Tian Buyi stood up and looked Lin Jingyu up and down, his expression exceedingly ugly. He said coldly, “Impressive skill! Impressive killing intent!”
Qi Hao said in a low voice to Lin Jingyu, “Junior Brother, hurry and apologize.”
Lin Jingyu was young and proud. His brows drew tight, and he took a step forward, but he addressed Zhang Xiaofan, who stood to the side. “Xiaofan, what happened just now was my fault. I said we were only testing each other’s cultivation, but I did not show proper restraint. I’m sorry.”
Zhang Xiaofan was truly worried for his friend, but could only say, “It’s—it’s nothing.”
Everyone from Dazhu Peak changed expression. The anger in Tian Buyi’s heart grew even fiercer. Suddenly he took a step forward, a flash of red qi sweeping across his face.
Qi Hao’s face changed drastically. Unlike Lin Jingyu, he had been in Qingyun Sect for many years and knew full well that although the Dazhu Peak branch was far weaker than the other six branches, its chief, Tian Buyi, and his wife Su Ru possessed astonishing divine abilities. None of the branches had ever dared look down on them. Before departing, even Cangsong Daoren, who had always looked down on others, had warned him: Tian Buyi was not broad-minded, but his cultivation was extremely high. Moreover, his wife Su Ru was a famous talented woman of Qingyun Sect. Even Sect Leader Daoxuan Zhenren showed the couple some respect, so unless absolutely necessary, he was not to provoke him.
Lin Jingyu, however, knew none of this. But judging by his manner, even if he had known, he likely would not have taken it to heart. At such a young age, his pride was already exceedingly heavy; most likely, it had been fostered by Cangsong Daoren’s excessive favor.
Seeing his attitude only made Tian Buyi angrier. Just as he was about to act, a figure flashed, and Su Ru had already appeared beside her husband. She reached out and held him back, a faint smile on her lips as she said softly, “At your age, making a scene with juniors of the same sect—what would that look like?”
Tian Buyi froze for a moment and stopped. Qi Hao quickly stepped in front of his junior brother and said with an apologetic smile, “Uncle-Master Tian is magnanimous. For the sake of my master, please do not lower yourself to the level of us juniors.”
Seeing that Lin Jingyu had angered his master, Zhang Xiaofan grew anxious. In his eyes, Lin Jingyu, who like him was an orphan of Grass Temple Village, was like his own brother. Now, seeing Qi Hao plead on Lin Jingyu’s behalf, warmth stirred in his heart, and he could not help but run forward and kneel before Tian Buyi. “Master, it is all this disciple’s fault. When I saw Jingyu—no, Senior Brother Lin—come on his sword, I wanted to see his cultivation, so we exchanged blows. Everything was this disciple’s…”
Tian Buyi had already been stifled with gloom, a surge of anger with nowhere to vent, and had forced it down. Qi Hao was one thing, but now Zhang Xiaofan was kneeling before him too, chattering on and on, looking so unbearably foolish that nameless fire rose in his heart. He shouted angrily, “Shut up, you useless thing!”
As he spoke, he swept his sleeve. Zhang Xiaofan felt a fierce wind strike his face, and all at once his body grew light. Wild winds roared around him from front, back, left, right, above, and below, as though all the air around him had vanished. His head grew heavy and his feet light. Then a mighty force like mountains toppling and seas overturning surged toward him, and his entire body flew backward involuntarily, straight into the wall at one side of Shoujing Hall. With a loud bang, he slammed solidly against it and fell down. At once Zhang Xiaofan felt dizzy, his throat sweetened, and with a “wah,” he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Inside Shoujing Hall, everyone froze.
“Father!” Tian Linger was the first to cry out. She rushed over to help Zhang Xiaofan up, and Lin Jingyu almost charged over at the same time. Seeing the bloodstains on Zhang Xiaofan’s chest, anger surged upward. If he himself had been injured, he might not have been so enraged, but seeing Zhang Xiaofan end up like this after pleading for him, Lin Jingyu could no longer restrain himself. He turned and shouted at Tian Buyi, “You short fatty, what are you doing?”
As he spoke, the Dragon-Slaying Sword seemed to sense its master’s thoughts, and its azure light blazed brightly once more.
Tian Buyi’s brows stood on end, as if that “short fatty” had enraged him to the point that smoke was pouring from all seven orifices. With a sweep of his sleeve, he vanished from everyone’s sight with a whoosh.
Qi Hao cried out sharply, “Junior Brother, be careful!”
Lin Jingyu had already been on guard. Now, seeing Tian Buyi’s figure move like a ghost, he immediately summoned the Dragon-Slaying Sword before him, using the azure light of its sword qi to protect his entire body.
