Early morning.

Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao awoke unusually early. Today was the day for the two of them to select their peaks, and Ning Fan carried all five invitation letters in his hand.

"Let's go."

Ning Fan took Yun Qingyao's small hand. The main peak he chose today might cause quite a stir, but from start to finish, Ning Fan had only one choice in mind.

Ning Fan stepped out of his cave dwelling.

Outside, many new disciples had already gathered to watch. The commotion from three days ago had been no small matter; everyone knew that Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao were to select their peaks today.

Even though their decision had no direct bearing on others, such a spectacle, rare in a century, was worth witnessing.

Ning Fan walked toward the meeting place of the main peaks. Many new disciples trailed behind him, the crowd swelling as he advanced.

It was quite a sight.

Soon, Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao arrived at a junction where the paths led toward the five main peaks of the Yin Yang Divine Sect.

At this time, many disciples were already waiting there. These were not new disciples, but individuals hailing from the five main peaks of the sect.

Among them were many familiar faces.

The several Talent Scouts who had previously delivered the invitations were all present. Naturally, the leader remained that Talent Scout from the Yin Yang Peak. Upon seeing Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao, the Yin Yang Peak Talent Scout stepped forward, chin tilted high, an arrogant expression on his face as he reached a hand toward Ning Fan.

"Hand them over."

"Hm?"

Ning Fan paused.

"The invitation letters."

The Yin Yang Peak Talent Scout furrowed his brow, his face twisted with annoyance and impatience.

But this irritability vanished the moment his eyes landed on Yun Qingyao's features, replaced instantly by a look of base lust.

"Not bad, truly not bad."

"I caught a glimpse before and thought this woman was decent, but looking closer, she is truly a stunning beauty."

"Hehehehe."

As the Yin Yang Peak Talent Scout's voice faded, the group of disciples behind him let out shrill laughs, their gazes roaming over Yun Qingyao with undisguised aggression.

"Hurry up."

The Talent Scout's gaze fell back to Ning Fan, his expression once again turning impatient.

"Join the peak."

"Become a disciple of our Yin Yang Peak and enjoy some hearty dual cultivation. I think this Dao Companion of yours is quite fine."

"Let us have some fun with her."

As he spoke, the Yin Yang Peak Talent Scout actually stepped forward, seemingly unable to contain himself, and reached out to caress Yun Qingyao's cheek.

In that instant, Ning Fan could no longer restrain himself.

"Get lost!!"

Ning Fan let out a furious roar, and in the next heartbeat, he threw a punch that landed squarely on the Talent Scout's chest.

The Yin Yang Peak Talent Scout's body flew backward like a broken doll, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Silence.

Complete silence.

No one had expected Ning Fan to suddenly lash out, sending the Yin Yang Peak Talent Scout flying with a single blow. Everyone stared in shock, at a loss for how to react.

"You... you dare!?"

The Talent Scout struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with disbelief and rage as he glared at Ning Fan.

"You laid a hand on my Dao Companion; hitting you was showing mercy."

Ning Fan looked at him with icy detachment.

In the Yin Yang Divine Sect, a Dao Companion is the most precious of resources. Men and women treat one another as such, and to make a move on another's Dao Companion in their presence was a grave provocation, enough to trigger a life-and-death struggle.

"Kid."

"You must not know-my Yin Yang Peak has a rule: all disciples may freely engage in dual cultivation. Just you wait."

"Once you join my Yin Yang Peak, I will make sure to 'take care' of your Dao Companion!"

"I will make her remember it for the rest of her life!" the Talent Scout snarled, baring his teeth.

That was correct. He might have had some reservations about touching her now, but once Ning Fan was a disciple of his peak, he would be free to do as he pleased with her. That was the law of the Yin Yang Peak.

"Who said I was joining the Yin Yang Peak?" Ning Fan asked, raising a brow.

As his words hit the air, everyone was stunned. It was true; Ning Fan had never stated he would join the Yin Yang Peak.

They had simply assumed that, given the choice, he would inevitably pick the first peak of the sect.

But their assumption was not Ning Fan's choice.

"Junior Brother Ning, choose our Xuanpin Peak! We don't force our disciples; you only exchange Dao Companions when you wish."

"Our Qihua Peak is also excellent. During the Dual Cultivation Ceremony, everyone wears masks to conceal their identities, so there is no need to worry about who is who."

"Our Lingyue Peak..."

Upon hearing that Ning Fan was not selecting the Yin Yang Peak, the other representatives scrambled for the opportunity, stepping forward to offer their own persuasions.

Faced with their chatter, Ning Fan remained unmoved; he had already made his choice before arriving.

He scanned the crowd, his gaze finally settling on a corner.

"Are you two Senior Brothers from the Changming Peak?"

The two disciples in the corner were startled. It took a nudge from the female disciple to pull the man back to his senses.

He quickly stepped forward.

"That is right, Junior Brother Ning. We are disciples of the Changming Peak. If you join us..."

The disciple began to speak, attempting to list the benefits of his main peak, but the words died in his throat.

There were no benefits to mention.

As the weakest peak in the Yin Yang Divine Sect, Changming Peak possessed the poorest resources and treatment. There was nothing presentable to offer.

If one were forced to speak, they might claim it tempered one's will and character-'to toil the sinews and starve the body to stir the mind and sharpen the resolve'-but the disciple was too ashamed to utter such hollow platitudes.

"No need to say more."

"Senior Brother."

"I will join the Changming Peak."

Ning Fan spoke with finality. He glanced at Yun Qingyao, who returned his look with a steady, supportive nod.

Indeed, Changming Peak was their choice.

"What..."

"What!?"

"Join the Changming Peak!? Do you know that it is the weakest peak in the entire sect? Joining them will make your future path of cultivation unimaginably difficult!"

"Ignorant!!"

"A waste of talent!!!"

Voices erupted, one after another. No one present could fathom Ning Fan's choice. Could it be that he would truly forsake superior treatment for the sake of mere fidelity?

"Ning Fan, if you do not choose our Yin Yang Peak, you will regret this!"

The Yin Yang Peak Talent Scout glared at him coldly. Choosing the Changming Peak over the Yin Yang Peak was an open slap in the face to their influence.

"That is no concern of yours, Senior Brother. I have decided to join the Changming Peak," Ning Fan replied.

Just as he reached to hand the invitation letter to the Changming Peak disciple, a voice drifted melodiously from the distance.

"Wait."

"This peak cannot be chosen so easily."