The heavens wept with a gentle rain, the droplets falling like tears from the celestial realm. The sky was tinged with a somber hue, and this was already the second day of continuous rainfall.
Xiao Yicai’s brows furrowed deeply, and he suddenly turned to the person beside him, asking, “Junior Sister Yan, have you noticed anything unusual?”
Standing beside him was Yan Hong of the Flame Incense Valley. Since that fateful day when the righteous faction was scattered amidst the miasma, Xiao Yicai had entered the inner marsh, taking a different path, and thus had not encountered Fahxiang or Lin Jingyu. Instead, he soon met Yan Hong. Although they were not from the same sect, they felt a sense of camaraderie, and in recent days, they had been traveling together.
Yet, despite their thorough search in the endless forest, they had found nothing. The only things here were trees, ceaseless rain, and countless venomous insects, making it an utterly vexing place. Sometimes, Xiao Yicai pondered, it was no wonder that no one lived here; it was hardly a place fit for humans!
Nevertheless, they had to do what must be done. Xiao Yicai and Yan Hong searched the area meticulously, and though Yan Hong was polite, she seemed to remain on guard.
When he noticed that Yan Hong seemed to have seen something, staring intently into the forest, he couldn’t help but ask. Upon hearing his question, Yan Hong replied, “Senior Brother Xiao, look over there, it seems rather strange.”
Xiao Yicai was startled and followed her gaze. Through the curtain of rain and dense foliage, a faint golden light flickered, only to vanish.
His heart raced as he saw the light flash again after a long while, but it appeared to be even farther away.
Xiao Yicai and Yan Hong exchanged glances, both recalling the rumor about the sign of a precious treasure—a massive golden pillar reaching the heavens. Could it be…
In a moment, they both soared into the air, rushing towards the source of the light.
As they flew, they instinctively kept some distance from each other, subtly readying their treasures, unsure if they were guarding against unknown dangers or the threat posed by each other…
They quickly reached the area where the golden light was flashing. Pushing through the dense branches, they found a chaotic scene below: broken thorns scattered everywhere, and even the thick tree trunks bore scars. In front of them, several trees as thick as a man could encircle had fallen.
This trail of destruction stretched ahead, as if someone or something had unleashed a force, clearing a path through the dense forest.
Xiao Yicai and Yan Hong exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes. At that moment, distant noises could be heard from the forest ahead. They signaled to each other, and, flying lightly, hid among the branches, silently advancing.
As they continued, they saw numerous toppled trees and dead animals, victims of the unbridled chaos. The noise ahead grew louder, intermixed with Buddhist chants.
Xiao Yicai hesitated, wondering if it might be Senior Brother Fahxiang from Heavenly Melody Temple. Just then, a bright golden light flared up, and a thunderous roar echoed, shaking the surrounding foliage. The force was immense.
But Xiao Yicai’s expression changed; the roar, though powerful, carried a note of desperation. Realizing the situation was dire, he and Yan Hong, despite their hesitation, rushed forward.
From the air, they could see the entire scene. A robust monk, not the calm Fahxiang, but Fahshan, was engaged in a fierce battle. Fahshan, with his massive “Vajra Demon Subduing Staff,” was fighting a beautiful woman in a pale yellow robe. Her eyes were filled with a seductive charm, and her black hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders. Her eyes were mesmerizing, almost drawing one in completely.
Xiao Yicai, upon seeing her, felt a sudden surge of emotion, almost as if the world held only her. But, with years of cultivation, he quickly snapped out of it, realizing the power of her seductive art.
Fahshan, though imposing, was clearly struggling. His face was flushed, and he was barely holding his ground against the woman’s relentless attacks.
Xiao Yicai and Yan Hong exchanged a glance, recognizing the woman as Jin Ping’er, a notorious figure in the Demon Sect. She was known for her seductive arts, and even Fahshan, one of the most skilled disciples of Heavenly Melody Temple, was on the brink of defeat.
With no other choice, they swooped down, Xiao Yicai wielding the “Seven Stars Sword” and Yan Hong using her “Azure Spirit Stone.” The golden-robed woman, sensing the danger, frowned slightly, but her anger only added to her allure.
Xiao Yicai and Yan Hong landed near Fahshan, who was gasping for breath. Fahshan warned, “Brother Xiao, be careful. This is Jin Ping’er of the Blissful Sect, a very dangerous foe!”
Jin Ping’er, frustrated, decided to retreat. She knew the fight was fruitless, and the true prize, the hidden treasure, was still at stake. As she prepared to leave, a sudden, earth-shaking roar echoed from the depths of the marsh. The sky filled with a brilliant golden light, and an immense golden pillar shot into the heavens, illuminating everything in its path.
Xiao Yicai, Yan Hong, and even Jin Ping’er were stunned. This was the sign of the emerging treasure. Instantly, they forgot their enmity and, along with Fahshan, flew towards the source of the light.
Elsewhere, Qinglong and Youji, perched on a treetop, witnessed the same spectacular sight. Qinglong sighed, “The wonders of the world are truly beyond our comprehension. We thought we knew much, but now I see how much more there is to learn.”
Youji, her face obscured by a veil, replied, “The ancient text on the Dragon Subduing Cauldron states, ‘When the golden light appears, the Yellow Bird will emerge.’ But can we truly handle such a divine creature?”
Qinglong smiled, “Do not worry. The Dragon Subduing Cauldron has shown its power before. The Ghost King has entrusted us with this task, and we must have faith in his judgment.”
Youji fell silent, her thoughts lingering on the unseen threats. Meanwhile, the four figures—Xiao Yicai, Yan Hong, Jin Ping’er, and Fahshan—raced towards the source of the light, driven by the promise of the hidden treasure and the mysteries it held.
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