But his vision blurred. Tian Buyi’s short, stout body actually treated the fierce streaks of azure light as if they were nothing, and in an instant appeared before him. All the azure sword qi, when still three feet from his body, could not advance another inch. Lin Jingyu’s heart jumped. He saw Tian Buyi glaring at him, almost face-to-face, and panic rose in his heart. He staggered backward several steps. Even so, the Dragon-Slaying Sword did not fall into disorder, remaining suspended horizontally before him to protect its master.
Tian Buyi gave a cold laugh. His right hand shot out, forcing its way directly into the sword qi. A layer of red light rose over his palm, resisting the azure glow, and in the blink of an eye he had seized the Dragon-Slaying Sword in his hand.
Qi Hao immediately rushed into the field and shouted, “Uncle-Master Tian, please show mercy!”
Tian Buyi did not pursue. He allowed Qi Hao to shield Lin Jingyu behind him and merely looked at the Dragon-Slaying Sword in his hand.
By then, nearly all the azure sword qi had dispersed, but the Dragon-Slaying Sword seemed to possess a spirit of its own. In Tian Buyi’s plump hand, its sword light flickered and struggled without cease, reflecting green over half his body, yet it still could not break free.
Tian Buyi raised his eyes and looked forward, saying coldly, “The Dragon-Slaying Sword may indeed be a divine weapon of the Nine Heavens, but that does not mean it is invincible under heaven!” As soon as the words fell, his five fingers suddenly exerted force. As if struck by a heavy blow, the Dragon-Slaying Sword immediately grew obedient and no longer moved. A moment later, the entire sword suddenly flared again with azure sword qi, dazzlingly bright—who knew how many times brighter than when it had been in Lin Jingyu’s hands. Qi Hao cried out involuntarily, “Uncle-Master Tian…” Tian Buyi’s face was as cold as frost. Without another word, his right hand tightly gripping the Dragon-Slaying Sword, he slashed down through the air with force toward Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu. A sharp sound of tearing through the air rang out. In an instant, the piercing whistle rose, and green radiance surged wildly like a mountain, forming a great green pillar of qi as tall as two men. Like furious waves piercing the sky, it shot forth.
Qi Hao clenched his teeth. With both hands, he raised sword incantations. With a clang, a white immortal sword swiftly rose into the air—it was his famed “Ice.”
All this happened in the time it took for a spark to fly. In the blink of an eye, the green sword qi Tian Buyi had released tore through the air and arrived. Shielding Lin Jingyu, Qi Hao retreated several steps. His right hand repeatedly guided the sword incantation, and the Ice Sword flashed with white light. Cold qi surged greatly, and in moments, seven ice walls linked together before the two of them.
Only a series of bangs rang out as the green sword qi slammed into the ice walls. But this was utterly different from when Lin Jingyu’s sword had crashed into an ice wall earlier. This time, the Dragon-Slaying Sword advanced as if splitting bamboo. Amid the cracking sounds of shattering ice, it smashed the seven ice walls to pieces in moments, shards of ice scattering in all directions. Yet the green sword qi did not diminish in the slightest; instead its force grew even fiercer, roaring like an enraged dragon as it charged toward Qi Hao with bared fangs and brandished claws.
Qi Hao’s face turned pale. With nowhere to dodge, he could only exhaust all his strength. His ten fingers moved in succession, and the Ice Sword emitted ten thousand rays of white light, condensing into a shield before him.
Boom! With a tremendous explosion, the green sword qi struck the white light. Although it did not immediately shatter it, it instantly pressed the white radiance backward. Qi Hao’s eyes were wide open as he used every bit of strength in his body, and at last barely managed to hold that seemingly unstoppable green sword qi one foot before him. At that moment, he only felt the green radiance before his eyes flash blindingly, the wind howling with icy sharpness, close enough to touch, as if he were facing a ferocious beast face-to-face. It made one’s hair stand on end.
Before he could steady himself, the surging pressure of the green light pressed down layer upon layer. Qi Hao used all his strength to keep the white light from dispersing, but his feet could no longer hold. Under that tremendous force, he was pushed straight backward.
From the beginning of the exchange until now, Tian Buyi had stood where he was without moving at all. Yet the green sword qi released by the Dragon-Slaying Sword in his hand grew stronger the farther it traveled. Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu were pushed all the way out of Shoujing Hall by that mighty force, and it still continued driving them back. Especially after they left the hall and reached the open ground, the green light blazed even brighter. Wherever it passed, the ground seemed to have been cut by an enormous sharp blade, gouging out a huge trench a foot deep, shocking to behold.
