Immortal Qingle shook his head in dismay as he observed the mountain, its vitality almost completely drained by Taotie’s blood injury. The blood of the fierce beast was saturated with malevolent energy. Once the various immortal sects departed, this place would soon become a gathering ground for fierce beasts. Being so close to the great city of Duanming, the presence of these creatures would inevitably lead to trouble. The nearby immortal sects would have much to worry about in the future.
“Greetings to Elder Immortal Shouzhong and Elder Immortal Cuixuan,” Wu Zhengzi and over a dozen elders from other sects bowed respectfully as soon as they landed. In terms of seniority, these two elder immortals from Wuyue Yan far outranked them. The fact that a single Taotie had alarmed these two venerable immortals enough to rush here from Wuyue Yan to assist was truly shameful.
Elder Immortal Cuixuan dispelled the spirit energy net, his drowsy eyes drooping once again. He merely nodded slightly. Elder Immortal Shouzhong, however, chuckled, “With the heavens displaying such anomalies, we old fogies can no longer stand idly by. This time it was a Taotie blocking the way, but who knows what great chaos might emerge next? You all must remain vigilant.”
The gathered elders could only murmur in agreement. These elder immortals had all experienced the Sea Calamity five hundred years ago. This time, the main force against the Sea Calamity would be the younger generation of immortals and elders. Yet, a single fierce beast had managed to trap them all. They could hardly blame others for having something to say about it.
As the unconscious victims slowly began to awaken under the soothing effects of the healing net, Elder Immortal Cuixuan suddenly let out a cold snort. “How dare that person bewitched by the Taotie claim to be an elder of our Wuyue Yan!”
Seeing his anger, the elders from other sects realized that Wuyue Yan was about to handle its internal affairs. They immediately retreated to a distance. The Wuyue Yan elders bowed deeply, none daring to speak in defense. The elder who had been drinking and reveling in the Taotie’s belly earlier turned deathly pale, unable to utter a single word.
Elder Immortal Cuixuan spoke coldly, “Five hundred years of peace have made you all far too complacent! Do you think that becoming immortal automatically qualifies one to be an elder? Has the position of elder become so cheap? In the past, a single person from Qingcheng could cleave a Yaksha’s horn, and he was merely an elder at the time! Look at yourselves now, over a dozen elders and more than half of you were swallowed by a Taotie! When the Sea Calamity arrives, do you plan to simply await your doom?!”
The elders held their breath, overwhelmed with shame. Even the elders from other sects found these words stinging. Indeed, peaceful days could erode one’s fighting spirit and ambition. With heavenly anomalies appearing and the Sea Calamity descending, if they still clung to their previous carefree and leisurely attitudes, they would truly struggle to overcome this tribulation.
Elder Immortal Shouzhong spoke coldly, “In extraordinary times, we must be even stricter than before! Do not forget the lesson of Qingcheng! This person shall be immediately stripped of their elder position and will face further punishment upon returning to Wuyue Yan! From now on, if I discover any more such lazy individuals or those harboring ulterior motives, don’t blame us old fogies for showing no mercy!”
Li Fei noticed that he had mentioned the Qingcheng Immortal twice in his speech, praising his abilities while also expressing some grievances about his actions. Recalling what Ri Yan had said about the Qingcheng Immortal hanging on to life by a thread, she suspected that Wuyue Yan wanted to learn about the events beyond the sea from him. It seemed the Qingcheng Immortal must have had some connection to the lands beyond the sea. The circumstances following the severing of the Yaksha’s horn were always spoken of vaguely by everyone, suggesting that the specific details were either deliberately concealed or too inconvenient to discuss.
Thinking this way, she realized that the notebook the Qingcheng Immortal had given her before his death must be extremely important. It likely contained some of his life’s most secret matters, things that the major immortal sects should not know about, almost certainly related to the lands beyond the sea.
With this realization, her heart began to race uncontrollably. The black notebook hidden in her bosom suddenly felt heavier than a mountain. She gently covered her collar, struggling to maintain her composure.
Elder Immortal Cuixuan’s drowsy eyes suddenly turned to Lei Xiuyuan, showing a hint of approval. He spoke softly, “Guangwei, this disciple is a testament to your keen eye for talent. He is exceptional, showing composure in the face of danger and acting decisively at such a young age. He will surely become a great talent in the future. You must guide him carefully, without the slightest negligence!”
This praise was far more sincere than the polite exchanges at Wenji Peak earlier. Immortal Guangwei felt both elated and proud, immediately responding with a respectful “Yes.”
Elder Immortal Cuixuan seemed to tire, his eyelids drooping as he walked to the side, speaking no more. Seeing that the Wuyue Yan elders had finished their discussion, the elders from other sects approached to express their thanks and bid farewell. With the anomalies manifesting, the various immortal sects needed to begin working together to address the various impacts of these phenomena. No one wished to delay, and the elders began taking away their respective disciples who were still unconscious.
Princess Lanya, who had earlier regained consciousness under Ji Tongzhou’s care, had been whispering with him. Now, seeing the elders calling them away, she frowned, tears welling up in her eyes. Reluctantly clutching Ji Tongzhou’s sleeve, she said softly, “Your Highness, Lanya has long known that you would be meeting with friends this August in Lu Gong Town. Might Lanya be allowed to accompany you?”
Ji Tongzhou paused for a moment before replying, “Ah, yes, there is such a gathering. You wish to come as well?”
Lanya’s relationship with Ye Ye and the others was beyond mere acquaintance. Although they had all graduated from the academy together, they had likely exchanged fewer words in a year than could be counted on one hand. She had always been very reserved about her royal status and was not of the same ilk as Ye Ye and the others. If she went alone, she would have no one to talk to, which would be awkward.
