As soon as the order was given, it was like a spark landing on dry wood, igniting the spirits of the Feixian Peak disciples who had been feeling down for days. More and more people began heading toward the peak, preparing to board the flying boats, yet Wen Jiu remained hesitant, unwilling to move. To be honest, he really didn't want to go.

  This was exactly why—while a sect could provide opportunities unattainable for rogue cultivators even after a lifetime of struggle, it also required sacrifices. And sometimes, that sacrifice might just be one's own life.

  Meanwhile, Wang Nian hurried home, gave his wife a few quick instructions, then turned and made his way to Wen Jiu's residence. Seeing that Wen Jiu still hadn't moved, only standing in his courtyard gazing into the distance, Wang Nian quickly called out, "Brother Wen, it's time to go… Don't tell me you're too scared?"

  That night, Wang Nian had learned about how Wen Jiu had taken his wife and avoided the battle. It only made him see Wen Jiu more clearly—that this guy put on a tough front, but deep down, he was actually timid. Even so, since he had been willing to help take care of his wife despite his fear, this was a brother worth keeping.

  Wen Jiu smiled helplessly. Did Wang Nian really take him for a coward? Well, that was fine too. It gave him a reasonable excuse to stay in the background. As for how others saw him, he didn't care. He was already walking the so-called "deviant path"—what did it matter if he added a cowardly reputation to the mix?

  "Just follow me when the time comes, don't worry, your big brother's got your back!" Wang Nian said before grabbing Wen Jiu and heading straight for Feixian Peak.

  Which was exactly what Wen Jiu wanted. Stick to someone strong. Let them charge ahead.

  Before long, the first flying boat was filled to capacity and took off. Wen Jiu boarded the second one. Together, the two flying boats carried at least seven or eight hundred people.

  Seizing the opportunity, Wen Jiu glanced into the distance, focusing on the Feixian Peak Master—the one orchestrating all of this.

  Chi-haired Mu Yan, though his aura seemed somewhat unstable, was still significantly stronger than the white-haired elder of the Night Patrol Division. Upon closer inspection, his face looked pale, as if he hadn't fully recovered from severe injuries.

  But in Wen Jiu's opinion, that might just be a ruse. After all, the corpse they had seen before had been fake.

  Next, Wen Jiu's gaze shifted to the seven individuals beneath the Peak Master, clearly the leaders of Feixian Peak's various divisions—

  Demon Slayers, Demon Suppressors, Night Patrol, and so on.

  Each of the seven was incredibly powerful. Even without using divine sense, their cultivation levels were obvious—Qi Refining, fifth stage. Not a single exception.

  All of them were elders.

  The youngest among them were the two female cultivators, appearing to be in their early thirties at most, but Wen Jiu wasn't convinced. He had heard of something called Beauty Retaining Pills from old cultivators at the marketplace.

  No wonder the "deviant path" was despised… That was probably one of the reasons.

  Others spent half a lifetime struggling to reach the fifth stage of Qi Refining.

  While the "deviant path" could reach the second stage in just two months.

  Who could accept that?

  Finally, Wen Jiu's eyes fell on Mu Canglong and the twenty-one Feixian Peak deacons, as well as the eighty stewards. Most of them were unfamiliar, and he hadn't expected there to be so many.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  If just Feixian Peak alone had such numbers, then how many did the entire "Corpse Peak" have?

  And just how powerful had the Blood Robe Tower been back when it could rival them?

  As those thoughts passed through his mind, the flying boat ascended.

  The moment it took off, a massive formation suddenly activated, enveloping the entire Feixian Peak. Then, with a low hum from the formation on the flying boat, they swiftly soared toward the sea of clouds.

  Into the clouds.

  Past the forests.

  In just moments, Feixian Peak had shrunk to the size of a fist.

  However—

  Just as Wen Jiu was about to enjoy the view, he found himself becoming the center of attention instead.

  Because the black ghoul beside him was far too conspicuous. Even though it was covered with cloth, its sinister, dangling hand was still clearly visible.

  "So this is Wen Jiu, the Night Patrol Division's apprentice disciple who practices the deviant path?"

