They quickly arrived at the main hall of the peak. As the most important place in the entire sect, the materials and energy permeating the space were completely different—almost as mysterious and solemn as the sect's main hall itself.
The hall was nearly empty; only a few disciples of the peak were busy cleaning and maintaining the area, ensuring everything shone with immaculate order.
Inside, two figures were conversing calmly, as if the passage of time weighed nothing upon them, moving and speaking with the natural ease of those who fully commanded their surroundings.
"Elder Sister Qin, Elder Sister Gu."
Both greeted politely.
"Younger Brother Su, Younger Brother Wu," Qin Lingxian replied with a slight smile.
Her eyes settled on Su Feng with a glint of interest.
"It seems you've improved your cultivation once again, Younger Brother Su. Let me take a look."
Without waiting for a response, she approached him.
Su Feng remained still, completely confident, while Qin Lingxian extended her spiritual perception and examined him carefully.
To the side, Gu Xingxuan observed quietly, a faint smile on her lips… though there was something subtly awkward in her expression.
Her eyes scanned Su Feng's body from top to bottom, pausing at certain points as if searching for something specific.
Suddenly, her gaze stopped.
Qin Lingxian noticed immediately.
"Is something wrong, Xingxuan?"
Gu Xingxuan narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Look at this, Lingxian."
Both turned their attention to Su Feng's chest, studying it closely.
Su Feng, feeling a little uneasy under this sudden scrutiny, couldn't help but ask:
"Is something wrong?"
The two shared a brief glance before nodding.
"No, nothing in particular," they said naturally, stepping back as if nothing had happened.
Wu Huang, who had been observing everything from start to finish, couldn't help but wonder what they had seen.
As he approached Su Feng, he extended his perception and lightly checked his chest… but found nothing unusual.
Noticing his elder brother's attention, Su Feng blushed slightly and instinctively covered himself.
Wu Huang blinked, realizing he had been staring too intently, and immediately looked away.
"Sorry…"
Su Feng smiled with mild discomfort but shook his head gently.
"It's nothing, elder brother."
The two elder sisters glanced at each other, narrowing their eyes slightly.
"Do you think there might be… a deviation?" Elder Sister Gu asked through spiritual transmission, making sure the two younger brothers couldn't hear.
Qin Lingxian replied calmly, not giving it much importance:
"They've always had a close relationship, so it wouldn't be impossible. Besides, it's not something that really matters. If in the future they want to have children, there are many immortal methods to achieve it."
Gu Xingxuan frowned slightly.
She couldn't help but feel that it was… inappropriate. But seeing how well the two got along, and knowing there was no way to interfere without causing unnecessary trouble, she pushed the thought aside.
Qin Lingxian stepped forward, breaking the awkward atmosphere.
"Younger Brother Wu, how has your cultivation been?"
Wu Huang answered immediately, his tone calm:
"Although I am still in the seventh stage of Qi Refinement, my foundation is stable enough to advance from the seventh to the tenth stage without problems. However… I am considering reaching the limit of Qi Refinement: the thirteenth stage."
Both sisters looked visibly surprised.
"The thirteenth stage is extremely difficult," Gu Xingxuan said, clearly astonished. "Time and resources aren't the main problem… but it will significantly slow your progress."
She paused briefly before continuing:
"That said, if you manage to reach it, you'll be able to traverse the Foundation Establishment Realm with great ease… though even then, reaching the Golden Core isn't completely guaranteed."
In the entire peak, only two people had ever reached the thirteenth stage.
One was the first elder sister, a direct disciple of the sect leader.
The other…
Was the sect leader herself.
Gu Xingxuan had only reached the eleventh stage, while Qin Lingxian had remained at the tenth.
It wasn't for lack of talent.
Simply… they never had the opportunity.
And even reaching that level…
Nothing truly guaranteed arriving at the Golden Core.
The advantages of attaining the thirteenth stage, though significant, were not absolutely necessary. Moreover, the number of cultivators who aimed to reach the maximum level of Qi Refinement was extremely small.
Since his younger brother already understood the problems and risks involved, both sisters remained silent and continued asking small questions, keeping the conversation light and cordial.
As they spoke calmly, Su Feng, who had been responding normally, suddenly froze. His eyes widened abnormally, as if a great revelation had struck his mind.
The first to notice was Wu Huang, standing beside him.
"Is something wrong, Younger Brother Su?" he asked immediately, carefully assessing his state.
Su Feng blinked, took a deep breath, and restored a normal expression.
"Nothing important, just a small thought," he replied naturally, trying to keep his reaction unnoticed.
Wu Huang nodded slightly and did not probe further.
"It seems Younger Brother Su is tired. It would be best for him to rest."
Both sisters nodded and bid them farewell warmly.
"Do you want me to accompany you to your residence?" Wu Huang asked.
Su Feng shook his head gently.
"No need, I'll go myself," he said, leaving immediately before Wu Huang could offer a more formal farewell.
Wu Huang watched him walk away, frowning slightly.
"Did something happen?" he wondered aloud, watching his younger brother disappear among the corridors of the peak.
The younger brother, who had been walking calmly, suddenly stopped. His steps froze, and he couldn't help but have a look of complete astonishment spread across his face.
"Am I… the villain of destiny?" he asked himself, incredulous, as if he could barely accept what his mind had just revealed.