Chapter 101: The Mystic Serpent

The wind blew, causing innumerable flowers to sway in unison.

Lu Xueqi stood emotionless amidst the sea of blooms, silently gazing at Gui Li, who had just landed opposite her.

A subtle, ethereal fragrance wafted gently through the air.

Gui Li lightly shrugged his shoulders, and Xiao Hui, with a swift leap, jumped down from his shoulder. The little gray monkey looked curiously at his master, then glanced at Lu Xueqi across from him. Scratching his head, he scurried off to one side.

Gui Li’s gaze fell upon the towering stone gate behind Lu Xueqi, and he suddenly smiled. “Is this what we’re looking for?”

Lu Xueqi stood before the stone gate, neither smiling nor speaking. Her complexion was pale, her thoughts inscrutable.

Gui Li slowly approached, his voice cold and calm. “I want what’s inside…”

*Clang!*

The Divine Sword Tiandu, like a stream of autumn water, appeared between them, reflecting their figures, shimmering gently.

Gui Li halted in his steps.

Lu Xueqi slowly raised her head. Her face, pale as frost, seemed even more ethereal, resembling a celestial maiden untainted by the mortal world. Her words, too, carried a bone-chilling iciness: “I will not let this treasure fall into the hands of the Demon Sect, to harm more innocent people.”

Gui Li gazed deeply into her eyes.

She was as beautiful and cold as she had been in the past, untouched by the passage of time. But what of her heart? Had it changed, as his had?

He suddenly laughed, but his eyes grew colder with each passing moment. He said, “Indeed, it seems we are at odds. I intend to take this unknown treasure and use it to kill many more.”

Lu Xueqi’s body trembled slightly. She stared at the man before her, silent, only tightening her grip on Tiandu.

In the distance, a faint roar echoed, originating from the depths of the mist beneath them. It sounded like the cry of a beast, distant yet powerful.

Moments later, both Gui Li and Lu Xueqi felt a slight tremor through the colossal tree they stood upon. The tree, impossibly large, was comparable in size to entire mountain ranges. The idea of something capable of shaking it was beyond belief.

But Gui Li and Lu Xueqi were no ordinary individuals. They quickly realized that the disturbance must be significant, and likely related to the treasure vault before them.

Just then, the first rays of sunlight slanted across the sky, illuminating the flower-covered ground in front of the stone gate.

Gui Li moved, ready to act, but Lu Xueqi’s eyes flashed. Tiandu, held before her, blocked the way to the stone gate.

Gui Li’s gaze hardened, a red light flickering in his eyes. “I do not wish to fight you. Step aside.”

Lu Xueqi met his gaze, unyielding. “You’ll have to kill me to pass.”

The red light in Gui Li’s eyes intensified. With a long, piercing cry, he leaped into the air, surrounded by a dark azure aura. Lu Xueqi’s face was as cold as ice, and Tiandu rose to meet him. “Since you’ve fallen to the dark path, why do you still use the techniques of Azure Ethereal Conclave?”

Midair, Gui Li’s Soul Eater glowed a deep red, matching the crimson in his eyes. “Whether it’s the techniques of Azure Ethereal or the dark arts of the Demon Sect, they are all means to kill. What difference does it make?”

With a fierce howl, the red light clashed with the blue, raining down upon them.

Lu Xueqi’s eyes flashed with anger, and she did not retreat. Tiandu met the blow, and the two heavenly treasures collided with a resounding boom!

*Bam!*

Gui Li soared higher, while Lu Xueqi was forced back several steps, her face even paler. Yet, with a determined frown, she rose with the sword, radiating a brilliant blue light that enveloped her.

“Ten years ago, I lost,” she said slowly, her voice carrying over the clash. Tiandu, under her divine power, shone brighter than ever, seemingly pushing back even the sun’s rays.

“Ten years later, I challenge you, the only one who has mastered the true methods of Buddha, Dao, and Demon.”

Gui Li laughed. “Your memory is sharp!”

Without hesitation, the Soul Eater spun in his hand, and a dazzling array of light appeared before him, the purest manifestation of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao.

Lu Xueqi’s face grew even colder. With a clear cry, Tiandu’s light expanded, and she swung the sword, its length seeming to grow tenfold, aiming for Gui Li.

