Chapter 85: Sect Renaming! Seven Stars Sect!

Su Yuan felt restless after prolonged seclusion. He left his cave dwelling and began wandering around the mountain peak. Rounding a corner, he spotted a fifth-level Qi Condensation disciple hopping between seven stone pillars arranged in the Big Dipper formation. The disciple moved nimbly across the pillars until his rhythm faltered, causing him to misstep and tumble down. Thud! The soft sandy ground cushioned his fall. Wiping mud from his face and spitting out grit, the disciple immediately climbed back up to resume practicing the Seven Stars Flowing Light Steps. Su Yuan observed quietly from the side. After three full hours, the disciple finally stopped, his face bearing multiple scrapes from repeated falls. Panting, he approached Su Yuan. "Senior brother, you're incredibly patient to watch me practice for three hours!" The disciple seemed genuinely surprised. Su Yuan chuckled. "You're the persistent one, practicing for three hours straight. That's far more tiring than my standing around." The disciple sighed, glancing despondently at the pillars. "Persistence means little without talent. Even with supreme techniques before me, I still can't master them." "You're learning Elder Su's signature technique, aren't you?" Su Yuan asked. "Of course! Every peak disciple is studying it now. This place used to be crowded, but everyone else mastered it and left. Now I'm the only one still struggling here." The disciple sighed again. Su Yuan touched his face to confirm his appearance hadn't changed. "You don't recognize me?" "Ah? Is senior brother famous? I transferred from Art Extremity Peak." The disciple looked embarrassed. Su Yuan gazed skyward. "When practicing Seven Stars Flowing Light Steps, don't just focus on the pillars beneath your feet. Look up at the sky!" The disciple blinked, then raised his head. The Big Dipper shone brilliantly above, with starlight periodically descending onto various parts of the peak where other disciples were absorbing the celestial energy. As he stared at the constellation, months of accumulated insights suddenly ignited. A profound realization dawned upon him. Without thinking, he leaped onto the pillars again—this time keeping his eyes fixed on the stars above. Though initially clumsy, his footwork soon grew fluid. Without glancing down, his steps became perfectly steady. Suddenly, a beam of starlight responded to his movements, appearing before him. Acting on instinct, he stepped forward—off the pillar—yet didn't fall. Instead, he walked upon the starlight. More beams descended, each perfectly aligning with his steps as if his movements were summoning the constellation's power. He advanced above the treetops, the Big Dipper pattern forming beneath his feet, mirroring the celestial arrangement above. "I did it! After months of struggle, I've finally grasped the basics!" He shouted ecstatically, then turned to thank Su Yuan—only to find his benefactor already walking away. "Senior brother! What's your name? I'm Lin Kuan! Thank you for your guidance!" Lin Kuan called out while chasing after him. Without turning, Su Yuan waved back. "Remember—keep your feet grounded but your eyes on the stars. You'll know who I am after mastering the first manual!" As Su Yuan disappeared around the bend, Lin Kuan suddenly noticed something odd about the retreating figure's robes. Stunned, he lost concentration and fell from the sky. Crack! "Ah! My leg!" [Ding. Fame points +5] Su Yuan glanced curiously at his system panel. "The notification came so late—isn't the system supposed to be instant?" He muttered while continuing his walk through Three Peaks Sect. Everywhere he looked, disciples were practicing his techniques, evidenced by the constant descent of starlight from the Big Dipper. The celestial phenomenon seemed to facilitate easier comprehension of his methods. "Wait a minute—" Su Yuan looked up sharply. The starlight wasn't just descending on Three Peaks—it was showering all seven peaks equally! By midnight, the entire Seven Extremes Sect was bathed in falling starlight. Countless beams merged into a radiant river flowing from the celestial Big Dipper to the earthly sect below. Su Yuan soared into the air for a better view. From altitude, the spectacle appeared even more magnificent—a cascading galaxy pouring onto the sect grounds. The astonishing sight meant an incredible number of cultivators were practicing his techniques—far more than he'd imagined. Upon closer inspection, he