The four of them finally managed to make their way out from the mountain of bat corpses, but by then they were all in an extremely sorry state. Not only were their bodies smeared with filthy, dark-colored fresh blood, even the stench was unbearably foul.
All four were disciples of Qingyun Sect, and ordinarily they were always clean and proper. Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak in particular was naturally fond of cleanliness. For her, the present situation was truly more painful than being cut three times with a blade.
The four hurriedly walked farther away, wanting nothing more than to put as much distance as possible between themselves and that disgusting heap of bat corpses. They walked a long way in one breath until they reached a relatively flat rock. There, they patted down their clothes and tidied themselves for quite some time, but they only managed to brush off some debris. The stains of bat blood and that rotten, fishy stench, however, could not be rid of no matter what they did.
Zhang Xiaofan and the other two men were somewhat better off, but Lu Xueqi’s normally icy face was now even more frosty and snow-cold. She wiped hard at her clothes, rubbing them forcefully, looking as if she would never give up until every last disgusting thing had been removed from her body.
Yet the bloodstains seemed especially sticky and thick. Very soon, Qi Hao, Zeng Shushu, and Zhang Xiaofan all gave up their efforts. Only Lu Xueqi remained pale-faced and unwilling to stop. The three men looked at one another. Even the most experienced among them, Qi Hao, wore a somewhat awkward expression now, not knowing what to say.
Just as the four stood in silence, with only Lu Xueqi frowning as she rubbed at her clothes, several whistling sounds suddenly came from the sky. Everyone looked up and saw four streaks of light flash across the horizon—two yellow, one white, and one blue. A moment later, the four streaks descended before them, and after a burst of flickering light, four figures appeared.
The two on the left were monks. The one standing slightly behind was tall and powerfully built, with thick brows, huge eyes, and a face full of fierce, fleshy lines. He possessed an imposing dignity even without anger; were it not for the kasaya he wore, one might well have mistaken him for a bandit blocking the road to rob passersby. But the other monk standing before him was a young monk a head shorter than he, entirely different in appearance. His skin was fair, his eyes bright, and he wore a moon-white kasaya. He seemed somewhat frail at first glance, yet for some reason no one could bring themselves to look down on him.
The two on the right were a young man and a young woman. The man was handsome, the woman graceful and lovely; standing together, they were extraordinarily well matched, like the golden boy and jade maiden before an immortal’s throne.
These four looked toward the four from Qingyun Sect, and upon seeing the blood and filth covering them, all frowned slightly. The fair-skinned young monk was the first to chant a Buddhist invocation and say, “Amitabha. May I ask if the four benefactors are disciples of Qingyun Sect?”
The four Qingyun disciples exchanged glances. Qi Hao stepped out from among them, returned the greeting, and said, “Indeed. I am Qi Hao. May I ask who you are…”
The young monk smiled faintly and said, “This humble monk is Faxiang of Tianyin Temple. This is my junior brother Fashan. The two beside us are outstanding disciples of Fenxiang Valley, Li Xun and Yan Hong.”
The tall, powerfully built Fashan also offered a greeting in a deep, muffled voice, but Li Xun and Yan Hong of Fenxiang Valley both wore proud expressions. They merely nodded slightly, and that was considered their greeting.
Qi Hao frowned. At once, he ignored the two from Fenxiang Valley and said to Faxiang, “Ah, I have long heard of Senior Brother Faxiang of Tianyin Temple. You are praised by the righteous cultivation world as a talent rarely seen in a thousand years. Seeing you today, your bearing is indeed extraordinary!”
Faxiang smiled faintly and said, “Senior Brother Qi overpraises me. This humble monk is dull and lacking in aptitude. It is only because my honored master Puhong did not abandon me and imparted the true Dharma to me, hoping that I might do some good for all living beings under heaven. I would not dare compare myself to the senior brothers and sisters of Qingyun Sect.”
Qi Hao laughed heartily and waved his hands repeatedly. “Senior Brother Faxiang is too modest. Come, let me introduce my junior brothers and sister to you all.” As he spoke, he introduced Zhang Xiaofan and the others to them. Zhang Xiaofan followed along in exchanging courtesies, but for some reason, he felt that when Qi Hao introduced him, Faxiang’s eyes seemed to brighten slightly, and he looked at him one more time.
By now, Li Xun of Fenxiang Valley, who had been left aside since the conversation began, was wearing a rather unpleasant expression. Once Qi Hao finished the introductions, he suddenly spoke coldly. “Senior Brother Qi, your Qingyun Sect has always regarded itself as the leader of the righteous path, and your Daoist true arts as unequaled under heaven. How is it that, seeing you today, every one of you is in such a miserable state?”