“As long as I can see Your Highness, Lanya is willing to go anywhere. From the moment I first saw Your Highness, Lanya made up her mind to never leave your side, in life or death!”
Ji Tongzhou gazed at her silently. From childhood to adulthood, Lanya’s gaze upon him had never changed – admiration, longing, fervor. He knew that if he were to choose a Dao companion, Lanya would be the best choice from any perspective. Both his elder brother and the various vassal states would surely be pleased with such a match. Everything would fall into place perfectly, flawlessly – except for her restless, impatient heart.
He could only smile. Was it helplessness? Anger? Or perhaps mockery? His heart had become a blade, forged between the wild desires of awakening and the hammer of reality. The occasional glint of cold light it emitted frightened even himself.
Princess Lanya’s face flushed crimson. Though embarrassed to the extreme, she still gathered her courage and said, “Your Highness, Lanya only wishes to remain by your side for a long time. Your Highness is of noble status and blessed with extraordinary talent. Lanya dares not monopolize a man like you. Regardless of whether Your Highness has Lanya in your heart or not, as long as I can be with you…”
“Say no more.” Ji Tongzhou stood up and walked away, his back to her. “You should go now.”
Lanya called out urgently, “Your Highness! Please don’t forget what Lanya just said!”
Ji Tongzhou stopped in his tracks. After a long moment, he finally said, “I don’t have the mind to think about these things right now. I just want to focus on cultivation. You… give me some time.”
Overjoyed, Lanya gracefully bowed, “Be it a hundred or a thousand years, Lanya is willing to wait! Lanya takes her leave. Please take care, Your Highness.”
“Lanya, what you like is… or is it the Prince’s…” Ji Tongzhou suddenly spoke softly, but before she could ask further, he shook his head. “Never mind. You may go.”
He walked a few steps forward and saw Li Fei being pulled aside by her master for a conversation. Lei Xiuyuan stood in the distance, gazing at the countless dead trees at the foot of the mountain. The spirit energy fluctuations around him were on par with his own. Since childhood, this person had always been neck and neck with him. No matter who took a step forward first, the other would always catch up immediately.
Once, he found this chase interesting, their competition tinged with a hint of playfulness. But now, he doubted either of them found it amusing anymore. The various troubles and pains that arose after growing up were something that children could never imagine.
As if sensing someone watching him, Lei Xiuyuan turned his head and met his gaze.
Ji Tongzhou didn’t speak, and neither did Lei Xiuyuan. They rarely spoke to each other, mutually repelling and competing. They seemed to be cut from the same cloth, yet they were utterly different.
In this world, the person he least wanted to lose to was Lei Xiuyuan. Yet, without realizing it, he had already lost miserably. His pride wouldn’t allow him to bow his head before Lei Xiuyuan, but in reality, he was already under his shadow. So, at least in terms of cultivation, he refused to lose to him again.
Regarding Lei Xiuyuan, he couldn’t even express his feelings. Jealousy? Envy? Resentment? Regret? He allowed these emotional vipers to gnaw at him, not restraining them. This way, the flames in his heart would burn even more fiercely, scorching everything. Perhaps one day, they would consume him as well.
Ji Tongzhou averted his gaze, no longer looking at him. He mounted his sword and took flight. Wu Zhengzi had already been waiting ahead. Seeing his beloved disciple approach, Wu Zhengzi couldn’t help but smile slightly, “Your temperament is impulsive and intense. I was worried you might be bewitched in the Taotie’s belly, but you did well. You didn’t disappoint me.”
The rapid progress this disciple had made recently was truly astonishing. Perhaps he had finally understood where his cultivation heart lay. Only when a person knows what they want will they fight for it with their life.
“Did you gain anything from this beast-hunting trip?” he asked with a smile. As a master, how could he not see that Ji Tongzhou was troubled and depressed? His personality seemed to have changed a lot too. Previously so lively and unrestrained, he had recently become more reserved in expressing his emotions. While rapid advancement in cultivation was a good thing, a cultivator’s state of mind was equally important. One could cultivate for fame, profit, or desire, but one shouldn’t become depressed or maddened by it. This beast-hunting trip was just an excuse; the main purpose was to help him relax.
Ji Tongzhou lowered his eyelashes and opened his palm. A black flame, no larger than a fingertip, danced eerily in his hand. Wu Zhengzi was immediately shocked, then overjoyed, then shook his head vigorously, and finally let out a long sigh.
Who would have thought that on this trip, he would awaken the Xuanhua Flame?
The Xuanhua Flame was an innate talent that fire-attribute spirit root cultivators could only dream of. Legend had it that the founding immortal of the Wuzheng Hall was able to use the Xuanhua Flame, which was why the Xingzheng Hall was divided into the Xuan Gate and the Hua Gate. This flame was related to the cultivator’s state of mind, like walking on a tightrope – one misstep could lead to disaster. In the past, immortals who could control this flame were mostly passionate and intense, but such overt and unrestrained personalities were not the right path for cultivators.
“You still have plenty of time,” Wu Zhengzi looked at his beloved disciple. “Hundreds of years, even thousands of years. The knots in a young heart, when looked back upon after a thousand years, will be nothing more than a laughing matter. Don’t walk this path.”
Ji Tongzhou clenched his fist, crushing the black flame in his palm. His voice was low, “Master, this is disciple’s cultivation heart.”
He was a person caught in the crevice between illusion and reality, forced onto an extreme path that only he knew.
Wu Zhengzi sighed deeply several times, then turned and flew away on his sword.