Despite the twins uneasiness towards An YueXi and how they were dragged to Tian Gong Mountain without their consent – both of them were literally carried like a sack of potatoes as if they weight nothing to the Peak Lord – and how much Shen Jiu screamed murder and protested that this was kidnapping instead of an invitation to be a disciple while they flew on her spiritual sword.

Before the two could gather themselves when they landed, she dragged them inside a grand building. The doubts in their mind regarding her identity was immediately wiped clean. There was certainly no denying it that she was a part of the number and by how people act around her it was obvious she held authority.

The people patrolling the area saluted at her upon seeing her and hastily moved away from their path as if they were avoiding something fast even though they were walking down the grand halls briskly on a leisure pace.

"Zhangmen-Xishiong!" An YueXi chirped as she opened the door leading to a bedroom where a lone man stood, still in the process of removing his outer robes.

"An-Shidi" The man huffed indignantly, pulling back his robes properly on. "While this shixiong is happy to see you back way too soon, can't this wait until tomorrow when—" he trailed off when he saw two children behind her.

The twins felt overly conscious of his intimidating gaze, especially since they were quite a sight, both of them had blood stains all over, they unconsciously tried to hide behind An YueXi.

"Explain." Was all he said when he sat next to the low table. An YueXi followed and sat across him with practiced grace leaving the twins awkwardly standing there.

"These two got Wu YanZi before me. I see they have great potential and I want them to be my student which is why I brought them back here."

The man pinched the bridge of his nose looking like he was having a very bad headache. He seemed like he wanted to say a lot of things but only sighed heavily before he turned his attention back to the siblings.

He stared at them for a little longer this time as if searching for answers, making the twins more uncomfortable than they already are. They couldn't help but flinch involuntarily when he finally spoke again. "I can see why you want them though."

The man's brow furrowed upon their reaction. He gave An YueXi another pointed look who in turn smiled serenely back at him like nothing was wrong. He looked up, praying for patience, he was so tired of dealing with her who does whatever she wants yet doesn't want to deal with the consequences and kept pushing the job onto him.

He chose to ignore her.

"I understand that the two of you must be really confused at the moment but there's no need to be afraid." he said in a warm tone that would help to ease the two children's distress. "Forgive my Shidi for being too excitable and failing in doing the proper steps - like a normal person - but allow me to make amends for it."

Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan looked at each other not knowing how to react. As 'former' slaves they were used to people talking to them as if they were dirt, even if someone did talk to them nicely, they would always have ulterior motives. But the man in front of them gave them no since of malice, all his words were genuine, no one had ever spoke to them in such way.

"This Master is called Han YueFeng, I am the Peak Lord of Qiong Ding Peak and Sect Leader of Cang Qiong Sect. May I know your names?"

The two of the immediately paled in learning the identity of the man before them and hastily bowed down.

"This one is called Shen Jiu, Sect Master Han." Shen Jiu answered, hoping his voice sounded relatively composed.

"T-This one is called Shen Yuan, Sect Master Han!" Shen Yuan stammers.

He nodded at them in approval. "How old are you two?"

"By lunar count, we should be twelve this year, Sect Master Han." Shen Jiu answer, head still bowed.

"Twins?"

"Yes."

"A rarity indeed." He hummed thoughtfully "Though this is not how we usually take disciples. It would break my heart to waste the potential of such promising youths if I had you wait for two more years until our sect opens our door for new disciples and since my dear Shidi insist on taking you both as her students no matter what. I see no reason to decline her request." "Do you two wish to join our Sect and learn cultivation under the tutelage of An YueXi?"

How could they possibly say no to such offer!

"We accept!" the two almost shouted out in their excitement.

"Good! Good!" An YueXi hummed in delight making Han YueFeng give her a warning look.

She took out her qiankun pouch and took out two fans, one was dark green on the right and light green on the left, even with just a glance they could tell that each were made with the best materials. "This is for the two of you."

The twins took one for each of the fan that was handed to them. Both had similar design of bamboos painted on it and there were little intricate engraving on the sides. It was an exquisite thing made delicately by a famed craftsman.