That astonishing green sword qi continued to pour out endlessly from Shoujing Hall, forcing Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu back another full three zhang. By now, the white light before Qi Hao had been compressed to less than half a foot from his body, and his own breathing was ragged, his face turning from red to blue. At some point, both his feet had sunk deep into the earth. A moment later, Qi Hao finally cried out, unable to hold on any longer. The white light vanished, and the Ice Sword was struck skyward by an immense force, slipping out of his control.
Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu were bloodless. They saw the menacing green sword qi rush to their very faces in the blink of an eye. At the instant life and death would be decided, it suddenly stopped, suspended in midair.
Sweat broke out in Qi Hao’s palms, and he did not dare move.
After a short while, the green light seemed to lose control and slowly dispersed.
Clang!
At the sharp ringing sound, the Ice Sword fell back down, stabbing point-first into the ground before the two of them. Qi Hao, his frightened soul only just settling, hurriedly bowed respectfully toward Shoujing Hall and said, “Many thanks to Uncle-Master Tian for showing mercy.”
At his side, Lin Jingyu, seeing that this unimpressive-looking Tian Buyi actually possessed such divine powers, could not help lowering his head.
With a shriek, the sound of something tearing through the air rang out again. The two of them were badly startled, but then saw green light flash as an object flew out from Shoujing Hall. Azure radiance flickered around it—it was the Dragon-Slaying Sword. Shooting through the air, it landed precisely before them and stabbed into the ground, right beside the Ice Sword. The two swords formed a cross, trembling without cease.
“Go!” Tian Buyi’s voice had returned to calm, drifting out from the hall from afar, its coldness plain.
Qi Hao quickly answered. He tugged Lin Jingyu, who was still looking toward the hall, and the two retrieved their respective immortal swords. Not daring to linger, they rode the air and left.
Inside Shoujing Hall, seeing Tian Buyi unleash such thunderous wrath, none of the disciples dared even breathe loudly. This was especially true for Zhang Xiaofan. It was the first time he had witnessed Tian Buyi’s wondrous arts and divine abilities, and he was so full of admiration that he nearly forgot the injury to his chest. In a moment of distraction, he tugged at the wound, and the pain made him cry out “aiya,” baring his teeth in a grimace.
Tian Buyi heard Zhang Xiaofan’s cry of pain and looked over at him. Zhang Xiaofan clenched his teeth, forced himself to endure it, and lowered his head. Tian Buyi looked at him twice but said nothing more, then swept his gaze over the disciples standing in a row to the side.
Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.
Tian Buyi sighed deeply and shook his head slightly. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked toward the rear hall. Su Ru, standing to the side, looked at her husband’s retreating back, then said gently to everyone, “You may withdraw first.”
The disciples answered. Tian Linger stepped forward to help Zhang Xiaofan up, and together with everyone else, they walked out. When all of them had left Shoujing Hall, Su Ru went alone into the rear hall. As soon as she passed through the doorway, she saw Tian Buyi standing on the veranda, staring blankly at the green bamboo in the courtyard.
Su Ru walked over and came to her husband’s side. Softly, she said, “Why did you get so angry today?”
Tian Buyi shook his head slightly. Instead of answering, he asked, “When Linger and Lin Jingyu exchanged blows earlier, Qi Hao condensed ice into a wall to block the Dragon-Slaying Sword. Did you see it clearly?”
Su Ru sighed and said, “He did not summon the Ice Sword.”
Tian Buyi snorted. “At the last Seven Peaks Competition, Qi Hao still had to rely on the power of his immortal sword treasure to form an ice wall. I didn’t expect that after only a few short decades, he would already have cultivated to this level.” At this point, he turned his head and looked at Su Ru. “You were watching from the side just now. What level do you think his cultivation has reached?”
Su Ru said lightly, “When he cast his spells, he was calm and composed, with strength to spare. At the very least, he has already reached the eighth level of the Yuqing realm.”
The corner of Tian Buyi’s mouth moved, as though he wanted to speak but stopped. Su Ru, however, said it for him: “Among the disciples of Dazhu Peak, not one is his match.”
Tian Buyi looked deeply at his wife, then slowly turned his head and gazed at the bamboo filling the garden. As winter drew near, they had all gradually withered and yellowed. Without realizing it, he fell into a daze.
After a long while, he suddenly said, “How is Old Seven?”
Su Ru looked at him, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. “How else could he be? He was beaten until he coughed blood by you, great immortal!”
Tian Buyi seemed to choke for a moment, his short, stout body shifting, but he did not turn back. Indifferently, he said, “Tonight, take a Great Yellow Pill and go see him, so he doesn’t pretend to be dead tomorrow and leave us with no food to eat.”
Su Ru smiled without speaking.
Night fell, and the sky darkened.
