Chapter 4: Five Peaks True Person
Deep within the main hall, ancestral tablets commemorating the Bai Family's most distinguished Old Ancestors since their establishment in the Black Mountain Mountain Range were enshrined. Twenty-four longevity candles, each as thick as an arm, stood on either side, their dim light flickering on the tablets.
Seated in the center of the hall was Bai Xianzong, the current Clan Chief of the Bai Family. He was a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivator who had governed the Family for twenty years, his prestige growing ever stronger. It could be said that he alone supported a significant portion of the Bai Family's power.
On both sides sat four men and one woman, all Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators, who managed various foundations of the Bai Family. They were the five Elders of the Clan.
Further down, arranged in many rows according to departmental duties and cultivation levels, was a dense crowd. Almost all of the Bai Family's Cultivators currently in the Clan's territory were present, and the atmosphere was quiet and solemn.
Bai Zichen and Bai Ying stood at the very back. Being short, even standing on their tiptoes, they could only see the layers of shoulders of the adults in front.
“Uncle seems to be in the second row. It looks like his status in the Clan is quite good. After all, he’s only one step away from Qi Refining Late Stage. Once he Breaks Through, he’ll be a main combat force within the Clan.”
Given their age, had it not been for the special nature of a full Clan meeting, where any Bai Family Cultivator, regardless of age or cultivation, could attend, they would not have been qualified to enter this council hall at all. But they were merely for show; no matter how important the Clan meeting, it wouldn’t be a turn for two ten-year-old children to speak, and no one else’s attention was on them anyway.
Bai Pangzi craned his neck, looking very excited, and lowered his voice: “Chen’er, did you hear the Clan Chief? Even the Qingfeng Sect has confirmed it’s the Immortal Cave of Five Peaks True Person! If our Bai Family can unearth one or two treasures this time, we’ll be rich! Maybe in a few years, there will be a new spot among the five great Cultivation Families!”
Five Peaks True Person Chen Taige, known as the Mi Prefecture's foremost Loose Cultivator three hundred years ago, was a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator who had hopes of impacting the Nascent Soul Realm. He had a considerable reputation throughout the Liang Country.
In his later years, after returning to his hometown, Black Mountain County, he even suppressed the Qingfeng Sect, making them breathless. After all, although the Sect’s Grand Elder was also a Golden Core Immortal Master, he was far inferior to Chen Taige, the Mi Prefecture's foremost Loose Cultivator.
Chen Taige's Lifebound Treasure was a set of five heavy Magic Treasures shaped like mountain peaks, from which his title was derived. With the Five Peaks unleashed together, countless Cultivators died under this Magic Treasure.
However, this Immortal Master seemed to have no successor. After his passing, the disciples who had followed him quickly dispersed like birds and beasts, but several Magic Treasures, including the Five Peaks Divine Peaks, were nowhere to be found.
At that time, some people speculated that Five Peaks True Person had a true hidden treasure Immortal Cave in a secret place. A treasure hunt craze even erupted within a hundred years after his death. As time passed, it gradually faded away.
Bai Zichen carefully recalled the records of Five Peaks True Person in the Black Mountain County Annals and couldn't help but feel a longing in his heart.
“The key to the Five Peaks True Person Immortal Cave matter still lies in the Qingfeng Sect’s attitude. If they are willing to share a bit with us, that would naturally be good. But if they want to monopolize this Opportunity and exclude all other Cultivation Families, even if our Bai Family tries its best, we might only end up losing more than we gain.”
Grand Elder Bai Shoushun, with white hair and beard but a ruddy complexion, spoke with a resonant voice. Not only was he a Qi Refining Great Perfection Cultivator, but he also held a high seniority within the Clan. “Hong Gu, your Jiang Liang is from the Qingfeng Sect, and his Master holds the position of Elder in the Talisman Hall. Has he heard any news from within the Sect? What exactly are those important figures planning?”
Within Black Mountain County, the Qingfeng Sect was absolute, occupying the best and most resources, and subtly opposing the other Cultivation Families.
But after so many years, they had long become intertwined.
For example, in the Bai Family, over ten disciples from successive generations had joined the Sect. Elder Hong Gu’s Dao Companion was also once an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qingfeng Sect. Although he was not skilled in combat and killing, his Talisman Spell was renowned far and wide, and he was already a High Grade Talisman Master.