But why a fan? Will they be using it in their cultivation?

"I rarely give gifts to my students, especially for the new ones, so consider this as a token for this special occasion"

So it was a bribe/apology gift for kidnapping them. The twins thought. She had probably just gave them whatever she had on hand.

Once they were officially accepted as disciple An YueXi wasted no time to bring them back to her Qing Jing Peak and ordered one of her student to bring them to their new quarters and called it a night.

Both Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan couldn't sleep.

Shen Yuan had long slipped on his brother's bed to calm his anxiety and calmly think back on all the things that had lead them to this point.

All of this was just too surreal. This was way too good to be true!

And they were scared. Afraid that all of this was nothing but a dream and they'll wake up.

If this wasn't, then they were dreading about tomorrow.

They would be introduced to the other disciples tomorrow. This place was filled with children from the noble families. Will they be criticized by their background as slaves? Will those people pick on them and hurt them just for the heck of it? There was a lot of what if's that made them unable to relax. But even with all those worries, they have decided, they would make a fresh start here and make a place for them.

Contrary to their expectations.

They were given too much of a warm welcome that made the twins not want a single human interaction for a while.

When they first joined the lessons, everyone looked at them with curiosity gleaming in their eyes, to which the twins accounted as strange looks. They ignored it refusing to be cowed by their strange attention. Instead he they sat down where they were directed, listening to the lessons with rapt attention when their Shizun began.

Though they did not see, the twins knew that they were stealing glimpse at them thought the entire day, some had outright stared at them for the entire lesson, which was really rude and creepy.

The twins barely managed to survive the first day. Qing Jing Peak was a scholarly peak, it was expected that everyone who joined the peak was literate and had a basic understanding of the four scholarly arts. Though they are not entirely clueless, since they manage to learn during their time under the Qui's, they still did a horrendous job at everything.

Thankfully, no one approached them the entire time. And their Shizun didn't call out on them. In order not to humiliate themselves further they need to catch up.

"Who should this master appoint to give Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan a tour of Qing Jing Peak and help them to catch up?" An YueXi said with a unconcealed amusement. Even more so when everyone their hand. Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan was somewhat horrified.

In the end it was the oldest of their sibling disciple that was assigned in the task, the other's simply tagging along. The two were bombarded with questions and they kept on talking to them, everyone wanting to get their attention. It was to point that it was unbearably overwhelming.

What's with this treatment? The two had already expected to be isolated or bullied. They certainly didn't see it coming that their siblings disciple would coo and fawn on them. Just why!?

Not only that.

The other Peak Lords found every excuse possible to see the children their Shijie had brought back. Though it's not unheard of, it's rare for a Peak Lord to personally take in disciples outside of the selection.

Turns out being a twin alpha and omega was very rare. It was even more unheard for both of them possessed latent talent in cultivation. Normally one of the twin would have no aptitude for cultivation.

Qing Jing's Peak Lord had made it no secret that she doted on the Shen twins, personally teaching them outside of the usual lessons, while the others may not see it yet that way because of how strict - some might say almost brutal - she was in guiding them in their cultivation and mastery in the four arts with rapt attention.

To say the least, being favored by the Peak Lord was no sunshine and rainbows. A lot of expectations were place on them. It was no easy task to catch up with the other disciples but this was way better than living in the street after all, and their Shizun treated them as if they were her own.

Shen Yuan, being the sweet child that he was, had easily charmed and stolen the hearts of their disciple siblings– much to Shen Jiu's chagrin - and adjusted well to the new life quickly as he was constantly spoiled by their Shijies. Shen Jiu, on the other hand, took a bit more time in adapting, he could never bring himself to completely let his guard down. He knew too well how cruel the world can be. All the years he had been wary and distrustful of everyone in order to protect themselves, he couldn't suddenly stop it just because their situation was more promising compared to the past. But as time went by Shen Jui had certainly mellowed a little - he just became good at acting aloof and stoic - but still remained as over protective when it comes to his younger Twin.

