The Thousand Hidden Sect buzzed with festive energy, its grounds adorned with colorful lanterns and banners.
Disciples hurried along the paths, their movements resembling preparations for a grand celebration.
"I've never seen so many prodigies! They've been arriving one after another these past few days!"
"What do you think of the powerful experts accompanying those prodigies? Why is the sect leader treating them with such respect?"
"I heard those young geniuses are from Central Province. They're here to stand out during the beast tide and gain admission to the Celestial Academy. Do you think we have a chance?"
The disciples whispered among themselves, discussing the matter as if it concerned another world entirely.
"You think you lot could join the Celestial Academy?" Zhou Shi emerged from the crowd, his tone dismissive. "Focus on preparing those medicinal herbs and delivering them to Thousand Bamboo Peak. Stop daydreaming and get to work!"
He led several Outer Sect disciples toward the mountain's base, but their composure shattered as a familiar figure approached from afar.
"What a coincidence, it's Zhou Shi." Qin Yang chuckled, then frowned. "Why have I been hearing rumors that I fled the sect, too afraid to face you in a life-or-death duel?"
Zhou Shi's body dripped with cold sweat. He hadn't spread the rumors—Elder Zhang from the Inner Sect had done that. With Elder Zhang and Meng Gaofei backing him, Zhou Shi felt somewhat reassured.
"How dare a sect traitor return? This is suicide!" Zhou Shi secretly ordered the Outer Sect disciples behind him to scatter in different directions.
Qin Yang made no move to stop them, simply observing Zhou Shi with steady eyes.
"Some things must be done eventually, and some people must be killed," Qin Yang muttered, frowning. His memory wasn't the best; forgetting could only lead to complications.
"W-what did you say?" Zhou Shi stammered, trying to stall as Qin Yang advanced step by step.
Qin Yang's killing intent solidified. Lightning crackled around his fists, sizzling with energy.
Gritting his teeth, Zhou Shi charged forward with a roar. "Don't underestimate me! I've reached the Qi Gathering Realm—and the mid-stage at that..."
Pfft!
Blood sprayed from Zhou Shi's mouth as his chest caved in. His eyes bulged, frozen in death's grip.
"Huh? What was that?" Qin Yang blinked. "Speak faster if you've got something to say..."
Qin Yang's heart ached with worry for Lou Mengyu's safety as he ascended Thousand Bamboo Peak along the mountain path.
Before long, a shrill cry of fury echoed from behind him.
"Qin Yang, I'll tear you limb from limb!" It was Elder Zhou's voice, his tone dripping with venom.
The elder's figure soon caught up to Qin Yang. The cultivator halted, gazing calmly at his pursuer.
"Zhou Shi's death was self-inflicted," Qin Yang said evenly. "Are you here to avenge him?"
Elder Zhou's eyes burned crimson as he ground his teeth. "Even if the Heavenly Emperor himself came today, he couldn't save you! I'll grind you into dog feed!"
"Oh." Qin Yang nodded lightly.
In an instant, Qin Yang vanished from sight.
Elder Zhou's eyes widened in terror. A deathly aura materialized behind him, freezing his heart mid-beat.
The same Profound Stage martial art - Racing Thunder Fist. The same instant kill.
Elder Zhou never understood how Qin Yang had become so powerful.
"Murder! Murder!"
"Qin Yang's returned to the sect to slaughter everyone!"
Disciples who witnessed the scene screamed in horror.
"Where's Meng Gaofei?" Qin Yang grabbed a disciple, his voice cutting through the panic.
The disciple's face turned pale with fear as he pointed toward the summit of Thousand Bamboo Peak. His voice trembled as he stammered, "He's... he's at the training ground."
Qin Yang advanced like a demon incarnate, his aura thick with malice. Every step toward the peak sent disciples scattering in terror, retreating three times their distance.
Among them was an Inner Sect disciple who had been soundly defeated at the Pill Dispensary earlier. Now, the mere sight of Qin Yang made him flee as if he'd seen a specter.
At the training ground, long tables stood in orderly rows, laden with fruits and delicacies. Elders conversed about this year's demonic beast tide while younger disciples chatted nearby.
Inner Sect disciples bustled about like servants, even the sect leader forced to smile obsequiously from the sidelines.
"Seems the top ten for the Northern Hunter Rankings are already set in stone!" An elder stroked his beard, eyeing the youths in the center.
"And that Jin boy, the Wu girl—though I wonder about their exact ranking?" a middle-aged man interjected.
The elders speculated animatedly. Some favored Jin Wanshan, others Wu Xiaoya, but most placed their bets on Gongsun Ming and the eight clan scions.
"Jin Wanshan has extraordinary talent, and Wu Xiaoya comes from a combat lineage, but they still can't match the eight clans' deep reserves. Even Lou Mengyu, the side branch of the Lou family, is quite remarkable—she's nearly about to break through to the Qi Sea Realm!"
When mentioning Lou Mengyu, comparisons with Lou Qinru inevitably followed. The elders sighed repeatedly. While Lou Mengyu excelled in every aspect compared to Lou Qinru, fate had dealt her a cruel hand.
Among the young crowd, only Gongsun Ming and Lou Qinru from the eight clans were present, standing like the moon surrounded by stars as they exchanged pleasantries with other young geniuses. Lou Mengyu remained in a corner, unwilling to engage in conversation, yet her presence always attracted unwanted attention like flies.
"I never realized Junior Sister Lou had such noble origins," Meng Gaofei said with a fawning smile. "It seems we were mistaken before!"
"Mistaken?" Lou Mengyu scoffed. "Then why did you insist that Qin Yang stole the formula for the second-grade supreme-grade Face-Preserving Pill?"
Meng Gaofei's smile froze. "That's ironclad evidence—there's no mistake!"
Gongsun Ming and Lou Qinru approached. Gongsun Ming smiled. "Exactly. That brat stole the formula and injured fellow disciples. His character is vile. If I'd known earlier, I'd have beaten him every time I saw him!"
Lou Qinru sneered, "Truly, birds of a feather flock together. Lou Mengyu, could it be you've actually been consorting with Qin Yang? I advise you not to sully our family's reputation!"
Lou Mengyu remained silent. So Meng Gaofei's audacity stemmed from the support of Gongsun Ming and Lou Qinru.
Unwilling to linger, Lou Mengyu fabricated an excuse and departed.
Meng Gaofei's lips curled into a sinister smile as he stealthily followed.
At that moment, a commotion erupted at the edge of the training field. A group of disciples scrambled backward into the center.
"Meng Gaofei, get your ass out here!" Qin Yang bellowed, pushing through the crowd.
"Who dares cause such a disturbance?" a young prodigy frowned.
The field fell silent, all eyes locking onto Qin Yang.
Qin Yang scanned the area, finding neither Meng Gaofei nor Lou Mengyu. His fists clenched as he drew a deep breath.
"Where's Meng Gaofei?" Qin Yang grabbed an Inner Sect disciple by the collar.
"He... he was here a moment ago," the disciple stammered, too frightened to resist.
"Truly, when tigers leave the mountain, monkeys claim the throne," Gongsun Ming sighed. "This backwater sect is full of worthless trash. How dare some insignificant Qin Yang act so domineering here..."
His words cut off abruptly, as if a hand had clamped his throat. For in that instant, Qin Yang materialized before him, their faces separated by less than half a foot.
"What was that?" Qin Yang's icy gaze pierced him. "I couldn't hear you clearly."
Gongsun Ming found himself paralyzed, too terrified to breathe.