Chapter 205 - Your Legend

As Emei's sect leader, though young, Yan Kongcheng knew every past patriarch and their deeds by heart.

Among Emei's past ancestors, Qiao Zizhong wasn't well known, and his deeds were few. Among them, he drew no attention to himself.

His story was far from legendary. He simply joined Mount Emei and cultivated. His aptitude was excellent, his comprehension exceptional, and his cultivation level high; thus, he became the patriarch.

He had never fought grand battles against demons to defend the Dao, performed earth-shattering feats, or inspired tragic ballads.

Yet now, everything changed.

Qiao Zizhong, someone over twenty thousand years old, had appeared before Yan Kongcheng. He couldn’t help but feel utterly astonished, as Emei's records said Patriarch Azure Frost had long since passed away and was buried on the mountain!

The patriarch said calmly, "It is not surprising for cultivators seeking immortality to possess secret techniques for longevity. Exorcism arts itself is a branch of qi cultivation. Back then, I cultivated exorcism arts and became an Exorcist Immortal. So, I faked my death to free myself and live a carefree life as an immortal among mortals.”

Skeptical, Yan Kongcheng murmured, “Does the history of Exorcist Immortals trace that far back?”

Qiao Zizhong still looked like an ordinary man, betraying no sign of his true power. “When the great upheaval struck Emei, everyone disappeared. Heaven and earth changed greatly. When I returned, I assumed our orthodox lineage had died out. I never expected to find you alive when heaven and earth reemerged. So, I rejoined the sect to see why the ancestors chose you.”

Yan Kongcheng hesitated no longer. He bowed and greeted him, “I greet Patriarch Azure Frost!”

Qiao Zizhong turned away to avoid the bow. “You are now the sect leader of Emei, and I am your disciple Zhong Ziqiao, not Patriarch Azure Frost. Remember that. I only revealed myself to force Xu Fu back when he showed killing intent toward you.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “I can help you once, but I cannot help you forever. Since you’ve already seen through me, I shall take my leave.”

Yan Kongcheng called out, “Patriarch!”

Qiao Zizhong stopped in his tracks and looked at him, puzzled.

“Patriarch, Mount Emei has only the two of us left!” Yan Kongcheng shouted, his voice trembling and hoarse.

Qiao ZIzhong said, “I survive by staying ordinary. I flashed a moment of extraordinariness just now to save you and force Xu Fu back. That has already put me in danger. I cannot remain at Emei any longer.”

Yan Kongcheng forcibly held back the tears in his eyes and cried out, “Before heaven and earth were sealed away, Mount Emei had thirty-seven thousand disciples. Now, only we remain. I cannot bear such a heavy burden, Patriarch!”

Qiao Zizhong frowned. “Cautious normalcy kept me alive all these millennia. I cannot stay here to help you. You’re the sect leader of Emei now. They surely had their reasons for choosing you to take on the position...”

Yan Kongcheng said softly, “The thought of being the sole guardian of such a vast legacy terrifies me. I live in constant fear that Emei’s lineage will end with me, that my death will bring an end to Emei’s orthodox tradition, or that a single defeat will tarnish its reputation...”

Unable to hold it in any longer, tears finally rolled down his cheeks.

Through his tears, he noticed a pair of feet standing before him. He looked up and met Qiao Zizhong’s rigid gaze.

Qiao Zizhong squeezed out a smile. “I’ll wait until you’ve grown strong enough before leaving.”

Yan Kongcheng wiped away his tears and smiled. “With you staying, I feel like I have a pillar to lean on in my heart.”

“No, you’re the pillar of Emei.” Qiao Zizhong’s figure flashed and vanished.

His voice drifted over. “Xu Fu directed his killing intent at you. We cannot allow such a precedent. I must let him know that our Emei Sect is not a pushover!”

However, Qiao Zizhong kept one thing to himself. The timing of Xu Fu’s appearance is too suspicious. He appeared right after my house was robbed. This man has been making moves in the shadows for the past two thousand years. Has he been watching me all this time?

Yan Kongcheng chased forward a few steps, but he only saw white clouds drifting lazily over the green peaks; Qiao Zizhong was nowhere to be seen.

“Patriarch Azure Frost actually lived from the Great Shang era until now. Does becoming an Exorcist Immortal really grant eternal life?”

Yan Kongcheng stood lost in a daze. Xu Ying had taught him exorcism techniques and exorcism arts, but he never mentioned that Exorcist Immortals could live eternally.

Moreover, even Xu Ying couldn’t be certain, as he had once met a female Exorcist Immortal named Bai Qiuzi living in seclusion in her Radiant Vestige land. She was already four thousand years old. She hid within her Radiant Vestige land of sublimation and said that she had been aging more rapidly in recent years.

However, Yan Kongcheng knew none of this. “With Patriarch Azure Frost overseeing us, Emei’s resurrection is within reach!”

Meanwhile, Xu Ying avoided Xu Fu and left Mount Emei, heading straight for the Yunmeng Marsh.

