Chapter Ninety-Three: The First Encounter (Part 1)

“What’s the matter? Disappointed? You couldn’t even pass the first trial to enter the Azure Pool Sword Sect. Even if you cling to life, you’re nothing but a complete waste. You might as well cooperate with our sect and let us refine you into a human pill. Hmph, ha ha…” Li Muqiu looked coldly at Che Wuyou, who was stunned into silence, and sneered.

“T-this…” Gradually recovering from Li Muqiu’s mocking laughter, Che Wuyou realized that what he had witnessed was not some hidden secret of the world, as he had hoped—something so profound it could shake the entire Southern Zhanbu Continent. Instead, it was merely an ancient myth. Worse still, because of that myth, he had lost his chance to enter the Azure Pool Sword Sect altogether.

A pang of disappointment gnawed at Che Wuyou’s heart. Though he knew joining the sect was no easy feat, and despite his mediocre talent, he had never imagined that merely ascending Azure Pool Mountain would not even grant him passage through the sect’s first trial. He could not help but feel disheartened.

“Am I destined to be mediocre all my life? How then can I ever be worthy of Lanzi? How can I deserve the woman who swore in the snow and wind that she would marry no one but me?” He had solemnly promised his senior sister that he would reach the Foundation Formation stage. Suddenly, he shook his head fiercely. “No, I cannot watch her youth flourish while I wither away. I must form my foundation. No matter what it takes, I must enter the Azure Pool Sword Sect. It is my one and only chance. I will pay any price to get in.”

As Che Wuyou silently vowed this, a piercing eagle cry suddenly echoed across Azure Pool Mountain. The sharp, resonant sound cut through the air, startling him. Instinctively, he clapped his hands over his ears before looking up.

Above, a massive black eagle circled in the sky. Suddenly, it dived swiftly toward the crowd below.

The giant eagle’s body rapidly grew larger in Che Wuyou’s eyes. Even from a distance, he could clearly see its razor-sharp, eerie blue talons, its long, metallic beak, and its fierce, glowing red eyes, exuding a chilling menace.

The powerful gust stirred the robes of those present, and the eagle’s overwhelming presence seemed poised to destroy everything. Fear gripped Che Wuyou’s heart, and he instinctively stepped back several paces. In all his years, he had never seen a beast so ferocious. Even facing the top masters of Azure Pool, the eagle dared to attack with reckless abandon.

The enormous black eagle soon landed on the ground, its body strong and gleaming as if forged from steel, standing roughly three meters tall. Before the crowd, it exuded an immense aura of oppression. The eagle raised its long neck proudly, surveying its surroundings with regal poise, each heavy step like an iron club, radiating pride.

“Daddy, you’re finally back!” a soft, tender voice suddenly came from the eagle’s back.

Che Wuyou was astonished. He craned his neck and after a long gaze, discovered a girl of about twelve or thirteen seated atop the giant eagle. She had an exquisitely delicate, oval face, with long bangs framing her faintly crescent-shaped eyebrows. Her pale, gentle complexion bore a sweet smile, and her eyes shone eagerly at Li Muqiu. It was clear that the “daddy” she spoke of was none other than Li Muqiu himself, the Grand Elder.

“So it’s Li Muqiu’s daughter who arrived—no wonder there’s such a grand spectacle,” Che Wuyou thought with a mixture of envy and jealousy. “To think a place as revered as Azure Pool Mountain, a sacred ground for immortal cultivation, would harbor such a beast—it truly is a magnificent display. Yet, such a frail little girl choosing such a fierce raptor as her mount is quite extraordinary.”

“Qiu’er, why have you come? The wind is so strong outside, and you dared to ride Black Cang. How many times have I told you that your health is fragile? You must rest and avoid the wind. If your condition worsens, how will your father bear it?” Li Muqiu’s usually stern face softened briefly with rare tenderness as he spoke.

“Daddy—this is the last time. After I take the Supplement Pill, my body will fully recover. Then, I won’t have to fear anything,” the girl said, her expression turning mischievous. Then, with hopeful eyes, she continued, “I won’t have to endure that endless torment anymore. These years have been so hard. That pain—it’s been unbearably exhausting. I was afraid I wouldn’t make it through… but thankfully, this chapter is finally coming to an end.”

“Qiu’er…” Li Muqiu gazed at his daughter, Li Yiqiu, whose eyes shone with hope. Each word pierced his heart, leaving him momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he said, “Let’s go back inside. The wind is too strong out here…”

“Okay.” Li Yiqiu nodded obediently, her sharp black-and-white eyes briefly sweeping over the crowd. When they rested on Che Wuyou, she hesitated slightly before withdrawing her gaze.

Suddenly, she seemed to recall something. “Daddy, when will I take the Supplement Pill? I’ve heard it requires very strict conditions. If a low-level cultivator takes it, a master of the Immortal Inquiry Realm must assist, or else the pill’s power will be difficult to suppress.”

“Qiu’er…” Li Muqiu’s expression darkened as his daughter mentioned the Supplement Pill again. He could not bear to deceive her, not wanting to give her hope only to dash it repeatedly.

“Qiu’er, listen to me. No matter what you hear, you must stay calm. You must hold onto hope. Do you understand?” Li Muqiu’s voice was steady and grave, his gaze fixed solemnly on Li Yiqiu.

“What is it?” Li Yiqiu’s pale, lovely face faded slightly. Her father rarely spoke to her like this, and a bad premonition stirred within her. Could her illness have taken a turn for the worse?

“Is something wrong?” She forced a faint smile, clutching her slender white fingers tightly as her heart pounded wildly.

Black Cang, the giant eagle that bore her, seemed to sense her tension. It ceased its restless movements and stared quietly at Li Muqiu, as if awaiting his next words.