A year passed quickly. They were thirteen when they cultivated to form a golden core. A progress that was a surprise to everyone. Had they started cultivating as early as possible they might have been considered peerless geniuses that could be on par with Yue Qing Yuan, the head disciple of Qiong Ding Peak, who for some reason no one had seen for the last three years.

No matter how much praise the twins receive for their achievement, to the twins and to their Shizun, it was only an expected result. May it be the best (absurd) training conditions, the finest cultivation manuals, rare herbs, elixirs and pills to aid cultivation, all of those had been provided to them without reservations. It was something they had earned through their hard work. Always trying to keep up with their Peak Lord's expectations that was higher than the heavens itself.

"That crazy woman!" Shen Jiu hissed while avoiding the giant claws that was aiming at him.

"Jiu-ge, Shizun will punish you again if she heard that." Shen Yuan warned but he really did agree that, their Shizun has assigned them to a mission that was near impossible for them to complete.

Who the hell sends children that had only began cultivating for only a year to exterminate an Ice Panther. This kind of task was supposed to be for the senior disciples!

"I don't care! She's not here anyway!" Shen Jiu snapped, trying to think miles per second on how they could kill this abomination.

They knew that this oversized cat's weakness was between its eyes but the main question is how they could do it. The monster was too nimble and fast!

"Jiu ge, I'm going to blind it." Shen Yuan shouted while he infuse the scattered leaves with spiritual energy.

Shen Jiu understood what he planned and moved away from the range of those leaves. But kept close safely enough so that the cornered beast would keep its focus on him.

They didn't expect for the beast to leap at Shen Yuan instead of Shen Jiu.

The older male moved faster than he had ever been able to and stabbed the beast from behind its head, Xiu Ya running through its skull with little difficulty. The tip of his blade stopping just a few inches away from his brother's face

"Is your own Xiu Ya an ornament or a sword?" Shen Jiu grunted as he pulled his sword from the panther's flesh. "Why didn't you draw it to defend yourself?"

Shen Yuan stumbled back, his legs had turned weak from those few tense seconds.

"I trust that you'll save me." He smiled up at his brother, placing a hand on his Xiu Ya, it was identical to the ones that his brother held. It was the twin sword that they got from Wan Jian Peak.

-

With his tea still warm, Shen Yuan sits at a spot several steps from the window that offered a great view of the garden, they were currently staying in the estate of the noble who requested their help in fighting the monsters in the vicinity. He drinks his tea in silence, enjoying the tranquility it brings. His eyes light up in delight as heard when the door open, but his smile fell as soon as he saw the grim expression on his brother's face.

"He wasn't here as well?" Shen Yuan asked.

Shen Jiu wordlessly shook his head. The younger Shen rose up from his seat and hugged his brother. The alpha stiffened at first but soon relaxed and leaned against him, he wanted to refuse the comfort that his brother offered. But he was just so tired already, without A-Yuan to support him, he didn't know if he could keep doing this.

"He may not be here in this town but I'm sure we'll find him one day." Shen Yuan assured. It was the words his brother needed the most right now even if they had lost hope already.

How many cities, towns and villages was this already? Every time that they would go down the mountains for missions. The two would always make time to search Yue-Qi.

They didn't want to give up their search, but each place they visit left them more and more hopeless.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\

The autumn comes with regal ease, content to arrive with slow grace. Though the first leaves have tumbled to the soil so rich with rain, most remain green, fluttering in the soft wind. Harmonious melody resounded in the mountain.

An YueXi sat in the clearing of her bamboo forest, calmly sipping on her tea while two of her favorite student plays a song for her. Due to their white and green uniforms, the tranquil expressions, robes lightly fluttering in the wind, they looked like a gathering of fairies descended unto mortal land.

She watched her pupils with the eyes of a proud mother. Within just two year the twins had become adept at playing the guqin. It seemed so far in the past yet still only recent for her immortal lifespan that the two used to be so terrible at playing the said instrument.

