Somewhere within the Three Peaks Sect's inner sect.

Seven senior disciples were engaged in a domineering standoff with seven new disciples.

Four of the new disciples bore visible injuries, clearly wounded quite severely.

"Are you really this pathetic? So-called supreme spiritual roots, yet this is all you can do?" One senior disciple's voice dripped with disdain.

Li Yuexin angrily retorted, "Have you no shame? You've cultivated for several more years than us! Bullying newly enrolled disciples - can't you show some decency?"

"When you venture out for training and encounter demonic or evil cultivators, do you think they'll care whether you're new or experienced? Losing means death! We seniors are just giving you an early taste of the cultivation world's cruelty!"

"You supreme spiritual root disciples are too ambitious and arrogant. We're doing this for your own good!" The senior disciples spouted justification after justification.

"Tch!" Meng Changle laughed loudly. "You wouldn't dare do this without someone backing you. Who wants to teach us a lesson? Step forward openly instead of this hypocritical act!"

The senior disciples exchanged glances before attacking the seven new disciples again.

One supreme spiritual root disciple who was already injured couldn't take it anymore and shouted, "Twenty-four, attack now!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, a fish head emerged from his sleeve and spat out a water sword!

"A spirit pet too?"

The inner sect disciple at Qi Refining seventh layer showed surprise but calmly cast defensive spells. How strong could a mid-Qi Refining spirit pet be?

"Wait! This spiritual pressure is too intense!"

When the water sword approached, he immediately sensed something wrong! He instantly strengthened his defenses while activating his magical equipment!

Sssshhh!

The water sword tore through the golden shield before him - the thick golden barrier couldn't withstand the attack at all!

The water sword's momentum didn't slow, directly striking the disciple's protective robe. The robe flickered briefly before dimming completely within one breath. The water sword pierced through and sent the disciple flying, spraying blood across the air, leaving him severely wounded.

"Hiss!"

The other senior disciples collectively gasped.

One senior disciple came to his senses and rushed over, crushing a medicinal pill to sprinkle on the wounds. The injuries healed quickly, but the disciple's energy remained weak, clearly unable to continue fighting and needing rest.

"You!" The other senior disciples glared at the supreme spiritual root new disciple.

"Were you trying to kill a fellow disciple?"

"That was far too heavy-handed!"

The new disciple flushed red with frustration.

Gu You immediately spoke up, "You were the ones pushing us too hard! Even rabbits bite when cornered, let alone new disciples unfamiliar with combat - isn't it normal to misjudge strength? Aren't deaths from inferior skills common in the cultivation world? Since you dared attack us, you should be prepared for injuries or even death!"

"Using spirit beasts to intentionally harm others, severely wounding fellow disciples and endangering lives - it seems you'll need to visit the Confinement Cliff!"

A senior disciple immediately sent a message requesting a Foundation Establishment enforcer to handle the matter.

Before Gu You could fully grasp the situation, a team of black-clad law enforcers descended from the sky, their leader clearly at early Foundation Establishment.

"What exactly... are you trying to do?" Xie Yingying also protested angrily. She knew the sect's normal atmosphere well - this situation was absolutely abnormal and definitely suspicious!

The enforcement captain looked down at the fourteen people below and declared, "Take them all away!"

Feeling the seven new disciples' anger and resentment, spirit fish emerged one after another from their sleeves.

They performed the Seven Stars Mystic Leap, their figures flashing through the air, leaving behind starry afterimages with each pause. The seven spirit fish converged midair, forming an array as they simultaneously spat water swords at the captain.

"Oh? Daring to resist? That adds to your crimes!" the captain shouted.

The seven water swords formed a Big Dipper Sword Formation in midair, attacking him from all sides.

"Wait!"

The captain's expression changed as he immediately drew his flying sword to counter.

Unexpectedly, the sword formation's power multiplied dramatically, locking his flying sword in a midair stalemate.

Gu You and the others stared dumbfounded, never imagining their spirit fish could coordinate into the Big Dipper Sword Formation. From the leaping footwork and swordplay, they clearly saw Su Yuan's influence - these weren't wild spirit fish from secret realms, but ones Su Yuan had raised.

But now wasn't the time to ponder this.

"Thirteen, return!" Gu You immediately called.

At worst they'd face a few days of confinement, but resisting law enforcement would change the situation entirely!

Thirteen glared fiercely at the captain but obediently descended at Gu You's command. The other spirit fish followed suit.

The enforcement captain darkened his expression and ordered, "Take them all! Seal their cultivation and guard them strictly!"

Just as the enforcers moved to act—

"Hold!"

A voice resounded through the heavens.

Everyone looked skyward to see nine lifelike true dragons pulling a throne through parting clouds.

