May the first, overcast with a light drizzle. The selection of the new Peak Master for North Peak finally commenced.

Originally, the appointment of this temporary Peak Master could have been decided by the Izumo Celestial Realm itself. However, the Izumo Celestial Realm was somewhat chaotic—some factions supported Fang Ru, while others favored Sima Changbai ascending, especially since Master Fang Ru had passed away early, whereas Sima Changbai's master, Sima Qinggui, was still alive and well within the Celestial Realm.

Consequently, after complex balancing of various interests, the decision was made to determine the new Peak Master through a competition. The selection process for the Peak Master was held in Cloud Valley.

Cloud Valley is rumored to be the place where the Second Generation Patriarch achieved enlightenment in swordsmanship. Once shrouded in dense fog, the mist has long since cleared.

Every major event concerning North Peak, from the North Peak Grand Competition to the current contention for the Peak Master's seat, takes place here. "Dong, dong, dong...

dong... dong..." Six clear, melodious tolls rang out from the peak above.

The Zhenbei Bell, suspended at the summit of North Peak, had sounded its summons. The contest for North Peak had officially begun.

Now, numerous figures were flocking into Cloud Valley. The venue within Cloud Valley had been set up.

Seated on the northern side were several venerable figures from the Izumo Celestial Realm who had long remained in seclusion. The Celestial Realm had dispatched three representatives in total.

The seven Great Dao Realm masters, North Peak's ultimate trump card, could not all appear; thus, three figures of the Venerable level were sent. One was the kindly-faced Sun Qingchi, taking the leftmost seat.

Beside him sat another, stern-faced and radiating an icy demeanor. This was Sima Qinggui, one of the seven Great Dao Realm masters.

His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over everything, leaving those he surveyed with a sense of profound dread. The individual occupying the central seat was slender and refined, yet his aura was no less imposing than Sima Qinggui's.

This was Lu Qingtao, one of the seven Great Dao Realm experts. Notably absent were Elder Yuan Yuan's master, the previous North Peak Master Qu Qingchen, and Elder Yuan Ling's master, Wan Qingwang.

Seeing these old masters present, the assembled Elders remained relatively composed. As for the disciples, most did not recognize these figures and had no idea who they were.

Outsiders from beyond North Peak merely noted with an inward thought that North Peak still harbored such hidden veterans, though given its status as one of the five branches of the Mount Hua Immortal Sect, such deep roots were to be expected. North Peak, it seemed, remained robustly entrenched.

To the south sat guests from other Immortal Sects and rival peaks. Representatives from the Sword Sect's Twin Peaks and the Qi Sect's Twin Peaks had journeyed here for the selection of North Peak's new master—this was no minor affair.

As these four peaks were geographically proximate, their respective masters had all attended personally. Other Immortal Sects, provided they were not too distant, like the South Sea Immortal Sect, had also sent observers to witness this pivotal event.

These guests exchanged whispers, speculating on who might secure the title of the new North Peak Master. Regardless of the victor, relationships with North Peak and external diplomacy might subtly shift.

After all, some favored ties with Fang Ru, others with Sima, still others with Ye Yangrong—the allegiances were varied. Seated foremost on the western side were the Ten Great Direct Disciples.

Yun Yi, the First Direct Disciple, occupied the foremost position. Lu Yuan, adhering to protocol, sat in the sixth spot.

Standing behind them were the numerous disciples of the Tenth Generation. All these disciples, whether Direct or ordinary, felt an underlying tension; the choice of the new Peak Master held immense sway over North Peak's future trajectory.

Coincidentally, the Fifth Direct Disciple, Sima Bo, and the Sixth Direct Disciple, Lu Yuan, sat adjacent to each other, their relationship having deteriorated to an irreconcilable state. Ye Yuan, usually unable to restrain his chatter, remained silent now.

The tension of the current Peak Master selection dwarfed that of the previous North Peak Grand Competition. Lu Yuan, however, was not overly anxious.

He felt fully prepared; the outcome of victory or defeat was no longer his primary concern. On the eastern side sat the Elders of the Ninth Generation.

Their numbers were considerable, but most ordinary Elders lacked the necessary strength to contend for the Peak Master position. However, these Elders generally held allegiances; the success of a particular Sword Immortal would bring the greatest benefit to their faction.

Currently, the Elders siding with Sima Changbai were visibly the most jubilant. As the rain continued, the key figures in this North Peak contention—the Five Sword Immortals of North Peak—arrived simultaneously.

Sima Changbai, currently at the zenith of his renown, let out a soft cough; the stern-faced Fang Ru; the portly, smiling Ye Yangrong; Dugu Ye, whose cold smile resembled a lone orchid in a desolate valley; and Chu Fei, unremarkable and the youngest. The Five Sword Immortals of North Peak were all present.

Though no one dared to speak loudly in the crowded Cloud Valley, the sheer number of people compressed within the space created a low, rising murmur. The assembly was complete.

The spectacle was ready to begin. The light drizzle persisted.

