《Sun-Moon Sovereign (阳月君王)》


 Chapter 1 - Returning Soul

    ¡¸ Moonlight Emperor ¡®Ming Yahui¡¯, I was known. They say that my heart was colder than the glacier, darker than the night, and that I knew no love and compassion. All of these, I do not reject. After all, even I think I was a horrible person.


    Yet, I do not feel guilty, only a semblance of sorrow remained within me, of things I could have achieved, of things I failed to achieve. My death was well deserved, there was no denying it. The shattering of my soul sang to the heaven so high above and the lands so far beyond, mortals and immortals alike rejoiced in glee and euphoria. Let them be, I said then.


    But now I return, from my century of wandering as a fragmented soul. Alas, I have attained a body of my own. Let the moon reverse the sun, let the sun reverse the moon. From this day forth, I shall become the manifestation of sun and moon.


    When I wakened, hydrangea blue flickered briefly in my eyes until they turned dull to that of mundane brown, and soon I was greeted to a scene of dreadfulness. Before me stood a man, probably in the last summer of his prime, his face was obese, and his expression unkindly. He was looking down on me with inhumane eyes, and he held a disdainful whip in his burly hand. Tied to a wooden post, red lashes tainted my slender body, and I merely gave the man a glance, as I calmly observed the first life form which entered my sight.


    ¡°How dare you look me in the eyes!!!¡± Li Jinguang attacked me viciously, his leather whip lashing across my delicate body, my eyes narrowed feebly and my expression softened. Of course I know the name of my tormentor. After I had possessed this fragile shell, the memory of the previous owner still lingered in one abandoned corner of my mind.


    This body is known as ¡®Li Xueyan¡¯, an illegitimate son of Li household, born to be subservient to the whim of his so-called family members.


    As a flight of sparrows ruefully escorted the waning dusk, my tormentor was no more, though he was still dissatisfied of the punishments he had laid out on me, apparently he was too tired to continue, too tired to unleash his rage, and so he left me, alone by the wooden post, only the silence of the growing night accompanied me.


    My eyes wandered solemnly on the leaving silhouettes, my expression very mild. If I so willed it, I could have stilled the life out of them, but I chose to not do so. An entire life spent of vengeance, an entire life spent of slaughter, I did not even realise when I had lost my passions then. If only I could turn back the time, my actions would not change, but my ways would have changed.


    ¡°Hah¡­¡± I let out a painful sigh, as my consciousness drifted into the spirit air.


    This body is far too weak, far too frail, compared to what I was a hundred years ago. But beggars cannot be choosers, and surely, a fragmented soul like me cannot be picky. So, I inhaled a gasp of air, into the depth of my being. A tender power filled my body, my hunger sated, and my pain gone.


    Just like this, I breathed for a while, until the ropes that had mercilessly bound me loosened, as if they no longer held the strength to restrain this frail shell of mine. In unhurried footsteps, I leisurely walked away into the courtyard. Although Li family had many members, not many people liked to wander around the mansion at night, except for a few seldom patrolmen, and my senses were still sharp enough to avoid them.


    Thus, I left the past of Li behind, under the gentle grace of moonlight. From now on, I would be content with just being ¡®Xueyan¡¯.


    In my past life, I had strayed from my intended path. Immersed in the power of the ¡®Immeasurable Yin Scripture¡¯, I was consumed by the allure of my very own creation. There is no regret in what I had done. Back then, the power of yin was a necessity, I needed the cold, I needed the night, to do what was meant to be. Yet, because of that, all my passions eventually vanished. All that remained in me were my sufferings. I slaughtered those who did deserve my wrath, and I slaughtered those who did not. I was always aware of my vile actions, but somehow I could not stop myself. I had truly strayed then.


    ¡°Hah¡­¡± I let out a mournful sigh, as I inhaled yet another gasp of spirit air. I have been doing this for hours, walking by myself on this deserted road, in the middle of the night.


    In this life, should I live by the ¡®Boundless Yang Scripture¡¯? No¡­ I was a ruthless murderer when I was immersed solely in Immeasurable Yin Scripture, so if I were to solely immerse in Boundless Yang Scripture this time, I might become a capricious martyr. For some reasons, that frightened me.


    I wish for knowledge, and I long for power. I would love peace when I could afford it. Even so, I am still fond of being myself.


    Yes¡­ I must practice both scriptures together in this life, or else, I would become a machine yet again.


    With such thoughts deeply entrenched in my mind, I moved through the endlessness of the night, crossing over vast plains, leaving large banyan trees that wailed loudly when the winds occasionally disturbed them.


    It was then that I heard, the familiar chants of an exorcism. At first, my expression was neutral, but slowly it turned to that of a grin. I feel so young again, to regain my passions, my curious heart was roused, so I childishly puffed up my tender cheeks and I eagerly dashed toward where I heard the sounds originate from.


    Scurrying over the sandy main road, I only took ten breaths or so, before arriving at the exorcism formation, which glowed mystically underneath the large banyan trees. Within the formation lied a gang of wandering ghouls, their eyes full of whiteness, their mouths drooping in hunger, their dry and pale bodies, covered in ragged clothes, they seemed awfully infuriated, and without the formation stood a group of neatly dressed cultivators, their tell-tale robes finely made of silk revealed the sects they belonged to, two of them were from the Peerless Sky Sect, and the three others were from the White Jade Sect, Benign Mountain Sect and Humble Spring Sect.


    Seeing these young males from varying backgrounds, I calmly deduced them to be in the midst of their Coming of Age Journey. It was a sacred ceremony a disciple of an orthodox sect must go through, for them to be accepted as a full-fledged disciple. If things had not changed, according to my understanding, the disciples of Benign Mountain and Humble Spring sects must be accompanying their liege-lords, Peerless Sky and White Jade sects. It was a custom that they must attain a decent amount of the appreciation tokens from the locals who were plighted by the creatures of yin and yang, such as the ghouls and the spectres, or the ogres and the numens.


    Standing from a high-ground, I calmly observed their performance. The wandering ghouls were low-level corpses, so these children should not have troubles exorcising them. Looking at the formation, I realised that they were trying to appease the ghouls so that their corrupted souls would peacefully enter the reincarnation cycle, and I nodded my head in approval. After all, I spent my past life near the creatures of yin, and so I have a soft spot toward them. Even after death, although my memory as a fragmented soul was indeed fragmented and most times I was without a mind of my own, my sense of kinship became only stronger as I became an existence similar to that of a creature of yin.


    But these children, I thought gloomily, they lack experience. A moment after, like I speculated, their exorcism formation attracted masses of ghouls that were hiding deep in the forest. In a desolate place such as this, it was to be expected. The children looked scared, when they saw the newly-arrived ghouls rush toward them in hectic movements. The two leaders of their group, the older one of gentle disposition from the Peerless Sky Sect, and the other one of haughty demeanour from the White Jade Sect, were still immersed in maintaining the formation, and so the rest of the three, being the weaker members of the group they are, panicked miserably.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Seeing their predicament, I could only let out a low humming sound. ¡°Hm¡­ Hmm¡­¡­ Hm.. Hmm¡­ Hm. Hm¡­ Hmm¡­¡­¡±


    The wandering ghouls were confused, as they heard the sound of my ¡®Lonely Night Lullaby¡¯, and they stood unmoving where they are. When the children saw my action, the leading member from the Peerless Sky Sect gave me an embarrassed but appreciative look, while the one from the White Jade Sect retained his impassive expression, and the other three maintained their guard, their expression filled with relief and joy. I payed them no heed, as I continued to hum, until they could appease all the ghouls through their exorcism formation. When they were finally done, the boys collected the yin core remains of the former ghouls in a space-sealing pouch and happily walked over to me.


