Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Gusu City, Shantang Street.

In a secluded alley, there lay a quiet little courtyard.

Low, muffled roars echoed from the backyard; following the sound, one could see sticky emerald liquid splattered everywhere, and bits of leathery skin scattered all around.

”Daoist Fire Technique… good… good…”

In a pool of water, Shi Shougong was soaking in ice-cold water, mist constantly rising from the top of his head. Even though he had shed layer after layer of skin, the searing pain still lingered undiminished.

”You’ve encountered a true master.”

At this moment, Su Shiyu came over, her gaze sharp as a blade, surveying the scene of chaos, finally settling on the disheveled Shi Shougong.

”If only you had arrived half a day earlier, you would have witnessed…”

Shi Shougong gritted his teeth, the scorched marks left by Infinite’s finger were vaguely visible on his neck.

”The Daoists of Lao Mountain are not easy to handle. I barely escaped with my life.” Su Shiyu shook her head.

In truth, if she hadn’t encountered Zhang Fan on the high-speed train, she might have truly been doomed.

This was her fortune, and her fate.

”You are gravely injured.” Su Shiyu’s voice was heavy.

Roar…

Shi Shougong released a breath, a wave of heat surging forth, so much so that the icy water in the pool began to warm.

”Daoist Fire Technique, remarkable indeed—Inner Guide of True Yang, External Heart Demon…” Shi Shougong grit his teeth, ”I never expected such a master to exist within the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance.”

To master the Daoist Fire Technique, one had to belong to the Profound Sect; such a figure, even within the Daoist Alliance, would be outstanding, certainly no minor character.

”If only you had come half a day earlier, you and I together, perhaps…”

Before Shi Shougong could finish, his face suddenly twitched; he spat a mouthful of fresh blood onto the ground, steam rising from it.

”Even Daoist Fire Technique shouldn’t have injured you this badly.” Su Shiyu frowned slightly.

He knew Shi Shougong’s former self was a jade-eyed dragon lizard from Fulang Mountain, which had cultivated into a spirit monster, seized a body and transformed into a demon. Within him lay a vermillion birthmark that sealed the former body’s Pure Yin Essence, ice-cold and supremely gentle, which should counter Daoist Fire Techniques.

”Even your vermillion mark can’t suppress this fire?” Su Shiyu couldn’t help but ask.

”That boy is strange—I have no idea what sort of fire technique he’s cultivating.” In Shi Shougong’s mind, Zhang Fan’s figure flickered, filling him with deep wariness.

”Once traversed three thousand tribulations in the heavens, wandered the mortal world five hundred years. Sword at his hip, radiating violet lightning; pill fire within, giving rise to blue smoke…”

At that moment, a faint, ethereal voice lingered in the air, haunting and mesmerizing.

”That young man’s fire technique bears Pure Yang True Intent; Crimson Fire Conceals the Sword Edge—which gives him such fierce might.”

As the words faded, a woman walked in, looking only in her thirties. Her lips were rosy, teeth white, skin as smooth as jade; her figure was graceful and alluring, striding in black lacquered high heels, every step exuding charm.

”Aunt Yun.” Upon seeing her, Su Shiyu called out.

”Pure Yang True Intent!? That boy inherited Ancestor Lv’s dharma lineage?” Shi Shougong’s expression changed abruptly.

Ancestor Lv of Pure Yang is regarded as the most renowned Immortal among the common folk. Born in the Tang Dynasty, by fate stepped onto the Daoist Immortal path, cultivated Infinite Pure Yang, attained the level of an Earthly Immortal, and was revered by Quanzhen Dao as one of the Northern Five Ancestors. His Divine Techniques and spiritual power are legendary within the Daoist world.

Back then, Ancestor Lv left but a single magic sword embedded in the cliff wall of South Spirit Palace on Zhenwu Mountain; it became a famed scenic spot, attracting countless tourists each year.

The Zhenwu Mountain souvenir replicas of Ancestor Lv’s magic sword sell over 800,000 pieces annually.

”Aunt Yun, do you know that boy’s background?” Shi Shougong asked in a low voice.

”His origins reach higher than the heavens; it’s beyond what you two could grasp.” The beautiful woman called Aunt Yun responded indifferently.

”I simply didn’t expect him to have come to Gusu as well. All the better for me.”

At these words, Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu exchanged glances and fell silent.

Though they served under the banner of the Wuwei Sect, they knew all too well its tangled roots, and the abundance of masters hidden within.

The most mysterious among them were the Mountain Gate Guardians known as the Thirteen Zodiacs; apart from that, the Wuwei Sect had other experts, each with their own faction and vast influence…

Throughout history, save for the Master of the School of Non-action, almost no one had been capable of mobilizing the entire Wuwei Sect at once.

”Aunt Yun, what on earth did the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance transport here to Gusu City for all this trouble?”

At that moment, Shi Shougong spoke; he already understood that Zhang Fan’s group were merely a diversion, the real item was not in their possession.

”That’s none of your concern.” The beautiful woman shook her head.

”That object is already at the Observatory of Profound Mystery… For now, you’ll remain here; without my orders, do not act rashly.”

With that, the beautiful woman turned and left the courtyard.

Watching her gradually vanish, Su Shiyu’s eyes darkened, a strange expression flickered across her face.

”The human heart is as monstrous as a demon… These Daoist folk are not to be trusted.”

Just then, Shi Shougong’s voice pulled Su Shiyu from her thoughts.

”Since ancient times, righteous and evil cannot coexist; the Daoist sects regard us as demons… Since the first Breaking Mountains and Attacking Temples, the world’s demons and ghosts have all submitted to Non-action…”

Su Shiyu spoke softly, her voice low and somber.

”Such has always been the rule. But for them, we have no one else to rely upon.”

Long before the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family launched the first Breaking Mountains and Attacking Temples, the Wuwei Sect’s influence stretched across the land, widely receiving incense offerings, sheltering Mountain and Sea Demons and Ghosts, famed for accepting all without discrimination.

Since then, every demon born was, in large part, courted by the Wuwei Sect.