"We respectfully welcome Master Baiyun's return from seclusion!"
The boulder shattered, stones tumbling down with a hiss. Behind him, the sky was a brilliant blue dotted with a few clouds, a gentle breeze brushing past. Countless birds, startled, took flight from the woods below.
The crowd below shouted in unison, each face filled with anxiety and unease.
Those present were all major figures from the Jinnan region—bosses with real clout. Besides the Su, Lin, and Moore families, there was also Quentin Yu, president of the Capitalview Chamber of Commerce, standing there and gazing reverently toward the spot where the stone had shattered.
"Eric, that man up there is Master Baiyun. I originally intended to send you to become his disciple, but in the past, Master Baiyun had two beloved disciples—Aiden Green and Master Greenwater—and never agreed to take anyone else. Recently, though, both Aiden and Greenwater have mysteriously fallen. For you, this is an opportunity."
Quentin Yu’s expression was serious—his build was imposing, exuding the air of a true business heavyweight.
Standing beside him was Eric Yu, none other than the trending young idol.
"Earlier, Tim Ruan tried to mess with Wang Wansheng and ended up getting crushed. He’s basically finished now. Our Yu family has no grudges with the Chen family, so when you go to school, it’s best if you can win over Lynn Chen. If the Yu and Chen families join forces, and you become Master Baiyun’s disciple, we might be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Su and Lin families."
Quentin Yu spoke in a steady tone, his eyes full of calculation.
To reach the position of Chamber president, Quentin Yu was clearly no fool.
After Tim Ruan provoked Wang Wansheng, he was hit with ruthless business tactics like a thunderbolt.
"Yes!"
Eric Yu nodded solemnly, gazing at the man on the shattered stone with deep admiration.
"I've been in seclusion for almost five years. It seems the world has changed."
At the edge of the cliff, that figure soared skyward and landed squarely atop a dead twig at the mountain’s peak.
The dead twig jutted from the sheer cliff, thin and fragile, swaying in the wind with no real support—yet Master Baiyun stood firmly on its tip, utterly unmoving.
He lifted his chin slightly, white hair fluttering by his temples. His eyes, which should have been clouded with age, now gleamed with sharp light—there was not a trace of the decline one would expect from an old man.
"Master, please calm your anger!"
The people below heard Master Baiyun’s words and felt a chill in their hearts.
Aiden Green and Master Greenwater had been Master Baiyun’s eyes in the mortal world, gathering Law Seeds for him over the years. Now, with both of them dead, if Master Baiyun decided to investigate, many people here could get dragged into the mess.
"All these years later, he still looks exactly the same as before," Victor Su lifted his head and murmured as he gazed upward.
Henry Lin, Martin Mu, and others stood respectfully at the foot of the mountain with their juniors, not daring to speak much.
Standing next to Victor Su was a young girl in a long dress—stunningly beautiful, but with a sickly, delicate look that made people ache just to see her.
"You’ve brought all these people here for one reason—to become my disciples."
Master Baiyun lowered his head, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke calmly.
As soon as he spoke, everyone below immediately lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze. Countless thoughts raced through their minds.
They all wanted their children to apprentice under Master Baiyun. Decades ago, he claimed to hail from the Profound Clarity Sect—a true hidden immortal orthodoxy. Few here had ever seen that sect, but Baiyun’s strength alone proved its power.
What’s more, Master Baiyun alone was enough to command the respect of the Southriver Sword Sect. To join his discipleship was to walk unchallenged across all of Jinnan.
"Green Mountain and Greenwater are dead. I will take two new disciples."
He spoke lightly, ignoring the sudden commotion below and the hopeful faces of the young men and women.
With a flick of his hand, Master Baiyun scattered the clouds overhead, his eyes closing as his Daoist robe fluttered. The scattered clouds seemed to gather again at his command, condensing before him.
"Before I take any disciples, I must settle an old score. Whoever killed my disciples will not be forgiven lightly!"
"I have entered the Yin-Yang Realm—I now hold life and death in my hands!"
"Above and below this world, let’s see where you can hide!"
He snorted coldly, eyes snapping open as he stomped his foot and spun around, staring off into the distance.
Without hesitation, Master Baiyun stepped onto a white cloud and soared into the sky, not even glancing at the crowd below as he sped away.
To those below, it looked as if Master Baiyun was riding the clouds, ascending like an immortal.
Witnessing this, the crowd grew excited. Many silently pitied whoever had killed Green Mountain and Greenwater, feeling a touch of sympathy.
"To offend Master Baiyun’s wrath—whoever did it must have nerves of steel. Once he arrives, that person will be ground to dust," Henry Lin said with a grin, strolling over to Victor Su as he spoke.
Next to Victor Su, Sam "Second Brother" Su kept a cold face, pretending not to notice Henry Lin.
"Sam, either tell me where the guy who crippled Sword Master Eric Cui is hiding, or in a few days, let the Southriver Sword Sect come ask you themselves."
"This past month, I’ve taken quite a bit of heat just to protect you."
Henry Lin grinned, clearly enjoying Sam Su’s predicament.
A sword master from the Southriver Sword Sect had been crippled—a huge scandal. Some in the sect even wanted Sam Su’s head, but Sword Master Eric Cui intervened and stopped them.
Ever since Eric Cui’s cultivation was destroyed, he’d stayed inside the Sword Sect, openly admitting defeat. Outwardly, the sect did nothing to the Su family, but their anger simmered beneath the surface.
"Henry Lin, don’t push it. I told you, I don’t know where he is now. Asking me is pointless. If you’re so capable, go find him yourself," Sam Su replied coldly.
Henry Lin didn’t get angry. He spoke carelessly, "That guy made trouble for both my Lin family and the Moore family. The Moore family has ties with Master Baiyun, and I hear Victor Moore wants to become Baiyun’s disciple. If he succeeds, how much longer do you think you can keep hiding him?"
"Master Baiyun’s Daoist arts are profound. He’s out for revenge now—give him a day at most. When he returns, Sam, let’s see if you can keep up that tough talk!"