Chapter 786: Unfortunate Departure

Beizhou, Banluo Cliff.

The cliff’s peak resembles an eagle’s beak, clutching a fiery red sun.

Below lies an endless mountain range, emerald and lush, wreathed in immortal qi—a true earthly paradise.

This place is the Daoist grounds of Lingxu Cave; its master, Lingxu Zi, was a disciple of the Shangqing Patriarch, cultivated to the Second Rank of Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal, with five disciples and two attendants, and countless other followers—all dwelling within this grounds.

It was evening, within the immortal mountain cave.

A middle-aged man, with dignified features, a goatee trailing to his chest, clad in a purple-cloud Daoist robe, his brows and eyes exuding an otherworldly aura, possessed the very bearing of an immortal.

He gazed calmly ahead as a girl draped in peach-silk hurried into the cave, her lovely face marked by a vermilion dot on her forehead.

This vermilion dot, known as “Opening the Intellect,” was a rite of entry into the sect; yet this girl had already achieved profound Dao cultivation, capable of founding her own lineage and earning the title of Ancestor—yet she still wore this crimson mark, for she was the sect’s most favored junior sister, named Lingsu.

Before she had even steadied her stance, she poured herself a cup of clear tea, sipped to moisten her throat, and said: “Senior Brother, do you remember a few days ago, when the crane attendant from Qingguang Cave mentioned two refugee disciples from Nanzhou who had joined Master Qingguang’s lineage?”

“I remember.”

Yunmiao True Person waited until she finished her tea before replying softly.

“These destitutes accomplished nothing in their own territory, now come to Beizhou to beg for scraps,” Lingsu set down her cup and spat in disdain.

“Nanzhou’s Xumi Mountain is powerful; they were already living under others’ roofs, far from our sect, unable to receive our great teachings—your words are biased.”

Yunmiao True Person shook his head, not fully agreeing with his junior sister, but he had no intention of arguing over such trivial matters; he shifted the topic directly: “Why bring this up now?”

“What else? They’ve come begging here.”

Lingsu True Person sneered: “Just now, a disciple reported that a cultivator descended from Banluo Cliff, claiming to be from Nanzhou’s Shenxu lineage, seeking an audience with Master.”

“Shenxu lineage?” Yunmiao True Person frowned slightly, showing confusion.

“That lucky six-winged silkworm that barely attained Dao.”

Lingsu sat on the jade chair, tapping her index finger rapidly on the armrest: “An Yao race root, she could’ve at best been an attendant in another cave—yet she dared to carve out her own lineage, calling herself an Ancestor, parading under our Three Immortals Sect’s name, utterly shameless. Her disciples are surely a nest of snakes and rats.”

“...”

Yunmiao True Person paused, this time offering no rebuttal.

The sect values its reputation; there was no need to keep such a person and invite mockery from fellow disciples.

Thinking of this, he asked: “How did you handle it?”

At this, Lingsu let out a low laugh, raising an eyebrow: “I ordered my disciples to show him to some random cave to rest for a few days, leaving him to languish—soon enough, he’ll feel the shame and return whence he came, no thoughts of taking advantage.”

Seeing her smug expression, Yunmiao True Person smiled helplessly.

He knew what she cared about.

The many disciples of Beizhou had labored tirelessly to complete their layout; now was the time for harvest. Every additional person meant less for everyone else.

Master Qingguang’s side was acceptable—he had sent the crane attendant to Nanzhou to deliver the decree; those disciples were effectively serving Qingguang Cave. If any benefit arose, Qingguang’s lineage would claim the lion’s share, and if trouble came, they should bear responsibility.

Besides, those two were genuine immortal sect disciples.

Unlike this one beneath our own mountain.

Moreover, if Master took another disciple, Lingsu would no longer be the junior sister.

No wonder she resented it.

“Understood. Do as you see fit.”

Yunmiao waved his hand, no longer inquiring: “By the way, how is your own matter progressing?”

At this, Lingsu brightened immediately: “I’ve discussed with disciples from other caves—they plan to cede the Tian Ta Mountain area around Kaiyuan Mansion to me as my grounds.”

“I’ve already sent disciples to leave behind Wusheng Rice and the Azure Jade Vase, providing alms for several years; then I’ll place a great demon there—once done, I’ll establish the Lingsu Zhenjun Shrine, and that land will be mine.”

Though the territory isn’t large.

Given her seniority and cultivation, securing even a patch of land in this calamity was already extraordinary; and once designated as her Daoist grounds, it meant eternal sustenance—steady, flowing, accumulating enough to break through to Second Rank.

“Good.”

Yunmiao True Person sighed; compared to his sister, his own problems were far more troubling.

To claim even a foot of land like Lingsu’s was beneath his cultivation and strength—he longed for more, yet his own master’s standing in the sect was insufficient to intimidate others.

Too high to descend, too low to ascend—this was the most agonizing position.

