Chapter 9, Nine Peaks

Translator: Raznick

 

Initially, Zhou Chun didn’t understand the meaning behind Zhou Fei’s words.

 

But when a red-robed elder from the Zhou Clan arrived at the scene, on a crimson crane, he understood.

 

It was because this robed elder in red was a Foundation Establishment Elder of the Zhou Clan, ranking third among the current three elders of the Zhou Clan.

 

The elder,  Zhou Quan, rushed to the scene, learned about the situation from Zhou Fei, and immediately snapped his hand onto the spirit beast pouch at his waist with a cold gaze, releasing a brown spirit pet resembling a mole rat.

 

Then he issued a few commands to the familiar, which promptly ran to where the rogue cultivators had previously been and began sniffing furiously.

 

After a short while, the creature let out a series of shrill, urgent chirps toward Zhou Quan and then vanished in a flash, transforming into a streak of yellow light that darted into the mountains.

 

Zhou Quan, upon seeing this, immediately issued orders to Zhou Fei and the others: “You lot head back to the clan estate and inform the Clan Leader of the situation. I shall personally go and exterminate these unworthy ruffians!”

 

Then, he rode his second-grade demon beast, the Fire Crane and followed his spirit pet.

 

This was also why the Zhou Clan migrated from another country; the local cultivators had no idea what their capabilities were, daring to act so foolishly by attacking Zhou Clan members near their estate.

 

A rogue cultivator from Feng Kingdom, after learning about the prestige of The Three Absolute Sect Zhou Clan, would never dare to attempt to kill Zhou clansmen near their base without complete confidence in eliminating all evidence or witnesses.

 

Because those fools who dared to act in such a way in the past ended up as feed for the spirit pets being trained by Zhou Clan.

 

With the sight of Zhou Quan disappearing into the sky on his crane, Zhou Fei quickly recovered his senses and waved at the others, including Zhou Chun. “Let’s go,” he said firmly. “We’ll return to our clan as well. With the Third Elder personally intervening, those fools will meet their doom!”

 

So the party continued along their assigned route. After advancing more than twenty miles li, they finally reached the current base of the Zhou Clan—the Nine Peaks.

 

The Nine Peaks was situated deep within the rugged mountains, comprising an extraordinary area formed by nine magnificent and spiritually vibrant mountains. Stretching east-west for over ten kilometers and running north-south for about nine kilometers. This enchanting stretch of terrain stood as a remarkable natural landscape.

 

Originally, this place was the stronghold of a group of rogue cultivators from Mist Province. On each of the nine peaks stood a Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator, and there were another two to three hundred Qi Refining Stage cultivators living here for their practice.

 

After the Three Absolute Sect was disbanded, the Zhou Clan, who had nowhere else to go, quickly set their sights on this place.

 

After conducting some inquiries and investigations, it was discovered that this group of rogue cultivators had little connection with the major sects and clans. Upon learning this, the Zhou Clan mobilized their entire clan to storm the Nine Peaks, forcibly occupying this prime spot for cultivation.

 

At this point in time that great battle involving hundreds of cultivators had only been over for less than three months, and the traces left behind by that battle could still be seen in many places inside and outside of the Nine Peaks.

 

For example, charred mountains and forests, or peaks with sections of their slopes destabilized by explosions.

 

According to Zhou Yong’s account, during that great battle, although the Zhou Clan had Violet Palace cultivators stationed there and were assisted by numerous second-grade spirit beasts, comparable in power to Foundation Establishment cultivators, they still suffered heavy losses, with more than ten members of the Zhou Clan sacrificing their lives before achieving victory.

 

Now, Zhou Chun’s line of sight on the Nine Peaks region could only see a white mist from an array, unable to discern the true scenery within.

 

Under Zhou Fei’s guidance, they wandered around the area for some time before arriving at the mouth of a valley nestled between two mountains.

