Deep within the endless stretch of Mount Luofu, clouds suddenly gathered thick and misty, spreading out like brocade. The peaks, encircled by clusters of white clouds, revealed their sharp tips, resembling a platter of white jade and creamy fat. Dozens of jade-like bamboo shoots pierced through the center, creating a beautiful sight. Looking back to the northeast, it remained clear and bright—a red sun, supported atop the highest peak, seemed both held and embraced, truly a wonder of the mortal world.

The ancient, distant sound of a bell rang out, sending ripples through the clouds.

“Open the mountain gate—!” In front of the towering archway, two burly men shouted at the top of their lungs. Their voices, mingling with the bell, carried far into the distance.

On the vast square before the gate of Mount Luofu, thousands had already gathered. These were all the disciples accepted this time, and among them, a few lucky ones—or rather, those with good foundations and talent—would, after this mountain gate opening ceremony, become inner disciples. The luckiest of all might even catch the eye of the famed sword immortals, the Five Swords of Luofu, and be taken as disciples, or be chosen by their senior brothers to become core inner disciples. For these people, the future would be limitless. But for now, everything remained unknown.

After the two burly men finished shouting, an emaciated old man in gray cloth and a middle-aged man in a Confucian robe walked out from the archway, stopping before the thousands. The old man didn’t seem particularly remarkable, but the middle-aged man’s gaze flashed with a sharp brilliance. Wherever his eyes swept, everyone felt as if they were being seen through.

“Come in, all of you!” After scanning the crowd, the middle-aged man spoke softly. Though his voice seemed gentle, it reached every ear with perfect clarity.

At his words, the two burly men at the archway turned to either side, taking a big step and standing aside, opening up the gate that had only allowed two people through at a time.

The mountain gate of Mount Luofu—

Had opened!

Chapter Eight: The Mountain Gate Opens

“Old Five, I heard you slept for three days and nights—how impressive!”

A teasing voice came from behind Henry Clark. Still a bit bleary-eyed, he looked up at the speaker and chuckled, “Ashamed, ashamed, I’ve just been too tired lately. I’ve made Fourth Senior Brother laugh at me!”

The one asking was Robert Evans, ranked fourth among the ten core disciples, and a disciple of Paul Wright, wielder of the Green Duckweed Sword, one of the Five Swords of Luofu. Now, Paul Wright had the worst relationship with Mark among the Five Swords, so by extension, the relationship between Robert Evans and Henry Clark was also somewhat delicate.

Henry Clark himself had no interest in conflict, but Robert Evans seemed quite keen on it. The nickname “Luofu’s Pig” for Henry Clark had originally come from his mouth.

For Robert Evans’s intentional or unintentional provocations, Henry Clark always avoided them. In his view, clashing with this idiot who didn’t know how to enjoy life was both unsightly and beneath him.

But while he wanted to keep the peace, Robert Evans thought Henry Clark was afraid of him and became increasingly overbearing. However, Henry Clark was an easygoing person and got along well with the other senior brothers, especially Brian Foster and Grace Carter. The three of them, thanks to Henry Clark’s cooking skills, gradually formed a small group, which made Robert Evans somewhat wary. So, in public and private, he only mocked Henry Clark with a few words, and no real major conflict had ever occurred.

This time, Henry Clark had suddenly gained insight into the sword and found a suitable stream deep in Mount Luofu to practice, exhausting himself thoroughly. So after returning, he slept for three days and nights, only waking up on the morning of the mountain gate opening ceremony, which cemented his nickname as Luofu’s Pig. Naturally, Robert Evans couldn’t resist coming by to mock him again.

In Henry Clark’s mind, he always regarded Robert Evans’s mouth as nothing but an asshole, so he just smiled and didn’t take it to heart.

Seeing Henry Clark’s amiable expression, and noticing Grace Carter and Brian Foster behind him looking at himself with unconcealed annoyance, Robert Evans didn’t want to fall out with all three at once. He said a couple more words, then hurried ahead.

“Fifth Senior Brother, you’re too good-natured. If he dared provoke me, I’d give him a sword strike for sure!”

Henry Clark smiled, “We’re all fellow disciples—no need to make things so tense. Fourth Senior Brother’s mouth is a bit foul, but he knows his limits. Today is the grand day of the mountain gate opening, with many sects and schools here to observe. If we cause trouble among ourselves, it’ll just be a laughingstock!”

“Old Five is right!” Someone who had been standing not far away heard Henry Clark’s words and walked over to the three.

“Second Senior Brother!”

“Second Senior Brother!”

...

The three quickly saluted. The newcomer was none other than Edward Reed, ranked second among the ten core inner disciples.