Above Cangzhou, majestic peaks rose one after another, the landscape brimming with spiritual energy and natural beauty. An ancient sect had stood here for thousands of years.
Two figures walked along a path, heading toward a mountain ahead.
One was a handsome, upright young man with an otherworldly aura.
Beside him was a middle-aged man, around forty, dressed in luxurious clothes. He looked at the youth with a calm expression and a gentle smile.
"Tianyi, it's been years. I didn't expect you to already reach the sixth level of Condensing Essence. Truly impressive!" the middle-aged man said.
The youth's name was Ye Tianyi, and they were in the Cangyun Sect.
This sect had seven main peaks, each overseen by a Peak Master.
They were now ascending Qingyun Peak, one of the seven.
Ye Tianyi was the direct disciple of the Qingyun Peak Master.
Hearing the praise, Ye Tianyi shook his head and replied, "Uncle Lin Po, you flatter me. My cultivation is nothing remarkable."
"No need to be modest. Compared to you, my own disciples aren't even worth mentioning. I truly envy your master—having disciples like you, Qingyun Peak is set for a thousand years!"
Lin Po spoke sincerely, without any hint of flattery.
Ye Tianyi then asked curiously, "Uncle, ten years ago when Master returned to the sect, he accepted a disciple. He once mentioned that my junior brother had extraordinary talent, incomparable to ordinary geniuses—someone that only appears once in a hundred years in all of Cangzhou. Was he really that amazing?"
"You mean... Lu Changsheng?"
"Yes."
At the mention of that name, Lin Po frowned instinctively, momentarily at a loss for words.
After some thought, he finally spoke slowly,"It's hard for me to comment. You'd better see for yourself. But I will say one thing."
"What's that?"
"In Cangzhou, not to mention a hundred years—even five hundred years wouldn't produce someone like him!"
Ye Tianyi raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "So my little junior brother isn't simple at all, huh?"
"He's really not simple…"
"Is he in the sect now?" Ye Tianyi asked.
"Right there."
Lin Po pointed ahead toward an old pine tree.
Beneath it, a young man in white robes lounged lazily on a recliner, gently fanning himself and sipping tea.
The scene looked extremely leisurely.
In front of him stood several figures, each with a large sack at their feet. The sacks sparkled in the sunlight—filled with shiny, white spirit stones.
"Senior Brother Changsheng, this month's quota of spirit stones from Cangyun City has arrived. Would you like to check it?"
Someone asked with a flattering smile.
Lu Changsheng took a sip of tea and said casually,"No need. I trust your work."
Everyone smiled in relief.
Then Lu Changsheng added,"But there's something you all should take care of."
"What is it?"
"Some shops seem to have found new backers. They haven't handed over spirit stones for two months now. You take care of it."
"They're tired of living—daring to owe Senior Brother's spirit stones!"
"Bastards! I'll burn down their shops tomorrow!"
Each of them expressed indignation, clearly acting in full loyalty to Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng waved a hand dismissively."No need for that. I'm a soft-hearted person. I can't bear the sight of blood. Just make sure they pay up within three days."
"And if they don't?"
"If they don't, can't you go take it yourselves? Don't you know what's valuable? Do I really need to teach you?" Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.
Everyone suddenly understood.Right! If they don't hand it over, just take it. What's the point of cultivation if you don't use it?
These words, however, were heard by Ye Tianyi and Lin Po.
Lin Po seemed used to it, but black lines appeared on Ye Tianyi's forehead.
"Uncle, is he really my junior brother?"
"Don't worry—definitely is!"
"…Don't worry," Ye Tianyi muttered, a twitch forming at the corner of his mouth. He had clearly heard everything just now.
So much for "once-in-a-century genius."
Others cultivated day and night, pushing themselves to the limit. Even Ye Tianyi, as the leading figure of Cangyun Sect's younger generation, trained relentlessly.
But this junior brother? Lounging like he was retired—sleeping, strolling, drinking tea. He didn't read cultivation texts, didn't care for progress. Practiced only occasionally when he felt like it...
And worse—he was manipulating inner sect disciples to collect protection fees in spirit stones from the city?
Lin Po noticed Ye Tianyi's expression and comforted him:"Nephew, you'll get used to it in time."
"He… he doesn't do anything else?" Ye Tianyi still hoped for a silver lining.
Lin Po thought a moment and said seriously,"Of course, he does a few other things."
"Like what?"
"For example, every month when outer sect disciples receive spirit rice, he's always there on time to carry off two sacks. When inner disciples get spirit pills, he shows up early and walks away with a full basket. For core disciples' spirit stones, he picks them up on behalf of your senior brother. And every half-month, he'll go to the elders and say your senior brother is at a critical stage and needs more spirit stones…"
Lin Po narrated these episodes like they were routine—unchanged over ten years.
Hearing this, Ye Tianyi's face turned red with rage and embarrassment."Does no one stop him? What about Senior Brother?"
"No one really has. As a direct disciple, taking two sacks of rice isn't much. Outer sect elders wouldn't dare offend your master. As for pills, the sect can afford it. And the spirit stones? Maybe your senior brother really asked for them—who knows?"
Lin Po tried to reassure him.
But Ye Tianyi's eye twitched furiously. He prided himself on righteousness and discipline, and now his own peak had birthed this kind of talent...
"Tianyi, don't dwell on it. Your master's not here, and the others are busy cultivating. That's how this slipped through the cracks. Now that you're back, you can slowly correct him." Lin Po consoled.
Ye Tianyi nodded solemnly, resolving to guide this junior brother properly.
Lin Po then called out,"Changsheng!"
The group under the pine tree turned at once.
The others, upon seeing Lin Po, panicked and fled, carrying their sacks uphill.
Lu Changsheng remained calm, stood up slowly, and smiled.
"Uncle Lin, what brings you to Qingyun Peak today? Looking for my senior brother?"
He then slowly walked toward them.
Ye Tianyi studied Lu Changsheng carefully and was surprised.
He looked to be only seventeen or eighteen, with a strikingly handsome face. Dressed in white, his brows were sharp like blades, and his eyes sparkled like stars. He carried an aura of purity and detachment from the world.
Yet Ye Tianyi couldn't believe that such a stunning figure could behave like that.
Lin Po explained,"I just ran into your second senior brother on the way back to the sect and thought I'd chat with him."
"Second Senior Brother?" Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, glancing at the young man beside Lin Po.
This was actually their first meeting.
"Hurry up and greet your second senior brother!"
Lin Po instructed.
Ye Tianyi stood with arms behind his back, expression proud and stern. He deliberately avoided looking at Lu Changsheng, trying to assert authority for future discipline.
Lu Changsheng, however, simply smiled and said leisurely:
"Second Senior Brother—have you eaten yet?"
In an instant, Ye Tianyi was stunned, opened his mouth, and was left speechless.