    ¡°Fellow cultivator!¡± That gentle youth addressed to me. ¡°You have our gratitude for your benevolent act! If not for you, it is unimaginable what our situation would become.¡±


    ¡°No need to be polite.¡± Having a good impression of them, I spoke mildly. ¡°I am merely a passing independent cultivator.¡± It meant that I was not affiliated with any sect.


    ¡°Still¡­ That tune from earlier¡­ Is it the Lonely Night Lullaby?!¡± The younger one from the Peerless Sky Sect interrupted excitedly. When he did that, the other cultivators also expressed discomfort on their face. Despite my eerily composed exterior, I felt very alarmed inside. How could these youngsters recognise my spell?


    However, the gentle boy soothed the souring atmosphere.


    ¡°Yungfeng Taoming, have some respect. It is not our place to dictate others on their path of cultivation.¡± He scolded his junior brother, who gave a confused look toward both his senior brother and me. ¡°My apology, fellow cultivator, I am called ¡®Yunfeng Lifang¡¯ and this is my friend ¡®Yu Qiangjun¡¯.¡± He gestured toward the quiet young male, who nodded toward me in acknowledgement. Like this, he also introduced the remaining cultivators, and then he asked. ¡°If I may ask, fellow cultivator, what is your esteemed name?¡±


    ¡°Xueyan is my name.¡± I spoke mildly, the earlier anxiety slowly calming in my heart. ¡°It has not been long since I came out of seclusion. Would it be possible for me to join your future night hunts?¡±


    When he heard my offer, Lifang took a quick glance at me, he noticed that not only did I lack the luggage and space-sealing pouch, there were even some tears in my clothes, and through them he saw my half-healed wounds. ¡°It would be our pleasure.¡± With a sympathetic look, he made some adjustments to the contents inside one of his space-sealing pouches and extended it to me. ¡°Please. It is my gift to you.¡± I raised my eyebrow as I took the pouch. Not only was it a luxurious object, it was even filled with some useful contents, and this child was generous enough to bestow it upon a stranger. I have a favourable impression of him, so I smiled kindly in turn. ¡°Then, I will be in your care, Fellow Lifang.¡±


    Since it was very late in the night and this isolated area was too dangerous, the children no longer continued their night hunt and headed straight for the nearest ¡®Water Moon¡¯ village, with Qiangjun holding a spirit diversion lamp in the lead, lest they attract the attention of spectres, such ghostly existences were usually far more cunning and devastating than the ghouls. Being one of such likeness, I knew well. Nevertheless, there was no point in hurrying, as it would only encourage the creatures of yin to prey on our fear, so Lifang would frequently initiate the conversation, gently prying into my background, yet I would subtly divert my questions back at him, inquiring about the current state of affairs.


    In accordance with my suspicion, it appeared after my death, one of my three disciples ¡®Zhou Xinlei¡¯ had leaked the portions of Immeasurable Yin Scripture to the cultivation world, only by doing so could he shake off the righteous cultivators that were pursuing him. Still, I wondered how was it that he survived when his two martial brothers could not, especially when I had poisoned the three of them with my ¡®cold moon torment¡¯, as I did to all those who swore fealty to me. Even my own blood was no exception. But now that I am in my right mind, I felt very remorseful toward my brother ¡®Ming Yuhao¡¯. It was my chain of cruelty that eventually forced him to betray me, I sighed wretchedly.


    ¡°Who reigns supreme in Tianyun now, can you tell me?¡± My question was mild, there was a serene wave of idleness in my tone. Tianyun was the name of our continent, and to reign supreme was to reach the pinnacle of cultivation, either as a second step cultivator in perfection, or as a third step cultivator, the summit that I reached in my past life.


    When they heard my question, Qiangjun paused momentarily as he threw a quick glance at me, his posture full of wariness, it appeared to me that the quiet youth was beginning to wonder if I am not of their generation, and truthfully speaking, he is correct. Although I do not want to say it out loud, I do not have any reason to deflect his suspicion, so I let him on chew on the thought, as my eyes fell flatly on Lifang. The gentle boy sweated uncomfortably, he seemed to have caught on Qiangjun¡¯s suspicion, but still he pretended that nothing was amiss.


    ¡°Wang Yongliu in the Central.¡±


    ¡°Yunfeng Zheng in the North.¡±


    ¡°Ming Yuhao in the South.¡±


    ¡°Sun Botai in the East.¡±


    ¡°Yu Guiying in the West.¡±


    ¡°These are the current Cardinal Lords of Righteous Sects, with Wang Yongliu at its head.¡± Lifang replied to me poetically with a smile.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± I laughed awkwardly when I heard their names. Back then, they were my nemesis, except for the little Yuhao, and I was too lacking in expression whenever I faced them. But now that I am free, I could indeed laugh wryly in nostalgia. Hearing that they now hold the land of Tianyun within their palm, I felt somewhat touched. Though my body tortured, though my honour stained, though my soul broken, I do not hold them any grudge. After all, had I not killed their elders and relatives in my quest to vengeance, they would not have done what they did to me. What was done was done, and it was too late for otherwise.


    ¡°Yunfeng Zheng¡­ Has he entered the third step of cultivation?¡± I asked with a trace of sentimentality, that mountainous man was one of the two who I could not defeat through fair means, though his cultivation was the lowest among my peers, his sabre art was nothing to laugh about, I had to ambush him repeatedly to wound him into retreat using full advantage of my extreme yin spells, or else my ¡®myriad night march¡¯ would have been broken before it even started.


    This time though, the youngsters were somewhat startled, there was a look of confusion on their face, since I suddenly mentioned Yunfeng Zheng, who must now be the ancestor of Peerless Sky Sect.


    Unexpectedly, it was not Lifang but Taoming who responded to me, he spoke with hesitation in his voice. ¡°My father¡­is stuck at a bottleneck in second step cultivation. Only Wang Yongliu and Ming Yuhao have become a third step cultivator.¡±


    I was very surprised when I heard the words, I even felt like someone slapped me over and over. Yunfeng Zheng could not break through, when others have already done so? Moreover, what did this child say? His father??? That mountainous century-old man Yunfeng Zheng is his father???!!! Although I knew that stallion of a man certainly had the charm and charisma to entangle the racing hearts of glamorous maidens whenever he graced his presence, I never would have considered he would settle down!!!


    Even more so, he settled down way too late!!! This child is surely in the middle of his teen, cultivator or what not!!! And he looks so slender and white, people would believe me if I say he is my child, be it in this life or the previous!!! But for him to be the son of that dark-skinned hunk??? Impossible, nothing¡­nothing about him looks like he who was known as ¡®Handsome Dream Beast¡¯!!!


    On second thought¡­perhaps, he did inherit his father¡¯s stature.


    My beautiful eyelashes fluttered curiously, only now did I notice that the boy stood a head taller than any of his martial brothers.


