Chapter Thirty-One: Fellow Disciples

Nuo Tian glanced at Guo Yue beside him. “Miss Guo, have you made up your mind? If you are unwilling, I will not force you.”

Guo Yue did not respond immediately. After a brief pause, she lifted her gaze and looked directly at him. “Though I am but a woman, what I promise, I always fulfill. Moreover, I know you are not a wicked man, so I am willing to become your attendant and serve at your side.”

Nuo Tian nodded. “Since you have made your decision, you may stay by my side. This young girl is also my attendant; you two can get to know each other.”

Guo Yue shifted her gaze to Yi Xin, who was equally beautiful. “Greetings, sister,” she said, bowing. Yi Xin was not a difficult or arrogant girl; she walked over warmly and took Guo Yue’s small hand. “You may call me Yi Xin, sister. I am happy to serve the young master with you.”

The crowd looked at Nuo Tian with envy—two extraordinary beauties as his attendants; what fortune was this? But considering Nuo Tian’s possible identity, they could accept that such blessings were fitting.

Everyone sat together, though Yi Xin and Guo Yue remained standing nearby. Zhang Xianba also stood to the side at this moment. Once everyone was seated, several maids brought a variety of delicacies.

Guo Tian, seated beside Nuo Tian, spoke, “Since my daughter has become your attendant, I hope you will take good care of her.” Nuo Tian only nodded.

Then Guo Tian asked, “Forgive me for being presumptuous, but are you a cultivator?” Seeing the attention of the others, Nuo Tian replied, “I am a disciple of the Path of the Reverse Dragon.”

Though they had already guessed this, hearing it confirmed was still surprising. Everyone became a little uneasy. Though they held high status in the secular world, before a cultivator, their positions meant little. So, a certain restraint settled over the group.

Guo Tian composed himself and said respectfully, “Since you are a disciple of the Path of the Reverse Dragon, all of this is only natural.”

Suddenly, Nuo Tian grew curious. “I recall your gathering was said to concern a matter of life and death. What is it exactly?”

Guo Tian was delighted that Nuo Tian brought it up, as he had struggled to find a way to explain. Now he began directly. “You may not know, but I too am a disciple of the Path of the Reverse Dragon. However, due to my limited aptitude, I was sent to the secular world of Yun Teng Kingdom.”

Nuo Tian nodded, indicating he understood. Yun Teng was within the sphere of the Path of the Reverse Dragon, so any expert of the Human Hero Realm was likely connected to it. He had already suspected Guo Tian’s affiliation.

Guo Tian continued without delay. “Most here have ties to the Path of the Reverse Dragon. Our sect supported the founding of major clans and sects, establishing influence in the secular world to gather resources and territory for the sect. But the central region is home to many sects, each supporting secular powers in a similar fashion. Yun Teng sits at the outer edge and interacts with other sect influences frequently.”

Nuo Tian realized he had traveled thousands of miles from the core of the Path of the Reverse Dragon and was now at its periphery.

“There are five kingdoms bordering Yun Teng, each belonging to a different sect. The competition here at the fringes is fierce. Ten years ago, Yun Teng was the weakest among the secular powers, always losing ground to rivals. That is why I was sent to guard this place. Though there are cultivators in the secular world, they are all Human Hero Realm. It’s not that Soul Spirit Realm experts can’t appear, but none are interested in such matters—having reached that level, most focus on trials or secluded cultivation.”

Nuo Tian found this credible. Cultivation is a struggle against fate, and few things in the mundane world benefit cultivators. Frequent exposure to secular affairs can taint one’s spirit—a subtle but real effect, hindering progress toward greater power. Guo Tian had reached the Human Hero Realm ten years ago, yet remained at the same level, with only the aura of a recent breakthrough. Thus, for cultivators, breaking away from the secular world is crucial.

After hearing Guo Tian’s detailed account, Nuo Tian understood the reason for the gathering.

