Chapter 193: Walking on Air, A World Apart
The white-bearded old man shook his head, “No, that was over four hundred years ago, during the late Yang Dynasty and the early Sheng Dynasty. The demonic cultivator who tried to sacrifice those people was a high-rank expert from the Poisonous Sunflower Sect, known as the ‘Melting Sun Demon Lord.’ The one who stopped him was Bi Yingtong, an immortal of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion.
“That Melting Sun Demon Lord used a powerful technique to fill the Wu Gorge region with demonic energy, a technique called ‘World Melting Demonic Qi,’ which could supposedly connect the mortal world with the underworld, bringing forth deadly poisons.
“After Immortal Bi Yingtong defeated him, she used a mysterious method to summon sacred energy from the Celestial Realm, neutralizing the demonic energy. The purified energy then settled into the land, imbuing Wu Gorge with a rich spiritual aura.
“These mountain ghosts survive on that energy, hidden in the mountains and caves, avoiding contact with the outside world. People see them and think they’re ghosts, but they’re just victims of the demonic sects.”
“As for the Holy Jade Immortal, she did come here three hundred years ago. The Shen Ting Sect, having discovered the rich spiritual energy here, tried to claim it for themselves. They even slaughtered the mountain ghosts, using the excuse of eliminating evil spirits.
“The Holy Jade Immortal arrived, stopped them, and after a fierce battle, single-handedly protected the mountain ghosts and destroyed the Shen Ting Sect.”
Sha Lingshan asked, “And who are you, old man? Why are you living here with these mountain ghosts?”
The old man sighed, “To be honest, I was once a demonic cultivator. I won’t mention my sect. I traveled the jianghu, committing countless atrocities. One day, pursued by those seeking revenge for my crimes, I stumbled upon this place, severely injured and near death.
“The mountain ghosts saved me. Although they’re seen as monsters by the outside world, they’re kind and compassionate, always helping those in need.
“They saved me, and I stayed with them, my heart gradually changing, my past sins filling me with shame. I was grateful to be alive and decided to remain here, abandoning the jianghu. I lived with them, sharing their food and their simple lives, and I taught them how to craft crossbows and build tunnels.
“Perhaps due to the rich spiritual energy here, living with them, drinking from the underground springs, eating the fruits they cultivated, my body gradually… changed, becoming like theirs. I’ve lived here for over one hundred and seventy years.”
The old man led them to a stone cave, a brazier burning within.
Shi Hao saw murals carved on the walls. One depicted a woman standing on a cloud, identical to the painting he had obtained at the Monastery of Coalescing Truth.
The old man chuckled, “These mountain ghosts, their minds are like children’s. They don’t remember grudges, only kindness. They carve images of those who have helped them on the walls, passing down their stories through generations.
“When I first arrived, I couldn’t understand their language. It took me a long time to learn their history. The two immortals from the Taisu Immortal Pavilion are also carved on the walls. They remember them.”
At the beginning of the mural, Shi Hao saw a woman holding a willow branch, rain falling from it, and several small figures dancing joyfully below.
This woman was clearly Bi Yingtong, the immortal of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion who had saved them from the Melting Sun Demon Lord centuries ago.
Shi Hao asked, “What about those Shen Ting Sect warriors outside? Wasn’t the Shen Ting Sect destroyed by the Holy Jade Immortal?”
The old man shook his head, “I don’t know the details. Deep beneath the Scripture Bestowal Platform, there’s a chasm, a remnant of the Melting Sun Demon Lord’s ritual. Although Immortal Bi neutralized most of the demonic energy, a portion remained there.
“She warned the mountain ghosts to stay away from it. For over a hundred years, they did.
“But three hundred years ago, after the Holy Jade Immortal destroyed the Shen Ting Sect, for some reason, the demonic energy in the chasm began to surge. And then, the surviving members of the Shen Ting Sect found it. They drove out the mountain ghosts, occupied the cavern, and, posing as mountain folk, established their own community here.
