Meeting at the Summit

"They won't send any useless people with us.", Yu Hao spoke in a low voice and glanced at Zhang Baichi.

The latter looked back at him and raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"The Ji and Lu family usually provide people among the top. Though with Ji Jian gone, it's likely that the Ji family will fall of a bit this year.", Yu Hao snickered with schadenfreude.

Zhang Baichi didn't comment on that. "Do you know who the two families will send?"

Yu Hao thought for a moment. "The Lu family will most likely send Lu Zheng, who's at the 10th Layer and Lu Hao, who recently reached the 9th. As for the Ji family, I'm not sure. Ji Jian was their best. I guess Ji Yin will take his place."

"You think they'll hold a grudge?", Zhang Baichi said off-handily.

"Oh, the Ji family will. Definitely. But even they won't dare endanger everyone in the Beastwilds Mystic Realm." Yu Hao was well informed about the inner workings of the sect and could provide clear insights.

Jian Fu had slowed down a bit while the other participants with them were listening in on the conversation between Zhang Baichi and Yu Hao.

Naturally, the two had noticed this as well, but that was fine. Given Zhang Baichi's strength and status, they were certain that he would be the team's leader this year.

And Yu Hao's status as the son of Head Instructor Yu, an Elder, was also well known. His own strength also placed him amongst the top of the bracket.

"In the past, there were often clashes between the Jian, Ji, and Lu families. I hope you will keep them in check this year, brat.", Jian Fu suddenly spoke up.

"Elder Jian, you worry too much. With Young Master Zhang, Young master Yu and me here, the Ji and Lu families won't be able to wrest power away.", a scrawny young man spoke from the side with a big smile.

He was over two meters tall with long limbs and a carefree expression on his face. Unlike Yu Hao, he wore the usual light cyan martial artist's robes that all Outer Disciples wore.

"Yun Ye. He's also at the 10th Layer of the Body Forging Realm.", Yu Hao whispered in a voice only audible to Zhang Baichi. "Don't be deceived by his scrawny look; His physical strength is extraordinary."

"I see. Thanks.", Zhang Baichi answered. 'System, give me a scan of that Yun Ye."

[Ding! Yun Ye, 14 years old, 10th Layer of the Body Forging Realm.]

'Only 14? Isn't he more talented than Ji Jian, then?', Zhang Baichi stared at Yun Ye from behind, while Jian Fu frowned. "Take this seriously, kid. You're not invincible in the Body Forging Realm, not to mention the Mystic Realm."

He also glanced at Zhang Baichi while speaking. Clearly, this warning was also meant for him. Zhang Baichi frowned. 'Not invincible? Is he saying there's someone stronger than me in the Body Forging Realm?'

Zhang Baichi didn't want to sound arrogant, so he said nothing. But from what he had experience in the sect so far, there shouldn't be anyone that could match him in the Body Forging Realm.

'Is he talking about those outsiders that might join the Broad Wisdom Sect?' The Sect Master had already warned Zhang Baichi about those before and Jian Fu might be doing the same now.

Yun Ye smiled the same as before and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Sorry, Elder."

"As long as you know." Jian Fu shook his head. "Let's speed up. The Sect Master will tell you about the rest. We're in the Inner Sect now, so behave yourselves."

As Jian Fu had commanded, their group sped up and entered the Inner Sect. Along the way, many people looked at them, some with envy, others with simple curiosity.

Most often though, people would lightly bow to Jian Fu and then go on with their day, ignoring the Outer Sect disciples entirely.

This was the arrogance of those with higher cultivation, which was never an unusual sight for any of the disciples, nor for Zhang Baichi.

A few hours later, they had reached the Core Area and Jian Fu once again warned them to behave themselves and be respectful.

'We're going all the way up the summit? Master is serious about this Mystic Realm, huh.', Zhang Baichi mused to himself.

As far as he knew, it was rare for anyone to be allowed near the summit. Even the Elders and most important people of the sect could only stay at the Core Area, quite a bit away from the summit.

The Outer Sect disciples slowly became more fidgety and even Yu Hao showed a serious expression.

