Chapter 27

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Chapter 27

The Master Ancestor furrowed his brow and glanced at Yan Fangji, subtly shaking his head.

At this moment, he agreed with what the chief disciple had said.

Step back once, and you will keep stepping back.

Rather than being angry about Gong Wu’s existence, it was clear to anyone with insight that they were more upset about Moonfire Valley’s attitude.

Their self-assuredness, in the eyes of others, seemed like disrespect.

Gao Dengyun covered his stinging face, speaking in an oddly sarcastic tone as he apologized again.

"My humble self is not worthy to compare with that esteemed young lady. Now that things have come to this, I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of her."

Yan Fangji ignored him, gazing at Daoist Qianhua with a faint smile: "My daughter has not yet come of age; it would not be appropriate for her to meet outsiders so openly."

"I appreciate your good intentions, but please also consider the girl’s reputation," Yan Fangji added.

Before Daoist Qianhua could respond, a fierce wind approached from a distance, making all the cultivators present turn in surprise.

"It’s Ji Yang!" A disciple couldn’t hide his excitement, "Junior Brother Ji Yang has returned!"

The sunlight broke through the clouds, revealing a young man flying back on his sword, his figure resembling a tall pine against the ink, his eyes as dark as lacquer.

Everyone had heard of his legendary fury when he killed He Zhao Li; who didn’t know he was the extraordinary youth who entered Glorious Light at just fifteen!

The disciples of Moonfire Valley suddenly felt their spirits lift; they were no longer as fearful and anxious as before.

Many people in Ba Jing Tower also showed signs of retreat, obviously having heard tales of the overwhelming scene where a thousand swords launched at once.

A twenty-year-old disciple of Opening Sun Realm?! A disciple of Opening Sun could even establish his own school and take in students; how could he still be considered a mere disciple?!

As Ji Yang stood before everyone, he bowed towards Tu Xuixin from afar.

"I have returned late; please forgive me, Master."

After entering the Illusory Sea that day, he suddenly understood why Tu Xuixin agreed to Yan Fangji adopting Little Wu.

Having a few more family members was a good thing, and he had felt childish jealousy, even asking some foolish questions privately.

After this matter, Ji Yang gradually felt happy for her acceptance by the Yan family and relaxed about her traveling alone in the valley to gather materials for casting.

Eastern Continent Qingluo clay, Northern City Yingwater sand, Xuan iron from the sea, and phoenix bones from the mountains—each item was complex to obtain.

Listening at a resting place to rumors about an immortal body, he realized that he had to hurry back after being away for five or six days, traveling night and day.

The young man looked around and saw the disciples from different palaces standing together against a common enemy, and his Junior Sister hidden away, which eased his worried heart significantly.

Tu Xuixin brushed the dust off him, pulled the disciple back into the crowd, and whispered,

"Don’t stand out."

"It seems this must be the Ji disciple from the rumors," Daoist Qianhua smiled, "You alone stirred a thousand swords and tricked He Zhao Li into being killed; it is fortunate that your blood hasn’t exploded yet."

Though the immortal appeared otherworldly, his words dripped with sarcasm, leaving others feeling displeased.

Just after Tu Xuixin had warned his second apprentice not to stand out, he turned around, irritated, and snapped back, "Must you speak like that?"

"What’s with the sarcastic tone? If you want to insult someone, do it plainly!"

Yan Fangji yanked back his clawing junior disciple, saying, "You, shut up too!"

"I am her father, Daoist Qianhua. Today, I am resolute; I will not let her go."

"If you insist on making things difficult, I won’t flinch for a moment. Come at me if you dare!"

Meanwhile, Gong Wu crouched in the underground passage, hugging her knees, and her hand brushed against the bamboo basket that had poked her last time.

This passage connected multiple exits and could shelter hundreds of people from disaster, lying three zhang beneath the ground.

According to her master, this design hadn’t existed when the valley was first built. It was the Master Ancestor who, one day, accidentally turned the medicinal cauldron into a poisonous cauldron, nearly harming all his disciples.

Since then, different drum and bell sounds had been established as signals in the valley, and emergency escape routes were constructed underground, each protected by magical formations.

She sat in the pitch-black darkness, gazing at the faint light seeping through the cracks for a long time.

In this place, she could hear nothing and had no idea if a fight would break out outside.

If a fight did happen, she prayed there would be no injuries or deaths.

The little girl prayed repeatedly, reciting several incantations over and over, sighing deeply.

Why must they call me a monster?

Do I need colorful wings or a phoenix tail to be seen as a good person?

Lost in thought, a furry, slender paw touched her face.

Gong Wu jumped in fright, leaping to her feet and looking around, "Who?! Who’s there?!"

From the darkness, a voice replied, "I am a monster."

Gong Wu: "…??"

Did I just not voice my thoughts?

"How did you get in here?!" she asked warily, "Were you hiding here all along?!"

"This is underground," the sharp voice replied, "Why wouldn’t I be able to crawl in?"

Another, younger voice interrupted, "Don’t talk to her; just knock her out and take her away."

Gong Wu could only smell the distinct scent of beasts but couldn’t see what these two monsters looked like in the darkness.

"Don’t!! Let’s talk this out—"

Before she could finish, her vision went white as the monster dug a hole and carried her away.

Outside Moonfire Valley, tensions were about to erupt.

Daoist Qianhua cursed under his breath, calling them ungrateful, and gripped his magical weapon, ready to strike. Suddenly, Hao Chengzi raised his hand and called out, "Wait!"

"What is it?!" Daoist Qianhua, still unaware of the commotion behind him, glared angrily, "Even if you regret it now, it’s too late!!"

Today, all of you from Moonfire Valley will pay for this!

