NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25 - The Worthless and Mediocre
The appearance of Master Wanjun caused a great stir.
“I know him! That’s Master Wanjun, the Peak Master of Heavenly Thunder Peak!”
“Heavenly Thunder Peak… isn’t that one of the Six Peaks?”
“But why would Master Wanjun stop Fairy Xue? Is there some sort of conflict between Purple Cloud Peak and Heavenly Thunder Peak?”
“It’s probably more than just a simple conflict. I’m guessing that this brat, Xiao Ye, might actually be Master Wanjun’s illegitimate child!”
“Wow, now that you mention it, they do look quite similar—minus those greasy mustache curls!”
…
Beneath the stage, rumors ran wild, with many speculating that Xiao Ye must have some ambiguous relationship with Master Wanjun.
“Master Wanjun, are you planning to stop me?” Xue Jinli’s gaze was icy as she tightened her grip on her whip.
“Oh? And what if I am? Care to spar with your uncle here, Jinli?” Master Wanjun asked, a sly smile on his face.
“Master Wanjun’s thunder techniques are unmatched, and I would never dare challenge you.” Xue Jinli’s eyes sparkled with a veiled intensity as she put her whip away. She walked up to stand before Liu Beifeng and Li Cangxuan, her tone gentle as she asked, “Did you both pass the selection?”
Both Liu Beifeng and Li Cangxuan, despite their nerves, nodded enthusiastically.
“Are you willing to join my Purple Cloud Peak?” she inquired softly.
The two were visibly excited; after all, if they weren’t interested in joining Purple Cloud Peak, they wouldn’t have even participated in the selection.
Just as they were about to answer, Master Wanjun’s voice resonated from below.
“You two may want to think this through carefully. Joining Purple Cloud Peak doesn’t guarantee becoming a personal disciple. My junior brother, Purple Cloud Peak’s master, is notoriously selective—otherwise, Purple Cloud Peak wouldn’t have only seven personal disciples.”
“But Heavenly Thunder Peak is different. I can promise you that if you both join, I will personally take you in as my disciples!”
The crowd sensed an underlying tension, their curiosity piqued.
This Xiao Ye must really be Master Wanjun’s secret son. Otherwise, why would Master Wanjun start competing with Fairy Xue for disciples just to avenge him?
“Master Wanjun speaks the truth. My master, Perfected Master Xu Yang, the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator in the Northern Province, naturally would not accept mediocre or useless disciples!” Xue Jinli’s tone was sharp and confident. “Unlike Master Wanjun’s Heavenly Thunder Peak, where anyone can join as long as they’re willing—whether they’re a nobody or a failure.”
“Oh, and by the way,” she continued, her tone mischievous, “last time, during the Six Peaks Competition, the head disciple of Heavenly Thunder Peak lasted only ten rounds against my junior sister before being defeated. I can’t quite recall, but… Master Wanjun, do you remember how Heavenly Thunder Peak ranked last time?”
…
Master Wanjun’s hand froze mid-stroke of his mustache, and he stayed silent.
“Never mind if you forgot, it’s not important,” she replied, waving it off casually. Then, glancing back at Liu Beifeng and Li Cangxuan, she said, “For the past seven years, Purple Cloud Peak has consistently ranked first in the Six Peaks Competition. If you want to join Purple Cloud Peak, you must have the confidence to help us win the next competition. If not, I suggest joining Heavenly Thunder Peak. After all, over there, losing isn’t a big deal.”
“Heh, rumors were right about Purple Cloud Peak’s Fairy Xue having quite the sharp tongue,” Master Wanjun sneered, his eyes gleaming.
“Thank you for the compliment, Master Wanjun,” Xue Jinli responded with a sweet smile. “Unlike Heavenly Thunder Peak, we’re far from speechless after every competition. Frankly, you might think everyone at Heavenly Thunder Peak has been cursed to be mute!”
The crowd watching from below was both astonished and deeply entertained. They could hardly believe that Fairy Xue would dare insult a senior like Master Wanjun so openly, essentially calling Heavenly Thunder Peak’s disciples incompetent fools with no pride.
But in a way, her boldness only served to enhance her allure. After all, as a disciple of Purple Cloud Peak, backed by Perfected Master Xu Yang himself, what did she have to fear from Master Wanjun?
“If I were Liu Beifeng or Li Cangxuan, I’d definitely choose Purple Cloud Peak! Fairy Xue is incredible!”
“But there’s a lot of pressure that comes with joining Purple Cloud Peak. Heavenly Thunder Peak might be the easier path.”
“Better to be a big fish in a small pond than the other way around. If they can’t help Purple Cloud Peak stay at the top, joining Heavenly Thunder Peak would be the smarter choice.”
“You’re just afraid! Look, Purple Cloud Peak has seven genius-level disciples and a Nascent Soul master. If they can’t surpass the other Thirty-Five Peaks with those odds, they might as well give up cultivation entirely!”
The onlookers continued debating below.
Meanwhile, Master Wanjun’s expression grew darker.
…
“Have you made up your minds?” Xue Jinli asked, looking directly at Liu Beifeng.
“I have. I choose to join Purple Cloud Peak!” Liu Beifeng said resolutely, without a hint of hesitation.
“Good.” Xue Jinli nodded approvingly.
“Apologies, Fairy Xue, but I’d rather join Heavenly Thunder Peak.” Li Cangxuan hesitated briefly but ultimately chose to forgo Purple Cloud Peak. He knew his own potential and doubted he’d be able to bring victory to Purple Cloud Peak in the next competition. Better to join Heavenly Thunder Peak and train under Master Wanjun.
Master Wanjun’s face softened slightly, and he laughed heartily. “From this day forward, you’re officially my disciple!”
“Disciple Li Cangxuan greets his master!” Li Cangxuan bowed respectfully to Master Wanjun.
“Excellent, excellent!” Master Wanjun made a simple gesture, pulling Li Cangxuan up beside him with a flick of his hand from several feet away.
This skillful move impressed the audience greatly.
“Was that spatial manipulation?”
“Has Master Wanjun tapped into spatial laws?”
“Few cultivators in the Northern Province can control spatial power!”
“If Master Wanjun masters both thunder techniques and spatial arts, even Perfected Master Xu Yang may be inferior to him!”
“Now I’m thinking Heavenly Thunder Peak doesn’t sound so bad either…”
…
“Master Wanjun, I’ve completed my mission here in Heavenly Origin City. I’ll take my leave,” Xue Jinli said, unfazed by Master Wanjun’s display of skill.
“Go on, then,” Master Wanjun replied, with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Xue Jinli took out a small ship-shaped artifact from her storage ring. With a wave of her hand, it grew large enough to hold over a hundred people—a spirit ship ready for the journey back.
“Board the ship,” she instructed, and Liu Beifeng promptly followed her. Moments later, the ship disappeared into the sky, leaving only a dark spot on the horizon.
As soon as they were gone, Master Wanjun ascended the platform and, without sparing a glance at City Lord Shangguan, announced to the crowd, “All those who passed the root bone test and are willing to join Heavenly Thunder Peak, step up now. I’ll wait one incense stick’s worth of time. After that, the offer is closed!”
The young cultivators who had been eliminated earlier, feeling as if a golden opportunity had fallen into their laps, were thrilled beyond words. It was as if a giant pie had just descended from the heavens and landed right in front of them.
“I’m willing to join Heavenly Thunder Peak, Master Wanjun!”
“Count me in!”
“I’ve dreamed of joining Heavenly Thunder Peak!”
…