Chapter 55
The winter melon house stood quietly atop the mountain, gleaming like a large piece of emerald jade.
It wasn’t until noon that the door of the winter melon house creaked open, and Gu Wenzhu emerged, looking thoroughly satisfied.
He glanced back at Xia Yi, who was still sound asleep, carefully closed the door, and headed off to hunt some meat for lunch.
By the time the two rabbits were roasted to a golden crisp, filling the air with the delicious aroma of meat, Xia Yi finally came out, sniffing the air.
“Smells so good.” Xia Yi, with his hair in disarray and a few strands sticking up, spoke lazily, his voice still carrying the drowsy tone of someone who just woke up.
“Careful, it’s hot. Go wash up first; I’ve heated some water for you in the stone pot. After that, we’ll eat,” Gu Wenzhu said, quickly moving the rabbits away when he saw Xia Yi reach for them.
Xia Yi had no choice but to take the pot of hot water and head to the nearby forest.
Just as he finished washing his face, he heard a rustling sound above. Looking up, he was delighted to see two brilliantly colored pheasants.
He was about to quietly call out to Gu Wenzhu, but as he moved, the pheasants noticed him. Sensing danger, they flapped their wings and took off into the sky.
In a panic, Xia Yi instinctively reached out toward the birds.
To his surprise, his body followed his mind, and his feet lifted off the ground, effortlessly floating into the air.
He intercepted the pheasants mid-flight, swiftly grabbing their wings, and then slowly descended back to the ground.
Once his feet were firmly planted, Xia Yi stood frozen in place, his heart pounding, still unsure of what had just happened.
“179, did you see that? I think I just flew,” Xia Yi said in disbelief. “Did I really fly?”
“Congratulations, host! My tests show that you’ve skipped the Golden Core stage and directly entered the Nascent Soul stage,” 179 replied, equally excited.
“Really? So it’s like skipping from third to fourth grade if I did well on my tests, right?” Xia Yi said nonchalantly.
“Just a small thing? Host, do you know how many people spend their entire lives stuck at the Golden Core stage, unable to break through?” 179, as an experienced cultivation system, was shocked.
“If you hadn’t eaten so many carrots, onions, and Gu Wenzhu’s… energy, do you think you could have advanced? You’re lucky just not to have been held back.”
“Xia Yi, what are you doing? The rabbit is ready,” came Gu Wenzhu’s voice from behind.
Gu Wenzhu approached, holding a stick with roasted rabbit meat skewered on it.
“Brother Zhu, I can fly! I can fly!” Xia Yi exclaimed joyfully, turning to him, completely forgetting about the two struggling pheasants, and letting them go.
“Host, that’s not called flying. It’s called hovering. And there’s a time limit—you’ll fall down as soon as you run out of spiritual energy, just like your winter melon house,” 179 warned quickly, worried that Xia Yi might try to float into space.
Gu Wenzhu glanced around, spotting a towering ancient tree in the distance that seemed to stretch into the clouds.
After a moment’s thought, he grabbed Xia Yi’s hand with one hand and the skewered rabbit with the other, and with a slight leap, they shot toward the treetop.
Xia Yi felt his body lighten as Gu Wenzhu lifted them into the air.
The wind whistled past, leaves blurred by, and within seconds, they were sitting atop the massive tree crown.
Xia Yi looked around in astonishment, then turned to Gu Wenzhu in disbelief. “Brother Zhu, you can fly too?”
Gu Wenzhu led Xia Yi to a sturdy branch and sat down, handing him a piece of rabbit meat with a soft smile. “Yes, I’ve known for a while. I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want to scare you.”
Seeing the sparkle in Xia Yi’s eyes, his legs dangling playfully in the air, Gu Wenzhu chuckled, tore off a piece of rabbit leg, and stuffed it into Xia Yi’s mouth.
As the clouds drifted by and birds circled them, the two of them sat high above, sharing the roasted rabbit bite by bite.
After they returned to the winter melon house, Gu Wenzhu summoned his magic hoe.
Wasting no time, within half an hour, the magic hoe had cut through the thick clouds, revealing the floating island of Qishan before them.
As soon as they landed in Wangzhu Courtyard, a black shadow pounced toward them.
Qilin barreled into Xia Yi, almost knocking him over, and then enthusiastically licked his face.
While Xia Yi wrapped his arms around Qilin’s neck, playing with it, Gu Wenzhu asked in a strange tone, “What’s that?”
“What?” Xia Yi looked up in confusion, following Gu Wenzhu’s gaze. His eyes widened in shock as he slowly stood up.
In the sky, a black line appeared on the horizon, like a thin stroke of ink, growing thicker as it approached, as if drawing a dark curtain across the heavens.
