Chapter 26: Talents of the Five Continents

The young girl’s emotions were clearly turbulent as she spoke. Watching her grit her teeth, it was evident that she held a murderous grudge against the cannibalistic monks of the Moro Sect.

Having known her for so long, this was the first time Wan Yi had seen her in such a state, so he couldn't help but ask for the reason. She did not hold back, recounting the origins of the injury on her face from when she was a child.

Listening to Zhou Tong’s story, Wan Yi finally understood. The scar on her face had been inflicted by those cannibalistic monks. However, the root cause lay with their own Sect Master, Lin Qiaosheng. If not for his personal vendetta against those monks, they would never have come seeking revenge; and if they hadn't come for revenge, Zhou Tong would never have been harmed.

Learning this, it suddenly clicked for Wan Yi. He couldn't help but curse inwardly, "How insidious!"

"So, I spent all night doing the dirty work, only to end up serving as a pawn for the Sect Master! Killing Lin Junxiu, blowing up Junxiu Peak—I left no trail, making it a cold case. If the truth came out, the Sect Master would lose all face. By pinning the entire affair on the Moro Sect, he not only preserves his own reputation but also stirs up conflict, using others' hands to settle his own personal scores. Impressive! I have to say, this old schemer is truly something else!"

As he was lost in thought, Zhou Tong suddenly called out, "Father, why are you here?"

The call brought Wan Yi back to reality. He turned to see Zhou Shuo observing him with a warm expression. Wan Yi hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Peak Master!"

Zhou Shuo nodded with a smile. "Not bad, little one. Only a night has passed, and you’ve already reached the Foundation Establishment stage!"

Zhou Tong was startled. She had been so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed the change in Wan Yi. Now, hearing her father’s words, she realized he truly had reached Foundation Establishment and exclaimed with delight, "Oh! Little Yi, you really did it!"

Wan Yi gave her a smile and bowed to Zhou Shuo once more. "I was only able to succeed by the grace of the pills you bestowed upon me, Peak Master. I am deeply grateful."

Zhou Tong realized what had happened; before leaving yesterday, her father had indeed given Wan Yi a storage bag filled with all kinds of pills—for Qi cultivation, healing, and even several Foundation Establishment pills.

Zhou Shuo gestured for Wan Yi to rise, then said with a laugh, "You have a commendable temperament. I gave you the pills, yes, but you still needed the talent to succeed. Now that you have reached Foundation Establishment, would you be willing to join my sect as an outer disciple?"

Before Wan Yi could speak, Zhou Tong jumped up, grabbed his arm, and urged, "Little Yi, hurry up and say yes!"

Zhou Shuo shook his head helplessly and looked at Wan Yi, "What do you say?"

Wan Yi quickly knelt again and saluted, "This disciple is willing."

"Good," Zhou Shuo nodded. "I will inform the Hall of External Affairs later. Once you have finished your current duties, you may report to the outer sect."

The "duties" Zhou Shuo referred to were, naturally, Wan Yi’s job of hauling manure. But Wan Yi frowned slightly at this. In the past, he would have been desperate to escape this "manure-hauler" life. Things were different now; he harbored too many secrets. It would be far more convenient to remain as he was than to live among the other outer sect disciples at the Alchemy Peak.

He stepped forward and said, "Peak Master, please allow me to continue with my current work. I promise that my alchemy training will not suffer because of it."

Zhou Shuo was so taken aback he laughed. "Oh? You, boy, have you developed an addiction to hauling manure?"

Wan Yi gave a wry smile. "Who would want to do that? But if I don't, other junior brothers will have to. It's bitter and exhausting work, and everyone looks down on it. Anyone else would find it unbearable! I’ve been doing it for half a year and have grown used to it—please, just let me continue."

Zhou Shuo’s expression shifted, as if he were seeing a different side of Wan Yi. He asked seriously, "Are you certain?"

"I am."

"Very well. Since you are certain, I will not force you."

"Thank you, Peak Master."

At that moment, Zhou Tong asked, "Father, did you come here specifically to find me?"

Zhou Shuo smiled indulgently. "Of course."

"What for?"

Zhou Shuo looked toward the direction of the Main Peak. "The Sect Master just sent word. Representatives from the top ten righteous sects of the Five Continents have arrived. We are to meet and discuss the formation of a Cultivation Alliance. They have brought their most outstanding young disciples with them, and I want you to go and observe. Interact with those peers to broaden your horizons."

"Since Wan Yi has reached Foundation Establishment, the two of you should go together. Afterward, take him to the Hall of Merit to choose a cultivation technique; as a Foundation Establishment disciple, he is now qualified."

Zhou Tong was overjoyed. She grabbed Wan Yi and started running, calling back to her father, "Father, we're off then!"

Watching them depart, Zhou Shuo shook his head with a sigh. "Daughters are like water spilled; they never look back!" With that, he turned into a streak of light and flew toward the Main Peak.

Meanwhile, at the Hall of External Affairs of the Haohan Sect, several arenas had been erected in the square. Outstanding disciples from various sects gathered. While their masters held meetings on the Main Peak, the disciples were busy sparring and exchanging techniques.

When Zhou Tong and Wan Yi arrived, the duels were already underway. Seeing disciples in all manner of colorful attire, Wan Yi felt overwhelmed. He whispered to Zhou Tong, "Girl, do you know which sects they are all from?"

The question stumped her. Because of the scar on her face, she had rarely traveled, and she couldn't distinguish the disciples by their robes. She replied with a sheepish shake of her head, "I don't know either."

Suddenly, a large, round head poked in from behind them. A chubby face beamed at Zhou Tong, "Junior Sister, you could have just asked me! Your Second Senior Brother is the Haohan Sect’s walking encyclopedia."

The fat man then turned to Wan Yi, teasing, "So, you're the 'manure-hauler,' are you? You’re quite a character to slap Zhu Peng in the face right in front of the Junxiu Peak Master! But tell me, what on earth were you thinking?!"

Looking at the man’s punchable face, Wan Yi frowned and couldn't help but snap, "Fatty, go to hell, you annoying nuisance. Who the hell are you?!"