Chapter 117: In the pursuit of the Dao, time holds no meaning, and in the mortal realm, years pass uncounted. Twenty years have slipped by, fleeting as a dream.
After a brief recounting, Zhen Yuanzi spoke, “Rise. Before you left the mountain, I sensed that your journey would be fraught with hardships, yet you would ultimately emerge unscathed. Tell me, what happened?”
“Yes, Master,” Lu Wufei bowed and stood. “When I left the mountain gate…” He spoke selectively, focusing mainly on the old demon who tried to seize his cultivation method.
“In the end, it was with the help of that demon that I was able to escape,” he said.
No sooner had he finished than Ming Yue, beside him, burst out indignantly, “How outrageous! That old demon dared to act so arrogantly, knowing full well that our junior brother is a disciple of Wuzhuang Temple. Such insolence deserves death!”
“If not for my insufficient strength, I would have…” Qing Feng chimed in, “That old demon truly deserves to die.”
Behind them, the senior brothers all wore faces filled with righteous anger. To capture a disciple of Wuzhuang Temple to steal cultivation methods was intolerable!
“Wild demons, without manners or respect,” growled a blue-robed disciple, his expression brimming with fury. He stood and bowed. “Master, please allow me to take our junior brother on a mission. We shall punish that impudent demon as a warning to others.”
“Master, I also request to go,” said another blue-robed disciple, rising. “Let me accompany Brother Zhang and our junior brother. We will teach those wild demons of the Great Wilderness the meaning of fear and respect.”
“I too ask to join,” said yet another. “Such matters cannot exclude me. It’s just right for us to go together and sweep the demons clean, so that the name of Wuzhuang Temple is feared far and wide.”
One by one, the senior brothers stood and voiced their determination to avenge their junior brother. Lu Wufei was deeply moved within.
Zhen Yuanzi smiled at his junior disciple and asked, “Wufei, what do you think?”
Moved as he was, Lu Wufei knew this matter had to be resolved by himself.
He bowed to the teacher on the high seat, then turned and bowed to his senior brothers. “Thank you all for your kindness, but since this matter was caused by me, I shall be the one to settle it. I swear to slay that old demon and never disgrace the name of Wuzhuang Temple.”
Hearing these words, Zhen Yuanzi stroked his long beard and nodded. “Very well. Then this matter shall be entrusted to you, Wufei.”
Lu Wufei bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master.”
Not long after meeting with the teacher, Lu Wufei left the main hall, accompanied by Qing Feng and Ming Yue, heading toward his quarters.
Along the way, Ming Yue asked questions, and Lu Wufei recounted some events in greater detail as stories.
After some time, Ming Yue sighed, “I never imagined so much would happen in just three years since you left the mountain. Truly extraordinary.”
Qing Feng nodded and added, “The mortal world is a chaotic mix. Though exciting, it is fraught with danger. You must cultivate well within the temple from now on.”
Lu Wufei agreed. “I fully intend to. This trip made me realize how weak I am. Upon returning, I shall train diligently with you both.”
Ming Yue smiled, “That’s good. We were getting bored. With you back, the three of us can have fun together. Having you around makes training lighter.”
Lu Wufei laughed and said, “Ming Yue, aren’t you just looking forward to training with me?”
Ming Yue quickly waved her hand. “No, no. I always look forward to seeing you. You can ask Brother Qing Feng.”
Qing Feng chuckled, “I can attest to that.”
The three brothers chatted as they walked. Soon they arrived at the door to the room where Lu Wufei had stayed before.
After a brief exchange, Qing Feng and Ming Yue left.
Before departing, Qing Feng said, “You just returned; don’t rush to help out. Rest for a while first.”
Lu Wufei smiled and nodded, watching his two brothers depart.
His injuries had been severe, and in the two months since returning, he had pushed himself hard without proper rest or recovery.
Although of demon lineage with a strong constitution and rapid healing, he still felt somewhat weak.
Turning, he pushed open the door behind him.
The room’s furnishings were unchanged—the desk and tables exactly as they had been three years ago when he left.
Not even a speck of dust marred the surfaces.
