Chapter Twenty-One: You Are Not Worthy

Drinking has led people astray since ancient times, a source of missteps for both men and women. Thousands of pairs of eyes focused intently on Chu Tiange. This news shocked them even more than the return of Master Xiao’s wandering disciple. First came Zhao Yiren, then Lu Shiqi—two beauties famed across the land had fallen for him in succession. What kind of spell did Chu Tiange possess?

The girls’ eyes sparkled as they stared unwaveringly at Chu Tiange’s thighs. “Let’s get acquainted. I’m Shui Duoduo. One hundred mid-grade spirit stones—let me see your magic. Deal?” The girl blinked expectantly.

Chu Tiange ignored her, taking out the Cultivation Monthly. The contents had been updated, but upon reading them, he could only sigh speechlessly. The report detailed how Lu Shiqi resolved a crisis and saved Azure Profound City, featuring staged photos from every conceivable angle. As expected, Lu Shiqi wouldn’t appear in Filial Son Town for no reason. The column “Ride the Winds, Goddess!” was wildly popular; clearly, they were preparing for a second season. But who was taking these pictures? Chu Tiange felt as if he’d seen a ghost. At the scene, he hadn’t noticed anyone recording with a photo stone.

“Chu Tiange, isn’t Zhao Yiren enough for you? Do you have to seduce our goddess?” someone complained bitterly, heart bleeding.

“There’s really nothing between me and Lu Shiqi,” Chu Tiange explained.

For the common goddess of the Azure Profound Continent, even the slightest stain could shift adoration to hatred. Now, thanks to Lu Shiqi’s presence, Shuiyue Sect was raking in gold daily. For the sake of their past friendship, Chu Tiange felt obligated to clarify, lest Lu Shiqi’s reputation suffer.

“You think we believe you? Even the child is here now!”

No one believed him. Many cast skeptical glances at Chu Tiange.

“Chu Tiange, listen up. Don’t try to have it both ways. Either hand Lu Shiqi over to us, or give us Zhao Yiren.”

“Chu Tiange, you might as well just die…”

“I swear, there’s really nothing between me and Lu Shiqi! I assisted her at the command of the Master!” Chu Tiange reiterated.

“You think we’ll believe that? Lu Shiqi is a Nascent Soul cultivator—she needs the help of a useless disciple like you? Why didn’t such good fortune fall on us? I bet you went to borrow her bloodline!” someone snarled.

“You can slander me, but you must not sully Lu Shiqi’s honor. I merely acted as bait to help her draw out that strange entity. As for the girl, Lu Shiqi acted out of compassion, saved her, and took her as a disciple.” Chu Tiange clasped his fists, respectful.

“We don’t believe you. No matter what you say, we won’t believe you.”

These variety shows truly caused endless trouble. When it came to these goddesses, everyone seemed to lose their minds.

Chu Tiange sighed deeply. First it was Zhao Yiren’s “joy of union,” then rumors of Lu Shiqi bearing his child in secret—once again, he was the public enemy of all.

“Hey, say something! One thousand mid-grade spirit stones—buy you for a night!” The girl gritted her teeth, raising the price.

“Not for sale! I’m not that kind of person.” Chu Tiange glanced at her and coldly refused.

“Then just let me look!” The girl reached out as if to grab him.

“Damn, if only I’d been born ten years earlier! All the beauties in the sect would flock to me.” Zhang Tiedan witnessed this scene and roared inwardly in envy.

“Damn it!” Some male disciples grabbed their robes, imagining them as Chu Tiange, biting them fiercely.

The male disciples were full of envy, while the female disciples blushed deeply, longing to see what magical charm Chu Tiange possessed. After all, he was the man chosen by both Lu Shiqi and Zhao Yiren—he couldn’t be ordinary.

Some had already sent messages to friends in other sects. The rumor that Lu Shiqi had a secret daughter with the waste disciple of the Morning Immortal Sect would soon sweep across every corner of the Azure Profound Continent like a storm.

“Silence!”

Just then, someone emerged from the teleportation array and entered the great hall. Seeing the commotion, he furrowed his brows in displeasure.

An elder, radiating the pressure of a Pill Condensation cultivator, instantly silenced the crowd.

“Prepare yourselves. The Peak Master of Maiden Peak, Chu Tian Gou, is coming. Let us welcome him properly!”

“Chu Tiange?”

Instantly, everyone in the hall was stunned.

