Chapter Fourteen: The Eightfold Sword Formation

As the group drew closer to the verdant mountain, more and more disciples of the Eastern Yue Sect trailed behind them from a distance.

At last, among the sea of youthful faces, a cold and sinister visage appeared—a gray-robed elder, short in stature, stood with hands clasped behind his back, his feet firmly planted on a tree branch, his eyes fixed intently on Lin Ze.

“Steward Fang!” Zhao Jinian, upon noticing him, hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

This elder belonged to the same Huayang Peak as Zhao, one of the most senior stewards, his cultivation unfathomable. It was said that over ten years ago, he had already reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment. Zhao had not expected him to come as well.

“Mm.” Steward Fang nodded, continuing to gaze at Lin Ze in the distance. His clouded eyes did not blink for a long time, as if he wished to see through the azure-robed Daoist completely.

After a considerable pause, he finally withdrew his gaze, muttering listlessly, “Nearly gave me a fright.”

The eccentric Elder Zhang of the Little Green Mountain had passed away last month, leaving behind no disciples capable of inheriting his legacy. Naturally, the various peaks within the sect began to discuss how to handle the now vacant mountain.

Negotiations were underway, and Huayang Peak, too, sought its share.

Now, suddenly, a new Elder of Green Mountain appeared, holding the seal of office—what was he planning?

Fang had hurried over, setting aside his affairs, and upon careful inspection, discovered that the newcomer was merely a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator. He felt somewhat disheartened.

“Do you know that man?” the gray-robed elder asked, lowering his head.

“No… never seen him before,” Zhao replied, eyes flickering as he hastily denied it.

“I haven’t seen him either.” Steward Fang smacked his lips, rolling his eyes. “Looks like a mud-legged outsider, daring to meddle in any murky waters.”

He had no idea where the man had obtained the Green Mountain Seal, but with such meager cultivation, attempting to stir up trouble sounded like a joke.

Shaking his head, Fang turned to leave.

“Steward Fang, aren’t you going to ask him?” Zhao Jinian bit his lip and called out.

“Ask what? If he wants to claim the title of Elder of Green Mountain, let him first step onto the mountain.” Fang sneered. Such a prime piece of fat—if it could be easily seized, would the other peaks wait a whole month, eyes wide open?

Zhao blinked in surprise. “You mean the Eightfold Sword Formation?”

“Of course.” The elder shot him a sideways glance.

According to sect rules, the inner sect could not interfere with the outer sect’s affairs. Yet, no one had expected a sword immortal of the Golden Core realm to appear, under the pretext of honoring his senior brother, and set up a grand formation, keeping the outer elders at the foot of the mountain for a month, unable to act—a most ostentatious display.

Still, the outer peaks could not restrain him; sooner or later, someone from the inner sect would speak up. There was always a limit to the time allowed for honoring a senior brother, and everyone was patient enough to simply wait.

He had thought the so-called Elder of Green Mountain was a pawn brought in by that sword immortal, and was a bit alarmed. But upon seeing that he was merely a fledgling Foundation Establishment cultivator, not even qualified to enter the game board, his anxiety subsided.

Sword Immortal Qin would hardly be foolish enough to send such a person to vex the outer peaks. Thus, Fang was certain the azure-robed Daoist could never pass the Eightfold Sword Formation; if the Elder of Green Mountain could not even return to the mountain, who would recognize him?

“Steward Fang, your thinking is indeed thorough,” Zhao flattered with a sycophantic smile.

“When he sees the formation, he’ll obediently leave Eastern Yue Sect.” The elder flicked his sleeve, casting Zhao a glance. “When he steps out the gate, retrieve the Green Mountain Seal from him. No, never mind—I’ll do it myself.”

“……”

Hearing this, the smile faded from Zhao’s face. He instinctively opened his mouth, his eyes clouded with uncertainty. After a long hesitation, he finally swallowed the words of protest that had risen in his throat.

Steward Fang actually intended to kill his master.

He hesitated for a long while, then lowered his head awkwardly, pretending not to have heard.

…

…

“Elder Lin, please.” The young Daoist smiled, stepping aside to clear a path.

Lin Ze frowned, looking ahead. The small mountain was shrouded in lush greenery; a winding stone staircase paved with blue slabs led straight into the mountainside, veiled in mist, like a scene from a fairyland.

Yet upon closer inspection, the mountain seemed oddly lacking in vitality, appearing somewhat dull and gray.

His gaze fell to the muddy ground before the stone steps, where several crude, chaotic carvings were etched, as if a playful child had scratched at the earth with a wooden sword.

“What is this?” Lin Ze asked the Daoist boy.

“The Eightfold Sword Formation.” The boy blinked, with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“Elder Lin,” Zhao Ling suddenly remembered something, his expression shifting abruptly. He hurried over to tug Lin Ze’s sleeve, lowering his voice, “You don’t recognize this formation?”

Lin Ze looked up; all around, disciples of Eastern Yue Sect were gathered, eager to watch the spectacle.

He glanced around the crowd, and from their conversations, inferred the general situation.

The deed within the envelope was the key to Little Green Mountain, but now, it seemed someone had changed the lock. Not only did it bar those coveting the mountain, it also kept its sole rightful heir outside.

And these people were here to watch a farce.

Seeing Lin Ze’s expression change, the Daoist boy grinned even more brazenly. Zhao Ling swallowed, unsure what to say.

Su Bailu held Xiao Bao’s hand quietly behind them, worry in her eyes.

Though she did not know what was happening, she sensed the shift in atmosphere; their master seemed to be in trouble.

“The mountain has been sealed for a month now. Thankfully you have come, or else Little Green Mountain might have remained neglected indefinitely.” The boy stepped aside, his tone respectful, though it carried an undercurrent of discomfort.

“I understand.” Lin Ze suddenly smiled.

“Ah?” The boy froze for a moment, unsure what was amusing.

Lin Ze ignored him, instead turning to glance at the gray figure perched on a distant treetop.

That was no ordinary disciple—proof he was now under scrutiny. Since that was so, what was there to hesitate about?

He had come to Eastern Yue Sect to seize opportunity, not to lose face.

Steadying his emotions, Lin Ze strode toward the foot of the mountain.

“Master.” Even Su Bailu, whose trust was fifteen out of fifteen, could not help but speak up, let alone the others.

“Do you think he’ll be so frightened he can’t stand?” the disciples whispered among themselves.

“I only know the few Golden Core elders of the outer sect dare not ascend the mountain. As for him… well.” Someone joked openly, unconcerned whether the elders heard and took offense.

The inner sect was a hundred times stronger than the outer; this was an indisputable fact. Besides, the one who set the formation was renowned even within the inner sect. To retreat before her sword formation was nothing to be ashamed of.

Just then, a figure quietly approached.

Su Bailu reacted swiftly, drawing her Dao sword with a resonant clang and blocking his path, her voice cold, “What do you want?”

“What do I want? I want that old fool to come to his senses and not throw his life away.” Zhao Jinian took a deep breath, gritting his teeth.

Hearing this, Su Bailu’s lips curled in derision. “So you do recognize my master?”

“What master? What nonsense are you spouting!” Zhao looked around in panic, clearly afraid of being overheard. He had snuck over in secret; if Steward Fang heard those words, even a hundred tongues could not explain it away.

He was a disciple of the Huayang Peak True Master, not some destitute vagabond from Xiao Village!