The easternmost prefecture of the Eastern Ascendant Continent was Qingzhou Prefecture, whose heart was the Qing River basin—the fiefdom of the King of Tang.
Stretching east from the King of Tang's fiefdom lay the various regions of the Eastern Sea, followed by the Great Wilderness of the Far East.
This vast expanse of territory was situated at the extreme eastern reach of the Nine Provinces.
Hence, it was known as the Eastern Lands.
Chongjin Pass sat on the eastern edge of the Great Tang in the Eastern Lands, bordering the Eastern Sea. North of the Tang Kingdom, there stood another prominent Eastern Lands sect known as Zijin Mountain.
Zi Bogong of Zijin Mountain and the founding patriarch of Guanjiang Mountain had both been among the Seven Friends of Dragon Gate. Back then, Zi Bogong had traveled alongside the ancestor of the Wei family, bearing an immortal sword from the Ancient Immortal Province to the shores of the Eastern Sea to slay a monstrous giant whale demon.
Along the way, however, they were ambushed by their own fellow disciple, causing the Wei ancestor to perish in the Great Tribulation and the immortal sword to be lost.
Because of this, Zi Bogong took exceptional care of the Wei family.
Chongjin Pass and Zijin Mountain maintained frequent contact, sharing an exceedingly close relationship.
When the Little Sword Immortal of Jinghu Manor rode a fiendish cloud into the sky, bright sunlight pierced the heavy mists north of the Tang Kingdom, spilling over Zijin Mountain.
Seen from afar, this immortal sanctuary presented rolling peaks, pavilions suspended in midair, and countless structures bathed in an auspicious golden-purple glow.
In recent years, Zijin Mountain's fortunes had flourished.
Among its true disciples, two Dao Seed-level prodigies had emerged in succession, making numerous factions throughout the Eastern Lands burn with envy.
Over a decade ago, however, when the Dao Seed of Golden Thunder Peak traveled to the Eastern Sea on an errand, he crossed paths with the Third Prince of the Great Xia dynasty from the Central Continent. A battle broke out between them, but they disturbed a forbidden existence and were carried away by an old fisherman.
That incident had sent the mighty figures of Zijin Mountain and the Great Xia imperial family into a frantic uproar.
Both factions turned the Eastern Sea upside down in their search, provoking deep displeasure from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and alarming powers within the Great Wilderness of the Far East as well.
Moreover, the old fisherman had long since vanished far from the Eastern Sea, leaving no trail to follow.
The matter could only be shelved.
At present, Zijin Mountain's other Dao Seed-level prodigy resided on Tiandu Peak, one of Zijin Mountain's six peaks.
Under the shining sun, Tiandu Peak was wreathed in thousands of layers of purple qi, an ocean of silver clouds churning below. Splendorous light poured like ribbons, slanting straight toward the nine heavens.
Looking down from above,
one could see a streak of green light piercing the immortal mist. It wove between wondrous blossoms and jade-like herbs, coming to a halt before a palace with upturned eaves that seemed to cradle the moon.
The next instant, the streak of light resolved into an ethereal fairy in green.
Below the palace, seven or eight stone mountain-guarding beasts bowed in unison upon seeing the newcomer: "Second Senior Sister."
The fairy waved her hand and asked them, "Is Senior Sister Cao inside the Tiandu Immortal Pavilion?"
"She is!" the stone beasts answered together.
Second Senior Sister flicked her sleeve, and the stone beasts tactfully withdrew.
Now close to the pavilion, she did not dare use escape arts again. Smiling, she stepped beneath the upturned eaves, her green skirt drifting as she entered the immortal garden.
She looked up. High in the pavilion, amidst the purple mist, stood a lone silhouette. The celestial wind tugged at her purple robe, and a faint, clear radiance rippled around her.
That figure was none other than Tiandu Fairy.
Li Xiuning, Second Senior Sister of Tiandu Peak, stepped forward and bowed. "Senior Sister."
"Come up," a serene, melodious voice drifted down from above.
Li Xiuning parted the mist and took a seat in the pavilion. She was long accustomed to her senior sister's demeanor. She often thought Senior Sister Cao's immortal countenance was simply too breathtaking, which was why she frequently showed only her back from atop the clouds, gazing out over the boundless mist in solitary admiration.
At any rate, she dared not ask too much.
Composing herself, Li Xiuning said, "Senior Sister, I heard Martial Uncle Xubai Zi took Junior Brother Xu to Yunzhou Prefecture. Working alongside Martial Uncle Jin from Guanjiang Mountain, they should surely be able to settle this matter for Senior Wei."
The serene voice sounded again: "Martial Uncle Xubai Zi was not entirely certain before he departed, yet you sound more confident than the elder himself."
"For the Huanyin Sect Master to dare make a move means this matter is far from simple. Martial Uncle Xubai Zi has not deduced the other side's hidden backup, which is why Madam Wei is biding her time as well."
Hearing this, Li Xiuning immediately offered, "I only just returned from the Tang Kingdom and do not understand the full situation. Senior Sister, grant me a talisman decree so I may travel to Pingyuan Commandery to clash with the Huanyin Sect. While there, I can also visit Madam Wei and deliver rations to the golden civet."
Tiandu Fairy replied leisurely, "Your presence would only cause trouble for Martial Uncle Xubai Zi. Other sect elders are already en route; there is no need for you to worry. As for that cat's rations, someone is already seeing to it."
