Chapter Fifty-Seven: Something Happens to Mu Yunjin
Luo Tangyu did his best to conceal the satisfaction in his heart, his expression stern as he intoned, “This kind of situation has never occurred before. The Sect Master’s promise is not something to be granted lightly! However, Qu Yiqiu indeed made an indelible and tremendous contribution during the recent upheaval in Qunan City. Since everyone is pleading on her behalf, I cannot be so heartless and rigid as to deny it. To reward Qu Yiqiu’s noble character and her guidance in fostering unity and mutual support among the disciples of the Divine Evolution Sect, I have decided to grant your request—a sixth-grade defensive formation, as well as a Sect Master’s promise!”
The disciples cheered in unison, “Thank you, Sect Master!”
Qu Yiqiu was overjoyed.
A faint, barely concealed smile broke through Luo Tangyu’s sternness. He gazed at Qu Yiqiu kindly and said, “I have already agreed to bestow the sixth-grade defensive formation. As for the Sect Master’s promise, have you decided what you wish to ask for?”
Qu Yiqiu blinked playfully. “I haven’t thought of it yet. May I come to you for this promise when I’ve made up my mind?”
Luo Tangyu nodded. “You may.”
Qu Yiqiu smiled and bowed. “Thank you, Sect Master. Thank you, senior brothers and sisters!”
Her eyes briefly met Chi Yushu’s in the air, conveying her gratitude.
Chi Yushu quickly lowered his head, avoiding her gaze, his long, thick lashes casting a shadow over his eyes, lost in thought.
Xia Changhan watched the exchange with amusement, the corners of his mouth curving into a broad smile.
Qi Yongfeng frowned oddly, his gaze shifting repeatedly between the two.
With Qu Yiqiu’s matter settled, the next order of business was to reward the top five disciples in individual battle merit.
Ranked from highest to lowest, they were Chi Yushu, Xia Changhan, Zou Peng, and Qi Yongfeng.
Once the individual merit rewards were distributed, Luo Tangyu solemnly announced the top three squads in total merit points.
From first to third, they were: the second squad led by Chi Yushu, the fifth squad led by Xia Changhan, and the third squad led by Qi Yongfeng.
Notably, the total merit points earned by the second squad under Chi Yushu far surpassed the second place by several hundred thousand points.
This was all due to Qu Yiqiu’s extraordinary personal achievements.
Luo Tangyu awarded the rich prizes according to rank.
After nearly half a day of bustling, the affairs in Qunan City finally came to an end.
Qu Yiqiu rubbed her shoulders and exited the main hall with the others.
Behind them, Luo Tangyu could no longer hold back his radiant smile. Yet as he smiled, he suddenly remembered Mo Qinglei’s absence from Little Peace Peak, and his expression fell, wavering between laughter and tears.
Qu Yiqiu watched Chi Yushu’s retreating figure, intending to approach and thank him personally, only to see him abruptly quicken his pace and slip away from the crowd.
Qu Yiqiu was momentarily stunned. Luo Yingying came up from behind, grasped her hand, and cheered, “Sister Qu, you’re amazing! This time Nine Sword Peak has firmly secured first place, leaving Dai Luo Peak, represented by Jiang Shuangyan, far behind!”
Wu Qiu suddenly covered his mouth and coughed, drowning out Luo Yingying’s words. “Sister Qu, you must be tired from today’s journey. Sister Luo can be thoughtless at times—she should let you go back and rest.”
Luo Yingying looked at him in confusion. “Why are you calling me thoughtless? We traveled by flying vessel the whole way—how could she be tired?”
Wu Qiu frantically signaled to her with his eyes, and Luo Yingying finally caught on.
In her excitement, she had completely forgotten that Sister Qu was the head disciple of Peak Master Mo of Little Peace Peak!
Luo Yingying hastily covered her mouth with both hands, her wide eyes full of apology.
