The Darknorth Peak

In the branching tunnels of the cave, the six Primal Daoists were laughing heartily.

“Hahaha… this Ji Ning is truly formidable. He’s actually comprehended the Domain of the Dao! And that sword formation technique… though I’ve never heard of it, it’s clearly an extremely complex and mighty formation. Controlling over seven hundred flying swords—that demands an incredible spirit and a profound understanding of the Dao.” The short, fat elder wagged his head. “And he’s only at the early Zifu stage! Yet he forced a peak Zifu disciple like Yinxue Wenjian to use his sword formation to defend. That made Yinxue Wenjian too ashamed to stay any longer—he left immediately.”

“Mm, impressive.”

“He could have charged straight out of the cave, but instead he insisted on a one-on-one duel and drove the defending disciple to retreat voluntarily.”

The Primal Daoists were full of praise.

Such a talented disciple naturally pleased them. It meant the Black-White College had gained another strong member. In a few hundred years, they might see another extraordinary Immortal emerge from their ranks.

“We must train and guide him well. This Ji Ning has the potential to become an Immortal,” said the black-haired middle-aged man.

The white-robed woman nodded. “Yes. We must teach him properly, not spoil him. It would be a great pity to ruin such rough jade.”

Teaching was an art.

The inherent arrogance of a genius, the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations on the path of Immortal cultivation, the battles and killings of growth, the unavoidable enmities… anything could cause a genius to fall!

…

Ji Ning guided his boat to the peak of the mountain.

“Eight people went to challenge. I wonder how many passed.” Ji Ning waited. “I hope Mu Northson made it.” Among the others, he had only exchanged a few words with Mu Northson, and he quite liked him.

Whoosh!

A streak of light flew past in the distance, followed by another.

“Eh? Did someone pass?”

“Which senior apprentice-brother’s cave was breached?”

Ji Ning watched from afar, vaguely recognizing the Black-White College disciples. They glanced curiously at him and then departed.

After a while.

Hoo.

A streak of light flew over—it was Mu Northson riding his azure dragon puppet.

“Mu Northson.” Ji Ning was surprised, then clasped his hands. “Congratulations.”

“Congratulations to you too.” The white-robed youth Mu Northson landed, put away his puppet, and his face was full of joy. “Brother Ji Ning is truly impressive. I barely succeeded—I managed to rush out of the cave at the last moment. But Brother Ji Ning, you finished so quickly.”

Ji Ning could feel the genuine joy radiating from Mu Northson.

“I’ve done it. I’m finally a disciple of the Black-White College!” The white-robed youth’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “My mother will be so happy when she finds out.”

“Yes,” Ji Ning nodded, his gaze distant.

If his own mother knew that he had become a disciple of the Black-White College, she would surely be proud too.

Father, mother…

Watch me. I, Ji Ning, will make my name known across this boundless earth and become a supreme figure among its peak existences. I will! And as for those Snowdragon Mountain disciples who harmed you—I will kill them all!

“Hahaha…” Accompanied by laughter, six figures arced through the air and instantly landed on the mountaintop—the six Primal Daoists.

The short, bald, fat elder laughed. “This year, our Black-White College has taken in quite a few disciples—two.”

“Today is only the first day. There are still two days left,” said the black-haired middle-aged man.

“Hmph. Those who can join our Black-White College are all true peerless geniuses. Such geniuses are extremely confident. When they choose a sect, their first choice will be our Black-White College. So they’ll all arrive on the first day.” The short, fat elder added, “Over the years, how many have become disciples on the second or third day? Only those delayed by some matters.”

The black-haired middle-aged man looked at Ji Ning and Mu Northson. “Ji Ning, Mu Northson. From today onward, you are disciples of our Black-White College.”

Joy stirred in both Ji Ning’s and Mu Northson’s hearts.

“The formal apprenticeship ceremony will be held after we finish accepting disciples tomorrow and the day after.” The black-haired middle-aged man flipped his hand, revealing two talismans. One side was black, the other white. “These are the disciple talismans of our Black-White College. Refine them, and you’ll be able to freely enter and exit most places in the college without being attacked by the various prohibition formations.”

“Yes.”

Ji Ning and Mu Northson each took a token.

They easily refined them. As soon as he did, Ji Ning could sense the grand formation that pervaded the entire Black-White College. He could tell—it was an incredibly fearsome formation that enveloped the whole college. Now, he had been acknowledged by the Black-White College.

Ji Ning felt that this token was very similar to the talisman from the underwater estate.

“A disciple of the Black-White College.” Ji Ning looked at the token.

How many people coveted this token?

That black-robed youth Hua Chong, who had also cultivated the Crimsonbright Diagram of the Nine Heavens to the seventh layer, had ultimately failed. So had several other peerless geniuses even more outstanding than Hua Chong. Only he and Mu Northson had succeeded in becoming disciples of the Black-White College.

