CH 122

Chapter 122 – Sitting in on the Proceedings

Xu Disheng picked up the jade slip in front of him, and the vibrating stopped. He heard Bai Zhehua’s voice transmitted from within. “Senior Martial Brother Lu and I are outside your courtyard right now, Junior Martial Brother Xu.”

He stood up and walked out of his courtyard, opening the barrier of light in the process. The glaring midday sunshine was beating down heavily, causing Xu Disheng to squint his eyes a bit.

“Junior Martial Brother Xu, the Peak Master ordered Senior Martial Brother Lu and me to come find you,” Bai Zhehua said, his expression complex.

In this short of a time, Xu Disheng had experienced a meteoric rise, going from an ordinary early Sea of Qi stage disciple to a widely renowned Sea of Qi stage genius in the entire Mingxin Mountain.

Even Bai Zhehua had long since been left in the dust, and now he didn’t even know how he should act around Xu Disheng.

Lu Zimo also nodded and said, “The Peak Master and the Dao Foundation stage Deacons are waiting for you in Morning Night Hall. The very last round in the Sea of Qi division of the Internal Disciple Tournament is tonight, so the Peak Master wished to summon you to speak about some matters.”

Xu Disheng agreed, closing up the barrier of light around his courtyard. He then followed the two of them as they led the way towards Morning Night Hall, which was situated at the summit of Morning Dew Peak.

The name Morning Dew Peak came about as a result of the 10,000-year-old pine tree growing at the summit of the Peak. The tree had long since cultivated a spiritual awareness and become a demon, having existed for tens of thousands of years by now.

But because it was growing on Morning Dew Peak, the indigenous lower demons that resulted from its existence weren’t allowed to transform and advance without the approval of a Spirit Master with authority.

Every morning in the canopy of the pine tree, a single precious droplet of essence dew would coalesce from the purple qi that the tree would absorb from the heat of the three great suns warming up the brisk dawn. Every drop would be imbued with the qi from the first rays of the morning sun, fabricating clouds and mist in its presence. Ingesting a single drop of this essence dew could extend one’s lifespan by several years. This was how Morning Dew Peak got its name.

Right beneath this giant pine tree was Morning Night Hall, which also happened to be the palace of the Peak Master, Lu Changge.

There were two elite peak Sea of Qi stage disciples standing guard by the gate. Seeing Xu Disheng accompanied by the other two, they both saluted respectfully and said, “Greetings to Senior Martial Brother Lu and Senior Martial Brother Xu.”

Although Bai Zhehua was the child of a Dao Foundation stage Deacon, he couldn’t be called ‘senior martial brother’ because he was only at the early Sea of Qi stage.

Xu Disheng was similarly at the early Sea of Qi stage, but he had many Magic Treasures in his possession, and had a tyrannical level of combat power that earned him a spot amongst the top 10 disciples at the Sea of Qi stage. He was a publicly recognized genius in the entire Mingxin Mountain Range, so these disciples from Morning Dew Peak didn’t dare to show any disrespect.

Lu Zimo gestured with his hand, leading the way into the hall.

Xu Disheng and Bai Zhehua returned a salute to the two peak Sea of Qi stage disciples standing guard by the gate, then followed Lu Zimo into the hall.

The Peak Master, Lu Changge, Deacon Bai Honghua, Deacon Tan Min, and several other Dao Foundation stage Deacons that Xu Disheng didn’t recognize were all seated in the hall.

It was clear to see that Lu Changge had gathered all of the Dao Foundation stage presences of Morning Dew Peak here.

“Xu Disheng,” Lu Changge greeted. He waved his hand, prompting Lu Zimo and Bai Zhehua to bow respectfully and withdraw to one side, which left Xu Disheng standing alone in the center of the hall. “Celestial Tide Spirit Master conveyed to us via jade slip that after the Sea of Qi division of the tournament draws to an end, you are to officially join the Third Mountain, Wenyuan Mountain, and take up your post as a Secret Realms intermediary disciple of Affairs Hall. You are aware of this, yes?”

