Chapter 10: Entering Emotionless Peak
Though Master Lin Qing Ling had declared the ceremony to accept a new disciple, the event passed as quietly as morning mist drifting over still waters. After testing Li Shuang’s resolve, Master Lin informed the sect with no need for an audience.
Only the esteemed True Immortal Ling Xu received a secret invitation, delivered by the swift and loyal Luo Ming Yue, following Master Lin’s careful orders.
“Hahaha! Sheng Yuan’s face turned as green as new bamboo shoots, did it not? Excellent, excellent! That fills my heart with fire!” Master Lin laughed openly at Luo Ming Yue’s lively report.
“It is a pity I missed the glimmer of True Immortal Ling Xu’s expression,” Luo Ming Yue replied with a gentle smile. “When I offered the invitation, Sheng Yuan immediately asked if our Eldest Senior Sister had come to beg forgiveness.”
“Beg forgiveness? The clans of Spirit Void Peak are always lost in idle dreams!” Master Lin laughed so heartily that she had to steady herself with a hand on her stomach.
Luo Ming Yue sighed softly. “Master, please, remember your dignity!”
Chastened by her First Disciple’s reminder, Master Lin straightened her posture, cleared her throat, and turned her gaze to Li Shuang. “Little Shuang, what you have just witnessed—”
Li Shuang, both amused and a bit helpless, quickly replied, “Disciple saw nothing.”
Rumors had long spoken of Peak Master Lin as peculiar. Though she lived atop the secluded Emotionless Peak—known for its frost-like solitude—she was the most spirited and least distant of them all.
Simply put, she was lively and far from detached.
Now Li Shuang understood: the old tales were true.
After three days and nights of deep sleep, Li Shuang awoke to find her broken meridians healed by the profound Grand Supreme Emotionless Art. All the while, Master Lin had watched over her like a vigilant guardian.
So, when Master Lin asked her to become a disciple of Emotionless Peak, Li Shuang accepted without hesitation.
Her choice was not only because of Master Lin’s past kindness. The legacy of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art now belonged only to Emotionless Peak. Other peaks had chosen different paths.
Having seen the endless horizon of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art, Li Shuang felt no need to waver. She would shed her past like a tattered robe and rise on the path of martial valor.
Master Lin cleared her throat once more. “Little Shuang, since you shun crowds and I despise needless ceremony, we will keep your initiation simple. Just a humble salute will suffice.”
It was as if Master Lin feared Li Shuang might vanish like drifting smoke at any moment.
Li Shuang performed a deep, respectful bow, completing the disciple rite.
Before she could fully rise, Master Lin reached out, pulling her gently to her feet and patting her shoulder warmly. “I know Spirit Void Peak is heavy with tradition. But here, we are few. No rigid rules bind us—follow the call of your heart.”
Li Shuang nodded, her spirit slowly adjusting to this newfound freedom.
Master Lin chuckled softly. “Come now, let me introduce your senior brothers and sisters. Before your arrival, I had four disciples. My Third Disciple is away on sect business, so you will meet the other three first.”
She gestured toward Luo Ming Yue. “This is your Eldest Senior Sister, Luo Ming Yue. No need for formal introductions—you already know each other.”
A flicker of regret stirred in Li Shuang’s heart.
[Once, I was Spirit Void Peak’s Eldest Senior Sister. Though younger, I held the same honor as Luo Ming Yue.]
Now, as a new disciple of Emotionless Peak, Li Shuang had become the youngest, placing Luo Ming Yue in a higher rank.
Still, these thoughts soon passed. Li Shuang bowed calmly. “Eldest Senior Sister.”
Luo Ming Yue’s eyes sparkled with warm delight.
[Who among our generation does not know of your brilliance?]
The very peer Luo Ming Yue had once admired now stood before her as a humble Little Junior Sister.
With a hearty thump on her chest, Luo Ming Yue declared, “Little Junior Sister, fear not! From this day forth, if danger dares approach, hide behind me! Any foe who wishes you harm must first see my defeated body on the ground!”
“Many thanks, Eldest Senior Sister,” Li Shuang replied, slowly embracing her new station.
Master Lin nodded and said, “Ming Yue, please bring in the other two.”
Obediently, Luo Ming Yue led the waiting figures inside.
Master Lin introduced them one by one. “This is your Second Senior Brother, Liu Jun Cheng. He is as blunt as a worn blade and forever finds fault. It is best to avoid him when you can.”
Li Shuang stood in silent wonder. Could it be that Master truly held such disdain for Second Senior Brother?
Before she could ponder further, Liu Jun Cheng’s voice cut through the quiet like a sharp sword.
“Master, as Peak Master of Emotionless Peak, you have accepted a new disciple today. Should you not show proper honor? Earlier, when receiving her bow, was that the best posture you could muster? If others witnessed such laxity—”
Before he could finish, Master Lin swiftly covered her ears and shot Li Shuang a meaningful glance.
[See how unbearable he can be.]
A gentle smile tugged at Li Shuang’s lips as she regarded her Second Senior Brother. His features were as sharp and cold as an ice-forged blade, yet his constant scolding reminded her more of a fussy caretaker than a formidable warrior.
“Greetings, Second Senior Brother,” Li Shuang said quickly, noticing Master Lin’s exasperated look. She hoped to calm the brewing storm.
At her words, Liu Jun Cheng ceased his lecture immediately. His stern eyes softened as he nodded. “Little Junior Sister, greetings.”
He already knew of Li Shuang—the famed disciple of Spirit Void Peak, celebrated for her honor and grace. Indeed, Emotionless Peak had finally gained a true gem.
Master Lin then introduced another disciple. “This is your Fourth Senior Sister, Jiang Yi. She has many talents, but her heart is timid. You will understand her nature as you spend time together.”
Li Shuang turned gently toward Jiang Yi.
Her Fourth Senior Sister had delicate features, soft as fine porcelain, and eyes wide like a startled deer’s—ever ready to flee at the slightest sound.
Li Shuang resolved to be gentle. “Greetings, Fourth Senior Sister.”
Jiang Yi trembled as she stammered, “L-Little Junior Sister, greetings.”
Master Lin stretched languidly, sinking back into her chair like a graceful crane alighting on a quiet pond. “That is most of your senior disciples. When your Third Senior Brother returns, I shall introduce him properly.”
“Master!” Liu Jun Cheng’s voice rang out once more like the clashing of swords.
Master Lin sighed deeply, casting Liu Jun Cheng a tired glance.
Others might gather disciples, but today she had, it seemed, invited an ancient rival.
With a reluctant adjustment, Master Lin rose to a proper stance and declared sternly, “You all know of Little Junior Sister’s past. Spirit Void Peak is overrun with vile cultivators who treated her unjustly and forced her into exile. From now on, none of you shall speak with anyone from Spirit Void Peak!”
Li Shuang stood silent, shocked.
[My Master… Is this decree truly so childish?]
Forbidding all contact with Spirit Void Peak seemed like the rash command of a child.
Just as she was about to speak, Liu Jun Cheng interrupted sharply, “Master, you are not a child—must you still act so immaturely?”
A soft sigh of relief escaped Li Shuang. It appeared that true authority at Emotionless Peak rested with her Second Senior Brother, whose words were calm and wise.
Yet Liu Jun Cheng continued steadily, “Refusing to speak with them is as futile as a lone strike against a mountain. If you truly seek justice for Little Junior Sister, we must vanquish them in every encounter until they know the bitterness of defeat.”
Li Shuang blinked in surprise.
[It seems my Second Senior Brother is not as sensible as I hoped.]
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