Last time, he broke free from Xu Fu’s control by taking advantage of the chaos caused by Ancestral Dragon’s resurrection. Naturally, he didn’t want to fall into his hands again.

Feeling a faint unease inside, Xu Ying asked, “Master Zhong, you were taken down in a single move the last time you clashed with Xu Fu. If he chases us now, how many moves can you last?”

Dazhong calculated for a moment. “After leaving my fallen master, I was broken and rebuilt and am completely different now. Old Ancestor Chanchan refined artifact fragments and used countless treasures to forge this body of mine.

“I’ve also comprehended the concepts of True, Spirit, Void, Stillness, Emptiness, and Clarity, and have eight Immortal Dao runes on me. Furthermore, I borrow vital energy from you and Master Qi to cultivate every day, though I’ve never returned any; I’m far stronger than I was back then! Now, I can hold out for two moves!”

Xu Ying fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

Dazhong quickly added, “Actually, maybe just one move. I still can't dodge his Hand of Heaven and Earth, so he might drop me instantly.”

Xu Ying was exasperated. “Master Zhong, he can take me down in one move too! You're no better than I am!”

Dazhong muttered sheepishly, “Except he won’t kill me in one move. If he hits you, you die...”

With a grim expression, Xu Ying traveled thirty thousand li eastward and arrived at the south of the Ba State[1].

In the end, Xu Fu never pursued them. Xu Ying felt somewhat relieved and smiled. “Master Zhong, we’ve made great gains on this journey. We eliminated Fu Yi's threat and befriended Yan Kongcheng. That kid is actually three thousand years old!”

He marveled at meeting a three-thousand-year-old boy, captivated by the wildness of their journey.

Dazhong thought, Ah Ying still sees himself as an eighteen-year-old snake catcher. In truth, he is only eleven, since everything before age seven was a fabricated memory.

“It would be rather difficult to get rid of Bei Chenzi and Yutang. They’re both lovers of chess, but absolutely terrible at it, and are inseparable. Whenever they have time, they would sit together and play chess. It’s impossible to eliminate them one by one.”

Xu Ying mused, “If I don’t deal with them, who knows when they’ll ambush me again. My luck won't save me every time. Thankfully, Fu Yi at least gave me some clues!”

He gazed into the distance, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from him. “Meng Po sells tea on the Bridge of Oblivion. Finding her is much easier than tracking down Bei Chenzi and Yutang. Master Zhong, do you think Meng Po will know about Xujiaping Village?”

He flashed a confident smile. “I think she knows for sure!”

Just then, Xu Ying spotted a square rock floating atop a mountain peak ahead, with a figure standing on it.

Xu Ying’s heart skipped a beat. Xu Fu! I didn’t expect him to arrive so quickly!

Dazhong lowered his voice and asked, “Ah Ying, what should we do?”

“There’s no way we can hide from him. He’s guarding ahead. Clearly, he’s calculated that we will pass through there.”

Xu Ying steeled himself and marched forward while Dazhong quietly siphoned his vital energy, ramping up his power for the coming clash.

Dazhong whispered, “Ah Ying, if I don't charge Xu Fu with everything I've got and run away instead, don't brand me as disloyal. Death doesn't scare me. I would just be running away to fetch backup, to bring Master Jin to save you.”

Xu Ying replied, “Mhm.”

Xu Fu stood waiting on the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain. Seeing Xu Ying fly over, he stepped back and gestured for him to get on the immortal mountain.

Xu Ying stopped beside the mountain and didn’t get on it.

Xu Fu didn’t think much of it and matched Xu Ying’s pace, heading toward the Yunmeng Marsh together. He said casually, “To be able to see you again brings me great joy, Mister Xu. You’ve met Yan Kongcheng, so what do you think of Qi Cultivators’ Dao art divine abilities?”

Xu Ying replied, “Brilliantly exquisite and breathtaking.”

Xu Fu smiled. “Emei’s lineage is only one of countless of them. In the ancient era, when ascension was still possible, these Qi Cultivator sects left behind brilliant immortal arts and mantras passed down for ages.

“When the world underwent that great upheaval, the ascended immortals surely secured paths of survival for their respective lineages.”

He gazed toward the distant mountains shrouded in mist. There, new, wondrous mountains were still constantly emerging. “As their heirs awaken one by one, you will witness the rebirth of Qi Cultivation.”

He turned to Xu Ying. “You might have won over Yan Kongcheng, but you won’t win over everyone. In today's world, the corrupt Exorcist noble clans and the rotten society stand no chance against Qi Cultivators.

“The prosperity of Exorcism is but a temporary phenomenon. Just like when Ancestral Dragon burned books and buried Exorcists alive, they will end up reduced to ash!”

Xu Ying smiled. “Ah Fu, it’s also possible that these successors to the lineages will take the initiative to accept Exorcism and breathe new life into Qi Cultivation. You should embrace Exorcism too.”