“Yes, this disciple is aware. Celestial Tide Spirit Master has already given me the token,” Xu Disheng replied.

“The Peak will change out your courtyard and give you one that is on the same level as the Dao Foundation stage Deacons’ courtyards. But since I became Peak Master of Morning Dew Peak, we have never produced a genius disciple. Plus, in the entire Mingxin Mountain Range, we are only ranked 40th or so. Our Peak resources aren’t sufficient to support a genius disciple. But you know this, right?” Lu Changge said.

“Peak Master, you already lent me the Imperial Demon Brush. This disciple is already extremely grateful for that, and wouldn’t dare to make unreasonable demands of the Peak’s resources,” Xu Disheng humbly replied.

Lu Changge shook his head and said, “If we were too stingy towards our genius disciple, how would other people look at our Morning Dew Peak? Just take the Imperial Demon Brush; there’s no need to return it. Also, regarding your cultivation resources. Each month, you will now receive 150 spirit stones, as well as 5 Qi Boosting Pills. This amount is the same as what ordinary Dao Foundation disciples receive here.”

Although Xu Disheng wasn’t lacking for spirit stones, he knew that Lu Changge had a lot to consider as a Peak Master, and many matters required careful consideration.

Giving Xu Disheng the Imperial Demon Brush, which cost several thousand spirit stones by itself, could already be considered taking care of Xu Disheng quite well. True to his word, Lu Changge indeed wasn’t being stingy.

“Thank you, Peak Master.”

After bowing in gratitude, he saw Lu Changge wave his hand, signaling that Xu Disheng could retreat to the side. Xu Disheng went to stand next to Lu Zimo.

Lu Changge swept his gaze over the Dao Foundation stage Deacons surrounding him and said, “I want to set up a marketplace on Morning Dew Peak. If we succeed, we could drastically improve our status in the Mountain Range, and we might even see our ranking increase.”

The Deacons’ expressions changed slightly. Tan Min spoke first. “Peak Master, I respectfully disagree!”

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Lu Changge replied, “Why so?”

Tan Min shook his head and said, “Not to mention setting up a marketplace requires the support of a tremendous amount of resources, all of the Mountain Peaks who tried to set up a marketplace in recent years have suffered irreparable deficits without exception. The existing marketplaces in the Mountain Range are colluding to force out any new marketplaces that try to appear. It would be far too difficult to gain any influence or make significant progress with this.”

Many of the Dao Foundation stage Deacons nodded their heads, expressing their agreement with Tan Min’s words.

Seeing that the other Deacons were of the mind to simply keep silent and listen respectfully, Bai Honghua lightly gestured with his chin in Xu Disheng’s direction, continuing on Tan Min’s point. “Moreover, even though our Morning Dew Peak is only ranked 40th or so, we now have a top 10 Sea of Qi stage genius among our ranks! This can be considered to have earned a few points of fame and prestige for the name of our Peak.”

“But since Peak Master brought up this idea, you must have thought it over thoroughly. I will still give my approval if you decide to set up this marketplace,” Bai Honghua said, conveying his attitude on the matter. He didn’t speak further, picking up his spiritual tea and taking a sip.

“I also support Peak Master’s idea,” another Deacon said soon after, similarly declaring his stance.

“I also think it could be feasible. Those Mountain Peaks with marketplaces are all so wealthy. I always couldn’t help but admire them. This time, I would like to cast my bet with Peak Master and see where it takes us!” Li Chiyong, whose profound qi cultivation was only second to Lu Changge’s, said in compliance.

After seeing Li Chiyong, the Deacon with the highest authority, voice his consent, the other Dao Foundation stage Deacons all voiced their support one after the other.

Only Tan Min and one other Dao Foundation stage disciple stayed silent the whole time, their expressions unsightly.

Lu Changge didn’t pay them any mind, however, sending out several jade slips. “I have already prepared the detailed statutes, which are in these jade slips. The matters regarding the preparation of the starting resources and capital, the construction of the pavilions and halls, and other miscellaneous tasks must be undertaken by you Deacons.”

“Understood, Peak Master.”

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