All tables must eventually be cleared. The five-hundredth birthday celebration, too, would eventually pass.

The deep forest was green, the trees were verdant. Lu Yuan stood here on a winding, stony path through the woods, sent to bid farewell.

He, himself, only really knew one person from the Eastern Peak of the Sword Sect—Liu Ye’er—no, wait, he’d only exchanged a single sentence with her, sitting beside her once. He didn't know why the higher-ups had assigned him to see off the true disciples of the Eastern Peak.

A middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat passed by. Lu Yuan knew this man: Shi Chaoyang, the foremost true disciple of the Eastern Peak.

Rumor had it his martial prowess was exceptional, surpassing even Yun Yi and Yun Ping. "Your swordsmanship is quite good." The man, Shi Chaoyang, whose chin was stubbled with beard, spoke.

"Oh? You've seen my sword techniques?" Lu Yuan countered.

"In Jiangyin County, when you were kicking down the Sima Sword Hall, I happened to be passing by. Very impressive swordsmanship.

I hope we have a chance to spar someday." Shi Chaoyang laughed heartily and walked ahead. Lu Yuan shrugged.

Every peak in Mount Hua held exceptional talents among their ten chief true disciples. This was an era teeming with genius; a time when stars converged.

A rather interesting age, indeed. He strode toward the Hall of Central Harmony and Peace.

Before the true disciples from the Eastern Peak were sent off, he had been specifically notified to visit the Hall of Central Harmony and Peace immediately afterward. He was back at the Hall of Central Harmony and Peace; everything remained as it had been.

And the strangest thing was that this time, three true disciples were summoned: Eldest Senior Brother Yun Yi, Second Senior Brother Yun Ping, and himself. Something felt amiss.

Venerable Master Yuanyuan turned around, facing Yun Yi, Yun Ping, and Lu Yuan, then spoke in a deep voice, "I have called you here because there are matters I must discuss with you. Sit." Once the three were seated, Venerable Master Yuanyuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

"This time, I allowed you to witness some of the clandestine struggles between myself and Yuan Ling. You also now know Yuan Ling’s background." "Back then, Yuan Ling and I vied for the position of North Peak Master.

It wasn't absolutely essential for me to contest it, but ultimately, your founding ancestor placed the heavy responsibility upon me, leaving me no choice but to accept. And Yuan Ling subsequently defected from the sect." Venerable Master Yuanyuan stated gravely.

"This time, I do not wish for this tragedy to repeat itself with the Tenth Generation. Therefore, let me first clarify the selection process for the Tenth Generation North Peak Master." As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yuan sprang up, ready to flee.

Venerable Master Yuanyuan glanced over, and Lu Yuan froze mid-escape. "Martial Uncle, the North Peak Master business has nothing to do with me.

I am merely a lazy fellow. How the future North Peak Master is chosen, or who takes the role, is utterly irrelevant to me.

I have no desire to be entangled in it." The selection of the future North Peak Master was bound to be another troublesome affair. When faced with such vexing matters, Lu Yuan’s consistent choice was always to flee as far away as possible.

Venerable Master Yuanyuan shot him a look. "Sit down." Lu Yuan’s face contorted into an expression of profound misery, as miserable as one could be.

What terrible luck! He had no intention of being dragged into the contest for the Tenth Generation North Peak Master position.

Normally, if he could sidestep it, he would; if he could avoid it, he would. In the Hall of Central Harmony and Peace, the silence was so profound a needle drop could be heard.

"Whoosh—" Wind stirred the clouds outside. Both Yun Yi and Yun Ping felt their hearts accelerate.

"The North Peak Master position, that of the North Peak's helmsman, does not require the helmsman to be overly outstanding, but they must possess the ability to suppress the other true disciples. This is the most fundamental requirement, and all three of you have achieved this.

However, Lu Yuan, your disposition is too indolent; you are completely unsuitable to be the North Peak Master, so you are automatically excluded. I only asked you to come and listen." Hearing this, Lu Yuan beamed, his face breaking into a broad smile.

Only a fool would want to be the North Peak Master. He wasn't foolish.

The North Peak Master role—what a joke! To say nothing of the countless struggles, the scheming, the open and covert battles, the rain of blades and arrows one would endure just to win the position, imagine the endless administrative duties and ceaseless tasks once one was installed—headaches from within the Peak, headaches from outside the Peak.

