Chapter 287

A towering giant, nine chi tall, with a ruddy face and bare torso, his features carved like a blade's edge, his muscles hewn as if by axe and chisel—truly massive and formidable. Especially across the expanse from abdomen to chest, a blooming blood lotus was tattooed, its aura truly terrifying.

Fu Yanjun looked up at the newcomer and felt a wave of heat rush to his face; the giant's indigo-dyed Miao attire stirred a fleeting sense of dizziness in him, as if he had caught a glimpse of the red-haired Ancestor of the Miao Highlands from years past.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist—are you also here to seek the Abbot of Guanxuan?"

Fu Yanjun said.

The giant glanced at Fu Yanjun and his disciples, then returned the bow.

"Indeed. Are you also entering the mountain?"

Fu Yanjun shook his head.

"I have just come out of the mountain. I've already spoken with Abbot Guanxuan."

The giant's eyes flashed with insight, and he asked,

"I'm new here. I don't know what manner of man this Abbot Guanxuan is. Could you tell me?"

Fu Yanjun thought a moment, then replied,

"A man of great spiritual power and vast learning, spanning East and West. You won't regret this journey."

The giant smiled, but perhaps due to his immense musculature, his facial muscles were stiff—even his smile looked fierce. He replied,

"Then I thank you for your kind words."

"To meet is fate. May I know your name? I am Fu Yanjun of Mount Qingcheng. We may meet again."

"Fellow Daoist Fu, I am Wu Qingbo."

"So you are Master Wu. Then, until we meet again."

"Until we meet again."

The two bowed and parted.

————

Fu Yanjun and Yu Nanlin departed, flying swiftly. Once they were far from Kanli Mountain, Yu Nanlin spoke,

"Master, that man was incredibly powerful. Merely standing across from him, I felt my blood boiling as if it would ignite."

Fu Yanjun nodded.

"Indeed, not simple. He must be at the middle three Tribulation Crossing realm of Golden Core. But I see he doesn't practice the Xuanqing Zhengfa—he doesn't even regulate his breath. Yet there's no blood-spirit or demonic aura on him. He must be from a heterodox sect."

He paused, then added,

"In the end, it's still Abbot Guanxuan who is truly formidable. He converses with true cultivators, and no worldly dust dares approach him."

Yu Nanlin now grew solemn and nodded.

"I only hope he truly has the power to remove the demonic fire from your flying sword."

Fu Yanjun smiled.

"Wait ten days and see. As for you, reckless cultivation has brought you trouble. Fortunately, he gave you guidance. When you return to the mountain, you must rest and recuperate properly. By the way, in ten days, I'll bring the payment—you must prepare a gift to thank Master Huai Pu."

"Disciple obeys."

————

Watching Fu Yanjun depart, Wu Qingbo turned his gaze away.

Then he saw two children, no taller than his knees, circling him, looking up.

The girl, after watching a while, levitated into the air, bringing her gaze level with Wu Qingbo's. Zhao Li said,

"So you're Wu Qingbo."

The giant smiled and bowed.

"Greetings, Immortal Child. I am Wu Qingbo."

Zhao Li pointed to herself and Bai Long, then to the lion atop the mountain.

"Master says you're one of us—same as us. We're Master's attendants, the lion is his mount. Then who are you to Master?"

Wu Qingbo smiled.

"Me? I don't know what I am to my benefactor. But if he needs it, I can be his guard."

————

Inside the pavilion, Cheng Xinzhan introduced Feng Jihu and Yan Renying to each other. They had barely exchanged two words when the children's voice rang from outside:

"Master, your old friend has arrived."

Cheng Xinzhan knew who it was, and replied,

"Let him in."

Wu Qingbo entered. As he passed through the pavilion's gate, his towering frame nearly blocked the light streaming in from outside.

Before Wu Qingbo could bow or speak, Cheng Xinzhan raised a hand to stop him.

"Old matters can wait. Sit down first."

Wu Qingbo thus spared the formalities and took a seat behind Cheng Xinzhan.

As the giant sat, the entire pavilion seemed to grow warmer.

Cheng Xinzhan waved his fly-whisk, dispelling the heat. His motion reminded Wu Qingbo, who then deliberately restrained his aura.

Yan Renying was surprised. Who was this high cultivator Yunlai had brought? He smiled.

"What's today? Everyone's coming calling."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled back.

"At Jingzhe, the spirit of grasses and trees changes—naturally, the climate urges greetings. Now that Jingzhe has come, all things revive, spring thunder echoes. It stirs insects and grasses, and urges people to go out and move."