A trace of disappointment flashed across Li Xiuning's face before she asked, "Did Junior Brother Xu Youde deliver them?"
"No."
Tiandu Fairy added, "A dear friend of mine took them."
Understanding dawned on Li Xiuning, and she could not help glancing up toward the heavens.
Anyone Senior Sister Cao referred to as a friend could only be that person.
Above the nine heavens, there had once been numerous immortal mountains such as Kunlun, Penglai, and Fanghu. Later, during the Great Tribulation, some of these mountains crashed onto the Nine Provinces, while others plunged into the boundless sea.
The remnants of those immortal mountains left drifting across the starry azure void of the nine heavens were gathered together and named the Ancient Immortal Province.
They were the greatest power above the nine heavens, on par with any ancestral court of the Daoist gates.
However...
The Ancient Immortal Province did not enjoy good relations with the Lingbao Grand Sect, precisely because of the lost immortal sword incident involving Zi Bogong and the Wei family's ancestor.
After the Great Tribulation, the Ancient Immortal Province preserved three lineages: Kunlun, Guanghan, and Penglai.
The one close to Senior Sister Cao was the Guanghan Fairy. The two often conversed intimately in this Tiandu Immortal Pavilion about matters unknown to outsiders, acting as true confidantes.
The lineage of Zijin Mountain was quite pleased by this.
It seemed an opportunity to mend relations with the Ancient Immortal Province; after all, it was the Lingbao Grand Sect's negligence back then that had caused the loss of their immortal sword.
Li Xiuning still found it somewhat puzzling. "Senior Sister, why would Fairy Ji go to Pingyuan Commandery in person?"
"The Ancient Immortal Province seeks the immortal sword. Furthermore, Qingni knows that cat is a golden civet. She wants to find a way to awaken its demonic bloodline so it can help her explore an immortal mountain in search of an important spiritual item."
"Ah, so that is why!"
***
Jinghu Manor, the pavilion at the center of the lake.
"Meow!"
The cat merely sniffed, showing zero interest in the fruit offered to it. Turning its head aside, it resumed glaring at the carp in the water.
"You truly are a picky eater. No wonder your master doesn't keep you at his side."
Hearing the light, amused voice, the cat turned its round, chubby face toward the speaker.
The figure wore a lake-blue robe, her dark hair loosely secured by a single jade hairpin, with several stray strands resting against the pale curve of her neck. Though her grace was extraordinary and her beauty enough to topple cities, she was dressed in men's attire, holding a jade-tasseled folding fan.
Yet her disguise was transparent at a glance—no man could possess eyes that shimmered with such dazzling brilliance.
"Meow!"
The cat cared nothing for her identity; displeased, it hissed directly at her.
Its hostile gaze seemed to say:
*Are we familiar, meow?*
*Who do you think you are, ordering me around like that brute? I eat hawthorn berries and drink spiritual water! What kind of rubbish fruit are you trying to feed me?*
"Meow, meow, meow!"
It truly had a terrible temper. Had Qin Xuan not grabbed it by its vitals that day and nearly stripped away its little bells, thoroughly terrifying it, it never would have been so obedient toward him.
The woman smiled faintly, flicking open half of her folding fan to waft a breeze toward the cat.
It was as though she meant to fan away its anger.
Toward an irate cat, she possessed remarkable patience. She chuckled, "Don't be angry. Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Ji Qingni, and I am very close, intimate friends with your master."
"Hearing that you are a rare golden civet, I came especially to get acquainted. Why don't we become friends? Once your bloodline awakens, you can do me a small favor. How about it?"
She looked at the cat with great interest, finding it far more amusing than its master had made it out to be.
Yet the cat could not be bothered with her.
The woman reached out, and an object flew from the jade bracelet on her wrist. It was a peach—an immortal peach, even—surrounded by dense spiritual qi that drifted like mist.
"This peach grew on an ancient tree beside the Heavenly River in the nine heavens. Anyone outside the sects of the Ancient Immortal Province could never hope to taste it."
Normally, any monster would drool at the sight of such an immortal peach.
Yet as a golden civet, the cat possessed an innate sensitivity to spiritual objects.
It felt that this peach was merely good to look at.
To itself, it was far less useful than those hawthorn berries.
"Oh?"
Ji Qingni made no effort to hide her surprise. "What do you usually eat? You don't even have an appetite for a Heavenly River spirit peach? I was planning to use this to win your favor."
The cat felt she was far less straightforward than that brute.
Whenever the brute fed it, he simply shoved things straight into its mouth.
It had little interest in the so-called spirit peach, but remembering Qin Xuan's instructions—*if it's useless to you, offer it up*—it stretched out a chubby paw and patted the ground beside it.
Understanding its gesture, Ji Qingni placed the Heavenly River spirit peach by its paw. Seeing the cat turn back to hiss at the carp in the water, she chuckled. "It is contending with tribulation qi and has no time to mind you. Once you return to Chongjin Pass, you won't be its match."
Having said this, Ji Qingni realized something.
Precisely because it wouldn't be able to win after returning, it had to curse all the more harshly right now.
She had seen right through the cat's thoughts.
Yet knowing how extraordinarily intelligent this creature was, she knew it might hold a grudge and refuse to help her later, which would only bring trouble upon herself.
So she changed the subject.
Pointing her folding fan toward the boiler room, she asked, "Was the person who flew off earlier on that fiendish yin cloud also from Chongjin Pass?"