The curtain moved swiftly, heading straight for Qishan.
As it got closer, Xia Yi realized the curtain wasn’t just moving on its own—it was made up of countless flapping wings.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a curtain at all but hundreds of birds, their black wings beating in unison, creating the illusion of a single vast entity.
“What is that?” Xia Yi echoed Gu Wenzhu’s earlier question, stunned.
“Junior Brother Xia,” a deep voice called urgently. A tall figure, Qingxiu, walked into the courtyard, his expression severe. Seeing Xia Yi still there, he let out a sigh of relief.
“Senior Brother Qingxiu, what is that in the sky?” Xia Yi hurriedly pointed at the flock of birds in the sky and asked.
Qingxiu glanced at the sky briefly and replied seriously, “Junior Brother Xia, demonic beings from the Demon Realm have arrived. The entire sect is preparing to confront them. No matter what happens, you and Young Master Gu must stay in this courtyard and not go anywhere.”
“But don’t worry. There’s a barrier around Qishan that was set up by the Celestial Lord in the past. Once the elders activate the formation, the barrier will isolate the outside world. Those with low cultivation levels won’t be able to break through it.”
Xia Yi was stunned after hearing this, then pointed at the black mass in the sky, “So, those are the demonic beings from the Demon Realm?”
Qingxiu nodded, but before he could speak again, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air above.
With several loud bangs, a series of brilliant fireworks exploded in the sky, forming a massive pentagon.
Xia Yi recognized this pentagon-shaped firework—it was the same signal he saw the first night he arrived here.
Following the explosion, countless disciples of Qishan began gathering at the edge of the sky. It seemed this was their signal to prepare for battle.
Seeing the symbol in the sky, Qingxiu’s expression grew grave. Without further explanation, he reminded Xia Yi once again not to wander off, then swiftly left through the gate, heading toward the front courtyard.
By this time, the flock of birds had already descended upon the front gate of Qishan.
Their enormous wings blotted out the sky, stirring up strong gusts of wind that bent the trees near the gate.
From all over the main and floating islands of Qishan, countless disciples took to the sky. Each wore flowing green robes and had jade crowns binding their hair, fluttering gracefully in the wind.
For a moment, the sky was filled with various magical treasures flying in all directions, crisscrossing in an intricate pattern that left Xia Yi dazzled.
Dust brushes, swords, and folding fans were commonplace, and there were even treasures like jade disks similar to Qinghui’s.
The strangest ones, however, were the disciples standing on feather dusters, balancing on massive water tanks, or riding paper windmills like children’s toys. The variety was endless.
“179, looking at it this way, my winter melon treasure seems pretty normal,” Xia Yi remarked to the system.
“Master, I still think it’s odd. Look at all these treasures. How many of them involve being locked inside while flying?”
At that moment, Gu Wenzhu turned and began leading Xia Yi back into the house.
Not wanting to miss such a spectacle, Xia Yi quickly pleaded, “Brother Zhu, let’s watch for a little longer. Just a bit more, until the fighting starts, okay?”
Gu Wenzhu hesitated for a moment, and Xia Yi quickly clung to his arm, shaking it. Finally, Gu Wenzhu gave in with a sigh, “Alright, but if things start to look bad, you must return to the house immediately.”
Xia Yi eagerly nodded, then seized the opportunity, “Let’s go to the gate to watch. This spot is blocking our view.”
Without waiting for a refusal, Xia Yi dragged Gu Wenzhu through the round gate and hid behind a patch of bamboo outside the courtyard.
The Qilin also sneaked behind them, finding a few bamboo stalks to shield itself before lying down.
“179, if a battle really breaks out and swords and energy start flying around, there could be collateral damage. Do you have a protective shield we can use to hide inside with Brother Zhu?”
“Yes, I do,” 179 answered without hesitation.
Why was the system so cooperative this time? Xia Yi had been prepared to wheedle and threaten it, but it agreed so easily.
“Is your protective shield effective?” Xia Yi asked, doubtful.
“Of course! Our shield is made of carbon fiber and has 3C certification. It can block a significant amount of debris and stray branches.”
Never mind, Xia Yi thought. I shouldn’t have expected this system to be reliable.
The disciples of Qishan, though they appeared to be flying around chaotically, were actually well-coordinated. Despite the crisscrossing movements, they never collided.
Once they stopped moving and hovered steadily in the air, Xia Yi realized that they had formed groups of dozens, stationed at nine different points, effectively sealing off all routes around Qishan, securing the area tightly.
At the mountain gate, directly facing the flock of birds, stood a group of Qishan disciples. Leading them were Liu Sixian and Cheng Ming, each standing on a compass-shaped gourd.
Once the disciples had taken their positions, the two raised their swords towards the sky.
