Chapter 60: The Ceremony of Initiation

“Hmph, explanations? What explanations do they want? Haven’t we already warned them? We warned them before, but no one believed us. Instead, they mocked us. Now they want explanations? Let them come if they wish, don’t worry.” The sect leader set down the spirit paper and slapped the table with a sharp “bang,” his voice cold and dismissive.

Hearing his master speak thus, Qingyun’s expression softened, for this was exactly the answer he had been waiting for.

This matter, in truth, revolved entirely around Lin Hao.

From the moment he read the letter, Qingyun immediately saw that the elder was shielding Lin Hao. All the events Lin Hao had experienced along the way ensured he would become infamous among the sects—especially the incident at Skyfeather Mountain. Qingyun reckoned that when Lin Hao returned, countless people would seek trouble with him. Qingyun hoped Lin Hao would rise to fame, but not in this way. He also feared that upon Lin Hao’s return, the sect leader would punish him. If the major sects came demanding explanations, and if some petty villain stirred up trouble, Lin Hao could face dire consequences.

Qingyun was certain that the incident with Zhou Yichen was Lin Hao’s doing. After Zhou Yichen’s soul lantern was extinguished, Elder Zhou nearly lost his mind, swearing to find the murderer. He had already made a scene before the sect leader, though in the end, the sect leader managed to temporarily suppress the matter.

Now, with Lin Hao about to return, everyone else had come back safely—only Zhou Yichen was missing. Naturally, the elder’s suspicion would fall first and foremost on Lin Hao.

Thus, Qingyun merely wanted a guarantee from his sect leader.

The sect leader understood Qingyun’s intentions, and with a teasing look, said, “Rest assured, I’ll protect your cousin Lin Hao. He’s not at fault here; in fact, he deserves credit. When he returns and attends the inner sect initiation ceremony, I’ll make sure he’s rewarded.”

The master’s words struck right to the heart of Qingyun’s concerns. Qingyun smiled awkwardly, “Heh heh, thank you, Master.”

“That’s enough for now. Let’s not discuss it further until they return and we can plan properly. But you can inform the Fifth Elder and the others; keep it from Elder Zhou for now. Privately, talk with them about what these natives intend upon their return. I fear the situation is about to change drastically, and we must prepare a response,” said the sect leader.

“Yes, Master. I’ll see to it at once,” Qingyun replied respectfully.

Skyfeather Mountain had erupted!

All the sects were thrown into chaos.

When Skyfeather Mountain was sealed, the other sects noticed and their disciples waiting outside rushed to deliver news back to their sects.

The Crimson Lotus Sect was especially affected. Ever since their disciples had gone to Skyfeather Mountain, their soul lanterns had kept extinguishing, which infuriated their sect leader. Now, word had spread that not a single Crimson Lotus disciple had emerged—they were all trapped inside.

The sect leader of the Crimson Lotus Sect, enraged, slammed his palm down on the table with a thunderous crash, shattering it to pieces.

“Useless! All of you are useless! Investigate! I want to know exactly what happened. Has Skyfeather Mountain turned into a haunted place? Send another ten disciples there immediately, and two elders as well! Even if they die, I want to find their bodies. I don’t want to hear any more bad news!”

The sect leader’s fury made everyone kneel in reverence.

“Yes, Sect Leader,” answered the senior disciple of the Crimson Lotus Sect.

The other sects were equally bewildered. None could understand what had happened at Skyfeather Mountain, and they hurriedly dispatched more people to investigate.

Their disciples could not die so mysteriously.

In fact, Lin Hao had accurately predicted this outcome—it was sheer coincidence that only Lin Hao, Mo Ming, and a few from the Sect of Desire had discovered the natives. No one else had noticed them.

For now, only the Clearwind Sect knew this, and fortunately, the sect leader had not told Elder Zhou, discreetly sealing the information.

Yet, although Elder Zhou was unaware of the natives, the people he sent to liaise with the sect leader overheard that Lin Hao and the others were returning.

Elder Zhou sat gloomily in the main hall, listening to reports from those kneeling before him.

“Reporting, Elder. Senior Brother Qingyun received word that Lin Hao and the others from Skyfeather Mountain are about to return.”

