The grand ceremony of the sect began.

“Senior Brother? Is Senior Brother Xiao here?”

A cautious voice outside startled Ji Guanqi awake from his half-slumber. He sat up abruptly and turned his head toward the door. Though the small wooden door blocked his view, the voice was unmistakable.

Ji Guanqi’s expression shifted slightly as he steadied himself on the bed. The persistent voice outside called again, “Is Senior Brother Xiao here? It’s Xi Yao. Your robe is with me…”

The moment he heard the voice, Ji Guanqi recognized Xi Yao. Closing his eyes briefly, he thought to himself that this mountain peak really needed more disciples assigned to cleaning duties. Yet, even if more were added, it might be futile—Xi Yao’s audacity to come up the mountain so openly likely meant he had Senior Brother Xiao’s backing.

He sighed deeply, reluctant to get involved, but the person outside was genuinely troublesome, unwilling to leave without seeing Xiao Tangqing, to the point that the voice nearly grated on his nerves like a persistent, haunting melody.

There was a soft creak as the wooden door opened. Ji Guanqi leaned sideways against the doorframe, sword in hand, looking down at the young man standing outside clutching a purple robe. The young man was dressed in white, looking quite slender. Upon seeing Ji Guanqi, he smiled faintly but his eyes betrayed a flicker of anxiety as he lowered his voice to say, “Senior Brother.”

“Xiao Tangqing hasn’t returned yet. If you intend to wait, keep quiet. If not, leave the robe at the door; he’ll see it when he comes back.” Ji Guanqi’s tone was calm, his eyes devoid of emotion, though a trace of amusement flashed across them at the sight of the robe belonging solely to Xiao Tangqing. He continued, “Before ascending, a disciple should have warned you—no one may enter this peak without a disciple’s order.”

Xi Yao seemed unprepared for Ji Guanqi’s bluntness and flushed slightly. After a pause, he whispered, “I was ignorant of the rules. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Having said what he needed to, Ji Guanqi figured Xi Yao would stop bothering him. Whether Xi Yao left or waited outside was none of his concern, as long as he kept quiet.

With that thought, Ji Guanqi turned back inside to lie down. But before he could relax, a commotion arose outside again—someone was calling his name loudly: Qiao You’s voice, furious and accusing.

“Ji Guanqi! Come out!” Qiao You’s anger was palpable. “You actually reported me to Master and caused me to be severely punished. Have you no shame?”

Report? Severe punishment?

Ji Guanqi immediately caught the two key points.

“Ji Guanqi! You… huh, Xi Yao?” Qiao You’s voice abruptly stopped. Then Xi Yao’s usual gentle tone sounded: “Senior Brother Qiao, I’m here to deliver clothes to Senior Brother Xiao.”

Xiao Tangqing, arriving late behind them, was surprised to see Xi Yao here. His gaze fell on the robe Xi Yao carried. Previously, Xi Yao had been injured and, due to the cold weather, Xiao Tangqing had lent him his robe. He hadn’t expected Xi Yao to wash it and bring it back.

“You two know each other?” Qiao You immediately forgot about Ji Guanqi’s issues. Seeing Xi Yao, nothing else mattered. His eyes flicked between Xiao Tangqing and Xi Yao, then frowned: “You…”

“I had some trouble and was injured earlier. Thankfully Senior Brother Xiao saved me. But my blood stained his robe, so I cleaned it and brought it here.” Xi Yao’s voice softened, tinged with apology. “Though it seems to have caused some trouble for Senior Brother. I wasn’t careful.”

“No harm done,” Xiao Tangqing replied.

“Who hurt you? Tell me, I’ll go find him!” Qiao You’s temper flared instantly at the news of Xi Yao’s injury. The small door opened then. Ji Guanqi, weary-eyed, sighed: “Do the three of you really not want to rest?”

The three turned to him. He was clearly ready to rest—his long hair was loosely tied back, and his gaze held a trace of helplessness.

Qiao You, reminded of what he forgot, shouted angrily, “You dared to report me?”

“How old are you?” Ji Guanqi lifted his eyelids to glance at Qiao You. This third junior brother was spoiled, blessed with outstanding background and talent, enough to act arrogantly in the cultivation world. Yet he was forced to call Ji Guanqi “Senior Brother,” who had mediocre cultivation.

No wonder Qiao You always looked down on him. It was truly a difficult position for this third junior brother.