Gui Li’s expression changed. He had spent much effort mastering the Taiji Xuanqing Dao, and from her single strike, he knew her cultivation had advanced significantly. None of the young disciples of Azure Ethereal Conclave could have condensed the Taiji Xuanqing Dao to such a degree, with such immense power. Even his own teacher, Tian Yizhi, had reached the Shangqing realm.

But now, Lu Xueqi’s sword cut through the air with the force of a mountain, and her blue light sliced through the air like a knife. Her skill rivaled that of Tian Yizhi, and her rapid advancement in the past ten years was truly astonishing.

However, Gui Li, with his mastery of three great paths, was not to be underestimated. As the mountain-like sword energy approached, he raised his arms, and the Taiji pattern before him spun rapidly, growing larger and blocking his chest.

*Swoosh!*

The indomitable sword light was halted by the Taiji pattern. Blue and clear lights clashed, creating a dazzling spectacle. Anyone caught in the midst of it would surely be severely wounded or killed.

In the midst of the light, Gui Li exhaled, and *Bam!*, Tiandu was sent flying back, and the Taiji pattern disappeared in a flash.

Gui Li smirked, a hint of admiration in his eyes, quickly overshadowed by the red glow. “Impressive. In just ten years, you’ve broken through to the Shangqing realm. Even Qing Ye himself might not have done better.”

Lu Xueqi, floating in midair, her robes fluttering, drew another spell, and Tiandu’s blue light blazed brighter. She was also inwardly shocked. Her intense cultivation, driven by her extraordinary talent and relentless effort, had allowed her to break through to the Shangqing realm half a year ago, making her the fastest disciple to reach this level in a thousand years. In Azure Ethereal Conclave, only the elders surpassed her, and even the prodigy Xiao Yicai paled in comparison.

Yet, despite her advancements, the former Zhang Xiaofan, now Gui Li, matched her in every way. His mastery of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao was so proficient that it stopped her sword, and the force behind it was unmistakably of the Buddhist tradition.

This man had indeed walked a path no other had before.

They locked eyes, their gazes sharpening. Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from the mist below, so loud that even Gui Li and Lu Xueqi felt dizzy. The massive tree shook violently, like an earthquake.

*Chirp, chirp!*

Little Gray, perched near the stone gate, was startled by the sudden movement, grabbing the vines and chattering in fear.

Before Gui Li and Lu Xueqi could react, four figures flew towards them. One in front, three behind, they arrived in an instant. Both Gui Li and Lu Xueqi were surprised to see them.

The four were familiar faces. The lone woman in the lead was Jin Ping’er of the Demon Sect’s Hedonistic Sect, followed by the righteous sects’ representatives: Fazheng, Zeng Shushu, and a stunned Lin Jingyu.

Silence fell over the scene.

Gui Li looked at them, and complex emotions flickered across Fazheng’s face—joy, shock, and more.

Jin Ping’er scanned the scene, aware of Gui Li’s status and origins. She knew of his past and the tangled relationships with the righteous sects. She subtly moved closer to stand beside Gui Li.

Fazheng and Lu Xueqi noticed her movement and frowned but remained silent.

Breaking the silence, Lin Jingyu, standing at the back, stepped forward. In his eyes, there was only Zhang Xiaofan, his childhood friend. He spoke, his voice trembling: “Are you… alright?”

Gui Li slowly turned away, unable to meet Lin Jingyu’s eyes.

Lin Jingyu’s emotions ran high, his voice hoarse. “Xiaofan, you…”

Gui Li’s body tensed, and he reluctantly met his friend’s gaze. There was no hostility in Lin Jingyu’s eyes, only joy and relief.

“Jingyu…” he said, his voice rough.

Lin Jingyu, having trained in the Ancestral Hall of Green Cloud Mountain, had often imagined this reunion. He had asked himself, how would he face a friend who had fallen to the dark path? Should he fight or persuade him to return?

But when the moment came, he found himself speechless. Memories of their childhood, running and laughing in the dilapidated temple, flooded his mind.

Has time erased the most precious things in your heart?

His childhood friend, now a man, stood before him.