    Hah¡­ A hundred years¡­ How things have changed. ¡¹


    -------------------------------------------------------


    = Glossary =


    Yang-yue Junwang (ÑôÔÂ ¾ýÍõ) = Sun Moon Sovereign (title)


    Yueliang Huangdi (ÔÂÁÁ »ÊµÛ) = Moonlight Emperor (title)


    Jun Mengshou (¿¡ ÃΫF) = Handsome Dream Beast (title)


    Ming Yahui (Ã÷ ÑÅ»Ý) = Radiance Elegance Kindness (name)


    Ming Yuhao (Ã÷ÓäºÀ) = Radiance Pleasant Chivalry (name)


    Li Xueyan (Àî Ñ©ÑÞ) = Plum Snow Glamour (name)


    Li Jinguang (Àî ½ð¹â) = Plum Gold Light (name)


    Zhou Xinlei (ÖÜ ÐÄÀÙ) = Cycle Heart Bud (name)


    Wang Yongliu (Íú ÓÀÁ÷ ) = Properity Eternity Flow (name)


    Yunfeng Zheng (ÔÆ·å Õý) = Sky Righteousness (name)


    Yunfeng Lifang (ÔÆ·å Àè·¼) = Sky Dawn Virtue (name)


    Yunfeng Taoming (ÔÆ·å ÌÎÃ÷) = Sky Wave Radiance (name)


    Sun Botai (Ý¥ °ØÌ©) = Grass Cypress Peace (name)


    Yu Guiying (Óñ ¹ðÓ¢) = Jade Cassia Petal (name)


    Yu Qiangjun (Óñ Ç¿¾ü) = Jade Strong Army (name)


    Tongjian Ming (ͨ¼û Ã÷) = All-Seeing Radiance (sect)


    Wei Wang (ÍþÍú) = Mighty Prosperity (sect)


    Wudi Yunfeng (Î޵РÔÆ·å) = Peerless Sky (sect)


    Bai Yu (°× Óñ) = White Jade (sect)


    Gao Sun (¸ßÝ¥) = Noble Grass (sect)


    Liang Shan (Á¼ ɽ) = Benign Mountain (sect)


    Qian Quan (ǫ Ȫ) = Humble Spring (sect)


    Tianyun (ÌìÔÆ) = Heaven Cloud (continent)


    Gang = 10+ (army count)


    Score = 20+ (army count)


    Throng = 100+ (army count)


    Band = 500+ (army count)


    Legion = 1,000+ (army count)


    Horde = 10,000+ (army count)


    Written by Lulin

 Chapter 2 – Moonlit Truths

    ¡¸ Regardless of my inner turmoil, I wholeheartedly admired them. The path of orthodox was tiring and yielded little result. For them to achieve this supremacy of cultivation was certainly not easy, I could tell. When they saw my pondering look, the children did not interrupt me, and soon we arrived at the Water Moon Village.


    It was a medium-sized settlement, surrounded by fragrant-scented groves of lilac trees, the flower blooms on them would have been a sight to behold should they appear in daytime, but now in the middle of a very late night, they appeared ghastly with a touch of solemnity in their pale violet petals. Not too far from them, I could hear the steady sounds of a flowing stream, so I turned my head, only to see the crescent moon reflected on the tranquil water surface.


    Witnessing such a captivating sight made me recall the distant times, my fond memories, and my past failures as Moonlight Emperor. So I reluctantly pulled my gaze, my cold eyes landing abruptly on a magnificent watch tower, which appeared absurdly gigantic in contrast with the ten-foot tall village walls. ¡®Tower of Eyes and Ears¡¯ it was called, a legacy of ancient cultivation world, built mostly in sizable settlements, and it is here that the travelling cultivators tend to exchange the energy cores with the appreciation tokens, which in turn can further be exchanged for the supplies and tools.


    When the sounds of our footsteps intruded the otherwise silent hallway, the tower administrator, a middle-aged man of catfish-like face and round protruding belly, whose large frame sank deeply into a wooden chair, suddenly woke up. His eyes were wild, and they darted all over the hallway. ¡°Oh. Fellow Cultivators¡­ Welcome, welcome. Welcome to the Tower of Eyes and Ears!¡±


    ¡°Greetings to you, Tower Administrator.¡± Lifang¡¯s tone was polite as he replied.


    Positioning myself behind the children, I calmly analysed the middle-aged cultivator. The man appeared overly amiable, yet he was shrewd enough to catch on my glance, his aged eyes squinted, as he attempted to see through my cultivation, his energy mildly engulfing me. However, being a fragmented soul, I still had enough yin energy from my former life to perform the ¡®Nether Shade Sanctuary¡¯ and hinder his spiritual sense, so I wasted no moment and did as such. The man frowned disappointedly when his probing failed, but he quickly concealed his anxiety and guided us to our rooms in a cheerful manner.


    Although the Tower of Eyes and Ears was not a luxurious place, it was spacious enough to have multiple housings. Since each room was equipped with two beds, Lifang decided that the six of us will be divided into three rooms and he offered to stay with me. His behaviour was gentle and kind, it was all true without pretence, yet I knew he was still wary of me and wished to keep me at an arm¡¯s length, keeping his martial brothers away from my reach. Considering what he had gifted me before, I was of half a mind to give him my considerations, but who would have known? Taoming was far too enthusiastic, in the end, I was forcibly dragged into his room, and we sat on the floorboard, chatting late into the night.


    The boy was very curious, he kept asking me about the Immeasurable Yin Scripture I practice. As it had been a while since I last saw such an earnest youth, I entertained him a little, until he could no longer hold back and went to sleep.


    Finally having the time alone for myself, my eyes narrowed prudently, as innumerable thoughts ran through my mind. I knew Lifang and Qiangjun were not asleep and that they were eavesdropping on our conversation. Although I could have shut them out, such an act would only draw suspicions. So I smiled mischievously, as I decided on the course of actions, my energy gently pulsated through the room, forming an illusion barrier, one that deceived the hearing, one that allowed the sounds that I wished to leak be leaked, one that restrained the sounds that I wished to keep be kept.


    ¡°Yunfeng Taoming.¡± My enchantingly beautiful voice echoed cryptically through the room, my two neighbours totally oblivious of what I was saying.


    ¡°Yes¡­?¡± The boy was originally sleeping quietly on his bed, but his eyes slowly opened, half-dazed and without focus.


    ¡°Is it true that your father Yunfeng Zheng is still a second step cultivator?¡± I pushed forth the ¡®Soul Inquiry¡¯, although it was an exorcism-related spell, specifically aimed against creatures of yin, considering my expertise, I could still perform it on low-level cultivators, even without the help of a tool.


    ¡°En¡­he should be.¡±


    I still could not believe it. How could it be that Handsome Dream Beast failed to achieve what Yongliu and little Yuhao could do?


    ¡°Do you know why he is stuck at a bottleneck?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but¡­¡± The boy hesitated.


    ¡°Yes? Go on.¡± My energy nudged him gently.


    ¡°¡­it might be related to my mother.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°She died when she gave birth to me¡­and my father¡¯s grief probably disrupted his cultivation¡­it is my fault.¡±


    A frown creased up between my brows when I heard the boy¡¯s guilty confession, a tinge of pain stabbing my heart. So, I gently caressed the boy¡¯s sweating temple with the back of my fingers, whispering comfortingly to him. ¡°Hush. Think no more of your fears.¡± His white and earnest face relaxed visibly.


    After a long moment of pause, I resumed my inquiry yet again.


    ¡°What of Wang Yongji?¡± Though my voice was neutral, my expression was very complex.  ¡°What happened to him?¡±


    ¡°He¡­died.¡± The boy sounded nonchalant as he continued. ¡°I heard he eventually succumbed to the wounds Moonlight Emperor inflicted upon him¡­twenty years after their clash.¡±


    It was as I expected, nothing more, nothing less. The man that I feared other than Yunfeng Zheng is now lying peacefully in his coffin, although it feels surreal, it seems to be the truth.


    ¡°Hah¡­¡­¡­¡± I let out a very long sigh.


    My history with Wang Yongji was indeed complex. We were formerly very close friends, at times even thicker than blood. Although he was a temperamental man, we shared the same enthusiasm toward cultivation and so we were used to spending the time together¡­until his father killed my father and I killed his father¡­that our relationship was ruined beyond repair.