Yan Renying laughed.

"Yunlai, you always speak in verse. Everything you say sounds wise."

Zhou Qingyun smiled faintly. Yes, it was true—words from his mouth were always both interesting and reasonable.

Feng Jihu noticed Zhou Qingyun's expression, glanced at Cheng Xinzhan, and a sly amusement flickered in his eyes. He lowered his head and smiled.

Cheng Xinzhan didn't notice their expressions. He resumed introductions.

"This is Wu Qingbo. An old friend I met during my travels. A Corpse Immortal. He'll be staying at my pavilion for a while."

Cheng Xinzhan openly revealed Wu Qingbo's identity. Of course, "Corpse Immortal" here did not mean a true immortal.

In the world, dead things that attained the Dao—corpses, ghosts, bones—mostly drew spiritual awakening from subterranean yin energy and cosmic sha qi; their nature was inherently dark, cruel, and murderous, most veering onto the demonic path.

But some, blessed with fortune, shed the innate brutality and violence, and after awakening, walked the righteous path. To distinguish them from the vast majority of the former, the term "Immortal" was added—signifying spiritual refinement, and expressing hope that these difficult-to-cultivate beings might attain true fruition.

Hence the term "Corpse Immortal." Likewise, Ghost Immortal, Bone Immortal, Willow Immortal, Flower Immortal—all carry this meaning.

Everyone nodded, bowing respectfully. All present were discerning. Wu Qingbo showed no breath or qi regulation—clearly visible. Yet, so close to him, none smelled death or corpse stench. Clearly, his realm was extremely high.

"These two are Yan Renying and Zhou Qingyun of Mount Emei. This is my old friend, Master Huai Pu."

After the greetings, the children brought fresh tea.

"Ah."

Yan Renying sighed deeply.

"What troubles you, Renying?"

Cheng Xinzhan knew he was about to speak of matters, and responded.

"The demonic affairs in Xikang are becoming clearer. Small temples without roots have been destroyed or fled. The central region of Kang has virtually no demonic sects left. The eastern Kang, connected to Shuxi, never had many demons. Now, the demonic sects are reduced to just three: one in the north, one in the west, one in the south."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded.

"Tell me in detail. Some of this, I and Qingyun know, but my two new friends are unfamiliar with the situation here. They'll be staying long-term—let them hear it too."

Yan Renying nodded to Feng Jihu and Wu Qingbo.

"This is one of the few good tidings I've heard lately."

He continued,

"The White Bone Chan Monastery in the north relies on the Blood God Sect. The Xuanxin Temple in the west relies on the Mahayana Sect. The south has no great demon, but the southern faction has nearly seized Dianwen, with frequent crossings over these past months."

"But all that's manageable. We've taken most of Xikang's land, and our demonic suppression achievements are obvious. Yet now that results are seen, new problems arise. The greatest difficulty in suppressing demons is no longer demonic resistance—it's obstruction from fellow cultivators!"

Yan Renying lifted his tea cup, but found it too hot, set it down, and continued,

"When our Baihe Sword Pavilion attacked the White Bone Chan Monastery, we were fortunate to have Sister Zhou's support. But Yu Bai Lu of Mount Qingcheng keeps interfering, vying for credit with us. I don't know if Fu Yanjun just now said anything—he's the master of Yu Nanlin, Yu Bai Lu's niece's granddaughter."

Cheng Xinzhan shook his head.

"He may have wanted to say something, but just then Qingyun arrived, and he didn't."

Yan Renying nodded, but said no more about Fu Yanjun, and continued,

"The north is like this. The south is even more troubling. Whenever my pavilion's people go south, Sister Li's Chi Shui Sword Pavilion treats us like thieves, driving us away, terrified we'll steal their credit."

Cheng Xinzhan didn't respond. According to Emei's internal rules, Yan Renying going south was inherently stealing credit from Li Yingqiong. Unless he dared to claim he slew the demon and delivered the demon's head to Chi Shui Sword Pavilion, Li Yingqiong wouldn't block him.

Such a thing—fear Yan Renying would agree, Tong Yuanqi wouldn't agree, Bi Yun Nunnery wouldn't agree, and the many disciples and elders of Emei aligned with Yan Renying wouldn't agree either.

But he understood now: Yan Renying came today just to vent these frustrations. In just two short years, Cheng Xinzhan clearly sensed this Emei senior brother had grown far more haggard than when they first met, his brow heavy with gloom.

So he smiled.

