Chapter 636: A Gathering of True Disciples

Wen Qingye’s Qi Sea was like parched earth receiving sweet rain, instantly filled with vitality.

CRACK!

Nourished by the vast rain of Primordial Qi, another crack suddenly appeared in his Sea of Life and Death, continuously extending outward.

A moment later, the crack seemed to solidify, as if it had been etched into the Sea of Life and Death itself.

Life and Death Realm Third Layer Heaven!

Wen Qingye’s lips parted slightly as he let out a long, slow breath. Sensing the surging, powerful Primordial Qi within him, a flicker of joy sparked in his heart.

He continued to immerse his Heart Spirit, beginning to consolidate his cultivation.

ROAR!

Suddenly, a low roar echoed by Wen Qingye’s ear, and he sensed a familiar aura.

‘The Ice Python!’

Wen Qingye’s body blurred into a gust of wind as he rushed toward his Cave Mansion.

Outside the Cave Mansion, an icy-blue body dozens of zhang long slithered about. Its massive python head had been completely transformed: a pair of deer-like antlers stood straight and proud, its huge eyes glowed with a faint blue light, and when it opened its enormous, bloody maw, rows of sharp fangs were revealed.

Most notably, its body was now covered in scales, and four huge claws extended from its belly, wreathed in wisps of white smoke that seemed to obscure its form.

A faint yet immense Dragon’s Might, just beginning to take shape, rippled out in all directions.

If anyone had been present, they would have been flabbergasted, because the creature before them had completely shed its python form. It looked exactly like the Flood Dragons of legend.

The Ice Python—no, the Cold Ice Flood Dragon—had passed its Thunder Tribulation and now possessed the cultivation of the Life and Death Realm Eighth Layer Heaven. For a Flood Dragon, starting at the Life and Death Realm Eighth Layer Heaven was not at all low.

Wen Qingye looked at the Cold Ice Flood Dragon before him. “You successfully transformed into a Flood Dragon?”

The Cold Ice Flood Dragon’s body continuously roamed the air as it replied excitedly, “Yes, I succeeded!”

“Well now, not bad, not bad at all! Little thing, it’s been a while.”

The next moment, the Cold Ice Flood Dragon’s writhing body abruptly coiled up. It looked timidly at Qingg Ruo’ai, who had just floated out, and whimpered, “Oh, grand-auntie, it’s been a while.”

Qingg Ruo’ai nodded in satisfaction and smiled. “Mm, it’s been a long time, but you’re still as obedient as ever.”

Wen Qingye couldn’t help but laugh at the Cold Ice Flood Dragon’s behavior. With the Cold Ice Flood Dragon’s powerful return, Wen Qingye’s confidence in dealing with the Heaven-Burying Sect and the Asura Sect grew even stronger.

“I’m going back first.”

The Cold Ice Flood Dragon glanced cautiously at Qingg Ruo’ai, then its body suddenly underwent an Illusion Transformation, becoming the small ring it was before and vanishing into Wen Qingye’s palm.

Qingg Ruo’ai pouted, then laughed smugly. “Hahahaha, that little thing is that afraid of me?”

Wen Qingye shrugged, glanced at the crescent moon overhead, and smiled. “We should head back too. No sense in disturbing anyone’s sleep and making things awkward.”

With that, he turned and vanished from outside the Cave Mansion.

……

「The next day.」

The sky was clear and the sun was gentle. A ray of fractured golden sunlight shone down, suffusing everything with a pleasant warmth.

‘Someone’s here?’

Wen Qingye suddenly sensed a very familiar aura outside. With a single leap, he appeared outside his Cave Mansion.

A flash of purple light appeared in the distance, and a figure materialized before him. “Today is the big day for Purple Bamboo Peak’s Peak Master election. I saw you weren’t there yet, so I came to find you.”

Wen Qingye asked in confusion, “The Purple Bamboo Peak is electing a Peak Master?”

“Mhm,” Tangg Guanzhong said with a nod.

Wen Qingye asked, perplexed, “Do I have to go too?”

Tangg Guanzhong looked at Wen Qingye and gave a helpless smile. “Of course you do. You’re a True Disciple. This election for Purple Bamboo Peak’s Peak Master is mainly being decided amongst you True Disciples, though the Elders of Purple Bamboo Peak will make the final decision.”

Wen Qingye nodded. “I understand. In that case, we shouldn’t delay. Let’s go now.”

With that said, the two of them transformed into a brilliant arc of light and shot toward Purple Bamboo Peak.

….

「Purple Bamboo Peak, within Xuanyun Hall.」

At this moment, the various Elders of Purple Bamboo Peak were all standing to one side. At the very front were the two candidates for the election, Yann Chuxue and Du Qianqian.

Seated in the center of the main hall were four people: Wang Hao, Chu Bufan, Mingkong, and Lu Wushuang. However, one seat remained empty. Needless to say, it was reserved for Wen Qingye.

Mingkong looked at the empty seat and couldn’t help but sneer, “This Wen Qingye really puts on airs. Making a whole group of us wait for him alone.”

Wang Hao laughed it off from the side. “Perhaps Junior Brother Wen is busy with important matters. Don’t worry about it too much.”

“Hmph!”

Mingkong snorted heavily, showing his displeasure.

Nearby, both Chu Bufan and Lu Wushuang kept their eyes tightly shut, as if they hadn’t heard a word.

Du Qianqian stood there, her eyes fixed forward, her heart a swirl of complex and bitter emotions. To think that with her status, she was still forced to compete for the position of Peak Master against Yann Chuxue—a disciple who had been in the sect for less than a year. How could she possibly feel at ease with that?

However, this was the Sect Leader’s decision. She was helpless to change it and could only comply.

Just as everyone was growing impatient, Wen Qingye finally appeared at the entrance of the main hall.

Wen Qingye walked up to the members of Purple Bamboo Peak, cupped his fist, and said, “My apologies. I did not receive the message beforehand and have arrived late. Please forgive me.”

Yann Chuxue looked at Wen Qingye and nodded with a smile, while Du Qianqian, standing beside her, looked visibly awkward.

By now, was there anyone in the entire Celestial Profound Sect who didn’t know about the relationship between Wen Qingye and Yann Chuxue? Both of them hailed from the Celestial Martial Country, and in everyone’s eyes, they were like childhood sweethearts.

Now, Wen Qingye was certain to side with Yann Chuxue.

An Elder from Purple Bamboo Peak quickly said, “No matter. Please, take your seat.”

Wen Qingye nodded, then walked over to the other four and smiled apologetically. “Sorry I’m late.”

Lu Wushuang slowly opened her eyes and offered a faint smile. “It’s fine.”

Lu Wushuang had barely finished speaking when Mingkong, beside her, began speaking in a strange, mocking tone, “Hmph. Just became a True Disciple and already putting on such airs.”

Wen Qingye’s eyebrow twitched slightly. He slowly sat down without a word.

Chu Bufan looked at the four of them with a solemn expression and said, “Alright, since Junior Brother Wen is here, let’s get down to business. The fact that we True Disciples were asked to consult on the election of Purple Bamboo Peak’s Peak Master shows the great importance placed upon us. We naturally cannot fail to live up to the high hopes of our elders.”

Wang Hao nodded emphatically upon hearing this and said with a serious expression, “But of course. We must handle this matter with the utmost seriousness and not be negligent in the slightest.”

Wen Qingye’s eyebrows rose. He took a careful look at Wang Hao, and what he saw made his heart jolt.

‘The Taiyi Heartless Dao!’