    He hated my father for bringing that accursed relic to our land. He hated his father for setting his eyes on what he should not have. And he hated me for pursuing the ruthless path of vengeance.


    That man hated everything, and he was Wang Yongji, who was renowned as ¡®Crimson Sword Saint¡¯.


    After calming the sorrow in my heart, I began yet again.


    ¡°Drowning God Statue¡­¡± My voice seethed darkly. ¡°What happened to it?¡±


    The boy frowned, still deep in his sleep. ¡°No one knows¡­ I heard that¡­Wang Yongji sealed it away, from the light of the world, before he died¡­¡±


    Although it was unbelievable that one could resist the calling of that accursed artefact, there is no doubt in my heart. That man existed at the zenith of my nemeses, bane to my existence, and I knew him far too well. He would never ever lust after such fallen power, it was after all his greatest nightmare, and there was no one else who wanted it gone more than the man himself.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Alright¡­¡± My tone was mild, as I finished the Soul Inquiry. ¡°You can rest now.¡±


    With my command, Taoming eventually resumed his sleep, his eyes now closed, his breathing low and steady. Retracting my gaze from that innocent boy, I looked in the direction of Lifang¡¯s room, the two were probably still spying on me, but because I fed them altered sound waves, they could not possibly know my interaction with the son of Yunfeng Zheng. I mildly shook my head, as I prepared to cultivate throughout the night. Although I have yet to attain ¡®Inedia¡¯ in this life, it is possible for me to stave off hunger and sleep longer than those of the same cultivation as I am, since my attainments are far deeper than them.


    Cultivation is divided in Steps, Levels and Tiers. For instance, in each step of cultivation, there are usually three levels, such as ¡®Spirit Apostle, ¡®Root Apostle¡¯, and ¡®Core Apostle¡¯ in the first step of cultivation. On the other hand, in each level of cultivation, there are four tiers known as ¡®Early¡¯, ¡®Medial¡¯, ¡®Late¡¯, and ¡®Peak¡¯. As for me, my body is currently at the bottom of food-chain, Early Spirit Apostle. However, as a fragmented soul, my cultivation is actually that of a Medial Root Apostle, completely filled with yin energy, which was one of the two reasons that I could easily manipulate unconscious Taoming who was similarly a Medial Root Apostle, and the other being my higher attainments in cultivation, of course.


    When the dawn approached, I leisurely traced my way to the bath house and immersed myself in the open-space hot spring, my white and tender limbs stretched out comfortably, as I swam around playfully, splashing hot water everywhere. One of the tower attendants came to check what was going on and he was surprised to find me so early in the morning, using their newly cycled bath water. Although he was suspicious of the splattered water, since he did not catch me red-handed, he could do naught about it, and of course, since I posed to be a cool mysterious cultivator, he could only give me a polite bow before he went to resume whatever he was doing earlier.


    After that, I dared not play around anymore and immediately pulled myself out of water, and then I dried myself with a bit of spiritual shake, before changing into a humble white-red robe, taken from the space-sealing bag that Lifang had gifted me yesterday.


    ¡°Not bad¡­¡± I muttered childishly, my cheeks puffing up, as I raised my arms and observed how elegant I looked.


    Does this make me a member of Peerless Sky Sect?


    My mind wandered for a moment, until I swiftly discarded the thought.


    ¡°It just looks similar¡­at most, I look like an outer disciple.¡± ¡­since there was not a sect symbol on it.


    An hour or so later, I regrouped with the children. Except for Qiangjun and Lifang, everyone looked like they wanted to sleep more, despite their complexion seemingly very rosy. Seeing their plight, I made an amused smile, and the children too looked at me with a befuddled look. However, Lifang did not linger about any further, as he skilfully distributed the shares of yesterday¡¯s nighthunt, surprisingly I was given twenty five percent.


    Words cannot describe the delight I feel in my heart, although the amount may seem meagre, yin cores were especially useful for an extreme yin cultivator like me. Moreover, although the other cultivators may only absorb roughly five percent from yin cores and extreme yin cultivators fifteen percent, I was an exception, a cr¨¨me of crop, who can easily absorb fifty percent and perhaps even up to hundred percent if I were patient enough to dedicate the time and effort.


    If I were to hunt alone, although I could earn more yin cores than the share they give me, it would not necessarily be safe for me, considering my currently weakened state. So, this to me is a good start. The children needed me and I needed the children. The more I thought about it, the greater the anticipation in me became. If I could hug their thigh a little more, perhaps I might have a chance to meet and befriend Yunfeng Zheng in this life. Then, I can take my time to discover the secrets to his sabre art that thoroughly destroyed me in close-quarter combat before. I smiled mischievously and enthusiastically, as I followed Lifang and the others to the village.


    Oh¡­a hundred years. Some things did not really change, while other things have changed far too much. For instance, fashions. How come everyone is donning such a variety of styles? The robes, the trinkets, and even the way people style their hair, there are just too many of them. In fact, it is quite intriguing. I wanted to know more about them, so I kept gawking at them like a country bumpkin I was, though my facial expressions were subtle enough for any stranger to actually notice my bumpkin-ness, hehe.


    ¡°Fellow Xueyan.¡± Lifang suddenly initiated a conversation in a friendly tone. ¡°Yesterday, I could not understand it. Why were there so many wandering ghouls in the area?¡±


    As this question was posed, the children looked at me curiously, especially Qiangjun and Taoming, they all wanted to hear my perspective as an extreme yin cultivator.


    ¡°¡­Well,¡± I started rather awkwardly, unable to bear the brunt of their eagerness. ¡°This region used to be a battleground two hundred years or so.¡±


    ¡°Although many settlements have risen in this land, the yin energy here is still thicker than what you would normally see in the regions under the influence of your Peerless Sky Sect.¡±


    ¡°Being as such, and given the overgrowth of forests, it is an ideal place for the creatures of yin to grow in numbers.¡±


    ¡°Still¡­ Three gangs of wandering ghouls on the outskirt of forest was rather too unsettling...they were too near to main road.¡± Lifang frowned his brows worriedly, apparently he was concerned about the mortals who would have to travel through the road.


    ¡°I suppose.¡± I nodded nonchalantly, my eyes wandered on the nearby pedestrians of various colours who parted to make way for us. It seemed like the ¡®sabre piercing clouds¡¯ pattern on Lifang¡¯s and Taoming¡¯s outer robes and the ¡®sitting goddess¡¯ pattern on Qiangjun¡¯s outer robe, both of which representing their direct lineages, were rather too eye-catching in this modest town. ¡°How close are you from completing your Coming of Age Journey?¡±


    When he heard my idle question, Lifang stared at me in embarrassment, and then he replied to me in a low voice. ¡°This is only our second week.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    One needed to spend nine full weeks to complete the Coming of Age Journey, so it was no wonder they were inexperienced. Such sheltered kids, I thought dejectedly without a trace of condescension, and my fingers moved lithely to erect a sound barrier around us.


    ¡°¡­I believe someone is intentionally raising the ghouls, taking advantage of the surplus yin energy in this region.¡± My eyes mildly locked with Lifang¡¯s. ¡°You might want to check the nearest burial grounds.¡±


    When they heard my speculation, most of them shuddered, some even let out a gasp. ¡°Fallen cultivators?¡±


    Qiangjun¡¯s serious eyes grew even more serious. ¡°Or immeasurable yin cultivators.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, someone like me.¡± I said out loud what he wanted to say, it was nothing to hide. After what Xinlei had done, this was more likely the case. Qiangjun looked at me as if I were a monster to be abhorred, his eyes yearned to extinguish me out of existence.


