Chapter 12: Decision Made

With his strength alone, Chu Xiaotian defeated all disciples below the fourth realm of martial arts, which significantly boosted his reputation.

"Thank you, peak masters, for your favor, but my mind is made up."

"I wonder if Master Bai Li is willing to let me join Desolate Peak?"

Chu Xiaotian, grateful for the persuasion of each peak master, then turned to Bai Li Xuan.

"Of course. Although we have fewer disciples at Desolate Peak, we are not much inferior to the other peaks."

Bai Li Xuan seemed to see through Chu Xiaotian's thoughts and replied with a smile.

"A few disciples? You only have two disciples, and you personally recruited them from outside."

"Not much inferior to the other peaks? You dare say that when your peak doesn't even participate in the peak meetings!"

"Master Bai Li, you must not deceive yourself."

"Your Desolate Peak is acknowledged as the weakest among the sword peaks."

"That's right, if Chu Xiaotian joins your peak, it will be a complete waste for him."

The other peak masters warned upon hearing Bai Li Xuan's words.

"I don't need other peak masters to remind me. I am well aware of Desolate Peak's strength, and we will participate in the next peak meeting."

Bai Li Xuan seemed completely unconcerned with the other masters' words and replied indifferently.

"Chu Xiaotian, you must think it through."

Knowing Bai Li Xuan was an unyielding and proud person with poor relations with other peak masters, they could only try to persuade Chu Xiaotian.

"Sorry, I have decided to join Desolate Peak."

Chu Xiaotian's will was firm, and no one could change his mind.

This left all the peak masters extremely disappointed; a promising talent was about to be wasted in Desolate Peak.

"Presumably, no one else would want to join Desolate Peak, so I won't stay here any longer!"

Bai Li Xuan glanced at Chu Xiaotian approvingly for his uncompromising and indifferent attitude towards fame and fortune, then decisively led Chu Xiaotian away without giving other masters a chance to continue persuading him.

"Master Yang Tian, since he has chosen Desolate Peak himself, we should respect his decision and not interfere easily."

"Whether he succeeds or fails in the future, it is his own choice."

The dean, Sword Lunatic, spoke thus.

"But, Brother Sword..."

Despite hearing Sword Lunatic's words, Yang Tian still wanted to argue.

"Enough, you may go. Since Chu Xiaotian has chosen Desolate Peak, let him stay there and don't disturb him."

Sword Lunatic made his decision final, leaving Yang Tian no room to argue further. He respectfully left.

"This is Desolate Peak."

Bai Li Xuan led Chu Xiaotian to the farthest peak from the main peak and said.

"Master Bai Li, you're not deceiving me, are you?"

Chu Xiaotian asked, looking at Bai Li Xuan.

The reason was obvious.

Desolate Peak was indeed desolate, with no signs of life. Overgrown with weeds and lacking greenery, the surrounding spiritual energy was thin compared to the main peak, making cultivation difficult. The most exaggerated part was the palace, which was dilapidated and leaking.

This was entirely different from what Chu Xiaotian had imagined. 

"I'm not deceiving you. This will be your home from now on. You are now a member of Desolate Peak."

Bai Li Xuan assured Chu Xiaotian with a smile.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the primary mission and receiving a primary mission reward package."

"Put it in the warehouse."

Chu Xiaotian did not immediately open it upon hearing the system's notification.

"Come on, let me introduce you to the other members of Desolate Peak."

Bai Li Xuan personally led Chu Xiaotian to meet the other two disciples and an old man of Desolate Peak.

"Little Fatty, Xi'er, come out quickly, we have a new member in Desolate Peak."

Hearing Bai Li Xuan's call, Chu Xiaotian felt that the peak master was nice for personally guiding him, but soon realized he was mistaken.

"New member?"

The fat boy and a girl mending clothes quickly approached upon hearing this. Their speed was astonishing, almost reaching Chu Xiaotian in a few breaths. This surprised him, as Desolate Peak was supposed to be the weakest, yet its two disciples seemed powerful. Even at the sixth realm of martial arts, Chu Xiaotian couldn't match their speed, indicating they were at least at the ninth realm.

"This is Li Chun, also known as Little Fatty, and this is Luo Xi, known as Xi'er."

Bai Li Xuan briefly introduced the two disciples of Desolate Peak to Chu Xiaot

ian.

Li Chun was indeed fat, and Luo Xi caught Chu Xiaotian's eye with her clear eyes and pretty, playful face.

"Hello, I'm Chu Xiaotian. We're companions now."

Chu Xiaotian reached out to shake hands with Luo Xi, whose hand was soft and tender. He hesitated to shake hands with the greasy-palmed Little Fatty.

"You're discriminating against the fat."

Little Fatty complained, making Chu Xiaotian feel he was easy to get along with.

"Take him to meet Uncle Fu."

Bai Li Xuan instructed after seeing them get acquainted.

"Come with us," said Little Fatty and Xi'er, leading Chu Xiaotian to meet the old man sweeping the ground. The old man had no trace of spiritual energy, his gaze cloudy, and his clothes ragged, like a flickering candle in the wind.

"Uncle Fu..."