The faces of the four Qingyun disciples all changed. Zhang Xiaofan found his arrogant, nose-in-the-air manner especially unpleasant. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Lu Xueqi had at some point stopped wiping her clothes. Her jade-like face was covered in frost as she looked coldly at the two from Fenxiang Valley, though more of her gaze was locked upon that beautiful woman named Yan Hong.
Qi Hao was, after all, well versed in worldly dealings. Though faint anger stirred in his heart, he quickly recovered and gave a chuckle. “To tell the truth, everyone, I and my three fellow disciples arrived here last night, originally intending to search for the Ten Thousand Bat Ancient Cave. Unexpectedly, we encountered countless bats…”
At this point, the expressions of Faxiang and the other three changed slightly. The tall, burly Fashan widened his eyes and said in a rough voice, “Mm. Those must be the countless beasts inside the Ten Thousand Bat Ancient Cave. Savage and cruel, very difficult to deal with.”
Qi Hao was extremely quick-witted. Hearing this, he immediately knew that the four before them had likely arrived several days earlier and had also encountered these exceedingly troublesome creatures. His thoughts turned rapidly, but then he suddenly heard Zeng Shushu behind him let out a long laugh and step forward. Smiling at Fashan, Zeng Shushu said, “Senior Brother Fashan, from the sound of it, you also encountered those bloodsucking bats?”
Fashan nodded. He seemed to have a straightforward nature. “Yes. There were too many of those bats. We could only retreat.”
Zeng Shushu said, “Ah,” then sighed. “To tell you the truth, we also encountered those bats last night. We originally wanted to eliminate a scourge for the common people. Who would have thought that from morning to night, no matter how much effort we exerted, we simply could not kill them all? In the end, we could only drive those fierce creatures back into the cave. But we ended up covered in filth ourselves. Sigh, shameful, shameful!”
He turned back to look at Qi Hao. The two exchanged a smile and said in unison, “Shameful indeed! Shameful!”
Everyone’s expression changed. The difference was that Li Xun of Fenxiang Valley gave a snort, his face showing disdain. The beautiful woman Yan Hong seemed somewhat shy, but disbelief was also plainly written on her face. Faxiang of Tianyin Temple smiled without speaking, while admiration appeared on Fashan’s face. Zhang Xiaofan, however, was stunned for a moment and glanced at the two men smiling so radiantly.
A moment later, Faxiang smiled and said, “As for the matter of Kongsang Mountain this time, the elders of our three sects intended for us younger disciples to gain experience. Now that everyone has arrived, and since the senior brothers and sister of Qingyun Sect have come from afar and must be tired, why don’t we rest for one day first? Tomorrow morning, we can enter the Ten Thousand Bat Ancient Cave to investigate. What do you think?”
At this, Li Xun, standing nearby, gave a cold snort and said, “Senior Brother Faxiang speaks reasonably. Otherwise, after we go in, someone may start looking for excuses.”
Aside from Zhang Xiaofan, Qi Hao, Zeng Shushu, and Lu Xueqi were all from the renowned Qingyun Sect. Which of them had not been cherished by their respective masters and elders? Which of them did not carry some pride deep in their bones? Qi Hao immediately gave a cold snort and said, “Senior Brother Li Xun is right. Otherwise, with my current weary body, if I have to save you later, I may be powerless to do so!”
Li Xun clearly had not expected that the disciples of Qingyun Sect would each be so proud as well. Born into Fenxiang Valley, he had been valued by his masters and elders since childhood. In cultivation and Daoist arts, among his peers, aside from a scant few, he far surpassed the others of his generation. This had bred in him an arrogant personality that looked down on all. How could he endure such anger? His expression changed at once, and he stared at Qi Hao. “In that case, Senior Brother Qi’s cultivation must far surpass mine. I would very much like to receive some instruction.”
This concerned the face of his sect. Qi Hao straightened and was about to step out when Lu Xueqi suddenly walked out from behind him. She stood gracefully in the center and said coldly, “There is no need to trouble Senior Brother Qi. I will experience Fenxiang Valley’s immortal arts.”
Li Xun suddenly froze. Though Lu Xueqi was covered in blood and filth, the skin on her jade-like face was made to seem even whiter than snow by contrast. Though her expression was cold, within that chill dignity there was a peerless, otherworldly beauty that seemed to look down upon all living beings. He had never seen such a stunning beauty before, and for a moment he was actually dazed.
At the same time, Faxiang of Tianyin Temple stepped out and said with a smile, “Senior brothers and sisters, we came here to investigate the remnants of the Demon Sect. Before we set out, your masters and seniors must surely have instructed you as well. If they were to learn that we let personal feelings rule us here, I fear we would inevitably be punished upon returning. Besides, this was only a minor matter to begin with. Why not have everyone take a step back?”
