C16
Fairy Lingmei reigns as the preeminent figure atop Yunwu Peak. Legend has it that her innate talent rivals, and perhaps even surpasses, that of the Three Heroes. Were it not for her gender, the Three Heroes would likely have to be renamed the Four Heroes!" Han Feiyun, standing next to Yang Fann, clarified the latter's confusion once more.
"Yunwu Peak, as in the Yunwu Peak?" Yang Fann's voice carried a tinge of curiosity. Among the myriad peaks for servant disciples in Kaiyang, Yunwu Peak was unique. Unlike other peaks, which were stratified by rank, its status was exceptional, seemingly transcending the prestigious Shanyang and Yuyang Peaks, both level 1 Servicemen's Peaks. It was also considered a sacred place by countless servant disciples, being the sole peak designated for female disciples within the Kaiyang sect, where all the female servant disciples congregated.
At that moment, the crowd erupted into a thunderous cheer, a roar so mighty it threatened to tear the sky asunder.
"Ah! Look, it's the Junior Sister from Yunwu Peak!"
"What? The Junior Sister from Yunwu Peak has arrived? Let me see!"
"Is that Fairy Lingmei in the center?"
"She's breathtaking! Truly, she could be mistaken for a celestial being!"
"To be with her, I'd gladly trade ten years of my life!"
"Ten years? I'd give thirty without a second thought!"
Amidst the fervent stares of the servant disciples, a procession approached from the southeast of Peak-Bound. Leading them was a strikingly beautiful woman in her mid-thirties, her gaze captivating and a smile gracing her lips. She was clad in a light purple dress that hugged her figure, her legs beneath the hem exuding a sensuality that left onlookers parched with desire, yearning to embrace her...
Trailing her were over 300 young women, each one radiantly beautiful, enough to make hearts skip a beat.
"Is that Fairy Lingmei of Yunwu Peak? She's stunning!" Yang Fann gaped in awe. Fairy Lingmei, Lan Lingmei, was in the prime of her beauty, seemingly around sixteen or seventeen. Her skin was as fair as snow, her features as if painted, adorned in a flowing white gown. Her neck was gracefully elongated, and her bright eyes twinkled with an intelligent light, as if capable of speech. Despite Yang Fann's advanced state of mind, surpassing that of his fellow servant disciples, he couldn't help but be captivated. Undoubtedly, Fairy Lingmei was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.
"A bloodline of the eighth rank, lower tier—so the rumors have some truth to them!" Yang Fann's expression shifted once again. Since the startling event a month prior, he had noticed a peculiar change in his vision. With concentrated effort, even without the aid of a Bloodline Stone, he could discern the grade of one's bloodline with ease.
After one last lingering glance at Fairy Lingmei, Yang Fann withdrew his gaze. He abruptly noticed that Manager Zhao's attention was fixed on the group from Yuyang Peak that was making their entrance. Something about Manager Zhao's expression was off. Specifically, it was the way he looked at the leader of the group—a man in his thirties with alabaster skin and delicate features, so effeminate that dressed as a woman, few would doubt his gender. A glint of cunning shone in his narrow, triangular eyes.
"Eh! If it isn't Senior Brother Zhao? It's been a whole year since we last saw each other!" In a mere moment, the group from Yuyang Peak had closed the distance, now just a few dozen meters from Yang Fann and his companions. The delicate-looking young man at the forefront feigned surprise upon noticing Zhao Yiming, exclaiming with feigned astonishment.
"Ah, Junior Brother Chen, it's been ages! Yet you haven't lost any of your charm!" Yang Fann might have mistaken them for old friends if he hadn't caught the increasingly icy look on Zhao Yiming's face.
"Senior Brother Zhao, it's been years since you've graced Yuyang Peak with your presence. Lirong has been mentioning you quite often!" Chen Jianhua said with a smirk, his lips curling into a smile.
"Junior Brother Chen, I've missed Junior Sister Lirong too!" The words came through Chen Jianhua's clenched teeth, his fists balled so tight that the veins on his arms stood out starkly.
"There's trouble brewing! There's definitely bad blood between these two!"
