A fine, ceaseless drizzle intertwined in the air, blurring the distant mountains and the nearby palace complex.

Through the curtain of rain, only vague shadows were discernible; nothing was truly clear.

Yet, the atmosphere atop North Peak of Mount Hua was entirely different from this dreary drizzle.

Following the subdued aftermath of the previous North Peak Grand Competition, things had recently become intensely charged again.

The root cause lay in the news spread by the elders: the appearance of Cloud-attributed spirit beasts within the Cloud Mist Valley. Such a rare sighting of Cloud Beasts had instantly unsettled even the typically composed cultivators. Truly a sin, a grave one at that.

“Did you hear? This time, Cloud Beasts have appeared in the Cloud Mist Valley.”

“Indeed. Rumor has it there are two—a Cloud Rabbit and a Cloud Cat.”

“A pity that we ordinary disciples aren’t qualified to enter the Cloud Mist Valley; only the Ten Great True Disciples hold that privilege.”

“The Ten True Disciples—what a position to hold. Alas, we weren't blessed enough to be born under the tutelage of the ruling elders, like the Six Sword Immortals of North Peak.”

“Even under the wing of one of the Six Sword Immortals, one isn't guaranteed a spot among the Ten True Disciples. Look at the last North Peak Grand Competition: Sima Hao, the second grandson of Martial Uncle Sima Shi of the Great Sun Sword, tried to usurp the position of Senior Brother Lu Yuan, disciple of Martial Uncle Li, the Hanging Dusk Sword, and ended up being soundly beaten. That position requires pedigree, luck, innate talent, and temperament—all indispensable.”

“That’s true enough.”

“Moreover, even the Ten True Disciples might not all secure a Cloud Beast this time. After all, there are only two, but ten True Disciples. It won't be easy,” remarked someone clearly better informed.

“Indeed, indeed. May I ask, Senior Brother, who do you think stands the best chance of obtaining one of these Cloud Beasts?” The junior disciple, lacking inside information, asked earnestly. This was not mere gossip; it concerned their very futures. The Ten True Disciples would eventually become the ruling elders of North Peak, just like the Six Sword Immortals today.

All other ordinary disciples would have to align themselves under these True Disciples.

Only then could they secure greater benefits in the future.

Even within the harmonious Orthodox Sects, factionalism existed. Backing the wrong side might not cost one's life, but life certainly wouldn't be pleasant.

Still, this was far better than the Demonic Sects. The Orthodox Sects only engaged in subtle contention; once the fighting reached a certain level and a victor emerged, things would stop. They generally avoided lethal conflict. It was rumored that in the Subterranean Demon World, some sects operated brutally—structured around the ruling elder as the core, True Disciples as the elite shock troops, and ordinary disciples as mere fodder.

Those Demonic Sects in the depths were filled with constant slaughter for supremacy. Whoever was the most ruthless or powerful ascended, trampling over kinship, even committing patricide or matricide. It was no place for decent people.

When asked who was most likely to win the Cloud Beasts, the well-informed senior brother pondered for a moment: “It’s hard to say, hard to say. In terms of sheer strength, it’s naturally the Eldest and Second Senior Brothers; their power far surpasses the other eight. However, those two have always been bitter rivals, vying for everything. I suspect this time will be no different.”

“And among the others, Third Senior Sister Ling Yuzhu is naturally the strongest.”

“But Fourth Senior Brother Fang Dan is also quite formidable.”

“Fifth Senior Brother Sima Bo—word is that Martial Uncle Sima Shi of the Great Sun Sword recently imparted to him the true Great Sun Sword Art, not the knock-off Sima Hao plays with. He’s reportedly defeated several experts lately; he might be a serious contender this time.”

“And Sixth Senior Brother Lu Yuan, who was previously ranked near the bottom among the Ten, performed exceptionally well in the last Grand Competition. He has a chance too.” The senior brother, despite his vast sources, could not definitively predict who would triumph and claim the Cloud Beasts.

But his analysis was more than enough for the junior disciple, who nodded repeatedly, filled with admiration.

Receiving the expected look of awe, the senior brother nodded, utterly satisfied.

