Chapter 74: On The Mountain Peak
Qi Bei secretly ordered Xiao Jiu to remove the binding magic on the three elf girls.
As soon as the three of them regained their freedom, they rushed to Murong Xingchen.
“Star Master, why did you come? Did this shameless guy threaten you with us?” Yan Ling said, staring angrily at Qi Bei behind them.
Qi Bei shrugged and walked out, leaving them to sort things out on their own.
“Lord…” As soon as Qi Bei came out, Du Shou, who was full of alcohol, rushed over and knelt in front of him.
“What are you doing?” Qi Bei frowned.
“I beg the Lord to accept me. Du Shou is willing to be the Lord’s vanguard and risk his life without hesitation,” Du Shou said loudly.
“You’re not qualified to be my vanguard,” Qi Bei said with a sneer.
Du Shou’s face turned red and he said loudly, “I have only one life and I am not afraid of death.”
“Not afraid of death? You pushed your own sister into the fire pit for your own future, and you can betray me in the future for your own benefit just as easily. How can I trust you?” Qi Bei said indifferently.
“I… I didn’t mean to harm my sister, I just…” Du Shou gritted his teeth. He had imposed his own ideas on Du Ling, thinking that power and wealth were the only sources of happiness.
“I see that you still don’t understand the situation. Here’s what I’ll do for you: you’ll be responsible for cleaning the soldier’s clothes and sweeping the camp every day from now on,” Qi Bei said indifferently. If it weren’t for Du Shou’s conscience and bravery at the last moment, he wouldn’t have paid any attention to such a person.
“Yes, Lord, I will do it well,” Du Shou said loudly.
Qi Bei ignored him and walked into the room.
In a corner of the yard, Du Ling watched this scene and felt a sense of gratitude in her heart.
In the past few days, she had seen the Black Armored Army’s deep respect and admiration for Qi Bei, as well as their impressive discipline and strength. The chaotic mercenary groups in West Spirit City were like a bunch of amateurs compared to them. She believed that Qi Bei would have no problem taking over the city.
If her brother could also become one of them, it would be a great honor.
In the camp, Yan Ling was complaining to Murong Xingchen, “Why should he only give us 20% of the profits? If we unite to drive away the Blood Wolves and Shadow Clan, we should get at least 40%.”
“Our Star Mercenary Corps is already under his control, and you are also in his hands. 20% is already pretty good,” Murong Xingchen said faintly.
“Ah, he only has around 200 people, while our Star Mercenary Corps has over 8,000.” Yan Ling exclaimed in surprise.
“Yes, even if his soldiers are powerful, how can they possibly defeat forty times their number?” Ru Feng also asked with her mouth open.
“I don’t really understand either, but that’s the reality,” Murong Xingchen sighed. She still didn’t understand how her 8,000 mercenaries had been subdued by Qi Bei.
The three women fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, Piao Xue pouted and said, “Our profits are only twenty percent left, doesn’t that mean it’s even more difficult to reach our goals?”
“There will always be a way,” Murong Xingchen’s beautiful eyes dimmed for a moment before she changed the subject, “Has he bullied you in these past few days?”
“No, he hasn’t. Oh wait, he did bully Yan Ling,” Ru Feng said.
Murong Xingchen’s gaze turned cold, and the atmosphere suddenly became a bit oppressive.
“No, it’s not like that. He’s not really that kind of person…” Yan Ling glared at Ru Feng and quickly explained, feeling a bit embarrassed as she recounted the incident when Qi Bei accidentally caught a glimpse of her chest.
Murong Xingchen’s gaze softened at this point. She didn’t trust that shameless guy, but she couldn’t help but recall the feeling of that kiss. At that time, the electric and tingling sensation had been so intense that she hadn’t been able to resist it.
“Yan Ling, do you like him now? He looked at your treasure, and you’re still speaking up for him,” Piao Xue giggled.
“I don’t like him, but… even though he’s a bit shameless, he has his own limits. If he really wanted to do something to us, he would have done it already,” Yan Ling defended.
“You do like him, don’t you? Ru Feng, don’t you think so too?”
“Yeah, Yan Ling is happy about being looked at,” Ru Feng also teased.
“You two annoying girls, watch me tear your mouths apart,” Yan Ling blushed and charged towards the two elves, playfully bickering with them.
Murong Xingchen watched the three girls and a soft smile appeared in her eyes.
………
The Heavenly Mountain Peak, measuring forty thousand meters from the foot of the mountain to the top, was also known as the “Mountain that Reaches the Heavens”.
This was the entrance to the Heavenly Mountain Peak, one of the five Holy Lands. There were nine checkpoints along the way from the ten thousand meter point at the foot of the mountain to the peak at forty thousand meters.
Once a disciple entered through this gate, they would be at the lowest level of the mountain at ten thousand meters. After undergoing cultivation, if they believed they had the strength to pass the checkpoints, they would enter the checkpoints and attempt to pass the first one. In case they passed, their status would be raised, and they would enjoy better treatment.
This was how disciples of the Heavenly Mountain Peak spent almost their entire lives attempting to pass the checkpoints. Once they passed the third checkpoint, they would immediately be promoted to an inner disciple. If they passed the sixth checkpoint, they would become a core disciple. Finally, once a disciple passed the ninth checkpoint, they would become an elder of the Heavenly Mountain Peak.
Compared to ordinary disciples, some core disciples or apprentices accepted by elders may enjoy a much higher treatment, but in order to truly gain recognition and respect, they must also pass through each level from the bottom.
Nine checkpoints, nine steps to the sky! Katie rode on the Wind Spirit Crane with Ming Yue, piercing through the thick clouds, and was about to reach the entrance of Heavenly Mountain Peak.
At this moment, Katie was explaining the rules of the sect to Ming Yue.
Just as they were about to land, suddenly, a loud noise came from the top of the mountain, followed by the deep sound of a bell, causing ripples of airwaves to spread out in all directions.
“Master, what’s happening?” Ming Yue asked in surprise.
“Somebody passed the ninth checkpoint and rang the bell at the top of the mountain. From now on, there will be an 18th elder of Heavenly Mountain Peak,” Katie said, her gaze showing some complexity. She had been stuck at the ninth checkpoint several times.
Suddenly, a burst of magical light shot up from the top of the mountain, scattering the clouds.
A huge magical mirror appeared in the azure sky, showing a graceful figure wearing a blue robe. She was an enchanting and unparalleled woman, standing under a huge bell on the mountaintop. Her face was somewhat pale, and her hair was wet with sweat, but her bewitching aura was even stronger.
“Yao Rao, it’s her…” Katie was stunned for a moment. Previously, she was just an Earth-grade mage who had only passed the seventh checkpoint. How could she suddenly pass the ninth checkpoint?
“Master, who is she?” Ming Yue asked.
“She is my fellow disciple, a genius who stands on the shoulders of giants,” Katie said.
“Shoulders of giants? You mean, by entering Heavenly Mountain Peak, she’s standing on the shoulders of giants?” Ming Yue didn’t quite understand, but Katie had no intention of explaining further.