Another soft gust of winds blew, yet none of them felt bothered with the cold. Watching the leaves fall off from their branches, a thought suddenly came into mind.

"Shen Qingqiu."

The two stopped playing and looked up at their master. "Shizun?" they asked.

"I have decided from a long time that Shen Jiu would be my successor." The voice of Qing Jing peak's peak lord was serene but also hidden beneath the calmness, there was a certain tone of mirth. "From henceforth, as the next peak lord I will name you Shen Qingqiu."

Shen Yuan didn't miss how Shen Jiu's brow twitched. He can tell what was running in his brother's mind despite his expression remaining stoic and aloof as he bowed to their Shizun to accept the name.

'Why out of all the names that exist in the three realms did he end up with 'Qui'?'

Shen Jiu wanted nothing more than to rattle into an incessant chains of cursing and demand for another name instead but he could only swallow his complaints.

-

For formalities sake, An YueXi had Shen Qingqiu accompanied her for a visit to the other peaks to pay their respects, with the purpose of building relations with other inheriting disciples. Something that Shen Yuan was also dragged into, because they were somehow expected to always come as a set, and no amount of whining from the two had offered him a way out and spend a lazy day in their peak.

It didn't go well. No that was an understatement.

It was a huge disaster!

They would have never expected to be reunited with their Qi-ge!

It turned out their mysterious Shixiong who had been absent for the last three years was Yue Qi!

Propriety all forgotten. Yue Qing Yuan enveloped the twins in a hug.

Shen Yuan didn't hide how happy and relieved he was to see him alive and well. But Shen Jiu didn't take the news quite well. He felt nothing but betrayed as he looked at the man before them.

Yue Qing Yuan cultivation was quite high compared to them, his presence had become steady and composed. His clothing was of high quality, bearing the demeanor of a distinguished family, not a single thing about him to give away his humble origin. There was no trace of the extreme misery in Shen Jiu's imagination that he had entertained all those years.

Shen Jiu pushed him away as hard as he could and pulled Shen Yuan away from him. "You became a head disciple of Qiong Ding Peak? Not bad." His words were filled with poisonous sarcasm "why didn't you come back for us?"

"I..."

Shen Jiu waited for a moment, but his answer never came.

He spoke again, "We're still waiting. We've waited for so many years, it wouldn't make a difference to wait this much longer."

Shen Yuan eyed his brother in exasperation. How could he expect Qi-Ge to continue?

The younger Shen tried to stop his brother but there was no stopping Shen Jiu as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. No, he could stop him if he really wanted to. Deep inside he also wanted to know the reason.

Finally, they heard Yue Qing Yuan's low voice, "I'm sorry."

Cold fury exploded in Shen Jiu's chest. He could taste the metallic flavor of blood from where he bit inside his cheek. Remembering every painful beating and humiliation he suffered in the hand of the Qui's. Memories of that night flash before him so clearly, how Shen Yuan stood in that room stained in blood with torn robes as he killed Qui Jianluo when they tried to violate him. None of it would have happened had he come back for them! Had he done everything for all of them to escape that night! Had Yue Qi not been impulsive and tried to be a hero!

He had trusted in him, believed that their Qi-Ge had died trying and Shen Jiu was prepared to scourge every corner of the world just to look for him. In the end he was slapped by the cold, harsh reality that they were abandoned.

All sort of good manners that An YueXi had hammered to them for the last two years completely flew out of the window when Shen Jiu unsheathed Xiu Ya and aimed for Yue Qing Yuan. He would rather have him dead!

Yue Qing Yuan's Xuan Su remained in its scabbard, with no intention of unsheathing it at all, using his sword only to defend himself. He's not even trying to fight back nor evade the blows, he was taking it all as some sort of atonement.

That had only added to Shen Jiu's fury. It was an insult to him, that Shen Jiu is not even at a level where Yue Qing Yuan would fight him seriously.

"Brother stop!" Shen Yuan screeched. A hand on his Xiu Ya's hilt, he rarely use his sword in favor of using his fan or infusing leaves with spiritual power, but in this situation he's not confident if that would be enough to stop Shen Jiu.

