After lingering in this small market town for a few days, Mo Tiange departed.
Although she had reunited with Tian Qiao, they had ultimately taken different paths. Tian Qiao would not leave her husband, and Mo Tiange lacked the ability to protect them. Thus, it was better for each to go their own way.
Apart from the first day, Mo Tiange did not see Meng Sigui again. However, before setting off, she gave Tian Qiao a few more bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills and some of her cultivation insights.
Tian Qiao had no spiritual roots. Mo Tiange could not make her a cultivator. She merely hoped that, whether out of gratitude for the pills or fear of her cultivation level, Meng Sigui would treat Tian Qiao well in the future.
Flying north for several more days, she finally arrived at the mountain gate of the Tiandao Sect.
Among the Seven Great Sects of Tianji, aside from the Zhengfa Sect located in the extreme northern glacier region, the other six major sects were all in Kunwu. The two largest sects, the Tiandao Sect and the Xuanqing Sect, were situated at the eastern and western ends respectively. The Tiandao Sect was located at the extreme northeast of Kunwu, separated from the Demonic Path by a single mountain.
It was said in Tianji that the founding patriarch of the Tiandao Sect was a prodigious talent. Ten thousand years ago, during the conflict between the righteous and demonic paths, he made a name for himself across the land. Later, he led his disciples to establish a sect here. It was said the reason for choosing this location as their mountain gate was both to block the Demonic Path's route into Kunwu and to temper the disciples' practical combat abilities.
And history proved the Tiandao Sect's founding patriarch indeed had unique insight. The Tiandao Sect disciples did not weaken the sect's strength through conflict with the Demonic Path; instead, they grew rapidly amidst the strife.
In truth, this phenomenon was not unique to the Tiandao Sect. The Xuanqing Sect and the Ancient Sword Sect, whose strengths were second only to the Tiandao Sect, both adhered to the strategy of "thriving in adversity, perishing in comfort." However, their enemies were not the Demonic Path, but the demon beasts in their surrounding areas.
Upon reaching Yuheng Mountain, where the Tiandao Sect was located, Mo Tiange saw the connected Tianmo Mountain from afar.
Tianmo Mountain was a snow-capped peak reaching ten thousand zhang high. It connected to Yuheng Mountain but was more than twice its height. Its foothills were lush green forests. From the mid-slope upwards, white began to spread, and at the summit were gleaming snow peaks. At a glance, it appeared pristine white and flawless, towering into the clouds. It was said Tianmo Mountain was also the tallest mountain in Kunwu.
When Mo Tiange first laid eyes on Tianmo Mountain, like many others, she marveled that the title of Kunwu's tallest mountain was well-deserved. But she also felt a complex emotion—this was the place where her father had perished.
For the father she had never met, she harbored feelings of reverence and longing. When she was young, her mother always said her father was a very gentle person. Others in the village would praise her father's capabilities whenever he was mentioned. Later, when she came to Kunwu, Ye Jingwen said her father was renowned in West Kunwu. Second Uncle held him in both respect and affection. Therefore, in her heart, her father was a successful cultivator, a responsible elder brother, and a good husband.
Sometimes, she couldn't help but wonder: if her father were still alive, would she have had to suffer so much these past years? But whenever her thoughts drifted here, she would admonish herself not to be too greedy. Second Uncle had been good enough to her, taking on parental duties to raise her, working hard to earn Spirit Stones so she could cultivate in peace, wandering from place to place with her for her safety—one could say, for the past ten years, Second Uncle had lived for her. What did she have to complain about?
The small town at the foot of Yuheng Mountain, due to the Tiandao Sect's formidable reputation, gathered countless cultivators.
Neat streets, luxurious shops. Countless cultivators bustled through this town at the mountain's base. Most of these cultivators were at the Qi Refining stage, but there were also many Foundation Establishment cultivators, and occasionally one or two Core Formation cultivators could be spotted. This broadened Mo Tiange's horizons immensely. This Tiandao Sect was indeed unlike ordinary sects. Compared to it, the Yunwu Sect was practically a backwater.
