Chapter 179: Hard to Restrain Oneself Upon Meeting an Old Friend

"Mortals often say that time flows like water; these three hundred years are, to us, nothing more than a white colt flashing past a crack. Having endured the long, winding river of time, would it not be boring if we didn't seek out some amusement?" the Mountain God said, before suddenly changing the subject: "Speaking of which, do you really think you can attain the Right Fruit from that child?"

During the day, such a sound might not necessarily attract attention, but now, in the dead of night, for such a noise to erupt on flat ground, even the soundest sleeper would be startled awake.

Lingxiang looked at Xiaobai triumphantly, the meaning in her eyes self-evident—I have my own plans for what I do, just watch, why be so long-winded?

Xiaobai felt a moment of awkwardness, then smiled, rubbed his nose, and followed Lingxiang into the secret chamber.

The room looked as if no one had entered it for a long time; a layer of dust floated on many of the objects, and the two wandered around the room for quite a while.

Lingxiang searched left and right, while Xiaobai did not know what she was looking for and hurriedly asked. Lingxiang had forgotten to mention it, so she said that if he saw anything like an incense burner, he should just show it to her.

However, the two searched for a long time without seeing any incense burner; in this room, aside from books, there were only things like swords and Eight Trigrams.

As Lingxiang rummaged through things, she muttered that this Sixth Senior Brother truly hadn't been crying poverty to her; this small collection of Dharma artifacts and Spirit Treasures was truly too few. She didn't know why he didn't collect more in his spare time; he was someone with over a dozen disciples, yet he didn't even prepare anything presentable to pass down to them.

It was not that he did not care about Lingxiang, but in his view, Lingxiang was not a reckless person. Whatever she did, she certainly had her own calculations; if she formed a Spirit Binding with Xiaobai, she must have had some future goal in mind.

The three were each occupied with their own thoughts and tasks when suddenly, a series of footsteps came from outside the courtyard; the pattering sound was extremely cheerful, and one could vaguely hear humming.

It was a woman's voice; could it be that Lingxiang had returned?

Long Qi hurriedly stood up, but just as he was about to take a step, he saw Maidong at the courtyard gate.

"Why is it you? Where is Lingxiang?" Long Qi sat back down and asked unpleasantly.

This surprised Maidong; what was wrong with her?

"I say, at the very least you should call me Senior Sister, so why do you seem as if you don't want to see me?" Maidong said as she entered the courtyard. "Let me tell you, your Senior Sister here was entrusted by your master to specifically come and guide your cultivation."

Rendong heard this and asked: "How is her leg injury?"

Maidong felt a sense of comfort; so there were still disciples who cared about her, unlike this Long Qi, who was disrespectful and unruly all day long, lacking any sense of propriety.

"It is nothing serious, but if she wants to be safe, she still needs to stay in bed and recuperate for a few days," Maidong said, looking at Xin Yi, her eyes seemingly overflowing with stars. "It's just that she truly couldn't let go of your cultivation, which is why she begged me in every way to come and train you. As for me, it was hard to refuse such a warm invitation; after all, in terms of seniority, she is my Ninth Aunt-Master, so I had to give her some face, didn't I? That is why I came, albeit reluctantly."

Seeing her like this, a smile immediately appeared on Xin Yi's face—Maidong was still the same as she was when they were children.

Lingxiang had originally thought about going out to help, but seeing Long Qi close the door, she felt a bit puzzled.

"What are you doing? The two of them went out to light a fire, aren't you going to help?"

Long Qi did not speak, but walked up to Lingxiang and reached into his robes to take out an object. Lingxiang looked down; wasn't that the Dragon Pattern Jade she had returned to Long Qi earlier?

"I, well, I originally thought that since you are still young, it is a good thing that you don't understand matters of love. But now that I am about to go down the mountain—they say it is for training, but I don't know how long it will be before I return—I am just afraid that you will be deceived by someone in the sect."

Lingxiang looked at Long Qi upon hearing this and saw that his face was full of sincerity, only hearing him say:

"My feelings are what I have already told you. Whether you believe it or not, in this life, I am determined to marry you. This jade pendant is an heirloom of my family. When I was small, I heard my mother say that if the head of the Long Family takes a fancy to a girl in the future, he gives her this jade; if she accepts it, the two can be together. Now, I am the only one left in the Long Family. Today, I give this jade to you; if you accept it, it means you agree. Even if you don't agree, I will force it into your hands." As he spoke, he reached out his hand.

Lingxiang looked at that Dragon Pattern Jade, and the previous feeling of unease suddenly calmed down. She was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but raise her hand and hold the jade in her palm.

Looking at the now-empty courtyard, Lingxiang chuckled: "The storybooks do not deceive me; this business of setting a fire is a good method of making a feint to the east while attacking in the west, no matter where it is used!"

