Qinxi Province.
Zhongnan Mountain, Louguan Platform.
One of the fad mountains of the Ten Great Taoist Sects under heaven, its veins begin at Kunlun and end at Mount Song, blessed with heavenly aura, magnificent and wondrous; its Louguan Platform is heralded as the First Blessed Land in the world.
Long ago, Yin Xi built a humble hut here; when Laozi journeyed westward out of Hangu Pass, he entrusted the five-thousand-word Chapters of the Tao Te Ching at this very place. Since then, Louguan Platform of Zhongnan Mountain has been deed a sacred land of the Daoist Sect, bearing the title of Celestial Capital.
As a 5A-rated scenic area, Louguan Platform is open to tourists, yet the rear mountains remain forbidden ground; even the ordinary disciples may not tread there lightly in daily tis.
"Senior Brother Gu, we absolutely cannot let this matter go so easily. If word gets out, what face shall we have left for Zhongnan Mountain?"
Before the Louguan Platform, a young Daoist gazed toward the direction of the rear mountains, his voice heavy, eyes frosted with cold; upon his cheek was a wound of fresh chill, an apparent new injury, blood yet unscattered beneath the skin.
"Of course this cannot be settled so simply. But you must not belittle yourselves—being defeated by that man is no sha." Gu Chuan’Yin replied in a deep tone.
He held a string of Flowing Pearls in his hand, fingers unconsciously turning them, and his eyes, bright as stars, were as placid as water.
As a notable of Zhongnan Mountain, his Qi Cultivation far surpassed those junior brothers and sisters; though just now he had t a crushing defeat, he remained composed and unrestless.
"Senior Brother Gu, were you able to discern that man’s origins?" Ma De pressed upon the wound on his face, his voice grave.
He had cultivated at Zhongnan Mountain for nearly twenty years, already attaining the Spirit Departnt Realm, just a single step away from High Skill. Yet in front of that man, he could not withstand even a single glance.
Such cultivation—upon reflection, it still sends chills down one’s spine.
"What he displayed seed to be Laojun Mountain’s Daoist Skill." Gu Chuan’Yin pondered briefly.
As one of High Skill, after suffering a disastrous defeat, yet unable to even discern the other’s background—such a chasm between the two was insurmountable as the sky from the abyss.
"That treasured land is configured as the Golden Toad Pearl Formation, enduring for a thousand years. Who knows what marvels have been nurtured within it? Since it lies within the borders of Qinxi Province, it is destined to be tied to Zhongnan Mountain—we must never let it fall into the hands of outsiders." Gu Chuan’Yin said gravely.
The reason he clashed with that man was that both parties discovered, at the sa ti, that hidden blessed land amid the deep mountains and great marshes. Its traces, once faint, have gradually revealed themselves in these tis.
Alas, his cultivation was not enough; unable to seize the opponent, he could only return now to seek aid.
"If that man truly is a disciple of Laojun Mountain..."
Gu Chuan’Yin unconsciously glanced toward the Louguan Platform; if the other was truly a disciple of Laojun Mountain and he himself was outmatched, then should he seek a senior’s help, he would suffer both in person and in pride. Yet seeking peer assistance, it seed still sowhat...
"Gu Chuan’Yin..."
Just then, a gentle call drifted over from afar, pulling Gu Chuan’Yin from his brooding thoughts.
He instinctively looked up and saw a maiden, robed in Daoist garb, drifting gracefully—her form as light as passing wind, arriving at his side in a blink of an eye.
The maiden’s lips were crimson, her teeth like snow; her brows heroic and lively, her figure, beneath the wide Daoist Robe, only more exquisitely shaped.
"ng Qiwu!?" Gu Chuan’Yin’s gaze deepened.
"I heard you fought fiercely with a mortal outside and returned in utter defeat. Now you co back, seeking for An Wuyang to seek justice for you?" ng Qiwu chuckled lightly.
"How do you know?" ng Chuan’Yin’s expression changed abruptly, instinctively glancing at Ma De beside him.
"Senior Brother, it wasn’t who said it—maybe it was Ao Ye." Ma De hurried to explain.
That incident involved only him, Gu Chuan’Yin, and Ao Ye—three in all.
"Gu Chuan’Yin, there’s no need to ask, nor to wait. An Wuyang will not co forward for you." ng Qiwu spoke coolly.
"Why?" Gu Chuan’Yin’s brow tightened, his tone frosted.
An Wuyang is the successor of Zhongnan Mountain, fad alongside Xia Weisheng of Zhenwu Mountain and Xu Jinhuan of Qingcheng Mountain—even earning the moniker of Little Chongyang for his extraordinary talent.
Ever since Gu Chuan’Yin entered the sect, he has followed An Wuyang closely; their bond is far from ordinary.
"Do you even know who it was that defeated you?" ng Qiwu countered instead of answering.
"Who?"
"You return to ask An Wuyang’s help, without even knowing who your foe is?" ng Qiwu sneered.
"To tell you the truth—it was a disciple of Laojun Mountain."
"A disciple of Laojun Mountain?" Gu Chuan’Yin’s expression changed; in his mind surfaced the visage of that youth.
"Qi Delong or Qi Dongqiang?"
"Those two brothers are, in fact, one and the sa." ng Qiwu replied indifferently.
At these words, Gu Chuan’Yin and Ma De both betrayed looks of suspicion.
"You should know: ’King ets not King.’ As the inheritors of their respective lineages, should they contend, it is a rivalry of orthodoxies, touching even upon auspicious fortune and incense." ng Qiwu declared in a asured tone.
"How could one such as An Wuyang be so reckless, had he known?"
ng Qiwu’s beautiful eyes lingered as she glanced toward the rear mountains, softly murmuring, "Besides, right now he is in seclusion, under Master Ye’s instruction—he is unlikely to erge any ti soon."
"So that fellow is truly a disciple of Laojun Mountain... No wonder... no wonder..." Ma De mumbled, that fearful gaze in his mind refusing to dissipate.
"Are we simply to let it go like this?" Gu Chuan’Yin’s expression was complicated.
To speak truthfully, he did not wish to borrow the strength of others; if he had to, he only wanted An Wuyang’s hand. But in this situation, giving up leaves him unwilling.
"I’ll go with you."
Just then, ng Qiwu’s voice arose again, pulling Gu Chuan’Yin from the depths of indecision.
"You?" Gu Chuan’Yin suddenly raised his head, showing an unexpected look.
"Worry not—I know the treasure land you found is rely due to an Exotic Treasure’s ergence. I have no intention of contending with you over it." ng Qiwu said blandly.
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