Chapter 75 — The Third Chapter
劍問蒼天 · Page 3 of 6
Tian Buhui and Su Wan were by now nowhere to be seen, most likely having gone on ahead to Yuheng Hall. But upon the sea of clouds a great many disciples of the eldest branch and the other branches had gathered, and at the sight of Song Dayi and the others arriving, a stir ran through them at once, and many eyes turned toward Zhang Qingyue standing at the rear.
Countless whispers drifted to and fro over the sea of clouds, like the drifting vapor itself.
Song Dayi and Tian Lingsu both kept their faces tight, pretending not to notice the surrounding gazes. After a moment, a man stepped out from the crowd and walked toward the three of them.
Zhang Qingyue looked at him and recognized him: Chang Jian, a disciple of the eldest branch whom he had seen on his last visit to Jietian Peak, and who had crossed swords with Song Dayi at the Seven Branches Martial Gathering.
Song Dayi knew him too. Seeing him approach, he cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Chang, it has been a long while. I trust you are well?"
Chang Jian hurriedly returned the courtesy, but his gaze still flicked a few times toward Zhang Qingyue. Then he said, "Senior Brother Song, Uncle Tian Buhui arrived here a short while ago and instructed me in particular that as soon as the three of you arrived, I was to lead you straight to Yuheng Hall."
Song Dayi nodded. "Then we must trouble you, Senior Brother Chang."
Chang Jian smiled faintly and turned aside. "Then please follow me, all of you."
He led the way, with Song Dayi, Tian Lingsu, and Zhang Qingyue following behind. Through the sea of clouds, through the gazes of countless Qingyun disciples, they came to the edge of the Rainbow Bridge and stepped onto it.
Just then the first ray of morning sunlight reached the world at last, falling softly upon Jietian Peak. In the clear rippling water on either side of the Rainbow Bridge, a beautiful rainbow appeared amid the spreading rings.
Zhang Qingyue drew a deep breath and looked into the distance. The boundless heavens and earth were like an inconceivable vast painting, and he himself was, in the end, no more than a tiny ornament within it.
They walked on, crossing the Rainbow Bridge and coming to the edge of the Jade Pool, where they saw the broad flight of steps leading straight up to Yuheng Hall. Only the Canglan Sect's guardian spirit beast, the Water Qilin, was nowhere to be seen—most likely still in the Jade Pool.
"Dang!..."
From Yuheng Hall atop the peak came another clear ring of bell and cauldron.
Chang Jian smiled at them. "We're almost there. Let's go."
Song Dayi answered, but could not help glancing at Zhang Qingyue, and saw his little junior brother staring blankly at the summit, face without expression.
This place was far quieter than the sea of clouds. Along the way they saw almost no Qingyun disciples. A few young novice Daoists sweeping the path saw Chang Jian and greeted him with palms pressed together.
One step, one stair.
Zhang Qingyue walked slowly upward, climbing higher and higher, yet for some reason he felt his heart sink lower and lower. The closer he came to that ethereal place ahead, the faster his heart beat.
An unknown, nameless tension enveloped him. And what awaited him there?
From Yuheng Hall on Jietian Peak came another distant bell, drifting among the mountain peaks...
At the foot of the Canglan Mountains, in a secluded place, four figures stood side by side—three men and one woman—gazing quietly at the mountain.
After a while, the eldest, the Poison God, suddenly smiled and said, "I never thought that in my lifetime I would return to this place."
The King of the Underworld, standing beside him, smiled faintly. "With you directing matters, Senior, returning here is nothing. In a little while, even standing atop Jietian Peak will be no surprise."