Azure Pond Sect, Yuanwu Peak.
The news that Daoist Master Yuanwu was about to pass away had gradually spread. This Daoist Master at the Purple Mansion Realm was constantly shuttling in and out of the sect, and all the disciples understood the situation tacitly, not daring to bring it up.
Yuanwu Peak stood tall, shrouded in mist, with fire veins surging. This peak was Azure Pond Sect’s sacred mountain dedicated to artifact refining. Usually, cultivators came and went in a bustling scene but now it appeared rather desolate, as if people were deliberately avoiding it.
After all, Yuanwu was now the most unreasonable person in and outside the sect. Even if he encountered someone he found unlucky on the road and killed them with a wave of his sleeve, no one would dare seek justice.
Tang Shedu stepped out of his cave dwelling. With the sound of his armor clanking, he was looking rather troubled.
Tang Shedu had not gained any benefits in the grotto heaven. Instead, he had suffered serious injuries. Knowing that Yuanwu had been prone to madness these past years, he used the excuse of recovery to keep delaying, staying in seclusion on the peak for over a decade.
Now, however, he had reached a point where he could no longer avoid meeting Yuanwu. If he continued to hide, Yuanwu might one day remember him and slap him to death, tearing through the great void in the process.
Before he even reached the mountainside, he saw a young-looking man standing at the mountain entrance. The man startled Tang Shedu, who quickly said, “Greetings, Daoist Master Yuan Su.”
Yuan Su held a jade flask, seemingly still drinking. He waved his hand lazily, as if swatting away flies and said softly, “I’m just here to watch him die. It has nothing to do with you.”
Seeing Yuan Su’s carefree demeanor, Tang Shedu broke into a cold sweat, nearly crying inside. Yuan Su was sharp-tongued and would never miss such a golden opportunity to mock Yuanwu, only making things harder for them.
He hurried up the mountain and saw another person standing in front of the grand hall. This man did not wear the sect’s blue robes but was draped in a brocade robe. He had short facial hair, sallow skin, a thin and long face. His lifeless eyes were filled with extreme fear.
This man was Yu Su, another key figure on Yuanwu Peak who was notorious for his greed.
The two exchanged glances, both wearing mournful expressions. The grand hall, which was usually gleaming with golden light, was now dim and lifeless. The ever-dominant Yuanwu was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a white-haired old man sat kneeling at the hall entrance, his hair was disheveled as he stared blankly.
Tang Shedu’s legs trembled as he listened to the clanking of metal from within the hall. He wished he could gouge out his own eyes at that moment. He lowered his head to his chest as he stammered, “Master…”
Yuanwu, dazed and groggy, squinted his eyes to look and said in surprise, “Cheng’er, Xiuxian, you two are here.”
The two of them immediately turned pale, kneeling in silence.
Tang Shedu and Yu Su naturally understood these two names. One was Tang Yuanwu’s son, Tang Shecheng. The other was their former senior brother, Yu Xiuxian.
Tang Yuanwu was ruthless and unfeeling, yet the only ones he had ever cared about were these two. Back when they were alive, Yuanwu Peak had a completely different atmosphere and Tang Yuanwu still had a smile on his face.
Back then, Tang Shedu had merely been a collateral disciple, following Tang Shecheng around like a lackey. Yu Su, due to his greedy nature, was often strung up and beaten by his elder brother, Yu Xiuxian, wailing through the night.
Later, Tang Shecheng perished when he failed to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm, and Yu Xiuxian was killed by Guo Er of Crimson Reef Island. Yuanwu had been powerless to change their fates. From then on, his temperament grew increasingly extreme which led to his current state.