The moment she asked, she made a startling discovery.
"Meow—"
This meow was vastly gentler, ten times more amicable than its attitude toward her.
Just as she was about to press further, a divine sense echoed in her mind: "Fairy Ji, what brings you here?"
Facing toward the inner courtyard, Ji Qingni bowed with clasped hands. "Junior paid a visit to Zijin Mountain and learned that Senior is here investigating that traitor from back then, so I thought to come have a look. Along the way, I took up the task of delivering cat feed on Tiandu Peak, only to discover there was a golden civet here."
She then turned to the main topic: "Ever since that immortal sword from the Ancient Immortal Province was lost, the elders of my Guanghan Palace have been searching for it, but decades have passed without a trace. This time, I may need to ask Senior for some information."
She could have learned this at Zijin Mountain as well.
However, Madam Wei was leading the operation here, so asking her would yield more detailed answers.
From the inner courtyard, another transmission entered her mind: "The traitor who fled the Lingbao Grand Sect is most likely at Chaosheng Pool in Southern Jambudvipa right now."
Hearing this, Ji Qingni's expression changed instantly.
Chaosheng Pool was the Daoist sanctuary of the demon race's Great Sage Swallowing Heaven. Before the Chaotic Antiquity Great Tribulation, there had been the Primordial Great Kalpa.
That demon sage had emerged from the Primordial Great Kalpa and survived multiple great tribulations, an exceedingly ancient entity. Long before the Seven Friends of Dragon Gate attained the Dao in Chaotic Antiquity, he had already walked the world for uncounted ages.
The Chaotic Antiquity Great Tribulation had been the era of most violent tribulation qi.
No one knew how severely it had affected that demon sage, so naturally, no one dared venture to Chaosheng Pool to test the waters.
The demon race possessed two supreme factions: the Heavenly Demon Mansion of the North Darkness Marsh and the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons amidst the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Both top demonic powers considered themselves the orthodox successors of the ancient demon court and viewed each other as bitter rivals, each seeking to win over the ancient demon sage of Chaosheng Pool.
The foundation he represented was something even the four ancestral courts of the Daoist gates dared not touch lightly.
"No wonder this matter has proven so difficult. If that person is truly hiding in Chaosheng Pool, the variables are simply too great."
"Does Senior know why the demon sage is sheltering him?"
Another transmission arrived: "I, too, wish to uncover the reason. The key figures of the Huanyin Sect have yet to appear. They brought out their foundation artifacts; I can sense a faint trace of the Six Desires Plague Fiends, likely the Six Desires Plague Warding Grand Magic of the Huanyin Sect, yet I cannot pinpoint their exact location."
"There seems to be a forbidden existence within this commandery as well; my Chongjin Pass precious medicine has already issued a warning. Fairy Ji, you must exercise utmost caution."
Hearing the words *forbidden existence*, Ji Qingni fell silent, lost in thought.
To think that an out-of-the-way place like Pingyuan Commandery harbored so many hidden dragons and crouching serpents.
Recalling that cloud of fiendish vapor earlier, she could not resist asking, "Senior, was the person who flew out from the manor earlier also a disciple of your Chongjin Pass? I could not discern his background."
This time, something struck her as odd.
Because the divine sense took so long to reply, and remembering the cat's earlier reaction, her curiosity flared.
What kind of figure was Madam Wei?
She had interacted with plenty of enlightened masters. Why did an offhand question seem to put her in a bind?
Finally, a transmission came: "He is a junior of our lineage."
Just that single sentence and nothing more. Ji Qingni's eyes flashed.
Madam Wei had said "our lineage" rather than "Chongjin Pass." That meant the youth was merely from the Lingbao Grand Sect, not Chongjin Pass itself, yet being able to come and go freely from this manor meant his ties to Madam Wei were by no means shallow.
And yet, Madam Wei had hesitated just now when considering her relationship with him.
Moreover, his cultivation did not appear very high.
*Oh!*
After a few turns of thought, she understood. Madam Wei likely wanted to take him into Chongjin Pass, but his status had not yet been settled.
Since he was "of our lineage," here in Pingyuan Commandery, he could only be a disciple of Yuansong Daoist Temple.
At this thought, Ji Qingni could not help smiling. Madam Wei had clearly taken a liking to his talent, but had to consider Master Xuanling's pride, which was why she was weighing her options.
His talent must be quite remarkable; if he were an ordinary disciple, taking him along would be simple enough.
Could he possess the talent to become a true disciple?
That would truly be picking up a prize right under Master Xuanling's nose.
Tapping her folding fan lightly, Ji Qingni walked to the manor gates and spread her divine sense, instantly sweeping across the entire commandery city.
In the end, from the conversation of three large toads, she gleaned plenty of intriguing news.
This proud prodigy of the nine heavens' Guanghan Palace nearly doubted her own ears.
The... the Wind and Moon Little Sword Immortal?!
Someone in this world actually tempered their sword heart using romantic storyteller's tales?! This... this...
Coming from a prominent Eastern Lands clan and standing as a prodigy of the Ancient Immortal Province, she had seen countless secret arts and cultivation scriptures.
Yet such a cultivation method was utterly unheard of, giving her the bizarre sensation of having stumbled into three thousand strange new worlds.
Turning the thought over in her mind, her bright eyes sparkled. *Just which romantic chronicle is so captivating...?*
***
"Daoist Song, Daoist Song...!"