Lu Wufei sighed inwardly. The last time he came, he had brought along Little White, but this time the little creature was absent.
He felt a pang of unfamiliarity and longing.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thoughts, sat cross-legged on the bed, and closed his eyes.
His divine sense stirred.
A series of faint white ink-like virtual characters appeared before his eyes:
[Host: Lu Fei]
[Realm: Early Golden Core (13,530/100,000)]
[Experience: 56/14,000]
[Soul Power: 5]
[Cultivation Methods: Mixed Void True Steel Heavenly Scripture (Initial Mastery) (969/1,000); Demon Breathing Technique (Complete)]
[Skills: Seventy-Two Transformations (Initial Mastery) (348/1,000); Staff Technique (Complete)]
[Divine Arts: Pocket Universe (Skilled) (435/500); Golden Radiance Traverse Earth (Initial Mastery) (220/1,000)]
Looking at the data, Lu Wufei’s gaze lingered on the soul power stat—five points, earned from slaying four demon generals on the battlefield.
This was his greatest soul power acquisition to date.
Examining the rest, cultivation progress was slow as expected; though growth was faster than before, the higher realms always progress slowly.
His Mixed Void True Steel Heavenly Scripture was nearing completion—the fastest among his major abilities and divine arts.
His Seventy-Two Transformations, a rare skill for evading calamities, remained incomplete.
Though difficult to discern visually, when confronted with powerful perceptive divine arts that break illusions and spells, its effectiveness was somewhat lacking—a reflection of his own strength.
Divine arts, no matter how potent, ultimately depend on the cultivator.
His Pocket Universe divine art, inherited from Master Zhen Yuanzi, was his trump card, having saved him multiple times—no embellishment needed.
Its difficulty was commensurate with its power, and progress here was currently the slowest, partly due to the soul power allocation.
The Golden Radiance Traverse Earth divine art, a flying technique, was progressing steadily but had a notable drawback: activation was somewhat slow.
However, no worldly skill is perfect.
Lu Wufei accepted these flaws without complaint, knowing he had no better alternatives now.
Beyond these major divine arts, he had gleaned many minor arts through the Mixed Void True Steel Heavenly Scripture, but they were not worth investing soul points in.
Soul power was precious.
To strengthen any skill, it required at least one soul point for beginners, three for skilled, five for initial mastery, and ten for completion—a system Lu Wufei had long known.
With his current five soul points, he had only one chance to enhance something—and the choice had to be wise.
After contemplation, he activated the enhancement option beside the Mixed Void True Steel Heavenly Scripture.
[Enhancement will consume five soul points. Confirm?]
“Enhance.”
A brilliant light flashed. Suddenly, his mind brimmed with new insights and understanding of the scripture.
He chose to strengthen the cultivation method this time, rather than the more difficult Seventy-Two Transformations or Pocket Universe divine arts, because his return to the mountain was to train harder and improve his strength.
Now at the Golden Core realm, further advancement would require decades, even with his system.
Enhancing the root cultivation method would increase meditation efficiency and shorten the path to higher realms—maximizing benefit.
Had he still been outside, he might have chosen to enhance the Seventy-Two Transformations or Pocket Universe instead.
After awakening from his insight, Lu Wufei noted the virtual panel had changed. Soul power had reset to zero, and the cultivation method now read: Mixed Void True Steel Heavenly Scripture (Mastery) (969/2,000).
His mind was filled with profound comprehension.
Without delay, he took a meditative stance and began his cultivation.
***
Around him, the ambient energy shifted rapidly as streams of pure qi surrounded Lu Wufei.
Far to the south of Western Ox Continent, amidst endless mountain ranges, lay the Great Wilderness.
Atop Langlang Mountain stood the General’s Cave.
Within, clad in silver-white armor, Bai Yunxiao sat drinking alone before a table of wine and food.
His thoughts drifted back several months to the great battle that shook the Great Wilderness, Fengyun Ridge, Huoguang Cave, and surrounding demon clans.
In that battle, the three great kings of the Great Wilderness allied with two demon kings of Huoguang Cave to decisively defeat the five demon kings of Fengyun Ridge.
