate and followed a winding stone path up the mountain.
At once, a dense spiritual energy brushed against their faces.
Yu Ye walked on the path as if in a dream. Suddenly, a small figure darted beside him and whispered—
“Junior Brother Yu, you scared me to death.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Who is this Senior Gan Song? Did you kill him? Only I know you could slay a Qi Refining expert. Don’t think you can hide it from me. If you’re found out, I won’t survive either…”
“You’re overthinking.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I hope so. But look at that person over there—is that still me overthinking?”
“Who is he?”
“Ming Ye. He appeared at Xuanling Immortal Sect, traveling with Lord Qi. I didn’t recognize him before, but now I’m sure. He must be sent to hunt us down…”
“Oh!”
“Junior Brother Yu, our bond is one of life and death, from now on bound by fate and sharing fortunes and hardships…”