Boom—
In a trance, Ji Changfeng glimpsed a vast expanse of heaven and earth. Within that boundless realm, humanity seemed infinitesimally small, like ants cowering in some forgotten corner, scraping by to survive.
Swish!
But then, a radiant sword light erupted from one of those obscure corners. With a single slash, it cleaved through a hundred miles of clouds, rending even the majestic heavens with a visible crack.
"I wield a sword that can open the Heavenly Gate!"
A clear, resonant voice echoed through the cosmos.
"Junior Brother? Little Junior Brother?" A concerned call broke through.
Ji Changfeng snapped back to reality, finding Song Daren and Zhang Xiaofan staring at him with worry.
"Junior Brother, are you alright?" Song Daren asked.
Suppressing the elation in his heart, Ji Changfeng shook his head lightly. "I'm fine, Senior Brother."
His words were calm, but his mind raced with another thought entirely.
Heaven-Defying Comprehension? Is this my golden finger?
With a subtle shift of his will, the supreme sword intent of Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate flickered around him, elusive yet palpable. It carried an indomitable momentum, a fearless resolve to draw his blade against any foe—even an immortal would bow before this sword!
"Good to know you're alright," Song Daren said, exhaling in relief. He'd noticed Ji Changfeng's sudden daze and feared something was wrong.
Fortunately, Song Daren's cultivation was too low to recognize the truth. Had any of the sect leaders witnessed Ji Changfeng's state, they would have been thunderstruck.
He had entered a state of enlightenment!
Enlightenment—a rare opportunity that might occur once in a century. Anyone who experienced it would see their cultivation soar. If the sect leaders knew such a phenomenon had manifested in a mere boy, what would they think?
Song Daren led Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan through the sea of clouds. As they crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Ji Changfeng glanced downward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary divine beast, the Water Qilin, but saw nothing.
At the mountainside of Tongtian Peak, Song Daren summoned his immortal sword, Ten Tigers, and beckoned the two boys. "Junior Brothers, hop on. I'll take you straight to Dazhu Peak."
Ji Changfeng stepped onto the sword curiously, while Zhang Xiaofan followed hesitantly, fear lingering in his eyes.
Swish—
The sword shot into the sky. Feeling the fierce wind against his face, Ji Changfeng's heart surged with excitement.
Sword flight! Immortal cultivation!
A childhood dream had become reality. As a boy, a mere stick in his hand could clear a ten-mile radius of weeds. Now, with an immortal sword, he vowed to etch his name across the heavens!
The sword light flashed and vanished. Soon, Dazhu Peak came into view.
_
Dazhu Peak, Shojing Hall
The entire Dazhu Peak congregation—eight people in total—had gathered in Shojing Hall. This included Tian Buyi, his wife Su Ru, their daughter, and five disciples.
"Master, Shi Niang, I've brought the two Junior Brothers back," Song Daren announced, leading Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan inside.
All eyes turned toward them. Zhang Xiaofan shrank back, lowering his head nervously. Ji Changfeng, however, met their gazes calmly, unflinched.
"Hmph," Tian Buyi grunted, giving Ji Changfeng a pointed glance but saying nothing more.
"Good children, perform the ceremony," Su Ru said with a gentle smile, subtly glaring at her husband.
Fourth Senior Brother He Dazhi approached, carrying two cups of clear tea. Ji Changfeng tugged Zhang Xiaofan forward, and together they kowtowed nine times to Tian Buyi with utmost respect. Ji Changfeng raised his tea. "Disciple Ji Changfeng greets Master."
Zhang Xiaofan fumbled to follow, his movements clumsy.
Tian Buyi's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He nodded impassively, took Ji Changfeng's tea, and sipped lightly. "From now on, you're Number Seven."
As Ji Changfeng was Number Seven, Zhang Xiaofan naturally became Number Eight. Tian Buyi accepted Zhang Xiaofan's tea but set it aside without drinking, dismissing it entirely.
Zhang Xiaofan's head drooped, disappointment evident.
Tian Buyi waved a hand. "Daren, take charge of them for now. Teach them the sect's rules, precepts, and basic cultivation methods."
"Yes, Master!" Song Daren bowed respectfully but hesitated. "Master, the Junior Brothers are still young. Their introductory tasks…"
"Do as instructed," Tian Buyi said flatly, then stood and left.
The atmosphere in Shojing Hall instantly lightened. At that moment, a small girl bounced out from behind Su Ru, skipping toward Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan.
"Hey, call me Senior Sister!" she demanded.
Ji Changfeng raised an eyebrow, eyeing the delicate girl—Tian Linger, the master's daughter. He felt no particular stirrings. I've lived one life already; I'm not about to get flustered over a child. If anything, that can wait a few years until she's grown.
"Greetings, Senior Sister," he said casually, humoring her.
"S-Senior Sister," Zhang Xiaofan mumbled, blushing. He'd never seen such a pretty girl in his life.
"What's with that tone? Can't you be more serious?" Tian Linger huffed, glaring at Ji Changfeng. His indifference irked her. Is he looking down on me, his Senior Sister?
Ji Changfeng sighed inwardly. Kids are so sensitive.
"Enough, Linger. Don't bully your Junior Brothers," Su Ru interjected, tapping her daughter lightly.
"Hmph!" Tian Linger pouted, shooting Ji Changfeng a fierce look, hoping to intimidate him.
Ji Changfeng merely glanced back, unfazed.
The other disciples burst into laughter, teasing, "Little Junior Sister Linger, looks like Junior Brother isn't impressed by you!"
"Yeah, not impressed at all!"
Tian Linger's face soured, and she glared at Ji Changfeng again, annoyed by her Senior Brothers' teasing.
Ahem. Su Ru cleared her throat, silencing the hall. Her sharp gaze swept over the disciples. "The Seven Peaks Tournament is approaching. You all…"
"Shi Niang!" Song Daren interrupted abruptly.
"What is it?" Su Ru frowned.
"I need to teach the Junior Brothers their lessons and sect rules. I'll get to it now!" Song Daren said hurriedly, grabbing Ji Changfeng and Zhang Xiaofan and bolting from the hall, ignoring the outraged shouts of his fellow disciples.
"Big Senior Brother, you coward!"
"Coward!"
"Quiet! Let me test how well you've practiced your cultivation…" Su Ru's voice rang out, and the disciples of Dazhu Peak wailed in unison.