——————

Lu Yuan walked along the forest path, his Yangwu Sword strapped to his back, his straw hat pulled low.

Despite its size, rain still managed to seep beneath the brim of the hat.

He had heard that those with immensely powerful and inexhaustible magical power could envelop their bodies, rendering them completely impervious to rain. But clearly, while his own cultivation was considered decent among the tenth-generation disciples—having reached the sixth level of Qi Condensation, Qi Forming the Barrier (Lianqi Cheng Gang)—he was still far from having 'powerful and inexhaustible' magical reserves.

This was a forest trail leading towards the Cloud Mist Valley.

Acting upon his master’s command, he was naturally heading there.

Cloud-attributed spirit beasts were crucial for the advancement of magical power. And unlike swordsmanship, which could sometimes be mastered through sudden enlightenment, advancing one's internal magic required rare heavenly treasures and diligent accumulation over countless days. This was precisely why the Cloud Beasts were so invaluable; his own Cloud Dragon Heart Method would rely on them for improvement.

Without a Cloud Beast, every increment in magical power would demand personal toil—an exhausting prospect.

Indeed, without question, Lu Yuan sought to claim a Cloud Beast primarily because he wished to be lazy.

The Cloud Mist Valley was now just ahead.

As he thought it, the valley materialized before him. It was a place where cloud energy condensed with extraordinary density. Even before entering, he felt the thick vapor, which seemed to invigorate his own Cloud Dragon Heart Method. Inscribed above the valley entrance were the words: “Still as refined silk, moving as smoke, light as cotton fluff, vast as the sea, white as the finest wool.”

Returning here stirred a memory. When he first studied the Cloud Dragon Heart Method, he had been brought to this spot. His master, Li Yuanbai, had pointed to those fifteen characters and told him: this was the true essence of the Cloud Dragon Heart Method.

Upon his arrival, Lu Yuan noticed he was somewhat late; the other nine True Disciples were already assembled, including both Eldest Senior Brother Yun Yi and Second Senior Brother Yun Ping. Even though Lu Yuan had reached Qi Forming the Barrier at the sixth level of Qi Condensation, he still perceived the unfathomable depths of the two senior brothers. The fact that even they, with their profound strength, were here competing for the Cloud Beasts attested to their precious and rare nature.

“Oh, Sixth Senior Brother has arrived.”

“Good morning, Sixth Senior Brother.” Ye Fang and Ye Yuan greeted him cheerfully. Though they called him 'Senior Brother,' there was little reverence; having been close friends for too long, their familiarity precluded formality.

“Oh, Sixth Junior Brother, you are the last to arrive, as usual.” That familiar, grating voice could only belong to Sima Bo, from the lineage of Sima Changbai. “Don’t tell me you slept in again. Laziness is unbecoming of a True Disciple.”

Lu Yuan ignored him. He had soundly defeated Sima Bo before, so he couldn't be bothered to react to such lukewarm taunts. However, if the line were crossed, he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate mercilessly.

Over there, Eldest Senior Brother Yun Yi laughed heartily, “Good morning, Sixth Junior Brother! Haven’t seen you around for a while.” The former Lu Yuan held no interest for Yun Yi, but after Lu Yuan’s excellent showing in the Grand Competition, he became a valuable prospect worth courting. Seeing this, Yun Ping immediately thought, Yun Yi is moving fast to win him over; I can’t lag behind either. He too smiled warmly at Lu Yuan. “Sixth Junior Brother, recently I acquired a bottle of Bewildering Immortal Wine. I hear you enjoy a good drink. Some day when you're free, we senior and junior brothers should share a couple of cups.”

Yun Yi inwardly grumbled, What a classic move from Old Two, trying to win loyalty. He couldn't show weakness. Knowing this junior brother appreciated fine food and drink, Yun Yi resolved to use that angle too.

Lu Yuan’s arrival immediately provoked three distinct reactions:

The banter of his troublemaking friends, Ye Fang and Ye Yuan, who were too familiar for pleasantries.

Sima Bo’s sharp sarcasm.

The incessant attempts at recruitment from Yun Yi and Yun Ping.

Truly, where there are people, there is a world of struggle. (Seeking recommendation votes for the new weekly chart push)