The sun shone high, yet no flowers dared to smile. Standing atop a mountain in the dead of winter, it would truly be a marvel to still see any bloom. It wasn't that flowers didn't open in winter, but on Shushan, one wouldn't find a single one.

Ye Wen sat upright in the center of the main hall, the tea beside him having been refilled countless times. Even so, he felt parched. The reasons were simple: firstly, his throat ached from nonstop talking; secondly, he was overwhelmingly excited.

Looking at the hall packed with people—most of whom Ye Wen had never even seen, let alone known—yet every single person, familiar or not, offered a respectful greeting: "Sect Master Ye, congratulations, congratulations." This scene gave him the genuine feeling of leading a grand sect, a sensation beyond compare.

Seeing that the appointed time was drawing near, the vast hall was now full, with attendees either standing or seated. While laughing and chatting idly with fellow martial artists nearby, Ye Wen watched Junior Sister Ning—who was rushing about ceaselessly, seemingly never touching the ground—her usual stern face replaced by a harried expression as she worked frantically. Seeing her so busy, why was his mood so wonderfully elevated?

"Have I perhaps become perverse?"

Teasing himself with the thought, Ye Wen took another sip of tea. Just then, the craftsman, temporarily serving as an orderly at the entrance, shouted out: "The Yue Mountain Escort Agency’s Chief Escort Yue and his escorts arrive with congratulatory gifts..."

The deliberately drawn-out announcement ensured everyone in the hall noticed the new arrivals. And this time, the guest was the father of today's main focus, making his status even more significant. The moment Ye Wen heard the news, he rose immediately to greet him. He had only made it halfway when Yue Hang entered with his escort personnel.

"Sect Master Ye, your sect truly possesses an extraordinary presence," Yue Hang remarked. This was his first visit to the Shu Mountain Sect, and the grand gate and the imposing main hall certainly gave him pause.

"Chief Escort Yue flatters me," they exchanged bows, and Ye Wen directly ushered Yue Hang to a seat near the front. He had already reserved two spots here: one for the Chief Escort, and the other he wasn't sure would be used, but in the spirit of courtesy, he had left it open.

Many curious onlookers from Shushan, upon entering, noticed the two conspicuously placed seats and asked those less informed, "Who are those two seats reserved for? Is some major figure arriving today?"

Those with inside information would become smug at this point, chuckling mysteriously, only revealing the answer after making the questioner beg for it almost to the point of wanting to punch them.

"You didn't know? Actually, one of the disciples Shu Mountain is accepting today is the eldest son of Chief Escort Yue of Yue Mountain Escort Agency. Since the Chief Escort's own son is becoming a disciple, the father naturally has to attend the ceremony. So, one of those seats is naturally reserved for him."

"Chief Escort Yue? With his level of martial arts, does he really need to entrust his son to others for training? Is this Shu Mountain Sect truly that formidable?" Yue Hang wasn't that old, but among martial folk who respected strength above all, Yue Hang was a recognized figure in Shushan County, so they treated him with the utmost respect, not daring to show the slightest disrespect even in private conversation.

"That, I do not know..."

This person's intelligence was clearly incomplete, knowing only a fragment. A man standing nearby cast a scornful glance at him, laughing at him for daring to show off with only superficial knowledge: "I don't know how strong the Shu Mountain Sect is, but their Sect Master Ye is indeed formidable. Yu, the Deputy Leader of the Six Palms Gang, was forced to spit blood by Sect Master Ye with just a single palm strike. His skill is truly exceptional, perhaps equal to or even surpassing Chief Escort Yue's."

The surrounding newcomers gasped in awe. Many representatives from minor sects, unaware of the deeper context, secretly felt fortunate that they hadn't come to witness this spectacle for nothing. If they could build a relationship with Sect Master Ye, perhaps their future days on Shushan might be smoother.

"At the very least, we must not offend this man."

This thought instantly became the prevailing sentiment among the representatives of the minor sects. Only a small fraction outright disbelieved the rumors. Some among them knew that the Shu Mountain Sect was merely the remnants of the old Shushan Sect, which had been wiped out by the True Fist Sect, simply changing the pronunciation slightly to reestablish their presence.

They had some understanding of Ye Wen, but in their memory, the previous Sect Master Ye was a useless weakling swiftly knocked unconscious by Zhang Gui in a few moves. They couldn't believe such a failure could transform so rapidly, becoming capable of standing as an equal to Chief Escort Yue.

Seeing the man they despised as trash now enjoying such prestige and interacting so warmly with Chief Escort Yue, they were filled with jealousy, cursing under their breath, "I don't know what evil methods this boy used to fool the entire Yue Mountain Escort Agency's Chief Escort."

However, they lacked the courage to personally test whether Ye Wen had truly been reborn and his martial arts greatly improved. After all, there was a reason for caution: with the rumor of Ye Wen defeating Yu Dahai in one palm strike circulating, they had to act cautiously. If Ye Wen had genuinely become powerful, their rash actions might not bring them glory, but rather trouble.

