Upon hearing Ai Zhongwen recommend someone who could surpass Mo Yuan, Zheng Xun's face lit up with joy. He said, "Which junior brother might Brother Ai be referring to, and where is he now?"
Ai Zhongwen replied, "This person is named Zhang Yan, a disciple of Shanyuan Temple. He has been in seclusion for cultivation lately and did not attend the Dharma Assembly. He is likely still diligently cultivating at his residence. I would ask Senior Brother to grant the Xiaoze Golden Sword and request his presence."
The Xiaoze Golden Sword was one of the Five Elements Golden Swords. Cultivators used it to transmit messages across great distances, and it was a common tool employed by Upper Court disciples. Although the Lower Court had some, they were all under Senior Disciple Zheng Xun's possession and rarely used unless it was for urgent matters.
Zheng Xun found this curious and said, "I know Shanyuan Temple disciples mostly reside on Moon Capture Peak, which is connected to Dangyun Peak by three suspension paths. It's only about a quarter of an hour's journey. Why the need for the Golden Sword?"
Ai Zhongwen elaborated, "First, this person resides on Star Gazing Peak among the Fifteen Peaks. Sending someone to call upon him would take a few hours back and forth between Dangyun Peak, possibly delaying matters until tomorrow. Second, this person is not comparable to ordinary disciples and cannot simply be beckoned casually. The use of the Golden Sword is a sign of respect, asking him to halt his seclusion and come at once."
Zheng Xun's face revealed confusion. Star Gazing Peak, though under Shanyuan Temple's jurisdiction, was usually reserved for disciples with no foundational lineage. How could someone recommended by Ai Zhongwen possibly reside there?
He pondered for a moment before asking, "This disciple—his surname is Zhang? Is he from the Fengyan Zhang Family, the Gen Kun Zhang Family, or the Mianze Zhang Family?"
Ai Zhongwen slowly shook his head.
He did not actually know Zhang Yan's true background. Though he knew Zhang Yan was the Zhou Family's son-in-law, it seemed Zhang Yan did not wish to flaunt his connections. Ai Zhongwen did not wish to spread this around carelessly either, lest he inadvertently ruin their friendship and turn it into enmity. Thus, he refrained from answering.
Just as Zheng Xun was about to ask more, someone interjected, "Is this person from a Xuanmen noble family?"
Ai Zhongwen found it difficult to answer directly and had to reply tactfully, "There is no need for the brothers here to worry. This person's background is extraordinary and defies conventional reasoning."
The man sneered coldly and said, "What 'defies conventional reasoning'? He is simply an insignificant registered disciple. To use the Golden Sword to summon him—how laughable. I think Brother Ai has been wallowing in the mud for so long he's forgotten his roots, becoming sullied by proximity." He turned toward Zheng Xun and cupped his hands respectfully, saying, "Senior Brother Zheng, I know of this Zhang Yan. About half a day ago, he harshly humiliated Senior Brother Hu's manager and even tricked him out of a page of scripture from the Secret Volume during a wager. Senior Brother Hu, am I correct or not?"
He shifted his gaze to Hu Shengyu, his eyes faintly mocking.
Seated first on Zheng Xun's left was Lin Yuan from Shanyuan Temple. Leisurely, he said, "I've also heard something about this person from my clan younger brother Lin Tong. Allegedly, he is merely a rootless registered disciple who relies on his Erosion Text Inference technique—likely learned from some unknown source—to cheat gullible individuals."
The disciples on both sides were seated in order of their cultivation levels. Hu Shengyu, who sat near the front on the right, had a sullen temperament and an aloof disposition. He rarely associated with the other disciples. The events between Zhang Yan and Bian Qiao were unknown to him until now. Upon hearing this, his expression became visibly conflicted, his eyes flashing with traces of killing intent.
Ai Zhongwen secretly cursed his own misstep. His plan had been to elevate Zhang Yan and seize victory over Mo Yuan. Instead, he had stirred trouble. Upon reflection, he sighed with regret, realizing he had acted impulsively out of concern. Clearly, these people cared only about their own reputations—why should he have troubled himself?
Zheng Xun, having heard all this, finally showed disappointment on his face. He shook his head and said no more.
The other disciples grew even more indifferent. Zhang Yan, being neither a noble family disciple nor from an esteemed lineage, held no significance in their eyes. Some even took the opportunity to ridicule Ai Zhongwen, mocking him for forgetting his own position and aligning himself with lowly individuals.
Ai Zhongwen had originally spoken up with the sect's honor in mind. According to tradition, Dharma Assembly hosts would be the first to reach the peak. However, he'd just learned that disciples from Guangyuan Sect and Nanhua Sect had already arrived at the foot of Cangwu Mountain and were making their way to the summit together. If allowed to reach the peak first, what face would Mingcang Sect have left? Decisive actions were needed now, not further dithering.
Unexpectedly, his well-meaning intentions had brought him only verbal humiliation. None of the attendees seemed to care about the sect's honor—all that mattered to them was their family status. Ai Zhongwen felt frustrated and mildly angry in his heart. He said, "I, too, am only a registered disciple. It seems I am equally unnecessary here. I see no reason to linger. Brothers, I bid you farewell!" He cupped his hands in salute, swung his robe sleeves, and abruptly stormed out.
Upon stepping outside the side hall, he looked up to see lush pines and cypresses flanking the path, their resolute forms standing tall. He thought to himself, "I, Ai Zhongwen, also excel in the study of Erosion Text. Must I truly rely on such short-sighted individuals to accomplish anything? Let me face Mo Yuan personally and see whether his reputation as a prodigy holds up!" With this thought, a surge of heroic determination rose within him. He strode forward with large, confident steps, heading toward the second mountain gate.