Fuyin Zhenren was very worried upon hearing this: "You blew up someone else's Daoist practice ground like this; if you are held accountable, I fear it will not end well..."

Lingxiang sighed upon hearing this. Her Sixth Senior Brother was truly an honest person; the mountain was so big, how could she really set someone's house on fire? It was just that she had Zhuhuang find a forest somewhere and set a few fires.

Besides, so what if she lit their practice ground? Firstly, she wasn't the one who lit it, and secondly, she was doing it to save their sect leader; counting it up, they should be thanking her!

However, Lingxiang did not explain, only urging Fuyin Zhenren to be quick, taking advantage of the few people in the courtyard to sneak in and save the person.

The two used the cover of night to quietly reach the courtyard wall, and then Fuyin Zhenren picked up Lingxiang and vaulted over in one leap.

As soon as she landed, Lingxiang curled her lip. Although she was not skilled in Martial Dao, in the past, such a wall would not have stumped her; if it weren't for her previous injury, she wouldn't be so constrained in everything as she was now.

But she only thought about it; she dared not linger under her feet.

Now that Zhuhuang had been taken away, and this courtyard was so large with lights bright in every room, she feared she would have to search carefully for a while before finding the room of Xuanhuai Zhenren.

Lingxiang applied a Spirit-Hiding Talisman to both Fuyin Zhenren and herself. The two moved lightly and carefully, dodging people while cautiously probing every room.

But after searching for a long time, they still did not find Xuanhuai Zhenren's room.

At this time, Zhuhuang's side likely could no longer hold them off; if they didn't hurry, those people would likely return.

Just as the two reached a long corridor, they heard a burst of footsteps, and in an instant, the two were surrounded.

The disciples who had gone to put out the fire were now all present, not a single one missing.

"I said how could there be thunder on flat ground for no reason; sure enough, someone is attempting to invade the Master's courtyard!" the leader said, throwing the tightly bound Zhuhuang over. "Good for you, Zhuhuang, actually daring to collude with outsiders! Seize them for me!"

Following the order, a group of disciples wearing Daoist Armor swarmed up, some holding weapons, others pinching fingers to weave Dharma Techniques, all rushing toward Lingxiang and Fuyin Zhenren.

So these disciples had not been tricked away at all!

Fuyin Zhenren hurriedly drew the Soft Sword at his waist to meet the crowd, while Lingxiang also pinched a hand seal, weaving a calm Dharma shield to block the incoming Witchcraft, while one hand wove the Lotus Heart Sword Intent to parry.

If they were ordinary villains, they could let go and fight, but these people were proper members of the Daoist Sect, so they had to be careful not to take any lives.

Fuyin Zhenren's feet generated wind as he wove through the Kunwu Sect disciples; in no time at all, he had knocked several unconscious.

Meanwhile, Lingxiang, not skilled in Martial Dao, stood and retreated, reaching a corner, then took a stack of Talisman Paper from the Universe Bag at her waist, pinched a hand seal, and muttered incantations.

"The Demon Race has always had many methods, but what is certain is that that Changpu is definitely not of the Demon Race."

Xin Yi was greatly puzzled upon hearing this; he had clearly already seen her and confirmed that she was transformed by Guihua, so how could she not be of the Demon Race?

"What do you mean?"

Lingxiang smiled: "I don't mean anything; I am just certain that she is not of the Demon Race."

Just as everyone was wondering why she was so certain, she turned to ask Long Qi: "Earlier, I asked you to go to the Ancient Bamboo Forest to demand the Cizhu Sword; did you get it?"

Long Qi felt a shock in his heart upon hearing this; had he gotten the sword or not...

If he said he got it, would Lingxiang then want the jade flute back? But if he said he didn't get it, what if Lingxiang really wanted to use it to drive away demons?

Long Qi hesitated for a long time, and Lingxiang became somewhat impatient, pulling at him and asking again: "Did you get it or not? This is a matter of life and death; there can be no carelessness at all."

Hearing this, Long Qi steeled his heart and answered as if he had suffered a great grievance: "Naturally I got it, and I even got a good beating from that old man! He looks all skin and bones, but I didn't expect his strength to be so great; my head was beaten until it swelled up!"

Lingxiang was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this; although Zhuzhang Laoren had a somewhat eccentric temper, he was not an unreasonable person, and besides, she had let Long Qi take the jade flute with him, so why would he beat him?

Fuyin Zhenren exerted force on his Dharma technique upon hearing this, and the flying sword beneath his feet sped up significantly, startling Lingxiang into hurriedly grabbing his robes so she wouldn't fall off.

About two quarters of an hour later, the two finally landed. As soon as she landed, Lingxiang ran to the side and patted her chest incessantly.

This Senior Brother Fuyin is really something; even if he is in a hurry to save someone, he shouldn't rush like this. Don't let it be that before they save the outsider, he sends her off to the Yellow Springs instead.

