Petals drifted from the eaves above the winding stream.

On Tail Finger Peak, in the Peach Blossom Forest, a clear mountain stream flowed by, and occasionally a few plump, large fish would leap out of the water.

Dozens of servant disciples bustled about, carrying a continuous stream of Spiritual Cuisine and Spirit Fruits to the long tables. On a roasting rack, two small, calf-sized beasts turned over and over, emitting an enticing aroma.

Several young men were fishing in the stream, pulling up a large fish from time to time.

One of them, a cool and detached-looking youth, pulled up his line three times in a row, only to find it empty each time. Annoyed, he tossed his fishing rod aside and walked over to the roasting rack.

’So even after becoming a Cultivator, I can’t escape the fate of getting skunked!’

A group of Inner Sect Disciples had agreed not to use any Magical Power, competing in fishing based on personal skill alone.

After just half an hour, Bai Zichen glanced at his own empty fish basket and then at the full catches of the others nearby. He decisively switched activities.

"Senior Brother Bai, try a piece of this roasted meat. It’s full of flavor."

Among Cultivators, the skilled take precedence.

Thus, even though Gan Guangde was almost a full twelve-year cycle older than Bai Zichen, he still addressed him as Senior Brother.

This new top performer from the minor competition had a broad, wide face. Despite being a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple, he was older than almost everyone present.

He greeted everyone he saw with enthusiasm, deliberately trying to build connections and maintaining a very humble posture.

After all, given his age, without some special opportunity, any other disciple present was likely to have a brighter future than him.

"Thanks."

Bai Zichen took the roasted meat and gave Gan Guangde a quick look-over.

’Sixth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation. His Magical Power is surprisingly solid and condensed. A good foundation.’ 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The two chatted idly. In any case, Bai Zichen didn’t know anyone among the Inner Sect Disciples and was happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.

"Well, if it isn’t Bai Zichen."

A fiery red figure rushed past in a flurry, then turned back and spoke condescendingly.

"So what if you got a step ahead of me? This young master became an Inner Sect Disciple all the same. A fraud is a fraud. No one in the Inner Sect respects you. I guess you have no choice but to huddle with losers like him for warmth, huh?"

Mo Changfei’s sharp, cutting words also swept Gan Guangde into the insult, his disdain overflowing and plain for all to see.

Gan Guangde’s face flushed crimson, anger flared in his eyes, and he clenched his fists, restraining his impulse to act.

His main purpose in coming to the Inner Sect was to befriend his fellow disciples and expand his network.

As a disciple from the Direct Lineage of the Fire Phoenix Mo Family, Mo Changfei’s status, background, and prospects on the Great Dao far surpassed Gan Guangde’s.

Weighed down by these concerns, Gan Guangde hesitated. For a moment, he didn’t dare to retort and simply swallowed his anger.

"Junior Brother Mo, didn’t your clan teach you about respecting seniority before you came to the Qingfeng Sect? I entered the Inner Sect before you, so you should address me as Senior Brother."

Bai Zichen chuckled lightly. He had never had a good impression of Mo Changfei, especially since this person was involved in the matter of framing him.

As for gaining such an enemy, he didn’t care at all. The Sect was not the outside world; no matter how powerful the Fire Phoenix Mo Family was, its influence here was limited.

Moreover, Bai Zichen had just assessed the situation clearly. In the recent minor competition, the top two, Gan Guangde and Tan Qin, were both at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. Mo Changfei was at the same Realm, and with Magical Artifacts that surely surpassed the other two, plus his renowned Fire Phoenix Bloodline, he had still only managed to place third.

This made him revise his estimation of the dandified youth’s actual abilities downward yet another notch.

"As for my status as an Inner Sect Disciple, it was bestowed by the Sect Leader. If you question its legitimacy, Junior Brother Mo, you are welcome to file an objection with the Law Enforcement Hall. If you’re still not satisfied, then we can follow the Sect’s Ancient Technique, get on the arena, and have a go at it—life and death be damned!"

As he finished speaking, a smile still hung on Bai Zichen’s lips, but his words were utterly cold, laced with a biting killing intent.

