Chapter 105: A Humbling Moment

A flicker of eerie blue flame suddenly surged upward, transforming into a fierce beast with razor-sharp fangs—a hooked serpent—that devoured the half-damaged Nascent Soul completely.

Mo Qingli’s expression remained calm and unruffled as he retracted the ghostly lotus heart fire.

“Master, it is time for you to break through,” whispered the miniature hooked serpent shadow as it silently slipped into his arm. Beneath the sleeve’s cover, its distinctive mark was clearly imprinted on his pale skin.

In Mo Qingli’s eyes, black mist shadows flickered. Under the serpent’s enticing voice, he closed his eyes.

An immense power recklessly converged toward him in an instant. The thick black mist roared like a ferocious dragon, churning and boiling relentlessly within the cramped cave, emitting a terrifying rumble.

Below the small waterfall on Little Ping Peak, Zhou Chen had been practicing his punches when suddenly the ground beneath him trembled. His surroundings dimmed slightly.

He looked up to see the azure sky instantly clouded over with gathering storm clouds, lightning flashing and thunder booming.

“Could it be that Master Mo is breaking through?” Zhou Chen was stunned, stepping back several paces. He had long heard tales of Mo Qingli’s every move stirring celestial phenomena and had dismissed these as mere myths—yet now, such a grand spectacle unfolded suddenly before him!

Admiration surged within Zhou Chen’s heart. He immediately felt a swelling power within his body, coursing through his limbs and bones.

“So this is the day I also achieve enlightenment!” Overjoyed, Zhou Chen closed his eyes and sat cross-legged, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

***

In the main hall’s plaza, Qu Youyou, proud and self-satisfied after drawing her wooden token, ignored Zhao Wen and Huang Lan’s protests and strode straight toward Qu Yiqiu and their companion.

“Qu Yiqiu, how dare you show your face before me?”

Qu Yiqiu opened her eyes calmly, casting a glance over the three of them. “Qu Youyou, don’t you think at a time like this, you should behave and not provoke me?”

Qu Youyou’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

“Senior Sister Youyou, my sister says she doesn’t want to bother with you. Please move away,” Mu Yunjin bluntly translated Qu Yiqiu’s meaning.

Qu Youyou’s eyes grew enormous, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke, then threw back her head and laughed loudly. “Are you two idiots? How dare you speak to me like that? Do you think that just because Master locked me away on Confinement Cliff, I wouldn’t dare do anything to you?”

“Senior Sister, please, don’t say that…” Zhao Wen and Huang Lan whispered, tugging at her sleeve, trying to lead her away.

Qu Yiqiu observed their subtle gestures with interest, amusedly watching Qu Youyou’s haughty expression.

“I think it’s you who’s gone crazy on Confinement Cliff, completely unaware of what’s happening outside.”

“Don’t drag me into this!” Qu Youyou turned to glare at Zhao Wen and Huang Lan, silently cursing their lack of tact today.

Then, hearing Qu Yiqiu’s insult, she quickly retorted, “Do you think I’m some disciple abandoned by the sect? Even after a hundred years of seclusion, I’d know everything happening in the Tianyan Sect! A frog in a well—you don’t even understand the true strength of our Nine Sword Peak!”

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Qu Youyou’s mouth.

Unbeknownst to her, some disciples nearby overheard her mindless remarks and couldn’t help but cover their mouths to stifle laughter.

Zhao Wen and Huang Lan’s faces flushed red as they hurriedly tried to pull her away, silently regretting not speaking more clearly earlier.

Even the naive Mu Yunjin, seeing their expressions, guessed most of what had happened.

He smiled, eyes crinkling, and said, “Senior Sister Youyou, could it be that you are the real frog in the well?”

Qu Youyou frowned, her expression suddenly shifting to one of scorn. “Little Junior Brother, you’re young and ignorant, fooled into coming to Little Ping Peak, yet you still speak for these liars?”

Mu Yunjin maintained his innocent smile. “Senior Sister Youyou, today is our first meeting. You haven’t truly seen Junior Brother’s strength yet, so how can you say he was deceived into coming to Little Ping Peak?”

“Strength? What strength could you possibly have? What are you two doing? Stop dragging me into this!” Qu Youyou’s words were cut short as Zhao Wen and Huang Lan impatiently pulled her away.

“Senior Sister, listen to me…” Zhao Wen and Huang Lan dared not delay any longer and hurriedly tried to leave.

Qu Yiqiu and Mu Yunjin watched them with amusement. Qu Youyou suddenly grew furious, shouting, “What exactly do you two want to do?”

Before she could finish, a tremendous rumbling erupted from the southern summit of Little Ping Peak, drawing everyone’s attention.

“What is that?” Qu Youyou and the others stopped, looking toward Little Ping Peak.

The thunderous noise gradually faded as auspicious clouds rose from the peak. Purple energy drifted in from the east, and the celestial mushroom Bai Ze appeared, filling the scene with tranquility and good fortune.

“Pfft—”

Among the astonished onlookers, a sudden, sharp laugh rang out.

All eyes turned toward the source of the strange laughter—Qu Youyou herself.

Feeling the crowd’s gaze upon her, she proudly covered her mouth and chuckled, casting a provocative glance at Qu Yiqiu. “Your master still hasn’t given up, huh? How many resources have you wasted on him? You’re truly dragging the Tianyan Sect down. Following him, you’ll never hope to establish a foundation in this lifetime!”

***

“Senior Sister, please stop…” Zhao Wen broke into a cold sweat.

“Stop it, stop it, Senior Sister!” Huang Lan’s scalp tingled with anxiety, wishing she could cover Qu Youyou’s mouth.

Among the crowd, Jiang Shuangyan, quietly watching the scene, smiled softly and said, “Qu Yiqiu is right. Qu Youyou has gone stupid in confinement. That means one less opponent for us.”

“Heh heh heh… she’s just too foolish, choosing two useless subordinates!” Fei Zhongda straightened his chest, thinking himself a capable underling.

Jiang Shuangyan lazily glanced at him, dismissing him completely.

“What do you two want, tugging on my sleeves like that? Is it fun?” Qu Youyou frowned, arms crossed, staring at Zhao Wen and Huang Lan.

Her mood was good now; she wasn’t inclined to argue.

Zhao Wen and Huang Lan met her gaze, trembling as they prepared to speak. “Senior Sister…”

“Master Mo is breaking through! Master Mo is breaking through!” someone in the crowd shouted, turning to see the extraordinary spectacle on Little Ping Peak.

Crystal-clear dewdrops descended upon the summit.

Instantly, the entire crowd erupted in cheers: “Master Mo is breaking through! Master Mo is breaking through!”

Qu Youyou spun around in a strange manner, glaring at the cheering crowd and shouting, “Are you all crazy? Mo Qingli has long been stuck at the pseudo-pillar stage, barely moving forward, his lifespan nearing its end. How could he possibly break through? Is this some new joke at Little Ping Peak? Ha ha ha!”

By the end, she was doubled over laughing.

The atmosphere froze instantly, everyone staring at her in bewilderment.