What was Chu Tiange’s true identity? The Master’s own junior? Experiencing life in the Chaoyang Hall?

At that moment, many faces turned pale—those who had previously spoken rudely to Chu Tiange.

“Peak Master Chu! Please forgive us; we didn’t know it was you.” A male disciple beside him trembled, standing up to serve Chu Tiange tea.

“Peak Master of Maiden Peak…” Chu Tiange narrowed his eyes, recalling what Xiao Shijing had said a month ago—the position of Maiden Peak Master had remained vacant, and he could appoint Chu Tiange to it!

Could Xiao Shijing truly wield such authority? If he whispered in the Master’s ear, could Chu Tiange really become the Peak Master, second only to the Master, above all others?

Just as Chu Tiange pondered, a figure approached from afar.

***

The newcomer wore flowing purple robes, with deep black eyes and handsome features, his perfect visage tinged with a devilish allure.

“Welcome, Chu Tian Gou, Peak Master!” The outer sect elder quickly bowed ninety degrees in greeting.

“Chu Tian Gou?”

All at once, ten thousand disciples were dumbstruck.

Maiden Peak’s Master was Gou, not Ge? Had everyone misheard?

The disciple standing before Chu Tiange stared at him with growing resentment.

“Excellent, excellent. Chu Tiange, you must be tired of living—daring to impersonate Chu Tian Gou, the Peak Master!” The male disciple raised his hand and poured tea over Chu Tiange’s head.

Tea splashed, soaking Chu Tiange through.

The surrounding disciples watched silently, waiting for what would happen next.

Chu Tiange was stunned, wiped his face, then laughed, “When did I ever say I was the Peak Master?”

“You dare deny it?!” The disciple roared. “Chu Tiange, you impersonated the Peak Master and sullied the Maiden Peak’s name—how dare you deny it?!”

Everything unfolding in the hall was observed by the man in purple.

“Your name is Chu Tiange?” The man approached, led by the elder.

“Yes, I am Chu Tiange,” Chu Tiange stood, respectfully answering the Peak Master.

“Good.” Chu Tian Gou nodded. “From now on, you won’t use that name.”

Chu Tiange was amused, “If not Chu Tiange, then what?”

“Chu One, Chu Two, even Chu Yaya would do—but you’re unworthy to share my name,” the purple-robed man said coldly, then strode to the dais and took the main seat.

From his perch, Chu Tian Gou surveyed the crowd, savoring his dominance.

Once an outer sect disciple, neglected by the sect, he had earned merit step by step, cultivating for fifty years only to reach the peak of Spirit Gathering. While on a mission, he encountered a ghost, slew it, but fell exhausted off a cliff. By chance, he found a cave and obtained the cultivation method “Morning Immortal Art.”

This technique offered deep insights into Pill Condensation. Chu Tian Gou trained beneath the cliff, reaching the early Pill Condensation stage.

Upon returning to the sect, he learned incredible news—he was the Master’s junior brother and would become Maiden Peak’s Master.

He realized then that “Morning Immortal Art” was created by the sect’s founder, Morning Immortal.

Only at the early Pill Condensation stage, yet he could become a peak master—unbelievable.

Now, he was poised to ascend to greatness.

Since it was called Maiden Peak, more maidens were better.

Chu Tian Gou’s gaze burned like a wolf’s upon each female disciple.

“This girl is good—large chest, though legs are a bit short.” Chu Tian Gou shook his head.

“That one, nice figure but plain face.”

Each main peak had limited disciples—only twelve could be accepted as direct disciples. Chu Tian Gou chose only the best.

“That one’s good—fair skin, beautiful face, pert backside.” Satisfied, Chu Tian Gou quickly drafted his selections.

He had once perused dual cultivation techniques in the library.

Such methods were divided into proper and improper. The former harmonized yin and yang, boosting cultivation speed. The latter relied on special items crafted by the sect—effective, but expensive, requiring hundreds of mid-grade spirit stones for a single session.

Before Foundation Establishment, his progress stalled; he bought such items and tried improper dual cultivation. It worked instantly—he broke through in five days, but spent all the spirit stones he had accumulated over ten years.

“With these female disciples, I can practice proper dual cultivation.” Chu Tian Gou licked his lips, grinning.

Twelve female disciples, switching partners daily—his cultivation would soar rapidly, soon reaching the Forgetting Worries stage!

