Chapter 70 - Sword of the White Lotus Peak
The descent from Spirit Beast Peak was surprisingly quiet. Su Ming rode on the back of the white deer, keeping a loose grip on the leather rein. Although she looked like a delicate, mutated White Mountain Deer, her speed on foot was astonishing. Her hooves moved in a silent, rhythmic blur, gliding over the stone pathways with an effortless grace that bypassed the jolts of the mountain terrain.
’Even for a high-grade beast, her speed on the ground is too fast,’ Su Ming thought, his analytical mind tracking her movements.
When they reached the open skyways bridging the peaks, the white deer did not hesitate. She stepped forward into the empty air. With each step, a dense wisp of pure white spirit cloud sprouted beneath her hooves, forming solid, floating footholds that carried her upward. She did not fly with wings or raw elemental propulsion; she simply ran across the sky, stepping from cloud to cloud in a serene, quiet glide.
By the time Su Ming arrived at the courtyard of White Lotus Peak, his disciples and the resident physician were already waiting.
Lin Yao was the first to run forward, her dark eyes wide with curiosity. "Master! Is this our new mount?"
"She is quiet," Wang Tian observed, offering a respectful greeting. He looked at the branching grey-black antlers and the pure white coat, sensing a strange, calm presence around the beast.
Su Ming dismounted, letting the leather rein drape loosely over her neck. "Her name is Yunxiao. She will reside on our peak."
Before Su Ming could instruct them on her care, Bai Qingxian walked over slowly. Unlike the eager disciples, she had not run forward, keeping her pace steady and unhurried.
The moment Yunxiao saw Bai Qingxian, her ears twitched. Ignoring Su Ming completely, the white deer trotted past him, her hooves clicking softly on the stone tiles. She approached Bai Qingxian, lowered her head, and nudged her shoulder against the physician’s hand, letting out a soft, contented breath. She then stepped behind Bai Qingxian, snuggling her head close to her waist as if she had found her true master.
Bai Qingxian blinked in surprise, a rare, soft smile brushing her lips as she patted the deer’s nose. "She has a very pure spirit. She seems to like the scent of spiritual herbs."
Su Ming watched his newly purchased mount with a flat, silent gaze. ’A high-grade beast carrying an ancient bloodline, bought with forty thousand points, and she does not even have a shred of loyalty.’
Lin Yao covered her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle, while Wang Tian cleared his throat and looked away to maintain his solemn posture.
After some discussion, they decided not to restrict Yunxiao with stable gates. She was allowed to roam the peak freely. Unsurprisingly, the deer bypassed the open grassy patches and walked directly into the peak’s small herb garden, settling down quietly near the rows of silver-leafed grasses where the spiritual Qi was cleanest.
***
Later that day, Su Ming stood in the bustling plaza of the central Mission Hall.
The scale of the Heavenly Cloud Sect was fully on display. The stone hall was massive, its high ceiling supported by thick jade pillars carved with formations. Hundreds of disciples and elders from the inner and outer peaks gathered in organized ranks. The air hummed with the resonance of compressed Qi, representing the raw power of a regional overlord.
Su Ming walked to the registration desk and accepted the border defense mission, swiping his identity token.
"Peak Master Su," a deep, resonant voice called out from the platform.
Su Ming turned and saluted. Standing at the center of the hall was a tall elder dressed in dark grey robes embroidered with the emblem of Spirit Beast Peak. He was the Second Elder of the Spirit Beast Peak, the commander of the expedition. As the elder spoke, a heavy, suffocating pressure radiated from his frame—an aura that was deep, vast, and absolute.
’A Nascent Soul cultivator,’ Su Ming noted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
After a brief discussion regarding the mission, Su Ming returned to his peak. He had asked Bai Qingxian to join the expedition, but she had declined, pointing to the mountain of ledgers in the Medicine Hall. With so much work at the Medicine Hall, she was left with no time to travel.
***
"Peak Master Su, the transport is ready," a junior disciple announced, bowing.
In the center of the staging plaza sat a massive flying carriage. It was constructed from black ironwood and reinforced with golden defensive runes. The carriage was huge, easily the size of a small pavilion, with multiple private cabins inside.
Harnessed to the front of the carriage were three massive, predatory beasts. They were Tempest Rocs, each carrying the strength of a Demon Lord. Their feathers were the color of dark storm clouds, shimmering with violent violet sparks, and their sharp beaks looked capable of crushing steel.