“They all practice Shen Ting Sect techniques, their methods even more secretive than the demonic sects. They’ve been encroaching on the mountain ghosts’ territory, who, unable to leave, have been forced to hide in the most remote areas.”
“As for what they’re doing now… they’re all wearing Shen Ting Sect uniforms, no longer hiding their affiliation, and they’ve set up some kind of formation, causing this strange weather. And they’ve been killing the mountain ghosts. Many have already died.”
Shi Hao frowned.
Sha Lingshan asked, “Besides these Shen Ting Sect warriors, is there anyone else here?”
The old man said, “There is another group, hiding, but the mountain ghosts have noticed them. They’re likely from the Poisonous Sunflower Sect. It seems the Shen Ting Sect has a traitor among them, helping the Poisonous Sunflower Sect infiltrate.”
“There was a powerful tremor earlier. Those Daoists were quite alarmed. Perhaps the Poisonous Sunflower Sect did something.”
He sighed, “Whether it’s the Poisonous Sunflower Sect or the Shen Ting Sect, they don’t care about the mountain ghosts. They see them as insects, their lives worthless. I don’t know what will become of them.”
Shi Hao, after a moment of thought, said, “Can we stay here for a while, observe the situation, and see what they’re planning? If they threaten the mountain ghosts, we won’t stand idly by.”
The old man quickly said, “Of course, of course! Please stay. I’ll have the mountain ghosts gather information.”
Wu Shun and Ding San fled through the forest, lightning flashing around them, trees splitting and burning.
The thunderclouds above were thinning, and sunlight peeked through the gaps, but the ground was cracked and scarred, sparks of electricity dancing across its surface, a terrifying sight.
Six purple-clad warriors suddenly appeared, blocking their path, their swords drawn, electricity crackling along their blades.
They attacked.
Wu Shun and Ding San knew they were in trouble. They were exhausted, and facing these six fresh opponents, they had little chance of survival.
A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the path before them.
With a series of whistling sounds, a cold light flashed.
The six warriors stumbled backwards, clutching their throats, blood seeping through their fingers.
They looked at each other in shock and disbelief, trying to find their attacker.
But Wu Shun and Ding San hadn’t seen anything either.
The six warriors collapsed, their bodies convulsing, then lay still.
Wu Shun and Ding San, their hearts pounding, knew they had been saved by a powerful expert.
Wu Shun called out, “Who is this benevolent hero? Please show yourself!”
A fragrant breeze, and bathed in the sunlight, a young girl, her feet seemingly touching the air itself, descended gracefully, like a celestial being.
She appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years old, dressed in a yellow pleated dress that fluttered around her, her skin fair, her features delicate, her appearance ethereal, like a figure from a painting.
A bolt of lightning, as if not daring to touch her, split apart above her head.
She floated towards them, stopping a few feet away, her pink embroidered shoes six feet above the ground.
Walking on air… such a miraculous ability, Wu Shun and Ding San had only heard of it in stories. Was this truly possible? Or was it… magic?
Although just a young girl, her power was clearly extraordinary.
They had seen her yesterday with the other three, the young woman with the sword, the hunched old man, and the disheveled woman.
But they hadn’t realized she was so powerful.
Now, having single-handedly killed six warriors, her figure bathed in sunlight, walking on air, she truly seemed like a celestial being.
Wu Shun and Ding San, awestruck, bowed deeply, “May we know your name, honored immortal? We will never forget your kindness.”
Although small, floating above them, she looked down at them, her gaze cold and distant.
Her hands clasped behind her back, her voice like ice, she said, “I am Ming Yueshu. I have some questions for you.”
Wu Shun and Ding San’s minds went blank… Ming Yueshu?
Ming Yueshu, the “Divine Infant,” number three on the Blacklist?
Then, they understood… who else could it be?
Such power, such skill, at such a young age, walking on air… only the Divine Infant.
But figures like those on the top ten of the Blacklist were like legends to them. They had never imagined meeting one in person.
Leave a Reply