The two of them knelt there, too afraid to speak. Tang Yuanwu, hair disheveled and eyes vacant, took a step forward. He reached out to pull Tang Shedu closer, asking, “Ah… Cheng’er… why are you wearing armor? How many times have I told you… wear a Daoist robe… look more carefree… Ah… wearing a Daoist robe is better…”
Though Tang Shedu both feared and resented Tang Yuanwu, his feelings for Tang Shecheng ran deep. He couldn’t help but shed tears. Yu Su was also moved as he listened. Tang Yuanwu then reached for Yu Su, asking, “Why are you dressed so extravagantly!… Xiuxian, you’re finally thinking about yourself… Your younger brother was useless… Ah… learn more Daoist spells… don’t just cultivate…”
Yu Su had already been holding back tears, but when he heard this, he could no longer contain himself. The notoriously greedy and ruthless Jinmao Xi burst into loud sobs.
That cry was a mistake. It instantly snapped Tang Yuanwu out of his moment of tenderness and confusion. The coldness and madness returned to his eyes, and a fiery brilliance reignited in him as he erupted in fury, “You worthless wretch! What are you crying for? I’m not dead yet!”
Yuanwu struck Yu Su’s chest with a palm which sent him spewing blood across the floor. He tumbled down from the high platform and rolled over and over. His brocade robe was soaked in blood as he struggled to get up, kowtowing in anguish. “Master!”
That single cry caused Yuanwu to lower his raised hand. His gaze averted, as if avoiding Yu Su, before landing coldly on Tang Shedu.
Tang Shedu’s lips were deathly pale as he stared straight at him. Yuanwu flew into a rage and cursed, “Rebellion! Everything is in revolt!”
He kicked Tang Shedu squarely in the chest. A series of sharp cracking sounds echoed as bones shattered. Tang Shedu fell from the high platform like a bird with broken wings. Yuanwu coughed up a mouthful of golden powder and spat, “Worthless wretch!”
The sky churned with storm clouds and a massive spiral was gradually forming. At its center, the sky was blank and cloudless, leaving only a deep golden radiance shining directly upon the floating figure of the white-haired old man.
Yuanwu’s hair was in disarray, his eyes bulging as he gazed at the torrential downpour of golden grains and iron dust falling from the heavens. He let out a wail that no longer sounded human.
All of Mount Azure Pond was engulfed in the metal storm, blinding everyone within it. Each person was as if stranded on an isolated island, unable to distinguish those around them. Daoist Master Yuan Su’s expression grew solemn as he raised his jade cup and made a distant toast toward the sky.
“Senior brother… go well.”
In the seventh month, Tang Yuanwu of Azure Pond perished through self-dissolution. Golden rain fell like a waterfall, iron dust descended like sand, his spiritual sense shattered beyond measure. When the rain finally subsided, stepping outside, one could see that the green peak had turned to gold within ten meters radius.
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Green Pine Island.
“I will go with you to that market and take a look at where exactly it lies within the Qunyi Strait.”
After saying this, Li Xizhi paused for a moment. Both he and his companion’s expressions changed as they sensed the violent fluctuation of spiritual energy in the heavens and earth. Without hesitation, they rose into the sky, one following behind the other.
Green Pine Island was home to many Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, and soon, numerous figures could be seen gathering in the sky. They were all turning toward the south in unison. Their expressions ranged from complicated to mocking to cold sneers as they whispered among themselves.
“Yuanwu has fallen!”
Li Xizhi’s expression was somewhat conflicted. Though Yuanwu had never had a good relationship with his own faction, he was still a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. With a soft sigh, he slightly bowed to show his respect.
After a brief moment, the golden-metal storm in the distance quickly subsided. Li Xizhi turned back and summoned a disciple from Azure Pond Sect, instructing him in front of Han Shizhen, “I have obtained a lead from the peak master and will make a trip to the Han Family. Inform the others to avoid them coming one after another for instructions, only to waste their efforts.”
Han Shizhen lowered his head in silence. The disciple responded and left. Only then did Li Xizhi offer an apology, he said, “The sect has many rules, I ask for your understanding.”
Han Shizhen dared not say much and hurriedly responded, “I wouldn’t dare… wouldn’t dare… it is only proper.”