Chapter 17

Watching the blood-colored hand ruthlessly press down toward him, Ye Zhangqing felt a sudden chill, completely unable to muster any thought of resistance.

The strength gap was simply too great; just as Ye Zhangqing thought his life was forfeit.

Xiao Bai suddenly flapped its wings; in an instant, countless azure wind blades shot out, violently colliding with the blood-colored hand.

Upon contact, the blood-colored hand, offering almost no resistance, was torn apart directly by the wind blades.

Seeing this, Ye Zhangqing was dumbfounded, and Blood Fiend Old Devil was also dumbfounded.

"How is that possible."

In disbelief, watching his own blood-colored hand torn apart, Blood Fiend Old Devil cried out in shock.

Immediately thereafter, his body was ripped apart by the azure wind blades.

One strike, and Blood Fiend Old Devil died.

The danger came and went quickly, mainly because Xiao Bai's strength was truly outrageous; watching Blood Fiend Old Devil turn into a mist of blood, Ye Zhangqing finally breathed a sigh of relief, then looked delighted at Xiao Bai and said.

"Damn, Xiao Bai, you're awesome."

This really gave me a huge surprise; I never expected Xiao Bai to be this strong, so from now on not only is my mount settled, but I also gain a super bodyguard?

Faced with Ye Zhangqing's praise, Xiao Bai happily cried out, seeming quite pleased.

"Disciple pays respects.............."

Just then, several Dao Yi Sect disciples also arrived before Xiao Bai, about to speak, but upon seeing Ye Zhangqing lying on Xiao Bai's back, their voices trailed off.

I had thought it was merely a chance encounter with an immortal crane senior, but I didn't expect there to be a person on the crane's back, and moreover, this person... huh, a Body Tempering realm cultivator?

In response, Ye Zhangqing gave a dry cough; just then Xiao Bai also stopped, allowing Ye Zhangqing to rise and salute the few with clasped hands.

"Divine Sword Peak's Ye Zhangqing, greetings, fellow senior brothers."

"Um... so it's Junior Brother Changqing."

Looking closely at Ye Zhangqing's appearance, he was quite handsome, yet why was he dressed in the garb of a menial disciple? After a brief moment of stunned silence, the leader still cupped his hands and replied.

This feels strange—how could a menial disciple possibly ride on the back of a red-crowned immortal crane?

「I don't know, junior brother, this red-crowned immortal crane............. 」

「Oh, junior brother needs to go to One Yuan City on an errand; the Peak Master entrusted it to me. 」

After the explanation, several disciples nodded in understanding—turns out it was the immortal crane of the Divine Sword Peak Master, so there was no problem.

Although it still feels off, a menial disciple—even if out on an errand—couldn't possibly ride a red-crowned immortal crane; it's just absurd.

But this is also the affair of Divine Sword Peak; aside from the main peak, among the remaining thirty-five peaks, only Divine Sword Peak has red-crowned immortal cranes, which are personally raised by Hong Zun—so whatever they wish, it's naturally fine.

「Since there's nothing else, junior brother, please go ahead. 」

「Junior brother, take care; we will also truthfully report the matter of the Blood Fiend Old Devil to the sect. 」

After exchanging greetings, Ye Zhangqing bade farewell and left, bending his knees and lowering himself to lie on Xiao Bai's back again. Watching the whole process, the corners of several senior brothers' mouths twitched involuntarily.

How come I suddenly feel that immortal aura has vanished?

One hand held Xiao Bai's neck, while the other waved at the few people.

「Senior brothers, junior brother bids farewell. 」

Immediately, Xiao Bai spread its wings and whooshed away.

Arriving safely at One Yuan City, Ye Zhangqing leapt from Xiao Bai's back and laughed while stroking its head.

「Wait for me outside the city. 」

With a cry, it indicated it understood; only then did Ye Zhangqing stride into the city.

Ye Zhangqing was not very familiar with One Yuan City; having joined the Dao Yi Sect for over a year, his visits to the city could be counted on one hand.

After all, it is a major city ranking among the foremost in Dongzhou, and One Yuan City is indeed quite prosperous.

The towering city walls; upon entering, the streets were bustling with people, and the shops on either side varied greatly.

Moreover, along the way, there were not a few cultivators in One Yuan City.

The population of One Yuan City numbers in the millions; the other two cities, Two Yuan City and Three Yuan City, are not much different.

Within One Yuan City, as long as you have money, there is hardly anything you cannot buy.

Whether mundane goods or the heavenly treasures and earthly riches needed by cultivators, they can all be purchased.

Strolling along with keen interest, gazing left and right, this city, reminiscent of ancient times, made Ye Zhangqing very interested.

Moreover, some cultivators around also noticed Ye Zhangqing; there was no helping it, for he wore the robes of a Dao Yi Sect disciple, which inevitably drew attention.

But when someone realized he was merely a menial disciple of the Dao Yi Sect, many lost interest, especially those cultivators.

Ye Zhangqing didn't mind, and he himself had no interest in getting to know those people.

Along the way, he ended up sampling quite a few of One Yuan City's specialty foods—some good, some bad—but for Ye Zhangqing, the main point was to try something new.

After wandering about, he finally found a shop selling condiments.

Stepping inside, upon seeing Ye Zhangqing, the shopkeeper immediately greeted him with a beaming smile.

「What does the immortal master need? 」

At a glance, one could tell Ye Zhangqing was a disciple of the Dao Yi Sect; needless to say, the Dao Yi Sect is indeed influential here, even a menial disciple carries weight.

At least for most people, a menial disciple of the Dao Yi Sect is also someone they look up to.

After making a selection, the shop's condiments were fairly complete, and the quality was not bad—could be considered top-grade.

Having gathered all the condiments he needed, he paid, placed them into his Hundred-Need bag, and Ye Zhangqing turned and left.

With the shopping done, Ye Zhangqing prepared to leave.

Meanwhile, at the summit of Divine Sword Peak, Lu Youyou was sparring with her third senior brother, Xu Jie.

But after several exchanges, Lu Youyou lost each time.

Although Xu Jie's cultivation was indeed superior to Lu Youyou's, during the bout he had suppressed his own cultivation to match her level.

In the past, when they were at the same realm, it was not easy for him to defeat Lu Youyou, but today he won consecutively with ease.

After all, the reason is still that Lu Youyou herself was distracted.

Having long noticed Lu Youyou's abnormality, and after another sword broke through her defense, Xu Jie asked doubtfully.

"Junior sister, do you have something on your mind?"

"Ah, no, no."

Hearing that, Lu Youyou shook her head repeatedly, indicating she had no worries at all; could she tell Xu Jie that she was unable to focus on cultivation because she was hungry?

It's only been a little over one Shíchén since lunch, but Lu Youyou can't wait any longer; her mind is full of Ye Zhangqing.

I feel time is passing so slowly; why hasn't it been time for dinner yet after so long?

In response, Xu Jie naturally didn't believe it; this clearly looks like someone preoccupied, and moreover, is there drool at the corner of this little junior sister's mouth?

"Really none? Then little junior sister, why are you drooling?"

"Ah, I...... third senior brother, you misread; I'll stop here for today, I'm heading back first."

She hurriedly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, then Lu Youyou fled in panic; watching her retreating figure, Xu Jie frowned slightly, this girl definitely has a problem—she's been acting weird these past two days, and moreover, whenever it's a fixed time, she disappears.