Chapter 1609: Doubts

"Shut up!" Grand Master Huoling's expression darkened, and she glared at her fiercely, clearly enraged. "Never mention this again, or you'll regret it."

Pei Mianman stuck out her tongue. In the entire Jadefall Palace, she was the only one who dared to speak to her master in such a way. Normally, anyone who dared to utter a single word about this in front of Grand Master Huoling would be torn to shreds.

Even now, Grand Master Huoling was quite beautiful, but her fierce demeanor usually prevented anyone from noticing her looks.

In her youth, Grand Master Huoling was a renowned beauty of Jadefall Palace. She and her senior brother, Wan Tongtian, were also famous as a golden couple.

Jadefall Palace was in decline at the time. Having finally produced two talented disciples, it was only natural that they would be nurtured with the utmost care.

Through their daily interactions, they developed affection for each other. Everyone who knew them even expected them to marry and have children.

However, as they belonged to different peaks, each representing their respective peak's honor, they often had to compete in trials to secure resources.

Initially, they held back out of affection, but after repeated matches and their respective masters' urging, they became less reserved.

Both were proud and arrogant individuals. Neither believed they were weaker than the other, and each felt they had held back many times, yet the other seemed unaware of their consideration and constantly pushed for more.

Consequently, their friendly matches escalated into genuine disputes.

Coincidentally, both were exceptionally gifted individuals, with similar cultivation speeds and realms. Even using every possible method, neither could defeat the other.

The more this was the case, the more determined they were to achieve victory.

This competition, as a result, lasted for decades.

Although they clearly liked each other, their stubborn natures led each to believe that the first to confess would lose. Both intended to defeat the other fair and square before expressing their feelings.

However, since both thought this way, after decades of fighting, neither could ever claim victory.

Later, the position of the new Palace Master led to further misunderstandings, causing their relationship to become increasingly strained and eventually resulting in a complete estrangement.

As he grew older, Wan Tongtian's marriage was no longer just a personal matter; it also concerned the prosperity of the sect.

Finally, under the guidance of the sect elders, he married a woman and fathered Wan Guiyi.

From then on, Grand Master Huoling's temper grew increasingly volatile, making her detested by everyone in Jadefall Palace. Eventually, the population of Smoke Mist Peak dwindled, with many disciples leaving her.

Grand Master Huoling remained indifferent. In her view, mediocre individuals were of no consequence to her if they chose to leave.

Nevertheless, for many years, she carried a deep regret: the absence of a true successor to her teachings.

She grew increasingly anxious, especially as Wan Guiyi matured and displayed astonishing talent.

She had never lost to Wan Tongtian in her life. How could her successor possibly lose to his?

And to that woman's son, of all people?

The mere thought nearly drove her mad, prompting her to travel the world in search of a promising disciple.

Unfortunately, though there were many cultivation geniuses, very few met her exacting standards.

Fortunately, fate intervened. She met Pei Mianman by chance and was overjoyed, recognizing her as her destined successor.

At that time, Pei Mianman happened to be deeply troubled by Chu Chuyan's arrival in White Jade Capital, fearing the growing disparity between them. When Grand Master Huoling extended an olive branch, it was a natural fit.

With the arrival of the lively Pei Mianman, the dull and oppressive Smoke Mist Peak gained a touch of vibrancy.

Grand Master Huoling's closed and gloomy heart also found a sliver of solace. Being unmarried her entire life, she could only watch Wan Tongtian and Wan Guiyi enjoy their father-son bond, which fueled a burning resentment within her.

Pei Mianman was naturally lively and adept at charming others. Unconsciously, Grand Master Huoling began to see her as if she were her own daughter.

Over the years, she had naturally taught her diligently. This time, she specifically brought her to participate in the Grand Tournament of the Nine Daoist Sects, aiming for her to make a spectacular debut. She also wanted to show those who had secretly mocked and pitied her all these years that Grand Master Huoling was second to none, and her disciple would not lose to anyone else's.

Seeing her master's angry expression, Pei Mianman secretly sighed and dared not press the matter further.