With their swords lifted, two beams of white sword energy shot into the sky, merging with the sword energy from other Qishan disciples in the air.
As the energies fused, a transparent barrier swiftly rose from the ground, converging overhead to form an enormous dome.
The space within the barrier stretched for miles, enclosing all the Qishan disciples and the various halls in an impenetrable shield.
“This must be the barrier Senior Brother Qingxiu mentioned earlier, the one that the Celestial Lord left behind,” Xia Yi said, eyes wide with excitement.
Amazing. Truly amazing.
It was clearly much more reliable than 179’s ‘3C-certified shield’.
Liu Sixian moved forward on his gourd, stopping a few meters ahead. With a deep breath, he shouted towards the sky, “Who dares to approach Qishan? What is your purpose here?”
The flock of black birds began to scatter, revealing a three-headed eagle in the center.
As the three-headed eagle flapped its wings and slowly descended, Xia Yi finally saw that there was a man in red robes standing on its back.
The red robes were light and fluttered like silk in the wind, resembling a gown.
Normally, Xia Yi would find such an outfit on a man quite jarring, but the person standing on the bird’s back had fair skin, long black hair, and almond-shaped eyes that slanted upward. His half-lidded gaze exuded laziness, and his face was strikingly beautiful.
His androgynous appearance and languid demeanor matched perfectly with the vibrant red robes.
As soon as he appeared, the entire Qishan sect erupted in an uproar, with disciples immediately drawing their weapons and preparing for battle.
One junior disciple even cried out, “The Red-Robed Demon? Could he be the Demon Lord Jiechang?”
Jiechang’s cold gaze swept across them, and the other disciples hurriedly covered the speaker’s mouth, whispering, “Quiet! Don’t let that demon hear you!”
The disciple’s voice trembled as he spoke, clearly terrified.
Liu Siqian was momentarily stunned when he saw Xie Shang. After exchanging a glance with Cheng Ming, his expression turned grim, and he spoke in a serious tone: “I wonder what business the Demon Lord has in Qishan? While we may not have an Immortal Lord in residence right now, our sect still boasts hundreds of disciples, numerous Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators, and a fair number of Nascent Soul elders. Several of our elders have even reached the Great Ascension stage. This is not a place the Demon Lord can come and go as he pleases.”
Jie Shang smiled slightly at these words.
That smile was enchanting, more beautiful than a flower in full bloom.
Some of the younger disciples, lacking composure, were utterly captivated, standing dumbfounded with their mouths agape.
Even the more seasoned disciples, while their hearts wavered, couldn’t help but silently scold themselves, “What a bewitching demon.”
Hiding behind the bamboo, Xia Yi also stared in disbelief. “Brother Zhu, this person is the Demon Lord? He looks so young. Then again, in the world of cultivation, you can’t judge age by appearance. Just like that Cang Yi. What do you think? Is the Demon Lord beautiful or not?”
Gu Wenzhu remained silent, so Xia Yi nudged him with his elbow. “Hey, I’m asking you, is he beautiful or not?”
Still, there was no response.
Xia Yi turned slightly to look at him, only to find Gu Wenzhu staring blankly at the man in red, his eyes filled with confusion and a dazed expression.
“Brother Zhu? Do you know him?” Xia Yi asked curiously, noticing Gu Wenzhu’s strange behavior.
But Gu Wenzhu was still lost in thought, not hearing Xia Yi’s question. Jealousy flared up within Xia Yi, and he pinched Gu Wenzhu’s arm viciously, his gaze fierce. “What are you looking at? Can’t take your eyes off a pretty man, huh?”
The pain snapped Gu Wenzhu back to reality.
Turning to face Xia Yi, he said in a perplexed tone, “Xiao Yi, I think I know him.”
“Know who?” Xia Yi blinked, realizing Gu Wenzhu meant the man in red. “You know this Demon Lord, Jie Shang?”
“Is he really the Demon Lord Jie Shang?” Gu Wenzhu didn’t answer directly but instead asked, his voice full of confusion.
“When I saw him, it felt like images flashed through my mind—of him speaking to me gently, smiling… It felt… felt like we were very close,” Gu Wenzhu murmured, his eyes unfocused as he stared ahead.
What the…?! Xia Yi fumed inwardly. Is he seriously daydreaming right now? Are you making up stories in your head?
Furious, he began pinching the soft flesh of Gu Wenzhu’s arm while gritting his teeth, “Gentle… smiling… close…”
Gu Wenzhu grabbed Xia Yi’s hand tightly, stopping him. “Xiao Yi, have you ever experienced this? Where flashes of images suddenly appear in your mind, and the person in them doesn’t seem to be you, but someone else?”
