261: Chapter 34: Dragon Hunt 261: Chapter 34: Dragon Hunt Dozens of large ships hovered at the boundary of Li Lan Mountain.
Sails swung to create thunderous roars.
Three Yin God Realm ship examiners simultaneously appeared above the great ships.
“Everyone, we have finally arrived at Li Lan Mountain.
Has the journey been safe for you all?”
A female ship examiner clad in a green robe with flowing sleeves spoke with a smile.
Her words carried a hint of teasing laughter.
“All is well on my side,”
Another examiner replied with a smile, his age showing through his white brows and beard.
With a somewhat helpless expression, You Yuan said, “The matter of Jiageng has been reported to the Imperial City.
Once the Snow Mountain array patterns are completed, I’ll have to make a trip back…
I request that Pavilion Master Bi Luo and Daoist Han Shan take care of things.”
“Rest assured.”
The two other ship examiners were already aware of the incident with the fallen Jiageng ship.
For this Northern Hunt,
the hovering spot of the Cloud Ships marked the “starting point,” and the hunting grounds spanned a hundred li in every direction.
Three Yin Gods held Great Chu Array Talismans, presiding over the hunting grounds.
Every year the Northern Hunt saw many deaths, but even amidst life and death trials, there were “protective measures.”
The array patterns of these three Yin Gods could envelop the entire hunting grounds…
Should an “accident” occur, attracting the attention of a Demon Clan Venerable above the Cave Heaven Realm stepping into the grounds, it will draw the notice of the three ship examiners.
At crucial times, the Northern Hunt would be paused.
After the great ships stopped, sects from the Taoist community, Qiantian Palace, Baihua Valley, and various prominent families one after another departed.
The three Yin Gods at the apex of the hunting grounds, binding talisman array patterns, seemed as if heavenly deities were hammering down heavily, a singular stroke that granted finality, threads of light and fire exploded at the very top of the dome, each dispersing cultivator of the Human Race who looked up could see the firefly-like lights scattering akin to a radiant waterfall, this immense array pattern instilled a strong sense of security in everyone’s heart.
The great hunt had officially begun.
…
…
Two figures floated through the air, controlling their Qi, traveling side by side.
A man and a woman, both donned in Daoist robes.
The man had a handsome face and emanated an aura of righteousness.
The woman wore a veiled hat, concealing her visage.
This attire was not uncommon.
The Taoist community had always been low-key, and in these tumultuous times, any woman with a hint of beauty knew to wear a veiled hat while outside, for her own protection, to avoid unnecessary trouble.
The pair were the disciples sent by the Taoist sects to participate in the Northern Hunt: the Taoist from Tai Shang House and the fairy from Yuqing Pavilion.
Behind them, many fellow Taoists followed, soaring on their swords.
This group was impressively expansive.
Among this Northern Hunt, the Taoist community contributed the most participants, followed by Qiantian Palace.
“Shang Yi, Uncle Yan Xie once said that this great hunt brings great opportunities,”
The Tai Shang House Taoist opened with a smile, “Why don’t you and I partner up and move forward together?
After the Northern Hunt, we’ll not only have demon hearts but also gain fortunes.”
“Yan Xie has been expelled from Longevity House.”
The woman with the veiled hat spoke softly, “Fang Hang, do not forget, our master advised that during our trip to the Imperial City, we should avoid too much contact with him…
Did you visit the Qin Mansion recently to see him?”
“…”
Fang Hang fell silent for a moment, then said helplessly, “Uncle Yan Xie has always been very good to us, treating you like a treasure since we were young.
All these years, he has been reflecting behind closed doors within the Taoist sect, and now that his time of penance has ended, the Great Perfected Sect Leader has forgiven him.
Why should we hold a grudge?
Now that we are in the Imperial City, how could I not meet with him?”
“It’s not about holding a grudge,”
The Yuqing Pavilion fairy, known as Shang Yi, furrowed her brows and earnestly explained, “During this outing, we represent the ‘face’ of the Taoist community.
You are the future Pavilion Master of Tai Shang House.
