Chapter 492 - 502: A Sea of People

Outside the Sword Forest, a sea of people had already gathered.

Roughly half of the Celestial Profound Sect disciples who had received the news—those who weren’t in seclusion or out on trials—had come. The crowd was even larger than on Preaching Day, and the disciples’ cultivation was generally higher.

This was because it was a grand occasion the likes of which Cloud Conceal Peak hadn’t seen in nine years. It had been that long since any disciple had managed to break into the 5th Layer of the Sword Forest. And today was the day Lu Wushuang, a True Disciple of the Celestial Profound Sect’s Cloud Conceal Peak, would make his attempt.

Countless people wanted to know the true extent of Lu Wushuang’s strength and what level he had reached. Although he had led the disciples of Cloud Conceal Peak to the Sword Sect only to return in utter, miserable defeat, it was undeniable that in everyone’s hearts, he was still the most outstanding swordsmanship genius in the entire Celestial Profound Sect.

When Qii Yue and the Seven Elders of Cloud Concealment arrived and saw the vast crowd, he couldn’t help but laugh heartily. "It seems only my disciple, Wushuang, possesses such prestige to draw such a massive crowd."

The eight of them slowly descended to the ground and walked over to Jian Chunqiu, saluting respectfully with clasped fists. "Elder Jian."

Jian Chunqiu nodded, a rare smile finally appearing on his wizened face.

"Good, you’ve come at just the right time. Qii Yue, you’ve finally managed to raise a capable disciple. Not bad, not bad at all."

Hearing Elder Jian’s words, Qii Yue’s face filled with gratification. He smiled and said, "Thank you for the praise, Elder Jian. In truth, it’s all the result of Wushuang’s own hard work."

The Great Elder of Cloud Conceal Peak added his praise, "For Wushuang to reach the 5th Layer at the age of twenty shows his aptitude is truly remarkable. He ranks among the very best disciples in the history of our Cloud Conceal Peak."

The surrounding crowd couldn’t help but nod in silent agreement.

At this moment, Mingkong and Huang Zishan also arrived before the Sword Forest. Besides the two of them, many others had come, including Yum Baobao and Tao Liuu from Forget-Life Peak, as well as Nangong Xin and Gao Yang from Purple Bamboo Peak.

Gao Yang was a first-rate expert among the disciples of Purple Bamboo Peak. Aside from Du Qianqian, he and a few other disciples were the strongest.

Nearby was Li Shang of Life Peak. He was a disciple of Ren Yu and had fully inherited Elder Huaa’s teachings. He was considered one of the top disciples on Life Peak, but he preferred to keep a low profile and rarely made public appearances. This event, however, had drawn him out.

After them came Sunx Shijun from Danxuan Peak. Standing beside Sunx Shijun was another man. His expression was gloomy, his eyes held a faint red glow, and a hint of a deathly aura clung to his calm demeanor. This was Xi Yuheng, the most outstanding disciple of his generation on Danxuan Peak and the designated successor to the position of Peak Master.

Very few people from Absolute Peak had come. Everyone knew they were busy with preparations for Absolute Peak Master Hua Lie’s birthday celebration and didn’t have time to watch Lu Wushuang challenge the Sword Forest.

However, one young woman drew considerable attention—not for her beauty, but for her identity. She was Hua Lie’s daughter, Hua Yuling. The person by her side was Sunx Li from Life Peak.

Sunx Li rubbed his nose and said slowly, "I heard my junior brother is also in the Sword Forest. I wonder if it’s true."

Hua Yuling’s gaze turned to the Sword Forest ahead as she asked in surprise, "Wen Qingye? Why would he be in the Sword Forest?"

She had naturally heard a little about Wen Qingye’s deeds. Hearing Sunx Li’s words, she couldn’t help but feel puzzled. The Sword Forest of Cloud Conceal Peak was a treasured place, not somewhere just anyone could enter as they pleased.

Sunx Li explained, "My master had a Cloud Concealment Token and gave it to my Junior Brother Wen."

"Oh, so that’s how it is," Hua Yuling said with a nod.

A disciple from Absolute Peak standing nearby snorted coldly. "Kid, I advise you to stay away from Junior Sister Hua. Let me tell you, in about ten days, on our Peak Master’s birthday, he will betroth Junior Sister Hua to Senior Brother Lu. You’d best not show your face on Absolute Peak from now on. Otherwise, it won’t just be Senior Brother Hua giving you a beating—the people from Cloud Conceal Peak won’t let you off either."

Upon hearing that, Sunx Li’s expression fell, and he slowly lowered his head.

Hua Yuling glared at him and said forcefully, "Qin Yang, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Meanwhile, the news that Wen Qingye was also challenging the Sword Forest began to spread like wildfire, though no one knew who started the rumor. Murmurs of discussion rippled through the crowd.

Huang Zishan curled her lip. "That Wen Qingye really has too much time on his hands. At a time like this, he actually used such a precious Cloud Concealment Order to enter the Sword Forest. What a complete waste."

Mingkong nodded heavily, his eyes fixed on the massive Sword Forest Attic ahead. ’He’s truly audacious. To kill elite disciples from the Three Realms Sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect over a few True Essence Fruits... He won’t be able to get out of this one.’

"Serves him right, HMPH!" Huang Zishan said fiercely through gritted teeth.

"Brother Wen didn’t steal anything from anyone! That’s just vicious slander!"

Just then, Yum Baobao walked over, biting her lip.

Mingkong’s eyes lit up when he saw Yum Baobao, but upon hearing her words, he secretly frowned. "Baobao, don’t be fooled by some people’s silver tongue."

Yum Baobao shook her head repeatedly and looked at Mingkong earnestly. "I won’t be! Brother Wen is a very good person, and he’s very good to me. Brother Mingkong, I grew up with you, I wouldn’t lie to you. Brother Wen is a good person!"

Hearing Yum Baobao’s words, Mingkong’s heart grew colder. A frigid glint flashed obscurely in his eyes, but he kept a smile on his face. "Maybe this Wen Qingye has ulterior motives? But the fact that he killed people from the Three Realms Sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect can’t be faked. Many people saw it with their own eyes; the evidence is irrefutable. Once the Law Enforcement Team confirms it, and the people from the Three Realms Sect and Flowing Cloud Sect arrive at our Celestial Profound Sect, his good days will be over."

"That’s right. Everyone saw it with their own eyes," Huang Zishan chimed in, lifting her head.

Yum Baobao said anxiously, "They’re lying! They must have seen it wrong!"

Mingkong waved his hand impatiently. "Alright, that’s enough. I came here to see Lu Wushuang’s strength."

Yum Baobao lowered her head and fell silent.

Xi Yuheng stared ahead with cold eyes and parted his lips to speak. "This Lu Wushuang is a true genius. Instead of losing his will after the crushing defeat to the Sword Sect, he’s only grown more valiant with every battle. Truly remarkable."

Gao Yang, standing nearby, nodded. "He truly is the generational genius of Cloud Conceal Peak. I believe the moment he walks out of that Sword Forest, the entire Celestial Profound Sect will be reshuffled."

Xi Yuheng nodded in agreement with Gao Yang’s words. Although he didn’t care about the position of Sect Leader of the Celestial Profound Sect, he couldn’t afford to be indifferent to the person who might one day sit in that seat.

The strength of the Celestial Profound Sect’s True Disciples was a matter of intense focus. They were the future pillars of the sect, its hope for the future.

And Lu Wushuang was the most outstanding among them. More and more people from the Celestial Profound Sect flocked to the Sword Forest, all craning their necks and staring with fixed gazes at the structure before them.