Chapter 82

In Bai Lingxian's collection, there was a ginseng doll that had taken shape, with over a thousand years of cultivation. It had grown into a human form, standing just over a foot tall. Its long white hair hung past its waist, and it had a pair of snow-white eyebrows, resembling a little old man. However, its skin was both white and tender, making it small and adorable. It hid in Bai Lingxian's chest, only exposing a small head, with a pair of colorful eyes that darted around nervously, peering out timidly.

Bai Lingxian said, "This thing has almost coexisted with me. Since the moment I gained consciousness, it has been by my side. I used to eat one of its roots every year. Later, it also gained consciousness and could transform into a human form, so I changed to drinking a cup of its ginseng blood each year. This is how I have been able to achieve my current level of cultivation." She stroked the ginseng doll's small head, "After I cultivated my magical powers, I shared the essence of the sun and moon with it to help it grow. Later, when it gained consciousness, I taught it cultivation techniques, and we have been like a sister and brother in the secular world."

Yue Qing said, "Don't worry. Since it has gained consciousness, it is no longer like ordinary plants. We cultivators seek to understand the Dao, not just to enhance our magical powers. We won't harm it. You should dig it out, place it in a jade box, and after our journey to Sichuan, bring it back to Mount Wutai. We will transplant it to the backyard of the Yellow Extreme Palace, where there is a仙阵 (仙阵 means 'immortal array' or 'divine formation') sealing it, so nothing will harm it."

As night fell, the four of them found a inn in Chengdu to spend the night. On their way upstairs, they saw a ragged Taoist with a large red lacquer gourd on his back. He had just finished eating and drinking, and was having the inn boy fill his gourd with good wine. He was reeking of alcohol as he walked out. Since Yue Qing was walking fast, he didn't notice, but he did see Bai Lingxian last, and was immediately startled, then turned and left.

Bai Lingxian also saw him and looked anxious after going upstairs, "Uncle Master, I just saw the Drunken Taoist from the Emei Sect. He is an elder of the Emei Sect, with profound Taoist powers. He once saw my true form on Yunling Mountain. When he looked at me just now, his expression was unusual, so he must have recognized me. We are at the foot of Emei Mountain, and if he goes back and calls for help, many Emei Sect elders will likely come to attack us!"

Yue Qing said, "The Three Immortals of the East Sea are all refining swords at Diaoa Ji, and the two elders from Mount Song have gone to the North Sea. Even if a hundred of such worthless people like the Drunken Taoist came, what could they do? Well, since you are afraid, I will give you a pill to calm your heart!" He had Tao Jun find a piece of Xuan paper, cut it into a circle, and with a wave of his hand, the oil lamp went out, leaving the room in darkness. However, the circular paper began to glow, slowly rising and hanging on the wall like a bright moon, radiating light.

In the moon, the figure of the Drunken Taoist appeared. He was rapidly flying on his sword, arriving at a nunnery, and entering the courtyard. He went into the Buddhist hall, where a nun in her forties was sitting below the golden statues of the Three Saints of the West.

Bai Lingxian pointed at the nun, "That is the Emei Sect elder, Venerable Yuanjing of White Cloud!"

Yue Qing told her to be patient. In the moon, the Drunken Taoist said to Venerable Yuanjing, "Sister, I just saw the monster from Yunling Mountain in Chengdu. It has actually transformed into a human form and is mingling in the secular world."

Venerable Yuanjing pondered, "This evening, I heard a great upheaval at Yunling Mountain. The monster seemed to be in a battle with someone. When I went to check, I saw the demon from the Wutai Sect, Yue Qinbin, with two demon disciples subduing a snake monster. Yue Qinbin's aura and powers were far beyond what they used to be, and he was holding two extraordinary treasures. I didn't dare to act, but from what you say, the monster must have been subdued by Yue Qinbin and is now in league with him!"

The Drunken Taoist was startled, "That demon killed two of our senior brothers. Now that it has appeared in Sichuan, it must have some plan."

Venerable Yuanjing sighed, "The demon snake has practiced for a thousand years and has some powers. When my second senior brother and I tried to subdue it, we couldn't. My sister Cixia has a centipede over a hundred years old, which is its nemesis. I asked Zixiao to borrow it several times, but my sister wouldn't part with it. The snake has two inner pearls inside its body. If we could obtain them and refine them into a magical treasure, we could counter the toad poison used by the Western Demon Sect. Many of their treasures are made from toad poison, and the snake's inner pearls are their nemesis. It hasn't fully refined them yet, so I planned to wait a few more years until they were complete, then borrow the centipede from my sister Cixia and subdue it with my second senior brother. But now, Yue Qinbin has beaten us to it."