"Don't you dare interfere Shen Yuan!" his brother shouted.

And Shen Yuan was nothing but obedient, he had never took it well when his brother directed his anger at him. Still, he can't watch them both kill each other. Not like this when they were finally reunited after looking for so long.

If Shen Yuan himself cannot interfere then another person can.

It took the sect leader intervening and their Shizun restraining Shen Jiu with immortal binding rope to make them stop and left in a hurry.

-

With the older alpha in already a bad mood. Their visit to the other peaks did not end well.

Shen Jiu had literally picked a fight with the entire Bai Zan Peak, totally forgetting his aloof and scholarly appearance, which had turned into an all-out brawl. Much to the pleasure of Bai Zan Peak Lord, Yang YueLiang, he was quite thankful for the impromptu sparing session.

Before Shen Yuan can get caught up with the fight, An YueXi has ushered him away to pay respect to the Bai Zain's Peak Lord. Their Shizun just leaving her newly inheriting disciple to go wild, though Shen Yuan knew that there'll be a hell of a punishment for his brother later.

As much as he loved his Brother. There was no way he would want to join him in his punishment when he was innocent. He shouldn't even be here in the first place!

"This disciples greets Yang-Shishu" he bowed "Also this disciple apologizes in behalf of my brother for his misconduct."

"Don't worry about it. Your brother just saved me from the trouble of training my brats." He shrugged before turning to where his disciples and Shen Jiu was fighting "Whoever defeats Shen Qingqiu within five seconds will be named my head disciple!" He announced increasing the moral of the entire Bai Zan Peak.

Shen Yuan almost choked in his own. Looking up at his Shishu incredulously. Wasn't that a little too much? He knew of Bai Zan's battle prowess but Shen Yuan was also confident in his brother's abilities (no matter how underhanded it goes sometimes) it was impossible for anyone of them to defeat him in just five seconds! His brother's pride won't allow it!

How could a peak Lord be so casual in picking his own head disciple!?

"Xiao Yuan" their Master called. "Come and join me."

Shen Yuan sat across An YueXi while a disciple of Bai Zan peak served them with tea and sweets. Yang YueLiang later joined them in enjoying an afternoon snack admits all the chaos that was happening before them.

The omega would have reacted strongly in this absurd situation in the past but Shen Yuan was nothing but flexible. Under Qing Jing Peak Lord's guidance he had learned early on to remain calm, no matter how crazy the said situation is, and simply go with the flow.

The next peak that they visited was Qian Cao Peak. All for the purposes of patching up Shen Jiu, who despite letting all out his anger and frustration at Bai Zan Peak, was still having a fit for another entire reason.

While no one was able to defeat him within five seconds, he still lost most of the battle. Being able fight with almost all the battle prodigies of Bai Zan Peak continuously with only two years' worth of cultivation was supposedly something to be proud of. It wasn't a feat that can be done much less by just one person alone.

But no! Shen Jiu wanted to win every fight!

It was getting ridiculous!

With his brother still in a bad mood. The responsibility had fallen in Shen Yuan's shoulder once more to greet Qian Cao's Peak Lord and his inheriting disciple, Mu Qing Fang.

Shen Yuan didn't find it troublesome to pay his respects to them. He was, after all, well acquainted with both and he was close friends with Mu Qing Fang, being the one in charge of monitoring his condition.

Though Shen Yuan would admit that their first meeting with the master and disciple pair was a bit overwhelming. They were rather very eager to learn and study his condition when their Shizun introduced Shen Yuan to them.

It wasn't every day that you get to meet an unbounded omega with muted scent. They rarely even exist in hundreds of years!

Their enthusiasm was perfectly reasonable?

Anyway, what matters is that they did give ease to his brother about his condition. To cultivators with heightened senses, Shen Yuan still gives off the sweet scent that identifies him as an omega, but the scent coming from him doesn't allure alphas, it was no longer the seductive come-get-me scent of an omega. His scent has become so subtle like how bonded omega smell like minus the lingering scent of their mated alpha, because he was not bonded with anyone.

