The host of Sword Immortals, the Elders, the core disciples, and the ordinary disciples all bowed in unison towards Fang Ru, the Gentleman Sword.

Finally, it was decided: Fang Ru would become the new acting Peak Master. Among the current Sword Immortals of the North Peak, Dugu Ye and Chu Fei were still too young. Ye Yangrong managed intelligence; he could assist others, but lacking the singular bearing required to command an entire peak. If Li Yuanbai were still alive, he would have been suitable, but Li Yuanbai had long since passed into immortality.

Therefore, in the end, only Fang Ru ascended. Fang Ru possessed a solemn disposition, deep cultivation, and held the potential to break through to the Great Dao Realm. On the North Peak, no one else could be found more fitting to serve as Peak Master. Fang Ru accepted the mantle with calm assurance. The North Peak was in dire straits, leaderless, and when no one else could shoulder the burden, he took it up. All members of the North Peak, from top to bottom, were sincerely convinced. The Gentleman Sword, Fang Ru, might be somewhat pedantic and overly serious, yet his dealings were always clear and just, earning him the respect of all subordinates and superiors alike.

Lu Yuan followed the other core disciples in offering his respects. By this time, Sima Bo was no longer standing beside him. Sima Changbai was finished. In the end, he was confined to Reflection Peak, the sentence fixed at two millennia for repentance. Given the severity of his crimes leading to his imprisonment on Reflection Cliff, his days there would not be easy, and the remainder of his life would likely be spent locked away within Reflection Peak forevermore.

As for Sima Bo and Sima Hao, they were implicated, but Reflection Peak required at least the Longevity Stage to endure. Thus, Sima Bo and Sima Hao were both demoted and banished to remote locations. Mount Hua maintained various enterprises across the territories, and they were assigned to some desolate, harsh corner of the world, forbidden from ever returning to Mount Hua for the rest of their lives. Essentially, it was a permanent exile.

This entire affair had finally concluded.

As Lu Yuan bowed to the new Peak Master Fang Ru, a sense of relief washed over him. The matter was finally past. Wait, not entirely past—Venerable Yuanyuan was still missing. Lu Yuan silently pondered the outcome of the battle between him and Venerable Yuanling.

In the following days, it was expected that key figures from other sects and peaks would invite the pivotal personnel of the North Peak to banquets. The North Peak currently had two such figures.

One was, naturally, the new Peak Master, Fang Ru, who now governed the entire peak and was undeniably crucial. The other was Lu Yuan. Everyone knew of his potential and astonishing rate of growth; such a talent naturally warranted careful cultivation of relationships.

Lu Yuan found the entire situation tiresome. Drinking was best done with trusted confidants or alone. He had absolutely no interest in drinking sessions filled with networking and various self-serving agendas. After attending a few of the most essential gatherings, he ducked out of the rest whenever possible.

A few days later, these well-wishers from the various peaks, having achieved their objectives, departed the North Peak. Consequently, Lu Yuan regained his solitude.

Days later, Fang Ru began attending to the large volume of administrative duties while simultaneously initiating investigations into the whereabouts of Venerable Yuanyuan. The North Peak had never relaxed its efforts to locate him. After a few more days, Lu Yuan returned to his unrestricted enjoyment of wine and sword practice.

Some matters were beyond his ability to resolve. Some matters were not worth overthinking. Living each day well, while simultaneously growing stronger at an accelerated pace, was the paramount path. The tribulation of the North Peak, in truth, was merely a minor incident. What was truly terrifying, the concern that worried Ancestor Yan even before his ascension, was the Rebellion of the Three Sects.

Taking a sip of wine, Lu Yuan gazed at the sky. The sky remained blue. The clouds were still languidly white. Below the mountain lay a chaotic world. Above the mountain, everything was pristine. In that moment, his thoughts leaped across vast distances.

Indeed, during this period, Lu Yuan was the most celebrated name in the cultivation world of the Jin Kingdom. As a tenth-generation junior, he had challenged and defeated the Sword Immortal Sima Changbai. This single victory was enough to make Lu Yuan famous throughout the realm, positioning him as the most dazzling rising star in Jin.

However, just over ten days later, a new shift occurred. Since the disappearance of Venerable Yuanyuan, the North Peak had been striving relentlessly to find him and discover the hiding place of Yuanling Mountain, the domain of Venerable Yuanling. Although Yuanyuan remained unfound, they managed to pinpoint the general location of Yuanling Mountain.

In the western part of the Jin Kingdom lay the Endless Snow Mountains, stretching for unknown thousands of miles. The Blood Sword Sect had once hidden within these snowy peaks, making them nearly impossible to locate. Recent intelligence suggested that Yuanling Mountain was also concealed within the Endless Snow Mountains, and they had narrowed down the approximate vicinity.

This discovery naturally necessitated a search for Venerable Yuanyuan. The righteous immortal sects traditionally stood by their own members. Venerable Yuanyuan, a former Peak Master, could not simply be abandoned. Upon hearing news of his potential whereabouts, everyone felt compelled to go. Even the new Peak Master, Fang Ru, initially expressed his intention to lead the rescue. However, ultimately, none of the primary forces could proceed. Four individuals from the Cloud-Emerging Immortal Realm were dispatched: Qu Qingchen, Venerable Yuanyuan’s master; Wan Qingwang, Venerable Yuanling’s master; Lu Qingtao; and Lu Yuan, making a total of four.