Taking a step forward, Lin Jingyu’s face showed unparalleled emotion, even affecting Gui Li, who trembled slightly. Perhaps, in his heart, Gui Li was equally moved.

Jin Ping’er, standing beside Gui Li, frowned. She had no interest in their friendship, but the situation was tilting in favor of the righteous sects. If Gui Li faltered, she would be alone.

She coughed and smiled. “Ah, Lord Gui Li, I didn’t expect you to arrive here first. Have you secured the treasure?”

Lin Jingyu and Gui Li were startled. Fazheng and Zeng Shushu looked at Lu Xueqi, who shook her head, and they relaxed.

A simple question brought them back to reality. Gui Li closed his eyes, and when he opened them, a red light flickered. His gaze sharpened. He glanced at Lin Jingyu, then turned away, stepping back to stand beside Jin Ping’er.

Jin Ping’er smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Are you alright?”

Gui Li grunted, “Let’s work together temporarily.”

Jin Ping’er immediately agreed, “Very well, we can discuss it later.”

Gui Li nodded, and they decided to ally. “Why did you come alone? Why let them get the upper hand?”

Jin Ping’er, glancing at Fazheng, blushed slightly, making her even more endearing. “Our Hedonistic Sect is small. I feared bringing more would endanger those outside.”

She smiled at Gui Li, “Why did you come alone, apart from the gray monkey?”

Gui Li, noting the barb, replied, “If I brought more, they might have been swallowed by your Hedonistic Sect and the Venomous Sect.”

The Demon Sect’s three factions had come to eliminate the Longevity Hall, but internally, they were wary of each other, limiting their use of strong forces, allowing the righteous sects to gain the upper hand.

Zeng Shushu, standing afar, was also moved. He and Zhang Xiaofan had been close friends. The thought of Zhang Xiaofan’s fall pained him.

He wanted to speak to Gui Li, to try and bring him back to the light, but he was distracted by Jin Ping’er. Her beauty and charm were overwhelming. He took a step forward, entranced.

*Boom!*

A sudden, commanding shout, like a temple bell, broke the spell. Fazheng, in his white monk’s robe, appeared before Zeng Shushu, blocking Jin Ping’er’s gaze, and uttered a mantra to ward off evil.

Zeng Shushu snapped out of it, sweating profusely. He thanked Fazheng, cursing the seductress in his heart.

Fazheng, turning to Jin Ping’er, recalled their previous encounter. Despite her formidable allure, his deep meditation and discipline rendered her powers ineffective. He smiled, remaining silent.

Fazheng, facing Gui Li, hesitated. His usually calm and compassionate face now showed guilt. “Young Master Zhang…”

Gui Li cut him off, “I am Gui Li, no other name.”

Fazheng paused, and Zeng Shushu cried out, “Xiaofan, don’t be like this. We still see you as one of us…”

Fazheng waved him silent, warning, “Some things you shouldn’t say. Your elders in Azure Ethereal may cause trouble if they hear.”

Zeng Shushu fell silent, glancing at Gui Li.

Fazheng, about to speak to Gui Li, was interrupted by another violent tremor. This time, the tree shook so intensely that it seemed to sway in the air, and everyone staggered.

Simultaneously, a thunderous roar echoed from the depths, like a beast’s bellow, accompanied by a strange, eerie hissing, growing louder and closer.

Jin Ping’er exclaimed, “Oh no, it’s that beast! It’s coming up!”

Everyone, except Gui Li and Lu Xueqi, paled.

Gui Li turned, seeing Jin Ping’er’s pale face, and was alarmed. Though not allies, he respected her cunning and ruthlessness. To see her fearful was unsettling.

A rancid smell filled the air, mingling with the hissing sound, growing stronger.

“What is this thing…”

Gui Li’s question hung in the air as he stared ahead. Instinctively, he glanced at Lu Xueqi, who, for some reason, was also looking at him.

In the direction of the giant tree, where clouds had lingered, two huge green flames appeared.

Flames containing two deep, vertical, icy pupils.

The rancid smell grew overwhelming, making them nauseous.

Gui Li’s body trembled. Gazing at the emerging behemoth, he whispered, barely audible, “Black Water Profound Serpent, Black Water Profound Serpent…”