…

“Wu Xiu, we’ll leave their lodging arrangements to you. We’ll be going now,” said the long-bearded middle-aged man.

“Let’s go.”

The Primal Daoists soared into the air and quickly departed.

The black-haired middle-aged man Wu Xiu waved his hand, summoning clouds and mist that lifted the three of them.

“Let’s go.” Wu Xiu immediately led Ji Ning and the others swiftly into the distance.

“The Black-White College is divided into many areas, and there are many rules.” Wu Xiu flipped his hand, producing two booklets, which he tossed to Ji Ning and Mu Northson. “These contain our college’s regulations and other things you need to know. Everything is recorded in these booklets.”

Both Ji Ning and Mu Northson caught the booklets.

Looking down, they saw two characters on the cover: “Black-White”.

On a small peak stood an elegant courtyard surrounded by pavilions. The entire peak was inhabited by Ji Ning alone.

“From this moment on, I am the master of this peak.” Ji Ning stood in mid-air, surveying the mountain. Because formal disciples of the Black-White College were extremely few, they could choose any peak as their personal cave. Ji Ning had selected this one and named it Darknorth Peak.

Darknorth… it was the name of his swords, signifying that he would walk his own path.

Darknorth was also where his parents had met and fallen in love—a memorial to them.

“Father, mother…” Ji Ning pondered silently for a long time. Then he turned, stepped onto his boat, and flew away.

…

He quickly flew to the main entrance of the Black-White College. Uncle White had been waiting for him here all along.

Ji Ning spotted the huge snow-white hound standing silently by the lakeshore—the Whitewater Hound.

“Uncle White.” Ji Ning dove down.

The Whitewater Hound looked up, its eyes questioning.

“I made it.” Ji Ning landed and nodded. “I’m now a disciple of the Black-White College.”

“If Big Brother Yichuan knew, he would be overjoyed.” Uncle White’s eyes were filled with joy and excitement. The Black-White College! What a sect! An official disciple of the Black-White College held far higher status than a Wanxiang Adept of an ordinary sect.

Right at that moment—

“Haha, Brother Ji Ning! You only have eyes for your spirit beast, you didn’t even notice me!” A voice rang out.

Ji Ning turned his head. Beishan Baiwei was walking down from his carriage, which was still parked at the main entrance.

“Brother Baiwei.” Ji Ning went to greet him.

“I guessed you would definitely become a disciple of the Black-White College, so I came around dusk.” Beishan Baiwei said.

“I’ve kept you waiting, Brother Baiwei.” Ji Ning said.

“No wait at all. You have no idea how happy I’ve been waiting.” Beishan Baiwei’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Especially at the end—quite a few peerless geniuses, like Hua Chong, Liushui Lian, and others who had been famous for a long time… in the end, they were all weeded out, one after another!”

Ji Ning nodded slightly. “You’re right about Hua Chong and the others. They were weeded out during the final trial.”

He still had a strong impression of Hua Chong, who had also cultivated the Crimsonbright Diagram to the seventh layer and had an aunt who was a Primal Daoist in the college.

“Whatever the case, they all slunk away in disgrace.” Beishan Baiwei said. “After all, sects like the Rift Sky Sword Sect and the Hundred Flowers Fairyland accept many disciples. With their talent, they can easily get in. Only the Black-White College refuses to accept anyone who isn’t a peerless genius. Even peerless geniuses must be carefully selected. Proud as they were, of course they all came here. What a pity, what a pity.”

But there wasn’t a trace of pity on Beishan Baiwei’s face. Instead, there was schadenfreude.

“By the way, how many disciples did the Black-White College accept this time?” Beishan Baiwei asked quickly.

“Today was the first day. Two disciples—myself and another called Mu Northson.” Ji Ning said.

Beishan Baiwei nodded thoughtfully. “Mu Northson? I’ve never heard that name before. It seems some remote areas still produce a peerless genius every now and then. When you get the chance, bring Mu Northson out so we can get to know each other.”

“Sure.” Ji Ning nodded.

“I came today first to congratulate you on becoming a disciple of the Black-White College, and second to ask for your help.” Beishan Baiwei said.

Ji Ning smiled. “As long as I can, I’ll help.”

“Well, as you know, formal disciples of the Black-White College have the right to ten retainers.” Beishan Baiwei looked at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning nodded.

Ten retainers…

These ten slots were more tempting to the outside world than formal discipleship in most sects. Because this was the Black-White College! Even if it was extremely hard to obtain techniques here, whatever you got would be top-tier.

“Lend me three slots,” Beishan Baiwei said. “As you know, I have many friends and relatives, and some requests I simply cannot refuse.”

Ji Ning laughed. “Why be so polite? Take nine of the ten slots. Leave me one—that’s enough.”

That one…

Ji Ning thought of Meng Yan, whom he had met on the way to Anchan City. Meng Yan had used a forbidden art and damaged his foundation. He would probably find it very hard to join any sect.