Qu Yiqiu smiled. “Thank you, Brother Wu and Sister Luo, for looking after me along the way. It’s getting late; I should go check on my master and junior brother.”
Luo Yingying said reluctantly, “Then go on, and take care.”
“Indeed, Peak Master Mo must be worried about you,” Wu Qiu added, nodding.
Qu Yiqiu smiled, nodded, and hurried back to Little Peace Peak.
After she left, Qi Yongfeng approached Wu Qiu and Luo Yingying, grinning. “You two are quite something. Since when did the disciples of Little Peace Peak and Nine Sword Peak become so close?”
Luo Yingying shot him a glare. “What business is it of yours?”
“Brother Qi, you still have the leisure to chat with us? Wanqing Peak has just lost two first places in a row and fallen behind Yingfei Peak. Aren’t you afraid that if you go back any later, Peak Master Hong will give you an even harsher scolding?” Wu Qiu said with a smirk.
Qi Yongfeng’s face fell instantly, a brooding look in his eyes. “That’s none of your concern!”
He shot Wu Qiu and Luo Yingying a cold glare, gave a heavy snort, and strode off, his robe billowing.
Zou Peng, riding high on success, had managed to drag his squad to third place with Qu Yiqiu’s jade slip, surpassing Qi Yongfeng, the chief disciple of Wanqing Peak—a feat he had never dared dream of.
He walked over to Xia Changhan, laughing heartily. “Brother Xia, do you have time for a drink? Let’s celebrate the end of the chaos in Qunan City together!”
Xia Changhan’s lips curled upward. “Certainly, Brother Zou.”
Luo Yingying watched Zou Peng’s smug smile and couldn’t help but mutter, “He really got lucky this time. If he hadn’t reacted so quickly and rushed to the Hall of Merits first, he’d never have beaten Qi Yongfeng with just his strength.”
Wu Qiu quietly led her away, whispering, “Enough. Luck is a kind of strength, too. There’s no need to provoke a chief disciple.”
In front of the main hall, the crowds from each peak began to disperse.
Little Peace Peak.
Remembering the importance of honoring one’s elders, Qu Yiqiu used Windstride to arrive first at the summit, before Mo Qinglei’s cave dwelling.
“Master, your eldest disciple has returned!” she called toward the warded entrance.
A moment later, a gentle breeze swept by, and only the echo of a bird’s cry answered her.
Qu Yiqiu frowned and ventured, “Master, if you don’t open up, I’ll come in myself?”
After all, she had Mo Qinglei’s identity token in her hand, which could easily open the ward.
After a long silence, still no response came.
With a tap on her storage pouch, Qu Yiqiu produced the pale violet token that signified her status as the peak master’s disciple. The ward opened automatically, revealing the simple furnishings within.
Qu Yiqiu looked around—the cave was empty. She murmured, “What’s going on? Did Master take Junior Mu out again?”
Puzzled, she shook her head and turned to hurry down the mountainside.
She had barely approached Mu Yunjin’s dwelling when she heard a suppressed, anguished wail.
Qu Yiqiu’s face changed. She quickly broke the ward and rushed inside Mu Yunjin’s cave.
But the sight that greeted her took her completely by surprise.
The dim stone walls glowed red, as if scorched by molten magma. Bright, fiery light bathed the chamber, and the vague outline of a monstrous, terrifying figure flickered within.
The temperature was unbearably high. Having dashed in unprepared, her cheeks flushed from the heat and she hurriedly formed a seal to summon a Water Shield for protection.
Yet the stone beneath her feet remained searing, making it difficult to advance.
She peered behind the glowing red pillars and called softly, “Junior Mu, it’s me. Your senior sister has returned.”
A slender tail’s shadow flickered and vanished.
Qu Yiqiu did not miss this. Her heart pounded wildly.
“Junior Mu, your sister can’t stand the heat. Could you lower the temperature a bit? I like it best when you do that.”