If one's aptitude was lacking and they could only join Lingyue Peak, they might as well follow their moral compass and simply choose Changming Peak.

But now, all the main peaks were entirely open for Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao to choose from.

If they chose Changming Peak...

It meant giving up the abundant resources of Yin Yang Peak. This included cultivation resources, priority in sect duties, and the Sect's attention.

Along with a myriad of other benefits.

Comparing the two...

The difference was not just a tiny bit.

"Senior Brother Shao, from what you've said, does Changming Peak truly have no redeeming qualities at all?"

Ning Fan asked, refusing to believe it.

"That is not entirely true."

Shao Hong pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Changming Peak has an ancient ruin-no, to be precise, Changming Peak is built directly atop an ancient ruin. There are many stone inscriptions exposed to the world. No one knows what those inscriptions truly mean. Perhaps they contain some grand inheritance."

Shao Hong raised his hand as he spoke, dipping a finger into the tea before him.

He then traced a few symbols on the ground.

Ning Fan stood up to look.

They looked like complete gibberish, utterly incomprehensible. Yet inexplicably, Ning Fan felt these ghostly scribbles looked somewhat familiar.

Wait.

Ning Fan seemed to have seen similar patterns-or perhaps characters-on Ye Honglian's robes.

Perhaps Ye Honglian would know what these symbols meant.

"Junior Brother Ning, think this over carefully."

"If there is nothing else, this Senior Brother will take his leave. I won't disturb your deliberations. You still have plenty of time."

"Do not make a decision you will regret."

Seeing Ning Fan lost in thought, Shao Hong decided to depart. He stood up and spoke with earnest weight.

"Mm. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao rose to see their guest out.

After sending off Shao Hong and Bai Ran, Ning Fan looked at Yun Qingyao. The matter of choosing a peak was not just his decision to make, but hers as well.

"Wife..."

Ning Fan began to ask.

"Husband, say no more. I trust your decision."

Yun Qingyao did not wait for him to finish. She raised both hands, cupping his against her chest, her eyes overflowing with absolute trust.

"Mm."

Hearing this, Ning Fan's heart settled completely.

His choice.

There was only one!

The matter of choosing a peak was temporarily set aside. There were still three days until they formally joined a peak. For these three days, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao had no specific duties.

For newly initiated Novice disciples, the first few months-or even half a year-were largely idle. They essentially just collected their weekly stipends.

Then, they spent their time on dual cultivation and solitary training.

Those with influential clans enjoyed their family's blessings and resources, while disciples without such backing slowly advanced their cultivation realms.

Only when the next batch of disciples was recruited would their current group gradually be introduced to grounds of Fated Chance and begin experiencing true combat.

It served as a grace period to let new disciples adjust.

Ning Fan, however, chose to wander around the Sect.

Although he had heard Shao Hong's introduction to the five main peaks, hearing was one thing; seeing it with his own eyes was another.

It wasn't that he distrusted Shao Hong, but Ning Fan needed to make his own observations.

Over the course of two days...

Ning Fan surveyed the state of the disciples at the foot of several main peaks. It was largely identical to what Shao Hong had described, with Yin Yang Peak and Lingyue Peak being the most flagrant.

Ning Fan even witnessed two pairs of unfamiliar Dao companions openly swapping partners to cultivate right at the foot of Yin Yang Peak.

It left Ning Fan profoundly shaken!

As for Lingyue Peak...

A massive number of disciples from other peaks lingered there. Even though it was ranked fourth among the main peaks, the surging crowds surpassed those of all the other main peaks combined.

As for Xuanpin Peak and Qihua Peak, Ning Fan lacked the qualifications to enter them. Naturally, he couldn't witness the registry records or the Dual Cultivation Ceremony, but he assumed Shao Hong's descriptions were accurate.

As for Changming Peak...

It was desolate, bleak, and thoroughly miserable. Ning Fan waited at the foot of the mountain for a full half-hour before finally spotting a single pair of Dao companions.

It was far too tragic!

