Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Grandmaster Will Guide You in Cultivation

Sun Yougong remained silent for a long time, responding with something indistinct. Suddenly, Lingxuzi's voice rose sharply, "Senior brother, how can you say that? I disagree, and Mu Fengshan would never harbor such thoughts."

Hongjian's heart tightened with anxiety, regretting that she had withdrawn too quickly. To hear clearly, she leaned her body forward, her ears practically straining.

Fortunately, Sun Yougong also raised his voice, seemingly no longer hesitant, speaking calmly, "These years, I've often felt inadequate managing a peak. For the sake of the sect, I should step down early and devote myself to teaching the younger generation. It's not because of this recent matter."

Hongjian could hardly believe her ears. Her grandmaster had conceded, and so thoroughly—he would relinquish his position as the head of Late Tide Peak to ease the mounting tensions among the sect's peaks.

Sun Yougong's voice then dropped, murmuring a few sentences Hongjian could not catch. She only heard Jin Donglou finally say, "Let it be for now. Don't worry, your eldest disciple is more than capable."

After Lingxuzi and Jin Donglou left, Sun Yougong, knowing Hongjian was still waiting outside, called her in.

He did not mention what had just occurred, only instructing her, "I have matters to attend to now. We'll talk about your cultivation later. The sect leader and the others will return soon. Go and gather your elders and fellow disciples."

Though Sun Yougong's expression revealed nothing amiss, and his tone was gentler than usual, Hongjian felt a heaviness in her heart. She gazed at him, unable to find words of comfort. In all her years on Late Tide Peak, she had never felt such profound respect for the old man before her.

Seeing her linger, Sun Yougong glanced at her again and asked, "Is there something else?" Weariness was etched across his features.

Hongjian bit her lip, suppressing the urge to embrace her grandmaster. Words spilled out before she could stop herself, "Grandmaster, every disciple in the sect will be grateful to you."

Sun Yougong paused, then chuckled, "What nonsense, how naïve you are. Go on now." Yet, despite his words, his demeanor softened at her remark.

Soon, all of Sun Yougong's disciples gathered in their master's abode.

Hongjian was not qualified to be present during such a major event, sparing her another encounter with Ji Youyun. At the time, no one could have guessed that Ji Youyun's arrival would stir up a storm on Late Tide Peak.

Ji Youyun arrived just before noon, accompanied by Lingxuzi and Jin Donglou, and stayed on Late Tide Peak for three whole days. By the end, even Ding Chunxue, who had only recently formed her core, was summoned.

Though Hongjian did not know what had happened, she sensed the atmosphere on Late Tide Peak growing increasingly tense.

After three days, all of Late Tide Peak's disciples—over a hundred—were gathered in the White Rainbow Hall, with Hongjian among them.

Sect leader Lingxuzi appeared in person, announcing to everyone that Elder Sun Yougong, who had reached the Nascent Soul stage, would be entering seclusion and would no longer manage sect affairs. The position of Late Tide Peak master would be temporarily held by his second disciple, Huo Chuanxing.

As Lingxuzi spoke, the entire hall was shrouded in gloom. Hongjian, noticing that both Sun Yougong and her eldest uncle Jing Baixi were absent, couldn't help but speculate, becoming even more alarmed. She glanced at her master and senior brother, wondering, "Could it be that something happened to Eldest Uncle?"

After leaving the White Rainbow Hall, Hongjian went to find Ding Chunxue and happened upon Chen Zaizhi, who was also seeking news. By then, it seemed no one on Late Tide Peak had the mind to cultivate.

Ding Chunxue was about to follow Yan Changqing to see Sun Yougong and quickly explained to her juniors: Ji Youyun had uncovered a problem with Eldest Uncle Jing Baixi. The news was hard to believe—Jing Baixi had followed Sun Yougong for centuries and was well established in Dan Cliff Sect. How could he be involved with demonic cultivators?

As it turned out, Jing Baixi admitted that his blood uncle was imprisoned in the Demon Prison, but before the sect leader and Ji Youyun, he firmly denied any ongoing contact with his imprisoned relative or that he had bribed the prison guards.

Colluding with those inside the Demon Prison was a grave crime; Ji Youyun's accusations alone could not decide his fate. The investigation would continue, and if the claims proved true after confronting those at the Demon Prison, this promising Nascent Soul cultivator might well spend the rest of his life behind bars.

No one expected Grandmaster's concession would lead to such an outcome—how lamentable.

Ding Chunxue was heavy-hearted, but did not forget to reassure the two younger disciples, "This has nothing to do with you. Go back to your cultivation and don't overthink it."

How could Hongjian not worry? Since morning, she had regarded Ji Youyun as a strange creature, full of suspicion toward him. Now, she felt certain he was up to something, perhaps at someone's behest. Using Qin Baoxian's investigation to thoroughly probe Late Tide Peak, aiming ultimately to destroy Jing Baixi—this was no spur-of-the-moment scheme. Perhaps Eldest Uncle's weakness had long been grasped by others.

Who was the true target behind all this maneuvering? It was like a game of chess, the opponent always a step ahead. Grandmaster and Eldest Uncle had lost before even seeing the enemy's shadow.

Sun Yougong's frustration was understandable; he truly withdrew into seclusion in his cave, refusing all visitors, leaving his disciples shut out.

Even Huo Chuanxing, the temporary master of Late Tide Peak, could not see his teacher. In the end, he had no choice but to shoulder the responsibility, to reassure his fellow disciples and juniors.

Hongjian's second uncle had only recently achieved Nascent Soul and took over Late Tide Peak under such circumstances. Facing other peaks, his confidence was lacking, evident in his first major task after assuming leadership.

For the upcoming Qingyun Festival's sect secret realm, Late Tide Peak received only ten spots—a situation unimaginable in the past. The Wood Spirit Root peaks had few candidates, but the Foundation Establishment cultivators from Scarlet Wheel and Brocade benefited greatly.

The turmoil gradually subsided, and it seemed everything was returning to normal.

Yet Hongjian remained concerned for her grandmaster, who had been in seclusion since the incident, wondering how he was faring.

One day, after finishing her cultivation, she went as usual to her grandmaster’s cave, tapped the restriction he had set, and watched it light up as always. She sighed softly, muttering, “How long does Grandmaster plan to keep himself shut away? It's not good for an old man to stew alone in his troubles.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than the restriction on the cave door flashed, and a powerful force swept her inside. Hongjian tumbled in, barely steadying herself before she saw Sun Yougong's tall figure before her.

In just half a month, his beard had turned completely white, though he still looked spirited.

Hongjian quickly called out, "Grandmaster," but Sun Yougong said, "Silly girl, you still haven't broken through. Come, Grandmaster will guide you in cultivation."

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I've received notice that the novel will be launched on Sunday. My heart is uneasy, unsure what the results will be. Next week there will be a strong recommendation and bonus chapters. Shamelessly, I am asking in advance for your support. Thank you, everyone.