Chapter 47: The Willful Youngest Disciple

Great Mang Mountain.

This place lay at the southernmost edge of the Guixu Sect, marking the border between Guixu and the Golden Light Sect, and was also a natural treasure trove. Thanks to its unique terrain, countless spiritual herbs thrived here, each one worth a fortune if found. Yet, precisely because of the mountain’s treacherous landscape, successful harvesting was rare.

Both Guixu Sect and Golden Light Sect jointly occupied this place. Every year, disciples and elders would be stationed here to guard against herb thieves. Still, many risked their lives annually, venturing to Great Mang Mountain to seek out the herbs they desired.

The mountain had earned another name: Demon Mountain. It was perpetually shrouded in raging thunder; a single misstep could reduce one to ashes.

Bai Feiyu and his companions soon arrived at Great Mang Mountain in their flying vessel. Liu Guang, at the helm, steered toward the Guixu Sect’s main camp.

Before ascending the mountain, they had to register their presence—this way, if anything were to happen, a search and rescue could be mounted. After all, those permitted to harvest here were the elite among the inner sect disciples. Losing even one would pain the sect deeply; they would never allow their talents to perish needlessly.

“Liu Guang, it’s been some time. That disciple with you looks unfamiliar... has your Eagle Alliance recruited a new member?” an elder at the foot of Great Mang Mountain inquired, glancing at Bai Feiyu.

“No, Elder. This junior brother is here to assist for certain reasons,” Liu Guang replied coolly, unwilling to elaborate. It wouldn’t reflect well on the Eagle Alliance. They’d extended countless invitations to Bai Feiyu, yet he had never joined; now they had to resort to other means to show him the strength of the Eagle Alliance.

Seeing Liu Guang’s lack of his usual warmth, the elder said nothing more, though he could already guess the situation. Such matters were rare in other alliances, but not unheard of here. After all, Eagle Alliance disciples were exceptional talents, each chosen from thousands.

“Let’s go, Junior Brother Feiyu,” Liu Guang called, his tone tinged with displeasure. On the way, he had deliberately increased the flying vessel’s speed to show off his power, yet Bai Feiyu had remained calm and unmoved.

This both annoyed Liu Guang and strengthened his resolve: no matter what, he would prove his strength to this junior brother. Once Bai Feiyu joined Eagle Alliance, he could push all the dirty work onto him as payback for these days of frustration.

Bai Feiyu examined Great Mang Mountain closely. The entire mountain brooded under a heavy shroud of black clouds, exuding a chilling aura. It might even be raining atop the slopes. It was a mystery how such rare herbs could grow in such an environment.

But soon, Bai Feiyu’s eyes sparkled: he had spotted countless globes of lightning-attributed energy floating above the mountain, remnants of the mountain’s perpetual storms. Clearly, the energy had yet to dissipate.

Delight surged in Bai Feiyu’s heart. With so many attributes to collect, this journey was sure to reap a handsome profit—there would be no loss at all.

“Senior Brother, let’s hurry up the mountain!” he urged, to the surprise of Liu Guang and the others. This junior brother had been aloof the entire way; why the sudden eagerness? Perhaps faced with the Demon Mountain, he felt insignificant, and seeing his seniors so at home here, he was awed into deference?

With such thoughts, Liu Guang handed Bai Feiyu a shovel. “Impatient already? Here, hold this for your senior brother. Once we’re on the mountain and harvesting herbs, you can return it.”

“And take this bag,” he added. “You’ll need it to collect the herbs.”

Bai Feiyu glanced down. This wasn’t just one shovel—Liu Guang had given him all the shovels, clearly intending for him to be the pack mule.

Bai Feiyu shot Liu Guang a look that seemed to say, “Are you out of your mind?” then strode off toward the mountain, not deigning to respond.

He truly wondered what went on in this senior brother’s head—he could never keep up with his way of thinking.

“You... come back here!” Liu Guang called angrily when Bai Feiyu ignored him, but he was helpless to do anything about it. Before they’d left, he had been sternly warned: if you test his abilities and find he’s truly gifted and strong, you must not handle things with force, even if he is disrespectful. Should he refuse to join or defect to another alliance because of your rough treatment, you’ll bear the responsibility.

Left with no choice, Liu Guang could only follow, fuming. Behind them, Ziyan and the others could only smile wryly at the scene. This junior brother certainly had a mind of his own.

Once on Great Mang Mountain, Bai Feiyu looked around. Strange flowers and herbs grew everywhere, but as he reached out to pick one, Liu Qing’s voice sounded.

“Junior Brother Feiyu, these herbs aren’t for us to gather. The more ordinary areas are tended by regular inner sect disciples. We’ll be heading deeper, into the dangerous regions.”

“And stay close to us. If you get separated, there’s no way to contact you.”

Liu Qing was exceedingly courteous, and Bai Feiyu nodded in acknowledgment. Still, he couldn’t keep still; as he walked, he glanced about, veering toward any lingering traces of lightning energy, stepping over them to gather their attributes.

His antics left the surrounding seniors speechless. This junior brother was certainly odd, wandering about like a curious child. What if he blundered into danger?

But Bai Feiyu paid no mind to their looks, intent on collecting as many attributes as possible. The mountain path was long—he would gather all he could.

“Please, junior brother, don’t wander off. Some places still hold thunder energy. Step on the wrong spot, and you’re bound to get hurt,” Liu Qing warned kindly from behind.

“Don’t worry, senior brother. There’s no need to look after me—I’m confident I won’t get hurt. I have the skill for it!” Bai Feiyu replied, turning back with utter confidence.

Liu Guang frowned at Bai Feiyu’s obstinacy. If anything happened, they’d be held responsible. Yet Bai Feiyu refused to listen, and Liu Guang’s annoyance only grew.

“Forget it, Liu Qing—let him be. If he gets hurt, it’s his own fault. It has nothing to do with us. If he wants to court death, let him.”

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