Inside the small courtyard, Qin Xuan stood beside the pine tree with a tense expression.
This time, Songsong responded swiftly.
A gentle female voice echoed in his heart: *"You are very uneasy. What happened?"*
Qin Xuan said gravely, "It is about my cultivation. My realm is advancing from the first Dao lotus toward the second, but an unforeseen variable has occurred."
Only after a brief pause did her reply come: *"Enter the dream."*
Familiar with the routine, Qin Xuan relaxed his mind, rested his head on the stone table, and drifted peacefully to sleep.
Once again, he entered Songsong's dream world.
From a distance, he saw the green-robed silhouette perched on the lonely pine tree against the sheer precipice. This time, the distance between him and Songsong had shrunk considerably.
*"What kind of variable?"*
Qin Xuan found a large boulder, sat down cross-legged, calmed himself, and described the matter of the Foundation Establishment Dao lotus in detail.
Songsong listened quietly and pondered for a moment before responding: *"The three Dao lotuses correspond to the future Three Flowers. Every Dao lotus formed during Foundation Establishment is part of your underlying foundation. As the saying goes, 'Three Flowers gather at the crown, Five Qi converge at the origin.' If you only attain a single Dao lotus, your Great Dao will be deficient rather than full, leaving little hope of attaining the Dao in the future."*
The more she spoke, the graver Qin Xuan's expression became.
It felt as though his future had been plunged into darkness.
Yet Songsong continued, *"Your concern is justified, but you have lost your composure and forgotten one thing."*
"What thing?"
*"Only after refining three Dao lotuses during Foundation Establishment can an immortal Dao Qi Refiner draw upon the Earthly Fiend's thick earth qi to blossom into a Dao flower and step into the Core Formation realm. A single Dao lotus cannot bloom into a Dao flower."*
*"For you, this may not necessarily be a bad thing."*
Songsong said slowly, *"Before Foundation Establishment, you were already able to absorb the vitality of the Five Elements from the five directions. You walk a path different from the rest."*
Qin Xuan felt somewhat relieved.
Yet because this concerned his very foundation, he dared not be careless in the slightest.
After pondering for a while, he said, "You mean I can try to cultivate and bloom this single Dao flower first, then turn back to refine the second Dao lotus of Foundation Establishment?"
*"Yes, this may well be a fortuitous encounter you must seize."*
*"Pingyuan Commandery is a small place. The true disciples of the supreme grand sects all cultivate methods of the Great Dao. When you contend with them in the future, if you haven't accumulated enough opportunities, you will be bullied."*
Qin Xuan deeply agreed with Songsong's words.
There had been a precedent before: using a Foundation Establishment method, he had worked backward to accomplish the twelfth layer of Qi Refining's 'refining spirit and returning to clarity.'
Yet the Dao flower was the manifestation of one's foundation.
If he truly bloomed a Dao flower, could he really reverse the process to build a second Dao lotus?
Sensing that Qin Xuan was burdened with heavy thoughts and quieter than usual, Songsong added, *"First, circulate the Elixir Dew Flying Transformation Scripture."*
Qin Xuan stopped pondering and did as Songsong instructed.
Upon circulating the incantation, he felt as though he had entered yet another dream. It was wondrous: within the dream, he cultivated the scripture continuously. As streams of Western bright stone qi flooded in, the Dao lotuses in his Flowery Pool grew steadily.
One, two, three.
After the three Dao lotuses, six transparent illusory lotuses sprouted above the Flowery Pool.
His entire foundation converged.
The Taibai Profound Wind Fiend entered the Flowery Pool. After an unknown passage of time, one of the Dao lotuses bloomed, sharpening his three treasures and vastly increasing his dharmic power.
At this point, the surrounding scenery slowly faded.
His cultivation waned as well, an overwhelming emptiness filling his body. Within the Flowery Pool, only a single Dao lotus remained.
Yet this single Dao lotus hungered for thick earth qi.
The Taibai Profound Wind Fiend merged into it, and this single Dao lotus blossomed as well.
At this moment, he could be considered to have reached the Core Formation realm.
Yet compared to his former state with three Dao lotuses and six illusory lotuses, the disparity in manifested foundation was simply too vast.
Only now did Qin Xuan understand why Huaimin had insisted on accumulating as much foundation as possible during Foundation Establishment.
And why secret immortal arts like the Penglai Lotus Planting Method existed.
Pulling himself together, Qin Xuan attempted to reverse the process after blooming the Dao flower to cultivate a second Dao lotus.
However, he failed.
Failure followed failure. Long periods passed in the dream until his first Dao flower withered, its vitality extinguished, and his dharmic power dissolved into nothingness.
That sensation lingered for a very long time.
It felt like a nightmare from which he was about to wake.
Just then, the words Old Daoist Wu had once spoken to him echoed in his mind: *"The world is vast, and the immortal path is long. Across the four seas and Nine Provinces, from the azure heavens to the underworld, countless Qi Refiners seek their way. If you ever find yourself lost in the future, recall the beginning of your cultivation; perhaps an answer will echo back..."*
Qin Xuan's thoughts drifted along that current...
The beginning of his cultivation—the Minor Heavenly Circuit Mind Method.
Later, the Minor Heavenly Circuit Mind Method had transformed into the Scripture of Rinsing Jade, using its rinsing-jade water combined with the principle of metal generating water to thoroughly wash his dharmic power.