  "Rather than cultivate the Night Wind Technique of the Night Patrol Division, he chose to practice the Yinzhou Corpse Nurturing Method. I really don't get it."

  "Deviant techniques attract those seeking quick success. If not for such methods, would he have been the first gravekeeper in fifty years to advance through battle? But deviant techniques all shorten one's lifespan—no matter how strong one becomes, it's just a fleeting moment of glory. Cultivation is about longevity."

  Hearing the discussions around him, Wen Jiu simply shook his head in resignation.

  He turned away and quietly admired the scenery.

  As long as no one came looking for trouble, they could talk all they wanted.

  But just then, Wang Nian suddenly leaped down from the ancient building at the rear of the flying boat and headed toward Wen Jiu.

  He had heard the criticisms directed at Wen Jiu and was worried he wouldn't be able to handle it.

  "Brother Wen, come over here!" Wang Nian called out, drawing the attention of two or three hundred people. But he didn't care and continued, "Brother Wen, hurry up! What's so interesting about standing there alone, staring at the scenery?" Wen Jiu chuckled silently at the situation and walked over with his black ghoul. Though Wang Nian's actions made him stand out even more, they also shut down the murmurs behind his back and even sparked some envious looks.

  Who was Wang Nian? He was from the Wang family. Plenty of people wanted to get close to him but never got the chance.

  "I didn't expect him to have this kind of connection with Steward Wang," someone whispered among the crowd.

  Wen Jiu followed Wang Nian up the ancient building, standing on the corridor overlooking the front of the flying boat. The two to three hundred disciples below were all in clear view.

  As the flying boat pressed forward, Wen Jiu gradually noticed the anticipation and fervor in the disciples' eyes. Wang Nian lowered his voice. "You don't understand why they're so excited, do you? It's not just about revenge or restoring Fei Xian Peak's honor—it's about making money. Fei Xian Peak has a rule: whatever spoils you plunder, you keep."

  "No wonder." Wen Jiu suddenly understood.

  Of course. Only personal gain could make people forget about life and death.

  He had been wondering—were these people really so eager for revenge, so loyal to their sect? Some of them, maybe. But all of them? That would be ridiculous.

  "When the time comes, just follow me into battle. I'll do the killing, you loot the bodies!" Wang Nian said excitedly.

  Wen Jiu quickly shook his head. "No way. I'm only at Qi Refinement Level Two… I'd just hold you back and distract you."

  Was he joking? Wang Nian was at Qi Refinement Level Three. Their enemies were also at Level Three. What was a mere Level Two like him going to do—die faster?

  "You coward! Risk comes with reward! If we kill just one Level Three cultivator, it'll be worth years of hard work… That's more than ten years of your Night Patrol salary!" Wang Nian looked at him with frustration.

  This brat didn't hesitate when killing that spy the other night. So why was he chickening out when there was big money to be made?

  "Still not interested." Wen Jiu shook his head again.

  Seeing this, Wang Nian didn't push any further. People couldn't be forced into things, after all.

  ...

  Suddenly, the flying boat changed direction, diving downward. A vast forest of crimson maple trees stretched beneath them.

  Within the red maple forest stood a sizable cultivation family.

  "The Chen family's territory!" Wang Nian exclaimed in surprise as the flying boat swooped toward it. He seemed puzzled. "Why would the remnants of the Blood Robe Tower be here? The Chen family was the former Peak Lord's clan."

  As far as he knew, the Chen family had always been Fei Xian Peak's most loyal vassal. Even though they had declined after the previous Peak Lord was killed by the Blood Robe Tower, they should have hated the Blood Robe Tower—not harbored its remnants.

  At that moment, the Peak Lord on the other flying boat suddenly spoke.

  "The remnants of the Blood Robe Tower are hiding in the Chen family! The Chen family has colluded with them, murdering our Fei Xian Peak disciples. Kill a Chen clansman, and you'll be rewarded with twenty low-grade spirit stones! Kill a Blood Robe Tower remnant, and you'll receive a hundred!"

  The moment those words fell, the disciples aboard the flying boat erupted in excitement.