Fortunately, I don't know how to perform the sword-flying technique!

Seeing her like this, Fuyin Zhenren smiled, stepped forward, and patted her back; after some massage, Lingxiang felt much better.

"Look, this is Tulun Mountain, and the mountain gate of the Kunwu Sect is right ahead."

Over there, Zhao Wuyang had been crying silently for a long time before wiping away his tears and looking up to ask Ajin about the City Lord Furen at the City Lord Mansion. Ajin gave a brief explanation, saying that Lady Qiao was worried about City Lord Zhao, so she had sought out a body double, and so on.

Hearing this, Zhao Wuyang frowned and immediately asked, "If it were someone you took a fancy to, would you truly sacrifice a tail to satisfy their wish?"

After the woman applied the Talisman, she only said, "The Liu Family Army will find you in half a cup of tea's time." Then she turned and disappeared into the cold wind.

It was this turn that deeply etched that silhouette into young Liu Xia's mind.

……

Alan naturally knew about the capture; it was because of that incident that Lady Liu fell ill and had never recovered to this day. Whenever there was rainy or snowy weather, the bones in her body would ache unbearably.

But she had never heard Liu Xia mention the immortal woman he spoke of, and when Lady Liu and young Liu Xia returned, no Talismans were seen on them.

"Are you saying that it was because of that person that you insisted on cultivating the Dao?"

Liu Xia held his cup and nodded: "When I was young, I thought she was a heavenly maiden descended to earth, but later, after learning some Daoist Mysterious Arts, I understood that she was actually a mortal who practiced cultivation."

"It's just..." Alan said hesitantly, "Even if you want to see her again, it has been such a long time. Not to mention whether she is still alive, searching for such a person in the vast sea of people is like looking for a needle in a haystack; it is extremely difficult. Why must you be so obsessed..."

Liu Xia smiled softly at these words, put down his cup, and looked at Alan: "What about you, sister? You still refuse to marry to this day; isn't that also a deep obsession?"

Alan lowered her head upon hearing this—it was true, she was just like that, so what right did she have to lecture him...

……

Liu Xia finally left with Long Qi and the other two. Before leaving, he knelt at the door and kowtowed three times to Liu Cishi and Lady Liu, then left without looking back.

Hearing this, the Mountain God seemed extremely excited, pulling Long Qi and whispering: "It's coming, it's coming! It's finally here!"

Seeing him like this, Long Qi felt very puzzled. Why was he so excited about someone else making a sacrifice? He really was the type who loved to watch the drama unfold.

Ajin did not answer him, only gave a soft hum: "What exactly is going on with that head of yours?"

The Mountain God sighed at this: "Oh, it's been so many years; guarding a skull is quite boring. What does it matter if I let him play with it? It's not a big deal."

Just as the three were at a loss, a water blade wrapped in thick Spirit Qi suddenly flew toward them. Long Qi instinctively pressed Banxia and Zhao Wuyang down, just barely dodging it.

The water blade struck the tree behind the three, and the tree hissed while emitting heat. When the heat dissipated, it had actually been corroded away on one side.

"To be able to reach this place, you do have some ability," the Merfolk said with a smile, his voice as melodious as a song, "but it's a pity that this is where you meet your end!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand and splashed the water from the pool. The water, passing through his hand, transformed into blades that whirled and flew toward Long Qi and the others.

Seeing this, Long Qi hurriedly pushed Banxia away and rolled to the side while holding Zhao Wuyang. The water blade struck the bushes where they had been hiding; the bushes immediately hissed with steam and emitted a foul odor.

"Be careful that you don't end up like Xingtian if you can't find it back," Ajin said, turning into the shape of a cat and heading toward the deep pool on the mountain.

Behind him, the Mountain God muttered in a low voice: "So many years have passed, and you are still so annoying."

……

The Merfolk's roar continued for a long time without stopping. Everyone present felt a splitting headache, and Liu Xia's ears had already begun to bleed. Just as everyone was reaching their limit, a Fire Talisman suddenly flew over and struck the Merfolk on the back.

Once the Fire Talisman stuck to the Merfolk's back, it immediately exploded, forcefully choking off the breath he was using to roar, and he began to cough violently.

After a bout of heavy coughing, he looked back and saw Banxia, wrapped in a Talisman Robe, lying by the edge of the pool. In her hand, she held two Talismans suspended over the pool water, shouting at the Merfolk:

"If you don't stop now, I will drop this Black Mud Talisman into the water. I just don't know if the woman at the bottom of the lake can withstand the filth of the pool water!"

Hearing this, the Merfolk's eyes widened, and he roared at Banxia: "You dare!"

Banxia seemed completely unafraid and roared back with great spirit: "Watch me!" As she said this, she prepared to release the Yellow Talisman in her hand.

Seeing that black mist had already begun to gather around the Yellow Talisman, the Merfolk's tone immediately softened.