Chapter 107: Return to the Sect (5)

Xingwu Peak, aside from being used by the body cultivator disciples, also bore the responsibility of hosting the sect's martial competitions. Every twenty years, the grand tournament was held here. Because body cultivators were vigorous in vitality and tended toward aggression, the management of this peak was stricter than that of the others to prevent any bloody incidents.

As Ji Mo flew into the sky above Xingwu Peak, two disciples guarding the mountain gate emerged and addressed her where she hovered in midair, "Senior sister, may we ask which peak you hail from and what brings you to Xingwu Peak?" To be admitted into the inner court as a body cultivator, one's cultivation had to be at least at the Mortal Transcendence stage. These two disciples before her were both at the sixth level of Mortal Transcendence, equivalent to Foundation Establishment stage for spiritual cultivators. Their respectful address of her as "senior sister" was already a mark of esteem.

"I'm a disciple of Thunder Peak, here to Changwu Peak to find someone," Ji Mo promptly landed as she replied.

"So it's a senior sister from Thunder Peak. May I ask whom you're looking for?" asked a dark-skinned, honest-looking young man.

"I'm looking for Zhao Hu," Ji Mo answered.

Before the man could reply, a startled exclamation came from behind him. He turned to see a tall, handsome youth dash out like a gust of wind and rush toward Ji Mo.

This was none other than Zhao Hu, who had recently risen to prominence in the Body Cultivation Academy. In just seven years since entering the inner court, he had advanced from the initial stage of Mortal Transcendence to the seventh, almost one stage per year. The elders of Xingwu Peak regarded him as the most promising candidate to break through to the Embryo Essence stage—a true prodigy. Few on Xingwu Peak did not know his name.

The black-faced youth was surprised to see the usually composed Zhao Hu so agitated today. Curious, he glanced at Ji Mo and, recalling Zhao Hu's exclamation, suddenly realized: could this beautiful girl be the prodigy who fell into Blue Moon Lake eleven years ago?

Zhao Hu, oblivious to what others thought, focused all his attention on Ji Mo. He rushed to stand two steps before her, his eyes brimming with irrepressible joy, and stammered, "Xiao... Xiao Mo, you—it's really you? You're alive?"

Not long ago, when he first heard the news, he thought he was dreaming. He had wanted to go straight to Thunder Peak to find her but, knowing Ji Mo had just returned and would have many matters to attend to, he restrained himself, waiting on Xingwu Peak for her instead.

"Brother Zhao Hu, do you really wish I were dead that much?" Ji Mo looked at him, amused and exasperated.

"No, no, that's not it! I just never thought I'd see you again—no, I mean..." Zhao Hu spun in agitation, tongue-tied and unable to express himself.

"Haha, enough. Zhao Hu, I know what you mean. Come with me to Thunder Peak. Master and my senior brothers and sisters have prepared a welcoming banquet for me, and Master asked me to bring you along," Ji Mo said with a laugh.

"Alright!" Zhao Hu replied.

"Come on, I'll give you a ride." Ji Mo pointed to her White Jade Flood Dragon Whip at her feet, extending it by two meters to make room for Zhao Hu. After reaching the sixth level of Mortal Transcendence, body cultivators could also hover briefly in the air, though they could not fly as freely as spiritual cultivators. Zhao Hu, unreserved, leapt onto the whip, and Ji Mo carried him as they flew toward Thunder Peak.

The journey between Thunder Peak and Xingwu Peak was not short, and, having just reached Foundation Establishment, Ji Mo was not fast. The round trip took nearly an hour. When they finally returned to Thunder Peak, Ji Mo found that, aside from Chi Yan, no one else was present.

She leapt down, stowing away the White Jade Flood Dragon Whip, and asked Chi Yan, "Uncle Chi Yan, where is everyone?"

"They're all in the inner court. Miss Hei, your seasonings are truly remarkable. The Fourth Young Master used them to prepare dishes that have drawn everyone in," Chi Yan chuckled. The kitchen in Lei Wei's palace was set up in the backyard where Ji Mo now resided.

"Haha, isn't that so? The flavors of those seasonings are indescribable. Back when I was in the Flame Domain, I ate food grilled with them for years and never tired of it," Ji Mo laughed heartily.

"Flame Domain? Where's that?" Chi Yan and Zhao Hu were both taken aback. Even the little Golden Beast, napping on Ji Mo’s shoulder, opened its eyes.

"Ah, it's nothing. Let's go inside before Master and the others finish all the good food," Ji Mo said, sidestepping the question. Chi Yan and Zhao Hu wisely did not press further.