If you secretly meet with Yan Xie, how will the public view this?
Could it be that the Taoist community has never had a punitive heart towards him?
Was the expulsion merely for show?”
“Sister, do not value these matters too greatly.”
Fang Hang sighed lightly, “What our master says is not necessarily always right.
Uncle Yan Xie told me that this Northern Hunt portends extremely ominous signs, with a hidden Black Evil on Li Lan Mountain, and there might be a Great Demon lying dormant.
It’s best for us to advance together.
If difficulties arise, combining the Daoist skills of both our sects might be necessary…”
Before he could finish, he was interrupted.
“Brother Fang!”
Shang Yi spoke coldly, “Since it’s the Northern Hunt, how could it be without danger?
If we encounter a Great Demon, Yuqing Pavilion has its own methods.
We should part ways here.”
With these words,
Fang Hang fell silent; he could only watch silently as Shang Yi led the disciples of Yuqing Pavilion away.
“Brother Fang!”
Immediately after, a soft, feminine voice echoed within his Heart Lake.
Fang Hang stood with his hands behind his back, standing on a horsetail whisk, his expression complex as he watched a young man in splendid robes approaching on a sword.
The newcomer was Prince Jiangning.
“I was merely passing by this area…”
Xie Sheng looked surprised as he said, “What just happened?
Why did Shang Yi depart with such displeasure?”
For this Northern Hunt, the Xie Family did not assign anyone else to accompany Prince Jiangning.
It was Xie Sheng’s own request.
The Northern Hunt could be faced alone.
And the reason for this request…
Was because,
From the very beginning, Xie Sheng never intended to “go alone.”
He arrived on a Qiantian Palace Cloud Ship and had already planned to ally with several Heavenly Prides, to hunt together.
“It’s nothing.”
Fang Hang shook his head, calmly saying, “My sister has always been stubborn.
She doesn’t want to accompany me, intending to hunt Great Demons on her own.”
“That makes sense, after all, we will see each other on the Heavenly Pride List in the future,”
Xie Sheng smiled, “I heard that after this Northern Hunt, Fang Yuan Square will release a ranking list…
All the young Heavenly Prides will have their place on it.”
“Oh?”
Fang Hang raised an eyebrow, indifferently saying, “That’s news to me, Prince.
You’re well-informed.
I didn’t have the slightest idea.”
“Tai Shang House is indifferent to fame and fortune, and does not care about these things.”
Xie Sheng looked behind Fang Hang, at the Taoist disciples that still made a staggering procession despite being reduced by half, and mused, “Truly, the number one great sect in the world.”
“Xie Junior Brother, you speak as if we’re outsiders.”
Fang Hang said calmly, “Although Incense Fire House has sparse numbers, it still counts as one of the Taoist Seven Huts.”
A slight stiffness crossed Xie Sheng’s smiling face, which quickly returned to normal.
“Fang Senior Brother is correct.”
He sighed with regret and continued, “After the setback in the Sword Palace, Daoist Zhu returned to our sect to report and said he would take me to meet the Great Perfected.
Logically, I should already be considered a member of the Taoist faction, but for some reason, I have yet to hear from that Great Perfected…”
Fang Hang glanced at Xie Sheng in silence.
What else could be the reason?
If the battle at Xuanshui Cave Heaven hadn’t occurred, Xie Sheng would definitely have been a top prodigy heavily supported by the Taoist faction, very likely ranking within the top three on the Heavenly Pride List.
But that battle happened.
And he lost so terribly.
With that battle.
Everyone’s view of “Xie Sheng” changed.
Moreover, the conflict between the Xie Family and Sword Palace became too rigid.
At this juncture, for the Taoist faction to take Xie Sheng under its wing would always be somewhat inappropriate.
After the Pavilion Master of Incense Fire House went back to report, he could only receive one message.
Wait.
“Xie Junior Brother.”
After some thought, Fang Hang still changed the form of address, saying seriously, “This Northern Hunt is especially important for you, you must seize the opportunity well…
Should you be able to secure enough ‘reputation,’ the Taoist faction’s doubts about you will crumble without the need for attack.”