To put it simply. It was like he was permanently on scent blocker!

-

No one dared to approach Shen Jiu when they arrived at Xian Shu Peak. Seeing him bandaged from head to toe accompanied with a scowl that was going to be permanent in his face soon, anyone would have second thoughts before talking to him.

"Why is your brother all growly?" Even Qi Qingqi who he always trade snarky remarks with him didn't dare greet Shen Jiu and went straight to Shen Yuan instead.

"A lot happened..." Shen Yuan laughed dryly.

That had pique her interest and simply stated in almost a command "I want details."

"He had a fight with Qi... I mean Yue-shixiong when we went to pay our respects to Qiong Ding Peak." Shen Yuan retells the rest of what happened in all the peaks that they had visited so far, avoiding anything regarding their past with Yue Qing Yuan.

By the time he finished telling them they were surrounded with other shijies who came for juicy gossips.

The rest of the visit to the other peaks had ended up in almost the same manner. While Shen Jiu had did his job halfway through the visit in greeting the other Peak Lords and their head disciple, it was mostly Shen Yuan who did most of the talking and building rapport with them.

An YueXi could have never been more grateful that they were twins. That very day, their Shizun changed her mind and named them both future Peak Lords and Shen Qingqiu.

No one disputed that there was going to be two Peak Lord in one Peak sharing the same name. Everyone had accepted that as if it was the natural course of things.

Shen Jiu was given harsh punishment for twelve days straight by their Shizun.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/

The news that Shen Qingqiu had boldly picked a fight with Yue Qing Yuan had spread like wild fire that was going out of control in the entire sect within just half a day. Making all sorts of rumors and contemplation what could have set off the fight, turning all the eyes on three of them in the process.

The most famous story was apparently that Yue Qing Yuan had taken an interest on Shen Yuan as a mate and proposed to him upon their first meeting, which in turn made Shen Jiu lose it (he was known for being over protective after all).

It made Shen Yuan suffer in embarrassment how off the mark the rumors were. If anything, the quiet longing looks that Yue Qing Yuan keeps on giving was towards his older twin, to Jiu-ge, not him!

While he did love their Qi-Ge, he'd never see him that way! The thought itself making him shudder. There's no way he'd have other relationship with Yue Qing Yuan more than their brotherhood. So no thank you!

But what he didn't know was that they was helping with the misunderstanding to go wild whenever he happily greets Yue Qing Yuan during his visits in their peak and eagerly accepting the small presents he had from the twins.

To other people, it looked as if they were having a secret rendezvous. Taking advantage of the official matters and their responsibilities to meet up. Both parties were utterly oblivious of it.

All eyes on the Qing Jing Peak were watching them from a safe distance as Shen Yuan lead Yue Qing Yuan towards the bamboo house of their Shizun. No one could hear what the two was talking about but that was fine.

"Xiao Jiu still refuse to see me." Yue Qing Yuan smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry Qi-ge."

"I know that I don't have the right to ask. But what had happened after I left?"

Shen Yuan froze from the spot where he was standing, turning pale by the second. Since they escaped the chains of slavery, he and his brother made a silent agreement that they won't talk about that day. They had avoided that part of their life like a big blight in their existence. The sins that he made Shen Jiu carry in his stead.

When Yue Qing Yuan saw the horrified expression on Shen Yuan's face he immediately knew he stepped on a very sensitive topic. The moment Shen Yuan took a step back to flee, the older male grabbed him by the wrist to stop him.

"I'm sorry" Yue Qing Yuan lost his composure and acted impulsively unbefitting of his standing. He envelopes him in an embrace in an attempt to calm him down, this had always worked in the past. Also, to prevent the younger male from slipping away from his hold. "I won't ask again so please don't leave me too." He pleaded desperately. It was killing him every day that Shen Jiu hated him, he wouldn't be able to take it if Shen Yuan would avoid him as well.