Li Xun came back to himself, snorted, and raised his head to look at the sky. Though he did not speak, his meaning was quite obvious. Qi Hao, at this moment, thought of the instructions Reverend Daoxuan had given before they left, and he felt somewhat regretful as well. Taking the opportunity to step down, he called from behind, “Junior Sister Lu, Senior Brother Faxiang is right. Let us value harmony.”
Lu Xueqi looked at everyone, gave a snort, and walked back. Seeing Zhang Xiaofan looking at her, her gaze swept once across his face before she went off to one side alone.
After she glanced at him, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly felt a chill in his heart, and an indescribable feeling welled up within him.
Faxiang said again, “In that case, let us descend the mountain first and return tomorrow morning to investigate.”
At this point, naturally no one had any objections. Thus Faxiang led the way, and the others followed him on their swords, arriving at a small hill thirty li from Kongsang Mountain. Unexpectedly, there was even a clear spring here—exactly what the Qingyun disciples needed. Everyone washed up by the water, then found secluded places to change their clothes. Only then did they come out to meet Faxiang and the others again.
Lu Xueqi was a woman and found it less convenient, and the place she chose to change was the farthest away, so she was the last to emerge. When everyone looked over, they saw that after washing and tidying herself, she appeared radiant. To her original pure beauty, several degrees of delicate charm had unexpectedly been added. At once, everyone’s eyes lit up. Needless to say, Zeng Shushu, Li Xun, and the others’ eyes shone; even Yan Hong of Fenxiang Valley, who had remained silent all along, looked at her several more times.
The eight “outstanding” disciples of the three great righteous sects of the present age sat in a circle and began to talk. Only then did Zhang Xiaofan learn from Faxiang and the others that the bats inside Kongsang Mountain’s Ten Thousand Bat Ancient Cave were a strange breed once raised by the Demon Sect. Savage and cruel, fond of drinking blood, they had originally been accomplices of the Demon Sect. After the Demon Sect’s stronghold in this place was destroyed eight hundred years ago, a small number of bats remained. Over the long years, they had actually multiplied and flourished, becoming the enormous swarm of today. Whenever they went out to hunt, they left the five hundred li around this place completely devoid of human habitation.
However, these bats seemed to fear sunlight, so they were active only at night and roosted in the Ten Thousand Bat Ancient Cave during the day. Last night, the Qingyun disciples had happened upon them by coincidence. If they went up the mountain during the day, there should be no trouble.
Hearing this, Zeng Shushu frowned and asked Faxiang, “Senior Brother Faxiang, since those beasts are all inside the Ten Thousand Bat Ancient Cave, how are we supposed to go in and investigate?”
Faxiang hesitated for a moment and said, “According to this humble monk’s observations over the past few days, those beasts merely hang upside down from the roof of the ancient cave during the day and do not move about. Perhaps we may be able to enter after all.”
Zeng Shushu was rendered speechless. Zhang Xiaofan could not help saying, “Then that means Senior Brother Faxiang isn’t certain either. If those fellows see us entering the cave and rush at us, what are we supposed to do?”
Faxiang looked toward him. There seemed to be some faint light flickering in his eyes, but his manner remained gentle. “That is indeed the case. This humble monk is not completely certain either. But since our sects have given us this task, we must go and do it. We might as well give it a try. At worst, we can retreat. Today, I and Junior Brother Fashan, as well as the two benefactors from Fenxiang Valley, originally intended to go in and investigate. I did not expect to encounter all of you. This is good as well; with more people, we can better look after one another.”
“Hmph.” It was Li Xun off to the side, giving another cold snort. The four Qingyun disciples looked at him at the same time. Li Xun, however, showed not the slightest fear. Only when he saw Lu Xueqi’s gaze turn toward him did his expression change somewhat.
Qi Hao ignored him and turned to Faxiang. “There is one more matter on which I would like to ask Senior Brother Faxiang’s guidance.”
Faxiang said, “Please speak, Senior Brother Qi.”
Qi Hao said, “Three months ago, Xiao Yicai, Senior Brother Xiao, the chief disciple of Qingyun Sect, came here ahead of us. Do any of you know where he is now?”
Faxiang shook his head. “We arrived here together with the two benefactors from Fenxiang Valley and have not seen Senior Brother Xiao.”
Qi Hao frowned and fell into silent thought.
※※※
The next day, just as the morning sun began to rise, Zhang Xiaofan and the other seven arrived on Kongsang Mountain. They saw that the entire mountain was desolate, strewn everywhere with sand and stones. On such a vast mountain, not even ordinary birdsong could be heard. Presumably, the birds had either long since become snacks for those vicious bats, or had already migrated away from this peak.
Faxiang and the others had arrived several days earlier and had already found the location of the Ten Thousand Bat Ancient Cave. The group followed them cautiously all the way and finally reached the cave entrance.