Was that not a reversal in itself?!
Suddenly, the ungraspable moon in the lake of his heart was caught in his grasp.
A series of bizarre images flashed in his mind. In those scenes, the first Dao lotus bloomed...
Then came the Minor Heavenly Circuit, metal generating water...
A drop of profound black elixir dew dripped into the springhead of his Flowery Pool.
A second Dao lotus grew slowly, followed unceasingly by a third, a fourth, a fifth...
All of a sudden, a flash of five-colored divine light burst forth, sweeping away every image!
It shattered Qin Xuan's dream!
Drenched in cold sweat, he bolted awake at the stone table.
Ignoring his own condition, Qin Xuan rushed over to the pine tree.
"Daoist Song, Daoist Song..."
There was no response.
Qin Xuan grew anxious: "Songsong! Songsong!"
Finally, a thoroughly exhausted female voice complained to him: *"I had you deduce the water-attribute vitality generation in the Elixir Dew Flying Transformation Scripture to nourish the Dao lotus. Just what on earth were you deducing to make me this exhausted?"*
*"Qin Zihou, you are truly unkind. You've caused me to need another long sleep."*
Hearing this, Qin Xuan was instantly overwhelmed with guilt.
He circled the pine tree several times, watering it with spirit dew, yet the guilt lingered in his heart.
Songsong had allowed him to deduce his cultivation within her dream.
Deducing such a heaven-defying Daoist art came at an immense cost; how could a little spiritual water or spirit dew replenish it?
He sat on the ground, leaning his back against the pine trunk.
Speaking to himself, he said, "Daoist Song, this immortal path truly is treacherous. The variables are impossible to predict, filled with unfathomable peril. It was fortunate I had you this time, or I might have gone down the wrong path."
Qin Xuan exhaled a long breath, the gloom knotted in his chest scattering in an instant.
He had glimpsed the path and now knew how to cultivate this single Dao lotus.
Retrieving *Spring Letters, Autumn Post*, Qin Xuan read aloud one of the pieces, "A Rainy Night on the Trestle Bridge," as if telling bedtime stories to help Songsong rest.
After a long while, he returned to the second floor of the pavilion.
He took out the bamboo tube Master Xiong had given him. From inside, the Taibai Profound Wind Fiend produced a continuous rustle like wind blowing through golden leaves.
Even setting aside the time spent collecting the fiend qi, refining it was a time-consuming process.
Core Formation cultivators possessed a lifespan of four hundred years; some spent their entire lives collecting and refining fiend qi, only to accidentally sink into a fiend vein one day and become the fiend qi itself.
Having deduced the path in his dream, Qin Xuan no longer hesitated.
He would let nature take its course, refining his first Dao flower first to manifest part of his foundation ahead of time.
Circulating the Elixir Dew Flying Transformation Scripture, the Dao lotus produced an attractive force. Qin Xuan cautiously drew in a hair-thin strand of fiend qi from the bamboo tube.
The fiend qi entered his body, and by the time the sun set and the moon rose outside, it finally transformed into a single drop of elixir dew.
The white elixir dew fell onto the Dao lotus, absorbed by the lotus platform.
No visible change appeared, yet it was an exceptionally crucial step.
Qin Xuan was certain that having reached this stage, his cultivation realm had already surpassed Huaimin's.
***
The Yi River branched off from the Lan River. After one hundred and thirty li, the water's surface opened wide, flanked by mist-shrouded willows and churning green waves of bottomless depth.
Beneath these deep waters,
a manor spanning over a dozen qing sat atop a five-elements water leyline.
The main gates faced south, directly toward the ferry crossing above.
This was the rule: the Yishui River God belonged to the demon race's incense Divine Way, so the manor gates had to face the mundane hearthfire of the mortal realm.
Around noon,
four horse-mouth fish demons at the entrance of the River God Manor looked up toward the water's surface. The treasure light originating from Eagle Beak Mountain dyed the clouds and sky a brilliant gold; viewed from underwater, the shimmering ripples were even more mesmerizing.
Though they were merely minor demons of the manor, seeing such treasure light stirred great desire within them.
Yet tasked with guarding the gates, they dared not venture out.
Before long, the distant water rippled, and several waves carried a man and a woman straight toward the water manor.
The middle-aged man leading the way had an enormous head and mouth, with tiny ears and eyes, presenting a grotesque appearance.
Yet the fierce demonic qi surrounding him terrified the small fish demons so much they dared not even breathe loudly.
The woman beside him boasted a voluptuous figure, her garments clinging tightly to her skin and revealing glimpses of flesh. Standing beside the man, she wore an unbroken smile, chattering continuously.
The minor demons recognized her.
She was Sheng Hu, the spider demon who had visited some time ago.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Just then, the thunderous roll of drums resounded from within the River God Manor. A large contingent of horse-mouth fish demons followed behind the drum-and-gong troupe, clad in armor and holding spears, forming a solemn, grand welcoming line.
A young man with long limbs and thick body hair walked out from the water manor with a welcoming smile.
He bowed low from far away, his footsteps quickening with every step.
This person was none other than the River God of the Yishui River God Manor, Hou Hong. Originally a water monkey that dragged people under the water, he had become an entity of the Divine Way and now partook of mortal incense.
Seeing the ferocious middle-aged man arrive, the Yishui River God hurriedly said, "The Manager has traveled from afar; this lowly deity failed to greet you properly."
His humility was by no means an act.