discovered the true source: numerous spirit herb fields across the sect had Big Dipper formations, with starlight nourishing the plants. With so many formations active simultaneously, the collective starlight created this breathtaking phenomenon. Excess starlight that the plants couldn't absorb suffused the entire sect in a dreamlike, fairyland glow. Sect Leader Gu Qingzhu flew up to join Su Yuan in admiring the view. "Su Yuan! You've finally emerged from seclusion!" "Anything important happening?" Su Yuan asked. "Nothing major," Gu Qingzhu coughed lightly. "Just considering changing the sect's name. Tradition dictates we should become Eight Extremes Sect now." "No, no, no!" Su Yuan shook his head vehemently. "I prefer the number seven. Eight feels... wrong." Gu Qingzhu smiled wryly. "We can keep seven, but perhaps replace 'Extremes' with 'Stars'? It seems more fitting now." Su Yuan blinked. "Seven Stars Sect?" Gesturing across the illuminated sect, Gu Qingzhu explained: "Your techniques have become the common thread uniting our entire sect. Even disciples from other peaks are learning them. Historically, subtle divisions existed between peaks—suppressed by elders but never truly resolved. Your methods have bridged these gaps, making Seven Extremes Sect an outdated concept. The future is Seven Stars Sect!" "Moreover," Gu added, "the new name perfectly matches your techniques' celestial theme, immediately conveying our sect's specialty." Su Yuan looked uneasy. "Sect Leader, have you considered our founding ancestors might come beat me up for this?" Gu Qingzhu waved dismissively. "Our founders left clear instructions—for lasting prosperity, the sect must innovate continuously. Each peak's techniques have evolved far beyond their original forms already. You're simply taking the next logical step." With a sigh, Su Yuan conceded. "I assume the elder council has already discussed this. Do as you see fit." "There's... one more thing." Gu Qingzhu coughed awkwardly. "Yes?" "Six of our seven extreme arts have transitioned well to your system. But Lightning Extremity remains incompatible. Could you... perhaps develop a lightning version of your techniques?" "What?" Su Yuan's eyes widened. "Do you think I can just casually create new techniques?" "Can't you?" Gu Qingzhu looked genuinely puzzled. Su Yuan twitched. "Everyone has limitations! This happens to be mine." "Ah! You need spirit stones, right?" Gu Qingzhu brightened. Su Yuan gaped at him. "Name your price! The Lightning Peak Master is desperate to join the collective—he'll reimburse everything!" Gu Qingzhu chuckled. Su Yuan sighed. "My techniques emerge from comprehending natural wonders. Without encountering lightning-based marvels, I can't create corresponding methods." "Lightning wonders..." Gu Qingzhu pondered. "Our Lightning Peak's Nascent Soul ancestor currently cultivates at Thunder Sea! I'll contact him—that area must have suitable phenomena! He could escort you there!" "No need for such trouble," Su Yuan said. "If your ancestor discovers suitable lightning phenomena, just have him silently recite my name. I can observe remotely and gain some insights." Gu Qingzhu's eyes widened with realization. Now he understood how Su Yuan had defeated the Mad Daoist and Mistwalker—such miraculous abilities explained everything! "Understood! Expect news soon!" The sect leader flew toward the main peak. "Wait!" Su Yuan called after him. "Tell the Lightning Peak Master ten thousand top-grade spirit stones will suffice! No need for more!" Gu Qingzhu smirked mid-flight. "Consider it done!" Before the sect leader had gone far, another figure approached from Pill Extremity Peak—Peak Master Tao Yaoyao. "Peak Master Tao?" Su Yuan asked. She glared. "Sister Tao," he corrected. "What brings you here?" Blossoming into a peach-flower smile, she said, "Remember our discussion about the Alchemy Conference?" "Yes, though I've lost interest in participating personally," Su Yuan admitted. With better fame-gaining methods and the Myriad Treasures Heaven-Earth Cauldron already refined, the competition held little appeal. "How about serving as chief examiner instead?" Tao Yaoyao proposed. "What?" Su Yuan stared incredulously. "Me? You're joking!" Tao Yaoyao remained composed. "You've refined more flawless pills than I've consumed premium-grade ones. You're perfectly qualified." "But shouldn't examiners be venerable alchemy masters?" Su Yuan protested. Tao Yaoyao smiled serenely. "On Seven Stars Sect's territory, we make the rules."