Qingxi Peak.
Inside what used to be a side chamber for pill refinement—and was now better described as a disaster zone—herbs, scorched cauldrons, and scribbled pill formulas lay scattered across the floor like the aftermath of a minor war.
In one corner, a scruffy earth-colored dog was engaged in its daily cultivation routine.
It stood upright on its hind legs, forepaws wrapped around a cracked gong larger than its own head. Its haunches trembled violently.
Pfft. Pfft.
Each explosive burst propelled it a few inches off the ground.
A low-altitude, scent-enhanced airship.
"Big Brother—peerless in wisdom and might—pfft!—shall unite the Jianghu!"
The dog's voice came out in fragments, each line punctuated by biological propulsion.
This was Goudan's morning discipline.
Three years ago, Chang Le had lured the stray with half a biscuit to test medicinal pills. Since then, the once-ordinary mutt had evolved into something… tragic.
It could speak human language (under duress).
It had mastered fart-powered levitation.
It could perform fifty consecutive backflips—though it vomited immediately afterward.
Worst of all, it had been trained to address Chang Le as "Big Brother" and Ye Yuetang as "Sister-in-law."
Ye Yuetang despised the title.
She was the personal disciple of Qingxi Peak's master—a future fairy of unblemished reputation. How could she possibly be linked to a shameless, pill-poisoned dog?
And yet Goudan, terrified of Chang Le down to its marrow, stubbornly wagged its tail and called her that regardless of how many times she punished it. Eventually, she resorted to pretending she couldn't hear.
Each time the words were spoken, however, her gaze grew a degree colder.
Chang Le, meanwhile, felt deeply satisfied with his "family discipline."
"Enough noise. Practice your hovering." He flicked a strip of jerky into the dog's mouth. "One more sound and I'll make you test the Rainbow Gas Pill. Neon lights included."
Goudan whimpered and slunk away to a tattered sack in the corner—Chang Le's collection of failed pills. Most became dog food.
Truly a bitter canine existence.
With silence restored, Chang Le focused inward.
In his consciousness floated a newly refined pill, its surface patterned with swirling Yin-Yang fish.
Pill Name: Unnamed
Primary Effect: Forces any target into a perfect fifty-fifty split outcome.
Side Effect: User can never achieve a decisive victory.
Chang Le's eyes lit up.
"A true Fifty-Fifty divine pill!"
He swallowed it without hesitation. It tasted like damp biscuits.
Not bad.
Three years had passed since he'd bothered with orthodox cultivation. With Ye Yuetang's "accidental" resource leaks and his own experimental pill ingestion, his path had veered wildly off course.
Take his [Super Jump] entry.
One leap sent him ten kilometers straight up.
The first time he tried it, he nearly lost control of his bladder before crashing back down like a meteor. Fortunately, he'd activated another entry—[You Can Be Very Hard]—and crawled out of the crater unscathed.
Cultivation?
Was it edible?
Did it come with system entries?
If not, what was the point?
He had completely abandoned the traditional path.
"Big Brother!"
Goudan trotted back, nose twitching.
"They're beating drums outside. The Sect Grand Competition's started! Shouldn't we set up betting? Spirit Stones buy jerky!"
Chang Le slapped his forehead.
"Right! Nearly forgot the main event!"
Today was Ye Yuetang's showcase—the perfect opportunity to fund his research.
"Let's go earn!"
Man and dog dashed out.
Chang Le ran normally. Goudan combined four-legged sprinting with controlled gas propulsion, skimming over the ground like a biological cruise missile.
"Spirit Stones and jerky—goooo!"
The Main Peak Plaza of Pudu Mountain was packed.
Banners rippled overhead. Dozens of arenas filled the square. The triennial Grand Competition was the sect's greatest spectacle.
Two segments defined the event.
First: personal disciples sparred among themselves—proof of each peak's teaching prowess.
Second: ordinary disciples could challenge personal disciples.
Victory meant immediate promotion and access to resources.
A single fight could change one's fate.
On the high platform sat Sect Master Yundan and the elders. Representatives from allied sects observed from guest seats.
Chang Le and Goudan squeezed into a corner and set up their stall.
"Place your bets!" Goudan shouted, striking the gong. "Qingxi Peak's Fairy Ye! Foundation Establishment Great Perfection! Cold beauty! Absolute genius!"
"Defends her ring: 1.1 to 1! Wins in ten moves: 2 to 1! One-move knockout: 5 to 1!"
"Trust Fairy Ye, live forever! Trust Brother Le, get rich!"
Spirit Stones poured in.
Then Ye Yuetang stepped onto the stage.
White robes. Calm expression. A snow lotus blooming alone atop an icy cliff.
The crowd fell silent.
Her first opponent—a burly fire-element cultivator—barely lasted three moves.
Ice shield. Frost needles. One pulse of energy.
He was sent flying off the stage.
Cheers erupted.
Two more challengers fell just as cleanly.
She ignored suitors.
Ignored flattery.
Ignored envy.
Her water arts were flawless.
On the platform, Sect Master Yundan nodded in approval.
But among the guests, one pair of eyes burned with something darker.
Zhang Kuang.
Third son of the Wendao Pavilion's lord.
Foundation Establishment Great Perfection.
Arrogant. Entitled. Used to getting what he wanted.
During the intermission, he flashed onto the main arena without permission.
"Fair maiden," he said lazily, "would you become my Dao companion?"
The square exploded in outrage.
Ye Yuetang's voice was ice.
"No."
His expression darkened—but instead of backing down, he raised his voice to the high platform.
"I stake the Dao-Seeking Sword."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
A top-grade spiritual artifact.
"If I lose, it's yours. If I win—she marries me."
Silence fell.
Ye Yuetang stood below, fists clenched white.
She felt like an object placed on a gambling table.
Her master protested—but temptation swayed the elders.
Sect Master Yundan spoke at last.
"We accept."
Two Pudu Mountain disciples fought.
Both lost.
Zhang Kuang's Burning Heaven Finger tore through defenses like molten iron through wax.
Two victories.
The third match would decide everything.
Below the stage, Chang Le was still scooping Spirit Stones into his bowl.
Until Goudan yanked his trouser leg.
For once, the dog's voice held no flattery.
"Brother Le! Stop! Your home's being robbed! They're gambling away your sister-in-law, and you're counting pebbles!"
The words struck like thunder.
Chang Le looked up.
Saw Zhang Kuang's sneer.
Saw the elders' silence.
Saw Ye Yuetang standing alone.
Something inside him ignited.
Rage.
Possessiveness.
Something deeper he refused to name.
"Damn it."
He kicked the betting stall over. Spirit Stones scattered across the ground.
He didn't even look at them.
"Furnace lid—come!"
With a resonant hum, the heavy bronze furnace lid appeared beneath his feet.
He leapt atop it.
"Watch yourself!" he shouted at Goudan.
Then he shot toward the stage in a crooked but furious streak of bronze light.
"Hold on!"
"Hold on!"