The first, second, and fourth demon kings of Fengyun Ridge perished on the battlefield.
The third and fifth demon kings were severely wounded and fled.
The losses were heavy on both sides.
Under the second great king, thirteen demon generals fought, with seven slain, leaving six survivors.
Under the first great king, ten generals fought, with three lost and seven remaining.
The situation was more complicated beneath the third great king.
Among his subordinates, the master of Snake Coil Mountain, the snake demon Madame Hua, fell in battle.
The newly promoted demon general, the red-eyed black bear spirit, also died.
Bai Yunxiao’s sworn brother, Bai Lang, had defected.
Yes—defected!
This was how the third great king described it when meeting with Bai Yunxiao.
Hearing this, Bai Yunxiao felt a weight lift. As long as Bai Lang was alive, any news was acceptable.
Defection was no great matter among demons, especially those of general rank—the backbone of demon clans.
They would be valued wherever they went.
Bai Yunxiao immediately suspected Bai Lang had returned to his original mountain sect.
Before he could ponder further, the third great king told him of Bai Lang’s astonishing feat—he had slain three demon generals under the second great king, including one in late-stage rank.
This news shocked Bai Yunxiao greatly.
Yet, the third great king did not express anger, only regret.
Bai Yunxiao was certain he had not misheard.
Their subsequent conversation confirmed this—the third great king’s tone was not one of blame but rather goodwill toward Bai Lang, though unspoken.
Bai Yunxiao, unaware of this, chose to be evasive.
After the talk ended, Bai Yunxiao did not question the third great king further about the defection.
He simply could not believe Bai Lang would flee without cause—especially after entering an immortal sect.
Why would he come to the Great Wilderness only to run away immediately?
He would never be so reckless.
Bai Yunxiao recalled that before the great battle, the third great king had taken him and Bai Lang to meet the first and second great kings, and Bai Lang had behaved oddly, as if entrusting matters to him before leaving.
It was clear something had happened.
Though unaware of specifics, Bai Yunxiao only wished for Bai Lang’s safety.
He soon gathered Bai Lang’s sworn brothers and the remaining small demons under his command from Taiping Mountain and brought them to Langlang Mountain.
A few days later, the third great king announced the recall of Taiping Mountain, effectively entrusting Bai Yunxiao with the remaining small demons there.
Though few remained.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the cave.
Bai Yunxiao recognized the sound immediately.
Soon, the tall bear commander, Bear Big, entered and reported, “General, all the little ones have assembled.”
Following his report, the rabbit demon beauty emerged with several half-demon maidservants carrying packages.
Bai Yunxiao drained his cup, set it down, and casually pointed to the parcels on the stone table. “Take these with you.”
He rose and headed out.
The half-demon maidservants hurried to pack.
Bai Yunxiao left the General’s Cave, flying straight toward the mid-mountain plaza.
Most of Fengyun Ridge had become Great Wilderness territory.
The third great king had decided to relocate.
Naturally, Bai Yunxiao had to move as well.
Today was the great relocation of Langlang Mountain.
***
At the mid-mountain plaza, wild boar demon Hong Pi and crow demon Er Ge led a noisy crowd of small demons.
“Hey, another move,” crow demon said, glancing at the densely packed demons. “I wonder if Big Brother can still find us after he returns.”
“Don’t worry, Second Brother,” Huang Gui squeezed through and interrupted. “With Big Brother’s strength, he’ll surely find us when he comes back.”
“True,” Er Ge nodded, sighing again. “I don’t understand why Big Brother suddenly left. He just came back not long ago.”
“Such a pity about Taiping Mountain. That place was so good.”
“He didn’t even tell us. I wonder how Big Brother is now.”
“Quiet,” Hong Pi cut in sharply. “Big Brother left for reasons of his own. His reputation with the second great king is bad. You can say what you want here, but once we reach the Great Wilderness, keep your mouth shut.”
“I’m not stupid,” Er Ge said excitedly at the mention of the second great king. “Killing three generals under the second great king—Big Brother sure is impressive!”