Yang Fann and the others were spot on. Zhao Yiming, Chen Jianhua, and Yuan Lirong used to be the best of friends, but now Zhao Yiming harbored a deep hatred for them. Five years ago, Zhao Yiming had fortuitously discovered an ancient cave dwelling and, in good faith, invited Chen Jianhua and Yuan Lirong to explore it with him. Little did he expect that they would betray his trust, ambushing him in a bid to hoard the treasures for themselves, leaving him grievously wounded. If not for his life-saving measures, he might not have survived.
Ever since, Zhao Yiming had been consumed with the thought of revenge, but their newfound powers from the cave's treasures had left him at a disadvantage.
"Why don't you join me back at Yuyang Peak after the breakthrough competition? Lirong can prepare some of her best dishes, and we can all enjoy a drink together," Chen Jianhua offered.
"Junior Brother Chen, I'm touched by your offer," Zhao Yiming replied with a forced smile, knowing full well that a trip to Yuyang Peak with Chen Jianhua might mean he'd never return.
Zhao Yiming was desperate to exact revenge on this cruel couple, and they were just as eager to eliminate him.
Chen Jianhua gave Zhao Yiming a loaded look before turning his attention to Yang Fann and the six behind him, chuckling, "Senior Brother Zhao, are these the prodigious disciples from Ink Bamboo Peak? Impressive, each one has such great potential!"
At his words, a flicker of annoyance passed through the eyes of Yang Fann and the others. They were no fools and could easily pick up on Chen Jianhua's thinly-veiled sarcasm.
Zhao Yiming's expression darkened with fury. "Hmph, I have you to thank for that!"
For years, Chen Jianhua and his wife had been oppressing Ink Bamboo Peak. Typically, a third-grade servant disciple peak would have at least eleven or twelve qualified for the breakthrough competition. Ink Bamboo Peak, with only six, was faring worse than even some fourth-grade peaks!
"Hehe, you're too kind, Senior Brother Zhao. We're friends, after all, and should support one another," Chen Jianhua said with ease, pretending to miss the sarcasm in Zhao Yiming's retort. Then, his expression shifted subtly as he fixed his gaze on Yang Fann, "Early stage of the Sixth Layer?"
Zhao Yiming felt a jolt at the mention, a flicker of astonishment crossing his eyes. His cultivation paled in comparison to Chen Jianhua's, and he had not discerned Yang Fann's true level of power.
Yun Xihua and his companions, standing behind Zhao Yiming, were visibly astounded, as if they had encountered a ghost from the legends. Even the haughty Qin Feng couldn't resist giving Yang Fann a few extra glances. Yang Fann was in the early stages of the Sixth Layer. Setting aside the Kaiyang practitioners, there were scarcely any in the vast Seven Stars Sect who could best Yang Fann. Even the esteemed Three Heroes, in terms of cultivation, were merely on equal footing with him!
"Fantastic! Yang Fann has truly given me a delightful surprise! It's no wonder he managed to deal a heavy blow to Lei Bao with just one punch, hahaha." Overwhelmed with shock, Zhao Yiming inwardly cheered three times for Yang Fann. With Yang Fann's early Sixth Empyrean level cultivation, he was a formidable contender, outmatched by few except the Three Heroes. As for the upcoming Bronze Warriors' Lane battle, not only was a top ten finish well within reach, but even a surge into the top five wasn't out of the question. This could very well be the moment for Ink Bamboo Peak to leapfrog two levels and advance directly to a second-class servant disciple peak.
Just then, Chen Jianhua shifted his gaze and offered Zhao Yiming a sly smile. "Senior Brother Zhao, they're about to face the challenge of Bronze Warriors' Lane. How about we spice things up with a friendly wager?"
"Junior Brother Chen, what are you suggesting?" Zhao Yiming's brow furrowed, a flicker of apprehension crossing his mind.
"Senior Brother Zhao, this junior brother is not yet twenty and already possesses such impressive cultivation. He's undoubtedly a prodigy of our age. And my fellow Junior Brother Qin is equally gifted. Why don't we place a small wager on their performance in the Breakthrough competition? Let's see who can advance further in Bronze Warriors' Lane. Are you game, Senior Brother Zhao?"
