The Purple Song Sage glared fiercely at Jin Lin and Mo Changxing, then with a single incantation, the charred forms of the minor demons on the ground instantly returned to their original appearances.
The restored minor demons immediately rushed to the Purple Song Sage’s side, seeking protection.
“Everyone! If anyone still wishes to spar, we’re ready anytime!” Jin Lin smiled warmly as he looked at the terrified minor demons.
Yet, his smile only made them retreat several more steps in fear.
In the sky, the battle between Yun Qingxue and Mei Wu had reached a fever pitch.
Both were at the Great Demon stage of cultivation, but Yun Qingxue’s level was two tiers higher than Mei Wu’s.
Mei Wu was at the early stage of Great Demon cultivation, while Yun Qingxue was at the late stage, just one small step away from entering the Longevity stage.
“Ha!” Mei Wu shouted, conjuring countless illusory fox shadows around her.
The phantoms bared their fangs and lunged at Yun Qingxue from all directions.
Yun Qingxue frowned slightly, her hands weaving a seal. Flower vines rose into the air, intertwining to form a transparent barrier.
“Go!” she also shouted. From the protective barrier formed by the vanishing vines, countless sharp leaves shot forth with overwhelming force toward Mei Wu and her illusory foxes.
The clash of powers clearly favored Yun Qingxue.
Her leaves shattered Mei Wu’s phantom foxes and continued their relentless assault toward Mei Wu herself.
Mei Wu hastily erected a defensive barrier, but it quickly cracked under the impact of Yun Qingxue’s attack.
“Ah!” Mei Wu cried out as she fell to the ground. Yun Qingxue gracefully descended after her.
“Senior Sister’s skills are remarkable. Mei Wu admires you!” Mei Wu lowered her eyes in defeat.
Yun Qingxue stepped forward to help her up, smiling. “Junior Sister’s cultivation is impressive. I only narrowly won.”
“Senior Sister is too modest,” Mei Wu replied with a smile, affectionately linking arms with Yun Qingxue as they walked together to stand before the Purple Song Sage.
The sun passed its zenith and slowly sank westward. By the time night fell, Luoyun Mountain had returned to its tranquil serenity.
Early the next morning, the Purple Song Sage found himself reliving the same routine as the day before.
Minor demons knocked on his door at dawn, seeking his guidance, followed by one disciple after another requesting instruction.
It wasn’t until the third day that the Purple Song Sage had finally given personal guidance to every one of his newly accepted disciples.
Just as he thought he could finally relax, an expected yet unexpected guest arrived at Luoyun Mountain—the Beast King, Cang Yan!
No one knew how many troops the Beast King had brought, but the entire base of Luoyun Mountain was surrounded.
Jin Lin and Mo Changxing, upon receiving the news, immediately sent word to the Purple Song Sage, who usually paid no heed to matters beyond the mountain, while they themselves rushed to the foot of the mountain.
Cang Yan stood at the center of his beast army, his cold, sinister eyes fixed on Jin Lin and Mo Changxing as they descended.
“Beast King, what’s the meaning of this grand display at Luoyun Mountain?” Jin Lin stopped at the mountain’s base, smiling politely.
Cang Yan gave him a frigid glance and spoke in a low, icy tone, “Let’s not mince words. I’ve come to retrieve my betrothed!”
“Your betrothed?” Jin Lin raised an eyebrow, still smiling. “Luoyun Mountain has no such person. Perhaps you’ve come to the wrong place.”
Cang Yan’s ice-blue eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at Jin Lin. “Dragon King, don’t play dumb.
I’ll ask you plainly—is my betrothed, the Flower King Yun Qingxue, on this mountain?”
“The Flower King is indeed here, but she is our junior sister. I fail to see how she could be connected to you, Beast King.
Please refrain from making baseless claims!” Jin Lin’s tone turned cold.
Cang Yan smirked. “Whether my words are baseless, I’m sure the Dragon King knows well.
If you return my betrothed unharmed today, I’ll consider the past grievances between our clans settled.”
“Beast King, your words make it sound as though I’ve wronged your people. How laughable!” Jin Lin rolled his eyes, his expression flippant.
Cang Yan’s expression darkened further. “I demand to see Yun Qingxue!”
“Our junior sister is a pure and noble lady, the rightful Flower King. She is not someone you can demand to see at will!” Mo Changxing coldly refused.
“If you refuse, then don’t blame me for forcing my way in!”
“Luoyun Mountain is not a place you can simply storm as you please! The Beast King overestimates himself!” Mo Changxing’s face remained composed and unyielding.
“If you dare to force your way in, I dare to stop you! I’ve been idle lately—a good fight would be welcome!” Jin Lin showed no fear.
“Who dares to provoke Luoyun Mountain?”
Just as tensions reached a boiling point, the Purple Song Sage arrived, having received word of the conflict.
Faced with a legendary figure of the Xuanling Continent, even Cang Yan knew to show restraint. He descended from the sky and bowed respectfully.
“Junior greets the Sage!”
“No need for such courtesy, Beast King,” the Purple Song Sage nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
“Might I ask why you’ve surrounded Luoyun Mountain with such a show of force?”
“Please don’t misunderstand, Sage,” Cang Yan replied politely. “I’ve only come to retrieve my betrothed. I bear no ill will toward you or Luoyun Mountain.”
“Your betrothed?” The Purple Song Sage raised an eyebrow. “What does retrieving your betrothed have to do with surrounding my mountain?”
“Everything,” Cang Yan’s ice-blue eyes darkened. “My betrothed is the Flower King, Yun Qingxue!
Six months ago, the Flower King resided in my beast clan, where we became engaged. But then, the Dragon King and Phoenix King conspired with a mysterious force to abduct her!
For half a year, I’ve searched tirelessly for her.
Recently, I learned she is here at Luoyun Mountain. I’ve traveled far in hopes that the Sage would return my betrothed to me!”
The Purple Song Sage smiled faintly. “Yun Qingxue is indeed here, but she is my disciple.
I have neither arranged a marriage for her nor heard her speak of any betrothal.
Forgive me, Beast King, but I fail to see how my disciple suddenly became your betrothed.”
“Six months ago, the Flower King was not yet your disciple, was she?” Cang Yan challenged.
The Purple Song Sage shook his head. “On the contrary. I accepted Qingxue as my disciple long ago, though I did not announce it publicly, so few knew.
As the saying goes, ‘A teacher for a day is a father for life.’ Without my consent as her elder, how can you claim her as your betrothed? And to surround my mountain—is this not highly improper?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage