Small Bamboo Peak, neighboring Great Bamboo Peak, loomed into view as Su Ru guided her magical treasure through the air, carrying Tian Ling'er and Ji Changfeng. In no time, they approached a towering mountain piercing the clouds.
Small Bamboo Peak was no less grand than Great Bamboo Peak, its structures even more refined. After all, it housed far more disciples.
Whoosh!
Su Ru landed the treasure at the mountainside.
"Hm?" Several patrolling female disciples of Small Bamboo Peak noticed their arrival. The moment they recognized Su Ru, their faces lit up.
"Martial Aunt Su? You're visiting Small Bamboo Peak?"
Their gazes then fell on the two young figures behind her, and surprise flickered in their eyes.
Tian Ling'er was familiar, but the other…
A male disciple? And around Tian Ling'er's age?
Could it be…
The disciples' minds raced, piecing together the clues.
Was this the infamous Ji Changfeng? The one who reached Jade Purity's first layer in a single night and the second in half a month?
Before Su Ru could speak, the lively Tian Ling'er piped up, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Senior Sisters, guess who he is!"
She was eager for them to falter so she could swoop in with the reveal.
Normally, a child's intentions are easy to read, but the disciples were too captivated by Ji Changfeng to notice Tian Ling'er's excitement. They blurted out their guess: "Could this be the renowned Junior Brother Ji Changfeng of Qingyun?"
Tian Ling'er pouted. Ugh, they guessed it? How boring.
Ji Changfeng met their gazes with a calm smile, stepping forward confidently. His voice was clear and steady. "Ji Changfeng of Dazhu Peak, greetings to Senior Sisters."
The female disciples hurriedly returned the courtesy. "Greetings, Junior Brother Ji."
They wanted to study this legendary genius more closely, but with Su Ru present, they didn't dare linger. "Martial Aunt Su, you may proceed to Serene Bamboo Pavilion. Master has instructed that you need not report your arrival."
"Very well." Su Ru nodded gently.
She glanced back at Ji Changfeng. "Changfeng, let's go. I'll take you to meet your Martial Uncle Shuiyue."
"Yes, shi niang," Ji Changfeng replied, bowing slightly.
Tian Ling'er needed no prompting. Having visited Xiaozhu Peak often, it was practically a second home to her.
Su Ru led Ji Changfeng and Tian Ling'er onward. Along the way, they encountered numerous female disciples, all of whom were drawn to Ji Changfeng's presence.
"Hey, a male disciple? Who is he?"
"Following Martial Aunt Su? Could it be the famous Ji Changfeng?"
"Really?"
"Let's go see for ourselves!"
A crowd of Small Bamboo Peak disciples hurried toward Serene Bamboo Pavilion.
_
Inside Serene Bamboo Pavilion, a Taoist nun in her early thirties stared at Ji Changfeng with astonishment. She had an oval face, delicate brows, a refined nose, and bright almond-shaped eyes. Clad in a moon-white robe, her graceful figure exuded an air of elegance.
"So alike… too alike!" Master Shuiyue murmured, lost in thought.
Though Ji Changfeng was young, his white robe and spirited demeanor carried a faint, sharp sword intent in his eyes—a temperament strikingly similar to someone from her past.
Su Ru blinked, caught off guard.
"Ahem." She coughed lightly, turning to Ji Changfeng. "Changfeng, this is your Martial Aunt Shuiyue."
Ji Changfeng smiled warmly, bowing respectfully. "Disciple Ji Changfeng pays respects to Martial Aunt Shuiyue!"
Shuiyue snapped out of her reverie, her expression shifting to cool detachment, though a trace of regret lingered. "Mm," she acknowledged with a slight nod.
Su Ru smiled. "Senior Sister, Changfeng wishes to see the Moon-Gazing Platform. I took the liberty of bringing him here."
"The Moon-Gazing Platform?" Shuiyue nodded thoughtfully, then turned to a disciple nearby. "Wen Min, take him to the platform. And call Xueqi to Serene Bamboo Pavilion while you're at it."
"Yes, Master," the disciple replied with a smile.
This was Wen Min, Small Bamboo Peak's Senior Sister—and the object of Song Daren's affection.
Wen Min had a delicate, oval face, flowing hair, and skin like snow. Her gentle smile marked her as a beauty in her own right.
"Junior Brother Ji, follow me," Wen Min said, offering a warm smile.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Wen Min," Ji Changfeng replied, returning the smile.
He followed her out of Serene Bamboo Pavilion without hesitation.
Outside, a throng of female disciples had gathered around Tian Ling'er, chattering excitedly.
"Junior Sister Ling'er, was that really Great Bamboo Peak's Ji Changfeng?"
"Quick, tell us about his cultivation!"
"Yeah, spill!"
Ji Changfeng's cultivation journey was a legend in Qingyun Sect: first layer of Jade Purity in one night, second layer in half a month. Now, over three months later, everyone was dying to know how far he'd progressed.
"Hmph!" Tian Ling'er crossed her arms, grinning smugly. "Brace yourselves—this might shock you. Ji Changfeng? He's already at Jade Purity's fourth layer!"
"What?!"
The Small Bamboo Peak disciples gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Jade Purity, fourth layer?
Three months to reach the fourth layer?
Is this for real?
Even Master Shuiyue's prized disciple, Lu Xueqi, took nearly two and a half years to reach that level.
And now Ji Changfeng had done it in just over four months?
Hiss—
Such talent was downright terrifying!
What kind of monster is he?
Wen Min, overhearing the chatter, turned to Ji Changfeng in shock. "Junior Brother Ji, you're… already at the fourth layer?"
Ji Changfeng smiled faintly. "No need to be surprised, Senior Sister Wen Min. I just got lucky."
"Lucky…" Wen Min's mouth twitched.
Lucky? What kind of "lucky brother" are you?
The fourth layer of Jade Purity was a major bottleneck. Nearly a thousand Qingyun disciples were stuck at the third layer, unable to break through.
And he called it luck?
As expected, monstrous geniuses are on a different level from ordinary people.
Wen Min sighed softly.
Her conversation with Ji Changfeng quickly drew the attention of the surrounding disciples.
"Hey, it's Junior Brother Ji!"
The moment they spotted him, their eyes sparkled as if they'd seen a rare treasure. Abandoning Tian Ling'er, they swarmed toward Ji Changfeng.
Tian Ling'er: ???
I was here first! Ji Changfeng, you're stealing my spotlight again!
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 50+ chapters and also other stories: patreon.com/Caluem