Chapter 90: Anxieties Across the Peaks

“You need not concern yourself with my cultivation any longer, Master Hong,” said Mo Qingli with calm elegance. “By a stroke of fortune, I have already formed my True Core. When the day comes that I condense my Nascent Soul, I shall return and test my strength against yours once more.”

His words struck like thunder from a clear sky, leaving everyone present breathless with shock.

“Peak Master Mo, have you truly become a Golden Core cultivator?” In such a moment, Zhao Wen was in no position to speak at all.

Yet Mo Qingli’s true cultivation was so astonishing that all stood frozen, waiting in stunned silence for his reply.

Mo Qingli inclined his head slightly, his gaze clear and composed. “Master Hong, since Sect Leader Luo has chosen to spare Wanqing Peak out of goodwill, I too will not pursue the matter. However, should there be a next time—should you, Master Hong, again use your status to bully the weak and lay hands on my disciple—the days of Wanqing Peak’s carefree existence will end with you.”

“How dare you! Such arrogance!” Hong Bingyin could scarcely believe that, without a word, Mo Qingli had already formed his True Core—and now stood before him, the Celestial Steed’s Feathered Wings shimmering at his back.

His voice was sharp, yet beneath it trembled a barely perceptible fear.

He was terrified.

Reputation is not built on emptiness.

He had to admit that, back in the day, Mo Qingli’s unparalleled talent had been enough to inspire envy and dread in those of his own generation, making Hong Bingyin regard him as the most formidable rival on the path of cultivation.

Though they belonged to the same sect, he knew well that he had once been nothing but an obscure junior, always overshadowed by Mo Qingli and Su Xichen.

Now, with Mo Qingli’s triumphant return, it was as if he were cast back into the days of bitter failure and family disappointment.

Unlike Hong Bingyin, Luo Tangyu was overjoyed, nearly beside himself with excitement. He had spent years cautiously currying favor with Hong Bingyin and the various peak masters, and at long last, this moment had arrived.

The senior brother he had admired since childhood, the figure he had looked up to for so many years—today, Mo Qingli had returned in glory!

Zhao Wen and Huang Lan supported one another, yet still could not steady themselves.

As elite disciples of Nine Swords Peak, they knew all too well the history between Mo Qingli and their own peak master. The grievances seeded in Half-step City could not be explained away in a few words.

Though Su Xichen always claimed he had sent for Mo Qingli and dispatched a transmission talisman, Mo Qingli insisted he had received nothing.

That small event had led to the deaths of Mo Qingli’s parents and the destruction of his extraordinary gifts.

And in the end, the one who benefited most was none other than Su Xichen.

Mo Qingli fell from the ranks of the prodigies, and Su Xichen took first place in his stead.

The ancestor of Chugu Valley gradually lost hope in Mo Qingli, while Su Xichen became the new Kirin Son of the Heavenly Evolution Sect, with countless resources pouring in to support him alone.

He rose step by step, becoming the revered master of Nine Swords Peak.

Meanwhile, Mo Qingli wandered lost and confused, fell into a demonic haze, achieved only a false core, and spent a hundred years hiding on Little Flat Peak.

The two became as different as night and day.

But in the world of cultivation, strength is all that matters.

No matter how Mo Qingli accused Su Xichen of lying, the elders of the sect protected Su Xichen with all their power, forging him into the new master of Nine Swords Peak.

In fact, Su Xichen surpassed all his predecessors.

Mo Qingli, for all his efforts, could not shake Su Xichen’s authority.

The ancestor of Chugu Valley was disappointed in him and retreated into seclusion for centuries.

To quell Mo Qingli’s madness, the sect granted him Little Flat Peak, and from then on, he faded into silence, as if his spirit had died.

Now, with Mo Qingli’s forceful return and his path restored, how could they not fear him?

It was said that, in those years, Mo Qingli could battle across realms and even suppress Su Xichen!

Zhao Wen gulped desperately, wishing only to leave and bring this news to Su Xichen at once.

Zhou Chen gazed dizzily at Mo Qingli’s retreating figure. Though his wounds ached, a warmth spread through his heart.

Peak Master Mo truly was a good master.

Senior Sister Qu would be safe!

A pained smile flickered across Zhou Chen’s lips before he closed his eyes and lost consciousness.

Qu Yiqiu was just marveling at her master’s might when she saw Zhou Chen’s head loll, his spirit fading as he slipped into a faint. She exclaimed anxiously, “Senior Brother Zhou needs to go back and recover right away. We can’t waste any more time here!”

On hearing this, Mo Qingli ignored Hong Bingyin and turned to Qu Yiqiu, his voice gentle: “I will return with you.”

Qu Yiqiu nodded, and, together with Mu Yunjin, helped Zhou Chen to his feet.

Hong Bingyin’s face flushed with rage; his fists clenched beneath his broad sleeves, yet still he did not move.

Qi Yongfeng watched all this, astonished that Mo Qingli’s appearance had forced his own master to swallow his pride.

Luo Tangyu, returning at last to his senses, urged, “Quick, take him back to recover! The rest of you, return as well. The matter between Little Flat Peak and Wanqing Peak is ended!”

“Master…” Qi Yongfeng watched as Qu Yiqiu and the others departed, then hesitated before approaching the motionless Hong Bingyin.

“Get out!” Hong Bingyin’s sleeve swept out, golden light exploding forth and throwing Qi Yongfeng several meters back, blood spurting from his lips.

“Mo Qingli, I will not lose to you again!” Hong Bingyin’s eyes were bloodshot, his fists cracking with tension.

Seeing this, Zhao Wen and Huang Lan, not yet far away, fled in panic, terrified that Hong Bingyin, in his fury, might turn on them as well.

Mo Qingli and his group had barely left the main hall when, from the north, a dazzling nine-colored radiance streaked toward them.

In an instant, it shot into Mo Qingli’s arms.

“That… the Nine-colored Deer broke through my barrier and came here!” Luo Tangyu was utterly stunned. Yet, seeing Mo Qingli’s serene and transcendent demeanor, he found nothing surprising about it after all.

After all, the deer’s true master was Mo Qingli.

Qu Yiqiu glanced curiously at the Nine-colored Deer but kept pace with Mu Yunjin, who still bore Zhou Chen on his back.

Mo Qingli cradled the deer, his gaze gentle as he explained to Qu Yiqiu, “She sensed my presence the moment I drew near.”

“This little deer’s talent far surpasses even her mother’s!” Though Mo Qingli was speaking to Qu Yiqiu, Luo Tangyu could not restrain his awe.

This was a primordial spiritual beast—the Nine-colored Deer!

Qu Yiqiu smiled quietly to show she had heard.

And with that, the group returned to Little Flat Peak with Zhou Chen.

Far to the north of the Heavenly Evolution Sect, atop a towering mountain that pierced the clouds, Chi Yushu stood tall and elegant, gazing toward the heart of a lotus-shaped valley.

That was the location of Little Flat Peak.

“Your Highness Ninth Prince, the Shadow Pavilion has returned Mo Qingli, but as for Qu Yiqiu and her parents, we have yet to find any trace.”

Behind him, a vague shadow flickered in the warm sunlight.

—— End of chapter ——

Thank you all for reading, and thank you to Nahe Zero Degree Ice Point for the recommendation vote.