Chapter Twenty-Two: A Subtle Difference in Words

The masters of the three great peaks had all arrived. With the addition of the new young mistress of Maiden Peak, Chu Tiange, all four peak masters were gathered in the Morning Sun Hall.

It had been a millennium since the former Maiden Peak master, Xiao Yicai, assumed the role of sect leader, and never again had the four major peak masters assembled together.

Chu Tiange glanced beside him, where Zhang Tiedan stared in shock at the young girl.

“Shui Duoduo… Xie Miao-miao. You’re the master of Immortal Altar Peak?” Chu Tiange was astonished. This porcelain doll of a girl, who had brazenly declared she would buy him for a night, was actually the master of Immortal Altar Peak.

She was a mighty cultivator of the Forgetful Realm!

“So it’s Senior Sister Xie,” Chu Tiange’s face changed instantly atop the dais, hurriedly clasping his hands in salute. “It’s all a misunderstanding. I didn’t realize you were Senior Sister Xie.”

The girl paid him no mind, blinking her eyes as she addressed the person beside her, “Well? One thousand one hundred middle-grade spirit stones for a night, or a monthly rate—thirty-one high-grade stones! Think carefully; my status far surpasses Zhao Yiren and Lu Shiqi of the Water Moon Sect. Those two girls would need at least another century to reach my level.”

Xie Miao-miao was right. As a cultivator of the Forgetful Realm, any casual gesture would shake the world; her ‘soft rice’ was far tastier than what Lu Shiqi or Zhao Yiren could offer.

But Chu Tiange was not one to live off such indulgences.

“Thank you for your kindness, but I’ll pass.” Chu Tiange shook his head.

He was a man of honor; how could he let women have their way with him?

The ten thousand disciples all stared wide-eyed—even the Immortal Altar Peak master had fallen for him? Yet he refused such a tempting offer?

The male disciples gnashed their teeth; they truly coveted this opportunity. This was not just Shui Duoduo—it promised boundless riches.

“Xuanyuan Peak! Elder Zhang Fu has arrived!”

“Luozhi Peak! Elder Huang Xuan has arrived!”

One after another, powerful figures arrived—some familiar, some strangers—all bearing goodwill, or rather, reverence, to witness this historic moment.

They came to see who might win the heart of the sect leader, who would entrust Maiden Peak and her cherished memories of the past.

Master of Jade Ruler Peak, Liu Xun, strode past Chu Tiange, casting him a deep, disdainful glance, but still said, “If I told you, would you let Yiren go and be with Junior Sister Xie? Everything Yiren has, she has. Everything Yiren lacks, she also possesses.”

“Then why not be with you? Don’t you have it all?” Chu Tiange retorted with a wry smile, openly appraising Liu Xun’s flawless figure.

Liu Xun fell silent for a long time before finally speaking, “In the past, such disrespect would not be tolerated. But now, perhaps I could consider it—if only to sever Yiren’s hopes.”

“My heavens, isn’t Elder Liu Xun Zhao Yiren’s master? What’s going on? Even Liu Xun is interested in Chu Tiange? Is she sacrificing herself for her beloved disciple?”

The disciples murmured in amazement.

Chu Tiange narrowed his eyes, gazing at Liu Xun for a long while before sighing softly and cupping his hands, “Elder Liu, your favor overwhelms me. But as you are a senior, it’s best we not pursue this.”

“No, at most I am a mature woman,” Liu Xun replied, shaking her head.

“This is too much!” On the dais, Chu Tianqiu’s mouth had gone dry, his blood boiling in his veins.

Damn it! What sort of monster is Chu Tiange, to be favored by two peak masters, both wishing to dual cultivate with him?

Just a single word, yet such a vast difference.

“But it’s fine. I still have twelve female disciples—not as beautiful or elegant, perhaps, but their number ensures endless variety.”

Chu Tianqiu scanned the crowd, searching for another female disciple not inferior to those he’d previously selected.

As he looked, a robust figure appeared before him. Though dressed in simple clothes, nothing could conceal the powerful muscles beneath; his body seemed to brim with explosive energy, causing Chu Tianqiu’s eyes to narrow sharply.

“Senior Brother An Lan?” Chu Tianqiu swallowed, but quickly composed himself.

He was no longer the person he once was. Although An Lan was a cultivator of the Forgetful Realm, they were both peak masters now, their status equal—no reason to fear.

“Who are you? Why are you sitting here?” An Lan’s voice was deep and thunderous, intimidating all who heard it.

Chu Tianqiu froze. This was his inauguration; all the peak masters had come to congratulate him. Why was Senior Brother An Lan questioning him?

“Senior Brother An Lan, it’s me, Chu Tianqiu,” he replied cautiously.

An Lan’s gaze was icy. “I asked, why are you sitting here?”

“I…” Chu Tianqiu was tongue-tied, but finally said, “I am the new master of Maiden Peak, so naturally I sit here.”

An Lan laughed coldly.

“Hm?” Chu Tianqiu frowned, sensing something was amiss.

Suddenly, his vision blurred as if someone had slapped him.

At that moment, exclamations rang throughout the hall.

The disciples saw that the new Elder Chu on the dais had been slapped by Elder An Lan.

“I’ll ask again—why are you sitting here?” An Lan repeated.

Faced with the sudden turn of events, Chu Tianqiu burst into tears, his left cheek swollen, his mouth barely able to form words. “I am the master of Maiden Peak, so I’m sitting here.”

Smack!

An Lan struck him again.

This time, Chu Tianqiu’s right cheek swelled.

“Keep talking—why are you sitting here?” An Lan’s gaze was fierce, pressing him harder.

“I won’t sit! I won’t!” Chu Tianqiu wailed in grievance.

“Fool! Is it your place to sit here? Get out!”

An Lan’s hand swung once more, the force so great it sent Chu Tianqiu flying.

Spitting blood on the plaza, Chu Tianqiu fainted.

The entire hall fell silent.

The scene was utterly bizarre.

Chu Tianqiu had been publicly struck three times by Elder An Lan, sent flying from the seat of honor.

Why? Did they harbor enmity?

Soon, everyone saw Peak Master An Lan turn to the crowd, smiling as he clasped his hands, “An Lan offers congratulations to Junior Brother Chu. Please take your seat!”

The audience was stunned, turning to look outside at Chu Tianqiu, bloodied and unconscious, all secretly alarmed by Peak Master An Lan’s antics.

Liu Xun and Xie Miao-miao likewise clasped their hands, “We invite Junior Brother Chu to take the seat!”

“Then I shall gladly accept.”

A voice rang out.

Everyone watched as the man beside Xie Miao-miao wiped his face, stood, and strode toward the dais to face An Lan.

“Senior Brother An Lan, I trust you won’t slap me and send me flying as well?”