“Of course,” Huang Gui added, thumbs raised. “Big Brother is the only demon in the Great Wilderness who has entered an immortal sect—that’s unique!”
“Right!” Huang Gui continued, “Whenever other demons hear about our Big Brother from Taiping Mountain, they don’t just admire him—they ask after him.”
After some boasting, they turned to their silent third brother. “Third Brother, what are you thinking?”
Hong Pi sighed deeply. “I’m thinking of Little White. Little White went to find Big Brother, but Big Brother’s sect is so far away. I worry Little White won’t find him. Now that Taiping Mountain has been reclaimed and we’re leaving Langlang Mountain again, where will Little White go if it returns? It won’t even have a home.”
“We should have kept him longer,” Er Ge said softly. “Let him find Big Brother only after we settled in the new place, so he wouldn’t lose his way.”
“Eh.”
Hearing this, Er Ge and Huang Gui fell silent.
They recalled how when General Bai first brought Little White back, the little creature mourned deeply after learning Big Brother had left.
Little White wailed for a day and a night.
Their brothers, including Wanshan, tried to comfort him in turns, to no avail.
The next morning, Little White vanished without a word.
The last to console him, Hong Pi, had advised this.
“Third Brother,” Huang Gui said softly, “Without Big Brother here, we can’t keep Little White.”
“Yeah,” Er Ge sighed. “Little White is closest to Big Brother. We don’t know when Big Brother will return. If we force him to stay, who knows what might happen? It’s better to let him find Big Brother.”
“Let’s just hope Little White’s journey goes smoothly and safely.”
“Little White has the strength of a demon general now. With his ability to burrow underground and the fact he once went with Big Brother, he should be fine.”
Just then, Huang Gui spotted a figure flying through the sky. “General Bai is here!”
Er Ge and Hong Pi looked up.
General Bai’s arrival meant another departure from Langlang Mountain and the start of their wandering.
Not long after, Bai Yunxiao, his long beard flowing, led Bear Big and other commanders, surrounded by a massive dark cloud, flying toward the distance.
***
Deep in the endless mountains of the extreme south, within a dense forest, a large white rat about a meter long suddenly darted out.
It ran wildly ahead.
Not far behind, a gray rat demon with a group of small demons burst from the forest.
The white rat fled desperately until reaching a raging river.
It looked anxiously across the wide water, squeaking loudly.
At that moment, chaotic footsteps approached.
The gray rat demon and his small demons caught up, laughing loudly, “You little demon, come back obediently. I’ll take good care of you and find you spiritual herbs to transform. Otherwise, today is your death day!”
“Exactly!”
“Follow Chief Huang Ya, and he won’t mistreat a little demon like you who can’t even transform—no, little beast!”
“You’re facing the Black River ahead, full of water demons. Jump in, and you’re surely dead!”
“Right, surely dead.”
“Be a good cave demon under Chief Huang Ya.”
“The Chief won’t mistreat you.”
“You’re lucky the Chief noticed a little beast who can’t even speak!”
“Quickly obey!”
The small demons chattered as they surrounded the white rat.
The white rat looked left and right, seeing no escape, then bared sharp teeth to scare the small demons away.
With a fierce look, it leapt into the rushing river and vanished.
***
At Wuzhuang Temple’s ethereal realm, atop the high pavilion’s study, Lu Wufei sat before the usual large window, engrossed in a pale yellow scroll.
Suddenly, a light breeze stirred, ringing the wind chimes hanging from the eaves.
The clear, melodious sound filled the air.
Lu Wufei awakened from his reading, catching a faint scent of peach blossoms carried on the wind.
He set down the scroll and looked outside.
The once lush greenery of flowers, grass, and bamboo was now sprouting tender new shoots.
He rose and leaned out to the east, where the peach grove was in full bloom, a sea of splendid pink.
“Spring has come again,” he murmured softly.
Stretching out his fingers, he calculated briefly, realizing it had been three years since he last sought the Sand Monk at the Flowing Sand River for wine.
Since returning to the mountain, he had visited the Sand Monk three times—once every three years.
In other words, nine years had passed since his last return.