“Brother Liang sent a letter yesterday. The opinion of several Elders of the Qingfeng Sect is to unite with several Cultivation Families, first to cordon off the Five Peaks True Person Immortal Cave and drive away Loose Cultivators, and then to slowly develop it…”
The only woman among the five Elders, a beautiful middle-aged woman with a plump figure and a hint of weariness in her eyes, spoke slowly after a moment of contemplation.
“It’s good if there’s a chance to cooperate. Our Family contributes a lot of resources to the Qingfeng Sect every year and actively responds to any instructions. This time, they shouldn’t leave us out.”
“It’s hard to say. Those five Families are powerful, and if they truly unite, even the Qingfeng Sect would find it a bit troublesome. They will definitely consider their opinions.”
Although it was called a full Clan meeting, it was actually just discussions among the five Elders. Occasionally, Bai Xianzong would say a word, and everyone would immediately stop to listen, resuming their discussion only after he finished. The other Clan members, regardless of their status, dared not speak without being named by an Elder.
Bai Zichen hid at the very back, leaning against a pillar, listening with great interest. How could one learn so much about the various Families in Black Mountain County and the intricacies within his own Clan just by reading books? Many of these were things he would need to pay attention to when he traveled the Cultivation World in the future.
“...Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, Hong Gu and Bai Lu will take a team of Clan members and depart with me for the Five Peaks True Person Immortal Cave. Clan affairs will be handed over to the Grand Elder. Additionally, the patrol team must be vigilant, increase personnel, and increase patrol frequency. If necessary, thunderous means can be used. Loose Cultivators are gathering recently, so we must prevent any short-sighted rogue Cultivators from having ill intentions towards our Bai Family.”
With Clan Chief Bai Xianzong’s decision, the Bai Family’s next actions were set.
With one Foundation Establishment cultivator, two Elders, and a team of elite Family Cultivators leaving, the internal strength of the Bai Family would inevitably be significantly weakened. Bai Zichen suddenly felt that the Clan was not as safe as he had imagined, and his original plan of steady development might need to be revised. He was still too weak.
A child who had just completed Qi Refining, who hadn't learned any Spells yet, and had no means of self-preservation, could even be threatened by a few adult strong men with weapons.
...
“Chen’er, here are five Diamond Talismans, five Fireball Talismans, and five Shen Xing (Divine Travel) Talismans. I already taught you how to use them last night. You must remember them well.”
Bai Jiu'an rubbed Bai Zichen’s head and said earnestly, “During the time Uncle is away, don’t run around. Stay well on Qingfeng Cliff and live with Bai Ying and his Family. For now, don’t go back to Fufeng Ridge.”
“Uncle, I understand.” Bai Zichen nodded obediently.
As soon as the Clan meeting dispersed yesterday, Bai Jiu'an received notice that he had been selected for the twelve-person team to accompany the Clan Chief to the Five Peaks True Person Immortal Cave.
A Family’s command could not be defied. Moreover, great risks were accompanied by great Opportunities.
As a Four Spiritual Roots Cultivator, he had less than ten years left until the window of his vital energy declining at fifty years old. If he still wanted to make a push for the Foundation Establishment Stage, how could he have a chance without risking his life?
But he couldn't rest assured about his young nephew, who had just embarked on the Celestial path. The Bai Family’s territory was protected by a great Formation centered on Hanxiu Peak, but the peripheral areas only had basic warning and illusion functions. Only within the main peak’s range could the Formation truly provide protection and kill enemies.
After much thought, he simply entrusted Bai Zichen to Bai Ying’s parents. Both of them were Qi Refining Middle Stage Cultivators and had the ability to protect themselves if they encountered rogue Cultivators, allowing them to delay long enough for the Family patrol team to arrive.
At the same time, to give his young nephew some self-preservation ability, he also gave him a pile of Talismans.
It was said that human relationships in the Cultivation World were thin, and in the face of profit, Fellow Daoists, Clan members, and even Dao Companions and Master-Disciple relationships could be betrayed. But Bai Zichen still felt genuine care from his Uncle.
After giving his instructions and greeting Bai Ying’s parents, Bai Jiu'an left in a hurry. Watching his retreating figure, Bai Zichen’s heart suddenly felt heavy.
It was a worry for his Uncle’s uncertain future on this trip, an anxiety about his own low cultivation, and a confusion about the fate of the Bai Family amidst the rising winds and clouds.
Once a Family Disciple like him lost the Family’s protection, his future would be like that of a low-level Loose Cultivator, drifting in the wind and rain, without a fixed abode.