"Ahem... ahem." Two soft coughs, not loud, yet they resonated throughout the entire assembly, possessing a strange magnetism that compelled everyone to quiet their chatter and turn their gaze toward Lu Qingtao, the Great Dao Realm expert seated centrally—this slender, unassuming Lu Qingtao exuded an uncanny charisma as he stood.

This master was rumored to excel in Water-element Sword Intent, having grasped eleven forms of Sword Intent which he could then fuse into a single essence. Lu Qingtao's most famous engagement was his confrontation with the Crimson-Winged Demon King among the Chthonic Demons, where he held his own remarkably well—a feat celebrated at the time.

The Crimson-Winged Demon King was one of the four kings of the Chthonic Demons, whose fierce reputation had terrified both the surface and the underworld for over a thousand years. "Elders of the Mount Hua North Peak, disciples of the Mount Hua North Peak, and esteemed guests from other Immortal Sects and branches." Lu Qingtao spoke calmly, "The North Peak Master, Venerable Yuan Yuan, during his tenure, fostered North Peak’s growth, maintained internal harmony, united the Elders, and focused the disciples, making indelible contributions to the peak’s development." "Alas, the rebellious Venerable Yuan Ling caused disruption.

Six months ago, Venerable Yuan Yuan vanished, sought high and low, but remains unfound." "We of the Mount Hua North Peak will never cease our search for Venerable Yuan Yuan." "However, the magnitude of North Peak requires constant governance; it cannot remain without a head. Therefore, today, by the will of the many members of Mount Hua North Peak, the position of temporary Peak Master shall be decided by competition.

Should Venerable Yuan Yuan not be found within three years, this temporary status will automatically convert to permanent, and the qualifier 'temporary' will be removed." Essentially, these formalities had to be observed. Once these formalities were concluded, the actual competition commenced.

At the start, a few ordinary Elders stepped onto the stage to spar. These bouts were, however, prearranged.

It would have been too abrupt to feature the main event immediately; grand sects value demeanor and a gradual unfolding of events. Though these initial Elder clashes were staged, they were executed with enough skill to elicit murmurs of appreciation from the disciples seated to the west.

They acknowledged that confrontations between Elders were indeed impressive. Yet, only the disciples offered applause; those seated elsewhere found the mock combat rather tedious.

It grew incredibly dull. After this contrived exchange, Dugu Ye finally ascended the stage.

Dugu Ye possessed a naturally combative spirit; her role among the Six Sword Immortals of North Peak was typically that of an external campaigner. With a swift move, she unsheathed her Zhiqiu Spirit Sword and, with a few casual strokes, forced her opponent off the platform.

Following this, she easily dispatched several other Elders. Dugu Ye practiced the Cloud Dragon Ten Transformations Heart Method.

In swordsmanship, she possessed genuine talent, wielding the One-Leaf Sword Style with her Zhiqiu Spirit Sword. This style was exceptionally peculiar, allowing her to deduce an opponent's next move based on their current action.

Opponents engaging Dugu Ye found themselves unable to cope with such targeted attacks and quickly yielded. One-Leaf Knows Autumn, Dugu Ye, or perhaps Solitary Heart Sword, Dugu Ye.

Dugu Ye commanded respect on the stage. "Martial Aunt Dugu is truly formidable..." "Indeed," Ling Yuzhu observed Dugu Ye, privately resolving to emulate her master and become the sole female Sword Immortal of the Tenth Generation.

"Enough, Martial Sister Du. You've made your point," a powerful voice boomed from below the stage.

A figure of immense stature rose—the moment he stood, he resembled a volcano erupting. A searing scent of flame radiated outward, and the falling rainwater vaporized completely ten feet above his head.

The Great Sun Sword Immortal, Sima Changbai, the man currently at his peak and the most likely candidate for the next North Peak Master, had finally made his entrance. He straightened his frame and proceeded toward the raised platform step by deliberate step.

His movements were unwavering, each footfall radiating overwhelming presence, like a moving volcano. Where his feet trod, faint scorch marks appeared.

Sima Changbai had arrived; the true climax was imminent. The previously inattentive guests from other Immortal Sects and branches instantly focused, their distractions gone.

This was the genuine contest. The disciples of North Peak grew even more tense.

A North Peak Sword Immortal challenging another North Peak Sword Immortal! Even the Direct Disciples had never witnessed combat of this magnitude before.

Sima Changbai finally stood upon the dais. "Martial Sister, your so-called 'One-Leaf Knows Autumn' is merely a clever trick based on meticulous observation.

Against true, overwhelming strength and boundless momentum, you can only be defeated." With a move, Sima Changbai drew his Great Sun Spirit Sword. He brought the sword down in a single slash!

All surrounding flames danced wildly. Dugu Ye blocked with the One-Leaf Knows Autumn, but upon impact, her expression subtly shifted; her entire robe felt as though it was on the verge of catching fire.

This single exchange was enough to confirm that Dugu Ye was indeed no match for Sima Changbai.