    This was difficult for him, of course. Although fallen cultivators are cruel in nature, it is also a popular path of cultivation, especially among the independent cultivators. So, even if the orthodox sects wish to be rid of fallen cultivation, it was not like they could slay the world itself, so people have learned to coexist, as long as it was within their bearable limit.


    Although Immeasurable Yin Scripture had fallen roots, it was not entirely fallen in nature, as the depravation was gradual and not instant. Moreover, during my hundred years of absence, it appeared some of the immeasurable yin cultivators had more or less found ways to remedy this depravation, at the expense of the scripture¡¯s potential.


    So if Qiangjun were to kill me in such fine morning, without any condemning evidence that I was behind these atrocities, it was akin to killing an innocent. The quiet youth seemed to have realised this point, as he slowly inhaled to cool down himself. By his side, Lifang looked at me apologetically. ¡°It is not possible to inspect the burial grounds under prying eyes, we should wait until sunset at least.¡± He tried to broker peace by redirecting the conversation.


    Amused by his action, I only let out a mild smile, without making a comment.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry, Lifang¡­¡± Taoming lazily approached his senior brother from behind, his head drooping atop the gentle boy¡¯s shoulder, with obvious lack of energy.


    Lifang was troubled by the boy¡¯s indolent behaviour. By this point, I have learned the exact relationship between the two martial brothers, as part of my late night conversation with the enthusiastic youth. Although Lifang was older than Taoming by a year, Yunfeng Zheng was his great grandfather, so he was in fact Taoming¡¯s grand nephew. This used to make things especially awkward between them, but they have learned to act like cousins, with Lifang being the elder one. So he hesitated no further and shook off the boy, though his expression still remained gentle. ¡°Let¡¯s have a look at that restaurant then. Maybe we can scout some information.¡±


    Since no one else objected, I too followed after Lifang¡¯s lead. From time to time, Qiangjun would exchange glances with me, he looked perturbed at my presence, but I just smiled coolly in turn, making him divert his gaze. ¡¹


    -------------------------------------------------------


    = Glossary =


    Wang Yongji (Íú ÓÀ¼ª) = Properity Eternity Luck (name)


    Hongjian Sheng (ºì½£ Ê¥) = Crimson Sword Saint (title)


    Spirit Apostle (1<sup>st</sup> Step - Level 1)


    Root Apostle (1<sup>st</sup> Step - Level 2)


    Core Apostle (1<sup>st</sup> Step - Level 3)


    Body Luminary (2<sup>nd</sup> Step - Level 4)


    Mind Luminary (2<sup>nd</sup> Step - Level 5)


    Soul Luminary (2<sup>nd</sup> Step - Level 6)


    Earth Scion (3<sup>rd</sup> Step - Level 7)


    Heaven Scion (3<sup>rd</sup> Step - Level 8)


    Void Scion (3<sup>rd</sup> Step - Level 9)


    Written by Lulin

 Chapter 3 - Hide and Seek

    Chapter 3 ¨C Hide and Seek


    ¡¸ In the past, I used to be a light eater, since most of my life was spent studying cultivation techniques and plotting my vengeance. Before I knew it, I had already gone past the two stages of inedia in the second step of cultivation, the tolerance of hunger and the tolerance of sleep. However, now, I feel young and carefree, without a hint of worry, and I have yet to even finish the first step of cultivation. So I enjoyed the meals as they came by, the roasted duck slices and bao buns would vanish as quickly as they appeared. This surprised many people, my comrades and onlookers alike, even including Taoming, who was considered by many to be a heavy eater.


    Taoming let out a large grin, as he tried to compete with me, much to the dismay of Lifang¡¯s formerly bulging pocket. Despite the young lanky boy¡¯s much exerted effort or much eaten ducklings and bao buns, I eventually emerged as the victor of the two, looking as graceful as ever. There was no visible sign that betrayed my bottomless appetite.


    ¡°Have you conceded, Fellow Taoming?¡± I spoke mildly with amusement vibrant in my eyes.


    ¡°En¡­¡­¡­..I concede, Fellow Xueyan.¡± The boy mentally waved a white flag, as he rolled his head lazily over the table, possibly ruminating¡­uh, digesting the meals he had consumed.


    This child¡­he doesn¡¯t look like a cultivator.


    Shaking my head in fondness, I turned to face the gentle Lifang beside him.


    ¡°I will meet you in front of the Tower, by the sunset.¡± My gaze turned solemn as I continued. ¡°Wait for me.¡±


    Lifang returned me a polite nod, and I left the restaurant in hastened steps.


    A moment ago, we had garnered some information from the waiter boy and the other customers. It was that Water Moon Village was unusually peaceful and there was no sign of creature of yin and yang within its immediate border. However, rumours have it that more and more travellers are disappearing on the road between this village and the next. Although such events are suspicious, since the village is not in the danger, it would not warrant enough attention of the cultivators who reside in the Tower of Eyes and Ears. After all, cultivators were still cultivators, and they would not move without a solid reward in their reach, unlike certain youths who have yet to finish their Coming of Age Journey.


    As for me, I need to prepare, for whatever is coming, and so I walked toward a mortal shop that sold beautifully crafted musical instruments.


    When the shop attendant saw me, she walked to me with much poise and grace. ¡°Hello, Sir, how may I assist you?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± I spoke without turning to look at her, my eyes still fixated on the tools displayed inside the house. ¡°That pipa over there, how much is it?¡±


    ¡°Ah, you sir sure have a fine taste.¡± The young woman moved lithely and removed the instrument from the white-washed wall, it was a light-sized pipa that was charming to the eyes, its hue was a conspicuous mix of light yellow and brown, a delightful fragrance emanating from it. ¡°This is a pipa made from a ninety year old teak tree that has attained some signs of spirituality, a material truly worthy enough to become an artefact of the lord immortals who soar through the sky.¡±


    I smiled mildly, clearly amused from the girl¡¯s advertising tone. It was unlikely that a cultivator would craft an artefact out of a mere ninety year old teak, which is even more implausible for those who soar through the sky, the legendary heaven scion cultivators of the third step cultivation, which even I had yet to reach in my past life. But of course, the girl would not naturally know about that.


    ¡°Price?¡± I asked gently, my voice pleasing to ears.


    The young woman beamed up immediately, when she heard my inquiry, thinking that I am already inside her bag. ¡°For you, my good sir, I could sell it for 3 gold coins.¡±


    A single gold coin was enough for a mortal family to live luxuriously for a month. Regardless of how good the material was, in the end, it was still a mortal instrument. From this fact alone, one can easily deduce that this woman was indeed overpricing her goods, however, I could not care any less about that, since her antics did entertain me for a moment.


    My spirit energy entered the space-sealing pouch and took out one of the ten Citrine stones that were inside it. The yellow gemstone was levitating in the air, dazzling like a morning sun, its worth was exactly five gold coins.


    When the woman saw this scene, she could barely control herself from gasping out loud, clearly she had no idea that I was a cultivator, her delicate features appeared to have aged several centuries, and she looked as if ten frogs were brutally swimming in her throat.


    ¡°Keep the changes.¡± I said mildly, as the gemstone landed atop her half-reached palm.


    ¡°My Lord¡­¡± Her expression paled visibly, and she still had a look of horror on her face.


    Naturally, being a generous person, it mattered not to me that I was quickly running out of what Lifang gifted me before, so I just blinked one of my eyes mischievously and reminded her with a smile. ¡°My pipa, please.¡±


    The woman dared not delay any longer and she respectfully handed the musical instrument to me.