It was truly a pity about her master and the Palace Master. They could have been an immortal couple, but instead, they became bitter enemies.

I must not be like my master and sacrifice a lifetime of happiness for a momentary quarrel.

And the Palace Master, seriously, couldn't such a grown man say something nice? If he were like Zu An, he would probably have several children with Master by now.

Thinking of Zu An, a hint of tenderness appeared on her face. It had been a long time, and she wondered where he was now.

She had finally left Jadefall Palace, but without a chance to find him. Sigh, that playboy was probably enjoying himself with some vixen right now.

***

"Achoo!"

At that moment, Zu An and his party had just reached the foot of Purple Mountain, and he couldn't help but let out a loud sneeze.

"Brother Zu, have you caught a cold?" Xie Daoyun asked with concern from beside him, though she found it odd, as cultivators rarely caught colds due to their unique physiques.

"No, perhaps someone is thinking of me," Zu An said, rubbing his nose. He gazed at the majestic Purple Mountain, which he estimated to be at least several thousand meters high. In his previous life, such a peak would be comparable to Mount Everest, a remote and forbidden zone, but in this cultivation world, it was commonplace.

Zu An then instructed Wang Bolin, who stood nearby, "General Wang, with so many of us, we might disturb the Imperial Tutor's secluded cultivation. Please lead everyone to set up camp near the foot of the mountain and await my command to ascend."

He then asked Zhang Zijiang to select some personal guards to accompany him up the mountain.

"Yes, sir!" Wang Bolin was secretly delighted. It seemed that in Lord Zu's eyes, he was indeed the truly trustworthy one, as such an important task was entrusted to him rather than that sycophant.

Zhang Zijiang was equally overjoyed. It seemed his recent sycophantic efforts had been very effective; all the dirty and exhausting work went to Wang, while he was included in the favorable tasks.

Unaware of their elaborate inner thoughts, Zu An and his group, traveling lightly, began to ascend the mountain.

As soon as they entered the mountain, a refreshing sensation enveloped them. Zu An couldn't help but exclaim, "This Purple Mountain is truly a blessed land."

Zhang Zijiang remarked, "I heard that every day at sunrise, the sunlight creates a wondrous spectacle of 'sun-kissed golden mountains,' and simultaneously, purple energy emanates from the summit. That purple energy is excellent for cultivation, Lord Zu. You absolutely must try it if you get the chance."

Zu An nodded, thinking that the purple energy was likely denser than ordinary vital energy. However, since he had even experienced Primordial Chaos Qi, this purple energy might not be particularly extraordinary.

Despite it being winter, pine and cypress trees were lush green along the way, wild flowers bloomed crimson, and vibrant peaches and apricots were ubiquitous. Various medicinal herbs grew in countless numbers, and the clear calls of cranes occasionally echoed from the clouds, giving the impression of being in a celestial realm.

Zu An pondered whether undertaking extensive construction and renovation in such a beautiful place would simply ruin its natural aesthetic.

However, as they ascended, he noticed more and more people around them, which made him wonder. Was Purple Mountain always this crowded?

Soon, the group arrived at the mountain gate, where they saw several Zhengyang Sect disciples seemingly lost in thought, as if captivated by something.

"Which sect are you from?" A sword-wielding disciple waved them off. "It's the Grand Tournament of the Nine Daoist Sects. Unrelated individuals, please don't come to cause a disturbance."

The group's attire immediately showed they were not Daoist disciples. The leader displayed no vital energy fluctuations, clearly an ordinary person, though the general beside him seemed to possess some skill. The disciple probably assumed it was some young noble out for an excursion, visiting Purple Mountain out of admiration, a common occurrence in the past.

An ordinary sect wouldn't dare treat these soldiers so lightly, but the Zhengyang Sect Master was the Imperial Tutor, so they naturally held no fear of government officials.

Zu An was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected the Daoist Grand Tournament to be held at Purple Mountain. Zhao Hao had decided to come here for the Fengshan sacrifice, and now experts from the Nine Daoist Sects were all gathered here for the tournament. Was this truly just a coincidence?