During his observations of the main peaks, Ning Fan also gained a solid understanding of the Yin Yang Divine Sect's hierarchy.

Unassigned new disciples like them were, in truth, merely outer sect members. Many things were kept out of their reach. Only after joining a main peak would they truly fall under the Sect's myriad rules and regulations. To put it bluntly-

If a new disciple committed a severe offense, they didn't even have the right to be sent to Repentance Cliff.

They would either be expelled from the Sect or beaten to death on the spot.

Simple and decisive.

"It is about what I expected."

Ning Fan observed the foot of Changming Peak for a while longer before preparing to leave. In the moment he turned, he suddenly sensed a figure lunging straight toward him.

At the same time, a startled cry rang out.

"Ah-"

"Watch out!"

It was a voice as crisp and sweet as an oriole, laced with a trace of panic and helplessness.

The owner of the voice was a young woman.

She seemed startled by Ning Fan's sudden turn. She stumbled, tumbling directly toward his embrace with a delicate, yielding posture, appearing soft and supple.

The girl's appearance was extraordinary. She was only a slight notch below the likes of Yun Qingyao, Ye Honglian, and Fairy Lingxu, making her a top-tier beauty in her own right.

Just as she was about to crash into his arms, a hint of smugness flashed through her eyes.

But the very next moment...

Ning Fan swiftly sidestepped, completely dodging her lunge. Without his body to support her, the girl fell face-first into the dirt.

"Ouch!"

A cry of pain echoed. Her previous fragile, helpless, and charming demeanor instantly transformed into utter embarrassment.

"Close call. That was a close call."

Ning Fan raised a hand, patting his chest in relief.

Good thing his reflexes were sharp.

As for the girl's condition?

Let alone a cultivator, even an ordinary mortal wouldn't be hurt by such a minor tumble. Ning Fan simply turned and walked away.

Leaving the girl sitting on the ground, staring wide-eyed in disbelief.

Was this guy out of his mind?

Couldn't he at least offer her a hand?

A delicate, soft girl like her had thrown herself into his arms! Just how ruthless did Ning Fan have to be to dodge like that?!

"..."

The girl sat on the ground, pouting. She glared resentfully at Ning Fan's retreating back. But soon after, a fiery spark of determination lit up her eyes.

"Ning Fan, is it."

"Just you wait."

"This young lady will see just how long it takes to win you over!"

"..."

Ning Fan didn't pay the minor interlude any mind. He leisurely made his way back toward the Novice disciple residences. The distance between the main peaks and the novice quarters wasn't short. If one didn't rush, it could take several hours of walking.

The path was lined with all sorts of scenic views.

Within a massive Sect like the Yin Yang Divine Sect, every corner was exceptionally beautiful.

Plop-

As Ning Fan walked, the sudden sound of something falling into water rang out. He immediately looked over, only to see a figure plunging into the adjacent lake.

"Help! Save me?!"

A young woman was thrashing in the water, her pure white gauze dress thoroughly soaked.

Ning Fan could even make out the faint outline of her undergarments beneath the wet fabric.

"Damn! So huge!"

Ning Fan blurted out.

"..."

Hearing Ning Fan's exclamation, the girl couldn't help but secretly arch an eyebrow. Hmph, and here I thought this Ning Fan would be difficult to reel in.

She had only used a slight trick, revealing just a sliver of her charm.

And it was enough to make this man's lust go straight to his head.

Come on.

Jump into the water. She would then throw herself into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest, and the assignment given by her clan would be smoothly accomplished.

That's right.

This girl was none other than a disciple of the Zhao Clan-Zhao Qishuang. She was the key the Zhao Clan was using to ease tensions with Ning Fan.

However, the expected plunge into the water never happened.

Nor was there any trace of lust in Ning Fan's eyes. Instead, he was currently stroking his chin, his gaze locked onto the surface of the water with immense interest.

Zhao Qishuang realized with astonishment that Ning Fan's gaze wasn't resting on her at all. And then, she truly registered what he was looking at.

Zhao Qishuang was so furious she almost laughed.