Five Immortals Mountain.
Whoosh—
Five streaks of light plummeted frantically from the sky.
The radiance dissipated.
Five somewhat illusory figures were revealed.
They were precisely the five Immortal Masters who had returned in defeat from Chang'an.
"Damn it!"
"Damn it!!!"
As soon as they landed, Immortal Master Red Toad let out a shrill roar.
The expressions of the others were also extremely grim.
Although at the Ascending the Tower Realm, the Primordial Spirit is fundamental, and the Physical Body is like clothing that can be discarded at will.
But this clothing... also comes in different grades.
This is the Innate body brought from the womb, accompanying oneself from an ordinary mortal, step by step, through the Hearing the String, Seed Lotus, Lamp Ignition... It's like a garment worn for a long time; even if somewhat tattered, every fold fits one's heart.
Now.
The garment has been stripped off and torn to shreds.
Even if the Physical Body is reconstructed in the future.
It will never feel the same!
"If I don't avenge this grudge, I swear I won't become an Immortal!"
In the center of the great hall.
Venerable Yellow Centipede's face was as dark as water, and he remained silent.
He sat in the chief seat, coldly watching the four madmen below.
His Primordial Spirit was the most severely injured.
The pain of those punches smashing into his face still lingered in his mind, making his brow ache faintly whenever he recalled it.
But compared to the destruction of his Physical Body, compared to that crazy girl's tyranny.
What made him even more speechless were these so-called Fellow Daoists before him.
Venerable Yellow Centipede narrowed his eyes, sweeping his gaze over the four one by one.
These old dogs.
When they had the advantage, each one clamored more fiercely than anyone.
But once signs of defeat appeared... each one ran faster than a rabbit!
Leaving him alone there to take the beating.
Now that they've escaped back, safe.
They start putting on this act again, shouting about not giving up.
What is this?!
Brothers in victory, but in defeat, you're just...?
"Heh."
Venerable Yellow Centipede sneered inwardly.
Truly, the higher the Realm, the smaller the courage.
Cultivating the Dao, cultivating the Dao.
In the end, they've cultivated away all their competitive spirit and courage.
The great Dao in this world is inherently a single-plank bridge.
If you don't fight, others will.
If you don't kill, others will kill you.
They covet the opportunity of the Great Tang Ancestor Founder's Reincarnation, yet are unwilling to risk their cultivation and lives.
How can there be such cheap good fortune in this world?
Thinking of this.
Venerable Yellow Centipede grew increasingly irritable, and deep in his eyes, even surged an impulse to devour these four together.
If he devoured these four Primordial Spirits... The thought had just surfaced when he forcibly suppressed it.
No.
At least not now.
Although these old dogs are useless, they have been in the Ascending the Tower Realm for a long time.
Keeping them as cannon fodder is still useful.
Venerable Yellow Centipede took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the killing intent in his heart.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze turning cold and resolute.
"Enough."
A low shout overpowered the clamor in the hall.
The four halted their actions, turning to look at him in unison.
Venerable Yellow Centipede's expression was indifferent, his voice hoarse: "Mourning?"
"This time we were careless, caught off guard."
"Next time..."
"Hmph, we'll make sure they know the depth of our Five Immortals Mountain's foundation."
After saying this.
He wasted no more words, abruptly waving his sleeve.
"Pass down the order."
"Summon all Disciples of the five branches to return to the mountain immediately."
"In half a month, we will trample the Chang'an imperial city!!!"
...Across the Vast Sky.
Once out of the Great Tang's territory, the scenery below changed dramatically.
Gone were the crisscrossing fertile fields and the villages with curling smoke.
Instead, there were vast stretches of rolling barren mountains and wild forests, as well as roaring, turbid great rivers.
To describe it in one word.
It was a land of Barren Mountains and Treacherous Waters.
This was the so-called Land Beyond Civilization.
Without official roads or relay stations as reference points, it was easy to get lost in the boundless sea of clouds.
"Off course, off course."
Wang Ziyu stretched out his hand and said, "Head that way, we need to detour around that Great Marsh ahead."
Jiang Yuechu didn't say much.
She slightly adjusted her posture, following his advice to change direction.
Throughout this journey, this old fellow had been quite diligent.
Whenever they deviated from course or were about to enter some dangerous forbidden land, he would promptly speak up to remind her.
Saving them many detours.
After about another two hours.
The sun slanted westward, dyeing the sky full of clouds and mist blood-red.
Wang Ziyu suddenly halted, a trace of gravity appearing on his small face.
"We're here."
Jiang Yuechu stopped as well, holding the Old Flood Dragon who was being blown cross-eyed by the Fierce Winds, and looked up ahead.
Ahead, amidst the encircling mountains.
There stood a towering great mountain, rising from the ground and piercing the clouds.
At the mountain peak, clouds and mist shrouded it, making it unclear.
Only a few unknown Birds of Prey circled among them.
"This is the place that contains the twelve-colored rosy cloud silver?"
Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes and was about to move.
"Wait."
But Wang Ziyu swayed and blocked her path.
He clasped his hands behind his back, cleared his throat, and gave the girl a glance with an air of aged wisdom.
"This is your first time traveling far. The ways of the outside world are different from your little corner of the Great Tang."
"There are some rules I must remind you of, lest your reckless nature ruin our plans."
Jiang Yuechu raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't rush to argue.
"Speak."
Wang Ziyu held up one finger.
"First, do not inquire about origins."
"When traveling in this world, if you encounter other Cultivators, remember not to ask about their master or background."
"In the mountains, do not ask the depth of the water; in the Jianghu, do not ask a person's origins."
"Asking too much invites enmity."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
Wang Ziyu held up a second finger.
"Do not easily reveal your own origins."
Wang Ziyu glanced at her, implying something: "Especially someone like you from a mortal country... If someone takes an interest, you might be fine... but the Great Tang behind you can't withstand the turmoil."
Jiang Yuechu's face remained expressionless.
"Anything else?"
"Yes."
Wang Ziyu held up a third finger, his expression becoming especially solemn.
"Third, and most important."
"If you encounter trouble, avoid fighting if possible; but if you really must fight..."
"Then you must eradicate the roots completely, leaving no trace."
"Don't learn or talk about sparing others when you have the upper hand."
After stating these three rules in one breath.
Wang Ziyu let out a long sigh, looking quite pleased with himself at the girl, waiting for her to show a taught expression.
However.
Jiang Yuechu merely withdrew her gaze indifferently.
She held the Old Flood Dragon and took a step forward.
"Got it, you're being long-winded."
"..."
Wang Ziyu's mouth twitched.
So all his earnest advice was just wasted breath?
He shook his head helplessly, watching the dark figure that had already rushed ahead, and muttered under his breath.
"Tsk... You'll learn your lesson when you suffer..."
Complaints aside, his feet didn't stop.
Transforming into a streak of light, he closely followed after her.