Around the carriage, the expedition force was assembling. There were thirty Golden Core cultivators, including several outer peak masters, and core disciples from the inner peaks who had brought their own junior disciples for experience. In total, over a hundred cultivators were boarding the vessel.
Su Ming, Lin Yao, and Wang Tian boarded the carriage, taking a quiet cabin near the rear. Both disciples wore their formal White Lotus Peak robes, their posture straight and solemn.
***
As the carriage rose into the air, the wind howling against the runic barriers, Su Ming looked at his disciples. His gaze fell upon Wang Tian, who sat rigidly, clutching his new Broken Star Sword.
The sight triggered a memory of the ceremony that had taken place on White Lotus Peak just yesterday.
Su Ming had gathered his disciples in the main hall. Wang Tian, having successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, stood before him, his breathing slightly shallow with nervous anticipation.
"Disciple Wang Tian," Su Ming had said, his voice echoing in the quiet hall. "You have broken through the mortal barrier and established your foundation. Today, you are officially inducted into the core lineage of White Lotus Peak."
Su Ming had stepped forward, presenting him with a dark jade token carved with the character ’Second’ and a set of formal core disciple robes. Alongside the robes, Su Ming handed him a dark-steel blade—the low-mystic grade Broken Star Sword, which Su Ming had obtained from Elder Tie in the Blacksmith Hall. It was a lightning-element weapon forged with obsidian steel and lightning-attuned spiritual ores to withstand and channelize heavy Sword Qi.
Wang Tian had accepted the items, his hands trembling slightly.
’I am no longer a cripple under my family’s shadow,’ Wang Tian had thought, his chest tightening as he looked at the sword.
’Master gave me a path when there was none.’
Su Ming had looked at him, his expression serious. "Lin Yao is my eldest disciple and will be the successor to the peak. But that does not mean I have no expectations of you. If Lin Yao is my right hand, you must be my left. I assign the role of White Lotus Peak’s sword to you."
Su Ming had paused, letting the weight of the words settle. "If this peak or its residents are ever endangered, and if Lin Yao or I are occupied, it will be your duty to protect them. Cultivate diligently."
Overwhelmed by the trust placed in him, Wang Tian had dropped to both knees, pressing his forehead against the stone floor. He had intended to swear a standard oath of allegiance—the traditional, formal pledge that members of the Wang clan historically swore to their Patriarch to show loyalty.
He had raised his hand, channeling his new Foundation Establishment Qi to seal the words. "I, Wang Tian, swear by my blood to serve—"
But as he spoke, his Innate Sword Heart physique reacted to the absolute sincerity of his intent. The sword heart in his chest vibrated, sending a sharp, resonant hum through his meridians. The Broken Star Sword in his lap chimed in unison, releasing a bright, silver light.
Unknowingly, the resonance of his physique transformed the words, triggering an ancient mechanism. It was a Sword Oath—an old-era custom from the olden days, when young sword cultivators swore their lives, souls, and swords to their lord.
A visible silver rune of law manifested in the air, splitting into two threads. One thread dissolved into Wang Tian’s chest, while the other floated across the space and merged with Su Ming.
Wang Tian was confused as the spiritual weight of the oath settled into his soul, binding him permanently to Su Ming’s path. He had not understood the origin of the event, but he felt a profound, unbreakable connection to his Master.
Su Ming had remained calm, though he was internally surprised by the sudden spiritual manifestation. He had felt the thread of law merge into his soul, carrying no malicious intent, only absolute loyalty.
"I accept your oath," Su Ming had said softly, raising his hand to gesture for him to rise.
"Stand up."
***
The hum of the carriage’s formation barriers snapped Su Ming back to the present.
As the memory faded, the quiet cabin of the black ironwood carriage returned. Su Ming looked across the small wooden table. Lin Yao was leaning against the window, watching the massive peaks of the Heavenly Cloud Sect shrink into the distance far below with wonder.
Beside her, Wang Tian sat in absolute silence, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his expression calm and determined.
Outside, the three Demon Lord-stage Purple-Lightning Tempest Rocs let out a synchronized, piercing screech that cut through the clouds. Their massive wings beat the air, releasing arcs of crackling violet electricity as they accelerated.
The massive carriage surged forward, plunging into the sea of clouds as the expedition officially began its long journey toward the southern borders.