“What?” Qiao You paused, then eyed Ji Guanqi warily, suspecting a trap.

“Eighteen marks adulthood. After this year, you’ll be twenty,” Ji Guanqi said, his sword always by his side, a white robe with a simple belt at his waist, appearing elegant and handsome. His gaze toward Qiao You held faint mockery: “Nearly twenty years old, yet all you do is bicker and accuse without proof. Truly a prodigy of youth and talent.”

Qiao You had never been spoken to like that, especially not by Ji Guanqi, who usually indulged him and cleaned up his messes quietly.

For a moment, Qiao You was speechless. When he recovered, Ji Guanqi had shut the door and gone back inside. Qiao You raised his Moonchasing Bow to confront him but was stopped by a blade. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Move aside! I’ll make him understand what talent means! In the cultivation world, the strong rule! He can’t compare! Just because he’s called ‘Senior Brother,’ he doesn’t get to act like one!”

“Forgot what Master said today?” Xiao Tangqing invoked the name of the Southern Immortal Lord, calming Qiao You. The spiritual power on the Moonchasing Bow dissipated. Qiao You’s face flushed red with rage as he shot an arrow that pierced the wooden door, narrowly missing Ji Guanqi’s side. The Gentleman’s Sword intercepted, breaking the arrow’s feather.

The weapon was bonded with its owner’s will; Ji Guanqi hated their presence, and so did the sword.

---

Not only Qiao You was angry, but Ji Guanqi even more so. Yet he knew better than to argue with Qiao You now. If the Southern Immortal Lord was provoked to punish them, it would ruin his plan to leave Xuanyuan Sect—a risk not worth taking.

“Come, to my room,” Qiao You said, dragging Xi Yao and tossing the robe to Xiao Tangqing. “You can’t bring him in, but I can! If anyone asks, say it’s at my behest.”

He feared no punishment. His father was the sect leader; who dared punish the legitimate young sect leader? Only his master and Wu Xingbai truly intimidated him.

Xi Yao was forced inside Qiao You’s wooden hut. The three disciples lived near one another, but each had a small separate room. Qiao You’s was the farthest from Ji Guanqi’s.

Qiao You expected Ji Guanqi to object but heard no protest even after taking Xi Yao inside. He frowned, puzzled by Ji Guanqi’s thoughts.

Xiao Tangqing watched them go before approaching the small door. He knocked twice gently, hearing a voice ask, “What is it?”

“Senior Brother,” Xiao Tangqing said, “Rest early.”

No reply came. Not knowing why he bothered, he paused then turned away.

Night deepened. A figure stood beneath the shadow of a tree outside the courtyard, eyes fixed on Ji Guanqi’s door. Fingers clenched the tree trunk. He lingered until the first rays of sunlight appeared, then quietly left.

Ji Guanqi, preparing early for the sect’s grand ceremony, stopped instinctively beside the tree. Several deep scratches on the bark made him frown. Scanning the surroundings, he found nothing unusual.

“They weren’t here before,” he murmured. “Guess Qiao You took out his anger on the tree. Strange I never noticed his noisy ways before.”

The sect’s grand ceremony was also the time for recruiting new disciples. Since the protective array had been activated three days earlier, those not yet inside couldn’t enter, so fewer people were at the gate.

In his previous life, Ji Guanqi missed this ceremony due to severe injury. This time, he was making up for it.

“Senior Brother.”

“Senior Brother, good morning.”

“Senior Brother, this way please.”

Passing disciples greeted Ji Guanqi respectfully, as he usually oversaw such matters. This year, however, he seemed uninvolved.

But none of this concerned the outer disciples.

“I heard there’s a newcomer with extraordinary talent among the outsiders.”

“Aren’t there always one or two prodigies each year?” another said. “Usually the elders pick them for inner disciples; they’re not on our level.”

“But this time is different,” someone whispered. “I heard this one rivals Senior Brothers Xiao and Qiao in talent. Wonder if the Southern Immortal Lord will make an exception and accept another disciple.”

“I doubt it,” another replied regretfully. “The Immortal Lord said he only accepts three. Xiao and Qiao’s talents are unquestioned, but Senior Brother Ji… well, he’s just lucky.”

Their words sounded a bit sour, but upon Ji Guanqi’s passing, they fell silent, bowing respectfully as he left.