The one beside Sheng Hu was none other than the Lan River Water Manor's manager, the Black Catfish Great Demon!
Among the four managers stationed at the Lan River by the Guangling Water Manor, the Black Great Demon was the strongest. He had condensed his core two hundred years ago, swallowing two types of yin fiend qi from the subterranean dark river of the Extreme Abyss to refine his unique clay demon fiend.
His cultivation stood at the peak of core condensation, equivalent to the peak of Core Formation among humans.
He needed only to temper his core in earthly fire to ignite the demonic fire within, which would elevate him to a minor demon king equivalent to the Golden Core realm.
At that point, he would undoubtedly receive even greater favor within the Guangling Water Manor.
Perhaps he could even use the flood dragon king to establish ties with the North Sea Dragon Palace, soaring to the heavens in a single leap.
The Yishui River God glanced at Manager Black's stiff expression, knowing he was troubled by that person from Yuansong Daoist Temple. Lately, more and more news regarding that youth had been spreading; as an enemy, it would be strange if Manager Black could sleep well.
"Manager, please!"
The River God smiled obsequiously. Manager Black gave a slight nod and stepped into the water manor.
The River God ushered him to the main seat in the grand hall, where a table laden with fine dishes had long been prepared. The spider demon Sheng Hu poured wine beside them, while two alluring clam spirits massaged the Black Demon's shoulders from behind.
The River God knew very well how to cater to his tastes.
The Black Demon downed a large jar of wine, pulled both clam spirits into his arms, fondled them intimately, and then settled them onto his lap.
One fed him wine while the other served him delicacies.
Only then did he speak coldly to the River God: "Hou Hong, why have your people remained inside the River God Manor instead of entering the city?"
"Lately, Yuansong Daoist Temple has been tied down by Eagle Beak Mountain, and that brat is still moving about the city. Amidst this chaos, wouldn't that be the perfect opportunity?"
The Yishui River God put on a bitter face. "The Manager wrongs this lowly deity."
"This Qin Xuan's talent truly is extraordinary. He is already at Foundation Establishment, and his various methods are difficult to deal with. Moreover, a Golden Core grand cultivator gifted him a wisp of true fire. With the strength of my River God Manor, capturing and killing him in a short time is practically impossible."
"Lord Gutless acted rashly; not only was he boiled and eaten, but he also ruined our arrangements with Eagle Beak Mountain."
"Right now, I am searching near the subterranean dark river of the Extreme Abyss along the Luo River for aquatic creatures willing to do dirty work. Their asking prices are exorbitant, and some even demand identities within the Lan River Water Manor. I dared not grant them lightly, which is why I delayed for a time."
Manager Black snorted. "Those wanted monsters dare take advantage of this manager? Make whatever promises they want. Once Qin Xuan is eliminated, pin everything on them; there is no need to honor any promises."
The River God asked, "Is... is that wise? Your reputation along the Lan River has always been impeccable; this..."
"It doesn't matter," Manager Black cut him off. "When it's time to cash in on reputation, that is what it's for."
The River God raised his cup and said, "This lowly deity understands."
Emptying his cup in one gulp, the River God lowered his head, a strange glint flashing in his eyes that Manager Black failed to notice.
Sheng Hu chimed in from the side: "A single talisman decree would have sufficed for this matter. Why did the Manager come in person?"
The Black Demon sneered. "I don't mind telling you people from Poison Scorpion Valley: I've been feeling rather unsettled staying at the Lan River Water Manor. As it happens, someone from above arrived and instructed me to scout the vicinity of the royal tomb at Eagle Beak Mountain."
Sheng Hu seized the opening to ask, "Is it an order from the Flood Dragon King?"
The Black Demon shook his head.
This was no secret, and feeling a touch of boastfulness, he told them, "The one who commanded me to come is a senior of the North Sea demon race, Senior Dragon Weatherfish King."
"This senior takes great care of me. For my departure from the Lan River, he not only helped me resolve the matter of the upstream spiritual vein, but also bestowed an aquatic treasure specifically meant to counter Golden Core true fire."
Hearing this, Sheng Hu and the River God both rose: "Congratulations, Manager!"
To establish ties with the North Sea was naturally a tremendous boon.
The Black Great Demon cracked a smile, but thinking of that youth from Yuansong Daoist Temple, his smile vanished once more.
He immediately instructed the River God, "Have the people you arranged cause a stir as quickly as possible."
"Understood!" the River God said. "I will need to borrow the Manager's talisman decree."
"Take it."
The Yishui River God was his trusted confidant; their fortunes were practically tied together.
Manager Black held the two clam spirits, initially intending to enjoy himself before leaving. Yet the closer he drew to Pingyuan Commandery city, the more agitated his heart became.
He was far from truly connecting with the North Sea Dragon Palace.
Yet Qin Xuan was only a step away from Guanjiang Mountain.
Given the talent that youth had displayed, if he sought vengeance in the future, the Clear Water Flood Dragon King might not bother protecting Manager Black.
With that thought, he opened his maw, inhaled all the meat and wine on the table into his stomach, mounted a surge of water, called out a brief farewell to the River God, and sped off toward Pingyuan Commandery city.
The River God waved his hand, dismissing everyone around them.
Only he and the spider demon Sheng Hu remained in the grand hall.
The River God brought out a flagon of much older vintage, pouring a cup for himself and Sheng Hu.