    After feeling its weight, which felt appropriate in my hand, I nodded at her, before calmly walking out of the shop.


    Still, I was not done with the shopping yet, for I urgently needed a sword.


    The land of Tianyun was small compared to the other continents, and it was not particularly enriched with spirit energy. Although its history was long, its cultivation culture was by far limited, and because of that, it was rare to see sage-cultivators who were well-versed in mystical spells, while the sight of warrior-cultivators who were well-versed in martial arts was more than common.


    As the Moonlight Emperor, as one who practiced the Immeasurable Yin Scripture, I was one of those very rare sages in Tianyun. Even so, it was not like I could always keep my enemies at bay with just spells alone, Yunfeng Zheng was a very good example of the close-combat gone awfully awry. Moreover, keeping a sword close by me will usually fool my enemies into thinking that I was a warrior. So, after making some calculations, I just spent six Citrine stone on a common long-sword, a low-grade artefact made for Spirit Apostles. Although I did not actually like my new sword, there was no doubt it would serve its purpose, and I felt that I could always get a better one later. So I just tied it firmly around my waist and took a leisure stroll around the village.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Although Water Moon Village was not large enough to be called a town, it was certainly a well-developed settlement, and the people living within it had a good living standard. Sitting cross-legged underneath the large rows of trees, enjoying a cool breeze of air, I would observe the villagers carry on with their daily lives. Some of the young couples would choose to flirt in a different corner not too far from mine, their honey-coated words too shameful for any innocent bystander, making my snow-tinted face turn bright with red, though the children who played nearby remained blissfully ignorant and continued their tag happily.


    Feeling the loneliness grow in me, I heaved a long sigh in my heart. Even so, I immersed myself in the regal sight of the sun, as I channelled the yang energy into my being, building up my accumulation to reach the extreme state of polarity, the yin-yang extremity. My progress was minimal, and it would take long gruelling cultivation for the effect I desire to manifest. However, my will was not lacking and so was my effort. Soon, the bright yellow sun was no more, and only the deep orange-red occupied in the haughty sky. Seeing that it is now the time, I calmly walked away from my place of comfort. ¡¹


    The plot of land that encircled the Tower of Eyes and Ears inside the Water Moon Village was devoid of neighbouring houses and the usually-curious villagers. However, to call it ¡®devoid of life¡¯ would be highly inappropriate, for the fauna and flora grew prosperous in that large open-area. From time to time, the occasional movements of critters such as squirrels, foxes and a variety of birds could be seen and heard. Amidst that richness of life, a group of young males with an air of nobility stood out in the open, enjoying the greenish scenery that had a tinge of freshness, while conversing among themselves.


    This group was, of course, Lifang and his friends. Although they had stayed the night in the Tower before, it was the first time they actually payed attention to the Tower¡¯s immediate surroundings. So it was no wonder that they spent their time as such, while they waited for that aloof cultivator to show up. The agreed upon time was fast-approaching.


    With no care that the soil might stain his clothes, Taoming crouched happily on the ground, as he played with the brown tabby cat that was far too excited from eating much of the catnip foliages. The cat was rolling on the ground and its paws tried to chase the youth¡¯s slender fingers as if they were the mice. However, it might as well not, because it was already far too intoxicated that it soon drooled explosively and fell blissfully asleep.


    Taoming smiled warmly at the sight of the adorable creature. People often said that he was not like his father, and it was undeniable. However, the youth did not have any hard feeling about it, since he loved and admired his father all the same. If anything, all he wished was to improve a little more, so that he could be worthy of the care that he had received from his father. And the key lied in that man he met yesterday.


    Soft, elegant footsteps silently approached from behind.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± The beautiful voice asked mildly.


    Hearing the sudden inquiry, Taoming was slightly startled, but he quickly gathered himself and stood up eagerly, coming to face a beautiful man who was only half a head shorter than him. The man dressed simply in a white-red robe that was similar to the outer disciple robe of the Peerless Sky Sect, and his expression was sincerely mild.


    ¡°Fellow Xueyan.¡± Taoming called that mysterious man excitedly.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± The man responded in a casual tone.


    Taoming had many questions to ask this man, and he was unsure of what to start with. There were just too many of them. However, he did not have any chance to initiate the conversation, for his senior brother swiftly arrived to where he was.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡± Lifang spoke gently. ¡°Do we go now?¡±


    The man was quiet for a time. He was smiling, yes, but he was also quiet, and his attractive eyes flickered between the young cultivators and the Tower of Eyes and Ears that stood tall and imperturbable behind them.


    ¡°En, it is time.¡± He finally claimed, as his slender frame gracefully turned and walked away, toward the burial ground that lied just outside the Watermoon Village.


    ¡®Little Moon Cemetery¡¯ it was called. The burial ground was actually a moderately large hill with numerous wooden nameplates erected atop it. From right to left, the burial order was sorted, and so the most recently buried coffins existed in the far most left side of the cemetery.


    Using the shovels that lied nearby, the young cultivators began to dig heavily. Most of their actions were somewhat clumsy, since these five boys were doted by their families that they were not used to such menial labours, and it seemed more or less the same for that aloof guest who recently joined them.


    After multiple bouts of complaining loudly and sweating profusely, the young cultivators eventually finished digging out the pine-yellow coffins. At first, everyone was eager, and then, everyone became reluctant. After all, except for Xueyan, it was their first time intruding a burial ground.


    Lifang was muttering incomprehensible words under his breath, he appeared to be braving himself to lead the group, to be the ideal leader. However, he was trembling a little, from his fears to the superstitions, related to disturbing the dead, and it was all too visible even to the untrained eyes. Seeing the hesitation in the gentle boy, Qiangjun lightly tapped his friend on the shoulder, before he proceeded to open up the coffins.


    What lied inside the coffins were a group of people. Elderly and young. Males and females. They appeared to be lying calmly inside their coffins and there was no sign that their corpses were desecrated. When they saw this sight, the young cultivators raised their eyebrows and turned to look at the eccentric man behind them in an accusative look.


    Everyone was polite enough to not outright blame him, however, someone had to start, and so Lifang began, somewhat hesitatingly. ¡°Fellow Xueyan?¡±


    The man returned his gaze with a smile, amusement clearly brimming in his eyes, but he did not actually reply.


    When he saw such behaviours, Lifang frowned thoughtfully, refraining himself from saying anything severe, as he refocused his eyes back to the corpses that lied within the coffin.


    After a short moment of careful pondering, the gentle boy affirmed his resolution, and he spoke confidently.


    ¡°Qiangjun, undress them.¡±


    The quiet youth was startled, however, he complied with what was asked of him, and began to strip the corpses naked.


    Taoming and the two cultivators from the Benign Mountain and Humble Spring sects felt horrified when they heard Lifang¡¯s command, however, they soon realised how na?ve they were.


    The corpses inside the coffin had their stomach ripped open, and their hearts were nowhere to be seen.


    What did it mean?


    Everyone looked at Xueyan in confusion, hoping for him to clarify the situation. The man, however, did not respond, and it was Lifang who spoke in his stead. ¡°It is the ¡®Innumerable Heart¡¯ sacrificial rite.¡±


    When the young cultivators heard that, their expressions grew awfully dark. Although they may not know the specifics of the innumerable heart sacrificial rite, there existed no cultivator in Tianyun who would not know about the innumerable heart ghoul, a monstrous creature artificially induced through the sacrificial fusion of innumerable hearts and souls. It was a perilous creation of the Moonlight Emperor, a powerful yin ghoul that was comparable to the ancient living yin tribulations!


