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As time passed, the sky darkened, and more people arrived at the mountain summit.
These new disciples, with talents not as great as Meng Yin's, naturally had little choice. The three peaks had already agreed to select in order, so there was no dispute.
As for Liu Yin, he had not participated much. The sword manual of Xuan Yi Peak, although passed down for many years, had failed to help disciples break through to the Tianmen realm. They initially did not believe it would be this difficult, but after generation upon generation of talented disciples failed to pass the threshold, Xuan Yi Peak grew disheartened.
A few disciples with decent talents who had been stuck at the Tianmen realm for years were eventually sent to the other three peaks. Some later broke through and made progress under their teachings, which made Xuan Yi Peak further convinced that it was not an issue of talent but the specific teachings of their sect.
Hence, every time they took in new disciples, it was just a formality, with no real hope for the future.
Meng Yin kept looking toward the mountain path, growing increasingly anxious as Zhou Chi had not yet appeared. His frustration was mounting, and after some time, he saw that Cheng Chu had a free moment. He quickly approached and was about to speak up, but just then, a voice reached his ears.
"There's another one."
It was Gu Yuan. She had thought no more new disciples would be coming, but when she saw one more coming up, she couldn't help but comment.
Meng Yin turned, overjoyed. The last person to make it was, indeed, Zhou Chi. Though his face was pale, it was clear he had faced great difficulty on his climb, yet he still made it to the summit.
"What's the matter, Meng Yin?"
At that moment, Cheng Chu spoke, thinking that Meng Yin had made up his mind and was likely choosing their Cangye Peak.
Meng Yin awkwardly withdrew his hand from his chest, shaking his head. "Nothing."
He quickly walked over to Zhou Chi, muttering, "Why are you so late? You almost made me lose my money."
Zhou Chi was momentarily speechless, but he quickly regained his composure and replied, "The mountain path is difficult."
"Should have said earlier that I'd carry you up. It wouldn't have been such a hassle."
Meng Yin grumbled but soon smiled. "Anyway, we've both made it up now. Now, if anyone dares to bully you in the mountain, just tell me!"
He then told Zhou Chi about the situation on the mountain and asked, "Which peak are you choosing? We can look out for each other."
Zhou Chi glanced ahead, thinking to himself that not everyone could easily choose a peak. Given his current state, he wasn't even sure if he could remain in Zhongyun Mountain.
But Zhou Chi had his own reasons for choosing Zhongyun Mountain among all the other sects.
With a faint squint, he whispered, "Can you do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
Meng Yin was taken aback.
At this moment, the three others had already selected their disciples, and only Zhou Chi and Meng Yin were left without a peak.
Li Du looked at his list and shook his head. This youth named Zhou Chi was too old and his talent was too poor, indicating a lack of potential.
"Gu Shimei, does anyone want this boy?"
Gu Yuan, when addressed, shot him a glance and immediately got angry. "I want him..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Cheng Chu swiftly covered her mouth. "Shimei, this child is still here. Control yourself!"
He quickly turned to Li Du. "Apologize!"
Li Du forced out an apology after some hesitation, "Shimei, I was wrong."
It wasn't really Gu Yuan's fault for being upset. She had just picked Meng Yin because of his good talent, but now, seeing Zhou Chi, who had poor talent, being pushed away, it was only natural that she was angered.
But Li Du also had a point. Given Zhou Chi's age and talent, he would likely waste years on the mountain and eventually be expelled, so no one wanted to waste time on him.
"How did Xuyu let someone like this pass the initial selection?" Li Du muttered.
Cheng Chu smiled awkwardly, knowing Xuyu was an inner disciple of Cangye Peak.
"His ability to reach the summit shows that he's not without merit. Who knows? He might have some breakthrough later."
Liu Yin, who had been silent, finally spoke up in support of Zhou Chi.
"Yes, if he made it up, there must be something special about him. Cheng Shidi, why don't you just take him in for Cangye Peak?"
Li Du smiled at Cheng Chu, but Cheng Chu solemnly shook his head. "He lacks talent, and without a skilled master to guide him, I fear he will amount to nothing. Chaoyun Peak has deep roots, and strong figures emerge from there. Only under Chaoyun Peak's guidance can he rise."
"If even Chaoyun Peak can't teach him, we're probably useless too."
"Well..." Li Du was stunned, unsure how to respond, particularly since he didn't dare to send Zhou Chi to Qingxi Peak after seeing how angry Gu Yuan was earlier.