Upon the throne sat a strikingly handsome young man cradling a silver-white spirit fox, gazing down upon the mountain like an immortal deity.

The dragons roared as sword hymns shook the entire Three Peaks. Every cultivator who heard them felt their minds struck as if by massive temple bells, their spirits shaken.

This scene stunned all disciples into mental paralysis.

The shocking part wasn't Su Yuan's dramatic entrance, but that Three Peaks' protective formations should prevent even Nascent Soul elders from descending so brazenly from the summit!

Since Su Yuan clearly wasn't the sect leader or likely a Spirit Transformation elder, the only remaining identity was the long-appointed but never-seen new Peak Master!

In a secluded chamber within Three Peaks, Xu Guangwen opened his eyes and frowned. "After just a few years in seclusion, such an unfamiliar Golden Core cultivator appears? At most early Golden Core stage - how can he be Peak Master? But that Nascent Soul elder recently said I could contend for this position. In that case, I must stake my claim!"

Gu You cried out joyfully, "Peak Master! Please uphold justice for us!"

Su Yuan glanced at them but ignored their plea, instead looking toward a particular Three Peaks location. "Xu Guangwen, come out. Haven't you been looking for me?"

His words sent shockwaves through Three Peaks.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Golden Core elders flew into the sky one after another.

Some immediately bowed to Su Yuan.

"Greetings, Peak Master!"

Seeing this, Su Yuan's expression softened slightly. "Recently occupied with Immortal Seed Valley matters, I hadn't appeared at Three Peaks. Today I formally assume my position. Any objections must be raised now - hereafter, anyone disrupting sect harmony will face severe punishment!"

The remaining neutral Golden Core elders exchanged bewildered glances at those who'd immediately taken sides, unable to grasp the situation.

Clearly this was the consequence of neglecting studies - what was plainly recorded in the library, these Golden Core elders didn't know.

Xu Guangwen emerged from seclusion, flying to Su Yuan's altitude.

Surprised, he asked, "You know of me?"

Then solemnly declared, "I am Xu Guangwen. I did instigate this incident - for that I'll accept punishment at the Enforcement Hall. But I truly oppose your Peak Master appointment! After decades at Hidden Peak with outstanding contributions and achievements, plus peak Golden Core cultivation - by all rights I'm most qualified to be Peak Master. Yet suddenly an outsider is appointed - naturally I object!"

Su Yuan smiled. "At any other peak, you'd make a fine Peak Master. But at Hidden Peak... well, there are issues. Not that you can't serve - after my tenure, the position could be yours."

"What do you mean?" Xu Guangwen frowned, sensing hidden meaning.

Su Yuan asked curiously, "Do you usually bury yourself in cultivation? How many years to reach peak Golden Core?"

Proudly, Xu Guangwen declared, "With supreme spiritual roots, I reached peak Golden Core in just 98 years! Nor did I only cultivate - I frequently ventured out, slaying multiple peak Golden Core beasts and notorious demonic/evil cultivators! I've survived life-and-death situations and dangers. By any measure, I surpass you!"

Su Yuan nodded calmly. "You're outstanding. But some matters must follow protocol."

"Protocol? Sect Peak Master requirements are threefold: sufficient contributions, Nascent Soul elder nomination, and profound same-realm cultivation. I meet all three. Assuming you satisfy the first two, I challenge the third! The cultivation world's ultimate protocol is strength! Let me test your mettle - dare you accept?"

Around him, several Golden Core elders subtly moved closer, making both sides appear evenly matched.

Some elders beside Su Yuan exchanged exasperated glances - this wasn't about strength! The first Hidden Peak Master position wasn't about cultivation level! This could potentially rename the entire sect!

They worriedly watched Su Yuan - he couldn't possibly fight yet, right? Even as the founder, his cultivation time was still too short!

But Su Yuan nodded serenely. "Very well, I'll grant this opportunity. But know this - if I defeat you, you may leave Three Peaks or stay, but your punishment doubles."

"And if you lose?" Xu Guangwen pressed.

Su Yuan smiled faintly. "Simple - I'll yield the Peak Master position! After all, I've held it three months already."

Xu Guangwen frowned, again detecting something peculiar in Su Yuan's words. Vaguely, he felt he'd overlooked something.

After careful consideration finding no major flaws, he steadied himself.

Outwardly calm, he said, "Then before all witnesses, let us battle!"

Su Yuan chuckled agreeably. A small jade pot materialized in his palm - seemingly unremarkable, yet likely the Seven Extremes Sect's most valuable treasure currently.

Was using a sixth-grade spirit treasure against a third-grade Golden Core shameful? Su Yuan thought not - the treasure was part of his strength! And no one would know it was sixth-grade anyway.

Possessing such a treasure had clearly inflated Su Yuan's confidence - within the sect, he felt ready to make a splash!