25: Entering Zizhu Peak at night

“There’s one thing I need to make clear to you two, though—Xiao Ruobai’s Aptitude isn’t top-tier, so when you spar, you must be careful not to overdo it.”

Xuan Yangzi was serious.

He deliberately emphasized, “Especially you, Jinghong, don’t just draw your sword at the drop of a hat; rein in your Startling Swan Sword Intent! If you scare the child and hurt his enthusiasm for Cultivating, I won’t let you off!”

Shen Jinghong’s mouth twitched, “Master, am I really that insensible?”

“How can you even ask that?”

Xuan Yangzi snorted.

“Last time you sparred with that kid from Jianxiao Peak, he conceded, but you still chased after him, hacking away. If I hadn’t stopped you, he’d still be in bed!”

Li Xuanfeng chuckled to himself, but Shen Jinghong shot him a cold glance, and he immediately quieted down.

Xuan Yangzi then turned to the two of them, his expression becoming serious.

“There’s one more thing you must remember. Your Martial Uncle Gu has a calm Heart-Nature and despises outsiders messing around on his Zizhu Peak.

You’ve seen how rich the Spiritual Qi is there—it’s extremely beneficial not just for Core Formation Realm practitioners, but even for those like me.”

Xuan Yangzi suddenly straightened his expression: “Once you reach Zizhu Peak, you will obey me! If I tell you to go east, don’t go west; if I tell you to weed, don’t water! Whoever dares to displease your Martial Uncle Gu, I’ll skin him alive when you return!”

“Why?” Shen Jinghong pressed.

“Why so many ‘whys’!” Xuan Yangzi glared.

“Your Martial Uncle Gu has more treasures than the Sect Master’s treasury. If you keep him happy, even a small leak of items from him would be enough for you to Breakthrough!”

Li Xuanfeng suddenly understood and quickly cupped his hands: “This Disciple understands!”

“That’s good.”

Seeing them agree, Xuan Yangzi finally showed a satisfied expression, his eyes and brows filled with undisguised pride.

He slowly pulled a Jade Slip from his embrace. The Jade Slip was pure white, its edges glowing with a faint Spiritual Light, clearly no ordinary item. He casually tossed it to Shen Jinghong.

“This is the essence of the Sky-reaching Palm. Take it to Xiao Ruobai as well.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xuan Yangzi seemed to suddenly remember something important and slapped his thigh.

He craned his neck forward, scanned the Immortal Cave left and right to confirm no one else was present, then lowered his voice to a whisper, adding mysteriously.

“Remember, set off tomorrow morning before dawn, and don’t come down until it’s completely dark. Tread lightly, and don’t let anyone from the other peaks see you.”

He leaned closer, his lowered voice full of caution.

“That old stone from Qingyue Peak is very shrewd; his eyes are like a hawk’s, and nothing can escape him. Those guys from Jianxiao Peak aren’t easy either; they’re all clever.

If they spot you, they might also follow you to ask your Martial Uncle Gu for special guidance—then with too many spots, and overcrowded, where would your share be?”

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanfeng’s eyes instantly lit up like ignited sparks. He vigorously patted his chest, his words of assurance ringing out clearly.

“Master, rest assured! I guarantee we will hold our breath, tread lightly, and not let a single person discover us!”

Stepping out of the room, the mountain breeze swept past, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Li Xuanfeng weighed the Jade Slip in his palm. The cool sensation spread from his palm, and a rare, genuine, faint smile touched his lips, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“No matter what, being able to Cultivate on Zizhu Peak and bask in its Spiritual Qi is always good. Tomorrow… I really must go early; I can’t miss this opportunity.”

He gazed in the direction of the distant, cloud-shrouded Zizhu Peak, his voice full of yearning.

Shen Jinghong walked beside him, her fingertips unconsciously caressing her sword hilt, her eyes also showing a hint of anticipation.

Between 1 AM and 3 AM.

The world was engulfed in an impenetrable darkness; even the stars and moon hid behind thick clouds.

Two black figures, like silhouettes merged with the ink-like darkness, silently appeared on the mountain path leading to Zizhu Peak.

Li Xuanfeng and Shen Jinghong had both changed into tight-fitting black night clothes, their heads and faces covered with black cloth, revealing only their eyes.

Shen Jinghong’s steps were light and soundless. After a few steps, she couldn’t help but nudge Li Xuanfeng beside her with her elbow.

She whispered, “Senior Brother, do we really need to be like this? It feels like we’re sneaking around like thieves.”

Li Xuanfeng turned his head to look at her, his eyes particularly bright in the night. He also lowered his voice, but his tone carried a hint of seriousness.

“It’s very necessary. You know as well as I do, who wouldn’t covet the benefits of Zizhu Peak?”

He paused, then leaned closer, as if sharing a huge secret.

“Before my Breakthrough, I went out to clear my head. Passing by Zizhu Peak, I saw Peak Master Shi of Qingyue Peak in the middle of the night, looking for a dog hole halfway up Zizhu Peak, probably trying to sneak in to Cultivate.”

Shen Jinghong raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised: “Even Peak Master Shi does that?”

“Indeed.”

Li Xuanfeng chuckled softly.

“So, caution is the parent of safety; we can’t let our efforts go to waste. If others find out, let alone benefiting from the Spiritual Qi, Master will probably nag us until our ears callus.”

Shen Jinghong thought of Xuan Yangzi’s nagging and couldn’t help but shiver, saying no more, only making her movements even lighter.

The two hurried along, using the shadows of the trees beside the mountain path for cover, like two agile night cats, making their way towards the cloud-shrouded summit of Zizhu Peak.

The closer they got to Zizhu Peak, the more concentrated the Spiritual Qi in the air became. Taking a breath felt refreshing, and even the circulation of their spiritual power became much smoother.

Li Xuanfeng and Shen Jinghong exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of excitement and anticipation in each other’s eyes.

Finally, the mountain gate of Zizhu Peak was in sight.

The mountain gate was constructed from two thick Purple Bamboo stalks, entwined with some unknown vines, which were indistinct in the night.

Li Xuanfeng signaled Shen Jinghong to stop, then cautiously moved forward to scout. After confirming no one was around, he waved to Shen Jinghong.

The two held their breath, tiptoeing towards the mountain gate, about to step into the territory of Zizhu Peak.

Suddenly, Shen Jinghong seemed to step on something. A faint white light flashed from her feet, instantly spreading out to form an invisible large net.

“Oh no! It’s a Formation!”

Li Xuanfeng’s Heart-Nature tightened. He wanted to warn Shen Jinghong to retreat, but it was already too late.

With a soft “buzz,” the invisible net suddenly tightened, firmly wrapping around the two of them.

Immediately after, a huge pulling force came, lifting both of them into the air, hanging between the two Purple Bamboo stalks.

Shen Jinghong swayed as she hung, unable to help but curse softly, “Damn it! Martial Uncle Gu’s Formation is too well hidden!”

Li Xuanfeng also looked helpless. He struggled for a moment but found the net tightening even more.

He could only say with a wry smile, “It seems our ‘thieving’ skills are still not up to par.”

The night was still thick. The two, hanging in mid-air, could only watch helplessly as occasional Spiritual Light flashed from deep within Zizhu Peak, unable to move.

They secretly prayed that Martial Uncle Gu or that Junior Brother named Xiao Ruobai wouldn’t discover their embarrassing predicament.