Chapter 127: First Encounter, A Bitter Beginning

Chapter 127: First Meeting, Unpleasant (Part One)

"It's the people from Wanman Mountain."

"How has Xue Fenglou managed to cultivate so quickly? He’s already in the late stage of the Dao Embryo realm."

"The nerve of this guy, looking down on the rest of us."

Low murmurs echoed from the factions that had arrived earlier. Some were astonished, while others were indignant.

Hearing that the people from Wanman Mountain had arrived, Fang Junmei couldn't help but take a closer look. The man in gold robes was, without question, the notorious Xue Fenglou.

He appeared to be a lecherous and shallow character. Upon arrival, his eyes swept greedily over the female cultivators, lingering particularly on Ji Hongzhu’s graceful figure.

"Sister Hongzhu, we at Wanman Mountain have a few insights into the arts of dual cultivation. After this trip to the secret realm is over, why don't you and I find a moment to spar?"

He spoke of carnal matters in public without a shred of shame.

A chorus of hisses erupted from the female cultivators of the righteous path, many of whom flushed with embarrassment.

"That’s only if you manage to come out alive first!"

Ji Hongzhu’s bright red lips curled slightly. She showed no anger; in fact, her expression only became more alluring.

"Hahahaha—"

Xue Fenglou let out a wild, cackling laugh. His voice was filled with boundless arrogance. Unless he was a complete madman, he must possess truly formidable skills.

"Also, if you have even half a disgusting insect on you, don't even think about coming within ten paces of me," Ji Hongzhu added.

Hearing this, many cultivators burst into laughter, their voices laced with mockery.

The disciples of Wanman Mountain, however, cast dark, menacing glances.

Xue Fenglou, possessing a deep sense of cunning, was unfazed. After a smiling nod, he and his group moved closer toward the direction of the Wild Fox Nunnery.

The elders did not intervene in the squabbles of the younger generation; they merely watched with strange, knowing smiles. A new era was perhaps on the horizon, and such verbal sparring was an essential form of tempering.

...

On the Daoist side, all four sects had arrived. On the Demonic side, only the Jedi Sword Palace was missing.

The time had not yet come, so everyone could only wait.

Thinking that Long Jinyi might appear, Yang Xiaoman and Linghu Jinjiu couldn't help but feel expectant. As for Fang Junmei, he was even more eager to see this senior brother he had never met with his own eyes.

Tianfeng Daoist and the others, however, were growing anxious. Among all the old fellows, the one they were counting on most was Gu Xijin, who had yet to show up.

Silently, the elders exchanged glances.

Within the valley, a constant buzzing sound filled the air. The younger generation, rarely getting the chance for such a grand gathering, were chatting fervently—some engaging in verbal duels with old rivals, others searching for old friends to team up for the treasure hunt.

According to Tianfeng Daoist, the Bottomless Light Realm would open at the stroke of midnight tonight, and the window would only last for the duration of a tea break. If they missed it, they would have to wait another thousand years.

Time slipped away.

Dusk fell, and the sky gradually darkened. In these mountains, the world seemed to grow dark much faster than in other places.

Fortunately, the weather was clear. A bright moon and a sky full of stars illuminated the wilderness.

Half a tea break later, the elders were the first to notice something, and they all turned in unison toward the same direction. The younger generation, sensing the shift, followed suit.

Under the moonlight, a long, curved black shadow streaked across the sky, beginning its descent toward them.

"The people from the Jedi Sword Palace have finally arrived," someone whispered.

Fang Junmei caught the remark. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he focused on the approaching vessel. He first saw the elders standing at the prow and the seemingly profound Wu Zixu.

Yang Xiaoman and the others had never described Long Jinyi’s appearance to Fang Junmei, but the moment he saw Wu Zixu, he shook his head slightly. This guy was definitely not Long Jinyi.

He couldn't quite explain why—it was pure intuition. He saw none of the aura of an extraordinary man in Wu Zixu.

Whoosh!

The black sword-ship drew closer.

After another dozen breaths, Fang Junmei’s gaze traveled from the prow to the stern, and he suddenly stiffened.

At the stern, a man in black armor and a silver-white cloak was looking right at him. Without a second’s hesitation, their eyes locked.

It’s him! It’s really him!

Both thought the same thing simultaneously.

This was Fang Junmei’s first time seeing Long Jinyi. The man felt like a fusion of a demon and a god; he possessed both a resolute, calm side and a wild, demonic nature that could stir one’s blood. These two unique temperaments were woven together within him.

That extraordinary presence was a match for Gu Xijin’s refined dominance.

As for what Long Jinyi was thinking upon seeing Fang Junmei, only he knew. His deep, piercing eyes seemed as if they could see right through Fang Junmei.

A moment later, the corners of his mouth curled slightly, and he gave no further reaction.

He glanced at Yang Xiaoman.

He glanced at Linghu Jinjiu.

His expression remained unchanged, but he quietly sent a telepathic message to greet them.

Seeing that Fan Lanzhou had not come, he was naturally somewhat disappointed, and the absence of Gu Xijin made him lose interest further.

The excitement of Yang Xiaoman and Linghu Jinjiu went without saying.

...