Having lived here for years, Ji Mo was intimately familiar with every blade of grass and tree on the peak. Without waiting for Chi Yan to lead the way, she strode toward the main hall. As she crossed from the central hall to the backyard, the delicious aroma in the air nearly made her drool, and the little Golden Beast on her shoulder was even worse, drooling incessantly, some of it spilling onto Ji Mo's shoulder.

"Little Jin, show some restraint! You're a beast at the Core Formation stage, yet you drool all over the place for a bit of food—where’s your dignity?" Ji Mo, feeling the wetness on her shoulder, glanced sidelong at the little beast, her brow twitching as she scolded it sharply.

Little Jin bristled, about to retort, when Chu Qing, sitting in the courtyard gnawing on a piece of roast meat, looked up and waved the meat at Little Jin, whistling, "Ignore your heartless master, Little Jin. Come here, I’ll give you some."

The words at Little Jin's lips vanished; with a swoosh, it shot from Ji Mo's shoulder into Chu Qing’s arms, eyes wide and golden, staring pitifully at the meat. Chu Qing laughed and quickly split the meat, handing half to Little Jin.

Little Jin seized it with both paws and hopped onto a large stone, savoring it delightedly, completely forgetting Ji Mo. Ji Mo, both exasperated and amused, glared at it and was about to lecture it on the basic morals of being a beast companion, when Lei Wei interrupted, "Xiao Mo, Zhao Hu, you're here! Come, try some roast meat—this flavor, ah…!"

Since her master had spoken, Ji Mo had to defer her lesson for Little Jin. She went to sit across from Lei Wei, glancing around and noticing that, apart from Chu Qing, her eldest senior sister was nowhere to be seen.

"Where’s Eldest Senior Sister?" she asked.

"Oh, after tasting a piece of roast meat, she slipped into the kitchen to learn cooking from Su Ye. She said that in the future she’d make her own delicacies so as not to wrong herself. See what trouble your seasonings have caused!" Lei Wei shook his head with a sigh.

"Haha, Master, it’s a good thing that Senior Sister’s taken to cooking! That means you’ll have one more disciple to look after you," Ji Mo laughed.

"Chi Yan, Zhao Hu, you two, don’t just stand there—come and try some," Lei Wei called, seeing Zhao Hu and Chi Yan standing awkwardly aside. He couldn’t help glancing at his little disciple—this Mo girl wasn’t much of a hostess, it seemed. He’d have to teach her hospitality when there was time.

It was Zhao Hu’s first time on Thunder Peak, and he was a little nervous. Ji Mo, in her excitement, had forgotten to greet him, making him even more self-conscious. Chi Yan, on the other hand, instinctively felt that, with an outsider present, it was inappropriate to be too casual as Lei Wei’s guardian beast.

Lei Wei was straightforward and disliked formalities. When alone with his disciples, he was very relaxed. For some reason, though, Chi Yan paid more attention to etiquette than Lei Wei himself. When there were no outsiders, Chi Yan was quite at ease, but in company, he was careful to uphold Lei Wei’s dignity.

"Brother Zhao Hu, have a seat—be at ease here. Treat it like your own home back in Zhao Family Village. My master is the most easygoing person you’ll ever meet," Ji Mo hurried to say, seeing Zhao Hu awkwardly at a loss. She even stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.

This girl could be a little slow at times. She had brought Zhao Hu to Thunder Peak and subconsciously treated him as kin, never considering the need to play hostess. For her, Thunder Peak was home, but for Zhao Hu, it was unfamiliar. If Lei Wei hadn’t called him over, she wouldn’t have noticed his discomfort.

"Yes, lad, make yourself comfortable. I don’t like people being too formal. Since you’re Xiao Mo’s brother and a disciple of Moonwatching Sect, you’re family here—no need for ceremony," Lei Wei added.

"I’m not Ji Mo’s brother," Zhao Hu blurted out. Everyone present was stunned, all eyes turning to him, including Lin Zechen and Feng Chengying, who had just come out of the kitchen carrying a dish. The greatest reaction, however, came from Ji Mo. Her face paled slightly, and her eyes grew moist as she gazed at Zhao Hu.

"No, I—I mean, Xiao Mo did live with my family for a few years, but I wouldn’t dare call myself her real brother. With her extraordinary talent, she is truly heaven’s chosen. How could I, with my meager worth, presume to call myself her brother?" Zhao Hu, flustered by so many eyes, flushed crimson and hurried to stammer his explanation.

(To be continued…)