Chapter 22: The Battle at the River’s Edge Draws to a Close

The mountains and rivers lay silent; everything had vanished into nothingness. Ren Ruyi stood firmly on a small leaf boat, refusing to drift with the current. Ye Xinchan approached step by step.

“You cannot block this monk’s path,” Ye Xinchan said calmly. No further words were needed—the duel moments ago had ended in his victory. Moreover, Ren Ruyi’s previous move, the Promise Strike, had also been bested by him.

Ren Ruyi gently scooped something from the water, retrieving a jade pendant intricately carved with an icy lotus flower. “It is indeed something to yield,” he began.

The sentence hung, unfinished, implying a forthcoming contradiction.

“But,” Ren Ruyi’s brow furrowed, a crack appearing between his eyebrows as a faint azure thread flickered, an inexplicable aura beginning to coalesce.

“What power is this?!” The elder standing beside Wu Yue and two others was shocked. Wu Yue, too, felt a strange familiarity, as if sensing the essence of a World Seed. Suddenly, he recalled what Chang’an had told him—that he had once lost a World Seed. It turned out Ren Ruyi had obtained it.

Encircled by wisps of pale blue light, Ren Ruyi struck with a punch and retracted it in one seamless motion. This domineering monk from the far north, who had never stepped back since emerging from the mountains, this unstoppable force from south to north retreated thirty li in a single step, his gray monk’s robe turning into a blood-stained garment.

“Can I block or not?” Ren Ruyi asked without a trace of pride, his voice serene. He then tapped the tip of his foot and appeared before Wu Yue, uttering a faint, “Leave.” He paid no heed to the admiring elder, the hesitant Chai Qingshan, or the envious Hai Qing. The two of them soared into the air, steering their boat against the current.

Wu Yue’s renown grew once more. Last time it had been due to the battle in Black Curtain City; this time it was because of the breathtaking beauty by his side.

The elder sighed deeply and said, “Why was I never so lucky in my youth? Having a beauty’s favor is no less delightful than unmatched cultivation. This young man is truly blessed.”

Hai Qing finally gathered her courage and whispered, “But he is Wu Yue.” The elder looked puzzled. “Wu Yue? Who is that?”

After a moment’s pause, the elder smiled bitterly and then sighed, “I swear I will no longer pass judgment on others.”

Thirty li away, Ye Xinchan slowly rose to his feet. “A powerful treasure’s strength—winning without honor, retreating with grace.” He continued southward with steady steps.

“Hey! Taste my Blade Valley King Menglong’s strike!” A youth in a blue robe transformed into a dazzling streak of light, tearing through the wind. The bystanders were stunned, shocked, speechless, ready to curse, even prepared to intervene.

“You’re shameless! We are all young here, all trying to make our way. You may have weak cultivation, poor talent, but you cannot be so brazen. Taking advantage of others like this is disgraceful. Even if you gain fame, your reputation will never be good. I’ve already remembered you—what’s your name? And your sect? Blade Valley King Menglong. Yes, that’s you.”

Ye Xinchan waved his hand lightly, not so much as disturbing a cloud, and “King Menglong” was sent flying backward at lightning speed, plunging into the water with a splash.

Underneath the water, the youth in blue swam swiftly. If Wu Yue were here, he would immediately recognize him as Chen Kaiyuan—the one who had invited him to Blade Valley outside Luoyang City that day. What was really going on? Chen Kaiyuan snarled fiercely, “I won’t let your reputation remain untarnished across the world.”

In a small fishing village courtyard, the guest sat comfortably while the host appeared somewhat uneasy.

The head of the household was a man in his forties, his eyes darting incessantly toward a boat in the yard. Ever since the vessel had fallen from the sky into his courtyard, his gaze had become uncontrollably distant. He was certain: this was his family’s boat, passed down from his father.

Yu Fu, a restless youth with a hyperactive spirit, could not stand anyone moving more than he did, even if only in their eyes. So he loudly declared, “Boss Liu, stop staring. I know Wu Yue isn’t the brightest, but when he comes over later, I’ll have him deliver the boat to you in the water—guaranteed no leaks, so don’t worry.”

Liu, restless and uneasy, nearly toppled over at these words. Wiping away cold sweat, he awkwardly said, “Young master, please don’t make fun of me.”

“You’re the one who’s not bright! What nonsense is that? Boss Liu is secretly pleased. This boat is now priceless, tsk tsk,” the bearded man said, picking his teeth as he spoke.

“Hey, bearded man! How dare you talk to me like that? You just joined today!” Yu Fu glared at him. The bearded man snorted coldly, unwilling on the surface but secretly thrilled—he had just entered the sect, and from now on, he would be a disciple of the Immortal Sect.

Zhao Qingzhi, utterly fed up with the two, rolled her eyes heavily.

At that moment, two people entered the courtyard. The bearded man, leisurely picking his teeth, suddenly shivered; the toothpick lodged itself between his teeth, yet surprisingly, it did not hurt. How strange. But why was he still trembling? How did this demoness arrive here?

Ren Ruyi glanced at the bearded man with a hint of familiarity, then said mockingly, “Is this your disciple? You really aren’t modest. He’s nothing special. With such talent, just reaching the Foundation Establishment stage is already a blessing.”

“What did you say?” The bearded man showed no anger; instead, joy blossomed on his face. “I can actually cultivate to Foundation Establishment?”

Ren Ruyi felt a harsh lump in his throat and slowly asked, “What’s your name?”

“Reporting to you, senior, my name is Bearded Man—no, my real name is Yue Jiu. I’m the ninth child in my family.”

“Yue Jiu, is it? My name is Wu Yue. From now on, you’ll be my disciple,” Wu Yue suddenly said.

Bearded Man was ecstatic. This was Wu Yue’s genuine acknowledgment, not a reluctant one. He prostrated himself on the ground, banging his head repeatedly until it was bloodied and bruised.

Ren Ruyi looked at Wu Yue in surprise. Outside, Wu Yue had clearly instructed him to play the villain once, then drive this man away. Wu Yue shook his head silently and extended a palm to help Yue Jiu up.

The world is vast, separated by two realms, yet by such coincidence, Yue Jiu was the first person Wu Yue ever met—a man who would never repent even unto death. It was also by such chance that Wu Yue had come from the Primordial Ancient Realm to the Immortal Spirit Realm.

For a moment, Wu Yue’s divine awareness wavered. Ren Ruyi cleared his throat lightly, bringing Wu Yue back to himself. Looking at Yue Jiu, whose tears, blood, and dirt were all mixed together, Wu Yue said solemnly, “You are my first disciple. You are the second-generation disciple of the Wu family of Lishan. For now, there is only one sect rule: never betray the sect! Those who do shall die. Can you uphold this?”

“I can,” Yue Jiu answered, his voice trembling. “If I betray the sect, may heaven and earth abandon me, and may I perish in blazing flames!” I’ve done it. I am truly becoming a cultivator.

“Then, I hope you remember this well.”

“I will never betray my master’s grace.”

Yu Fu perceptively offered a cup of tea. Yue Jiu hurriedly wiped his hands and presented it.

Wu Yue accepted it, slowly sipping. “To join my sect, you must pass a first trial: reach Lishan within three years.”

“Yes.” Yue Jiu respectfully kowtowed three times, then turned and left.

“Um, do you think I could also become your disciple?” Boss Liu asked timidly.