Could it be that I am the cruel villain?

"Our Purple Cloud Immortal Palace has been established for over eight thousand years. Since the founding of the sect by Grandmaster Ziyun, the Nine Peaks were created, and the tradition of the Nine Peaks Martial Assembly was established to award those who perform exceptionally..."

The voice was old, deep, and long-lasting. Even when facing several thousand disciples in the mountains, it was still full of confidence, its loudness causing the ears of many disciples to tingle.

Holding a scroll, wearing an elder's robe standing within the palace, his hair and beard were all white, with a weathered face. Just a glance could tell that this old man had gone through countless experiences. Even though most people did not know this elderly man, the presence of a senior figure was enough to distinguish his high status within the Purple Cloud Immortal Palace.

"Purple Cloud Palace disciples are known for their virtuous conduct. The Nine Peaks Martial Assembly is for mutual sparring and exchange of skills among fellow disciples. All disciples should give their utmost effort but must never use this opportunity to harm others. If anyone causes trouble during this event, they will be immediately expelled from the sect!"

"During sparring among fellow disciples, if one can no longer continue, they must immediately signal by raising their hand and concede. If anyone deliberately delays using the sect rules, they will be judged defeated on the spot. Similarly, if anyone intentionally harms a fellow disciple, they will also be judged defeated on the spot. Inner Sect Disciples will be grouped by Heavenly Stems, while Outer Sect Disciples by Earthly Branches..."

In front of Yuqing Hall, thousands of disciples were silent, fully focused.

The highest point at the summit of the main peak is the Yuqing Hall. Even the Sect Master usually does not enter or exit freely. Typically, it is only chosen as a place for gathering when the Peak Masters and elders need to discuss certain matters or host grand ceremonies.

On the towering main peak, nearly all of the sect's young disciples gathered. Among them, there were nearly five hundred Inner Sect Disciples and over three thousand Outer Sect Disciples, surrounding the Yuqing Hall, waiting silently in order of the Nine Peaks in front of the Jade Stairs.

This kind of ceremony is quite rare within the sect and is generally held once every twenty years or more. With an age limit of fifty years, disciples of the younger generation typically have only one chance to compete in their lifetime unless they joined the sect very early and possess exceptional talent, granting them the privilege to participate a second time.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, wake up, wake up quickly."

"The meeting has started, the Second Elder is announcing the rules, Senior Brother."

"Senior Sister is also standing above, she is secretly watching you..."

The concerned voice by his ear made the half-awake, half-dead boy immediately lift his head.

Upon hearing the words "Senior Sister," Jiang Feng immediately became alert. He rubbed his eyes firmly and listened seriously to the elder's announcement of the rules, with wide eyes. Although he didn't have any dark circles, the red bloodshot in his eyes couldn't be hidden, clearly showing that Jiang Feng hadn't rested much in recent days.

In fact, since half a month before the Nine Peaks Martial Assembly, he had been crazily improving his condition.

In short.

Grasping at straws.

Well, though it's temporary, he still wanted to find a way to hold on tight. As for this Nine Peaks Martial Assembly, Jiang Feng didn't have much confidence. It's not self-deprecation but rather knowing his own weaknesses and understanding those freakish Senior Brothers and Sisters.

Judging from the hills he visited, among the third generation disciples, those who reached the Nascent Soul stage were more than ten, with at least six meeting the age requirements to participate in this Nine Peaks Martial Assembly!

Let's put other things aside, just mention these six divine beings: two mid-Nascent Soul and the remaining all at the early Nascent Soul stage. Not to mention Nascent Soul, last time he encountered some half-baked Nascent Soul ones and almost got squashed.

As for those at the Peak of Core Formation meeting the age requirements... there are more than twenty.

Yes, all of them are at the threshold of reaching Nascent Soul, all experts in the same realm as Xuan Yinzi and Jin Shan.

Where do you think he gets the confidence to make it into the top ten?

Oh, after joining the sect, he often visited Chen Shan he was familiar with, often getting beaten black and blue. Moreover, after the fight, the person would pat his head and generously admit they only used a fraction of their strength.

It was back when he first came to the Purple Cloud Palace, he used rules and morals to slightly tie up the senior brother who was supervising the battles in the mountains to prevent accidents, sending Qiao Yuan to Qingxia Peak.

That's basically the level you're dealing with.

"Senior Brother, you've been overworking yourself too much lately. I know you're anxious about this Nine Peaks Martial Assembly, but you also need to take care of your health."

The voice was very small, lips moving slightly, not allowing anyone else to notice anything unusual.

The three of them stood in the second row on the right, next to disciples of Dragon Head Peak and Qingxia Peak. Among them was Xiao Xuan, who had interacted with him some time ago. Both were polite when they met in the morning.

As for why the three of them could stand at the front, it was naturally because of the different construction order of each peak. Swordmaster Peak is the second peak within the Purple Cloud Palace. Strictly speaking, in the beginning, Purple Cloud Palace only had two peaks: one Dragon Head, one Swordmaster.

The former oversees sect internal affairs, direction, and personnel management, while the latter governs laws, rules, and serves as the sharpest blade of the sect.

In a sense, Swordmaster Peak's rights are equal to Dragon Head, and the Peak Master of Swordmaster Peak has the same standing and authority as the Sect Master, and if it's about diplomacy or facing adversaries, Swordmaster Peak holds even more authority. But unfortunately...

It's all gone.

Except for retaining some authority over battles and laws, other rights had been retracted, not as a direct response to Liu Jian and Liu Tangxi of this generation, but rather continually weakened since the establishment of the sect.

If one views the sect as a nation, which ruler would permit the emergence of two entirely different voices within the nation? Much less voices that are above the ruler, likely causing conflicts and contradictions, especially if ideologies differ, leading to internal chaos.