Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Ten years ago, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

Late at night.

At the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain!!

Deep in the mountains, the blaze sends up wolf smoke, the vast night shrouded in thunder, in the distance several glimmers of spiritual light flicker, hidden within the rising mist.

”That the dignified Human Xiao would die just like this—it’s truly like a dream.”

The aged voice echoed through the night as a gaunt figure fixed his gaze on the distance.

”So many masters gathered at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain—if none can hold her, then she really has reached the heavens.”

Under the moon, Lou Hechuan held an antique earthen jar, surrounded by lit candles; both hands formed seals, his entire spirit focused on the corpse lying before him, long since bereft of life.

”Master Xuanji, this time, if you hadn’t summoned the Dragon and Tiger Seal, even you may not have been able to subdue the Human-shaped Primordial Spirit Fragment.” Lou Hechuan spoke without turning his head.

”Hurry up, if you delay any longer, someone else will find us.” Master Xuanji’s eyes concealed a glimmer, quietly fixated on that corpse beneath the moonlight.

When the snipe and clam fought, the fisherman benefited; so many experts battling in chaos, yet the body of Human Xiao unexpectedly landed in his hands. Only in this empty interval could he perform Daoist Skill and imprison the remnant Primordial Spirit Fragment.

”To think, the leader of the Thirteen Zodiacs, the illustrious Human Xiao, turns out to be a beautiful young girl.”

Master Xuanji exhaled a coarse breath, seated upon a great bluestone some distance away; he unfastened the gourd from his waist, uncorked the wooden stopper, then tilted back his head to drink in large gulps, his throat emitting a series of ”gudong gudong” sounds.

”The Thirteen Zodiacs are Guardians of the Wuwei Sect, shrouded in mystery since ancient times. The identity of Human Xiao is always incomparably enigmatic.” Lou Hechuan intoned gravely.

”Their Primordial Spirits are equally mysterious; if not for your Observatory of Profound Mystery still concealing this Dragon and Tiger Seal, I too might not have kept hold of this spirit fragment.”

”Keeping this Primordial Spirit Fragment will be a trouble for you.” Master Xuanji raised his eyes for a fleeting glance, then shook his head in a sigh.

”Ever since the great Daoist Sect tribulation, Dragon Tiger Mountain Zhang Family’s incense was severed, and the rise of the Wuwei Sect is only a matter of time...” Lou Hechuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

”Ten years... I’d wager it won’t take ten years for the Wuwei Sect to seize dominance. With this thing, heh, in the turmoil of a chaotic world, we too can seize the initiative.”

As he spoke, Lou Hechuan’s gaze remained unwavering, fixed upon the ancient clay jar before him.

”There is something that weighs on my mind...”

”The Grand Spirit King... that youth who forged the Divine Demon Holy Embryo—what exactly is his relation to Human Xiao? Why are they entangled together?”

As he spoke, Master Xuanji set down his gourd, then spewed a mouthful of fresh blood.

”You fought with him?” Lou Hechuan’s hands momentarily paused as he asked.

”Divine Demon Holy Embryo... Divine Demon Holy Embryo... no wonder it’s the most fearsome entity under heaven...”

Master Xuanji’s gaze drooped, landing on his own left leg, which was dark and sinister as if scorched by some force—the flesh shriveled so that the bone was visible beneath, now pitch black.

”He is very strange... the seals of Dragon Tiger Mountain have no effect on him...” Master Xuanji gritted out.

At these words, Lou Hechuan fell instantly silent. After a long pause, he spoke quietly.

”Seventy years have passed since the Daoist Sect tribulation. The Great Spirit Sect King... he is the only one who entered the mountain gate and retreated whole...”

”Perhaps... the blood of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Zhang Family runs in his veins.”

”That’s impossible.” Master Xuanji frowned, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

”After the Daoist Sect tribulation, the Zhang Family at Dragon Tiger Mountain has neither revived its incense nor survived these many years—how could someone suddenly reappear...”

”It doesn’t matter anymore... none of it matters anymore...”

Lou Hechuan’s gaze was deep as Spirit Valley, the light and shadows illusory.

Tonight, at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain, were both the various Daoist sects and the experts of Wuwei—the dragon and snake rose, heroes vied for supremacy, blood and banners flowed, corpses littered the wilds.

”Such slaughter—none can escape the heavens alive.”

Lou Hechuan looked at the towering Dragon Tiger Mountain, then at the gruesome blood-red moon hanging high, as if hearing mournful songs circling his ears.

Weng...

Within the Observatory of Profound Mystery, Master Xuanji stared at the flickering candle, memories of bygone days surfaced as light and shadows, flashing and fading within the swirling aura.

”Master... Master...”

Just then, a gentle call dragged Master Xuanji’s thoughts from the dust-laden past.

”What is it?” Master Xuanji picked up the gourd on the table, pulled out the wooden stopper, and took a gentle sip.

”Master...” Zhong Changming looked at Master Xuanji, wanting to speak but hesitating, and finally opened his mouth.

”Since last night when you answered Transcendent Zhenren’s call, you’ve appeared... quite uneasy...”

Zhong Changming was Master Xuanji’s eldest disciple, following him since childhood; thus, there were few taboos in what he asked.

He knew that Master Xuanji, in his youth, once traveled to Zhenwu Mountain and cultivated there for a time.

In those days, Transcendent Zhenren was already renowned across the realm. In the battle at Mangdang Mountain, five of the elder Thirteen Zodiacs perished at his hands; for that reason, the young Master Xuanji regarded him as an idol, frequently sought his advice, and in time, a bond was formed.

So many years have passed, flowers blooming and falling, old friends of that era gradually faded, making such ties ever more precious.

That call last night, to Zhong Changming’s mind, was merely two old friends catching up.

Yet after that call, Master Xuanji seemed distracted; for a cultivator, wandering thoughts and divided spirit is no ordinary matter.

”Master, has something happened?” Zhong Changming could not help but ask.

”It’s nothing...” Master Xuanji waved a hand.

”Why would Transcendent Zhenren call you so late—what did he want?”

”He asked me some things.” Master Xuanji’s eyes were dark and deep, his aged face betraying no hint of emotion.

”Things? What things?” Zhong Changming blurted, a hint of worry in his gaze.