Zhang Xiaofan slowly walked back to his quarters and pushed open the door. The monkey Xiao Hui, who had followed behind him the whole way, was the first to charge into the room. Afterward, Dahuang, who after just one day had already become extremely close with Xiao Hui, also followed in. The monkey and dog chased and tussled in the room without end, the sounds of “woof woof woof” and “zhi zhi zhi” rising one after another.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Xiaofan’s mouth. He walked to the table and sat down. His chest still ached faintly, but his mind was filled with all the marvelous techniques and spells Tian Buyi and the others had displayed while fighting. His heart yearned for them endlessly, and he could not help sighing.
“Why are you sighing for no reason?” A gentle, calm voice sounded from the doorway.
Zhang Xiaofan was startled. Looking back, he saw that it was his shiniang, Su Ru, standing at the door. The night breeze blew softly, stirring her clothes into a light dance and moving the tips of her hair. She looked like an immortal maiden. He hurriedly stood and said, “Shiniang.”
Su Ru came before him, placed her hand on his shoulder, and smiled. “It’s all right. Sit.”
Zhang Xiaofan felt overwhelmed by favor and did not dare disobey. He sat down. Su Ru carefully examined his complexion, then reached out to probe his chest. She nodded and said, “Fortunately, it’s nothing serious.” As she spoke, she reached into her robes and took out a small white bottle. From it she poured a golden-yellow pill the size of a fingertip and handed it to Zhang Xiaofan. “Take it.”
Zhang Xiaofan hesitated, then accepted it and swallowed it. A moment later, he felt a warm current first rise from his dantian, then spread to his limbs and the top of his head. His whole body grew warm and very comfortable, and even the faint pain in his chest vanished.
Zhang Xiaofan was both shocked and delighted. He stood and moved his body, and sure enough, everything was as usual. The miraculous effect of the spirit medicine was simply inconceivable. Joy filled his heart, and he hurriedly said to Su Ru, “Thank you, Shiniang.”
Su Ru smiled and nodded. She put away the small bottle, sat down in another chair, and said, “No need to thank me. It was your master who told me to bring you a Great Yellow Pill.”
Zhang Xiaofan froze. “Master… does he not blame me anymore?”
Su Ru looked at him and smiled. “He told me to come see you, so naturally he does not blame you. But I don’t know whether you blame him.”
Zhang Xiaofan jumped in fright and hurriedly said, “No such thing, Shiniang. I would never dare…”
Su Ru raised her hand, stopping Zhang Xiaofan’s words, and said gently, “Xiaofan, listen to a few words from me, all right?”
For no reason, Zhang Xiaofan’s heart suddenly gave a jump. He said softly, “Yes, Shiniang.”
Su Ru said, “During the day, when your master struck you, it was indeed his fault. I saw clearly from the side that as soon as he acted, he regretted it. It is only that his temperament…”
On her gentle face there was a faint layer of pity as she continued, “It is only that he has always been proud and values face very highly. So even if regret arose in his heart, he would not say it aloud. You must not resent him.”
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head and said, “Shiniang, I don’t dare blame Master. I only blame myself for being too stupid and making Master angry.”
Su Ru looked at him and sighed softly. “Actually, this has little to do with you. Cultivating truth and refining the Dao depend on each person’s aptitude. Although diligence can make up for clumsiness, in the end, there is still a gap. Your master understands this in his heart. What troubles him is not this.”
Zhang Xiaofan asked in surprise, “Then what troubles Master?”
Su Ru smiled faintly, a trace of helplessness between her brows. “Talents like Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu have always been something one can encounter but not seek. Yet now, within Qingyun Sect, the Dazhu Peak branch declines day by day. Though your master’s cultivation is high, he is often ridiculed by your senior uncles and junior uncles because of the disciples under him. With his proud nature, it is extremely painful for him. He also worries that after he ascends and departs, the Dazhu Peak branch may never have a day to rise again, and that would make him even more unworthy of the ancestral masters. This heavy burden presses down on his shoulders alone. In truth, his heart suffers greatly.”
Zhang Xiaofan was silent. Su Ru then came back to herself and shook her head with a wry smile. “Honestly, why am I saying all this to a fourteen-year-old child like you?” As she spoke, she stood up and patted his shoulder. “Rest early.”
Zhang Xiaofan answered, “Yes, Shiniang. Take care.”
Su Ru nodded and walked out. Zhang Xiaofan saw her all the way to the door, watched her figure disappear, and only then returned to his room.
But just as he entered, his eyes suddenly brightened. Beside the table, amid the flickering lamplight, stood a graceful woman in red. Her face was like a lotus blossom, her beauty as vivid as peach and plum, incomparable beyond words.
He stared blankly, his heartbeat suddenly quickening, and called out softly, “Senior Sister!”