Primordial Divine Emperor-Chapter 127 - 99: Bleeding Sunset, Summit Duel, Silent Respect (Part 2)
Many Array Peak elders looked on with envy. As ’teachers of cultivators’, obtaining such a disciple was their lifelong pursuit.
Dugu Nan quietly watched the departing figure of Ye Xiaofan, then smiled knowingly and said, "He is not only the successor of me, Dugu Nan, but also the proud disciple of you elders. The achievements of this child today are inseparable from your wholehearted assistance."
Upon hearing these words, more than a dozen elders stroked their beards, and their aged faces revealed a trace of pride.
Over five months of interaction, although the child was not the heir of Array Peak nor their formal disciple, he received their guidance. One could say that he was a world-shocking talent cultivated by the collective efforts of everyone. In the future, the shadow of every Array Peak elder would reside in his figure.
Yin Tianzheng heard this and smiled with gratification, his eyes full of nostalgia.
"This child understands the teacher’s path and repays gratitude. With the legacy of Array Peak in his hands, this old man is satisfied."
"The Peak Master speaks rightly. Initially, when the old Peak Master chose Fan’Er, we were worried. Now it seems the old Peak Master did not choose wrongly. We are also at ease now."
Upon these words, over a dozen Array Peak elders all nodded in approval. At this moment, they seemed less like the leaders of Array Peak and more like neighborhood elders watching Ye Xiaofan grow step by step.
Seeing Yin Tianzheng and the others with eyes full of comfort, Dugu Nan pondered briefly, then suddenly turned around and bowed deeply to Yin Tianzheng and the others.
The unexpected scene caught over a dozen Array Peak elders by surprise. The elderly figures hurriedly returned the gesture, filled with apprehension.
"What is the meaning of this, senior?" One Array Peak elder asked, puzzled.
A dignified First Generation Sword Saint usually receives salutes from others, not the other way around.
Dugu Nan took advantage of the situation and said, "Elders, I have a request."
More than a dozen Array Peak elders exchanged glances at these words, with Yin Tianzheng also looking at Dugu Nan.
Just then.
"Cough, cough... cough, cough..."
Dugu Nan suddenly had a violent coughing fit, his body shuddering slightly.
Everyone reacted, seemingly understanding what Dugu Nan wanted to say. Yin Tianzheng immediately said, "Brother Nan, rest assured. This child is now not only the Saint Heir of Array Peak but also our legacy. Whoever tries to harm him in the future, we of Array Peak will be the first to disagree."
After Yin Tianzheng’s words, more than a dozen top elders of Array Peak nodded in agreement, instantly understanding the purpose of Dugu Nan’s bow.
"Cough... cough, cough, cough..." Listening to the affirmations from Yin Tianzheng and the Array Peak elders, Dugu Nan wanted to thank them but ended up coughing for a long while before slightly bowing again, "Thank you, elders. I am deeply grateful."
"Brother Nan, your injuries...?" Yin Tianzheng returned the courtesy and then asked with concern.
In truth, strictly speaking, Yin Tianzheng and Dugu Nan were figures of the same era, both being unparalleled talents of the Divine Sword Sect back in the day. One was a peerless Sword Dao talent, while the other was a peerless Array Dao talent. The two are peers and calling each other Brother Nan wasn’t inappropriate.
Upon hearing this, Dugu Nan slightly waved his hand, signaling that it was nothing, and then sat cross-legged, forcefully suppressing his already riddled-with-holes injuries.
Qi Yun sighed softly at this scene. A year ago, Dugu Nan suppressed his injuries almost instantly. Over the past year, his need to suppress these injuries grew more frequent and difficult, recently requiring him to sit cross-legged in meditation often.
Yin Tianzheng and more than a dozen Array Peak elders observed the scene, their eyes filled with inquiry as they looked toward Qi Yun, who slowly lowered his head, remaining silent but filled with heaviness.
Over a dozen Array Peak elders exchanged glances, clearly understanding that the Sword Saint’s time was nearing its limit. For a moment, the peak of the South Peak was filled with melancholy, spreading a sense of desolation throughout the South Peak.
