Hanshuang led Yuyi through layer upon layer of palace halls until they arrived at the Anti-Firmament Alliance's Grand Council Hall. Inside, candlelight flickered, illuminating the figure seated upon the main throne—the Alliance Master of the Anti-Firmament Alliance, Duan Changjian.
Duan Changjian wore azure robes, a long sword hanging at his waist, his features cold and severe as frost. His gaze was sharp as lightning as it swept over Yuyi, his brow furrowing slightly. "This is the Yuyi you recommended?"
"Indeed." Hanshuang nodded slightly. "Yuyi hails from the Xuantian Sect and has cultivated the Yin-Yang Sword Art and Pure Yang Divine Art. His strength is considerable."
"Xuantian Sect?" Duan Changjian sneered. "Among the thousands of disciples of the Xuantian Sect, only nine have successfully cultivated the Yin-Yang Sword Art and Pure Yang Divine Art. You, a young cultivator, truly possess such fortune?"
Yuyi's expression remained calm, neither humble nor arrogant. "If the Alliance Master doubts me, feel free to test me."
"Hmph!" A disciple from the Tianjian Sect stood up nearby—it was Yunxiao. His gaze was haughty as he sized up Yuyi from head to toe. "Alliance Master, this person is young but speaks quite arrogantly. Why not let this subordinate witness his Yin-Yang Sword Art?"
"Presumptuous!" Duan Changjian's voice dropped low. "This is the Grand Council Hall. How dare you behave so improperly? Stand down!"
Yunxiao's expression changed, and he sat back down resentfully, though his eyes still held a trace of不服.
Seeing this, Hanshuang spoke indifferently, "Duan Changjian, Yuyi is someone I recommended. If you mistreat him, you are slapping the face of my Tianyin Pavilion."
Duan Changjian's expression shifted slightly as he cupped his hands. "Rest assured, Hanshuang. I know my limits."
Hanshuang nodded and turned to leave. Before departing, she cast a deep look at Yuyi, her gaze carrying layers of meaning.
The hall fell silent.
Duan Changjian fixed his eyes on Yuyi and suddenly spoke. "This face of yours... I seem to have seen it somewhere before."
The corner of Yuyi's mouth lifted. "The Alliance Master has a good memory. Three years ago, outside Zhongzhou City, I was defeated by your sword."
Duan Changjian's pupils contracted as memories flooded his mind. Three years ago, he had indeed defeated a young cultivator—and that person was the Yuyi before him now.
"You remember?" Duan Changjian's voice was low.
"I remember." Yuyi spoke frankly. "That battle, I lost with complete conviction. The Alliance Master's sword technique is truly unmatched in its ferocity."
"Then you come here today seeking revenge?" Duan Changjian's hand rested on his sword hilt, his aura suddenly rising.
Yuyi shook his head. "I never hold grudges. A loss is a loss—if my skills were inferior, where would the hatred come from? But I, Yuyi, am not one to accept defeat easily. One day, I will use my sword to win back the respect that belongs to me."
He paused, his gaze firm. "When I am ready, I will challenge the Alliance Master openly and honorably. Not today, not tomorrow, but that day will come."
Duan Changjian stared at Yuyi for a long moment, then suddenly laughed. "Good! Good for not holding grudges, good for openness and honor! This bearing of yours makes me see you in a new light."
He stood up and walked before Yuyi. "In that case, I will give you an opportunity. Sword Hidden Valley, with over three hundred disciples—from today onward, it will be under your management."
These words sent shock through everyone in the hall.
Yunxiao's face turned iron-gray as he shot to his feet. "Alliance Master! Sword Hidden Valley is a critical location of our Anti-Firmament Alliance. How can it be handed to an outsider?"
Duan Changjian turned to look at him and spoke indifferently. "An outsider? He was recommended by Hanshuang and comes from the Xuantian Sect—how is he an outsider? As for you, if you are dissatisfied, how about I place the Bihai Gang's three thousand disciples under your management?"
Yunxiao froze, then joy spread across his face. "Thank you, Alliance Master!"
He glared viciously at Yuyi before turning to leave. Although Sword Hidden Valley held higher status, the Bihai Gang had ten times the number of disciples—that power was not insignificant.
Duan Changjian looked at Yuyi, his gaze profound. "I give you status and power to see why you truly joined the Anti-Firmament Alliance."
Yuyi smiled slightly. "Alliance Master, rest assured. What Yuyi seeks is nothing more than to cultivate the Dao and advance my sword technique. Other matters are not what I plot."
Duan Changjian neither agreed nor disagreed, simply waving his hand. "Go. In three days at Zhongzhou City Square, the inauguration ceremony will take place."
Yuyi took his leave and headed toward Sword Hidden Valley.