 

Upon arriving here, there was no need for them to speak; the Zhou Clan cultivators guarding the entrance within the mist-shrouded valley had already recognized Zhou Fei, Zhou Yong, and the others. They called out to them and inquired about the origins of Zhou Chun.

 

After Zhou Fei explained, there were also Zhou Jingwen and Zhou Yong to corroborate from the side.

 

The Zhou Clan cultivators swiftly controlled the array, causing the mist barrier of the valley’s entrance to surge and churn. This revealed a pathway wide enough for two to walk side by side into the valley beyond.

 

Four people walked along the corridor for less than a hundred paces before suddenly finding themselves in an open space, their line of sight no longer obstructed and able to see the full expanse within.

 

Inside the array, there were nine peaks of varying heights arranged in the cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north. Between them, numerous smaller hillocks, big and small, serve as guards and attendants to these main peaks.

 

Forests, streams, lakes, waterfalls, deep pools, grasslands, mountain streams, deep valleys…

 

In this small realm, every kind of terrain and landform could be found.

 

In a forest, you could see the playful figures of monkeys frolicking in the treetops and also observe the lithe and powerful movements of tigers and leopards as they leap through the forest.

 

By the stream, deer, sheep, cattle, and horses peacefully grazed on the tender grass, while in the water, black bears played and fished.

 

In the lake, a giant turtle floated on the water’s surface basking in the sun.

 

Below the waterfall, several terrifying-looking dark blue giant pythons wrapped their bodies around the pillar-like rocks, allowing the torrents to rush over them as if they were enjoying it immensely.

 

On the grasslands, boys were chasing and playing with a massive wolf, while girls tenderly combed and removed insects from the fur of a white fox larger than themselves.

 

Near a secluded pool, two elderly members of the Zhou Clan wer engaged in a fierce game of go on a stone chessboard, each holding their black and white pieces. Not far away, a demon resembling a wild boar with a single horn was grunting and pushing against another demon in the shape of a green ox head-to-head in a test of strength.

 

Looking at this kind of scene, Zhou Chun quickly grew fond of the place after overcoming the initial discomfort.

 

In a place where people and nature coexisted in perfect harmony, where animals and humans lived together in such perfect unity, the environment was so pure and serene that it calmed and soothed the soul, bringing utter relaxation.

 

Before arriving in this world, such a place and lifestyle represented Zhou Chun’s ultimate aspiration as an office worker—a realm that existed only in his wildest imagination.

 

“Brother Chun, don’t worry. Although this place doesn’t compare to where we used to be in Feng Kingdom at the Three Absolute Sect base, it is ours—belonging solely to our Zhou Clan. As long as we manage and develop it properly, it won’t necessarily be worse off than when we were at the Three Absolute Sect!”

 

Wandering through the trackless mountains, Zhou Yong noticed Zhou Chun approaching and sensed that something was wrong with his mood. He thought Zhou Chun must be disappointed with the situation at Nine Peaks and quickly tried to comfort him.

 

Zhou Chun, seeing that he had misunderstood, also shook his head and said, “No, Brother Yong, you’re overthinking things. This place is great, absolutely fantastic! I’m very satisfied with it!”

 

“Ha ha, that’s great. Satisfaction is all that matters.”

 

The Zhou Fei heard Zhou Chun’s words and burst into laughter, clearly also appreciating his response.

 

After another half an hour of journeying, they finally reached the main peak—the office of Zhou Clan’s Clan Leader.

 

The Pagoda Peak resembled its name, appearing as a towering, circular pagoda-like structure standing on the ground.

 

It stood over four hundred seventy feet tall, with ancient trees towering into the sky and thick with spiritual Qi. It was the best spot for cultivation on the Nine Peaks.

 

Ascending from the foot of the mountain along a newly carved path, the view suddenly widened, revealing a series of palaces and pavilions clinging to the mountainside.

 

Before Zhou Chun had a chance to carefully observe and examine the palaces and pavilions, Zhou Fei took the lead, guiding them into the palace building with the signboard hanging above its entrance reading Central Palace.