As the elder and younger siblings chatted idly,

Below Banluo Cliff, guided by a Three Immortals Sect disciple, a tall figure in snow-white robes stepped slowly into the endless mountain range.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Lingsu seized the opportunity to ask her senior brother many questions about cultivation, subtly gaining new insights into transformation, nearing the threshold of the Six-Six number, and with the recent influx of imperial qi from her alms, her breakthrough was imminent—her spirits soared.

“Senior Brother, I must take my leave—I need to check on my grounds again, lest some uncouth souls set their eyes on them.”

She bowed, preparing to summon her magic treasure and vanish.

At that moment, a crisp crane cry echoed from the sky, accompanied by the sound of flapping wings; a streak of light descended, forming a boy in black-and-white feathered robes, lips red, teeth white.

“Greetings, two Immortal Masters.”

The boy bowed respectfully, utterly devoid of the languid casualness he once showed in Nanzhou.

“Attendant, you are too courteous.”

Yunmiao True Person nodded slightly, returning the gesture with a raised palm.

Though an Yao race, he was not a disciple, but a personal attendant of Master Qingguang—this was the best path for most Yao .

Moreover, he had cultivated for a long time, his realm deep, nearly equal to Yunmiao’s own; his master was Yunmiao’s senior uncle, whose status in the sect far surpassed even their own master.

One must respect the monk for the Buddha’s sake.

Thus, Yunmiao True Person did not act haughtily, speaking calmly: “Attendant, have you come to Lingxu Cave bearing a decree from Master Qingguang?”

Lingsu sneered, though preoccupied with Tianyuan Mansion and impatient, she dared not defy her senior brother—she forced a smile, secretly stomping her foot behind her back.

“Not a decree—merely wondering if either of you has seen anyone from Nanzhou lately?” The crane attendant gazed into the mountains.

“Nanzhou?”

At this, Lingsu froze, instinctively glancing at her senior brother.

“Indeed, a cultivator came, claiming to be from Shenxu lineage—is he connected to Qingguang Cave?” Yunmiao, as senior disciple of Lingxu Cave, reacted swiftly, revealing no details but probing in return to craft a fitting reply.

“No, he has no relation to my True Person.” The crane attendant smiled and shook his head: “I’m merely curious—how is he faring now?”

“Huh.”

Learning the man had no tie to Master Qingguang, Lingsu exhaled in relief and interjected: “I kindly gave him shelter for two days to rest his wounds; as for his current whereabouts, I’m unsure—he’s probably gone already... Attendant, surely you don’t expect me to tie Lingxu Cave to a worm-ghost?”

She gave him a cold, false smile.

She assumed the crane attendant had visited Nanzhou and knew the cultivator; she’d preemptively shut the door—no matter how thick-skinned he was, he’d hardly dare press further.

“How could that be?”

The crane attendant caught her meaning, his smile unchanged, but he spoke softly: “I recently chatted with Yuchi and Shen Shan in Nanzhou, heard much about Nanzhou—apparently, a young prodigy has emerged from Nan Xumi, called the Bodhisattva Who Subdues Dragon and Tiger.”

“This man is cruel; to seize incense offerings, he slaughtered fellow Bodhisattvas, single-handedly facing six Third-Rank experts from two sects, including two from our sect who carried artifacts bestowed by True Persons.”

“All Bodhisattvas perished; had Yuchi and Shen Shan not been spared by a Ninth-Nine Transformation-level demon from Nanzhou who happened to pass by and distracted the Dragon-Slayer, they too would have perished.”

“...”

Yunmiao True Person listened in silence, his eyes flickering with complexity: “Thank you, Attendant, for the information.”

Beizhou held only a quarter of the Divine Court’s territory; with the Three Immortals Sect’s vast numbers, how could it be divided? Those like himself, in such an awkward position, if defeated in Beizhou, would inevitably turn their gaze to the other three continents.

Learning the monks’ strength in advance was not without merit.

Lingsu, however, was distracted—these matters had little bearing on her.

At that moment, the crane attendant shook his head again: “Immortal Master Yunmiao misunderstands—I have more to say.”

Under their puzzled gazes,

He grew serious: “According to Yuchi, among all Immortals and Bodhisattvas of Great Nanzhou, excluding those two exceptional cases, the only one who escaped the Dragon-Slayer’s hand was the Tai Xu Dan Huang of Shenxu Mountain.”

“And this Tai Xu Dan Huang, like the Dragon-Slayer, is of the younger generation, progressing with astonishing speed. According to those two in Nanzhou, his talent may not be inferior to the Dragon-Slayer’s—likely only lost due to his distance from our sect, while the Dragon-Slayer had Nan Xumi’s backing.”

“I saw he did not go to Qingguang Cave—I assume he came to the closer Lingxu Cave.”

“This...”

Yunmiao True Person faintly understood the implication but did not rush to conclude: “Are you suggesting Master Qingguang wishes to take him as a disciple, and sent you to guide him?”

“Sigh.”