The fawning look on his face vanished completely: "The Manager cannot possibly succeed. His information is far inferior to mine; he doesn't even know that people from the Luogu Peak lineage of Guanjiang Mountain have already visited the Guangling Water Manor and met with the Flood Dragon King."
"Those sect cultivators have already entered the city one step ahead of him."
"The stir caused by the royal tomb is truly beyond expectations."
The spider demon gave a dry chuckle. "Are you worried for the Black Demon?"
"Of course. I hope he doesn't act impulsively and manages to live a bit longer."
"Now that Senior Dragon Weatherfish has given the order, we must prepare to act as well."
Hearing this, the spider demon showed a look of regret: "A pity we couldn't drag the Western Teachings and the incense Divine Way into this; we fell just short."
"Some leverage over Liangfeng Temple and the Mountain God Temple fell into that Qin Xuan's hands, which even I couldn't comprehend."
The Yishui River God and the spider demon continued conversing, never leaving the grand hall.
It seemed they were waiting for someone.
Roughly an hour passed when a black-robed figure suddenly appeared behind the master seat in the hall.
Like Zuo Wei of the Huanyin Sect, this person cast no shadow.
Behind him loomed a black phantom identical in stature to himself, but unlike Zuo Wei's, this person's phantom was not stationary; it constantly devoured something, producing a scalp-numbing, grotesque crunching sound.
Upon seeing the newcomer, the River God and the spider demon hurried to bow.
"Exalted One!"
The black-robed figure did not open his mouth; the voice emerged from the phantom: "You have handled your tasks satisfactorily. Make your preparations, and you may enter the city."
"Once this matter is concluded, follow me back to Southern Jambudvipa."
"Understood!"
The River God and Sheng Hu looked delighted, yet out of reverent fear, they dared not even lift their heads.
The person before them was the disciple of the Huanyin Sect Master, a genuine old monster. Every scheme spanning from Guanjiang Mountain to Pingyuan Commandery had originated from his hand.
With just this single sentence, they had secured a tremendous backer.
The Yishui River God asked, "Exalted One, the treasure light from the Pingyuan King's tomb soars to the heavens. Will it affect our plans?"
"Simply do not intervene."
The black-robed man said calmly, "You cannot have both the fish and the bear's paw. This place borders Guanjiang Mountain; do not invite unnecessary complications."
Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly sensed several divine senses sweeping over his head.
Seeing his altered expression, the River God and Sheng Hu held their breath, not daring to speak.
Around the black-robed man's neck hung a necklace of skulls. Just now, the lowest skull's eye sockets ignited with ghostly fire, shielding their presence from the divine senses.
This was an artifact from the Huanyin Sect's core foundation, an extraordinary treasure.
The Chaotic Antiquity tribulation qi had yet to disperse; an old Nascent Soul monster like him, traveling without a sect-suppressing artifact of destiny, could easily be tainted by tribulation qi—which would mean certain death during a future tribulation.
Thus, old monsters active in the outside world were exceedingly rare.
He frowned slightly. "The royal tomb holds immense attraction; another troublesome figure has arrived. Do not expose yourselves."
Before the River God and Sheng Hu could respond, two faint pillars of golden light swept across a vast expanse of Pingyuan Commandery.
When the pillars grazed the Yishui River God Manor, they realized with a shock that those two beams were actually a gaze.
"This is..." The River God wore a look of terror.
This powerhouse was utterly unscrupulous. Sweeping one's divine sense could easily offend peers, yet this person swept his gaze directly with an ocular divine art, openly flaunting his might.
Displeased, the black-robed man snorted coldly. "The Great Yan royal family arrived quickly indeed. It seems they know the secret of the Pingyuan King's tomb."
With that, the black-robed man's figure dissolved, merging into the ghostly phantom behind him before vanishing entirely before their eyes.
The River God and the spider demon bowed together to see him off.
In the sky, those two golden beams continued their sweep, searching toward Pingyuan Commandery city, looking for who knew what.
***
Not far from Jinghu Manor, three men and a woman had descended from the clouds, choosing to walk on foot out of respect for Madam Wei's domain.
The leader appeared roughly fifty years old, with sparse whiskers and high cheekbones. Clad in a resplendent golden robe, his very appearance marked him as a forceful character who was not to be trifled with.
He was the third disciple of Master Xuannan of Guanjiang Mountain and the vice peak master of the Luogu Peak lineage, Jin Tu.
Behind him walked three youths.
To his left was an aloof young man, accompanied by an attractive young woman of similar age; the two walked together, keeping a slight distance from the third person.
The third youth was stout, with a round face and hefty build, wearing a harmless, amiable smile at all times.
Jin Tu turned back and asked the stout youth, "Nephew Xu, are you the only one from Zijin Mountain who came? Where is your master?"
Xu Youde replied with reverent respect, "Martial Uncle Jin, my master is currently in secluded cultivation on Tiandu Peak. A sect elder has accompanied us on this journey, so your matters will not be delayed."
Jin Tu nodded; that was precisely what he wanted to hear.
This time, he operated in the open while Zijin Mountain moved in the shadows; coordinating their efforts would make it easier to strike against the disciple of the Huanyin Sect Master.
Just as Jin Tu prepared to head toward Jinghu Manor, he suddenly sensed a transmission of divine sense.
It came from Madam Wei.
Accordingly, he changed direction.
At that exact moment, those two golden pillars of light in the sky swept from the direction of the Yishui River God Manor toward him.