This was a huge cavern halfway up the mountain, situated on the shaded side away from the sun, sloping slightly downward. Only the entrance held a little light; farther inside was utter darkness. Standing five or six zhang away from the entrance, everyone could already feel gusts of cold wind blowing out from within the cave. As it brushed across their faces, the chill seeped to the bone. At the same time, faint rustling sounds drifted out, like whispers, like ghosts weeping, making their scalps tingle.
Qi Hao looked at the cave a few more times, then turned back and forced a smile. “In that case, let us go in.”
Everyone was silent. Faxiang nodded and said, “Indeed. But the dangers within this cave are unpredictable. Everyone had best prepare your immortal artifacts, just in case.”
This concerned life and death, so no one dared be careless. Each took their magic treasure in hand. When Li Xun, Yan Hong, and the two monks of Tianyin Temple saw Zhang Xiaofan take out a blackened fire poker, they all froze, their expressions stunned. Zhang Xiaofan’s face reddened, and he felt quite embarrassed. Fortunately, at that moment, beneath the blue glow of Lu Xueqi’s Tianya, she said coldly, “Let’s go.” With that, she was the first to walk toward the pitch-black cave. The others hurriedly followed, thus saving him from his embarrassment.
Just as they were about to enter the cave, and the cold wind grew ever more chilling, Faxiang seemed to draw closer to Zhang Xiaofan intentionally or unintentionally. Zhang Xiaofan sensed it and smiled at him. Faxiang returned the smile and said in a low voice, “Junior Brother Zhang, there are dangers ahead. You may follow behind me.”
Zhang Xiaofan was startled, but Faxiang had already walked into the darkness. For a moment, he had no time to think further. Seeing that everyone else had entered the cave, he hurriedly followed.
He had only just stepped into the cavern and walked a few paces when Zhang Xiaofan suddenly felt his foot sink into something soft, and his whole body dipped downward. He was greatly alarmed, but fortunately he only sank to his ankle before stopping. By now, everyone was within the darkness, but each had summoned their magic treasures and immortal artifacts, which gave off streams of glowing light. Zhang Xiaofan looked down at his feet, and his face immediately turned bitter. What he was stepping on was actually an extremely thick layer of bat droppings. The stench was bad enough, but his foot was sunk inside it as well. The discomfort was beyond description. He looked up and saw that most of the others wore similar expressions. The two women in particular, Lu Xueqi and Yan Hong of Fenxiang Valley, had their brows tightly furrowed and their faces pale.
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head and forced himself to calm down. Once everyone grew somewhat accustomed to the environment, they continued walking inward. At this time, the rustling sounds that seemed like demons whispering grew louder as well, as though they came from far away, yet also seemed to be right beside them. In front, behind, left, and right—everywhere.
After they walked another three or four zhang, Qi Hao, who was at the very front, suddenly said in a low voice, “Wait!”
Everyone immediately stopped. Qi Hao’s Ice immortal sword slowly rose, its light gradually brightening. As it illuminated more of the cavern ahead, everyone instantly held their breath.
This was an enormous cave. The cave roof was extremely high above the ground. Under the white light of the Ice immortal sword, everyone was shocked to see that from the top of the cavern hung countless black bats, densely packed together, so thick that the rock of the cave ceiling could scarcely be seen at all. That “rustling” sound was produced by these beasts rubbing against one another and murmuring softly.
In the darkness, the bats touched by the white light seemed to sense unease. One after another, they began to move, but they did not fly up. Instead, they crawled along the rock with their claws toward the darkness; some simply clung to the bodies of their own kind. Those gaping mouths with fangs, made all the more terrifying in the darkness, were enough to chill the heart.
Everyone did not even dare breathe loudly. After they paused for a while, they all realized that although the light was particularly conspicuous in the darkness, these bats indeed seemed to show no sign of attacking. Upon discovering this, everyone relaxed slightly. Faxiang said in a low voice, “Fortunately, this humble monk’s judgment was not wrong. Everyone, let us continue forward.”
The group turned and once again walked toward the depths of this terrifying ancient cave, toward the still deeper darkness ahead. As they proceeded, the bat droppings beneath their feet grew thicker and thicker. Under the white glow of the Ice immortal sword, the bats on the cave ceiling seemed endless, growing ever more numerous. Sharp fangs and pointed teeth, low murmurs and whistles, all surrounded them. Were the eight of them not all versed in the immortal arts of the righteous path and firm of will, any ordinary person would surely have gone mad.
In this manner, no one knew how long they walked. Zhang Xiaofan was in the middle of the group, while Faxiang had remained in front of him the whole time. Looking at the young monk ahead, whose moon-white monk’s robe had also been stained here and there with filth, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly thought of Puzhi.
That person deep in his memories—had he come from the same place as this monk before him?
Ahead, Qi Hao suddenly gave a soft cry. “Ah!”
Before Zhang Xiaofan could react, he suddenly felt something different beneath his feet. It was actually as if his foot had stepped onto solid ground.