Xia Yi froze, his thoughts turning inward. What Gu Wenzhu said reminded him of his own strange memories, like that rippling pond and the echo of “Xiao Lan” that sometimes surfaced in his mind.
For some reason, Xia Yi suddenly felt a bit guilty, and his aggressive demeanor softened. However, he still sternly said, “Look all you want, but you’re not allowed to think about it. Even if it’s someone else’s past, you can’t dwell on it.”
Gu Wenzhu quickly nodded, indicating he understood. Only then did Xia Yi release his grip and turn his attention back to the mountain gate.
After Jie Shang’s brief smile, he gracefully stepped down from the back of the descending three-headed vulture.
Though he appeared slender, he was quite tall and exuded an elegant, commanding presence.
As he strolled forward, brushing aside branches and flowers as if he were taking a leisurely walk through his own garden, he approached the sect’s protective barrier, which shimmered faintly like a crystal wall.
Many expected Jie Shang to stop in front of the barrier, but his steps never faltered. The barrier, as though sliced by a sharp blade, opened up a gap for him to pass through.
Once he had entered, the gap sealed itself seamlessly.
Seeing Cang Yi Immortal Lord’s protective barrier fail to stop Jie Shang, everyone present gasped in shock.
“This is Qishan territory. Demons are not welcome here. We ask that the Demon Lord leave at once,” Liu Siqian shouted, alarmed by Jie Shang’s effortless entry.
Jie Shang simply smiled again and looked over at Liu Siqian. “Who are you? Has Qishan run out of people? Go fetch Cang Yi, and let him speak to me.”
Although Jie Shang’s voice was calm and soft, almost like a whisper, it carried clearly to everyone present.
Liu Siqian’s face darkened at Jie Shang’s dismissive attitude. He raised his voice, “Activate the Great Sumeru Reversal Nine Palaces Immortal Array!”
Immediately, the Qishan disciples sprang into action, and nine beams of sword energy shot up from the array’s different points.
With the sound of weapons unsheathing, countless swords soared into the sky, hovering in midair, all aimed directly at Jie Shang.
Seeing this, Xia Yi instinctively grew tense, his hand reaching over to grab Gu Wenzhu’s arm.
Nearby, Qilin growled in excitement but was quickly shushed by Xia Yi.
Despite being surrounded by swords, Jie Shang remained unfazed. He continued walking forward with his hands behind his back, speaking lightly, “No need to be so tense. I’ve come alone to Qishan, not to cause trouble. I heard that your Immortal Lord Cang Yi has exited seclusion, and I’ve come to see him. Go tell him that an old friend has come to offer his congratulations.”
Liu Siqian’s face relaxed slightly upon hearing that Jie Shang wasn’t here to cause trouble, but he quickly grew stern again. “It seems the Demon Lord is mistaken. Our Immortal Lord Cang Yi has not exited seclusion. However, since you’re here, we won’t need to make a trip to the Demon Realm to find you.”
“Oh? You’re looking for me?” Jie Shang stopped walking and raised an eyebrow slightly. “And what for?”
Liu Siqian ground his teeth, saying, “Our Senior Brother Tian Xuan and over a hundred of our disciples were captured by your subordinates. We demand you return them to Qishan.”
After listening, Jie Shang tilted his head and furrowed his brow for a moment before saying, “I’ve been thinking for a long time, but I still can’t recall when we abducted your disciples, let alone that Tianxuan person.”
“Tianxuan isn’t your sect master? He was kidnapped too?” Jie Shang asked in a surprised tone. Then, as if finding it all quite funny, he burst into laughter where he stood.
“You people from Qishan are truly declining with each generation. Even your sect master has been abducted, and you don’t even know who did it. Now you come to me, asking for him.”
“How amusing, hahaha.”
He stood there laughing so hard that he was nearly doubled over, but abruptly, the laughter stopped, and his expression darkened.
“I’ll say it again. Bring Cang Yi out.”
Cheng Ming, unable to hold back any longer, drew his longsword and pointed it at Jie Shang. “I’ve told you, Immortal Cang Yi hasn’t emerged from seclusion. We’re all still looking for him. Where do you expect us to find him for you?”
“Is that so? But I clearly sensed his presence,” Jie Shang tilted his head again, appearing to ponder seriously.
Suddenly, he smirked slyly, “So, he came out of seclusion and even kept it a secret from you.”
“Are you afraid that I’d come seeking revenge once I found out?”
“But I am here for revenge,” a strange expression appeared on Jie Shang’s face as he slowly enunciated each word with venomous hatred, “to avenge the death of my son.”
The words “avenge the death of my son” sent a shiver through everyone present.
Liu Sixian was stirred by these words. The massacre at Yulu Sect many years ago, where blood flowed like rivers, resurfaced in his mind.
