As the territory of a sect, Huanyang City naturally had city guards collecting entry fees at its main gate. However, as a mid-level sect participating in the ranking tournament, Jiuyang Sect naturally didn’t need to lag behind the smaller sects that could be built and destroyed at any time, or the rogue cultivators who wanted to come and go in the city, and squeeze into the crowds.
Just as they arrived in the airspace above the city, the leading elder sent a signal into the sky. Soon, a spirit bird took flight from the city, carrying a graceful and charming girl in purple robes, and quickly arrived. The girl in purple robes was very beautiful. Although she was smiling, she still had a particularly refined and otherworldly air about her, making people hesitant to offend her. Moreover, her cultivation level was also at the Golden Core stage.
After she arrived, she bowed and said in a soft voice, “Liu Ziqi of Xinyi Sect, on the orders of the Sect Master, welcomes this distinguished guest into the mountain gate.”
The leading elder was also a very handsome middle-aged man. His aptitude wasn’t the best, but his personality was the most composed. So, after greeting Liu Ziqi and exchanging a few polite words, he flew deeper into Huanyang City with her spirit bird. Liu Ziqi’s temperament and appearance were both top-notch. Many male cultivators on the back of the sect’s guardian spirit bird couldn’t help but stare in amazement.
Mu Zirun, sitting in Yu Tianze’s lap, didn’t forget to keep an eye on the surroundings. After Liu Ziqi appeared, he naturally noticed the male cultivators’ reactions and couldn’t help but find it amusing. However, in his opinion, Liu Ziqi, as a cultivator, was indeed much more beautiful than the female celebrities and powerful women he had seen in his previous life. In a place where there were obviously more men than women, it was only natural that she attracted attention.
After thinking for a moment, he looked up at Yu Tianze. His peak master was also quite young. He wondered if he had thought about finding him a Mistress? Yu Tianze’s expression was cold, and his attention was completely elsewhere, not on Liu Ziqi. His somewhat fierce eyes swept over the equally massive flocks of spirit beasts and birds flying in from several other directions around Huanyang City.
Those giant beasts carried the Nine Yang Sect’s rivals, and he intended to investigate them. Mu Zirun silently followed Yu Tianze’s gaze, then silently turned back: “Peak Master, are you looking?”
Yu Tianze patted his head and said in a deep voice, “The biggest threats to our Nine Yang Sect are the Qianyi Sect and the Haijiang Sect. The other mid-level sects are alright, but these two sects are affiliated with the Zheng Gang Immortal Sect. They had the upper hand the first two times, and this time we must reclaim our ranking to obtain sufficient resources within the Immortal Sect…”
Okay, he understood. The Peak Master was a good man, unmoved by women. Mu Zirun’s lips twitched, and he nodded: “Peak Master means I should stay away from them?”
Yu Tianze’s expression grew even colder: “That’s right, I’ll take down those brats, so you absolutely cannot leave my vicinity. Otherwise, your life will be in danger, understand?”
Mu Zirun’s expression turned serious, and he earnestly agreed: “Yes, Peak Master.”
Although it sounded like a threat, the logic was undeniable. He wasn’t a child; how could he not understand the intricacies involved? In his month in the outer sect, he had witnessed far too many instances of the strong bullying the weak. He didn’t want to be slaughtered, so of course, he had to become stronger while being cautious at all times. Not all cultivators were as kind and lovable as his Peak Master.
As they spoke, Liu Ziqi had already led everyone to the outside of a very large mountain gate. Soon, Liu Ziqi opened the barrier with a hand seal, and the group broke through a void, entering a very spacious area—the reception area for guests of the Xinyi Sect’s inner sect.
Because the ranking competition was always held at Xinyi Sect, the arrangements for the competition had long been established over the years. Liu Ziqi led the Jiuyang Sect members directly to a small mountain range, where dozens of small peaks were clustered together. Although each peak was not high, it contained many small cave dwellings.
This was undoubtedly the residence of intermediate-level sects. The small peak where the Jiuyang Sect was located was on the left branch, surrounded by other small peaks on all sides. Not all of these small peaks were friendly—in fact, the competition was fierce.
As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Yu Tianze could occupy a mountain dwelling by himself, so after arriving, he ignored Chen Yiheng’s hesitant gaze and, with Mu Zirun in tow, headed straight for the topmost one. The other Jiuyang Sect members also felt it was only natural, after all, among the five or six Nascent Soul cultivators who came, Yu Tianze was the strongest.
This mountain dwelling was a guest dwelling, and of course, it couldn’t compare to Yu Tianze’s Thunderfire Palace. Mu Zirun went inside and found it to be a fairly clean stone house, though the concentration of spiritual energy was decent. Yu Tianze was about to sit down when Mu Zirun tugged at his sleeve.
He looked down: “What’s wrong?”
Mu Zirun smiled: “Peak Master, please wait a moment. The environment here isn’t good, so let Zirun clean it up.”
