The jade slip of the Azure Sky Immortal Scripture had barely finished sinking into Xuan Yuan's mind when the Codex pulsed again, sharp and insistent.
Warning: Unusual resonance detected. Azure Spirit Peak is reacting.
At the same time, the pond deep in Azure Spirit Peak rippled. Not from the wind—there was none—but from within. Rings of light spread across the water, faint and shimmering like moonlight breaking through clouds.
"Codex, care to explain what's happening?" Yuan asked, already suspecting the answer would be troublesome.
Ding! Azure Spirit Peak has reacted to the appearance of the Azure Sky Immortal Scripture. This scripture was created by an immortal who ascended from this world. His inheritance lies within this peak—the very place of his ascension. Host is recommended to begin cultivating the scripture to awaken the inheritance and be guided toward it.
Yuan's jaw slackened. "Wait, wait, wait… are you telling me I just got a free upgrade from exile peak to immortal's treasure vault? This courtyard was supposed to be my temporary home, not an express ticket to heaven!"
Still, his grin dimmed as reason kicked in. Inheritance or not, cultivating now was suicide. Aunt Lan was watching his every move. One breath of qi in his meridians and she'd know. Not to mention the sect might sense the sudden upheaval.
He folded his arms decisively. "Nope. Not happening. Not until I'm safe, in the secret realm, and preferably far away from Aunt Lan's death glare. For now, I'll just sit on this golden egg like a wise goose."
"Ah! Wait, what are you doing?"
A hand grabbed his collar, and suddenly the ground blurred beneath him.
"Wha—! Aunt, put me down! I'm not luggage!"
The wind howled as she carried him upward like a hawk with prey. A moment later, they landed on the very top of Azure Spirit Peak. She released him without ceremony, leaving him to wobble before regaining his balance.
"Aunt! At least warn me before you decide to play crane!"
"Little Yuan," she said, her eyes narrowed, "I've been calling you for a while. Did you not hear me, or are you daring to ignore me?"
Yuan coughed into his sleeve. "Ignore you? Aunt, please. That's just begging for a death wish. I was… lost in deep thought. About… the clouds."
"Deep thought, my foot! Clouds, my double foot!!" she said with a snort. Then she gestured behind her. "Anyway, this is where we'll be staying."
Yuan blinked, then finally noticed the sight.
Nestled against the slope were three small cottages, simple but sturdy, their tiled roofs freshly washed, their courtyards swept clean. Each was placed at a short distance from the other, giving a sense of quiet separation without isolation. Thin smoke drifted from a stove vent, and the faint scent of incense clung to the air.
The whole place radiated calm simplicity, untouched by the bustle of the main sect. It was no grand palace, but it felt… fresh, almost homely.
Yuan rubbed his chin. "Well, well. Not bad at all. Simple, clean, no noisy neighbors. Let me guess—Elder Mo had this scrubbed spotless before we came?"
"Correct," Aunt Lan replied. "This peak has been unoccupied for decades. He had disciples clean it for our arrival."
Yuan strolled leisurely toward the cottages, hands tucked into his sleeves. "Three cottages… Let me guess. One for you, one for me, and the third for storage—or maybe a guest? Either way, I call dibs on the one closest to the pond."
Aunt Lan arched a brow. "You think you get to choose?"
Before he could respond, she flicked her sleeve, and the next thing Yuan knew, he was tumbling a few paces away into the grass.
He sighed, dusting himself off. "Fine, fine. Middle cottage is yours, I get it. No need for such… enthusiasm."
Aunt Lan's lips twitched, though she didn't reply.
Yuan wandered a little, circling the cottages with curious steps before calling out, "Alright, Aunt, I'm going for a walk. Can't just sit here and admire clouds all day. I'll explore the sect."
"Don't go causing trouble," she said, already making herself comfortable.
"Trouble? Me? Aunt, you wound me. I'm the very picture of discipline."
"Go," she replied dryly, clearly unconvinced.
And so, Yuan strolled down the mountain paths, hands tucked in his sleeves, eyes darting curiously at everything.
The further he went, the more the grandeur of Clear Sky Sect unfolded before him.
The mountain paths wound down gracefully, lined with ancient pines and carved stone steps. From the higher ledges, the sect stretched out like a vast map of peaks, palaces, and bridges shrouded in mist. Everywhere he looked, disciples in neat blue-green robes moved with a practiced discipline, their qi steady, their expressions sharp.
The structure of the sect became clearer the more he observed and pieced things together. At the very top sat the Sect Master, a cultivator at the peak of Nascent Soul realm. Beneath him stood the Core Elders, each occupying one of the thirty-three main peaks. These elders were all Nascent Soul cultivators of varying strength, the true backbone of the sect's authority. Below them were the Inner Elders, Golden Core experts who governed the ninety-nine minor peaks and oversaw training grounds, halls, and sect affairs. Supporting them were the Outer Elders, cultivators at True Core, who guided disciples and handled the more mundane aspects of management.
There were even whispers of Divinity Transformation ancestors in secluded retreat, though no one spoke of them openly.
"Elder Mo should be one of core elders a bit weak for being father's friend. I wonder how they became friends", he muttered under breath while walking further.
The disciples themselves were divided as well. True disciples - disciples of core elders - true prodigies of sect. Inner disciples - mostly Foundation Establishment or higher - enjoyed the bulk of the sect's resources and training. Outer disciples, many still struggling at Qi Refining, formed the bulk of the manpower, hoping to climb higher. At the very bottom were servant disciples, mortals or half-trained youths who tended to chores, kitchens, and fields, their hopes of rising slim but not impossible.
Of the sect's thirty-three main peaks, only seventeen were occupied by current Core Elders. Of the ninety-nine minor peaks, fifty-four had masters in residence. The rest stood empty, awaiting future powerhouses to claim them. A reminder that, though the Clear Sky Sect ranked among the top ten forces in the South, it had not yet reached its peak.
Satisfied with what he had seen and pieced together, Yuan eventually returned to Azure Spirit Peak. The cottages waited quietly, the air fresh and still, the peak silent save for the rustle of leaves.
One cottage for him, one for Aunt Lan, and the third unoccupied.
Yuan clasped his hands behind his back, strolling in lazy circles before finally declaring, "Not bad. Quiet, simple, and no one here to nag me. Perfect exile quarters."
Aunt Lan, standing outside the middle cottage, gave him a long look before vanishing inside with a flick of her sleeve.
Yuan grinned and stretched, eyes glinting faintly. "Alright then, Clear Sky Sect. Let's see how boring you really are."