He only loosened his arms around Shen Yuan when he deemed the omega to be calm enough.

The sound of giggles in the background made them snap and remembered that they were being inappropriate. The two stepped away from each other immediately as if they were burned, feeling awkward all of a sudden.

"If you really want to make brother listen to you." Shen Yuan, who had long hidden his face behind his fan, stated trying to mend the tense situation. "You need to tell him what made you break your promises."

Yue Qing Yuan gave him a conflicted smile as he shook his head. "There's no need for you two to know." He answered patting his head. "Like how you two have your secrets, let me keep mine. But, it still doesn't change the fact that I had failed you two. I'm sorry that Qi-ge is so useless."

It made Shen Yuan sigh in defeat. He actually already knew the reason why he couldn't come for them. Mu Qing Fang had actually told him about why the Sect Leader locked Yue Qing Yuan in the spirit cave for three years.

He's also aware that his dear older brother also knew about it but he was too stubborn and unrelenting in his grudge. Shen Qingqiu won't accept any apology or hearsay from other people unless he heard it from Yue Qing Yuan himself.

Oh, how Shen Yuan was tempted every day to just lock them both up in a room (without any weapons, because Jiu-ge might end up killing him if he said 'Sorry' one more time) and make them talk already! And Qi-ge really needs to learn how to say something else other than 'Sorry'!

Had An YueXi not punished Shen Jiu enough to learn to be civil like a normal person when Yue Qing Yuan was involved and not swing his sword the first thing when he saw him. Shen Yuan doubt they'd be even on talking terms. But every time they did get to talk it was all about their responsibilities in the sect as head disciples and when it comes to personal matters it turned to a painfully one sided conversation. Yue Qing Yuan was really doing his best to have a decent conversation but Shen Qingqiu always shut him down before he could even finish a sentence.

Shen Yuan honestly felt sorry for the man. So in his own way he did his best in helping to mend their relationship. But he didn't know that those kind of actions had only added fuel to the rumors.

Just that one incident alone had become news among the Sect disciples. There were even compilation of poems and stories from that. Shen Yuan was almost impressed by the creativity of the author had he been not the one involved!

To make things worse, his brother abused his authority as the head disciple and forbade Shen Yuan from ever leaving Qing Jing Peak when he head those stories. He destroyed any copy of those books whenever he comes across one.

Their Shizun didn't even help him. She even sang praises about how those things were work of art! Even though she knew so well of the truth, no she used that to tease the twins for the benefit of her own amusement.

/*/*/*/*/*/

Not even a year after Shen Qingqiu was named as the inheriting disciple, Bai Zan Peak had announced that they finally had an inheriting disciple as well. The news was even more groundbreaking than the twin's achievement. The newest disciple of Yang YueLiang who was able to win against his elder disciples' just months after he was accepted to the sect. He was granted the named Liu QingGe.

The Peak Lords could never been more happy knowing that they were passing the fate of the entirety of Cang Qiong Sect in the hands of talented and promising disciples. The generational name of 'Qing' was dubbed as yet another golden era of the cultivation world.

Thankfully, both Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan was out for an extermination mission that had lasted for a month when they released the announcement and they were absent when Liu QingGe paid his respects to the peak lords.

Shen Qingqiu still held deep resentment for losing against those Bai Zan brutes and he could not accept that a newbie disciple, younger than them no less, was able to accomplish what he could not! He hated every fiber of Liu QingGe even though he haven't met him in person.

Liu QingGe achieved such outstanding success at a young age, his talent exceptional, his spiritual power formidable, and his swordplay exceedingly marvelous. His family background was flawless, both his parents were respected cultivators that are alive and well. He was a prodigy in every way and was able to make the most of his latent potential being able to start cultivating at the earliest age possible. All these, even while singled out, could make Shen Qingqiu grit his teeth in envy.

Since they heard of the news, Shen Yuan had spent an entire week coaxing and placating his brother, stopping him from wreaking havoc at Bai Zan Peak on a whim. Yue Qing Yuan ended up being the outlet of his frustration whenever he came to help looking after his shidis.

