By the afternoon, it was time for the disciple ceremony of Sect Leader Lin of the Ancient Abyss Sect.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Sect Leader Lin’s disciple ceremony was much smaller in both spectacle and scale compared to Ancestral Master Zongming’s.

Though there were still many attendees, all displaying great enthusiasm.

As the ceremony came to its end, three men had already made their way into the Ten Thousand Mountains together.

Because the Ten Thousand Mountains were within the Outer Courtyard, there were not many people present at this moment.

"Zimu, why is it that, despite you also having a medium Dao Body, you weren’t taken in as a disciple by the Sect Leader, yet Third Prince Long Ming was?"

The two sat beside the stone table that Yang Yan had previously carved out with Star Night, while Gu Sheng stubbornly stood behind Yang Yan.

Hearing Yang Yan’s question, Lin Zimu couldn’t help but smile.

He picked up his sword, gently placing it on the stone table, then looked at Yang Yan and said slowly:

"Brother Yang, it’s because my main focus is on the Sword Dao, and within the sect, only the Sword Disciple Elder excels in this field."

"I see!"

Yang Yan immediately felt relieved.

After all, when choosing a master, one doesn’t just choose the one with the higher realm.

If the Sword Disciple Elder’s expertise in the Sword Dao surpasses that of the Sect Leader, then of course, it’s best to take the Sword Disciple as a master.

Lin Zimu then laughed heartily and said:

"Brother Yang, do you know why I didn’t go to the Sword Sect, which specializes in the Sword Dao?"

Yang Yan suspiciously asked:

"Why? After all, Sword Sect is still the leader of the top ten sects."

Lin Zimu waved his hand:

"Because the Sword Sect has a nemesis of mine. In this life, I must represent the Ancient Abyss Sect to surpass him!"

The usually gentlemanly Lin Zimu now showed no restraint, his sharpness fully revealed.

As soon as he finished speaking, both of them turned in unison to look behind them.

Lin Zimu smiled:

"Brother Yang, talk about timing."

"Let’s see what they want to do?"

Yang Yan replied lightly, seemingly unconcerned.

As for Gu Sheng, he only cared about Yang Yan, bowing his head silently without even glancing up.

The sharp sound of air being cut through whistled past overhead, weaving back and forth over them a few times before slowing down and landing on this small mountain peak.

"Ah! Brother Zimu, I’ve had quite a hard time finding you! To say, these Ten Thousand Mountains are quite large."

Four disciples, all dressed in white, landed, each wearing a sword at their waist.

The leader, a man of imposing presence and uncommon demeanor, had a slight hint of roguishness in his expression.

"Senior Brother Ban was flying back and forth overhead, I thought he was looking for some female junior, so I didn’t dare interrupt."

The expected hostility typical of enemies did not surface upon meeting.

On the contrary, Lin Zimu stood up with a refined demeanor, as if meeting an old friend, outwardly friendly.

This was likely a display of the Inner Sect Senior Brother’s cultivated demeanor!

Yang Yan sat there without moving.

After all, it was just an Inner Sect Senior Brother of the Sword Sect; given Yang Yan’s current status, the other party indeed didn’t have the standing to make Yang Yan rise to greet him.

Lin Zimu still addressed him as Brother Yang because Yang Yan insisted on it.

But that did not negate Yang Yan’s identity as the Ancestral Master of the Ancient Abyss Sect.

"Brother Zimu, you seem to be doing well; it’s been three years since we last met, and I’ve missed you greatly."

The leading man among the four was none other than Ban Deming, the Inner Sect Senior Brother of the Sword Sect.

Not only had he reached the peak of Qi Cultivation, his swordsmanship had also reached great heights.

"Have a seat."

Lin Zimu merely smiled slightly and motioned for Ban Deming to sit after he walked over, only then did he sit himself.

"I won’t sit. Zimu, have you forgotten the three-year appointment from three years ago?"

"I’ll give both of you three years to consolidate your perfected cultivation, and then we shall have another match."

As Ban Deming spoke, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, as he lovingly stroked the sword scabbard held in his right hand with his left.

This demeanor clearly awaited Lin Zimu’s response.

"Isn’t there a match scheduled for tomorrow?"

Lin Zimu said softly.

"Really? I had forgotten."

Ban Deming raised his head, looking at Lin Zimu with a half-smile:

"But, esteemed Senior Brother of the Ancient Abyss Sect, it’s better today than tomorrow; I can’t wait any longer!"

Lin Zimu’s cheek twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

A cohort at Ban Deming’s side chuckled provocatively and said:

"What’s the matter, Lin Zimu? As the Inner Sect Chief Disciple of the Ancient Abyss Sect, are you now afraid to accept a challenge?!"

"Remember, three years ago, you could still draw with our Senior Brother Ban, right?"

With these words, the Sword Sect disciples standing behind Ban Deming also chimed in.

"Indeed, three years ago, our Senior Brother single-handedly challenged the chief disciples of the top ten sects, undefeated."

"At that time, Senior Brother Lin was the only one who managed a draw against our Senior Brother!"

The disciples from the Sword Sect spoke up, as though if Lin Zimu did not agree, he would be admitting he was inferior to Ban Deming.

Crucially, this was a matter of honor not just for Lin Zimu.

The chief disciples of both sects were representative figures within their sects.

If Lin Zimu admitted defeat without fighting, where would the face of the sect be?!

Lin Zimu smiled gracefully, calmly rising to his feet and grabbing the sword laid on the stone table.

He first bowed smilingly to Yang Yan:

"Brother Yang, please excuse me for a moment."

Yang Yan smiled indifferently:

"No worries, I’m actually curious to see you show your might."

Ban Deming caught a chill in his eyes at Yang Yan’s attitude.

However, in a brief moment, he refocused his gaze on Lin Zimu.

"Brother Zimu, this way please!"

Ban Deming pointed to a neighboring mountain peak, leading his followers over.

Throughout it all, Ban Deming and his group seemed to disregard Yang Yan, the real protagonist of today.

Or perhaps they noticed him all along. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

They just hadn’t figured out how to deal with Yang Yan, so they pretended not to see.

For instance, earlier Ban Deming clearly exhibited hostility towards Yang Yan, yet didn’t truly act on it.

The Ten Thousand Mountains were vast—large enough to hold hundreds of thousands with room to spare.

However, due to today’s ceremony, the mountains were devoid of people.

Even if there were, the majority consisted of three hundred Inner Sect Marquis Mansion disciples in seclusion.

So, the Ten Thousand Mountains remained quite tranquil.

The mountain peak adjacent to Yang Yan’s location had a slightly larger platform, free of obstacles, making it perfect for duels.

The Sword Sect disciples stepped aside quietly, standing with their swords, clearly no longer aggressive as before.

Both Ban Deming and Lin Zimu donned white garments, each formidable in their own right.

In terms of demeanor, one was elegantly handsome, the other exuding the grace of a gentleman.

These two would clash swords to decide the better atop this unknown small mountain peak in the Ten Thousand Mountains.