"Fellow Daoist, wait!" As she strolled along the street, a voice suddenly called from behind. Then, it seemed someone rushed toward her. She shifted her footing and dodged aside.
"Aiya!" The person fell to the ground. It was a youth who looked very ordinary—ordinary appearance, ordinary clothing, cultivation only at Qi Refining Level 7, with almost no distinguishing features.
The youth scrambled up, ignoring her guarded expression, and said with a grin, "Fellow Daoist, your reflexes are quite fast."
Mo Tiange swept a glance over him, subtly increasing the distance between them, and said coolly, "Is there something?"
Her attitude was cold, but the youth seemed not to mind at all. Still grinning, he said, "I am He Bisheng. May I ask your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?"
Mo Tiange frowned slightly and replied, "My surname is Ye. What advice do you have, Fellow Daoist?"
"Ah, so it's Fellow Daoist Ye. Advice I dare not presume. It seems you're also here to participate in the Immortal Platform Meet, right? Me too. Many of those people over there are as well. Since we all share the same goal, why not gather together and exchange some insights?"
This youth who called himself He Bisheng spat out a string of words in rapid succession, leaving Mo Tiange somewhat speechless. She hadn't said anything yet, but this person was certainly talking to himself. However, he mentioned the Immortal Platform Meet. Was the Tiandao Sect holding an Immortal Platform Meet right now? No wonder there were so many people...
"Fellow Daoist Ye, come join us. Cramming at the last minute is still better than not cramming at all, right? If you miss this one, you'll have to wait over ten years! Although our cultivation isn't high either, if we all exchange ideas, we might just increase our chances a bit!"
Although the youth looked sincere, Mo Tiange remained unmoved. She only said, "Thank you for your kindness, but it's unnecessary."
"It is necessary, it is necessary." The youth seemed oblivious to her refusal, still extremely enthusiastic. "Fellow Daoist, don't be so polite. We're all rogue cultivators in the same boat. Having a chance to exchange ideas is better than having none. Come on, this way."
With that, he started to lead the way. After a couple of steps, he turned back and looked at her with eager eyes.
Mo Tiange felt helpless. Thinking she indeed had no concrete plans, she shook her head and followed.
Seeing her willing to come, the youth smiled even more happily. He led her left and right, chattering nonstop as they went.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, you look about my age, yet you have Level 10 cultivation. That's truly remarkable. Are you perhaps from a cultivation family?"
Mo Tiange shook her head. "No." In truth, she should be three or four years older than this youth, but she was petite and was often mistaken for younger when disguised as a man.
"Ah, that's even more impressive." The youth said enviously, "Fellow Daoist Ye must have outstanding natural talent. That makes it very likely you could enter the Tiandao Sect without even taking the test!"
Mo Tiange did not reply. She was now exactly twenty years old and already at Qi Refining Perfection. Even among elite disciples of major sects, this wasn't considered poor. But she knew in her heart that her fast cultivation wasn't due to any natural talent; it was built on a pile of pills. If not for Second Uncle's full support and later luck in receiving many rewards at the Yunwu Sect, she would be doing well to have cultivation similar to this youth's today.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, I have two other friends also here for the Immortal Platform Meet. Their cultivation is a bit higher than mine. The three of us usually just focus on bitter cultivation, rarely exchanging ideas with others. We're especially unskilled in dharma combat. Facing the Immortal Platform Meet now, forget about winning; just staying alive requires some skill. We have no choice but to try to exchange ideas with more people, make more preparations... at least we can't lose our lives..."
The youth babbled on endlessly. By the end, Mo Tiange had no idea what he was saying. Soon, the topic had drifted who-knows-where, but the youth never stopped talking.
"Ah, we're here." Finally, the youth stopped before an ordinary door and knocked.
