Chapter 107: The Battle for Sect Leadership (Part Two)

“What's the matter? Brother Yue afraid now? If you’re scared, just back out,” Zuo Lengchan said coldly.

“Uncle, may I speak?” Yue Buqun didn’t look at Zuo Lengchan but turned to Yang Xin.

“Go ahead.”

“A name should be justified and proper. Since it’s a merger of the three peaks, calling it the Five Peaks Sect isn’t quite right. Calling it the Three Peaks Sect sounds off. Uncle, you are originally from the Immortal Realm. Though you don’t reside here permanently, this merger is your legacy in this world. Therefore, I hope you will name the sect.”

Yue Buqun spoke with composure.

“What do you suggest?” Yang Xin was too lazy to think of a name. Five Peaks Sect or Three Peaks Sect, or even the Sand Sculpture Sect—it made no difference to him. Yang Xin was here to reap the harvest.

“How about Immortal Peak Sect? ‘Immortal’ represents your identity, Uncle, and also signifies that our sect is not just a martial arts sect but one of cultivation. ‘Peak’ stands for the three peaks. What do you think, Uncle?” Yue Buqun said calmly.

“Old Yue, your surname already contains the character for ‘peak.’ You claim you have no bias? Well, some trivial matters don’t need fuss. Immortal Peak Sect it is.”

Yang Xin said this and then looked at Zuo Lengchan mischievously. “Old Zuo, are you sure you want to contend with Old Yue for the position of sect leader? You’re no match for him now.”

“I understand that Brother Yue has followed you for many years and gained considerable immortal fortune, but a true man must know what to pursue and what to forgo. I must fight for the sect leader position; otherwise, I won’t be content!” Zuo Lengchan said gravely.

“A true man knows what to do and what not to do! Such resolve deserves reward—open your mouth.”

Zuo Lengchan immediately opened his mouth wide. With a flick of his hand, Yang Xin shot a blood bodhi seed into Zuo Lengchan’s mouth. As soon as the seed entered his stomach, a surge of heat rose from his dantian. Recognizing it as a precious treasure, Zuo Lengchan immediately sat cross-legged and began to regulate his breath.

“What is your intention, Uncle?” Yue Buqun’s expression shifted unpredictably.

“Old Yue, how have I treated you?” Yang Xin suddenly asked.

“Like a nephew,” Yue Buqun recalled the moments spent with Yang Xin before answering.

“Old Yue, do you know what your greatest problem is?” Yang Xin asked again.

“My greatest problem?” Yue Buqun pondered for a long time, unable to figure it out, so he straightforwardly asked, “Please enlighten me.”

“Your knot lies with Zuo Lengchan. Ask your own heart honestly—are you afraid of him?” Yang Xin’s eyes were sharp, piercing directly into Yue Buqun’s soul.

“Am I afraid of Zuo Lengchan?” Yue Buqun lowered his mind to question himself.

Once upon a time, Zuo Lengchan, the Songshan Sect, the Thirteen Protectors—all these pressed heavily on Yue Buqun’s heart. Not to mention Zuo Lengchan, even the likes of Ding Mian and Fei Bin from the Thirteen Protectors were formidable opponents he wasn’t sure he could defeat…

“Am I really afraid of Zuo Lengchan?” He looked at his own hands, cleared his mind, and fixed his memory to the moment he met Yang Xin. Since then, although he seemed to spend each day in idle chat with Yang Xin, he had been training rigorously every day. The excruciating headache from multiple shadow clones dissipating was unbearable; scenes of him practicing Heavenly Frost Fist, Wind God Kick, Cloud Dispelling Palm, Three Points Return Qi, and Proud Cold Six Techniques flashed before his eyes.

“I am not afraid of Zuo Lengchan! Even after he consumed the blood bodhi seed and increased his strength, I will defeat him honorably!” Yue Buqun suddenly opened his eyes wide, lightning seeming to flash within them.

“Thank you, Uncle, for resolving my knot!” With his realization, Yue Buqun’s aura shifted dramatically, from reserved and silent to sharp and assertive.

At this moment, Zuo Lengchan finished absorbing the blood bodhi seed’s energy and stood up. “Thank you, Uncle, for helping me perfect my divine skill. I will not disappoint your trust.”

“Fight with all your might!” Yang Xin waved his hand.

“Brother Zuo, please!” Yue Buqun did not use Lin Pingzhi’s Blood-Drinking Mad Blade nor Yue Lingshan’s peerless sword but wielded a simple, plain green steel sword.

“Brother Zuo?” Zuo Lengchan laughed with anger at the formality, clearly seeing that Yue Buqun was determined to claim the sect leader position. “Brother Yue, please!”

Taking the initiative! With a sharp sound, Zuo Lengchan drew his long sword.

As the sword left its sheath, a clear sword hum resonated. Zuo Lengchan had secretly channeled internal power so that the blade rubbed against the inner sheath, producing the resonant sound. The Thirteen Protectors and disciples of Songshan cheered loudly.

Yue Buqun was completely unfazed. Pointing the sword to the ground, a faint smile on his face, standing about ten meters from Zuo Lengchan, they gazed at each other calmly. At that moment, Yue Buqun’s eyes held no sword, no Zuo Lengchan, only a serene and untroubled spirit.

The contrast between them was immediate and clear.

“No matter how strong he is, the gentle breeze brushes the hills; no matter how arrogant he may be, the bright moon illuminates the river,” Yang Xin narrated beside them.

Zuo Lengchan saw Yue Buqun hold his sword horizontally across his chest, left hand forming a sword gesture as if writing calligraphy. He recognized this as the opening move of the Mount Hua sword technique, “Poetry Meets Sword,” used to start friendly duels—a symbol that where scholars meet in poetry, warriors meet in martial skill.

By using this move, Yue Buqun was signaling no personal enmity, that the duel would be for victory alone, not a fight to the death. Zuo Lengchan’s eyes narrowed, a chill running through him; he realized he had been too impatient! The Five Peaks sect merger was his lifelong dream, suddenly within reach. His mindset was thrown off balance!

Fortunately, Yue Buqun’s calm and clear demeanor served as a reminder, and Zuo Lengchan immediately regained composure. Observing Yue Buqun carefully, a chill returned to his heart.

Zuo Lengchan couldn’t tell if Yue Buqun was truly confident or just putting on a show for Yang Xin. First impressions and appearances often carried decisive weight—this was the essence of the phrase “preconception.”

Unable to see through Yue Buqun’s mind, Zuo Lengchan stopped pondering and buried his own resolve deep within, while showing as much courtesy as possible to present himself well before Yang Xin.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Zuo Lengchan’s mouth as he saluted with his sword. “Brother Yue, no need for formalities.”

Then, with his left hand sweeping outward, his right hand slashed the long sword to the right, executing Songshan’s sword move “Opening the Gate to See the Mountain.” This move meant: if you want to fight, fight outright—no need for pretense or posturing, indirectly mocking the opponent as a hypocrite.

Alas, it was like showing a beauty to a blind man. Yang Xin cared nothing for sword salutes or duel etiquette. He was no great beauty himself; if it were the graceful, elegant river ceremony from the novel “Ever Night,” he might pay attention. But Zuo Lengchan and Yue Buqun’s sword etiquette was an eyesore to him.

Moreover, Yang Xin cared nothing for such pretenses. His world of Jianghu resembled an ancient martial arts worldview, where a single decisive strike and all means necessary were the rule.