Not only did the Master Ancestor glance behind him, but several other Palace Lords also wore puzzled expressions.

"Hey, what’s behind you?"

Daoist Qianhua thought they were pulling some absurd trick again, bracing himself as he turned around, only to be stunned in place.

The terrain here was low and sunken, forming a valley between two mountains.

As they ventured eastward, the mountain path gradually ascended, meandering behind the towering peaks.

Despite the presence of thousands from Ba Jing Tower, it did not obstruct the panoramic view from the heights; the grand red procession was clearly visible at a glance.

In a typical family wedding, one might see a modest convoy of horses and donkeys, scarcely making an impact on the current scenario.

But now—hundreds of red-clad figures on golden horses were charging straight towards Moonfire Valley!

Cheng Ji, shielded by Yan Fangji, stood in awe, murmuring to himself.

"What… what is this all about…?"

A disciple from Ba Jing Tower hurriedly approached Daoist Qianhua, his face etched with anxiety.

"Master, our people are obstructing their path. Should we not command them to make way?"

"Make way?!" Daoist Qianhua retorted furiously, "Regardless of their origin, Ba Jing Tower does not yield!"

"But… but…" the disciple hesitated, "The approaching party bears the fir blossom insignia of Bao Pu Mansion on their attire!"

The immortal was momentarily stunned, as if he had swallowed a fly, and reluctantly conceded, "Let them have half the path!"

No matter how domineering Ba Jing Tower was in the north, they had only dispatched a contingent to question them.

Bao Pu Mansion, a prominent sect in the vicinity, had consistently ranked second or third for centuries, and they were not to be trifled with!

Upon the issuance of the command, half the path was gradually cleared.

The thousands of Ba Jing Tower disciples, poised for battle, were now bewildered by the approaching sounds of bells and drums.

What now? What brings these people here?

Indeed, as they surmised, this was a grand procession for a marriage proposal.

Dozens of flowery steeds adorned in red satin, with golden hooves, carried ninety-nine boxes of bridal gifts along the extensive mountain trail, resembling a gleaming golden serpent.

As the head of the marriage procession finally navigated through the narrow passage, accompanied by lively music, the tail of the last cart leisurely advanced.

Two figures approached, both clad in magnificent robes and crowned with jade; the elder bore a solemn expression, while the younger had a rosy, youthful countenance and a cheerful smile.

Before the denizens of Moonfire Valley could speculate on the identities of this father and son, Daoist Qianhua swiftly bowed in greeting.

"To the esteemed masters of the second house, I, Tan, apologize for my discourtesy and seek your understanding!"

Though an immortal, he was notably more humble at this moment, avoiding direct eye contact.

The one addressed as the second master nodded slightly, continuing his advance, while both father and son dismounted to pay their respects to Hao Chengzi.

"We come from Bao Pu Mansion to propose marriage and hope not to cause any disturbance."

Yan Fangji looked astonished, and Tu Xuixin quickly clarified the family ties, "Could they be here to seek Little Wu’s hand? Should I, as her master, or you, as her father, address this?"

Hao Chengzi, equally taken aback, noticed the long tail of the procession finally halting, and asked in confusion, "Who are all these…?"

"I am Fu Qingbo from Bao Pu Mansion, and this is my son Fu Guangchong, the second in our family and a legitimate son."

"Having heard of the beauty of the lady from Tianhua Palace, I have come today to formally propose."

Ji Yang whispered, "But how old is she?"

Fu Guangchong, with his acute hearing, chuckled, "I am twenty-four, unmarried, and I vow never to take a concubine in the future."

"If your family deems the proposal premature, we can discuss and wait for a few years."

Tu Xuixin calculated with his fingers, "In a few months, Little Wu will turn seventeen; it’s indeed time to discuss a marriage proposal, isn’t it?"

"But…" he smiled warmly at the crowd from Ba Jing Tower behind the Fu family.

"Today seems a bit too lively; there are so many guests that we can’t possibly attend to everyone, so we can’t discuss it right now."

At this point, Fu Qingbo turned his cold gaze toward the awkwardly standing Daoist Qianhua.

One came to discuss a funeral, while the other sought a marriage; even a glance at each other felt inauspicious!

You, a mere dispersing immortal without a position or temple, dare to cause a scene here?

"Is there anything else?"

"I originally came with my disciples to exchange a few pointers," Daoist Qianhua quickly raised his hands in salute, forcing a smile as he stepped back, "I won’t disturb everyone’s discussions about the joyous occasion. Farewell!"

He retreated too hastily and nearly bumped into Gao Dengyun behind him.

That disciple had initially hoped to exact revenge, planning to return and boast while mocking Daoist Qian Wei, scheming to have his master seize the Tunneling Whale.

With that well-laid plan interrupted, Gao Dengyun refused to leave and pleaded with his Master for further consideration.

"Master…"

"Leave!" Daoist Qianhua snapped angrily, "Don’t embarrass us here!"

The mountain path was narrow; the people from Ba Jing Tower found it quite troublesome to retreat, forcing their way out to look for a water route.

They arrived with a fierce presence and left with their tails between their legs; in a few days, this would surely become a tale for laughter that they couldn’t cover up!

Daoist Qianhua gritted his teeth and led his people away, allowing the heavy-laden carts of betrothal gifts to finally spread out slowly; earlier, the boxes were almost crushed.

Looking around, the carts were brimming with gold and jewels, a testament to their sincerity.

The old valley master had never seen such a spectacle and felt both amused and bewildered.

"Please come in; the valley offers humble tea and simple fruits. I hope you won’t mind."

"Not at all!" Fu Guangchong bowed once more and said with a warm smile, "We from Bao Pu Mansion come with sincere intentions."

"We hope to find a good match and create a beautiful story for the ages."