“Returning? All of them? Wasn’t Skyfeather Mountain sealed? Who else is like my son?” Elder Zhou’s bloodshot eyes stared.

“No, Elder. Only Young Master Zhou hasn’t returned. Everyone else is safe,” the messenger replied cautiously.

A sharp sound rang out. Elder Zhou smashed the teacup in his hand, reducing it to ash, which was swept away by the wind.

He stood, eyes blazing, and roared, “What did you say? Only my son died, and everyone else returned unharmed! Why? And Lin Hao—he’s back safe as well!”

“Elder, not only has he returned safely, but the sect leader intends to reward him. It seems he’s achieved great merit,” the messenger stammered, fearing Elder Zhou’s wrath but compelled to deliver the news truthfully.

Elder Zhou kicked over a stool and swept the teacups and teapot off the table, smashing everything. The room descended into chaos; all present bowed their heads, wishing to disappear, shrinking into corners for fear of Elder Zhou’s rage.

After venting, Elder Zhou forced himself to calm.

He fixed his gaze on the messenger.

“Attend me!” he bellowed.

Two men rushed in and knelt.

“Elder.”

“Go now! Send people to intercept the returning ship from Skyfeather Mountain. I want Lin Hao dead, with no grave to his name! I want them all to accompany my son in death!” Elder Zhou’s voice dripped with venom.

As he spoke, the air around him turned icy. Everyone shivered, terrified by the expression on his face.

“Yes, Elder,” the two replied, trembling as they hurried away, as if pursued by invisible threats.

Elder Zhou looked at the messenger who still knelt before him, his tone sinister. “I’ve received your report. I expect you to keep gathering information about Skyfeather Mountain. I must know everything that happens inside.”

“Yes, Elder. I’ll investigate immediately,” the man replied, swallowing nervously but determined.

Elder Zhou tossed him a bottle of pills. The man’s face lit up with joy, forgetting the elder’s terrifying demeanor, and he thanked him profusely. “Thank you, Elder! I will bring you more news.”

“Go,” Elder Zhou waved impatiently.

The man hurried out, clutching the pills and smiling.

Once everyone had departed, Elder Zhou surveyed the wreckage he’d caused, went to the door, and told the guards, “Clean this place up. No one is to speak of today’s events.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Lin Hao, my son’s death is tied to you. I will see you pay in blood. No matter the truth, I will never let you return to the Clearwind Sect!” Elder Zhou muttered, hatred twisting his mouth.

He then turned and left.

Meanwhile, Qingyun and the sect leader wasted no time in announcing Lin Hao’s imminent return and his participation in the inner sect’s initiation ceremony.

Preparations for the ceremony were soon in full swing.

On Lin Hao’s side, after the elder finished transmitting the spirit paper, he looked at Lin Hao and asked, “Are you curious about the natives?”

“Yes, Elder. Have you truly met them?” Lin Hao asked eagerly.

The elder shook his head with a bittersweet smile. “I haven’t met them. I only read about them in the historical records in the library. Many years ago, Skyfeather Mountain was home to natives. The chronicles say that a chaotic war broke out back then; the natives, ambitious and ruthless, tried to conquer the entire cultivation world. But the sects united to suppress them, forcing them back to their stronghold at Skyfeather Mountain.”

“So they really did exist in the cultivation world, but why did they leave? And why have they returned now? Are they planning to stir up chaos again?” Lin Hao was astonished, struggling to digest the news.

Lin Hao’s curiosity about the natives was intense. He thought to himself: Since I’ve already offended them, I must gather more intelligence. Otherwise, next time I encounter them, I’ll be completely blind—I never fight without preparation.

He pressed the elder repeatedly for more details.

The elder, seeing Lin Hao’s determination, relaxed, sat down, sipped tea, poured a cup for Lin Hao, and handed it to him, signaling with his eyes.

Lin Hao accepted the cup, took a sip, and placed it down, his gaze urgent.

Finally, the elder spoke slowly, “Back then, the natives were numerous and powerful, while the cultivation world lacked many great experts. We nearly fell under their rule, and suffered immense losses.”