    ¡°¡­I thought¡­that spell was already lost¡­¡± Taoming shuddered. ¡°¡­Did someone finally rediscover it?¡±


    ¡°It has been such a long time¡­¡± Lifang spoke miserably. ¡°¡­It would actually be strange if no one could recreate it.¡±


    Everything fell into absolute quietness again, and just when they thought the silence would continue, that extreme yin cultivator spoke abruptly.


    ¡°There¡¯s a rat hiding, fifty metres north east of here.¡±


    He made a smile that was not at all a smile, and his mesmerising eyes fell flatly on Qiangjun, whose martial art attainments were the highest out of all those present, and the quiet youth understandingly rushed out in one ferocious movement, leaving his comrades perplexed behind in a trail of dust, as he furiously pursued the one that was spying on them.


    -------------------------------------------------------


    = Glossary =


    Water Moon Village (place)


    Little Moon Cemetery (place)


    Lonely Night Lullaby (spell)


    Nether Shade Sanctuary (spell)


    Soul Inquiry (spell)


    Innumerable Heart Sacrificial Rite (spell)


    Innumerable Heart Ghoul (creature)


    Myriad Night March (army march)


    Illusionary Barrier (phenomenon)


    Sound Barrier (phenomenon)


    Written by Lulin

 Chapter 4 - Redhanded

    Although Peerless Sky Sect is now hailed as the one possessing the most powerful martial arts in Tianyun, it was not so until Yunfeng Zheng came into prominence. In fact, in the olden times, it was the All-Seeing Radiance Sect and the White Jade Sect that stood ¡®hegemony¡¯ over all others in the martial arts, with Ming Clan possessing techniques that expressed toughness and with Yu Clan possessing techniques that expressed subtlety. As such, by this time, Qiangjun rushes forward with extraordinary speed, and yet his movements are subtle enough to catch the one hiding in the darkness off-guard.


    The man in the dark is in his mid-twenties, neither his appearance nor demeanour particularly standing out. Despite his attainments in concealment techniques, he is by far inferior to the likes of Qiangjun, when it comes to direct combat.


    A flicker of light radiates brightly, as a lean blade flows beautifully toward the unassuming man, who looks as if he wishes to curse all his ancestors, for his overly cautious actions actually led to his downfall. Had the man been fully focussed on Qiangjun and others from the beginning, instead of occasionally checking out from behind the cover of an abandoned shack, he might have noticed earlier that they had already caught onto him. However, now that his escape has been sealed, he is forced to confront the overwhelming prowess of Yu Clan sword arts head-on.


    With blades locking one another like mortal enemies, spiritual energy sparks vividly every time they clash. Yet, to his dismay, the man realises that after every exchange, Qiangjun would somehow manage to leave a minor wound on him, and it has only been a few breaths since their fight started. Nevertheless, the man is as persistent as a cockroach. Using all the strength he could muster, he tries to force his way through the quiet youth before him. However, it is all futile. By the time Lifang and the others have arrived and encircled the man, Qiangjun has already swiftly disarmed him by effectively countering his last strike. Now, the man kneels on the ground, groaning in pain, his body trembling and his expression exceptionally ugly.


    ¡°Speak.¡± Qiangjun commands impatiently, his face wrathful, and his blade resting dangerously atop the man¡¯s shoulder.


    The man frightfully stares at the lean blade that is now almost nicking his neck. He opens his mouth as if wanting to say something, but then he closes it, in utter dejection, his face hopelessly pale.


    Qiangjun¡¯s brows knits tightly, and soon he retracts his blade, not out of mercy, but to torture the man to get every bit of information out of him. However, before his blade could fall down, Xueyan speaks in a soothing tone. ¡°Please hold your blade, Fellow Yu.¡±


    The fury in Qiangjun¡¯s eyes softens minimally when hears the enchanting voice, shooting a questioning glance toward the beautiful man, his expression becoming not very gentle. However, Xueyan does not seem to mind his antics, continuing nonchalantly. ¡°Press your spiritual energy onto the base of his tongue and you will see that he¡¯s under a restriction.¡±


    At this revelation, Lifang, who is standing nearby, lithely moves forward, and he finds out that there is indeed a cursed mark on the man¡¯s tongue. ¡°Is this the Withering Lotus restriction?¡± The boy asks anxiously.


    When Lifang sees Xueyan nod in confirmation, his eyes harden, though his tone remains gentle. ¡°Let¡¯s take him to the Tower and have his identity confirmed before we bring him forward to the elders.¡±


    By the time Qiangjun and the others have arrived to the Tower of Eyes and Ears, the night has already begun. Amidst the encroaching darkness, frogs and crickets would sing loudly in harmony, blissfully ignorant of their predatory relationship.


    In contrast with its exterior, the Tower is now frighteningly quiet, with its inhabitants standing in its hall way, some of them young cultivators, their tender faces especially nervous, and at their lead is a large middle-aged man with a bloated face, he appears awfully sullen and sad.


    ¡°This¡­ How could it be¡­¡± The Tower Administrator breathes loudly in disbelief. ¡°Ah Hu¡­my student¡­ He can¡¯t be affiliated with fallen cultivators!!!¡±


    Holding onto the handcuff that bound the young man called ¡®Ah Hu¡¯, Qiangjun stands calmly beside Lifang, who wears a solemn expression.


    ¡°Be that as it may be¡­¡± The gentle youth responds. ¡°The truth will be out, when we bring him forward to my sect¡¯s elders. Until then¡­I ask of you, Tower Administrator, to apprehend Ah Hu¡¯s closest associates and relatives, so that we may get to the roots of the matter.¡±


    ¡°This¡­ Hah¡­¡± The Tower Administrator lets out a painful sigh. ¡°I will do as you said¡­I hope it is a misunderstanding.¡±


    ¡°I too hope so.¡± Lifang speaks gently, before giving a polite bow to the middle-aged cultivator, and he quickly departs the place.


    Although the night is late, they could not possibly delay a matter related to something as horrifying as the hundred heart ghoul. At least that was what Taoming thought until his senior brother abruptly halts his steps two kilometres outside the Water Moon Village.


    ¡°Fellow Xueyan.¡± He begins in a serious manner, one that is unlike his usual tone. ¡°I will have to trouble you.¡±


    Taoming is confused when he heard Lifang, so he turns to face that brother behind him. The man¡¯s expression is mild, and he coolly nods his head in agreement. ¡°It is of no problem at all.¡±


    After saying so, Xueyan immediately sits on the ground, cross-legged. Though his beautiful pair of eyes remains opened, it is unfocussed and seems to be transfixed onto something phantasmal on the ground. This continues for a long while that everyone else also lies down on the ground to rest, while Qiangjun drugs Ah Hu asleep, tying him to a tree in a safe distance.


    ¡°He¡¯s moving now¡­¡± Xueyan suddenly speaks, and a chill passes everyone as they hear his enchanting voice.


    Taoming now has a clear idea of what is actually happening, it appears that his senior brother is suspicious of the Tower Administrator, and that is why he asked Xueyan to keep track of him. There is a spell called ¡®insidious haunt¡¯, unique to immeasurable yin cultivators, capable of searching and locking onto an unwitting human, the lanky youth vaguely recalls, his pale fingers nervously clutching onto his sabre ¡®Yuchang¡¯.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°¡­Can we really do this?¡± Taoming says anxiously. ¡°He is-¡±


    ¡°An Early Core Apostle, I know.¡± Lifang¡¯s eyes squint thoughtfully. ¡°Although he is a tier higher than me and Qiangjun, he is only but a man. We can do this by ourselves.¡±


    ¡°But¡­the hundred heart ghoul? What if he can command it?¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡± Lifang hesitates, his eyes landing on that extreme yin cultivator. ¡°Do we have a chance?¡±


    As he hears the question, Xueyan responds nonchalantly, his voice very mesmerising. ¡°Ghouls are the creatures of yin, and as such, they are the embodiment of the dark and the cold.¡±


    ¡°That is why¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­No matter how strong they become, they still abhor the light and the heat.¡±


    ¡°I have something on my mind¡­¡± Xueyan speaks mildly, his illustrious words flowing ceaselessly like a waterfall, captivating the minds and hearts of those listening.