Nine whole years.
Time flowed quietly like water.
With a wave of his hand, the scroll flew back to the bookshelf.
Lu Wufei turned and descended the stairs.
A trip to drink with the Sand Monk every three years—this year was no exception.
By the lotus pond, he found Qing Feng and Ming Yue, recently obsessed with fishing.
“Senior Brothers, I’m going down the mountain,” he said.
“Go ahead. You know how to open the gate and return,” Qing Feng waved him off.
They all knew their junior brother’s habit and did not mind his half-month absence.
After bidding farewell, Lu Wufei headed to the mountain gate.
Upon reaching the main hall, an inexplicable joy surged within him.
At his realm, this was no mere whimsy—it meant good fortune awaited him on this outing.
His mood grew even lighter.
Over the years, to focus on cultivation, he had forbade himself both wine and even appetite.
The once-every-three-years trip to drink with the Sand Monk was his only indulgence—eating meat and tasting wine to unwind.
With light steps, he approached the mountain gate.
Whispering a few incantations, the gate creaked open.
He pushed it wide, then closed it behind him.
A few steps beyond, the gate swiftly vanished from the white stone mountain path.
Lu Wufei descended step by step.
Rounding a bend, he saw a white-furred rat covered in blood, struggling to climb the path.
Hearing movement, the white rat raised its head and froze upon seeing a figure in azure robes ahead.
However, it had seen such illusions too many times to panic.
It stood, rubbed its bright black eyes with its pink paws, and looked again.
The figure remained.
At that moment, its guard rose.
It took a half step back, assumed a defensive stance, rubbed its eyes again, and saw the azure figure still there, blinking and smiling.
“Squeak! Squeak!”
The white rat suddenly cried out, seeming to recognize something.
It dashed forward and leapt into a familiar embrace, sniffing the utterly familiar scent.
The little creature rubbed its head desperately and suddenly burst into sobs.
Holding the weeping Little White, Lu Wufei gently stroked its blood-stained fur and the deep wounds beneath.
His heart ached.
“Dad is here now,” he whispered softly.
“Don’t be afraid.”
“No more fear.”
The Great Wilderness lay tens of thousands of miles from Longevity Mountain.
Even at the speed of Golden Radiance Traverse Earth, the journey took months if smooth, half a year if delayed.
For Little White—a mere early-stage demon general with far less strength and skill than a normal demon—to trek mountains and waters to find Longevity Mountain was an ordeal known only to Lu Wufei.
Nine whole years.
For Little White, unable to speak or transform and weaker than him, to successfully find Longevity Mountain was both incredibly difficult and fortunate.
Listening to the little one’s sobs, Lu Wufei was filled with regret and relief.
Regret for not bringing Little White when he left.
Relief that the little one had safely found him.
“No more fear.”
“Dad will never leave you again.”
“No more fear.”
“Waaah…”
Feeling the little one’s tears, Lu Wufei held him close and turned toward the mountain behind them, the gate just closed.
The path of cultivation knows no cycles.
The mortal world forgets the passage of years.
As Lu Wufei smelled peach blossoms again and again in the study of Wuzhuang Temple, he feasted with Little White in the southern orchard, eating until sated countless times.
The spring couplets outside the western kitchen courtyard were replaced repeatedly.
The blackwood forest to the north grew two more rings of age on every tree.
Time slipped by quietly like flowing water.
Twenty years passed.
Twenty years vanished in the blink of an eye.
Twenty years felt like a dream.
One morning, Lu Wufei stepped from his room, gently patting the head of Little White, who had slept by the window for over a decade.
He then strode out.
Soon, he appeared beneath the high pavilion of Wuzhuang Temple.
“Come up…” The teacher’s voice sounded beside him.
Lu Wufei adjusted his robes and climbed the stairs.
Entering the quiet chamber, he bowed respectfully.
Behind the incense altar, Zhen Yuanzi opened his eyes and glanced at Lu Wufei before closing them slowly.
“To the east you must go. Your breakthrough awaits there…”
“Go now…”
Lu Wufei bowed. “Yes, Master…”
(The chapter ends)