The sun nudged its way past distant clouds, rising as if summoned from the depths of the earth. As if by some unseen hand, this massive, glittering disc was hoisted above the drowsy land, its dazzling rays illuminating everything beneath, the dead and the living, the newly born and the near expiry.

Before this colossal sun, every living thing appeared utterly minuscule.

Under the boundless, sweeping sunlight, all supernatural abilities were rendered meaningless.

After a simple wash and rinse, Lu Yuan stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Often, he found himself on the mountain watching the sunrise.

Watching the sunrise from the mountain peak was fundamentally different from watching it from below.

When one watched the sunrise from the base of the mountain, it involved an absolute, upward gaze toward that fiery star in the heavens. Under the sun’s blinding brilliance, one involuntarily felt exceedingly small, and naturally inclined toward various forms of reverence. But standing atop the mountain, one witnessed the broader expanse of sunlight, saw the more majestic and vast process of the sun’s ascent, yet, being positioned so high, one did not have to look up at it all.

Perhaps, he was beginning to understand why the great Immortal Sects all chose to establish themselves on mountain peaks.

Mountains were easy to defend and difficult to attack—that was merely one reason.

The true, primary reason must be that by establishing oneself on a mountain, through countless days of observing the sun rise and set, the moon sink and the stars fall, one cultivated a person’s temperament, bearing, and perspective.

Cultivators practiced magical power, but they also practiced bearing and perspective.

Unbidden, Lu Yuan found himself struck by these contemplations.

...

The recruitment drive for the second day was finally set to begin.

Lu Yuan had initially expected the second day to be as relaxed as the first. Given the ease of the first day, most people would likely flock to East Peak, Chaoyang Peak; South Peak, Luoyan Peak; and West Peak, Lianhua Peak. Relatively speaking, few people would come to North Peak, Yuntai Peak. However, as soon as the recruitment started, Lu Yuan realized he had misjudged everything.

Countless people surged toward the North Peak recruitment station—the numbers seemed exponentially greater than the day before. In contrast, the recruitment areas for East Peak (Chaoyang Peak), South Peak (Luoyan Peak), and West Peak (Lianhua Peak) lacked the hustle of yesterday, appearing somewhat subdued compared to the fervor at North Peak.

Lu Yuan rubbed his eyes, convinced he must be mistaken.

He must have been mistaken.

But unfortunately, after rubbing his eyes, he found the crowd was still just as dense.

“You also wish to join North Peak, Yuntai Peak?”

“Of course. Last night, we all saw it. The eight direct disciples from East Peak (Chaoyang Peak), South Peak (Luoyan Peak), West Peak (Lianhua Peak), and Central Peak (Yunu Peak) combined couldn't defeat Tian Zhong, the Lone Traveler of Ten Thousand Miles. Yet, one direct disciple from North Peak was enough to overcome him. The gap in strength is truly immense.”

“I think joining North Peak has better prospects.”

These people had clearly witnessed last night’s battle, which accounted for this sudden shift in allegiance, resulting in the queue at North Peak being packed. Of course, not everyone easily changed their minds; a considerable number held steadfast beliefs, unwilling to alter their core convictions based on one fight or the performance of a single direct disciple.

Among the Five Peaks of Mount Hua, East Peak held the highest prestige. Among the Three Sects of Mount Hua, the Sword Sect was paramount.

Listening to their chatter, Lu Yuan finally understood why so many had rushed to the North Peak registration area—it was all due to the fight he had participated in last night. If he had to personally assess every single one of these applicants, he’d be exhausted to death. Lu Yuan immediately turned to Ye Fang beside him: “Where is Elder Wu? With this many people signing up, such an overwhelming tide of enthusiasm, only someone as experienced as Elder Wu can hold the line steady.”

Ye Fang nodded vehemently, completely agreeing: “It is indeed the case, but regrettably, Elder Wu hasn't returned yet.”

“Elder Wu hasn’t returned? Where did he go?” Lu Yuan asked.

“Where Elder Wu went? Last night, after you captured Tian Zhong, the Lone Traveler of Ten Thousand Miles, Elder Wu escorted him to the North Peak Heavenly Prison overnight. He hasn't returned yet; it will likely be some time before he does.” Ye Fang looked at Lu Yuan, shaking his head wordlessly, a deep sense of sorrow accompanying the gesture.

Lu Yuan suddenly realized he was wrong—profoundly, completely wrong.

The crowd rushing to North Peak today was far larger than yesterday, and the experienced Elder Wu was absent. Consequently, tragedy was inevitable.

Today, for North Peak, Yuntai Peak, was a profitable day; they recruited a significant number of disciples whose temperament and innate aptitude were quite good, superior in both quality and quantity compared to the recruitment ten years prior. However, for Lu Yuan, it was an absolute disaster day. After a full day of constant labor, testing the disciples' heart and bone structure, he was almost worn out, barely having a moment to take a sip of wine. This day had been utterly miserable, Lu Yuan thought weakly.

As for the leakage of his Sword Intent level, making it known to the other four peaks, Lu Yuan truly didn't care in the slightest.

His nature was neither overtly flamboyant nor excessively reserved.

To be flamboyant was too ostentatious. To be reserved was too withdrawn.

