The individual standing before them has cold blue eyes and short black hair. He is about the same age as them, which makes his background even more impressive. When he joined the Galaxy Sword sect, he must’ve been only fourteen or fifteen.

I cannot imagine that the Galaxy Sword sect would take in a disciple who did not reach the Foundation Establishment, so that must mean that Sun Yongzheng has been in the Foundation realm for over five years. However, a simple glance at him reveals the blatant and simple truth — it is not a bottleneck that has kept him from advancing further.

Sun Yongzheng exudes an impressive air of prowess and tyranny. His breath itself contains Sword Qi which is more powerful and more advanced than even Wu Yulan’s.

He would be worth quite a few blood points.

“I heard a rumor that you fought and defeated brother Wei,” Sun Yongzheng says. After a moment, he corrects himself: “Former brother.”

My owner keeps her gaze glued to this individual. Though she keeps her features neutral, in her heart, I sense an extreme readiness to fight.

Wu Yulan also does not trust the intentions of this individual, and she too, albeit far more obviously, is wary of Sun Yongzheng’s movements and stance.

Noticing Wu Yulan’s suspicion, Sun Yongzheng chuckles. “I am not here to avenge the sect, junior sisters,” he says. “Wei’s position in the sect has been declining for the past few years. His expulsion was inevitable. When new disciples come through the gate, sometimes this older generation comes to bully them and steal their rewards from the tournament. I am glad that it turned out the way it did.”

Lan Xiaohui nods but refrains from showing how glad she is to hear those words. I am certain that in some way Lan Xiaohui has been worrying that she will only make enemies in the sect. At the very least, this Sun Yongzheng might not be one of them.

Sun Yongzheng’s critical gaze lingers on the two for the few moments that the silence between them exists and then speaks: “I did not only come to welcome you to the sect.”

Wu Yulan takes a half-step forward to stand next to Lan Xiaohui. “Then why did you come, senior brother Sun?” she asks.

Sun Yongzheng grins, perhaps glad that Wu Yulan asked the question. “Do you know of the factions in the sect?”

They both shake their heads in reply.

“Allow me to explain,” Sun Yongzheng begins. “The ancestors of the sect have left many valuable manuals to us disciples to practice, but most of them are incomplete or too difficult to comprehend. Perhaps you can imagine how difficult it is; as a Core Disciple, you can only study one of these manuals. Perhaps you can understand why your seniors, in poor standing, might resort to such methods.”

Lan Xiaohui and Wu Yulan nod along to the words, their expressions remaining neutral, but I can tell that their feelings on the matter are anything but.

“Which manual you decide to study depends on what you believe is the most direct road to the pinnacle. There are four factions or four ways of thinking. My Star faction believes that the cultivation of Qi through the Mystical Infinity Star Skill is the superior way. The Galaxy faction practices the Galaxy Sword Method — it is the most popular and famous one. The Moon faction believes that a strong Dao Heart and improved Physique is the best way, and as such, they practice the Empty Moon Prana.”

The moment he speaks those final words, Lan Xiaohui’s eyes narrow to thin slits. It is not a coincidence, it would seem, that the name of the manual the Moon faction practices is so similar to Lan Xiaohui’s [Emptiness Prana], or the fact that Lady Yue insisted that Lan Xiaohui join the Moon faction.

Lady Yue said that she came across the [Emptiness Prana] in her travels. Could its origins be related to the Galaxy Sword sect’s Moon faction?

Lan Xiaohui clears her throat and keeps her voice steady. “You said there were four factions.”

Sun Yongzheng nods. “The last one is the Death Cult. They practice the Life-Severing Sword and dedicate themselves to the extinction of all life through ritualistic death duels.”

The way that Sun Yongzheng describes this particular cult is filled with a heavy dose of mockery, and it would not surprise me if the truth is heavily distorted.

I feel an affinity towards this Death Cult, but I presume that is because it is a simple access to blood points and new owners. It reminds me of the same environment that gave birth to me; I, also, had to extinguish all others like me to climb to the top and become what I am now — what I was.

“Junior sisters, I would like to formally invite you to my Star faction,” Sun Yongzheng says, smiling brightly.

“My apologies, senior brother,” Lan Xiaohui begins. “I am not yet a Core Disciple and cannot practice any of these manuals; therefore, I cannot yet decide to join a faction.”

Sun Yongzheng seems surprised by these words. “You are the direct disciple of Elder Qin; that makes your status that of a True Disciple,” he says. “Perhaps you are confused, junior sister; The difference between a Core Disciple and a True Disciple is only that Core Disciples are not direct disciples of an Elder.”

Lan Xiaohui shakes her head. “You misunderstand, senior brother. It is true that Elder Qin has decided that we are to be her direct disciples, but my status is only that of an Inner Disciple.”

Sun Yongzheng blinks in surprise again. “I see.” He nods. “That is a very strange and interesting development, but I suppose it makes sense. Your result at the Pagoda was not excellent, unlike junior sister Wu Yulan. Making you a direct disciple would likely come with heavy political consequences.”

After those words, he looks at Wu Yulan.

Wu Yulan smiles. “I am also only an Inner Disciple, brother Sun.”

At this, Sun Yongzheng laughs and then nods. “I see; I see! This is truly unexpected. My apologies. I did not know.”

Lan Xiaohui and Wu Yulan nods. “That is fine, senior brother. Thank you for the offer,” my owner says.

“You do not have to be a Core Disciple to join a faction. You may even be given an opportunity to study the manuals if you prove yourself, which I imagine you will,” Sun Yongzheng says.

At this, Lan Xiaohui shakes her head. “Thank you, senior brother, but I will have to decline for now. I am not yet ready to decide what faction I wish to join.”

Wu Yulan nods in agreement.

Though she says she is not ready to decide which faction to join, this decision has already been made for her, by Lady Yue. If she is to join Lady Yue’s ancestral clan, she must become a member of the Moon faction.

Sun Yongzheng inhales in a disappointed manner, then forces a smile to his lips. “Very well, junior sister. If you change your mind, you can come speak to me.”

My owner nods.

“I shall take my leave now, junior sisters. Perhaps one day we can cross swords and compare our martial arts,” Sun Yongzheng says and then hops onto his sword.

“One more thing, before I depart,” he says, looking down on the two from his now higher vantage point. “There is supposed to be a third member here — a junior sister by the name of Yun Fei. Do you know of her?”

“She is my friend,” Lan Xiaohui says.

At this, Sun Yongzheng’s eyebrows furrow together in thought and he glances at the entirety of Starsword Peak, perhaps realizing how improbably a coincidence it must be for three friends to own an entire peak to themselves.

“I see,” he says, quietly. “I thought you should know, but there is a rumor that some lowlifes from her previous sect are harassing her. I should mention that it is absolutely forbidden to give up the rewards from the Martial Meeting to outsiders.”

This time, Lan Xiaohui is unable to keep control over her composure or her expression, and it darkens significantly.

“You should remind her not to make a mistake and give up those rewards. If she needs help dealing with these people, I would be happy to assist.”

“Thank you, senior brother,” Lan Xiaohui says, pressing her fist into her palm and bowing formally. “I will take your words to heart.”

Sun Yongzheng nods. “Farewell for now,” he says and then blasts off into the skies.

Lan Xiaohui is still for a while — a whole minute passes, and she does not move or speak a word.

Wu Yulan looks at my owner with concern in her eyes. “Sister Xuelian, about Yun Fei…”

Lan Xiaohui nods and then jumps on my vessel. “I will go see her,” she says, and then we also take off into the sky, with Wu Yulan following right behind us.