Chapter Fifty-Eight: Priorities

Elder Qian flicked his sleeves and swaggered off. Tai Yue sighed, realizing he would have to go and summon his precious disciple himself.

The Ancient God Path serves as the final barrier of the Nine Palaces, consisting of four passages located in the East, South, West, and North.

Wudang South God Path: Situated on the southern side of Tianzhu Peak (the main peak of the Wudang Mountains).

Only 5.7 kilometers from the summit, Tai Yue walked slowly amidst the drifting clouds. Before long, a figure appeared before him. The man was dressed in white, and the shifting mists passed through him as if he were intangible, creating a dreamlike, illusory scene.

"Is it comfortable staying here?"

The voice seemed to descend from beyond the heavens. Qi Tian opened his eyes and spoke slowly.

"To guard the empire forged by our ancestors is the greatest honor for a disciple!"

His eyes were bright, full of vitality and devoid of any gloom. It was merely a change of scenery; the only difference was that while others could leave after a short time, one had to remain at the Ancient God Path for three months straight, with no one visiting except for the person delivering meals.

It felt like isolation—pure, crushing loneliness—not much different from being locked in a dark room.

"What about the person who caused me to be sent here to guard the ancestors' legacy? Has he awakened yet?"

Qi Tian’s gaze was melancholy, as if blaming the person who had set this rule.

"His arm is shattered. If he wishes to restore it..." Tai Yue stood beside Qi Tian, gazing into the distance, his words carrying hidden meaning.

"How can it be restored?" Qi Tian’s eyes flickered, curious or perhaps contemplating the solution.

"I hear there is a serum in the genetic sequence known as 'Genetic Recombination.' We must either provide rare treasures or rescue an important figure before the military will grant it to us," Tai Yue said slowly, his tone tinged with sorrow and helplessness.

"So, you want me to go and save someone?" Qi Tian said calmly, his tone flat, as if he had expected this.

"Although I want you to leave, as the Sect Leader of Wudang, I cannot break the rules." Tai Yue continued, "Atonement through meritorious service! Find Elder Jingyun of the Hall of Punishment and have him lead you. This mission requires strength in numbers—it won't be easy, considering it takes place three hundred meters underground."

"Also, after the rescue, go to Xiaolin Town and check on the situation with Bing Yun. Elder Jingyun will fill you in on the details along the way. Matters of priority are clear; be on your way!"

Tai Yue’s expression was grave as he revealed the purpose of his visit. Qi Tian blinked, looking at his master, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but he held his tongue.

Seeing his master turn his back, his expression somber, Qi Tian turned and left without another word. Once Qi Tian was out of sight, Tai Yue sighed. "They say it is harder to reach the peaks of Mount Shu than to ascend to the blue heavens, but how difficult it is to guard those very heavens!" His voice echoed mournfully through the mountains.

Tianzhu Peak.

Crossing the Wudang Mountain gate, Qi Tian felt a whirlwind of emotions, coupled with a strange sense of anticipation. He hurried toward the Hall of Punishment. What news had that youth brought to Wudang? What happened in Xiaolin Town? Had Bing Yun returned home because of a family crisis? Did she need him to comfort her?

His heart was anxious, and he desperately needed someone to ask. Unfortunately, Tianzhu Peak was inhabited only by the Sect Leader and his direct disciples, along with the blessed caves used for cultivation. It was rarely visited; one needed enough spirit stones or contribution points to access the upper reaches.

He was heading to Wuzhu Peak, located on the mountainside of Tianzhu. A path connected Wuzhu Peak and the Yuxu Palace, making it the most accessible route to these mountains. It was said that the original design centered on Tianzhu Peak, with the three peaks supporting each other. Wuzhu Peak and Yuxu Peak were sheer cliffs with no natural paths to the top, a design intended to prevent bandits or military incursions—the greatest advantage that had allowed Wudang Mountain to endure for thousands of years.

Qi Tian wove through the crowd, hurrying to Wuzhu Peak. The area was densely packed with people, bustling like a marketplace. The clothing was eccentric, and the weapons and manuals scattered on the ground all emanated a faint glow, proving their extraordinary nature. The streets were filled with both men and women, all of them young, their voices still carrying a childish lilt. It was like a kindergarten, but one governed by the survival of the fittest.

The older you were, the more tuition you paid if your cultivation realm lagged behind. Enrollment began at twelve; the cost for martial arts enlightenment was one spirit stone. By thirteen, one had to reach the Mingjin realm; failure to do so cost ten spirit stones, while success cost five. At fourteen, one had to reach the Anjin realm—reaching it cost fifty spirit stones, while failure meant one hundred. At fifteen, one had to reach the Xiantian realm, which granted entry into the academy and exempted one from further tuition. For every year thereafter, the tuition increased tenfold for those who failed to meet the requirements.

The streets were mostly filled with twelve-year-olds, fresh to the academy and prone to loitering. Although Qi Tian moved with profound agility, the sheer volume of people made him irritable.

"Where is Brother Qi Tian rushing off to?"

As he dodged the crowd, someone called his name from behind. He turned to see a woman in white robes, with refined features and clear eyes. Her hands were held at her waist, and she looked like a fairy descended from the heavens.

"I don't have time to explain! I'm off to save someone! It's a matter of life and death!" Qi Tian’s eyes brightened when he saw her, but burdened by his mission, he turned and hurried toward the Hall of Punishment.

"I’ll go with you, Senior Brother!" Seeing the look on his face, she knew something was wrong and immediately asked to join.

"No! You’re a girl! How can I take you on a rescue mission? If people saw us, they’d mock me!" Qi Tian paused. Though the mission required as many hands as possible, he felt it inappropriate for a girl to come, fearing people would think he was just out on a pleasure trip.

"Are you looking down on us girls?" Hearing this, she grew indignant, pouting with dissatisfaction.

"If you really want to come, call some more people! Keep it elite, not a rabble! I’ll wait for you at the Hall of Punishment!" Qi Tian said helplessly, hoping she was just talking. But knowing her stubborn nature, he sighed to himself, hoping she wouldn't bring too many people, as that would complicate things.

Passing through the crowded streets, he soon arrived at the Hall of Punishment, a building constructed of carved wood. Two guards stood at the entrance. Upon seeing the token on his chest, they were startled, stepped back, and gestured for him to enter. "Elder Jingyun is waiting for you inside."

Qi Tian smiled, nodded, and walked in. Guided through a maze of corridors, he eventually entered a large chamber. There were quite a few people inside—about ten. Considering the entire Hall of Punishment only had thirty members, nearly a third were present today. The difficulty of this mission was clearly substantial. He felt a secret thrill of alarm.

"Is that Qi Tian? Come over here! Let me show you how to use these things."

The moment he entered, a man’s gaze fell upon him. Qi Tian walked over, feeling apprehensive as he looked at the various tools on the shelves.

"Elder Jingyun, what is this thing?" Qi Tian asked, pointing to an object that had caught his eye. It was a cylinder with a cord attached to a groove, and at the bottom was a mirror-like surface that reflected light. It was his first time seeing such a thing.

"That is a lighting tool. A flashlight," Elder Jingyun said without looking up, as if he knew exactly what Qi Tian was touching.

"How do you use it?" Qi Tian asked, puzzled.

"It’s probably useless now. It's just a display piece. It requires solar energy to provide light. This technology is far too outdated..."