Then, he planned to dual cultivate with Jade Ruler Peak’s master, Liu Xun. Rumor had it she had a disciple, Zhao Yiren, famed for beauty. He would have both master and disciple cultivate with him!

Finally, Chu Tian Gou settled on eleven female disciples, his gaze landing on the girl beside Chu Tiange.

“This one’s good—baby face, explosive figure, surely playful.” Chu Tian Gou decided to dual cultivate with her tonight, growing more excited.

So it was settled.

***

Chu Tian Gou coughed, speaking with authority: “I have returned today, thanks to the Master’s favor, and taken the seat of Maiden Peak. Eat and drink well, but first, I will select twelve direct disciples to pursue immortality together!”

A wave of excitement swept the plaza. Everyone’s eyes burned with fervor.

Maiden Peak? Direct disciples? And twelve slots at once.

There might be no tangible rewards, but for most, the opportunity was irresistible.

The spiritual energy of the four main peaks was second only to the main hall. Training here was twice as effective—one day here equaled three top-grade spirit stones.

And being a direct disciple meant great power. Once promoted, status was far above ordinary disciples.

Especially in the past thirty years, few had joined the main peaks. Those who did received generous resources and priority in selection!

“To become Peak Master Chu’s disciple—the future is limitless…” Many disciples breathed heavily, eyes aflame.

Only Chu Tiange’s table remained cold, unmoved by the spectacle.

“It’s just a peak master. My third uncle is a deputy peak master at least!” Zhang Tiedan scowled, his bone physique unmatched in the feast.

He had expected the Maiden Peak Master to be a stepping stone, proving his immortal talent to all.

Yet, no one paid him any mind. This infuriated him.

“What are you looking at? When this banquet’s over, I’ll beat you!” Zhang Tiedan noticed Chu Tiange’s gaze and threatened.

“If you keep acting so disrespectful, you’ll be crying soon.” Chu Tiange calmly warned, holding a jade talisman.

“Good, it’s been ages since anyone dared threaten me, Tiedan. Just wait!” Zhang Tiedan muttered, fists itching for a duel after the feast.

Next, Chu Tian Gou’s voice rang out.

“You, you, you… and you all! From today, you are my Maiden Peak disciples.”

Now came the selection.

Leaves fluttered, landing on eleven female disciples, each with extraordinary beauty and striking figures.

“Those touched by the leaves are Maiden Peak disciples!”

The girls smiled joyfully; Chu Tian Gou smiled even more.

“Why are they all girls? Are male disciples not worthy?” Many realized this was intentional.

The twelfth leaf fell before the girl beside Chu Tiange.

But she didn’t reach for it. Instead, she blew it gently, letting it land on Zhang Tiedan.

This completely disrupted Chu Tian Gou’s plan.

His expression darkened, but he quickly smiled, “Maiden Peak only accepts disciples eighteen and older. Sorry—if you were eighteen, you’d be eligible.”

“Again with the age discrimination?” Zhang Tiedan was aggrieved, pointing at Chu Tiange, “Why is he allowed?”

“He’s not—Maiden Peak doesn’t take anyone over twenty,” Chu Tian Gou replied, then addressed the girl, “Still, you’re eligible. The leaf landed on this table, clearly fate. I choose you as my disciple.”

“I refuse,” the girl shook her head. “If it was him, I might consider it.”

Chu Tian Gou frowned, then laughed heartily.

“From this day forward, the disciple named Chu Yaya is expelled from Morning Immortal Sect.” Chu Tian Gou, angered, even gave Chu Tiange a new name.

“Girl, you can be my chief disciple, and perhaps my Dao companion, cultivating dual arts with me.” Chu Tian Gou’s gaze softened as he looked at her.

“No, you are not qualified,” she replied calmly.

“My master is the founder, my senior brother is the sect leader, I am a peak master—unqualified? Hah, who do you think you are? Don’t assume that just because we’re in the sect, I can’t deal with you! Don’t refuse a toast only to drink punishment! In Morning Immortal Sect, I am heaven!” Chu Tian Gou threatened darkly.

Just then, amid the tense atmosphere, a voice rang out.

“Jade Ruler Peak’s Elder Liu Xun, here to offer congratulations!”

“Heavenly Treasure Peak’s Elder An Lan, here to offer congratulations!”

All the peak masters except for Altar Peak’s elder gathered.

“Altar Peak, Xie Miaomiao, here to offer congratulations,” another voice announced, this time near Chu Tiange.

This peak master of Altar Peak had been waiting here for some time already.