Ming Lan’s soft and gentle voice rang out at this critical moment. In the void, Tu Du’s shapeless claws froze and then dissipated into thin smoke.
“Master Ming also knows it’s a joke? Hmm, little monk Zheng Yan must know too. Only this trash from the Thousand Spirit Gate doesn’t understand… Dealing with corpses for so long, his brain must have been tainted by corpse poison!”
As he spoke, he burst into laughter. Only then did the surrounding people finally get a clear look at him.
The infamous Tu Du, who had terrorized Cliff City for over a century, did not disappoint. Standing before them was a thin old man in his fifties, with barely any flesh on his bones. However, no one dared to underestimate him, because under the sunlight, his body appeared translucent. The black robe draped over him seemed more like a layer of black smoke, swirling eerily around him.
Those without knowledge would scream, “A ghost in broad daylight!” while those who understood would murmur in shock, “A Yin Spirit roaming in the day,” feeling even more frightened than the ignorant.
Ming Lan remained the calmest among them, her eyes fixed on the Yin Spirit that straddled the boundary between the visible and invisible. Her ever-smiling face, with soft wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and forehead, only made her appear more amiable:
“After so many years apart, Elder Tu still seems as spirited as ever. It’s quite reassuring.”
However, before Tu Du could respond, the monk Zheng Yan cut in, “It’s not just ‘spirited as ever’—Elder Tu’s body is in excellent condition. Truly something to celebrate!”
Tu Du narrowed his old eyes. “Little monk, are you mocking me?”
Zheng Yan smiled faintly, but with his venomous appearance, that smile was far from pleasant. “What’s wrong? Is Elder Tu’s body still the same as before? Cliff City to Sky Rift Valley is over 20,000 miles away. If a Yin Spirit wanders too long outside its body, wouldn’t that be troublesome?”
This wasn’t concern; it was clearly a vicious curse.
Tu Du had an extremely peculiar temper. He had earlier quarreled with a child of eight or nine, but now, facing Zheng Yan, he was unusually calm. “Good, very good.”
The Yin Spirit wavered slightly in the void, its expression somewhat blurred, but its voice remained clear. “The little monk is quite clever. Pass along my regards to Master Yixin. He’s quite the talent, raising such a fine disciple. I’m truly envious!”
The emphasis on “raising” was heavy, causing Zheng Yan’s face to twitch twice before he fell silent. Ming Lan glanced at him casually but said nothing more.
Seeing Zheng Yan’s unpleasant expression, Tu Du laughed again, his Yin Spirit stirring the air, causing a sharp, ear-piercing sound. Then, with exaggerated formality, he waved his sleeve and “walked” between Ming Lan and Zheng Yan. As they brushed past, a cold chill emanated from him, but Ming Lan continued to smile indifferently, while Zheng Yan frowned and stepped back a foot to avoid direct contact.
It was only at this point that the disciples of the Thousand Spirit Gate, who had been paralyzed by Tu Du’s overwhelming presence, finally came to their senses. The closest ones rushed forward, and a leader among them bowed to Ming Lan and Zheng Yan without speaking, before instructing his companions to carry the unconscious Cheng Rong and Ninth Miss away. They summoned a blood eagle from the sky, placed the two on its back, and left in shame and haste.
On the other side, Huang Tai’s face had turned grim the moment Tu Du appeared.
As Tu Du approached, his fear spread uncontrollably. Behind him, his household guards knelt down, making him appear like a wooden post standing alone.
In the end, Tu Du said nothing to him, merely letting out a cold, eerie chuckle before turning away. The guards knew well enough to follow quickly, and Huang Tai moved too, his face ashen, completely devoid of color.
Once both groups had gone, only Ming Lan, Zheng Yan, and their attendants remained, leaving the surroundings much emptier.
At this moment, Ming Lan suddenly spoke, “Little monk, what do you think?”
“Why is Master Ming speaking in the same tone as that old thing!”
Zheng Yan’s face had recovered considerably by now. He muttered a complaint and then snickered, “I was too caught up in the moment. What was Master Ming asking?”
Ming Lan shot him a sideways glance, helpless against the monk who looked cold on the outside but was slippery inside. She merely asked, “I was asking for your thoughts on Elder Tu’s arrival at Sky Rift Valley.”
Zheng Yan’s response was swift: “That old thing is incredibly arrogant. He’s out here wandering with his Yin Spirit, while his body is far away. If he gets injured, he won’t even have a place to recover—does he really think Sky Rift Valley is like Cliff City, where everyone will give him some leeway? Hmm, is that how Master Ming wanted me to say it?”
“The fact that someone like you came out of the Clear Water Altar is quite the anomaly.” Ming Lan smiled, her youthful days long past, but her charm remained.
“I understand what Master Ming means.”
Zheng Yan, ever the master of adapting to the situation, immediately shifted to the main topic: “That old thing is actually being quite cautious. Just now, when his Yin Spirit unleashed its power, although it was bone-chilling cold, there was a trace of Yang energy within. Such a situation is unusual for a spirit that has wandered thousands of miles. Either the old thing lied and his body is nearby, or his body hasn’t arrived yet, but his soul is attached to something…”
“Are you suggesting the Sun Soul Banner?” Ming Lan asked with a smile.
Zheng Yan praised her, “Master Ming has keen insight.”
Ming Lan didn’t acknowledge the monk’s flattery. She simply said, “The Sun Soul Banner is his most prized possession. If he brought it this time, he must be determined to win.”
“Who knows?”