Ji Guanqi had long grown accustomed to such talk. He regretted his own spiritual root talent. Had he been reborn earlier, perhaps he too would be hailed as a rare genius.

If only he had been reborn sooner, he would never have accepted Wu Xingbai as master, never damaged his meridians and scattered his spiritual power, never shattered his foundation—thus remaining mediocre in cultivation.

“If only…” he sighed softly, gazing at his palm.

But no matter. Living a second life was already a blessing. As for his spiritual root, once he left Xuanyuan Sect, he would find a way to reconstruct it. The world was vast and full of wonders; surely one could help.

---

Once Ji Guanqi departed, the group resumed whispering.

“Don’t know why the Immortal Lord accepted Senior Brother Ji as the sect’s chief disciple.”

“No idea. I only heard the Immortal Lord took him on after the sect leader requested it when the Immortal Lord emerged from seclusion,” one said, confused. “But that’s just hearsay.”

“That’s nonsense. If the sect leader had really suggested it, why make Senior Brother Qiao the third and Senior Brother Ji the chief disciple?” another laughed. “But Senior Brother Ji truly suits the Gentleman’s Sword. I’ve never found another who could wield it.”

Ji Guanqi stood on the steps, sword on his back, spine straight, silver crown binding his hair, simple patterned belt at his waist. He looked like a sword unsheathed—graceful, handsome, upright.

Xi Yao’s arrival caused a stir. Though little known, his companions—Xiao Tangqing and Qiao You—made him the focus of attention.

“Don’t be nervous,” Qiao You reassured him. “Several powerful elders are here. I spoke to my father yesterday about taking you as a disciple. You don’t have to worry; with your talent, you’ll definitely stay in Xuanyuan Sect. I guarantee it.”

Xi Yao whispered, “Isn’t that inappropriate…”

“What’s inappropriate?” Qiao You sneered as he passed Ji Guanqi. “You truly have outstanding talent, so recommending you makes sense. Better than someone undeserving.”

Ji Guanqi glanced at him sideways, then shifted his gaze briefly to Xi Yao before looking away. Even so, Qiao You grew alert and warned, “If you have complaints, come to me. Don’t cause trouble for Xi Yao, or I won’t forgive you.”

“What did I say to you yesterday?” Ji Guanqi smiled faintly. He hadn’t intended to argue with Qiao You again, but Qiao You always provoked him. Usually, Ji Guanqi ignored him disdainfully, but this time Qiao You was even more troublesome.

“What?” Qiao You snapped out of it, furious. “Ji Guanqi!”

Ji Guanqi chuckled and waved him off. “Looks like I don’t need to say anything — you know the truth yourself.”

With that, he walked back to his place, leaving Xiao Tangqing and Qiao You behind.

Xi Yao’s gaze lingered on Ji Guanqi, then lowered respectfully, suppressing his expression. Softly, he said, “Senior Brothers, I’ll go to my place now. Thank you for guiding me.”

“Go ahead,” Qiao You said. “If anyone bullies you, tell me. I’ve got your back!”

His words just spoken, he saw Xiao Tangqing take his own place. The three were disciples of Wu Xingbai, so they sat near each other, with Ji Guanqi leading.

At the front was Wu Xingbai’s seat, still empty. Though he had emerged from seclusion, no one expected him to attend the grand ceremony.

“Senior Brother,” Xiao Tangqing sat beside Ji Guanqi, asking, “Feeling better lately? Is your spiritual power still unstable?”

“No problem,” Ji Guanqi replied.

“After the ceremony ends, you…” Xiao Tangqing began but was interrupted by a shout: “Southern Immortal Lord!”

Ji Guanqi instinctively followed the crowd’s gaze. Wu Xingbai had indeed appeared—a rare sight, as he usually avoided such events. Even the sect leader was surprised.

Everyone rose respectfully. “Immortal Lord, greetings.”

Ji Guanqi and his two companions stood as well. “Master.”

Wu Xingbai clearly valued Xi Yao highly, coming personally.

Ji Guanqi bowed his head slightly, appearing obedient, concealing a knowing look. He was merely participating in events he had missed in his previous life.

Even without looking up, he felt Wu Xingbai’s gaze fixed on him. Ji Guanqi bowed lower, unwilling to provoke conflict now.

Besides, he truly could not defeat Wu Xingbai. Having died once at his hands was enough; he did not wish to die a second time.