The Drunken Taoist asked, "Should we send a message to gather all the senior brothers to deal with it? Isn't Lady Miaoyi on the mountain?"

Venerable Yuanjing looked at him, "The three sect leaders are all refining swords in the East Sea. We've heard that the demon disciples of the Wutai Sect have already refined the Taiyi Yin-Yang Sword and the Nine Mother Yin Soul Sword. The Yin Soul Sword is manageable, but the Taiyi Yin-Yang Sword is difficult to deal with. My junior brother must quickly refine the Golden Light Fire Sword. Otherwise, the Purple and Green, and the Seven Cultivations, won't be ready for a long time. If they attack us prematurely, we will suffer heavy losses." She paused and continued, "I know you want to avenge your junior brothers. Who in our Emei Sect doesn't? But in recent years, the demons and Taoists of Ciyun Temple have become more arrogant, and the female killer in Qingluo Valley has established the Ten Thousand Demon Palace. The Qingcheng Sect of the two elders from Mount Song hasn't made much progress. With the three major forces in Sichuan, our Emei Sect is isolated. It's not wise to create more conflicts now."

The Drunken Taoist said, "If the demon brings his disciples to Sichuan, could he be planning to join forces with the demons of Ciyun Temple?"

Venerable Yuanjing said, "How the demon acts, I... who are you?" She suddenly looked up, her gaze piercing through the moon, shocking everyone except Yue Qing. The moon then burst into flames and fell.

Yue Qing had Tao Jun relight the lamp and then said to Bai Lingxian, "You see, their capable ones are not at home. What's there to fear from these two worthless people? Besides, we are leaving tomorrow, so there's no need to conflict with them."

Yang Li said, "These people call themselves righteous, but they are truly hateful, calling us demons and demon disciples!" Tao Jun was also indignant.

"Let them say what they want; we don't need to care," Yue Qing said indifferently, then told them to go back to their rooms and rest.

The next morning, the four of them headed for the Great Snow Mountain. Yue Qing walked leisurely, covering a thousand miles a day. Tao Jun had made significant progress, and although he was running, he was not as calm as the other three, but his speed was already faster than a bird's.

As they left Chengdu and headed south, Bai Lingxian suddenly said, "Uncle Master, someone is following us."

Yue Qing nodded, "It's the Drunken Taoist and Venerable Yuanjing. They are always wary of us." He stopped, pondered for a moment, and said to the three, "We are long-standing enemies of the Emei Sect. Their following us with ill intentions is inevitable. They might even be plotting something. Lingxian and Li, go ahead and head southwest, bypassing Qingluo Valley, to a valley where black sha swirls and snow flies. That's the meeting place I agreed with my junior brother Liu Quan. I and Jun will deal with the annoying people behind us, then catch up with you. Remember to avoid the demons in Qingluo Valley; it's their stronghold, and try not to conflict with them."

Yang Li and Bai Lingxian accepted the order and entered the Great Snow Mountain first. Yue Qing called Tao Jun over and quickly gave him some instructions, then followed Yang Li and Bai Lingxian into the mountain. Tao Jun stood in the middle of the road, took a stance, and shouted, "Emei Sect's demon nuns and demon Taoists, you've been following us secretly. Aren't you tired?"

He had heard Zhao Xin yuan talk about the Emei Sect, who described it as the top sect in the world, revered by all immortals and admired by the world, while the Wutai Sect was the top evil sect, self-degraded, shameless, and despised by the world. However, after meeting Yue Qing and Yang Li, his impression was completely overturned. These two people's words and actions perfectly matched his ideal image of immortals. The two Emei Sect members he met were indeed as Yue Qing described, speaking ill of others behind their backs and calling them demons and monsters without any reason, which made him lose all his good feelings towards the Emei Sect. Now, being followed, he was even more angry, so he spoke without any restraint.

Before he finished, he was slapped hard on the face by the Drunken Taoist, who appeared out of nowhere, "You demon brat, talking without thinking!"

Tao Jun staggered, his teeth loosened, and half of his face immediately swelled. He spat out a mouthful of blood and cursed, "Stinking Taoist, attacking from behind, what kind of hero are you!" He reached back and struck the sword scabbard on his back, and the Tian Gang Sword emerged with a sharp sound, carrying a fierce wind, and slashed fiercely at the Drunken Taoist.

The Drunken Taoist didn't take him seriously and stood in front of Tao Jun, using the technique of dividing light and capturing shadows, grabbing the Tian Gang Sword. The sword writhed, and the cold, fierce light on it surged from the hilt to the tip. The Drunken Taoist's face glowed green, his hair and beard fluttered, and his body hair stood on end. He exclaimed, "A demon brat actually has such a good sword!"