“Is that so?” Ming Lan smiled again, “The legendary Immortal artifacts in the valley, the True Form Immortal Cocoon, are on everyone’s mind. If my lifespan is nearing its end, and my body is about to decay, hearing such good news, I might not be able to resist seizing the opportunity, let alone Tu Du.”
Zheng Yan smirked, “Master Ming is still in his prime, there’s no need…”
His words abruptly stopped as Ming Lan gestured with her hand over her lips. This gesture seemed to carry a magical force that prevented him from continuing smoothly.
“You must be joking!”
Despite saying this, Ming Lan continued to smile warmly.
Zheng Yan’s monk-like smile turned serious. He was still somewhat uncertain, lowering his voice, “Master Ming…”
Ming Lan waved her hand, and the attendants obediently stepped aside.
Seeing this, Zheng Yan thought for a moment and signaled his disciples to withdraw further. They moved to the outer edges where they could not hear the conversation, turning away to ensure utmost caution.
In this atmosphere, Zheng Yan seemed restless. Light flickered in his narrow eyes, a faint blue aura emerged on his skin, and his breathing grew heavier.
In contrast, Ming Lan continued to smile but seemed suddenly disinterested in speaking, silently observing Zheng Yan.
Under her gaze, Zheng Yan’s behavior became even more peculiar. He began to open his mouth, breathing heavily, a sound resembling a snake hissing faintly from his throat. However, this sound almost ceased before anyone outside could hear it. In his yellowed eyes, a strange purple light flickered.
Seeing all this, Ming Lan raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, “Master Yixin?”
To this inexplicable remark, Zheng Yan actually nodded. Due to the earlier change, a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead, which he did not wipe off. Instead, he solemnly folded his hands in a gesture of respect towards Ming Lan, “Please enlighten me.”
Normally, any monk could make such a gesture, but it usually came with a certain amount of pretense. However, this time, Zheng Yan seemed to have shed that pretense from his very core. Despite his sinister appearance, he managed to convey sincerity and gravity.
Ming Lan sighed inexplicably, and her tone immediately turned low and serious: “The imperial edict said, don’t come and meddle with other people!”
This had nothing to do with all the previous remarks, but the monk’s body shook violently, and responded without any hesitation: “I will obey the edict!”
When Ming Lan heard him say this, her solemn face suddenly turned akin to a serene spring breeze, and she smiled softly: “Did you understand the meaning?”
“Yes.” The monk’s attitude still remained respectful.
Ming Lan couldn’t help but smile when she saw his expression: “Why do you have to do this? The relationship between you and I are not that of a master and a subordinate. I am just conveying the master’s intention. How can I, a junior, deal with such attitude of a senior?”
“No, it should be like this.”
The monk smiled, but it still looked grim and ugly: “The two religions are of the same blood and trust each other. Moreover, Master Ming has a pious heart, which is admired by both religions. This has nothing to do with seniority.”
After speaking, the monk bowed again: “Since the law is like this, I will definitely follow it. There are many things to do now, so I will go first!”
Ming Lan also bowed and said: “No need to see me off!”
When she straightened her slightly bowed body, she heard a long sigh from Zheng Yan in front of her.
Compared to before, Zheng Yan seemed weak, his monk’s robe was half wet from the sweat, and the purple light in his eyes disappeared. Moreover, the expression on his face was different from before. The casual attitude was gone, replaced with a little fear, even resentment.
Of course, there was more fear than the resentment.
Ming Lan sighed lightly without explanation and then did something very unexpected. She reached out and gently touched Zheng Yan’s cheek.
This gesture caught the monk off guard, causing him to forget to evade it.
Ming Lan patted him lightly, as if calming a child, and said, “Poor child.”
After this abrupt statement, Ming Lan said no more to him. She called her attendants and turned to leave.
Was this considered pitty?
Zheng Yan stood dumbfounded for a long while. Without his command, his disciples could only stand still, enduring the biting cold of winter. Besides the howling wind, there was no other sound in the world.
After an unknown period, a voice beyond the sound of the wind startled Zheng Yan. He closed his eyes, calmed the surging emotions almost bursting from his chest, and then coldly turned around.
At that moment, someone shouted, “Friend ahead, please stay!”
*****
The residence of the Thousand Spirit Gate was shrouded in gloomy mist.
Unlike the four stewards of the Sun Light Sect, the Thousand Spirit Gate was managed by Cheng Rong as the principal, with another elder named Yu Xuan holding a honorary title. However, this elder Yu Xuan, although also a Enlightened Spirit realm practitioner, was the least decisive.
Upon the return of Cheng Rong and Ninth Miss, both unconscious, he immediately panicked, calling a meeting of the present leaders. Unfortunately, he could not control the situation. The meeting erupted into heated arguments.
Some suggested breaking camp and leaving, others advocated holding their ground until reinforcements arrived. Some proposed sending the injured away in advance, while others argued that the injured would not be safer on the road.
None of the leaders could persuade the others. However, everyone had to admit that, at this moment, the menacing presence of Tu Du seemed like a mountain pressing down on them, making it hard for them to breathe.
In the midst of chaos, news suddenly came from outside that Master Zheng Yan of the Pure Water Altar had come with a friend to inquire about the injuries. The group immediately exchanged puzzled looks. Before they could fully understand what was happening, real good news followed: Cheng Rong had awakened.
Elder Yu Xuan let out a long sigh of relief, ran his hand through his graying hair, feeling as if he had aged ten years in just half an hour.
A short while later, Cheng Rong managed to sit up and received the guests on his sickbed. Upon seeing the figure beside Zheng Yan, his weary eyes widened: “Mr. Yu!”
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