C4 Going down the Mountain Going up the Mountain

Wu Pingfan's statement left everyone with their jaws dropped in shock.

Xiao Xiao's expression turned icy as she abruptly stood up from her chair with a resounding thud.

"You scoundrel! Although Yao Jing holds you in high regard, that doesn't give you license to spout such nonsense!"

Wu Pingfan had clearly hit a nerve with Xiao Xiao.

In her five years at Starfall Peaks, the person she most revered was the Mountain Lord—a woman with a free spirit and formidable strength.

Despite her youth, the Mountain Lord was already among the elite in the Spirit Realm. Just one more step and she would ascend to the heavenly stage, a level many dare not even dream of reaching.

And here was this man, devoid of any trace of spiritual energy, claiming the Mountain Lord was his senior sister!

The audacity!

At that moment, Coal, the big block dog, ceased its movements and stood up, casting a disdainful glance at Xiao Xiao.

Yao Jing, who had been keeping an eye on the venerable canine, caught sight of this interaction.

He barked out a command, "Xiao Xiao, show some respect! Sit down!"

Although Xiao Xiao had intended to defend the Mountain Lord's honor, Yao Jing's stern reprimand left her with a frosty countenance. She complied without further protest and took her seat.

As silence fell over the room, Yao Jing's mind raced with possibilities.

Mountain Lord Zhuo had ventured from Starfall Peaks seven years prior for training and had only returned five years ago. At her departure, she was a prodigy, albeit only at the second or third level of Soul Manifestation.

Yet, within two years, she had advanced to the Mystic Soul Realm—a leap that was nothing short of miraculous.

It was hard to believe she hadn't encountered some extraordinary fortune during that time.

And now, Senior Dog's owner was claiming the Mountain Lord as his senior sister. Could it be...

That she spent those two years in his company?

Were they both disciples of some great master?

The details of such a connection were likely known only to the Mountain Lord herself.

"But she is my senior sister, Zhuo," Wu Pingfan lamented, feeling rather helpless.

Why were people so reluctant to believe what they were told? It seemed Wu Pingfan had been secluded on the mountain for far too long, unacquainted with the world's duplicity and deception.

In the Spirit Realm, martial arts were held in the highest regard, with the strong dominating the weak and deception being a common occurrence.

Furthermore, his recent claims were somewhat too incredible to be taken at face value.

"It's perfect timing, as I descended the mountain specifically to seek out my senior brothers and sisters."

"If you don't believe me, then I shall accompany you to see for yourselves."

Xiao Xiao let out a cold snort, "Do you think you can just see the mountain lord whenever you wish?"

Yao Jing was about to respond when a gruff voice echoed in his mind.

"Old man, the master is doing you a favor by dining with you. Don't overstep your bounds!"

Yao Jing shuddered.

It was the Senior Dog!

In an instant, Coal, the big block dog, was giving him an icy stare.

This is the end!

Smack!

Yao Jing slammed his hand down on the table.

"Xiao Xiao, leave!"

"Yao Jing?"

Xiao Xiao was taken aback. Yao Jing was sending her away because of some nonsense from a stranger!

Yao Jing paid her no attention.

Tears welled up in Xiao Xiao's eyes.

She looked at Wu Pingfan, Coal, and City Lord Huang, feeling like a fool in their presence.

With that, she turned and headed for the door.

"Grandfather, it's not that serious..."

Wu Pingfan interjected awkwardly.

He felt guilty for upsetting the young lady with just a few words.

Yao Jing, who had been scowling moments before, suddenly burst into a smile.

His swift change in demeanor left City Lord Huang at a loss for words.

"It's alright. The young lady isn't worldly and can't hold her tongue. Let her go."

"Young Master, if you truly are an old acquaintance of our Mountain Lord, why not join us on our return to Starfall Peaks tomorrow? The Mountain Lord is nearly ready to leave his seclusion."

Upon hearing that he could visit Starfall Peaks and reunite with his senior sister, Wu Pingfan's spirits lifted.

"Great..."

And so, the following day, the Starfall Peaks entourage grew by one man and one dog...

...

Three days later, a caravan jostled along a narrow mountain trail.

This was the Starfall Peaks contingent.

Nearly everyone in the group shouldered a hefty parcel, filled with provisions generously provided by City Lord Huang before their departure.

At the head of the group, two figures stood out due to the exceptionally large packs on their backs.

A man and his dog.

It was Wu Pingfan and Coal, the big black dog!

Their packs were easily two to three times the size of those carried by the other ordinary disciples.

They had joined the ranks of Starfall Peaks and were now making their way back to the mountain with the rest of the team.

"Take a break and regroup right here!"

Yao Jing bellowed.

After marching for an entire day without rest the previous night, it was time for the disciples to take a well-deserved break.

The group set down their luggage and began to rest on the spot.

Wu Pingfan glanced over his shoulder at the team behind him, but he couldn't spot Xiao Xiao.

"Woof!"

Coal, attuned to Wu Pingfan's thoughts, barked in a particular direction.

Following Coal's cue, Wu Pingfan looked over and, sure enough, there was Xiao Xiao.

She sat motionless with her legs crossed behind a large tree, seemingly engaged in something.

Wu Pingfan approached her stealthily.

This sister, a few years his senior, was now sitting with her eyes closed at the base of the tree, her hands forming a particular seal as if she were in deep cultivation.

Feeling someone's presence, Xiao Xiao's eyes fluttered open.

"What are you doing here?"

Since the day Yao Jing had sent her away, Xiao Xiao had been in low spirits, showing little interest in conversing with Wu Pingfan during their journey.

Seeing him now attempting to engage her, her expression soured.

Yet, Wu Pingfan didn't respond to her question. Instead, his gaze remained fixed on her.

Confused, Xiao Xiao glanced down at herself.

Then it hit her, and her face flushed with anger as she spat out, "You scoundrel!"

He had been brazenly staring at her body.

But Wu Pingfan paid no heed to her indignation, instead remarking, "Aren't you and your Senior Sister from the same sect? Why do your cultivation methods differ?"

Xiao Xiao was taken aback.

Was it possible that he hadn't been ogling her, but rather observing her cultivation technique?

The method practiced by the mountain lord indeed seemed unique compared to others, and it might very well be the secret behind the lord's rapid advancement over two years. But why would the mountain lord share her cultivation secrets with anyone else?

"Have you ever witnessed the mountain lord practicing her cultivation?"

Xiao Xiao inquired, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

Unbeknownst to her, she had already accepted the idea that the mountain lord was this young man's Senior Sister.

"Mhm..."

Wu Pingfan nodded affirmatively, "Senior Sister even taught me herself."

"She taught you?"

Xiao Xiao was taken aback.

The mountain lord had imparted her cultivation techniques to him?

She found that hard to believe.

If the mountain lord had indeed taught you how to cultivate, then why do you still appear to have no spiritual energy fluctuations, just like an ordinary person?

"Did she teach you, and you chose not to practice?"

Wu Pingfan chuckled, "Seeing how powerful Senior Sister is, I really wanted to practice, but I'm unable to cultivate, so even though she taught me, it was in vain."

"You can't cultivate?"