Chapter 55

"Why can't I come if Jinhua Mountain is not a dragon's lair or a tiger's den?"

Feeling that the old Taoist had no ill intentions, Ning Wuxue felt a bit relieved, thinking he had been too careless. He had released a trace of demonic aura while cultivating earlier.

"That's true. Those who cultivate on Jinhua Mountain are all old fellows who have transcended the mundane world. A little wolf demon like you wouldn't attract their attention. However, it's still better to be cautious. Not all cultivators are like the ones on Jinhua Mountain."

The old Taoist waved his拂尘 (fly whisk), his gaze passing over Ning Wuxue and landing on Ning Bo Wu, who was holding a white rabbit. He chuckled, "Boy, why don't you let Xiao Bai go?"

"Turns out the white rabbit belongs to you, Senior. My brother is naturally simple-minded and doesn't understand human speech. I apologize for the offense."

Ning Wuxue took the white rabbit from Ning Bo Wu and placed it on the ground. The rabbit kicked its hind legs and darted several meters away, disappearing into the grass.

"Let..." The old Taoist was about to speak when he saw the rabbit run into the grass. His figure flickered as he chased after the rabbit, leaving behind a sentence, "You really let it go for the old Taoist. That was my breakfast, delicious rabbit legs..."

A gentle breeze blew past, and Ning Wuxue felt sweat trickle down his forehead, his face full of black lines.

Chen Qinglong stared at the old Taoist chasing the rabbit, his mouth opening and closing, not knowing what to say. He could only close his mouth speechlessly, somewhat doubting whether this was the legendary hermit and cultivator.

Ning Bo Wu, on the other hand, pointed in the direction the rabbit had gone, mumbling, "Run..."

Jinhua Mountain had several peaks, with beautiful scenery and strange caves. Originally, Ning Wuxue had planned to explore and visit, but after encountering such a high-ranking cultivator, he lost his interest.

After tidying up, the three of them ate the dry rations they had brought. The sun was already high in the sky as they followed the path down the mountain.

The winding mountain streams and gorges welcomed them with the fragrance of grass and trees. The water rushed and roared over the rocks, sparkling like silver and snow, flowing like a song. Or it surged into hidden caves, forming waterfalls that plunged down, with countless rocks overlapping and the path twisting and turning.

"This gorge is called Chisong Gorge. It is said that during the Han Dynasty, there was a man named Huang Chuping. At the age of fifteen, while herding sheep, he met a Taoist and followed him to cultivate on Jinhua Mountain. He stayed for over forty years. Huang Chuping had an older brother named Huang Chuqi, who, seeing his younger brother not return from herding sheep, went into the mountains to search for him. Later, he met the Taoist who led Huang Chuping to cultivate, learned of his whereabouts, and the two brothers reunited and cultivated together in the mountains.

After more than five hundred years, they transcended the mundane world, ascending to the heavens, and were known as the two immortals of the Huang family. There are many stories left by the two immortals in their cave."

At a small pavilion for rest, Chen Qinglong pointed to the swirling water of the gorge, explaining the origin of Chisong Gorge.

"Huang Chuping later changed his name to Chisongzi, and his brother changed his name to Luban. When Chisongzi ascended, a pine seed fell by Chisong Gorge and turned into a pine forest, hence the name Chisong Gorge. When I was young, my mother often told me stories about Jinhua Mountain. I thought they were just legends, but it turns out they are true."

Chen Qinglong sighed softly, seemingly reminiscing about the past, a faint sadness in his eyes.

"Ha ha, there are also two water spirits in Chisong Gorge. If you had come earlier, you could have seen them. Unfortunately, they were enlightened by the great monk Huizhao of Fanju Temple before his nirvana, gaining merit and ascending to the clouds."

A loud laugh echoed, and the old Taoist, dressed in gray and looking disheveled, appeared at the pavilion's railing, holding two golden rabbit legs. He tore off a piece of meat and smiled at Ning Wuxue and the others.

Ning Wuxue was secretly alarmed. This person was truly skilled, coming and going without a trace. Such a realm was no less than that of a terrestrial immortal. Chen Qinglong, however, gripped the long sword at his waist, wondering why the Taoist had returned.

Ning Bo Wu stared at the rabbit legs in the Taoist's hand, smacking his lips, drooling.

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. The old Taoist hasn't killed any living beings for nearly a hundred years. If I wanted to kill you, it would be a simple matter, but I'm too lazy, too lazy."

"Nearly a hundred years without killing?"

Chen Qinglong was disdainful, glancing at the rabbit legs. Didn't you kill the rabbit?

"Ha ha, little brother, have you heard of 'waiting for a rabbit by a stump'? This rabbit died by colliding with a tree. It's not the old Taoist's fault."

"Uh..." Chen Qinglong was speechless. Could such a thing happen?

The old Taoist leaped down from the railing, his tall and thin figure standing straight. He smiled and walked up to Ning Bo Wu, waving the rabbit legs, "Do you want to eat?"

Ning Bo Wu didn't speak, just stared at the rabbit legs and reached out to grab them.

The old Taoist's eyes narrowed, and his claw-like hand swiped through the air, dodging Ning Bo Wu's grab. Missing his target, Ning Bo Wu's body swayed, and he reached out again, swift as a startled swan.

Ning Wuxue also attacked. Though he hadn't learned martial arts, he still had some fighting skills. Taking advantage of the old Taoist's retreat, he threw two punches, using all his strength, the air trembling with a buzzing sound.

Chen Qinglong was a skilled martial artist, having entered the innate realm. Seeing this opportunity, he threw away his long sword, took a step forward, and kicked with his left leg, his body twisting, the power reaching his waist muscles, his chest and abdomen contracting, bending like a large bow. His left leg was the arrow, and he kicked out with a clear "snap" of the bowstring, aiming for the old Taoist's waist.

The three figures moved like hares, swift as the wind. If they were ordinary martial experts, they would have been defeated by Ning Wuxue and the others' fierce attack.

Unfortunately, the old Taoist was no ordinary person. In this realm of terrestrial immortals, he was among the most powerful.

Holding the rabbit legs, the old Taoist's figure moved like the wind, easily dodging Ning Bo Wu and Ning Wuxue. Chen Qinglong's full-force kick, which could shatter rocks, struck the old Taoist's waist.

Clang...

A metallic sound, like the ringing of a bell, echoed through the pavilion. Chen Qinglong, who had kicked the old Taoist's waist, felt as if he had kicked an iron plate. The rebounding force traveled up his left leg, disrupting his qi, and he was sent flying, crashing into a red-painted pillar of the pavilion. He spat out a mouthful of blood, severely injured.

After sending Chen Qinglong flying, the old Taoist didn't stop. His elbow moved in an impossible arc, dodging Ning Wuxue's punch and striking Ning Wuxue's abdomen.

Severe pain shot through Ning Wuxue's abdomen, and his body bent like a large shrimp. A massive force sent him flying, crashing into the railing. He stopped, spitting out a mouthful of sour water, feeling weak and unable to move.

In just one move, Ning Wuxue and Chen Qinglong were out of the fight.

Seeing Chen Qinglong and Ning Wuxue being sent flying, Ning Bo Wu's aura suddenly changed. His eyes turned red, and he let out a roar like a wild beast. His disheveled hair danced without wind, and his towering body exuded a formidable aura. He swung his large hand, like a millstone, pressing down on the Taoist.

Seeing Ning Bo Wu's transformation and his unstoppable move, the old Taoist smiled, "Good, very good. This is what it takes to be the old Taoist's disciple."