Yu Tianze didn’t care: “Why bother? Just meditate.”
Mu Zirun smiled and tugged at him again. Yu Tianze ruffled Mu Zirun’s head and, indulging him, walked aside with his hands behind his back. Mu Zirun opened his storage bag; since he successfully guided his Qi into his body, activating this thing had become much easier. Soon, he produced a white jade bed, a white jade couch, clean undergarments, a white jade tub, and a series of other jade utensils, arranging them all neatly. In front of the white jade tub was a white jade stool—the undergarments were placed on that stool. In front of the stool was a white jade screen, dividing the room into two, forming a small bathhouse.
Then Mu Zirun took out a white jade gourd filled with steaming, warm spiritual spring water, which he poured into the white jade tub, filling it quickly. After everything was arranged, all the utensils in the room were warm and clean, no longer looking so bare. Yu Tianze watched him bustling around, feeling unusually relaxed. When Mu Zirun finished, he nudged Yu Tianze, saying, “Peak Master, you must be tired from your journey. Go take a bath and feel refreshed.”
Yu Tianze turned to look at him, “You did this just to help me relax?”
Mu Zirun smiled, “Peak Master, please go ahead.”
Yu Tianze was quite pleased. With a swift movement, he took off his outer robe, saying, “You’re tired too, want to bathe together?”
Mu Zirun coughed lightly, “Wait until Peak Master is finished… This tub is still a bit small.”
As Yu Tianze spoke, he had already walked behind the screen, and with a long stride, he was completely immersed in the white jade tub. Looking at the shadows on the screen, Mu Zirun’s mood improved. After Yu Tianze finished bathing, Mu Zirun used his now stronger arms to wipe away the remaining water, then poured hot water for himself and soaked for a while. When they came out, one was sleeping on the white jade bed, and the other on the white jade couch, both feeling very happy.
This kind of companionship, whether it was Mu Zirun, who had been alone for two lifetimes, or Yu Tianze, who thought he wasn’t alone in his previous life but was actually alone, both felt genuinely comforted. While resting with his eyes closed, Yu Tianze didn’t forget to explain the rules of the upcoming conference to Mu Zirun, including matters concerning the nine immortal sects that absolutely should not be provoked.
In fact, Mu Zirun had already obtained this information through the system before leaving home, but since Yu Tianze, an impatient person, was patiently explaining these things to him, he didn’t find it tedious and listened carefully again.
When Yu Tianze finished explaining, he was finally satisfied: “Did you understand, little brat?”
Mu Zirun smiled indulgently: “Understood, Peak Master.”
Yu Tianze snapped his fingers, and a wisp of lightning rolled up the soft brocade quilt at the foot of the bed, covering Mu Zirun with a “thump.” Mu Zirun felt this warmth and slept peacefully. The next day, early in the morning. Yu Tianze had just opened his eyes when he saw a small boy standing by the bed, holding a white jade basin. He wasn’t tall, but his smile held a calmness and composure beyond his years.
He lifted his eyelids, picked up a wad of silk from the basin, wiped his face, and then washed his hands. With his cultivation level, he would hardly be tainted by any dust. However, the water in the basin was a refreshing spring that cleared the mind and brightened the eyes, having the effect of invigorating the spirit and strengthening the soul. It was a kind gesture from the little brat, so he accepted it.
Seeing Yu Tianze’s reaction, Mu Zirun’s gaze softened even more. He then put the basin aside and went to fetch a brand-new set of heavy purple robes—this set of robes was meticulously crafted by the sect’s robe-making master after he took over Yu Tianze’s internal affairs. Its style was more exquisite, and its material was more luxurious.
Yu Tianze could tell that these were newly made robes, so he put them on to please the little brat. Sure enough, they were more comfortable than the previous ones, and the flow of his true energy was smoother.
He was in high spirits: “Well done.”
Mu Zirun’s eyes crinkled with satisfaction. These robes fit Yu Tianze perfectly. Even this middle-aged man, who had experienced the mortal world, couldn’t help but feel a little amazed. After getting dressed, Mu Zirun served Yu Tianze breakfast, and the two finally stepped out of the cave. Since they were newcomers, the other members of the Nine Yang Sect were still tidying up in their rooms. They would be staying at the Heart City Sect for at least a month, so they were well-prepared.
By this time, almost everyone had gotten up, and the members of the Nine Yang Sect had all come out of the small peak. Mu Zirun followed Yu Tianze, strolling along the cliff, which was quite leisurely… but Mu Zirun soon realized that leisure was not for him or his peak master. Less than five minutes after Yu Tianze appeared in his fine clothes, a large, fiery red blade slashed down from a small peak opposite them, accompanied by an arrogant voice: “Yu Tianze, you dare come here? Take this—”
Yu Tianze didn’t even look, rubbed his hands together, and a ball of lightning the size of a water vat was flung away.