Jin Tu's brow furrowed deeply. Unlike the black-robed man of the Huanyin Sect, he had no intention of cowering. As the ocular divine light drew nearer,
without a word, he produced Guanjiang Mountain's destiny-suppressing treasure—the Radiant Sun Treasure Mirror—and aimed it straight at the sky!
A beam of golden light blasted through the clouds, exploding in the far distance with a terrifying wave of dharmic power that rippled across the entire city.
Inside and outside the walls, numerous Qi Refiners trembled in fear.
Jin Tu sneered, his voice ringing out: "Friends of the Murong clan, what are you staring at this old man for?!"
The Murong clan was the imperial family of the Great Yan dynasty. Guanjiang Mountain's heritage was far older than theirs; to Guanjiang Mountain, the Murong clan was merely an upstart. Having his person swept by ocular light, Jin Tu was in no mood to give them face.
"Hahaha!"
A dry laugh echoed from the distant sky. "Daoist Jin has quite a temper."
"Not as ostentatious as yours, Fellow Daoist."
No further transmission came from the sky; the Great Yan imperial expert had backed down. The golden ocular light bypassed them, sweeping toward other regions.
Behind Jin Tu, the aloof young man and woman twitched their lips.
They were Jin Tu's disciples.
Though well aware of their master's temperament, striking out like this was simply too reckless.
If he became tainted by the Chaotic Antiquity tribulation qi,
his chances of surviving the Qiongxiao Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation in the future would plummet, and he could very well fall into demonic madness.
Old monsters who had lived for centuries were exceedingly cautious unless their lifespans were nearing an end.
Yet their master was a notoriously eccentric outlier in Guanjiang Mountain.
That elder of the Murong clan clearly knew Jin Tu's temper; having suffered a minor setback, he was unwilling to entangle himself further.
The rash feared the fierce, and the fierce feared the mad—such was the truth of the world.
Seeing his opponent back down, Jin Tu gave a proud, cold sneer toward the sky, then turned to Xu Youde of Zijin Mountain. "Nephew Xu, how does your master's cultivation compare to mine?"
Xu Youde beamed with a flattering smile. "Naturally, Martial Uncle Jin is far more formidable."
"Indeed," Jin Tu said, his overbearing aura leaking out. "Four hundred years ago, your master was utterly defeated when he sparred with me, and he is even less of a match for me today. Seeing that your talent isn't bad—barely meeting my standards for taking a disciple—how would you like to become my third disciple?"
The young man and woman behind Jin Tu were stunned.
Master actually wanted to take a disciple?!
Xu Youde of Zijin Mountain was equally dumbfounded. He had heard that this Martial Uncle Jin accepted disciples purely on whim, known for an impossibly high threshold.
Back then, when Guanjiang Mountain's current Dao Seed had yet to display his full brilliance, he had wished to take Jin Tu as his master, but Jin Tu looked down on him, claiming he failed to meet the threshold.
Later, the sect master's lineage picked up that massive bargain.
And now, he actually wanted to take Xu Youde as a disciple.
Xu Youde knew full well this was mostly meant to spite his own master.
Jin Tu and his master, Xubai Zi, were old rivals. His master was not in secluded cultivation at Zijin Mountain at all, but following behind them; he simply did not want to meet this Martial Uncle Jin.
Xu Youde feigned terror: "Martial Uncle Jin's Daoist arts are profound, and you will soon cross the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation. Alas, my Zijin Mountain lineage forbids switching sects above all else. I beg Martial Uncle not to take offense."
Jin Tu seemed displeased, flicking his sleeve with a snort.
Xu Youde quickly thought of a way to smooth things over: "Martial Uncle Jin, I heard that a cultivation genius emerged from Yuansong Daoist Temple in this city. Using only the secret learning of a lower court, he established his Dao foundation in a remarkably short time. Yuansong Daoist Temple is a lower court of Guanjiang Mountain; now that Martial Uncle is here, why not take in a prized disciple?"
As soon as Xu Youde finished speaking, he noticed Jin Tu frowning deeply.
Yuansong Daoist Temple belonged to Master Xuanling's lineage, while Jin Tu's master was Master Xuannan, so Jin Tu knew very little about Yuansong Daoist Temple.
However, he had heard Mountain-Guarding Elder Lai Jing mention it before.
A junior in Yuansong Daoist Temple named Qin Xuan had mediocre talent and had started cultivating very late, yet Li Yanshen of the sect was bent on using connections to bring him into the Upper Court.
Upon entering the city earlier, Jin Tu had heard people discussing this Qin Xuan.
It differed greatly from what Lai Jing had claimed.
The kid's talent was not that poor.
However, to Jin Tu, Lai Jing, Qin Xuan, and Li Yanshen were all merely juniors.
Over the past thirteen hundred years, he had seen far too much petty squabbling among disciples to care; such matters were common across all grand lineages.
Only, when he swept his divine sense earlier, he heard the city folk talking.
This Qin Xuan rode a fiendish cloud, commanded ghostly arts, and wielded swordsmanship that did not originate from Guanjiang Mountain. He fought ruthlessly, yet his roots were an utter mess—a troublemaker through and through.
Naturally, that did not suit his tastes.
Thus, Xu Youde heard Martial Uncle Jin reply coldly, "That kid Qin Xuan falls far short of this old man's threshold. Have your master, Xubai Zi, come take him in instead..."
Chapter 86