At the same time.
In the gathering place of the Seventy-second Small Peak.
Countless Divine Sword Sect disciples looked towards the horizon at the setting sun, their brows slightly furrowed, discussing fervently.
"The sun is about to set, so why hasn’t that person appeared?"
"Strange. Wasn’t it agreed that the challenge would be today? Why hasn’t he come?"
"Could it be that he’s not coming?"
"If he doesn’t come, wouldn’t it mean we’ve waited in vain for so long?"
Numerous Divine Sword Sect disciples whispered among themselves, utterly confused. To witness this challenge, many had come early, yet as the sun set and the day drew to a close, Ye Xiaofan had yet to ascend the peak.
"Is it possible he’s already given up?" An older disciple chuckled wryly. If so, it would be awkward—not only for the heir of South Peak but for everyone present.
Even at the peak of the Second Holy Peak, Luo Qingchen seemed to have finished eating his Spirit Roots and, after failing to find more on himself, clapped his hands and said, "Sis, that guy isn’t going to back out, is he?"
"It’s not your challenge. Why are you so anxious?" said Luo Qingxian, who was sitting cross-legged, opening her beautiful eyes slightly with a charming smile.
At these words, Luo Qingchen was genuinely anxious: "The sun is almost set; if he doesn’t arrive before sunset, it counts as a forfeit. I’ve waited an entire day. How can I not be anxious?"
Luo Qingxian, hearing the voice, ignored Luo Qingchen, quietly returning to meditation. Compared to her brother’s impatience, the master of the Second Holy Peak appeared more composed.
Meanwhile.
On the Seventy-second Holy Peak.
Nalan Linyun, who was sitting cross-legged, also opened his eyes, slowly raising his head to glance at the setting sun hanging at the horizon’s end. His lips curled into a sneer, the disdain in his eyes growing even more intense.
However, Nalan Linyun remained silent and closed his eyes once more, returning to meditation.
By now, it wasn’t just Luo Qingchen who was anxious; even the new and old disciples who had rushed here for the spectacle had grown impatient, with some having already left early.
However, the surroundings of the entire Seventy-Two Small Peaks were still overcrowded. For cultivators, a day passed in an instant; with a brief meditation, time flew by.
Regarding other Spirit Peaks and the Divine Peak, numerous elder students shook their heads slightly, while Ye Xiaotian, Mu Yan, Ning Canghai, Ning Xianyi, and that observing Ning clan elder all sighed profoundly.
Just as everyone was murmuring among themselves, feeling disappointed with that person, finally.
At a certain moment.
"He’s here, look! Ye Xiaofan is here."
Someone was the first to spot the figure and called out.
Instantly, countless seated Divine Sword Sect disciples turned to look, their gaze like a vast ocean, converging towards that part of the world.
In the sunset, they saw a figure walking slowly toward the Seventy-Two Small Peaks against the afterglow.
Ye Xiaofan moved unhurriedly, passing through the sea of people under everyone’s watchful gaze, heading step by step toward the Seventy-second Small Peak. As he walked, many new and old Divine Sword Sect disciples unconsciously made way, closely watching the young man without any further ridicule, choosing instead to remain silent.
The arrival of that figure instantly captivated everyone’s attention. Luo Qingchen clapped in excitement, while Ye Xiaotian, Ning Canghai, Mu Yan, Luo Qingxian, Ning Xianyi, Jian Zhu, Nangong Jianchen, Shangguan Wan’Er, Li Chunyang, and the observing Ning clan elder gazed at that distant world.
Even Nalan Linyun on the Seventy-second Small Peak opened his eyes at that moment, staring at the figure in the distance.
As time slowly passed.
Finally, after a quarter of an hour, that figure began to ascend the peak.
Ye Xiaofan slowly exhaled a breath, turned around to glance at South Peak, then turned back, resolutely stepping towards the Seventy-second Small Peak.
Suddenly, everyone’s gaze converged, and all eyes were on him.
No matter what, this battle, despite being a daunting challenge, was a duel between peerless talents. Countless veteran disciples held high expectations.
And those new disciples were fixated on the increasingly towering figure ahead.