"No wonder your tea burned your lips—you wanted wine. Here, drink this. Last year's final batch of bamboo wine. This year's hasn't been made yet."

He handed over a bamboo tube.

Yan Renying smiled, took it, drank deeply, then said,

"I knew it—coming to Yunlai's place is never wrong."

At this, Zhou Qingyun nodded.

"I hold the north, block the west at the Western Sea, and resist the east at Longyou, forming a pincer with Senior Brother Yan and Sister Li. With Senior Brother Yan, it's fine—we jointly suppress demons from Xikang and the Western Sea, never clashed. But in the past half year, conflicts with Sister Li's Minshan Sword Pavilion have been frequent. Two months ago, when the Zhiyan Old Demon of the Xuan Yin Sect attacked Minshan, I went to assist, but Sister Li wouldn't let me near."

Zhou Qingyun sighed inwardly, thinking of her promise to Yu Nanlin—she didn't know when she could fulfill it. At the same time, a question arose in her heart:

Zhou Qingyun sighed softly in her heart, thinking that she herself did not know when she could fulfill her promise to Yu Nanlin; at the same time, a question arose in her mind:

Sect Master, is this arrangement of yours right or wrong?

Yan Renying echoed Zhou Qingyun's words and continued to vent his grievances, but perhaps due to his busy affairs or the crowded, noisy atmosphere of the day, he did not speak long; after finishing a bamboo tube of bamboo wine, he rose and left.

After Yan Renying departed, Zhou Qingyun stayed two more hours and spoke at length with Cheng Xinzhan—but their discussion centered solely on parables and strange musings recorded in the Daoist canons such as "The Dream of the Butterfly," "The Dream of the Skull," and "The Death of Chaos"; she neither poured out her sorrows as Yan Renying had, nor mentioned her own struggles, nor asked about the Great Splitting Light Sword Art as she had earlier claimed.

Amid laughter and merriment, night fell; even though Zhou Qingyun felt boundless reluctance, she rose to take her leave.

Cheng Xinzhan saw her off beyond the temple gate.

When he returned, he found Feng Jihu and Wu Qingbo both smiling broadly at him.

Cheng Xinzhan shook his head helplessly.

"What's so funny?"

Feng Jihu said,

"I always wondered why you refused to return to the mountain for two or three years—turns out you've got a lovely lady waiting for you."

Cheng Xinzhan sat down and shook his head.

"What nonsense."

"Who's speaking nonsense? Anyone can see it—only Yan Renying can't. Wu Qingbo, don't you agree?"

Wu Qingbo dared not tease Cheng Xinzhan, so he merely chuckled to himself without replying.

But Zhao Li and Bai Long nodded vigorously, like chickens pecking rice.

Cheng Xinzhan sighed.

"She is indeed an extraordinary woman—but ah, never mind for now. Since we're alone, let me introduce you two properly—we'll talk all night."

"Qingbo, this is my fellow sect brother, my guide on the cultivation path, my most trusted friend—his surname is Feng, his Dao name is Jihu; currently, he goes by Huai Pu in Xikang."

"Dao Brother, this is Wu Qingbo—a walking corpse I rescued during my planning for Tianqiao Mountain. I enlightened him; now he shares a deep spiritual bond with me as a cadaver companion."

The two then exchanged formal greetings and became acquainted.

Now that they were all close kin, speech grew more open. Cheng Xinzhan had much he wished to say; first he asked Feng Jihu,

"Dao Brother, what kind of Golden Core did you form? Earlier you told me you needed Yi Wood Qi—did you use the Peach Fiend Poison I left you?"

Feng Jihu shook his head.

"No, your poison is too yin-heavy, and it carries terrestrial fire—it's unsuitable for me. You know I've always favored the 'Sick Tree Blooms' Fiend Poison,' an Yi Wood poison imbued with the meaning of yin-yang decay and renewal—perfect for me."

Hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan's eyes lit up. "Did you find it, then?"

Feng Jihu nodded with a smile.

"I've been serving the Alliance all along. Last year, I took a mission to Dianwen. I'm familiar with Dianwen—I gained my first breakthrough in the Water Palace realm there years ago. This time, again in Dianwen, I found it in a valley just beyond Mount Ailao."

I've always been doing work for the Alliance; last year, I took on a mission to Dianwen. I'm quite familiar with Dianwen—I gained my early opportunity in the Water Palace cultivation there when I first broke through to Qi Refining. This time, again in Dianwen, I found this evil spirit in a valley just beyond Mount Ailao.

Cheng Xinzhan clapped his hands in congratulations.