With Venerable Yuanyuan missing, it was entirely reasonable for Qu Qingchen, his master, to be concerned. His participation was vital, as everyone felt reassured only with him present. After all, Qu Qingchen was the true paramount master of Mount Hua's North Peak, significantly stronger than others of the eighth generation.

Venerable Yuanling, the traitor, had been taught by Wan Qingwang. As his master, Wan Qingwang bore inescapable responsibility and insisted on leading the effort to discipline his own disciple.

Lu Qingtao accompanied them because, back when Yuanling was still a traitor within the North Peak, he had once used forbidden arts against Lu Qingtao's grandson. Thus, Lu Qingtao held a deep, unresolved enmity toward Yuanling.

As for Lu Yuan, he was specifically included for tempering and experience. The expedition to find Yuanling Mountain carried considerable danger. With figures like Yuanling involved, and the possibility of the Heaven-Aiding Alliance lurking in the shadows, even confronting Sword Immortals presented grave risk. Therefore, none of the five North Peak Sword Immortals were sent; the mission fell to those from the Cloud-Emerging Immortal Realm.

That day, four streaks of light descended from Mount Hua simultaneously.

The leading figure possessed an ancient countenance and long, flowing white hair. His nose was sharply defined, and his bearing commanding. Though aged, his aura indicated a long history of supreme authority. He rode a beam of white sword light, standing upright, hands clasped behind his back, utterly unmoving against the flow—a man whose expression was stern, clearly one who rarely smiled. Any senior figure long immersed in the cultivation world would have recognized him as the North Peak’s foremost master of the previous generation, Qu Qingchen, known as "Sword Entering the Clouds." While he might not match Zhou Qingxuan, the Mount Hua Sword of the same generation, he was undeniably a figure of unfathomable depth.

To his right stood a tall man. Though his hair was white and his age advanced, the feeling he exuded was terrifyingly potent. His aura could crush everything. A long scar marred his face, and his formidable presence, though suppressed for years, still leaked traces of killing intent. This was Wan Qingwang, Venerable Yuanling’s master. Wan Qingwang was once known as the "Sword of the King," and his fame in the cultivation world was scarcely less than that of Qu Qingchen, "Sword Entering the Clouds."

To the left was a lean, thin man—Lu Qingtao, who had presided over the contest for the North Peak Mastership.

The final person was a young man dressed in green. This youth showed no strain whatsoever standing among the three giants of the North Peak; he appeared completely at ease.

Lu Yuan followed the three Martial Uncles, noting that the sword lights emanating from the first three were exquisitely pure. Compared to them, his own sword light seemed somewhat mixed and impure.

Qu Qingchen spoke, "This journey to Yuanling Mountain holds significant peril. Yuanling Mountain is exceptionally dangerous; you must be prepared." Of course, while he said this, Qu Qingchen didn't truly believe there would be much danger. The force assembled represented the bulk of the North Peak's strength; it would be ridiculous if they couldn't overcome a mere Yuanling Mountain—provided, of course, they could actually locate it.

"Yes," Lu Yuan nodded.

"This journey will take some time. You are the genius of Mount Hua's North Peak, and your future achievements may surpass even ours. Therefore, we also intend to spend some time properly cultivating you." Qu Qingchen's voice suddenly sharpened, "However, let this be clear: you must strictly adhere to Mount Hua's Five Great Precepts. Do not emulate Yuanling."

"Yes," Lu Yuan nodded again, understanding the seniors’ sentiment. If Yuanling had not betrayed them, and had worked alongside Yuanyuan, the North Peak’s power would be immeasurably greater now.

During their descent, the initial discussion focused on the Eighth Level of Longevity and the forging of a Spirit Sword. The quickest path for Lu Yuan to increase his strength was to reach the Eighth Level of Longevity.

Qu Qingchen explained, "To reach the Eighth Level of Longevity, your Divine Soul must first attain a certain magnitude. Only when the Divine Soul reaches that threshold are you qualified to truly attempt the tempering of the Spirit Sword. The difficulty of this stage lies in the sword's acknowledgment of you. For instance, Venerable Yuanyuan’s Spirit Sword is the Primordial Spirit Sword; he needed to obtain the Primordial Heart and receive the sword's recognition. Once the sword acknowledged him, it could coalesce into the Spirit Sword. Yuanling's former sword, the Overlord Spirit Sword, required a heart that sought to dominate all things to fully manifest. Your master Li Yuanbai’s sword became the Twilight Spirit Sword because his heart became one of dusk and twilight; if I recall correctly, this state was reached after your mistress passed away."

"Fang Ru’s Vast-Righteous Spirit Sword is quite similar to your Nurturing Self Sword. Fang Ru’s heart is immensely righteous, which is why he successfully forged his Spirit Sword."

"As for you, you possess two flying swords. You must gain the recognition of these two. Your sword should be the Nurturing Self and the Mountain Suppressor. After your Divine Soul reaches the required magnitude, if you gain the acknowledgment of the Nurturing Self and the Mountain Suppressor, you can ascend to the Eighth Level of Longevity."

"However, gaining the sword’s recognition is inherently difficult. Most cultivators fail to pass this step."