Chapter 143 — Reluctance

Taotie's neck seemed exceedingly long; that monstrous head stretched far out from behind the youth and turned about, until it actually reached around to the youth's shoulder in front. And before so vicious a beast, the youth's expression remained calm and composed.

Qinglong steadied his mind and said slowly, "I never imagined such a vicious beast still existed in this world!"

The youth smiled and reached out—and actually stroked Taotie's head. Fierce as Taotie appeared, beneath the youth's palm it only gave low, throaty growls and nuzzled against his hand; had it not been so hideous, it might almost have been a little dog.

The youth glanced at Qinglong and said suddenly, "That woman just now was your companion, was she not? She knew Taotie was hidden in the sky, yet she deliberately let you serve as bait, drew Taotie down, and fled herself. You must be furious now, are you not?"

Qinglong kept his guard up inwardly, but laughed aloud. "That she played me for a fool is my own incompetence. I cannot blame another."

The youth looked at him a moment longer, then nodded. "In that case, you may die."

The words were barely out when, though the youth made no visible movement, the white-boned serpent demon that had been glaring at Qinglong's back suddenly seemed to receive an order: its huge maw gaped wide and it lunged to devour him.

Qinglong had been on his guard all along. Though the white-boned serpent struck without warning, he did not panic; instead of retreating he charged straight at it, which startled the serpent in turn.

In that instant of the serpent's surprise, Qinglong had already dashed beneath it. With a flick of his body he evaded the venomous breath the enraged serpent spat down; planting a foot against its white bones, he shoved the monstrous body three chi backward by main force, and using the recoil shot skyward—while the clear light in his hand flared, and in an instant six walls of light were arrayed in Taotie's direction.

Of these two beasts and one man, the one he feared most was still the youth who had never lifted a hand.

The white-boned serpent roared again and again, but could not catch up. Qinglong was about to soar into the blue sky and escape the trap when his ankle suddenly tightened—a hand had seized his rising body. A moment later, a low chuckle came from beneath him, and a great force surged through that hand. Qinglong felt a sudden blaze within him as though his body were on fire; he convulsed violently, and was flung out by that hand against his will.

In midair his body went tumbling, amid the splintering crack of branches, and Qinglong was hurled once more into the forest.

And in the forest, the howling of countless beasts rose once again.

In the sky, the youth closed his eyes slightly and raised his face to the heavens. A wind blew past, setting his vivid silken robes flapping and dancing.

Somewhere far off, it seemed there too came the roar of savage beasts...

Canglan Mountain, Jietian Peak, the Hall of Yuheng.

From the sect master, Daoist Zhenren Daoyan, down, the peak masters of every branch of the Canglan Sect had gathered in the hall, with many elders standing behind them—an uncommon sight at the very doors of the Hall of Yuheng. From their manner, they seemed to be awaiting someone.

Whoever it was, to receive such courtesy from the Canglan Sect must truly be a figure of the first rank in the world.

Besides the Canglan Sect's own people, Li Xun stood below as well, standing quietly and respectfully, though a faint excitement showed in his eyes as his gaze repeatedly drifted to one side.

There, Lu Xueling, robed all in white, stood behind Master Shuijing, whose face was impassive.

Before long, the melodious toll of bells and chimes came from afar on Canglan Mountain, sounding five times in succession. All present looked toward the hall's entrance, and from far off a voice carried in:

"The valley master of Fenxia Valley, the elder Yun Yifeng, pays his respects to the mountain..."

Almost as the voice died away, a figure like a flame appeared at the doors of the Hall of Yuheng.

"Ha ha, where is Senior Brother Daoyan? I have missed you to death!"

Yun Yifeng, clad in red, his face wreathed in smiles, strode in, followed by Shangguan Lue, Lu Shun, and a whole company of elders and disciples of Fenxia Valley—some several dozen in number, by the look of them.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the Canglan Sect's ranks, but a moment later every gaze had fixed upon Yun Yifeng's face. This figure, famed throughout the righteous path for many years, had once been a man who shook the very winds and clouds; most of the older Canglan elders present had seen him before. Yet now there was only astonishment in their eyes.

Could this man—whose features were faintly recognizable, yet who plainly looked no older than his prime—truly be the Yun Yifeng whose beard and hair had turned white decades ago?

Zhenren Daoyan studied Yun Yifeng carefully for several glances, then stepped forward with a smile. "Benefactor Yun, we have not met for many years. I did not expect your cultivation to have advanced so greatly—that you should have grasped the 'Jade Yang Realm' from the Incense-Burning Jade Register, a first in eight hundred years of Fenxia Valley. Joyous news indeed!"

Yun Yifeng's amiable smile stiffened abruptly. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but his expression had already returned to ease. "Senior Brother Daoyan has keen eyes indeed. I am impressed, impressed!"

Zhenren Daoyan laughed. "Not at all, not at all. It is I who ought to be impressed by you."

Yun Yifeng met his gaze; Zhenren Daoyan smiled back. After a moment the two of them laughed heartily at each other. Then Li Xun stepped forward, knelt, and paid his respects. "Master, your disciple has waited here a long while."

Yun Yifeng nodded and smiled. "Rise. You have stayed here these past days—have you come to appreciate the wonders of this earthly paradise on Canglan Mountain?"

Li Xun rose and said respectfully, "Canglan Mountain is indeed worthy of its fame. Your disciple's eyes have been opened. I must also thank Uncle Daoyan and—" he paused, then said clearly, "and Junior Sister Lu Xueling of Xiaozhu Peak, who showed me the sights of this immortal realm."

A buzz of discussion at once arose among the Canglan Sect. Besides the elders and peak masters seated there, many disciples of the younger generation were present, and countless eyes turned immediately toward that frost-cold woman.

Lu Xueling's lips moved slightly, but her face remained impassive, and in the end she said nothing at all.

Zhenren Daoyan smiled and took Yun Yifeng's hand. "Valley Master Yun has such a fine disciple—your line will not want for successors. Come, please take the seat of honor."

Yun Yifeng bowed slightly. "After you, Zhenren."

The two exchanged a smile and ascended side by side. Zhenren Daoyan and Yun Yifeng sat together in the places of honor, with the members of their respective sects to either side.

After a round of pleasantries, Zhenren Daoyan smiled and said, "Fenxia Valley is a mighty sect of the righteous path, revered by all under heaven. That Valley Master Yun should grace us with his presence in person truly brings glory to the Canglan Sect."

Yun Yifeng shook his head again and again. "Zhenren flatters me, far too much," he said—then his expression suddenly grew grave. "In truth, my visit to your mountain this time concerns two great matters, on which I must beg the aid of the Canglan Sect."

Zhenren Daoyan said quickly, "Valley Master Yun is too courteous. Pray speak freely."

Yun Yifeng cleared his throat. "I will conceal nothing from you, sirs. The first of these matters concerns a great calamity such as the world has rarely seen in these several hundred years!"

The Canglan Sect at once stirred. Tian Buhui, seated below Zhenren Daoyan, knitted his brows. "What does Valley Master Yun mean by that?"