The small boat gradually moved away from Qiao Mountain Island, parting the waves as it headed towards distant islands.
Some inner disciples or elders of the Dinghu Sect resided within the main sect grounds, while others chose to live on islands within Ding Lake. After paying a certain amount of merit points to the sect, the sect would assign the island to the individual, granting them ten years of residency rights.
The destination Luo Yi was heading towards now was one of these islands.
He rowed the boat alone, traveling across Ding Lake for a long time. Only after confirming that no one was following did he steer the small boat to a quiet little island, stopping on its rear side.
Then, Luo Yi went ashore, entered the courtyard on the bank, passed through a short corridor, and stopped outside a waterside pavilion facing the lake.
The spring breeze blew, gently swaying the dark curtains hanging in the waterside pavilion. Vaguely, a seated figure could be seen within.
"Young Master," Luo Yi bowed towards the figure.
"I've told you, this is the Dinghu Sect. There is no Young Master of the Jiang family here, only a disciple of the Dinghu Sect," the person behind the curtain said gently. "It wouldn't be good if others heard. Besides, you and I are cousins; calling me Young Master seems too distant. Just call me Senior Brother."
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Luo Yi complied, then recounted the events of the day. "Senior Brother, that ungrateful wolf from the branch family, Jiang Li, has now caught the attention of the elders. Should we temporarily let him be?"
Now that Jiang Li had risen to prominence, it was impossible to stop him. Continuing to target him would only expose more of their own strength, which would be unwise.
Therefore, even though Luo Yi wished he could stab this troublesome wolf three times through and six times out, he had to suppress his impulses.
However, the Young Master behind the curtain said, "Do you think those old geezers just want to protect Jiang Li? The only one they truly want to target is me."
"Before we joined the Dinghu Sect, our real names were stripped away. Unless we expose ourselves, even the Dinghu Sect's Dragon Armor Divine Chapter can only divine our fortune; it cannot truly link our bodies to our real names. The old geezers know my identity, and yours, but not those of all the Jiang family disciples."
"Their goal was never to promote Jiang Li, but to find all our kinsmen, to prevent us from obtaining the Ochre Whip."
Speaking here, Jiang Zhuyun's voice clearly carried a trace of resentment.
Luo Yi, however, felt a jolt run through him, like lightning flashing across his mind. "Senior Brother means... those elders might offer a chance to access the Ochre Whip, tempting us to go all out to prevent Jiang Li from winning."
"Hmph, if my guess is correct, if Jiang Li wins to the end on the Wind Cloud Platform, the sect will surely grant a reward, and that reward will be related to the Ochre Whip."
Jiang Zhuyun's voice gradually turned sinister. "Jiang Li is qualified to make the Ochre Whip acknowledge him as master. Even if the chance is minuscule, it's not impossible. They are forcing my Jiang family to act. This is an overt scheme."
As his words concluded, a brilliant golden light suddenly flared, scorching hot, as if a sun had risen within the waterside pavilion.
...
...
[The next day, March 29th.
Guimao Year, Dingsi Month, Bingzi Day. Auspicious for marriage, seeking offspring, consecration ceremonies, and... visiting relatives and friends.]
Jiang Li stuffed the talismans he had drawn overnight into his storage bag, walked out of the Dao Arts Pavilion, passed through Phecda Hall, and under the gazes of numerous disciples along the way, headed towards the Wind Cloud Platform.
After a day of brewing, news of the Wind Cloud Platform opening had spread throughout the entire sect. This contest, limited to Rank 9, had attracted the attention of everyone from both the inner and outer sects. At this moment, Jiang Li was undeniably the most dazzling young man in the Dinghu Sect.
However, this dazzling status was only temporary. He needed to at least win to the end on the Wind Cloud Platform to extend it for a while longer.
Ascending the long stone steps, Jiang Li circled around to the other side of Qiao Mountain. He was now almost halfway up the mountain, and swirling clouds and mist gradually appeared before him.
A platform, ten zhang square, floated in mid-air beyond the cliff ahead, embraced by wind and clouds. Three suspended iron chains leading directly to it swayed continuously in the wind, emitting crisp clanging sounds.
This was the Wind Cloud Platform, the arena for Jiang Li's battles today.
A streak of sword light flashed across the sky and landed on the Wind Cloud Platform, revealing Feng Ziyang's figure. Subsequently, his rhythmic three-character pronouncements echoed in all directions.
"Megrez Hall; Elder's decree; Wind Cloud Platform; victor receives; great reward; transforms tendons; cleanses marrow; improves physique."
Feng Ziyang scanned the surroundings, meeting the expectant gazes of numerous disciples, and said, "All Rank 9; may ascend; defeat Jiang Li; gain reward."
"Good heavens! Transforming tendons and cleansing marrow! Aren't they trying to make you the public enemy of Rank 9, Junior Brother?" a low exclamation suddenly sounded from behind.
[Jiang Li didn't even need to turn around to identify the voice as Qi Changsheng's. This Senior Brother, who should have been squatting in Reflection Valley, was once again wearing the cyan robe of an outer disciple, had applied a simple disguise, and was sneakily following behind Jiang Li. Clearly, Qi Changsheng didn't want to miss today's excitement.]
"Junior Brother, are you confident? This requires you to challenge all of Rank 9," Qi Changsheng couldn't help but ask.
Jiang Li didn't answer him, merely glancing at the Causality Collection.
[Luo Yi has also appeared. He arrived here early and has been waiting for a long time. When he heard about transforming tendons and cleansing marrow, clear panic appeared on his face, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.]
'Transforming tendons and cleansing marrow, what's the mystery here?' Jiang Li couldn't help but wonder.
As far as he knew, transforming tendons and cleansing marrow was just a refinement of the body, at most elevating one's innate constitution and talent by one level. For an ordinary Rank 9 disciple, such a reward was indeed an opportunity, but for someone like Luo Yi with connections, it wasn't entirely unattainable.
He couldn't possibly be this anxious just seeing Jiang Li potentially getting an opportunity, could he?
Jiang Li felt there must be something more to it.
"The bigger the waves, the more valuable the fish; the greater the risk, the richer the reward."
Jiang Li took the banner from yesterday out of his storage bag, threw it forward to plant it on the cliff edge, and announced loudly, "If you want to challenge me, pay the fee first. Two hundred merit points, pay to get on the platform."
"On what grounds?" someone immediately shouted.
"On the grounds that if I don't accept the challenge, none of you will have a chance to get the tendon transformation and marrow cleansing!"
Jiang Li hung his disciple jade token on the banner and turned back to Qi Changsheng. "Senior Brother, help me keep an eye out, don't let anyone sneak through without paying."
"Huh?"
Qi Changsheng's mouth dropped open as he felt a sword-like gaze shoot towards him from the Wind Cloud Platform.
"Two-eight split," Jiang Li added.
Although earning merit points this way slightly diminished his image, making money isn't shameful.
Jiang Li's face had thickened considerably back when he was writing books. Now, while not quite impenetrable, it was enough to face wind and clouds with a smile, unfazed by honor or disgrace, having reached the superior mental state of "not being overjoyed by external gains, nor saddened by personal losses."
With that said, Jiang Li leaped onto the iron chains. After several nimble movements, he landed on the Wind Cloud Platform, showcasing exquisite lightness skill.
[This is indeed:
A golden fish is not meant for a mere pond; meeting wind and clouds, it transforms into a dragon.
Hmm, fitting, quite fitting, just slightly ominous.]