Chapter 799 - Heavenly Gate Peak

The fewer people, the better. This was precisely what Liu Wuxie hoped for as he preferred solitude during his cultivation due to Desolate Devouring Art's overbearing nature. If there were too many people around, it would only invite unnecessary trouble.

The Heavenly Gate Peak was the perfect place for him. As for Elder Madman, Liu Wuxie wasn't particularly concerned because everyone had weaknesses, and he believed Elder Madman was no exception.

He believed that as long as he handled things correctly, they could get along well.

"Big Brother Liu Feng, is this Elder Madman truly insane, or is it just a rumor? Will Wuxie be in danger if he goes there?" Liu Xin'er asked, her concern evident. She didn’t know what she would do if the place turned out to be truly dangerous.

"You don’t have to worry about that," Liu Feng reassured her. "Elder Madman might seem insane, but Wuxie’s safety won’t be an issue. The only real problem is... his violent temper." His eyes flickered slightly as if he was withholding something.

"How violent?" Liu Xin'er pressed. Though she had a carefree personality, she was naturally more observant as a woman. She immediately sensed that there was more to Liu Feng’s words.

"He just... has a habit of beating up disciples for no apparent reason. Several have joined Heavenly Gate Peak recently, but only three have managed to endure," Liu Feng sighed.

He could only hope that Liu Wuxie would last at least a few days. If things became unbearable, leaving Heavenly Gate Peak might still be an option—without technically breaking their promise.

"What kind of master beats up their disciples for no reason?" Liu Xin'er couldn't comprehend Elder Madman's actions, which was probably why they called him a madman.

"Wuxie, endure for a while after reaching the Heavenly Gate Peak. I'll find a way to get you transferred to Half-Moon Peak," Liu Feng said gravely. He needed time to make arrangements, and many disciples had left the Heavenly Gate Peak in recent years.

"We'll talk about it later," Liu Wuxie said, waving his hand dismissively. He had finally been assigned to a peaceful place and had no intention of leaving unless absolutely necessary. Only if Elder Madman was truly as violent as Liu Feng described would he reconsider.

The three chatted for fifteen minutes before an elder responsible for placements arrived.

"We will now assign your peaks. Your belongings have been sent to your respective mountains. Someone will come to receive you," said the elder. He took out several name lists and stuck them on the pillar.

"I'm assigned to the Myriad Phase Cavern!" cheered a disciple at the True Profound Realm in excitement. After all, every disciple's dream was to be assigned to the Myriad Phase Cavern.

Ning Hai glanced at the list and saw his name under the Myriad Phase Cavern. When he continued, he paused briefly when he saw Liu Wuxie's name.

"What's going on? Why is Liu Wuxie assigned to the Heavenly Gate Peak? I remember a madman manages the Heavenly Gate Peak, and it's practically abandoned."

After interacting with their fellow clansmen and other disciples, everyone had gained a general understanding of the academy's layout—including Heavenly Gate Peak. But what truly shocked them was learning that Liu Wuxie had secured first place in all four stages.

"I understand it now! He must've been sent to the Heavenly Gate Peak because of his low cultivation!" Everyone nodded in understanding, convinced they had figured out the reason.

"That's right. He’s only at the first level of the Nascent Transformation Realm—it would be a joke if he were sent to the Myriad Phase Cavern," another person added.

After all, entry into the Myriad Phase Cavern required reaching at least the True Profound Realm.

Only one hundred disciples, including Ning Hai, Hong Du, and Zhao Chao, were accepted into the cavern this year.

Other true disciples were divided into the three courts and a small number into the five institutions. Only a few were assigned to the seven peaks.

However, being assigned to the seven peaks didn't mean they were less talented. It was mainly because of their unique characteristics. For example, the disciples assigned to the Starfall Institution were highly skilled in spiritual arrays.

The news of Liu Wuxie's assignment to the Heavenly Gate Peak soon spread, and many looked at him with a gloating expression.

Meanwhile, Liu Xin'er was unexpectedly assigned to the Frost Court, which took Liu Wuxie by surprise. Given her average talent, the assignment made little sense.

However, it was likely that her placement was based on her points—after all, luck was also a part of one's strength.

"Disciples of the Myriad Phase Cavern, come with me," a young man announced, his aura at the Spirit Profound Realm sweeping across the training ground.

He carried an air of aloofness, a natural display of his superiority as a disciple of the Myriad Phase Cavern.

Ning Hai and the other disciples who were accepted quickly stepped forward.

"Greetings, Senior Brother. This is a small token of my respect," Ning Hai said, offering an interspatial ring.

The youth nodded, pleased with Ning Hai's gesture.

The other disciples frowned at this sight. Since Ning Hai had taken the initiative, they would also have to follow suit, or they would leave behind a bad impression. They were all newcomers, and they would only benefit from forming a connection with the existing Myriad Phase Cavern's disciples, but Ning Hai had taken the lead.

"My name is Hong Du. Please take care of me in the future, Senior Brother!" Hong Du also stepped forward and offered an interspatial ring.

In the blink of an eye, more than half of the disciples had presented gifts to the youth, but a small number remained indifferent because they were too proud.

After all, everyone who could enter the academy was a prodigy, and some people were naturally unwilling to lower themselves before others.

The youth didn’t pressure those who chose not to offer gifts—after all, with so many people watching, these unspoken rules had to be maintained. He simply accepted what was given willingly and ignored those who refrained. As for taking care of them? Aside from those with higher cultivation, like Ning Hai, the rest weren’t even worth remembering.

Representatives from the three courts and five institutions arrived and led their respective disciples away. Then, it was the turn of the disciples who were assigned to the seven peaks.

Even after most disciples left, the Heavenly Gate Peak's representative still hadn't arrived.

"Wuxie, I'll take my leave," Liu Xin'er said reluctantly, waving her hand at Liu Wuxie before leaving with the three courts' disciples.

The number of people on the training ground began to decrease.

"Wuxie, I'll be taking my leave now. You have to be careful, and you can use this Communication Talisman to contact me if there's anything," Liu Feng said, taking out a talisman.

"Go on!" Liu Wuxie waved his hand, indicating that Liu Feng didn't have to worry about him. If Heavenly Gate Peak didn’t send someone to fetch him, he would simply make his own way there.

As the last of the seven peaks' disciples departed, Liu Wuxie remained the only one standing on the training ground. Just as he was about to leave, a figure slowly approached, leaning on a cane and taking deliberate, measured steps. It felt like an eternity before he finally reached Liu Wuxie.

"Hello, you must be the new disciple of Heavenly Gate Peak?" the young man asked. His face was pale, and each step appeared strained, as if walking itself was an arduous effort.

"That's right, Senior Brother," Liu Wuxie said politely. No matter what, he appreciated the gesture of the man coming with his disabilities to fetch him.

"I'm Jiang Le, the Heavenly Gate Peak's chief disciple. I'm here to fetch you, and I'm late due to my legs. I ask for your understanding," Jiang Le said, extending his hands to Liu Wuxie.

When they shook hands, Liu Wuxie couldn't sense any spiritual energy from Jiang Le, who felt like a mortal to him.

"I pay my respect to Senior Brother," Liu Wuxie bowed.

"Good! Aside from me, you have two more senior brothers at Heavenly Gate Peak. Since you joined later, you're naturally our youngest junior brother," Jiang Le said as he withdrew his hand.

"Chief Disciple, how far is the Heavenly Gate Peak?" Liu Wuxie asked, wanting to know its exact location. After settling down, he planned to consume the spiritual pill to make a breakthrough in his cultivation.

"Not too far away. Let's go," Jiang Le replied. He turned and dragged himself off. He took it step by step, moving like a snail.

Then again, Liu Wuxie wasn't in a hurry and followed behind.

With his strength, he could have easily carried Jiang Le without any effort, but he chose not to. In Jiang Le’s eyes, he caught a glimmer of stubbornness—an unyielding pride that refused pity. If he had offered to carry him, Jiang Le would likely have taken it as an insult rather than kindness.

They left the training ground two hours later and found themselves on a rugged mountain path.

By then, the sky had darkened, and the lanterns had been extinguished.

"Senior Brother, how much farther are we?" Liu Wuxie asked again. They had walked for half a day, and the Heavenly Gate Peak was nowhere to be seen.

"We're almost there. See that mountain?" Jiang Le pointed at a mountain in the distance that looked like a gate guarding the academy.

Unlike the other peaks, Heavenly Gate Peak was treacherous and rugged. Even for an ordinary person, climbing it would be strenuous—let alone for Jiang Le, whose legs were impaired. What made it even worse was that he had no true essence in his body, making him no different from a cripple.

This sight made Liu Wuxie frown. The Heavenly Gate Peak was far from them, and if they followed Jiang Le's speed, it would take them three days to cover the distance. However, an ordinary person would only require two hours.

"Senior Brother Jiang, when did you leave the mountain?" Liu Wuxie asked curiously.

"Three days ago. Our master mentioned we will have a new disciple joining us. Your second senior brother isn't right in the head and might get lost. As for the third senior brother, he's beaten so badly by our master that he couldn't even get up. So it's up to me to fetch you, and I set off three days in advance, fearing I might miss the right time," Jiang Le said. He had an optimistic personality, but Liu Wuxie felt discomfort upon hearing that.

Liu Wuxie wouldn’t forget Jiang Le’s kindness—dragging himself all the way here in his condition for three days just to fetch him was no small effort.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. I'm truly grateful," Liu Wuxie said sincerely.

"I know what you're thinking," Jiang Le replied. "You’ve probably heard about Heavenly Gate Peak’s reputation. If you regret it now, you can still apply to join another peak." He knew the questions Liu Wuxie wanted to ask, but now wasn’t the time to answer them.

"Since we still have three days of travel ahead of us, why don't you tell me more about the Heavenly Gate Peak?" Liu Wuxie asked. Given his personality, he wouldn't give up easily.

Elder Madman was the reason he was able to join the academy, and betraying the person who had given him this opportunity was out of the question.

"Since Junior Brother wishes to listen, I might as well tell you," Jiang Le said. The two continued along the rugged mountain path, while elsewhere, the other disciples were likely settling in and familiarizing themselves with the academy’s structure.