Chapter Forty-Four: The Master of the Seven Absolutes Sect

Though it was already deep into the night, the Moonwatching Peak of Mount Azurecloud was ablaze with lantern light. That night, a mysterious young man claiming to be a disciple of the Profound Truth Monastery intruded upon Moonwatching Peak, leaving the entire sect of the Seven Absolutes in chaos and disarray.

Within the grand hall of deliberation, the sect master Sima Yan and several elders of the Seven Absolutes examined Fang Yunhai’s injuries before beginning to discuss their next course of action.

A cold glint flickered in Sima Yan’s eyes as he spoke slowly, “Though that youth appeared reckless, to dare storm our Moonwatching Peak and injure our disciples must surely have a deeper motive.”

Elder Xu Zhenyang, standing nearby, raised a talisman delivered by his disciple and said in a grave tone, “The youth deliberately left behind this Profound Truth Monastery talisman—could it be he wishes to frame them, inciting a conflict between our sect and the Profound Truth Monastery?”

Sima Yan nodded slowly, “Yunhai’s martial prowess is not weak, yet he was wounded by the youth’s overwhelmingly forceful and masculine fist technique. The Profound Truth Monastery belongs to the Daoist tradition. They have collected many martial arts manuals over the years, yet none, as far as I know, can rival a technique more potent than the Thunderclap Palm.”

Xu Zhenyang’s face clouded with worry. He said earnestly, “Since this young man dared to come to Moonwatching Peak at night and harbors ill intent to frame the Profound Truth Monastery, he is surely no friend. We must not underestimate him.”

“Even so, Elder Xu, there’s no need to worry. With Elders Gongsun and Yang stationed at Clearwind Terrace, that youth has likely already fallen to the twin terrors of our sect’s blade and sword,” remarked a black-robed elder.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the urgent cries of a disciple rang out from outside, “Sect Master, something terrible has happened!”

Sima Yan’s expression darkened. He snorted, “No need for panic. Has the intruder broken through Clearwind Terrace?”

The disciple kneeling at the threshold trembled and quickly answered, “Sect Master, that youth has grievously wounded Elders Gongsun and Yang, and is already advancing up the mountain!”

Sima Yan remained unruffled. “Understood. You may go.”

The disciple hesitated, head bowed, and said with a trembling voice, “Sect Master, the youth was initially trapped by Elders Gongsun and Yang’s blade and sword formation, but unexpectedly, he employed Daoist arts to vanish from sight and thus wounded both elders.”

Sima Yan and the elders’ faces changed drastically. They had not anticipated the youth would also possess Daoist arts. Could he truly be connected to the Profound Truth Monastery?

Waving the disciple away, Sima Yan turned and said, “Since the youth dared trespass upon the Seven Absolutes, he must possess considerable ability. Defeating two of our elders is within reason. Since he demands to peruse our sect’s ‘Martial Canon of Creation,’ let us await him together at the library pavilion and see just how deep his skills run.”

With the plan settled, Sima Yan led the elders and a host of disciples to the entrance of the library pavilion, there to wait in silence for the arrival of their uninvited guest.

Before long, a disciple came rushing to report that a fire had broken out in the rear courtyard.

Knowing this was a diversion, Sima Yan did not hesitate, saying, “It seems you elders will not have the chance to meet this youth. Go and deal with the fire in the rear quarters. Leave the pavilion to me.”

As the sect master had attained the innate stage of martial cultivation, the elders had no concern for his safety. The greater worry was the fire spreading and plunging the sect into chaos, so they hurried off with their disciples to extinguish the flames.

Sima Yan stood calmly before the elegant pavilion, the inferno in the rear courtyard failing to disturb his composure in the slightest.

After a while, a faint smile appeared on Sima Yan’s lips. He called out in a clear voice, “At last you’ve come. I have awaited you for some time.”

From the shadowed edge of the courtyard stepped the black-clad youth, his expression unwavering—it was none other than Qi Fei, who had single-handedly plunged the entire Seven Absolutes Sect into turmoil that night.