It turned out that the five neighboring kingdoms had advanced rapidly in recent years, though none surpassed Yun Teng, which belonged to the Path of the Reverse Dragon. Recently, someone in Yun Teng discovered a forbidden site, possibly a legacy left by a cultivator, though its origins were uncertain. Even after reporting it, the Path of the Reverse Dragon paid little attention; such discoveries occur every year, usually remnants of Human Hero or Soul Spirit Realm cultivators—great treasures for ordinary people, but insignificant for cultivators.

Six months ago, news of this legacy leaked, reaching the surrounding powers. None could summon a Soul Spirit Realm expert; otherwise, it would have been seized already. The site is near the borders of the five kingdoms, making it difficult for Yun Teng to claim. Each kingdom has figures comparable to Guo Tian.

Such legacies mean little to the sects, but Guo Tian and his peers did not want it to fall into rival hands, fearing it might boost their strength dramatically. So, Guo Tian and the royal family selected a group of experts to seize or, failing that, destroy the legacy to prevent others from gaining it.

To choose the best candidates, they turned to the martial world—where people are tempered by life-and-death trials and possess broader skills. Guo Tian used the pretext of a martial contest to gather everyone. The prospect of selecting a husband for his beloved daughter was also part of his reasoning; the victor would become his son-in-law, lead the group, and if they secured the legacy, claim the greatest share—ensuring outsiders gained nothing.

Though some matters remained unsaid, Nuo Tian understood Guo Tian’s original intent, which meant little to him and so he did not dwell on it.

Suddenly, Nuo Tian recalled that Guo Tian had said the matter was resolved before the contest began. What did that mean? Without hesitation, Nuo Tian voiced his question.

As soon as he spoke, a voice came to his ear, startling him. “I can help you, junior brother, with this question.”

It was a voice transmitted across space. From its aura, Nuo Tian sensed another disciple of the Path of the Reverse Dragon present, seemingly of a higher realm—at the peak of the Soul Spirit Realm. This must be the cultivator whose presence he had detected at the inn, hidden from view.

Guo Tian hesitated, unsure whether to speak. The others looked at him too. When Guo Tian had first gathered them, the plan was only just forming, but the next day he announced the matter resolved, surprising everyone. They presumed the chosen experts would come from the major sects, excluding wandering martial artists, hence Guo Tian’s declaration. But now, reflecting back, it seemed things were not so simple.

Nuo Tian already understood. Seeing Guo Tian’s hesitation, he said, “You needn’t explain. I already know.”

Guo Tian stared at Nuo Tian in astonishment, then raised his cup to toast him. Nuo Tian lifted his own and nodded lightly.

He looked at the others. “I have some matters to attend to. Please continue without me.”

Yi Xin saw that the young master intended to leave and prepared to follow, but Nuo Tian said, “Xin’er, stay here with Yue. I will come find you later.”

Guo Yue was surprised by the intimate way Nuo Tian addressed her. She felt odd—she was likely older than him—but responded sensibly, “If you have matters to attend to, young master, please go ahead. I will take good care of Xin’er.”

Nuo Tian nodded and, with a flicker, vanished in a phantom. The display amazed everyone; such abilities were far beyond those of ordinary people.

Guo Tian pondered Nuo Tian’s sudden departure, then called for the feast to continue.

Nuo Tian quickly appeared in the rear mountains of Yi Shan—a dense forest, rarely visited.

A voice called out, “You’re in quite the hurry, junior brother! You left the banquet unfinished just to come here!”

The words were teasing, light-hearted.

Nuo Tian turned toward the voice and saw a young man in white robes, arms folded around a sword across his chest, smiling at him.

Nuo Tian smiled in return. “I am Nuo Tian of the Path of the Reverse Dragon. May I ask your name, senior brother?”

The white-robed man grinned. “Junior brother, you’re rather coy. You tell me you’re a disciple of the Path of the Reverse Dragon, but not which peak or hall you belong to. But never mind. I am Cang Song, chief disciple of Cang Yun Peak, Path of the Reverse Dragon.”