Mo Tiange breathed a sigh of relief. Although she had tuned him out, having someone constantly chattering in her ear was still quite annoying.
Shortly after, the door opened. A tall, sturdy young man stood behind it.
Upon seeing this person, the youth hurriedly said, "Brother Huang, I've brought a guest."
The young man, seeing Mo Tiange standing behind, also revealed a smile. "This Fellow Daoist, welcome, welcome. Please come in."
Stepping inside, it appeared to be an ordinary residence—a small courtyard, with someone sitting in the main hall.
The door slammed shut behind them. The young man gestured. "Fellow Daoist, please."
Mo Tiange entered the main hall. Another slightly plump young man sitting there also stood up. "This Fellow Daoist..."
The youth stepped forward and introduced, "Fellow Daoist Ye, this is my elder brother, named He Bixiu. Brother, this is Fellow Daoist Ye I met today. Look, he's about my age but already has Level 10 cultivation. Truly impressive."
The young man named He Bixiu showed slight surprise. "So it's Fellow Daoist Ye. Second Brother, you did well today, actually bringing back a Fellow Daoist with Level 10 cultivation."
"Of course." The youth said proudly, hospitably invited, "Fellow Daoist Ye, please have a seat. Have some tea first. Brother Huang, come over quickly."
"Coming." The young man surnamed Huang hurriedly stepped into the room.
Mo Tiange sat in the guest's seat, accepted the spirit tea handed by the youth, slowly blew on it to cool it, and took a sip. She thought to herself: this youth's elder brother He Bixiu and the young man surnamed Huang were both at Level 9 cultivation. They seemed to have put in effort. If they had sufficient Spirit Stones to back them up, they should have good hopes for the Immortal Platform Meet.
After she set down her teacup, the three people opposite her grew even happier.
Mo Tiange glanced expressionlessly at the door, then asked, "Why are you Fellow Daoists so pleased?"
The three people staring at her with wide grins did not stop smiling. No one answered her question. They exchanged glances. The youth said, "Brother, Brother Huang, are you satisfied with today's catch?"
That He Bixiu nodded repeatedly. "Not bad. Not only is this kid's cultivation high, but his skin is also fine and tender. Afterward, we can sell him to high-level female cultivators or those who favor male beauty. We'll definitely get a good sum of money."
As he spoke, the three of them laughed together again, their laughter indescribably lewd.
Mo Tiange frowned. "What are you Fellow Daoists talking about?"
Still, no one answered her. The young man surnamed Huang also said, "Yeah. Since this kid is so young and has such high cultivation, his assets must be quite considerable too—I say, Bisheng, are you sure he's not from a cultivation family?"
"Definitely not," He Bisheng said. "Look at how plainly he's dressed. Besides, would those young masters from cultivation families be as calm as him?"
"Hmm... that's true too." The young man surnamed Huang nodded. "If only you could find catches like this every time."
These words made He Bisheng quite indignant. "Brother Huang, this isn't just my responsibility. Why only pick on me?"
The young man surnamed Huang said righteously, "Isn't it your job to bait the hook? Look at the catches you brought the past few days? Barely a few Spirit Stones on them, even their magic tools were shoddy."
"Can you blame me for that? Although there are people everywhere, not everyone is willing to follow me—"
"Then isn't that because your skills are lacking?"
"You..."
"Enough!" Seeing He Bisheng and the young man surnamed Huang about to argue, He Bixiu stopped them. "You two, look at the timing! Hurry up, get to work!"
The two glared at each other unwillingly, then each took out a magic tool.
Mo Tiange looked at them and spoke again. "You three Fellow Daoists—"
"Haha," Seeing her like this, He Bisheng laughed and finally addressed her directly. "Fellow Daoist Ye, didn't any elder teach you that the human heart is treacherous and you shouldn't just follow strangers?"
Mo Tiange swept her gaze over the three of them, didn't answer, and asked directly, "What do you intend to do?"
He Bixiu had already rolled up his sleeves. "Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough."