Chapter 15: Su Lan Conditions
The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the newly selected disciples of the Heaven Gathering Sect gathered before the grand stone platform, where seven ancient doors towered in solemn stillness. Each door shimmered faintly with spiritual runes, representing the seven majestic peaks of the sect. These doors were not mere passageways, but ancient teleportation arrays, each leading to a different destiny—one of the seven great peaks, each ruled by a peak master, each path holding secrets, power, and peril.
As the names of the peaks were called out one by one by the elder overseeing the selection, disciples began to move forward. Unsurprisingly, the fourth door—the Alchemy Peak—drew the largest crowd, especially among the boys. The allure of spiritual pills, wealth, and a stable cultivation path was difficult to resist. Some boys chose different peaks—namely the fifth and seventh—but none dared even to glance toward the sixth.
The Sixth Peak, the Misty Moon Peak, had a reputation that echoed across the entire sect. It was a place of serenity, beauty, and ruthlessness—known for forging cultivators of extreme discipline and elegance. But more importantly, it was ruled by Peak Master Su Lan, an enigma among elders, known for her icy temperament and an iron rule that had persisted through decades—she had never accepted a single male disciple.
Because of this, while many girls gravitated toward the Sixth Peak, no boy had ever dared to set foot near its gates. None, until today.
A ripple went through the crowd as a young figure suddenly stepped away from the common tide. Meng Hao, dressed in plain but clean robes, his face calm and unreadable, moved with steady steps toward the sixth gate. His pace was neither hurried nor hesitant. He seemed unfazed by the sudden shift in atmosphere—the way eyes turned to him, how whispers bloomed like wildfire among the disciples.
"Heh... who does he think he is?" someone muttered from the crowd, barely hiding their scorn. "Doesn’t he know Peak Master Su Lan has never taken in a male disciple?"
"Tch, just another fool thinking he’ll be the exception this year," another scoffed, arms crossed in disdain.
"I almost feel bad for him. It’ll be fun watching his face when she rejects him," a boy sneered.
"He’s cute though," a girl nearby giggled, her tone teasing. "Maybe she won’t reject him?"
A voice barked in irritation, "Damn you, slut! I knew you were ogling other guys!"
"Hehehe, darling, don’t get jealous," she cooed sweetly. "Come see me tonight, I’ll prove I only love you..."
Meng Hao heard it all, every word, every snide remark and mocking chuckle, but he didn’t react. His gaze remained steady, his steps unbroken. The sixth gate loomed before him like a silver moon suspended in the air, carved with ancient runes of ice and wind. He stepped into the array without hesitation.
A faint hum resonated through the air. The teleportation formation beneath his feet flared to life, swirling with light. Then, in a flash of soft azure glow, his figure vanished.