Chapter 202: then title translation, then ===GLOSSARY=== then list

Three days later.

Heaven-Reaching Peak, Jade Purity Hall.

At the head sat the chief of Qingyun's Seven Peaks, while in the middle of the hall stood the four disciples who had placed in the top four of the Seven Peaks' martial gathering.

"I summoned you here today to prepare you for a tempering trip down the mountain."

Dao Zhenren rose, his tone amiable:

"Three thousand li to the east lies Kongsang Mountain, an important stronghold of the Demonic Sect eight hundred years ago, which the Demonic Sect's Blood Refining Hall made its headquarters."

"Because the ancient bat cave on the mountain is cold, dark, and damp, it is extraordinarily suitable for cultivating demonic arts; only after our righteous sects surrounded and attacked it did the Blood Refining Hall retreat, leaving the mountain deserted."

"But half a year ago, remnants of the Blood Refining Hall appeared near the ancient bat cave, suggesting that an extremely secret treasure cavern lies hidden within the cave, containing many rare treasures, demonic scriptures, and evil volumes."

"These remnants have come here seeking the treasure cavern, so I have specially sent you four to investigate; moreover, the Incense Fragrance Valley and the Sound of Heaven Temple will also send their disciples."

"When the time comes, you must not lose face in public, nor diminish the prestige of my Qingyun Sect; you must also remember that demonic sect practitioners are treacherous and vicious, and act with caution."

"Yes."

The four spoke in unison.

Dao Zhenren nodded:

"Zhang Xiaofan, please step forward."

The yellow-clad youth stepped forward; Dao Zhenren took something from his bosom and handed it over, saying:

"With you at Great Bamboo Peak, the Qingyun Sect has you—how fortunate!"

"It was only after the tenth-generation patriarch Wufangzi accepted the astonishingly talented Qingye Patriarch as a disciple that today's Qingyun Sect came to be."

"Now you inherit Wufangzi's patriarchal treasure; I hope you do not waste your natural talent, nor betray the patriarch's treasure, nor forsake the Qingyun Sect's vow to uphold the righteous Dao!"

The yellow-clad youth bowed and received the small mirror with both hands, saying:

"Sect Master Uncle's teachings, I will keep in my heart."

Dao Zhenren nodded with pleasure, then had the people in the hall withdraw first so he could impart the secrets of the Six Harmonies Mirror to the yellow-clad youth.

Not long after,

Zhuang Buran walked out of the Jade Purity Hall, first seeing Tian Buyu standing with his hands behind his back, and immediately stepped forward to pay his respects:

"Master."

"Since this concerns the remnants of the Demonic Sect, there can be no delay; you need not return to Great Bamboo Peak first," Tian Buyu said solemnly.

"Old Seven, I have confidence in your cultivation, but beware of relying on your deep Dao to recklessly enter dangerous places; you must always prioritize your own safety."

"I understand, Master," the yellow-clad youth replied.

"Alright, I'll also speak to Ling'er on your behalf, so you won't have to face her pouting when you return to the mountain."

After Tian Buyu finally warned the yellow-clad youth not to act rashly, he flew away on his sword.

Outside the Qingyun Sect's grounds.

Lu Xueqi, Qi Hao, and Ceng Shushu each summoned their immortal swords, yet saw the yellow-clad youth still standing where he was.

"Zhang Shidi, you said we should hurry to the ancient bat cave on Kongsang Mountain—why aren't you moving?" Ceng Shushu asked, hovering in midair.

"Flying on swords is tiring; I happened to be idle at Great Bamboo Peak and have refined a magical treasure."

As the yellow-clad youth spoke, eight men in gray-yellow robes lifted a black sedan chair and came flying.

"You wouldn't be planning to depart in this sedan chair, would you?" Ceng Shushu exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Exactly."

The yellow-clad youth leapt up and sat inside the sedan, saying:

"Senior Brother Zeng, Senior Sister Lu, Senior Brother Qi, stop staring; the bearers are the Yellow Turban Warriors I refined, not living people."

"The sedan's interior is spacious enough; even seven or eight people would find it roomy. Would you like to get in, rest awhile, and travel, saving yourself the toil of journeying?"

The three exchanged glances, saw that the sedan was indeed large enough, and entered one after another.

Inside the sedan, it seemed like a jade pavilion and pearl palace; the gold-thread curtains hanging from the four corners shimmered with splendid colors in the light of the pearls.

