I am the Dao Ancestor

The morning air on Peach Blossom Peak was fresh and cool, with the fragrance of blooming peach blossoms carried by the wind. Ling Hao, who had just returned from his mission, found his master Yue Ling sitting under the ancient peach tree that marked the center of their small peak. In her hand was the ever-present jug of wine, and she looked unusually pleased with herself.

"Master," Ling Hao greeted as he approached, bowing deeply. "I've completed the mission you assigned."

Yue Ling waved her hand dismissively, her grin widening. "Good, good. I've heard about your success already. But, Ling Hao, do you know what makes me most proud as your master?"

Ling Hao raised an eyebrow. "My steady improvement, perhaps?"

"No, you fool. It's your willingness to handle my antics without questioning them," Yue Ling laughed heartily. Her tone suddenly shifted to a more serious one, her gaze locking onto him. "But this time, you may question me."

Ling Hao tensed, a sinking feeling in his stomach. Whenever his master's expression turned this serious, trouble always followed.

"Ling Hao," Yue Ling began, leaning forward slightly. "A month ago, I got into a… discussion with Lei Zhong, the peak master of Thunder Peak."

"Discussion?" Ling Hao repeated skeptically.

"A fight," Yue Ling corrected, taking a long sip from her wine jug. "It wasn't a big deal, really. A few broken chairs, some shattered walls… Anyway, things escalated, and we made a bet."

Ling Hao's eyes narrowed. "What kind of bet?"

"I bet that the disciple of Peach Blossom Peak—you, specifically—will win the Azure Sky Sect Peak Summit and become the chief disciple of the sect," Yue Ling said nonchalantly, as though she had just mentioned the weather.

Ling Hao's jaw dropped. "Master, what?"

"And," Yue Ling continued, ignoring his shock, "if Peach Blossom Peak loses, I'll hand over my sacred pendent to him."

"The one you always wear?" Ling Hao asked, pointing at the intricate jade pendent hanging from her neck.

"Yes, that one," she replied cheerfully.

Ling Hao's voice rose in alarm. "And what happens if Thunder Peak loses?"

At this, Yue Ling grinned like a predator. "If Thunder Peak loses, Lei Zhong has to name me as the Peak Leader of the Twelve Peaks."

Ling Hao froze. This was no ordinary title—it was a position of great prestige and influence within the sect. The Peak Leader was one of the prime candidates to succeed the current Sect Leader.

"This is a political gamble, isn't it?" Ling Hao muttered, a cold realization washing over him.

"Call it whatever you like," Yue Ling said with a shrug. "But I know I'll win. After all, I've got you."

Ling Hao's stomach churned. "Master, there are over 20,000 disciples on Thunder Peak alone! Most of them are at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, with many already in the Core Formation Realm. The head disciple there is at the peak of Core Formation! How do you expect me to beat them? I only broke through to the Qi Gathering Realm a short while ago!"

Yue Ling waved away his protests like they were an annoying fly. "Details, details. I believe in you, Ling Hao. Plus, you're my sole disciple. It's not like I have anyone else to send to the summit."

"Master, this isn't just reckless; it's suicide," Ling Hao said, his frustration evident. "You can't seriously expect me to—"

"Oh, stop whining," Yue Ling interrupted, her tone sharp. "I didn't take you in to have you doubt yourself at every challenge. You're my disciple, and Peach Blossom Peak's pride rests on your shoulders. If you don't rise to the occasion, who will?"

Ling Hao clenched his fists, torn between despair and determination. He wanted to protest further, but Yue Ling's unwavering gaze left no room for argument.

---

The History Behind the Sacred Pendent

Seeing Ling Hao's troubled expression, Yue Ling's tone softened. She placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Let me tell you something, Ling Hao. This pendent isn't just a random accessory—it's a symbol of my past."

Ling Hao looked at her curiously. Despite spending years with her, his master rarely talked about her history.

"This pendent was given to me by my master," Yue Ling explained. "It represents my bond with Peach Blossom Peak and everything I've sacrificed for it. Handing it over to someone like Lei Zhong would be a humiliation I can't endure."

Her eyes burned with passion as she continued. "That's why I need you to give everything you've got, Ling Hao. For me, for Peach Blossom Peak, and for your own future. If you want to rise in the sect, you'll need to face opponents much stronger than you eventually. Let this summit be the first of many challenges you overcome."

Ling Hao exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of her words. He could tell how much this mattered to her, and despite his doubts, he couldn't let his master down.

---

The Odds Stacked Against Him

That night, Ling Hao sat cross-legged in the courtyard, meditating under the starlit sky. The challenge ahead seemed insurmountable. Thunder Peak wasn't just any peak; it was one of the strongest among the Twelve Peaks, known for its aggressive cultivation methods and brutal competitions.

Ling Hao replayed Yue Ling's words in his mind, trying to gather the resolve he needed. Yet a small voice in his head kept reminding him of his inadequacies. I'm just a Qi Gathering cultivator. How can I compete with someone at the peak of Core Formation?

As if sensing his turmoil, Yue Ling approached quietly, carrying two cups of wine. She handed one to him and sat down beside him.

"Ling Hao, do you know why I trust you so much?" she asked.

He shook his head.

"Because I see the same fire in you that my master once saw in me," she said. "You've got potential beyond your imagination, but you'll never unlock it if you keep doubting yourself. Trust in your abilities, and trust in the path you've chosen."

Ling Hao took a sip of the wine, the warmth spreading through him. His master's confidence was unwavering, and he couldn't help but feel a flicker of determination ignite within him.

"I'll do it," he said finally, his voice steady. "I'll train harder than ever and give it everything I've got at the summit."

Yue Ling grinned, raising her cup in a toast. "That's the spirit, my disciple. Show the Twelve Peaks why Peach Blossom Peak deserves its place."

---

Preparation

Over the following weeks, Ling Hao dedicated himself fully to his cultivation and training. Yue Ling pushed him relentlessly, forcing him to spar against illusions and practice advanced techniques far beyond his current realm.

Despite the grueling regimen, Ling Hao began to feel the first sparks of growth. His control over his qi improved, and he found himself becoming more attuned to the rhythm of battle.

One evening, as he stood atop Peach Blossom Peak's cliff, the moonlight reflecting off his blade, Ling Hao made a silent vow.

I may be an underdog now, but I won't let my master or Peach Blossom Peak down. No matter what it takes, I'll prove my worth.

And with that resolve, Ling Hao continued to prepare for the upcoming summit, unaware of the challenges—and the revelations—that awaited him in the competition ahead.