At that moment, Meng Yin suddenly spoke loudly, "Whichever peak wants Zhou Chi, I'll go to that peak!"
But before he could finish, Zhou Chi's voice interrupted.
"Meng Yin, I know you are thinking of me and worried about my talent not being enough to stay here, but I can't cause you trouble."
"If I must rely on the help of the elders in the mountain to stay here, it's not something I want."
Zhou Chi looked at Meng Yin with gratitude but firmly said, "I can't do that."
"Making things difficult for the elders is not my intention. I'll leave the mountain right now!"
Meng Yin twitched at the corners of his mouth but complied. "I, Meng Yin, never break my promises. If you can't stay, then I'll leave with you!"
"How can it be like this?" Zhou Chi shook his head in sorrow.
"Hold on," Li Du interrupted. "Now that you've made it to the summit, you are a disciple of Zhongyun Mountain. As for which peak you belong to, we will decide later."
Li Du smiled and said, "As for Meng Yin, we will discuss it later."
He had already decided. If Zhou Chi couldn't join an inner peak, he would be sent down the mountain. But Meng Yin would definitely remain on the mountain.
...
"Thank you, Senior!"
Having achieved his goal, Zhou Chi turned to Liu Yin and said seriously, "Master Liu, I want to learn swordsmanship."
Everyone was taken aback.
They had expected Zhou Chi to choose a major peak like Chaoyun Peak, but unexpectedly, he chose Xuan Yi Peak, shocking everyone.
But this decision made things easier.
Liu Yin paused and reminded him, "Do you know the current situation of Xuan Yi Peak?"
Zhou Chi thought for a moment and sincerely replied, "My father was once an outer disciple of Xuan Yi Peak, but he never entered the inner sect. Before he passed away, he held my hand and told me to become an inner disciple of Xuan Yi Peak and fulfill his unfinished wish."
At this, everyone was moved, including Liu Yin.
Only Meng Yin looked completely stunned. "That was my line!"
Suddenly, a round of applause erupted.
Li Du clapped. "Such filial piety is truly moving. Since this is the case, Master Liu, why not fulfill his wish?"
Cheng Chu chuckled awkwardly and lowered his voice to Liu Yin. "Shimei, he's talentless. He won't last long in the other peaks. Why not let him try Xuan Yi Peak? Even if he doesn't succeed, it's his fate, not our fault."
Liu Yin furrowed her brows but glanced at Gu Yuan.
"It's his choice. If it doesn't work out, it's not Xuan Yi Peak's fault."
Gu Yuan spoke up, and even though Zhou Chi's talent was average, Xuan Yi Peak gaining a new disciple was still a good thing.
"Fine, if you're so determined, then Xuan Yi Peak will accept you. Follow me."
Liu Yin hesitated but eventually made her decision.
"Congratulations to Xuan Yi Peak for gaining a new disciple."
The three of them spoke together, and everyone smiled.
"Then what about you, Meng Yin?"
Cheng Chu looked at Meng Yin. "You have a kind heart, but you don't belong at Xuan Yi Peak. Choose another peak."
He believed Meng Yin would likely choose Cangye Peak, given his previous actions.
Meng Yin focused on Zhou Chi and wasn't angry that he had used his words. Instead, he was thrilled that Zhou Chi had considered him as someone with similar traits. He felt they would be great friends!
"I must apologize to the elders for my previous rashness."
Meng Yin bowed sincerely.
"No worries. It's rare to see such a helpful heart," Cheng Chu smiled at him.
After a moment of contemplation, Meng Yin made his decision.
He couldn't go to Cangye Peak, where the person who took his things was. Would he really become their disciple?
Not a chance!
He chose Qingxi Peak, where he thought Gu Yuan could be a reliable ally.
Cheng Chu was surprised but smiled and said, "Congratulations to Gu Shimei, congratulations to Qingxi Peak."
Li Du clenched his fists.
I'll endure!
...
Gu Yuan smiled and then looked at Meng Yin. "If you join Qingxi Peak, focus on your cultivation and don't slack off. And change your name."
"What?"
Meng Yin was confused. Why did he have to change his name to join Qingxi Peak?
Gu Yuan frowned. "You named yourself after 'kinky' (lewd)? Is there really no one in your family who knows how to read?"
Meng Yin figured out who was behind this and cursed Xuyu for causing all the trouble.
He gritted his teeth and silently vowed to get back at him, changing his "small" grudge to a "great" one.
Staring at Gu Yuan, he muttered, "I'm Meng Yin. The 'Yin' from the zodiac."