The ceiling was inlaid with a whole piece of Hetian jade carved with flowing cloud patterns; eight gold-inlaid coiling dragon palace lamps hung from the sandalwood crossbeams, illuminating the three-zhang-square space as brightly as daylight.

The seat of honor was laid with three layers of cloud-brocade cushions; a seven-foot-long purple sandalwood carved rail extended on both sides into a circular sitting platform.

Beside each seat stood a small table holding some drinks and snacks.

"Please, senior brothers and sisters, make yourselves at home and take any seat."

"Zhang Shidi, it's truly you; I thought this journey would be arduous flying on swords, but I never expected we could reach Kongsang Mountain by sedan." Ceng Shushu sat down generously.

Zhuang Buran said somewhat languidly:

"As a cultivator seeking the Dao, if the days we spend are no better than those of ordinary mortals rolling in the dust, then isn't our cultivation in vain?"

"Quite right, indeed very right." Ceng Shushu clapped and praised.

At that moment, Lu Xueqi and Qi Hao also sat down, and then heard the yellow-clad youth say:

"The peach-blossom wine inside the sedan is something I brewed in my idle time, and the snacks were made by my sixth senior brother; please feel free to try them."

"Afterward, when we pass through towns, we can also buy some snacks you like; I came out in a hurry and brought no money, so I'll rely on you two senior brothers and Senior Sister Lu to feed me."

Ceng Shushu burst out laughing first, feeling that the yellow-clad youth's disposition was exactly as his fellow disciples described—very amusing; even the icy Lu Xueqi couldn't help but curl her eyes in a smile.

Even Qi Hao, who regarded someone as a rival in his heart, could not help but admit that the yellow-clad youth always exudes a unique charm that makes people involuntarily feel drawn to him.

"When we reach Heyang City, Zhang Shidi, just say what you want to eat," Ceng Shushu said, patting his chest.

The yellow-clad youth smiled, lightly tapped the chair's armrest, and the sedan chair flew silently eastward.

Seven days later.

A towering, rugged mountain rose, within a hundred-li radius nothing but rocky terrain and sparse vegetation, no sign of human habitation, appearing exceedingly desolate.

Starry night.

Qi Hao lifted a corner of the curtain at the back of the sedan and said:

The sky is already dark, this mountain is exceedingly desolate and strange; there are likely many mountain spirits and monsters, so it's better to rest for the night and search for the Ancient Bat Cave tomorrow morning.

Ceng Shushu also looked outside and immediately voiced agreement.

"If I were to say, the orthodox predecessors of eight hundred years ago only concerned themselves with dealing with the Demonic Sect, which is why the orthodox and demonic sides have gathered again on this mountain."

The yellow-clothed youth said lazily:

"If it were me, after wiping out the Demonic Sect's evil practitioners on Empty Mulberry Mountain, I would surely also blast this mountain to pieces, thereby eliminating any thought of the remnants hiding."

"Zhang Shidi, blasting such a perilous, towering mountain would surely require an unknown amount of effort," Ceng Shushu said, laughing and crying.

"I think the orthodox predecessors of eight hundred years ago also felt that, rather than expending such effort, it would be better to pursue the remnants of the Demonic Sect."

"That's exactly right; to easily shatter such a great mountain, one would likely need to reach the Great Purity Realm."

The yellow-clothed youth had just finished speaking, then looked toward Lu Xueqi outside the carriage and suddenly spoke:

"Quick, look, there's movement up the mountain."

Qi Hao and Ceng Shushu immediately lifted the carriage curtain, gazed out, and saw layers of dark clouds appearing on the mountain, faintly visible were four streaks of escape light—two yellow, one white, one blue.

At that moment, a small mirror floated out from the sedan, hovering above the carriage roof; as the yellow light flourished, it revealed a halo illuminating an area of ten zhang around.

The four streaks of escape light seemed to have noticed the brightness not far below the mountain and hurriedly flew over.

Not long after, the bronze filigree edge atop the carriage was seen, engraved with a dragon above, a tiger below, and the Eight Trigrams directions—a Six Harmonies Mirror.

Upon seeing this immortal family's treasure, there was no doubt that Qingyun Sect disciples had arrived at Empty Mulberry Mountain.

The four beams of light descended, materializing into four people: two monks and a man and a woman.

One of the monks was tall and stout with thick brows and large eyes; the other monk was slender and fair-skinned; the remaining two were a handsome young man and a lovely young woman.

(End of Chapter)