Hearing his continued probing, the crane attendant sighed.

This senior disciple of Lingxu Cave was strong, but too slippery, too indecisive—no wonder his reputation lagged behind peers of the same realm.

“My True Person cherishes his reputation and has no intention of taking another disciple.”

He denied outright: “I merely came to inform you—how you act is your own decision.”

“...”

Before he finished speaking, Yunmiao True Person’s expression had darkened.

The crane attendant’s words, though polite, were unmistakable.

This man was a talent.

But Qingguang Cave refused him—his lineage was too disreputable—yet hoped Lingxu Cave would take him.

After all, only Master Qingguang’s status granted him the luxury of caring for reputation; he didn’t lack for disciples. But Lingxu Cave, stuck between high and low, must seize any promising seed—no room for disdain.

As for why the crane attendant came—likely because he had delivered the decree to Nanzhou, and now trouble arose; if ignored, it would tarnish Master Qingguang’s reputation, so they’d make Lingxu Cave handle it.

“I understand.”

Yunmiao True Person nodded, raising his palm to dismiss him.

“Farewell, both of you.”

The crane attendant bowed once more, his form transforming into a white crane, wings spreading as he vanished into the horizon.

“No, even a mere attendant’s arrogance has grown so insolent!”

After he left, Ling Su clenched her teeth, deeply indignant, then turned to Yun Miao: “Brother, you’re not actually taking his words to heart, are you? His master is a bug demon—he’s now under our Master’s tutelage. Where does that leave the honor of Qingxu Cave?”

“Be silent.”

Yun Miao’s expression turned slightly cold. He had once tolerated Ling Su’s antics and understood her feelings, but He Tong’s words forced him to consider Master Qingguang’s intentions.

After a moment of silence, he finally turned: “Take me to him.”

“Hmph!”

Ling Su drew a deep breath, her full chest rising and falling rapidly, yet under her brother’s gaze, she could only let out a heavy huff and reluctantly summoned her magic artifact.

……

Amidst the lush, verdant immortal mountain, a modestly clean cave dwelling.

It was normally unoccupied, used only to receive guests.

The Qingxu Cave disciple bowed respectfully to the two elders: “He hasn’t left, hasn’t thrown a tantrum—since arriving, he’s stayed quietly within, waiting for the Ancestor’s audience, never stepping out.”

“What audacity!” Ling Su spat.

“...”

Yun Miao had already made his decision; he ignored his sister’s petulance and stepped forward.

He stood outside the cave dwelling, not entering directly, but first sent a mental message to announce his presence.

Only after receiving a response from within did he enter with his sister.

Inside, everything remained unchanged; the only thing disturbed was the tea set—even the cup held no tea leaves, only clear water.

The young man’s hair was neatly tied with a jade band, falling to his shoulders; he wore a fitted white robe of silk, and seated there, he exuded an untainted, otherworldly purity.

As for his face… it was clearly concealed. At a glance, it seemed warm and jade-like, but upon closer inspection, the features blurred into an indistinct haze.

This was the method of the Divine Void Fruit.

Had she not known his true identity, even Ling Su might have been fooled, mistaking him for some high-cultivation brother within the sect.

She frowned: “Why all this hiding? What’s wrong with you?”

Yun Miao raised his hand to halt her words, speaking gently: “Friend, what is your purpose here?”

Shen Yi sipped the clear water, moistening his lips: “I fled here for survival—caution is paramount. I beg your understanding.”

At his Divine Void Fruit realm, this illusion could only deceive cultivators of the Six-Six Transformation—only if they didn’t deliberately probe. At the level of Southern Emperor, it would be instantly pierced.

But this trick was never meant to deter those from the Northern Continent—it was merely to avoid encountering Jade Pool Ancestor and Shen Mountain Ancestor, for both had seen the true visage of the Dragon-Taming Bodhisattva.

“Naturally, I understand.”

Yun Miao gazed through the illusion at the pale, handsome face, then sat down with a faint smile: “Friend, you’ve just arrived in the Northern Continent—do you find your accommodations comfortable?”

“Thank you for your hospitality—I feel no discomfort,” Shen Yi replied politely.

“No need for formalities. We are fellow disciples. If the Dan Emperor wishes, he may freely choose any cave dwelling within Qingxu Cave’s grounds—or even carve out a new one.”

“Given your current plight, Qingxu Cave cannot stand idly by. You may stay as long as you wish—come and go as you please.”

Yun Miao’s smile was flawless, every courtesy perfectly observed.

Yet the moment those words fell, Shen Yi slowly lifted his eyes, gazing at him with thoughtful stillness.

In contrast, Ling Su blinked, and her displeased face gradually softened into a smile.

So that’s how it is—no wonder he’s my brother.

Qingguang Cave rejected him; Qingxu Cave rejects him too. But out of respect for Master Qingguang, they offer him shelter—neither offending Qingguang Cave nor tarnishing their Master’s honor.

(End of Chapter)