Chapter 143 — Reluctance

It was hard to say what animal this monstrous head resembled, but four eyes, each as large as a bronze bell, were set in two pairs on either side of its face; six sharp fangs jutted from its great maw, and saliva dripped ceaselessly from them. Its gray-black skin was covered in coarse, hard nodules. Even the most vicious ghost of human legend could not be as ugly and hideous as this monster.

Qinglong drew a sharp breath!

Taotie's neck seemed exceedingly long, for that monstrous head extended far out from behind the youth and turned, actually reaching around to the youth's shoulder in front of him — and before such a ferocious beast, the youth's expression remained calm and composed.

Qinglong steadied his mind and said slowly, "I never thought such a ferocious beast still existed in this world!"

The youth smiled, reached out, and actually stroked Taotie's head. Fierce as Taotie appeared, beneath the youth's palm it only gave low, crooning growls and nuzzled its head against his hand — had it not been so hideous, it might almost have been a little dog.

The youth glanced at Qinglong and suddenly said, "That woman just now was your companion, was she not? She knew Taotie was hidden in midair, yet she deliberately made you the bait, luring Taotie down so she could escape. You must be furious right now, are you not?"

Qinglong kept his guard up inwardly, but laughed aloud. "That she played me is my own incompetence. I cannot blame anyone else!"

The youth looked at him a moment longer, then nodded. "In that case, die."

The words had scarcely fallen, and no movement of his could be seen, yet the white-boned serpent demon that had been glaring hungrily behind Qinglong suddenly seemed to receive an order. Its great maw gaped wide and it lunged with a single bite.

Qinglong had been on guard all along. Though the white-boned serpent demon struck without warning, he did not panic; instead of retreating, he advanced, charging straight at the serpent, which quite startled the beast.

Seizing the instant the serpent was dazed, Qinglong rushed beneath it, twisted aside to evade the poisonous breath the enraged serpent spewed down, kicked off its white bones, and forcibly shoved the demon serpent's huge body back three chi. At the same time he borrowed the force to shoot skyward, and the clear light in his hand flared forth, instantly laying down six walls of light in Taotie's direction.

Of these two beasts and one man, the one he feared most was still the youth who had never once lifted a hand.

The white-boned serpent demon roared again and again, but could no longer catch up. Just as Qinglong was about to fly into the blue sky and escape the trap, his foot was suddenly seized tight, and his soaring body was caught by a hand. A moment later, a low laugh came from below, and a mighty force surged from that hand. Qinglong felt as though fire blazed through his body, and with a violent shudder he was flung out by that hand against his will.

In midair, his body tumbled and drifted, and with the sound of branches snapping and breaking, the Azure Dragon's body was flung once more into the forest.

Within the woods, the howls and roars of countless demonic beasts rose again.

High in the air, the youth closed his eyes slightly and raised his face to the sky. A wind passed by, setting his bright silk robes flapping and dancing.

From somewhere far off, it seemed as though the roar of a savage beast could be heard as well...

Canglan Mountain, Jietian Peak, the Yuheng Hall.

In the Canglan Sect, from the sect master Dao Yan Zhenren down, the peak lords of every branch had gathered in the hall, and many elders stood behind the peak lords as well. Seldom seen was it for them to stand about the very doorway of the Yuheng Hall, and from their bearing, it looked as though they were waiting for someone.

Whoever it was, to receive such courtesy from the Canglan Sect marked him already as a figure of the first rank in the world.

Apart from the men of Canglan, Li Xun stood among those below as well, standing quietly and respectfully, though a flicker of excitement showed faintly in his eyes, and from time to time his gaze drifted toward the other side.

There, Lu Xueling, robed all in white, stood behind Master Shui Jing, whose face was cold and impassive.

Before long, from the distant peaks of Canglan came the melodious chime of bells and cauldrons, ringing five times in succession. All those seated looked toward the hall's entrance, and from afar a voice came drifting in:

"The valley master of the Fenxia Valley, Elder Yun Yi Feng, pays his respects upon the mountain..."

Almost at the very instant that voice fell, a figure like a leaping flame appeared at the doorway of the Yuheng Hall.

"Ha ha, where is my senior brother Dao Yan? He's had me missing him to death!"

Yun Yi Feng, robed all in red and his face wreathed in smiles, strode in, followed by Shang Guan Lue, Lü Shun, and a whole company of Fenxia Valley elders and disciples behind them. Counting them over, there were close to several dozen in all.

A low murmur of startled doubt ran through the ranks of the Canglan Sect, but after a moment all eyes fixed upon Yun Yi Feng's countenance. This figure, renowned throughout the orthodox path for many years, had in his day been a man who made the winds and clouds obey him, and most of the older Canglan elders present had likely seen him before. Yet now their eyes held nothing but astonishment.

Could this man, whose features were vaguely familiar yet who clearly bore the appearance of a man in his prime, truly be that same Yun Yi Feng whose beard and hair had already turned white several decades ago?

Dao Yan Zhenren studied Yun Yi Feng carefully for several glances, then stepped forward and said with a smile, "Benefactor Yun, it has been many years since you and I last met. I did not expect that your cultivation of the Dao has advanced so greatly—that you should have comprehended the 'Jade Yang Realm' from the 'Jade Register of Burning Incense,' opening a precedent eight hundred years in the making for the Fenxia Valley. This is a matter for rejoicing and congratulation!"

The smile on Yun Yi Feng's face, which had been all amiability, suddenly stiffened. After a moment a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, but his expression had already returned to its natural ease as he said, "Senior brother Dao Yan truly has a keen eye. I am in admiration, in admiration!"

Dao Yan Zhenren laughed. "Not at all, not at all. It is I who ought to be admiring you."

Yun Yi Feng met his gaze, and Dao Yan Zhenren looked back at him with a smile. After a moment the two looked at each other and laughed aloud. Then Li Xun stepped forward from the side, knelt, and paid his respects, saying, "Master, your disciple has been waiting here a long while."

Yun Yi Feng nodded and said with a smile, "Rise. You have stayed here these several days—have you come to appreciate the wonders of this earthly paradise that is Canglan Mountain?"

Li Xun rose to his feet and said respectfully, "Canglan Mountain truly lives up to its name. Your disciple's eyes have been greatly opened. Moreover, I must thank Uncle-Master Dao Yan and..." He paused a moment, then said clearly, "...and Junior Sister Lu Xueling of Xiaozhu Peak, for showing me the sights of this immortal realm."

A buzz of voices immediately rose from the ranks of the Canglan Sect, and the matter was discussed far and wide. Besides the elders and peak lords seated there, there were many disciples of the younger generation as well, and countless gazes turned at once toward that frost-cold woman.

Lu Xueling's lips moved slightly, but her face remained cold and impassive, and in the end she said nothing at all.

Dao Yan Zhenren smiled and, taking Yun Yi Feng by the hand, said, "Valley Master Yun, to have such a fine disciple is to have a worthy successor. Come, please take the seat of honor."