Hey, it made their relationship improve a bit, so that was progress to Shen Yuan and Yue Qing Yuan.

Their Shizun had already dreaded that they would be paying a lot of visit on both An Ding Peak and Qian Cao Peak in the near future. Only recently she had finally manage to make Yue Qing Yuan and Shen Qingqiu stay in one room without the later trying to kill the other. Now another headache comes.

She often wonders why she he bears with all of this when she should be having an easy life and free of worries as a Peak Lord.

She wouldn't deny that she treated them differently from her other disciples and showed blatant favoritism. It was not solely because of their rare case, that couldn't hold her interest after a few months. It was her joy teaching students who was eager to learn and showed outstanding results even in the most impossible situations. She'd often send them down the mountain knowing that it was impossible for them to accomplish the task she'd given, only for them to come back with the mission successfully completed (it comes with souvenirs too).

Yes, they were both the finest jade she ever encountered and spend all her effort grooming both equally.

Shen Yuan excelled in the four arts and any instruments, also had a good temperament and was loved by everyone, but he was timid in nature and lacks confidence. Unless it's a dire situation he'd rarely take the initiative.

Shen Jiu on the other hand, didn't have the best of temperament, he was akin to a ticking time bomb that would explode without warning. An YueXi had drilled proper manners and good conduct to his head, after all, Qing Jing Peak prided itself in being a peak of noble scholars, she would not accept anything less. Despite his flaws, Shen Jiu was always eager to improve himself, never slacking in his training while doing all his responsibilities as efficient as possible. While he wasn't as good as Shen Yuan in the four arts and instruments, he was smart and cunning, never afraid to take risks for the sake of bigger gains. And that was important as the Peak Lord of Qing Jing Peak.

An YueXi couldn't bring herself to say she regretted her choice despite all the headache. She was confident that the twins would always make up what the other lacks. The entire sect had easily accepted both of them as inheriting disciple with open arms.

She did what she could do at the moment keep them from meeting Liu QingGe. But even she could only kept the inevitable from happening for so long.

Shen Qingqiu and Liu QingGe's first official meeting happened during Cang Qiong Mountain's Annual Spars of the Twelve Peaks. This year's competition was a big event within the sect. Except for Qian Cao Peak and An Ding Peak who did not enter the competition in favor of working on the sidelines, everyone was looking forward to the performance of the head disciples of each peak.

"It's a shame Shen Yuan won't be able to participate." The sect leader, Han YueFeng noted.

The peak lords were gathered at the best seat where they could watch the matches. All of them chattering idly as a disciple announce the pairing for the matches.

"Indeed Zhangmen-shixiong." An YueXi nodded as she sipped on her tea. "It would be quite the spectacle if he was to fight Shen Jiu in a serious match."

"That would be quite a sight indeed. Though I doubt your disciples would each other fight seriously" he smirked.

"If anything I am more curious to see a battle between your head disciples" Bai YueLin, peak lord of Zui Xian Peak inserted. "I've heard that An-Shixiong's disciple always fights with Yue Qing Yuan but was always one sided."

"I'm also curious how my Shen Qingqiu would fare against Yue Qing Yuan who wouldn't just take a beating quietly." An YueXi teased making the sect leader stiffen in his seat.

"Alas, we will have to wait and see if." Han YueFeng cleared his throat "There are thousands of disciples participating in today's event. The odds for them to be paired seemed quite low. Maybe we should have an arranged match with our head disciples next year."

They listened to the rest of the parings, wishing they would be able to have the pairs that they wanted. One announcement made An YueXi turn pale.

Shen QingQiu's opponent was none other than Liu QingGe.

"Fcuk!" An YueXi cursed out loud. All the other peak lords and some disciples that heard her looked at her in surprise. Because the world could be ending and QingJing Peak Lord will still be able to laugh it off. It was so uncharacteristic of her to suddenly curse.

Thousands of disciples in the entire sect. What were the odds?