The morning sunlight scattered over Yunqi Peak like shattered gold, tinting the swirling mist with a warm hue. Inside the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, the green bamboo swayed gently, casting shadows of leaves, while the air was filled with fresh spiritual energy and a faint fragrance of grass and wood.

Mu Xiaochuan stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his gaze distant, a subtle, indescribable smile on his lips. The events of the past few days had indeed been unexpected, yet they filled his heart with a secret thrill.

He had thought that his previous almost arrogant actions—forcefully altering the assessment rules, publicly slapping a defiant disciple, and openly favoring those close to him—would draw much criticism and possibly incite dissatisfaction and resistance among the disciples.

However, the reality was quite the opposite.