    When he hears the vivid details of the plan Xueyan wishes to formulate, Taoming is astounded, the admiration he feels for the man only growing greater.


    ¡°This could work¡­¡± He grins happily, his voice even sounding energetic.


    At this moment, Qiangjun, who has been quiet for a while, suddenly shifts in position.


    ¡°Lifang,¡± The quiet youth speaks in a tone that is neither hostile nor friendly. ¡°He could be our enemy you know.¡±


    The ¡®he¡¯ Qiangjun was talking about is clearly Xueyan, and the atmosphere of the group quickly drops to a freezing point.


    ¡°What are you talking about, Yu Qiangjun!!!¡± Taoming fumes in anger, unwilling to let that man be accused! However, before he could do or say anything impulsive, his senior brother gently grasps him by the shoulder.


    ¡°If Fellow Xueyan were our enemy¡­¡± Lifang speaks earnestly. ¡°We would already be long since dead.¡±


    Qiangjun maintains his silence, as he hears his friend¡¯s declaration, his serious eyes falling once more on Xueyan, who seems unperturbed by his intense stare.


    ¡°¡­Have it your way.¡± The quiet youth concedes abruptly, handing over the spirit-sealing pouch that contains the spirit diversion lamps.


    After ten minutes have passed, Xueyan finishes making the necessary preparations for his plan. With a satisfied expression on his face, he speaks mischievously to the lanky youth. ¡°Now, carry me.¡±


    Taoming is troubled. He had always liked girls and women. The prettier they were, the stronger his attraction was. This has always been true unto this day, one could even say that he is truly like his father in this aspect. Although he has yet to pop his flower stem unlike his overly virile father, he always has the sincere ambition to!


    However, now, his heart is beating like crazy, as he feels that appropriate softness on his back and that temptingly heated breath on his neck.


    That man is just too alluring to ignore! Taoming laments miserably in his mind.


    Forcibly trying to calm himself, he begins an idle conversation. ¡°Won¡¯t he know? Isn¡¯t he an extreme yin cultivator like you?¡±


    ¡°How would he know??? My attainments are far higher than his!!!¡± Xueyan harrumphs proudly when he hears the question, this behaviour is something Taoming had not seen in the man before. ¡°As long as you are carrying me and he is thirty metres away from us, he won¡¯t even be able to see us even if we are in his plain sight!!!¡±


    Too much of Xueyan¡¯s heated breaths falls between his collarbone and neck, and Taoming¡¯s heart skips a beat. This is bad, he thinks pitifully, when that beautiful man leisurely shifts on his back.


    ¡°C-Can¡¯t you walk?¡± Taoming splutters, lacking confidence that he could retain his virtue.


    ¡°I can¡¯t concentrate if I am walking.¡± Xueyan pouts in a childish manner, seemingly unaware of the lanky youth¡¯s plight.


    How could you talk so much if concentration is as important as you say? Taoming wanted to retort, however, he dares not voice out his thought aloud.


    ¡°¡­Alright.¡± That is all the boy could muster to speak. His pretty face flushes absolutely in red, but otherwise, he chooses to be silent the entire way, and just like this, they arrive at the forest where the banyans prosper abundantly.


    Beneath a large banyan tree, the Tower Administrator ¡°Cao Wei¡± stands enigmatically, his large round body surrounded by a group of wandering ghouls, whose eyes rolled back in madness, whose mouth drooped low in hunger. However, Cao Wei cares not for such lowly beings. Tonight, he has come for the innumerable heart ghoul. Since their nefarious activities are discovered by the youths of orthodox sects, it is with utmost priority that he must relocate both the innumerable heart ghoul and himself. Before that though, he must report to his master.


    With a mocking snort, Cao Wei emits yin energy from the depths of his self, viciously repelling the wandering ghouls, and then with a wave of his hand, a bright translucent formation shoots out from his pouch, before becoming imprinted on the ground. After a short while, a figure of a man in his thirties is revealed, his expression gloomy and his features hard, he looks exceedingly displeased to be disturbed.


    The shadowy man speaks in disdain. ¡°What is this?¡±


    Despite the animosity in other man¡¯s tone, Cao Wei responds respectfully. ¡°Disciple greets Master.¡± His large round frame crooks in utmost reverence. ¡°We¡¯ve been discovered.¡±


    ¡°So soon?¡± The man sounds surprised, the annoyance in his voice is now gone and replaced with a trace of thrill.


    ¡°My student who I had stationed at the graveyard was caught by the youths in their Coming of Age Journey. Although I have placed him under the Withering Lotus restriction, it is only a matter of time before an elder of Peerless Sky Sect or White Jade Sect will dispel it.¡±


    ¡°The youths are from those two sects?¡±


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    ¡°How strange.¡± The voice murmurs thoughtfully. ¡°Did you not teach ¡®Shadow Veil¡¯ to your student? With that spell, he should have no trouble hiding his presence from those children.¡±


    Cao Wei looks troubled when he hears his master¡¯s conjecture.


    ¡°There was a problem¡­¡±


    ¡°There was another cultivator with the youths, and I fear that it was he who detected my student.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± The voice speaks pleasantly. ¡°Do tell more.¡±


    ¡°From the way the youths addressed to him, it was apparent that he was not their elder, and yet, I was not able to see through his cultivation.¡±


    ¡°With your attainment in perception techniques, you should have been able to see through him, unless he was stronger than you by one full level, or¡­his attainments in concealment techniques are above yours¡­¡± The voice trails off in thoughtful pondering, and then it commands abruptly. ¡°Cao Wei, summon your Immeasurable Heart Ghoul and have it disrupt the surrounding spiritual energies now.¡±


    Shocked by the sudden change in his master¡¯s tone, the man shifts his large round body in alarm. Without any hesitation, he unsheathes his sword and immediately cuts onto his palm, thick red blood falling onto the ground.


    ¡°Heed my call, Innumerable Heart Ghoul!!!¡± He incants heavily, and the previously tranquil forest becomes even more eerily tranquil, dark yin energy rising heavily in monstrous proportions, a terrifying aura enveloping the whole area.


    Soon enough, the earth rumbles loudly, and a malevolent existence burrows out of the ground. It is a monstrous abomination, whose body solely consists of dark red fleshes, carved out of innumerable human hearts, reeking with an awful stench of dead yin energy.


    When the innumerable heart ghoul meets its eyes with Cao Wei¡¯s, understanding dawns on it, and then it suddenly turns around and screeches an earth-shattering howl!!!


    ¡°Ah, ah.¡± Xueyan speaks while clinging onto Taoming¡¯s back, his expression very childish. ¡°They caught onto us.¡±


    When the boys hear his nonchalant statement and that terrifying howl that pierces through the entire forest, their youthful faces immediately grow old and gloomy, and they quickly get into the battle position.


    By this point, Xueyan has also nimbly jumped off the lanky youth, drawing his sword in a flash, before charging out together with Qiangjun and Lifang, leaving Taoming and the other two trailing far behind them.


    -------------------------------------------------------


    = Glossary =


    Withering Lotus (spell)


    Insidious Haunt (spell)


    Shadow Veil (spell)


    Written by Lulin