Yet, they believed Ye Wen wouldn't remain arrogant for long, as everyone knew the feud between Ye Wen and the True Fist Sect. Now that Ye Wen had rebuilt his sect, using a name only differing by a single sound from the original was tantamount to openly defying the True Fist Sect, an act that would surely invite suppression.

"Hmph. I suspect there will be quite a show today. If I'm not mistaken, the person arriving from the True Fist Sect today will still be Big Brother Zhang."

These individuals stood in the hall, coldly observing, while simultaneously strategizing how to curry favor with the True Fist Sect members later, perhaps even taking a few jabs to gain prominence when Ye Wen's disguise was stripped away.

"If I can establish a connection with Chief Escort Yue, then I won't have to fear struggling to survive in the Shushan area anymore."

Ye Wen was not blind to the schemes of these people; in fact, this group made almost no attempt to hide their intentions. Although they had greeted Ye Wen enthusiastically upon arrival, they immediately retreated to the corners to watch coldly. Having navigated society for a while, Ye Wen easily deciphered their motives. He simply couldn't be bothered with these clowns. As for the future? He didn't believe these people would ever cross his path again.

Because Ye Wen had secretly noted down the sects or forces these individuals represented. When the Shu Mountain Sect eventually sought to unify Shushan, these people would be the first batch marked for elimination.

After escorting Yue Hang to the seat of honor, Ye Wen noticed that the men behind Yue Hang were carrying numerous chests, presumably filled with gifts.

Seeing Ye Wen's gaze, Yue Hang casually replied, "A small token of respect, merely the customary gift for my son's apprenticeship."

Ye Wen nodded, thinking that Yue Hang had gone to great lengths. The chests looked heavy just from the way the men carried them, indicating how precious the gifts were. Therefore, this respect was clearly not "small," but "abundant."

"Chief Escort Yue is too kind," Ye Wen said lightly, showing no intention of refusing. Moreover, he felt that if they successfully negotiated that matter, the Yue Mountain Escort Agency wouldn't gain nothing. Accepting a few gifts from him was hardly an issue.

After a brief casual conversation, Ning Ruxue, who had been busy until now, rushed over and said, "The time has come. Senior Brother, please commence the ceremony."

Ye Wen nodded, then moved to the center of the hall to preside over the initiation ceremony.

Due to the seniority of the initiation, the first person to stand in the hall, prepared to formally join the Shu Mountain Sect under Ye Wen's tutelage as a disciple received on behalf of his master, was Xu Xian. The moment the Xu family young master entered the hall, even Yue Hang was startled.

He hadn't anticipated that not only his own son would join the Shu Mountain Sect, but the Xu family young master was also joining. He had only heard a couple of days ago that Xu Xian had quarreled with his own esteemed elder and run away from home. He never expected him to end up at the Shu Mountain Sect. "What is going on here? Have I ultimately underestimated the Shu Mountain Sect?"

Yue Hang could not fathom any reason that would compel the Xu family young master to join the Shu Mountain Sect, especially since the Xu family, a distinguished scholarly lineage, had no apparent need to specifically pursue martial arts training.

While he puzzled over this, many guests familiar with Xu Xian's background expressed surprise.

"Weren't they saying today’s initiation was for the Yue family young master? I don't recall the Yue boy being this old?"

Such questions rippled through the hall. Visitors whispered among themselves, trying to guess the identity of this young gentleman. A few people who recognized Xu Xian were initially stunned by the sight of him standing in the center, ready to bow. It wasn't until their neighbors began whispering that they snapped back to reality.

"That’s the young master from the Xu family in the county town. Heavens, why is he here? Is he joining the Shu Mountain Sect too?"

"The Xu family? Which Xu family's son?"

"In Shushan County, which other Xu family is there? Naturally, the son of Master Xu."

"What? Master Xu? But isn't his family a renowned scholarly house? Why would he come to join the Shu Mountain Sect to study martial arts? Surely this Shu Mountain Sect doesn't teach calligraphy and painting alongside combat skills?"

"How should I know?"

Such discussions arose one after another, but because everyone deliberately kept their voices low, the ceremony's progress was not disturbed.

At this moment, Ye Wen finished reciting the prepared 'speech' and finally reached the main point. The crowd then understood: this was a reception of a disciple on behalf of a master—this was not Ye Wen’s disciple, but his junior brother.

For those purely there to watch, this was insignificant. But for an old hand like Yue Hang, it held many implications.

"If Xu Xian truly becomes a Shu Mountain disciple, what will the Xu family's stance be toward the Shu Mountain Sect? If the Xu family later supports the sect's development with their wealth, then this sect..." Realizing this, Yue Hang felt immense relief that he had placed his bets on the Shu Mountain Sect early and had his own son become a disciple.

While everyone was speculating, Xu Xian's initiation ceremony concluded. Next up were the two small children who had been waiting quietly by the side.

Seeing his son about to become the new chief disciple of the Shu Mountain Sect, Yue Hang glanced at Ye Wen, then at Xu Xian standing to the side, feeling a surge of excitement.

But before his excitement could fully bloom, a loud shout echoed from the entrance. A man of dignified appearance and imposing stature strode in: "Wait! I have a few words for Brother Ye."