The Sect Master was known to be the strongest expert within the sect and he rarely showed himself, much less to the Outer Sect disciples.

When he appeared on the stage during the fight between Ji Jian and Zhang Baichi, everyone bowed, not just as a formality, but out of genuine respect and reverence for this powerful martial artist.

Zhang Baichi and Jian Fu were the only ones that could remain calm as both of them already knew Jian Wubai.

For the first time, Zhang Baichi really realized what a monumental thing it was to have been chosen as the Sect Master's disciple.

It didn't take too long to reach the summit, as they were following Jian Fu and didn't take any stops in between.

The summit was as serene as always, but there were two big tables set up in front of Jian Wubai's cottage. Jian Fu led the Outer Sect disciples closer and met up with two old men.

Zhang Baichi recognized one of them as Ji Tianye, the head of the Ji family. The other, burly old man next to him was thus quickly identified as the Lu family leader.

A respectful distance away from the two men stood four youths; Two from each family, and among them was Lu Hao, who tried to poison Zhang Baichi with poisoned Blood Pills.

Since Jian Fu had left the disciples on their own and was talking with the Lu and Ji family heads, Zhang Baichi naturally took the lead with Yu Hao by his side and led them to the other four youths.

With a cold light in his eyes, Zhang Baichi came close and smiled at Lu Hao. "Brother Lu, I haven't seen you in a while. I still didn't have the chance to thank you for your help and the bottle of Blood Pills you gave me."

"Brother Zhang, it's been a while indeed." The usually dependable and stoic Lu Hao from Zhang Baichi's memories was now fidgeting around and not daring to meet Zhang Baichi's gaze.

"Lu Hao, let's be real. We won't be friends anymore and that won't change in the future. If you come at me again, do it openly.", Zhang Baichi said in a flat tone.

His eyes were no longer fixated on Lu Hao but on the youth that had positioned himself between the two of them with a calm gaze.

"Young Master Zhang, what's in the past is in the past. Lu Hao won't stand in your way in the future, so I hope you'll give me face.", the young man spoke.

Zhang Baichi could clearly feel that this young man was in the 10th Layer of the Body Forging Realm as well. His strength even felt superior to Ji Jian, surprising Zhang Baichi.

He sighed and nodded lightly, then smiled again. "There's no need to address me as Young Master. Feel free to call me by my name. And you are?"

"Lu Zheng.", the young man held out his hands to Zhang Baichi.

Zhang Baichi shook his hand and smiled. "Oh, so you're Lu Zheng. I've heard of you. Though I have to say, you're more impressive than the rumours make you out to be."

"Thank you for the compliment. I prefer to keep a rather low profile." Lu Zheng smiled as well now.

"I assume these two friends are from the Ji family then?" Zhang Baichi loosened the handshake and looked at the remaining two people, one man and one woman.

The young woman looked at him with a cold gaze, her hands held still by her side. "Ji Yin."

Zhang Baichi nodded and looked at the young man. Unlike the woman, the latter didn't even bother to hide his emotions in front of Zhang Baichi. "Ji Yuan. Ji Jian's cousin."

"I see.", Zhang Baichi spoke. He nodded with an indifferent face. "Sorry for your loss."

"You-!", Ji Yuan wanted to step forward, but the young woman, Ji Yin, stopped him. Her gaze had become colder as she stared at Zhang Baichi. "Thank you for your condolence, Young Master Zhang."

The atmosphere was tense, but Zhang Baichi didn't care about them at all. 'Though they're holding a grudge, as expected.'

A squeaking noise came from the wooden cottage and Zhang Baichi turned around. He wouldn't bother with these Ji family cultivators as long as they didn't start anything.

All eyes were on the wooden cottage as Jian Wubai leisurely walked out with a faint smile on his face.

The three Elder bowed and greeted him lightly. After them, Zhang Baichi stepped forward. "Disciple Zhang Baichi greets Master."

He bowed with his hands cupped in front of his chest.

The remaining disciple hurriedly bowed in the same respectful manner and greeted him. "Greetings, Sect Master!"