It wasn't that flamboyance or reserve were inherently bad; flamboyance had its merits and drawbacks, and so did reserve.

It was simply that some people were suited for flamboyance, and others for reserve.

Someone with his personality was probably best suited to let things flow naturally—neither too high-profile nor too low-key—allowing things to develop as they might, acting spontaneously, following the natural course.

——————

The mission of recruiting disciples concluded, and Lu Yuan returned to his usual relaxed and leisurely life. He still had three months left before his confinement order ended.

It was rumored that Ye Fang had immediately rushed off to tackle other tasks. His master, Gentleman Sword Fang Ru, was relentlessly training him. Lu Yuan felt a pang of secret sympathy for Ye Fang. Of course, Ye Fang’s absence was also good news. Ye Yuan’s stock of wine had been running low recently, and with his confinement order preventing him from going down the mountain to procure more, Ye Fang being away meant less sharing of the dwindling supply.

Swinging his pale yellow gourd, Lu Yuan stepped into the Everlasting Spring Abode.

A spring rain had just fallen. After the rain, the Everlasting Spring Abode was vibrant with life; flower buds were beginning to bloom among the thickets, and the grass was emerald green. Li Yuanbai, clad in white robes and possessing white hair, stood with his hands behind his back amidst this burgeoning life, appearing even more desolate in contrast. Hearing footsteps behind him, Li Yuanbai did not turn around: “You’re back.”

“Yes,” Lu Yuan nodded.

Li Yuanbai said, “By the way, the Heavenly Prison sent over a manual for the Lone Traveler Movement Technique just now. It’s considered your spoils of war. This technique, suitable for travel, does possess some unique merits.” As Li Yuanbai turned, a book hovered in the air before slowly being presented to Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan caught it casually and glanced over it; the words ‘Lone Traveler’ were inscribed upon the cover. He tossed the book into his Asura Pouch. His master said it had some unique merits, implying it wasn't an ultimate secret technique. In North Peak, the direct disciples were never lacking in all manner of profound arts, and Lu Yuan understood the wisdom of not biting off more than one can chew; he wasn't in a hurry to study it.

“Next, what you must do is strive to break through to the Body Refinement Stage,” Li Yuanbai stated. “Of course, breaking into the Body Refinement Stage is not easy. Only upon entering it, when one can truly fly in the air, does one officially step into the ranks of true cultivators.”

“Understood,” Lu Yuan acknowledged.

“Oh, right. Your master is in a good mood today. Watch me demonstrate a round of the Twilight Swordplay.” Li Yuanbai suggested. The Twilight Swordplay was created by Li Yuanbai himself; Lu Yuan had tried practicing it several times but hadn't mastered it, yet Li Yuanbai still hoped Lu Yuan would learn the art he devised.

Naturally, Li Yuanbai wouldn't force the issue.

This time, he would only perform it once. Whatever Lu Yuan managed to learn would be up to him.

“Yes,” Lu Yuan confirmed.

The Twilight Spirit Sword was drawn in a flash—a longsword of inky blackness, devoid of any luster. Once unsheathed, the sword was almost impossible to locate, seeming to merge entirely with the darkness of night. Li Yuanbai’s hand moved subtly, rotating the Twilight Spirit Sword. With his movements, an array of exquisitely intricate sword forms unfolded from the blade he held.

When the first stance, "Hazy Dusk," was executed, although it was late afternoon with the sky still quite bright, the surrounding light immediately began to dim. Everything became vague, misty, and unclear.

As the second stance, "Vast Twilight," was struck, the sky darkened intensely. Moments before, Lu Yuan could still see his master’s figure; now, not only the sword but the master himself completely dissolved into the deep, dim twilight, vanishing from sight. Lu Yuan gasped in shock. The entire surrounding area was plunged into absolute darkness. Did this sword move truly alter the celestial phenomena, or was it just affecting his perception? Had the sky actually darkened, or did he merely feel that it had?

...

The move, "Hero’s Twilight," carried boundless, lingering regret; being caught within its intent would profoundly influence one’s state of mind.

The final stance of the Twilight Swordplay was "Years of Twilight." As this move was unleashed, heaven and earth grew utterly dark. In this pitch-black realm, infinite intent of death was contained. This inexhaustible death energy almost instantly consumed all life force, yet, in this last moment, that limitless death intent ultimately dissipated into the darkness, never fully erupting.

Li Yuanbai slowly sheathed his sword, and Lu Yuan remained deeply shaken. His master’s swordplay was terrifyingly powerful. It was clear that if he were to cross blades with his master, he would perish within a few exchanges. Despite his own recent minor fame causing a small stir, he was still far inferior to his master, a renowned Ninth Generation Sword Immortal.

A single sword strike, and heaven and earth darkened.

Of course, Lu Yuan estimated that this effect was largely a combination of magic power and swordsmanship. In terms of pure swordsmanship mastery, his master wouldn't necessarily surpass him by much. Nevertheless, the sheer destructive power was awe-inspiring. The strength of a renowned Ninth Generation Sword Immortal was indeed formidable; he still had a long way to go.

(My daughter is sick and feeling quite uncomfortable. We’ll see about posting the third update for today. My apologies.)V