After the black sword-ship landed beside Wanman Mountain, the group disembarked.

The strength of the Jedi Sword Palace was among the top two of the nine great sects. Their arrival naturally drew everyone’s attention. It was only then that most people, including some disciples of the Taoyuan Sword Sect, learned that Long Jinyi had defected to the Jedi Sword Palace, and they couldn't help but be shocked.

"Long Jinyi, that guy, betrayed the sect?"

"And he joined the Jedi Sword Palace?"

"Besides the Jedi Sword Palace, who else is worth him defecting to, and who else would dare withstand the wrath of the Taoyuan Sword Sect?"

"Regardless, he will carry the name of a traitor for the rest of his life. Hmph, that guy’s reputation is ruined."

Low murmurs rose in waves.

The members of the Taoyuan Sword Sect wore the darkest expressions.

Not to mention the elders, even those like Yue Yu and Fang Henqiu, who had been soundly defeated by Long Jinyi in the past and were already on bad terms with him, now felt a sense of humiliation brought on by his presence. Their sharp glares seemed as if they wanted to pierce right through him.

Once the Jedi Sword Palace members arrived, they exchanged pleasantries with the other sects. Long Jinyi stood alone at the back of the crowd, hands behind his back.

His expression was calm, and he greeted no one, as if he were trying to merge into the darkness.

In truth, he was currently speaking telepathically with Yang Xiaoman and Linghu Jinjiu.

Fang Junmei, being sensitive, guessed as much from the changes in their eyes and chose not to interrupt.

...

After a tea break had passed, seeing that Yang Xiaoman and Linghu Jinjiu’s expressions had calmed, Fang Junmei sent a telepathic message to Long Jinyi: "Greetings, Senior Brother."

Long Jinyi looked at him once more. Their gazes met in mid-air.

"You don't have to call me Senior Brother," Long Jinyi’s voice was unnaturally calm. "Before I left Immovable Peak, you hadn't even joined the sect. Whoever joined after that has nothing to do with me."

"If that’s the case, why did you have Senior Sister Xiaoman bring that jade slip to me?" Fang Junmei asked, a smile in his eyes. He felt no resentment; he had always been broad-minded.

"That’s because Xiaoman sang your praises to the heavens, saying you would one day surpass me and Gu Xijin. I decided to be generous and grant you a chance to chase after me."

Long Jinyi’s voice carried an air of indifference, laced with a hint of disdain.

Fang Junmei’s eyes lit up with a sharp gleam. He was silent for a moment before replying, "If you are trying to provoke me, I think it’s unnecessary. My Dao Heart is as firm as a rock, and I will definitely surpass both you and Gu Xijin!"

Although he said this, he didn't realize he had been provoked; he was still young, after all.

"Very good!" Long Jinyi said nonchalantly. "Since that’s the case, once we enter the secret realm, no matter what danger we encounter, I may save Xiaoman and Linghu, but I will not save you. Tread carefully. Since you dared to come, you must be prepared to die!"

Fang Junmei had originally intended to thank Long Jinyi, but after a few words, his pride was stirred, and he felt deeply displeased. He gave a cold snort and said no more.

Yang Xiaoman and Linghu Jinjiu heard the snort and looked at him and Long Jinyi with strange expressions.

Long Jinyi, on the other side, smiled even more deeply and stopped looking at Fang Junmei.

...

There were about two hours left, and everyone continued to wait.

At this moment, the most anxious ones were undoubtedly the members of the Taoyuan Sword Sect, as Gu Xijin still hadn't appeared.

Time continued to tick away.

Half an hour later, with the opening of the secret realm drawing near, the sound of air being torn apart suddenly rang out. Tianfeng Daoist and Tianzhu Daoist shot into the sky toward the horizon.

Before anyone knew what was happening, an explosive sound echoed from the distance.

Soon, Tianfeng Daoist and Tianzhu Daoist vanished from sight, and the thunderous sounds of a great battle erupted in the direction they had gone. Ten breaths later, it fell silent again, as if the battle had ended as quickly as it began.

A moment later, three figures emerged from the horizon.

Besides Tianfeng Daoist and Tianzhu Daoist, the other person was Gu Xijin, whom the Taoyuan Sword Sect had been waiting for.

Gu Xijin looked unusually miserable today. His golden robes were mostly in tatters, blood stains seeped through, his long hair was disheveled, his expression was dark, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

Judging by his appearance, it was clear that Gu Xijin had been pursued all the way here.

"Xijin!"

"How are your injuries?"

"Senior Brother, who did this?"

The members of the Taoyuan Sword Sect rushed forward in a swarm, surrounding Gu Xijin.

Gu Xijin waved his hand. Once he touched the ground, he immediately sat down to meditate, not even bothering to glance at his old rival, Long Jinyi.

The others formed a protective circle around him.

The buzzing in the valley ceased almost instantly. Everyone was watching them.

...

On the Taoyuan Sword Sect’s side, Tianfeng Daoist checked Gu Xijin’s injuries, exchanged looks with Tianzhu Daoist and the others, and then swept his cold, stern gaze toward the other eight sects.

"Everyone, if the person who pursued Xijin has any connection to you, the Taoyuan Sword Sect will not let this matter rest!"