It would be exhausting to death. To be the North Peak Master—where was the comfort in that, compared to carrying a wine gourd, whipping up some tasty treats, and finding a quiet spot to enjoy a satisfying feast?

Venerable Master Yuanyuan looked at Lu Yuan, shaking his head helplessly. This true disciple didn't want the position that all the others coveted—the North Peak Master seat.

How should one put it? Among the true disciples, the most gifted were Yun Yi, Yun Ping, and Lu Yuan.

But Lu Yuan possessed a mind truly aligned with purity and non-action, truly embodying the spirit of effortless cultivation. His future achievements would likely surpass the others.

Yun Yi and Yun Ping, on the other hand, were rife with ambition. Though their talent was exceptional, their temperaments did not suit the Daoist path of immortal cultivation.

Their future accomplishments would fundamentally be less than Lu Yuan’s. Of course, the North Peak Master position wasn't awarded based solely on who had the purer state of mind.

A Peak Master, quite plainly, was a figure of authority among cultivators. The role of the North Peak Master, the helmsman, was truly unsuitable for one who favored freedom and non-striving.

Venerable Master Yuanyuan stated solemnly, "In an era of peace and prosperity, the one steering the North Peak must naturally be someone moderate and dedicated to upholding the existing order." "If the age descends into chaos, then naturally, someone aggressive and spirited will be required." "In the future, should peace prevail, Yun Yi, with your steady nature, you are considered balanced and temperate; the North Peak Master position will be yours. Should turbulence arise in the future, this position will fall to Yun Ping, given your fiery temperament and refusal to yield.

As for why Lu Yuan, you were called here—you are a peer of your Eldest and Second Senior Brothers. In the future, you will serve as a supervisor." "When united, strength is amplified; when divided, strength wanes.

If further strife erupts, strength will weaken further," Venerable Master Yuanyuan declared sternly. "This is what I wished to convey to you." "Very well, you may withdraw now.

Take time to ponder what I have said today." —————— Yun Yi, Yun Ping, and Lu Yuan all withdrew. In the Hall of Central Harmony and Peace, Venerable Master Yuanyuan stood with his hands behind his back.

At that moment, the door behind him was pushed open. Ye Yangrong, round and plump with the smile of a merchant, walked in.

Venerable Master Yuanyuan showed no surprise, as if he had already anticipated his arrival. He murmured, "Lu Yuan's lazy nature isn't a bad thing.

Otherwise, if the contest between Chu and Han turned into the contention of the Three Kingdoms, it would be far more difficult. Moreover, his disposition aligns with the immortal ideal of freedom and non-action.

His future achievements will likely be the greatest." "So, Senior Brother, you intend to rely on Lu Yuan to supervise these two." Ye Yangrong interjected. "Correct," Venerable Master Yuanyuan nodded.

"The reason I involved the three of them in the hidden struggle against Yuan Ling this time was to let them observe, using our Ninth Generation's conflict as an example. I laid everything bare: Yun Yi in times of peace, Yun Ping in times of war.

I hope they listen and avoid repeating our mistakes." In truth, Venerable Master Yuanyuan knew that his words today might not carry much weight, but because their own generation's pitfalls were so clear, he couldn't help but offer a reminder. Perhaps it would be useless, perhaps it would help; Venerable Master Yuanyuan could only do his best.

The hardest thing in this world to control is the human heart. Even if Venerable Master Yuanyuan accounted for every scheme and every variable, the human heart remained beyond his grasp.

Ye Yangrong then remarked, "By the way, Senior Brother Yuan Ling's arrangements this time were dismantled too easily. Isn't that strange?" "It is somewhat strange," Venerable Master Yuanyuan frowned.

"It's unlike Yuan Ling's usual methods to have his plans dismantled so easily this time. However, Yuan Ling's thinking has always been wildly unconventional; even I cannot fully predict him.

For now, we must be cautious regarding Yuan Ling, and then proceed with our plan." "Understood," Ye Yangrong nodded. (This chapter is updated early; enjoy the chapter update after breakfast.

The next chapter begins the descent from the mountain; after staying on the mountain too long, it’s time to see the world below—such is the protagonist’s life!)