Xu Fu’s gaze swept over him. Xu Ying met his gaze, showing no fear.

Dazhong instantly grew tense, ready to strike at any moment. I should help Ah Ying block Xu Fu’s lethal strike first. I can run right after!

Xu Fu gradually tensed up as fighting spirit soared within him.

Xu Ying was slightly taken aback when he sensed that fighting spirit wasn’t directed at him!

Just then, he spotted an ordinary man with a rigid appearance standing in the distance. Xu Ying’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately backed away from Xu Fu.

Xu Fu said calmly, “You surprised me. Quietly harvesting your crops keeps you safe from attackers. Yet you sought me out yourself. Why?”

Qiao Zizhong said with an indifferent expression, “You shouldn’t have harbored killing intent toward our sect leader, much less the thought of manipulating him.”

Surprised, Xu Fu replied in puzzlement, “You’ve come to intercept me just because of this? Don’t you know you’re risking your life here? You harvested too many crops, packing your body with enough immortal herbs to make every harvester drool.

“In your prime, no one dared challenge you. But an injury will draw them like bloodthirsty hyenas waiting to pick your bones clean.”

Qiao Zizhong approached. Phantoms of grotto heavens faintly manifested behind him. “I’m not doing this entirely for Emei’s sake. You’ve had your eye on me for a very long time now, right? You’re a hidden danger to both Emei and me. I will pay a small price today to teach you a lesson.”

Xu Fu frowned, unsure what the ancient cultivator meant, though he cared little either way.

As long as he stood on the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, he was an invincible immortal!

“You’ve fused Emei’s mystic arts with exorcism techniques and have refined your transplanted grotto heavens to a flawless state. Impressive.”

Standing on the immortal mountain, Xu Fu’s clothes fluttered without any wind as he said calmly, “Emei represents an orthodox immortal lineage. You mastered its true teachings and seamlessly blended exorcism into them. Very well, I will give you one chance. Withstand a single strike from me, and I will grant your freedom and never cross Emei again.”

Qiao Zizhong walked toward him. His mystical power, primordial qi, divine sense, Primordial Spirit, and Yin and Yang qi had all reached the level of an immortal. Combined with Emei’s immortal art legacy, his grotto-heaven was perfect, even if it had been transplanted!

He struck. Brilliant immortal light burst from Qiao Zizhong, transforming the ordinary-looking cultivator into a descending immortal.

Emei's divine abilities burst from his hands with the might only an immortal Dao could possess, harmonizing with the Dao of heaven and earth and carrying its might as it struck toward Xu Fu on Fangzhang Immortal Mountain!

By now, Xu Ying had already gone far away. His mind jolted at this moment. He turned back to look, and saw a scene he’d never forget.

On Fangzhang Immortal Mountain, immortal Dao converged into a stream and flowed like a vast river to meet Qiao Zizhong’s Emei divine ability!

That river was like a heavenly river, so magnificent it was impossible to forget.

Dazhong urged him, “Ah Ying, stop looking. Let’s go!”

Xu Ying pulled his gaze away and picked up the pace, channeling the Extreme Intent Freedom Art to the limit as he rushed toward the Yunmeng Marsh. He was still far from his destination. Even if he used the technique continuously, it would still take him half a day to a full day to reach the Fusang Tree.

Suddenly, a small immortal mountain descended from the sky right in front of Xu Ying. Xu Fu stood atop it, his black robes billowing out in all directions as he descended slowly.

Xu Ying slowed his pace, gritted his teeth, and walked forward, stopping beside the Fangzhang Immortal Mountain once again.

Wearing his usual smile, Xu Fu asked, “What did you think of that move just now?”

Xu Ying said sincerely, "It is exquisite beyond words. It’s the strongest and most beautiful divine ability I’ve ever seen.”

"You created it,” Xu Fu said.

Xu Fu stopped and did not continue forward. "Mister Xu, you were the one who created that move. Such a perfect and powerful divine ability; you taught it to me overseas.”

Xu Ying walked forward and glanced back. Xu Fu didn’t stop him, leaving Xu Ying puzzled.

But since Xu Fu had no intention of capturing him, Xu Ying seized the opportunity to leave!

Xu Fu’s voice drifted over from behind, heavy with profound meaning, “Mister Xu, your desire to integrate exorcism arts and fuse divine abilities with exorcism techniques is to betray yourself!”

Xu Ying turned a deaf ear to him and transformed into a long rainbow, tearing through the air.

Xu Fu watched him fade into the distance. A moment later, he suddenly coughed twice.

He took out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and murmured, “As expected of a twenty-thousand-year-old monster. His cultivation base is too deep... Still, dual cultivation holds no inherent superiority over pure Qi Cultivation. He suffered far worse injuries than I did!”

1. Ba refers to the ancient non-HuaXia/indigenous state and people who inhabited the Sichuan Basin, upper Yangtze River region, and parts of modern Chongqing, Hubei, and Sichuan during the Zhou Dynasty. ☜