Sword Hidden Valley was nestled among the mountains. At the valley entrance stood a massive stone, inscribed with the characters "Sword Hidden"—the strokes vigorous and forceful, radiating a trace of sword intent.
As soon as Yuyi arrived at the valley mouth, several people came out to meet him.
The leader, with white hair and beard yet hale and hearty, was the former master of Sword Hidden Valley—Jianchi. Behind him followed three others: the Hall Master of the Ancient Cultivation Hall, Huaying; the Hall Master of the Sword Cultivation Hall, Jianxin; and the Hall Master of the Enforcement Hall, Rouxin.
"Yuyi greets you all." Yuyi cupped his hands.
Jianchi studied Yuyi and spoke indifferently. "The new Valley Master is quite young. I wonder what his cultivation base is?"
Yuyi heard the disdain in his words but did not grow angry, only speaking calmly. "My cultivation base will become known in time. Since Senior Jianchi has stepped down, why not serve as Vice Valley Master and assist me in managing Sword Hidden Valley?"
Jianchi's expression shifted slightly. Behind him, Huaying sneered coldly. "What arrogance from the new Valley Master! Sword Hidden Valley may only have three hundred disciples, but each one is a skilled sword practitioner. You, a mere youth—what right do you have to make them submit?"
Yuyi turned to look at her, his gaze sharp as a sword. "What right? I have this confidence."
He swept his gaze over everyone. "I know you are unconvinced in your hearts, thinking I am young, thinking my qualifications are shallow. But I tell you this—from today onward, Sword Hidden Valley will see a new era. Whether you submit or not, I care only for results."
A strange light flashed in Jianchi's eyes before he cupped his hands. "Since it is the Alliance Master's appointment, this old one naturally obeys. Please prepare for the inauguration ceremony in three days, Valley Master."
Three days later, Zhongzhou City Square.
Nearly ten thousand cultivators had gathered here. Eight sects were simultaneously changing their leaders—an event of such grandeur was rare in a century.
Upon the high platform, eight new sect leaders stood side by side. Yuyi stood among them, his expression calm.
His gaze swept across the crowd below when suddenly he saw two familiar figures—Lingxiao and Youying—standing behind Xuantie.
Lingxiao winked at him, a smile on his lips. Yuyi winked back, and the two shared a knowing smile.
In his mind, Lan's voice sounded: "Yuyi, the plan is one-quarter complete."
Yuyi's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged.
The ceremony ended, and Yuyi returned to Sword Hidden Valley.
He immediately summoned everyone and began examining the valley's accounts and personnel matters.
"Valley Master, Sword Hidden Valley's financial resources are limited. Annual income is only several thousand Spirit Stones." Huaying reported. "Furthermore, the valley has an Elder Council—major decisions require the Elder Council's approval."
Yuyi's brow furrowed slightly. "Elder Council?"
"Indeed." Jianchi explained. "The Elder Council consists of five elders responsible for supervising the Valley Master's decisions to ensure Sword Hidden Valley's interests."
Yuyi sneered. "Supervise? I would call it obstruction."
He stood up and looked around at everyone. "From today onward, Sword Hidden Valley reforms. Jianchi will serve as Vice Valley Master with full authority to assist me in managing valley affairs. The Elder Council is hereby dissolved!"
These words shocked the entire hall.
"Valley Master, how can this be?" Huaying said urgently. "The Elder Council is a tradition of Sword Hidden Valley—how can it be abolished so easily?"
"Tradition?" Yuyi's gaze was like lightning. "If tradition were useful, why has Sword Hidden Valley reached its current state? I care nothing for tradition—I care only for results. If the Elder Council can help Sword Hidden Valley grow stronger, I will keep it; if it only obstructs, what use is keeping it?"
His voice rose sharply. "Since I, Yuyi, have taken charge of Sword Hidden Valley, I will make it one of the most powerful forces in the Anti-Firmament Alliance. Whoever is unconvinced may leave; whoever stays must obey my commands!"
Everyone looked at each other, and for a moment, no one dared to speak.
Jianchi suddenly laughed. "Good! What boldness! In all my years, this is the first time I have seen such a domineering Valley Master."
He turned to face everyone. "Since the Valley Master has such determination, let us wait and see. If the Elder Council is to be dissolved, so be it. From today onward, we will fully support the Valley Master and restore Sword Hidden Valley to glory!"
Huaying, Jianxin, and Rouxin exchanged glances, then spoke in unison: "We obey the Valley Master's commands!"
Yuyi nodded, his gaze resolute.
He knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead was long, but he had confidence that he would use his sword to carve out his own path of cultivation.
Sword Hidden Valley would eventually become, in his hands, one of the most dazzling existences in this world.