 

Soon, Zhou Chun met with the Zhou Clan’s Clan Leader, Zhou Guyi, in the depths of the grand hall.

 

The Clan Leader was not the one with the highest cultivation, just like most sects and clans.

 

Zhou Guyi’s cultivation wa merely at the mid Foundation Establishment Stage.

 

But he had already become the head of the Zhou Clan even when the Three Absolute Sect was still in existence.

 

For Zhou Fei, Zhou Chun, and other members of the Zhou Clan like them, this Clan Leader actually inspired even more reverence than the current Grand Elder at the Violet Palace Stage.

 

To Zhou Chun, the head of Zhou Clan was a man of great physical strength and imposing bearing. His resolute facial features suggested he was a person accustomed to authority.

 

He waited for Zhou Fei and the other three to finish their greetings, but didn’t rush to inquire about Zhou Chun’s matter. Instead, he instructed Zhou Fei to report on the investigation in Red Stone Market, and took over the handbook containing Zhou Fei’s notes to review it.

 

Having rapidly perused the manual in a single glance—only about half an hour by quickly scanning through it—he set it aside and nodded slightly. “You’ve handled this matter adequately,” he remarked. “I, being one of higher status, will personally put it on record all your efforts.”

 

Then, his gaze shifted towards Zhou Chun as he said, “Now tell me about yourself. If I’m not mistaken, your name is Zhou Chun? And you were previously working at the Panther Pen, correct?”

 

As the head of the Zhou Clan clan, he had long since memorized the names, appearances, and whereabouts of cultivator descendants within the clan.

 

After meeting Zhou Chun, he soon recalled all his information without needing Zhou Fei and others to introduce him.

 

At that moment, when he shifted the conversation to himself, Zhou Chun quickly replied with respect, “Clan Leader, your insight is sharp. I am indeed Zhou Chun.”

 

Then, he proceeded to recount his own experiences—how he had fled from Feng Kingdom in a desperate journey to Jing Kingdom and eventually met Zhou Fei and others along the way.

 

But similarly omitted was the part where he had a falling out with Li Han from the Li Clan. Instead, it was changed to both of them parting ways after hearing the news midway that Three Absolute Sect had split up.

 

His tale of mixing truths and lies, was something he wasn’t worried about Zhou Guyi uncovering. He also believed that Zhou Guyi wouldn’t delve deeply into the matter.

 

Indeed, regarding his experience of fleeing and returning to the clan, Zhou Guoyi only praised and complimented him for his resolve to return home despite the hardships, without inquiring further about it.

 

After observing him deep in thought for a moment, he nodded slightly, saying, “The clan has just been established, and many tasks remain unfulfilled. This is a time when the clan needs capable individuals. Zhou Chun, you are willing to face all obstacles and hardships and return to your clan despite the difficulties. This commitment and determination are commendable indeed.

 

“Since your original spirit beast has fallen in battle, this Rock Turtle egg shall be granted to you as a new companion to raise. May you cherish and use it wisely, and in the future, serve your clan well!”

 

Just as he finished speaking, he lightly tapped on a storage bag at his waist and retrieved a white jade box from it, handing it to Zhou Chun.

 

Zhou Chun’s face immediately lit up with joy.

 

He held the jade box in both hands, his face filled with gratitude as he immediately bowed deeply to Zhou Guyi and said respectfully, “Thank you, Clan Leader, for the generous gift. From now on, I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to serve our clan, not letting down your expectations or those of the entire clan.”

 

“Alright, you will cultivated on Ganoderma Peak. As for the current situation of our Zhou Clan and the rules that must be observed within the clan, you can inquire about them from Zhou He, the Peak Head of Ganoderma Peak.”

 

Zhou Guyi finished speaking and gently waved his hand, signaling for them to leave.

 

Upon seeing this, Zhou Fei and the others hastily bowed and took their leave, quickly departing from the place.