If Bai Zichen hadn’t happened to have gone to the Transmission Hall a few days ago to browse through a large pile of scriptures, he really wouldn’t have known that the Qingfeng Sect, which had always prided itself on being an orthodox Daoist Sect, had such an ancient tradition.

This tradition originated from when the Qingfeng Sect first established its grounds and had yet to secure its footing. They fought with Demon Beasts and vied with local Cultivators. Every disciple grew up amidst slaughter. Even the most peaceful among them developed the habit of fighting at the slightest disagreement.

Because Cultivation Resources were even scarcer back then, even fellow disciples would often come to blows over trivial matters, sometimes resulting in injury or disability.

To prevent this trend from escalating, the Sect Leader of that generation reaffirmed that disciples killing each other was a grave crime second only to treason against the Sect. In addition, he announced that disciples with irreconcilable conflicts could, under the witness of a Sect Elder, ascend the arena for Combat.

From the most common sparring match to the most serious life-or-death duel, all were permitted as long as a contract was signed.

But once the arena Combat was over, regardless of victory or defeat, all grudges were to be erased.

Neither the Cultivators themselves, nor their masters, disciples, or relatives, were allowed to seek revenge afterward.

In that era, life-or-death arena Combat was very popular. Every few years, disciples with irreconcilable hatred would take to the stage to settle their grudges with their lives.

It wasn’t until the Qingfeng Sect completely dominated Black Mountain and became the undisputed hegemon of Black Mountain County that this trend slowly faded. A life-or-death duel between fellow disciples on the arena hadn’t been seen in over a hundred years.

Mo Changfei was stunned. He had only come over to mock Bai Zichen and vent his dissatisfaction. He never expected the other party to react so intensely, immediately calling for a life-or-death Combat.

"Y-You, what nonsense are you spouting... The Sect strictly forbids disciples from killing each other! You want to trade your worthless life for this young master’s great future? Dream on!"

After his fortunate encounter with the Inheritance Stele, Mo Changfei had used a Secret Technique to purify his bloodline once. He had long since become like the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in his clan, able to shed the negative effects of his bloodline, his thoughts and emotions no different from an ordinary person’s.

The last time that guy surnamed Quan treated him like an idiot, Mo Changfei decided to play along. Everyone already thought his temperament was violent and mercurial anyway. A lie that would have been full of holes coming from anyone else was believed by Quan Guanzhong without a second thought when he said it.

He had easily duped Quan Guanzhong, who had been trying to use him, and sent him off to the Ore Vein.

In public, Mo Changfei continued to project an image of being eccentric and difficult to control, as if influenced by his bloodline. Firstly, it was to hide his true abilities—hadn’t people like that Quan Guanzhong fallen for it?

Secondly, it allowed him to express his true nature. Any inappropriate words or improper actions could all be blamed on the influence of his bloodline.

But with this response, Mo Changfei had clearly lost the upper hand. A suppressed snicker from nearby made his face turn ashen.

"Why are you junior brothers arguing the moment you meet? Today is both a farewell for our senior brothers and sisters and a welcoming party for new members. You mustn’t ruin the atmosphere."

A short, stocky Inner Sect Disciple walked over, followed by a simple-looking black bear holding a large fish in its paws and tearing at it with its mouth.

"Give me some face. Everyone take a step back. You are all elites of the Sect, why must you be at each other’s throats?"

This person was none other than Xiong Baishan. He had loved messing around with wild beasts since he was a child and could understand their language. After becoming an adult, he had a chance encounter where he tamed an injured Demon Beast, which became his Companion Spirit Beast.

Many Elders had commented that if Xiong Baishan had been born into the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, with his beast-taming skills, he would definitely have been groomed as a top disciple.

’Qi Refining Seventh Layer, plus a Tier One Top Grade Companion Spirit Beast... No wonder they say he’s planning to vie for a True Disciple position.’

Bai Zichen hadn’t forgotten that the mastermind behind the plot to frame him was, in all likelihood, this very Senior Brother Xiong Baishan. He took in the full measure of his strength.

’In the Qi Refining Realm, having a Companion Spirit Beast to help you is like fighting two against one. For a disciple of the same cultivation to face that would indeed be a headache.’