Xie Sheng nodded.
On this journey, he was extremely humble, keeping a low profile to the utmost, nowhere near as proud as he was during the Sword Palace’s grand competition, his expression now sincere as he spoke in a subdued voice, “I have taken all of Senior Brother’s teachings to heart.”
“There is another matter…”
Fang Hang hesitated for a moment before speaking, “I think the incident with the Jiageng ship might also be a blessing in disguise for you.”
During the journey north.
The Jiageng ship had crashed unexpectedly.
This piece of news…
had already reached the ears of everyone.
Apart from You Yuan and a few high-ranking individuals from the Imperial City, almost no one knew the true reason behind the Jiageng’s crash.
Nor the existence of the evil cultivators from South Border on that ship.
To them, an accident was just that, an accident, despite some coincidences, but there weren’t any conspiracies worth probing behind the incident.
Xie Zhen fell from the ship and might miss this Northern Hunt.
This message.
Relieved many people in their hearts.
Of course, there were also some prodigies who regretted not having the chance to compete with Xie Zhen.
“Fang Senior Brother is joking, with Xie Zhen’s strength, falling from a ship counts for nothing.”
Unexpectedly, Xie Sheng gave a faint smile and said, “Perhaps everyone will meet soon…
Actually, I have no regrets about losing to him before in Xuanshui Cave Heaven.”
Fang Hang raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t expected this.
Xie Sheng was different from what he had imagined.
Indeed, open-minded, untroubled!
This defeat had brought the reputation of the entire Jiangning Xie Family into disrepute!
So many had high hopes for Xie Sheng.
Yet, Xie Sheng succumbed so easily.
As dense as the praise and fame for Prince Jiangning had been before, now the insults and mockery were equally intricate.
“Such temperament, Junior Brother, is very good.”
Fang Hang looked approvingly at the young man in luxurious robes before him and said firmly, “After returning, I will visit our Sect Leader and plead on your behalf.”
“That would trouble Senior Brother indeed.”
Xie Sheng shook his head and smiled, saying, “Actually, I have already let go of the conflict over Xuanshui; that matter of the past is not worth mentioning.
In the future, I only wish to have a place under the Great Perfected, where I can study the Daoist Skill in tranquility.”
“By the way.”
He paused slightly before speaking solemnly, “Senior Brother Fang, the reason for my visit this time is an important matter…
Saint Heir of Qiantian Palace and I have discovered a strange ancient site not far from here.”
“A strange ancient site?”
Fang Hang pondered for a moment, curiously looking in the direction Xie Sheng indicated.
“This Northern Hunt covers an extremely large area.”
Xie Sheng said solemnly, “Between Li Lan Mountain and Youyuan Mountain lies an expanse of hundreds of miles, vast and boundless…
Using a Qi Control treasure, I located a Snow Mountain.
This mountain is thick with Qi fortune, originally I sought to find fortune there, but unexpectedly.”
He intentionally left them hanging.
Fang Hang wasn’t initially very interested.
Xie Sheng suddenly said, “Unexpectedly…
within this Snow Mountain, there is a dense ‘Dragon Blood essence’!”
In that moment.
Fang Hang’s eyes grew serious.
“Dragon Blood essence…”
He frowned and spoke, “Xie Junior Brother, are you certain?”
In a previous Northern Hunt, Xie Xuanyi had captured a Phoenix Blood Great Demon, securing the deserved top spot!
Dragon Descendants, Phoenix Descendants, these represent the undeniable royalty among the Demon Race!
Such Great Demons are encountered by chance, not sought.
“Absolutely certain.”
Xie Sheng said earnestly, “This Dragon Blood Great Demon likely possesses Perfect Cave Heaven strength…
Together with Yuwen Brother, I pondered that if we were to act unprepared, it might alarm the demon, allowing it to escape.
Thus, I specifically came to seek aid.”
He bowed deeply.
“Senior Brother Fang.”
“I wish to invite you to join me in hunting the Dragon Blood Great Demon!”