Feng Jihu nodded with a smile.

"Indeed. I've collected several terrestrial poisons, but I've waited for this one—and now I've finally fulfilled my wish. This poison pairs well with many yang Gang; any containing Ren Water will do. Fortunately, the Alliance had a small vial of 'Sun-Chariot Light Rain Gang,' so I didn't need much effort—I spent all the merit I'd earned in the Alliance, even added some of my own, to trade for it—and successfully formed my Golden Core."

Yes, I already had several Earthly Evil Spirits, but I was waiting for this one—and finally, my wish came true. This evil spirit pairs well with many Yang Pure Energies, as long as they contain Ren Water—I can use any. Luckily, the Alliance had a small vial of "Sun Chariot's Light Rain Yang," so I didn't have to exert much effort. I spent all the merit I'd earned over the years and even added some of my own to exchange for this Yang Energy, and successfully formed my Golden Core.

"Dao Brother, you've formed an excellent Golden Core. The 'Sick Tree Blooms' Fiend Poison' is decay giving way to spring—though a yin poison, it inherently carries the Daoic meaning of yin's end birthing yang. The 'Sun-Chariot Light Rain Gang ' is said to be the rain shed by the Sun Charioteer as he cleanses the heavens—yang containing yin. Combined with Ren Water and Yi Wood, yang contains yin, yin contains yang—this is a Longevity Golden Core!"

Brother Dao, you've formed an excellent Golden Core. "The Evil Spirit of the Sick Tree Blooming" is like a withered tree coming back to life—though it's a Yin Evil Spirit, it inherently carries the meaning of Yin exhausting and Yang arising. "Sun Chariot's Light Rain Yang" is the rain said to fall when the Sun Charioteer cleanses the heavens, Yang containing Yin. Together, with Ren Water and Yi Wood, Yang contains Yin, Yin contains Yang—this is a Longevity Golden Core!

"Don't flatter me. Who among us has a Golden Core as refined as yours—the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core?"

Cheng Xinzhan laughed.

"The best is the one suited to you."

"By the way," he remembered something else.

"What of Dao Brother Jiyuan? Did he find his Thunder Gang? Before I left, I left the 'Dragon Roar Water Thunder Gang ' with you—did you give it to him?"

Feng Jihu nodded.

"I gave it to him. He's still stubborn, too proud to accept it openly—but after all these years, he couldn't wait any longer. So before I left, I forced it on him. Thunder Gang is too rare; since you had it, there was no reason for him to seek some inferior substitute—that would shorten his path."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded. That made sense.

I gave it to him, but he's still stubborn, too proud to accept it. Though he refused it, so many years have passed—he can't wait any longer—so before I left, I forcibly slipped it into his hands for you. After all, Thunder Yang Energy is exceedingly rare. Since you have it, there's no reason for him to seek some other Thunder Qi as a substitute—that would shorten his Dao path.

Cheng Xinzhan raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you say you already gave the Thunder Gang to Jiyuan? What's this?"

Feng Jihu replied,

"The 'Sick Tree Blooms' Fiend Poison'—I had a little left after forming my Core. Take it."

Cheng Xinzhan waved his hands.

"This poison suits your path—you'll need it again. I won't take it."

Feng Jihu tossed the vial straight at him.

"This poison is rare—once you miss this chance, you'll never find it again. Just take it. I kept some for myself. What's there to be shy about? You gave away your Thunder Gang without hesitation, and you gave me the Peach Fiend Poison—did I ever ask to return it?"

"Besides, who else knows better than I? Mingzhi Mountain cultivates yin-yang and life-death. This poison is immensely useful for your path. There isn't much left—it won't suffice for Core Formation or alchemy, but for comprehending Daoic principles, it's more than enough."

Cheng Xinzhan held the lead vial. Feng Jihu was right—this poison was profoundly useful to him. He had no need for Core Formation or alchemy; even just for comprehending Daoic principles, it was perfect.

Moreover, others may not know, but I know well: Mingzhi Mountain cultivates Yin-Yang and Life-Death. This evil spirit is of great use to your Dao path. There aren't many left—if you were aiming for Core Formation or artifact forging, it wouldn't be enough, but for comprehending the Dao's meaning, it's more than sufficient.

Cheng Xinzhan held the lead vial: the brother Dao was right—this evil spirit was indeed of immense use to him. He didn't need it for Core Formation or artifact forging; merely for comprehending the Dao's meaning, it was already perfect.

(End of Chapter)

Brother Dao is my timely rain.

(End of Chapter)