Qi Fei was meant to leave behind the Profound Truth Monastery talisman and withdraw after inciting chaos, as his master had instructed. Yet, having already defeated three of the sect’s top experts, Qi Fei’s fighting spirit surged within him. Relying on the supernatural art of Bloodshadow Flight, he could not resist the urge to test himself against the sect master, an innate grandmaster.

For Qi Fei, facing such a master was the greatest challenge of his life. Gazing at the inscrutable Sima Yan, he knew this night would be a defining moment on his path of martial cultivation.

Qi Fei steadied his mind, fixing his gaze upon Sima Yan and marshaling his spirit to its peak.

Sima Yan, observing the composed youth before him, showed a hint of approval in his eyes. “Though your cultivation is only at the fifth tier, you managed to defeat two of my elders. You must possess some extraordinary ability.”

Qi Fei smiled lightly. “I presume you are Sect Master Sima. Since you have been waiting for me, you must already know my purpose in coming tonight.”

Sima Yan’s tone grew grave, “The ‘Martial Canon of Creation’ is the supreme treasure of our sect. Are you not asking too much?”

Qi Fei knew he stood no chance against Sima Yan, an innate master, relying only on the supernatural art of his Bloodshadow Sect. He silently gathered the vital energies within his body, ready to act at any moment, yet his face betrayed no sign of anxiety. “Sect Master Sima jests. However reckless I may be, I would never presume to seize your sect’s supreme treasure by force. Tonight, I merely wish to seek your instruction in the martial arts of the Seven Absolutes.”

Sima Yan smiled faintly. “You stand here composed, unlike the arrogance described by my disciples. I suspect you have other motives besides seeking my instruction.”

Qi Fei did not answer, and a cold smile crept across Sima Yan’s face. “Your attempt at sowing discord is far too crude. Who are you really, and why do you wish to pit my sect against the Profound Truth Monastery?”

“If I insist I am a disciple of the Profound Truth Monastery, would you believe me?” Qi Fei replied calmly, as if unperturbed by facing an innate master.

Sima Yan shook his head. “It seems my disciples spoke true—you are indeed brash. Yet for all your abilities at the fifth-tier, you cannot hope to escape me tonight. Still, there is one thing that puzzles me. Perhaps you can satisfy my curiosity?”

Qi Fei replied serenely, “Does Sect Master Sima wonder why a youth of such modest cultivation would risk his life to invade your sect? If my aim were merely to frame the Profound Truth Monastery, why come here and court death at your library pavilion?”

“Exactly. You have injured two of my elders and set a fire in the rear courtyard. You left a talisman to frame the Profound Truth Monastery—by rights your purpose is fulfilled. Why risk your life here?” Sima Yan’s eyes betrayed a hint of regret, as if he looked upon a man already doomed.

Qi Fei answered quietly, “The path of martial cultivation is fraught with hardship. How can one attain mastery through isolation alone? Only by breaking through in moments of crisis did I reach the fifth tier. Here on Mount Azurecloud, you, Sect Master Sima, are the undisputed master of the innate realm. I wish to risk my life to learn from your supreme skills, and I hope you will not hold back.”

Sima Yan could not help but praise him. “Such sky-high ambition in one so young! You dare face an innate master even at the fifth tier. Did your master never tell you that the breakthrough to the innate realm is but a single thought away, yet once attained, its power is enough to slay you with one stroke?”

Back in the mountain valley, his master—the Bloodshadow True Lord—had not lived long enough to explain the mysteries of the innate realm. His other master, Mo Zhanpeng, was only at the fourth tier, and knew little himself, save to warn Qi Fei never to face the Seven Absolutes’ sect master.

Qi Fei was not overestimating himself; he had a plan. Even if the innate power was as terrifying as Sima Yan claimed, he possessed unmatched vital energy, the Spirit Jade, and the Bloodshadow Flight to protect him—far beyond the reach of ordinary fifth-tier martial artists. For Sima Yan to slay him in a single stroke would not be so easy.

Now that retreat was impossible, Qi Fei was unwilling to let slip this chance to face an innate master. Though he knew he would be defeated, he was confident he could escape Moonwatching Peak by virtue of Bloodshadow Flight.

His mind set, Qi Fei said solemnly, “Very well. Sect Master Sima, I ask for your instruction.”