Hao Long spotted a spirit mouse in the grass and quickly climbed down from Song Qing Shi's waist to venture into the deep forest. The spirit mouse, sensing danger, scurried away quickly. An Long, knowing his beloved pet wouldn't dare to eat mice in Yao Wang Valley, followed to help catch the mouse.
Song Qing Shi led Yue Wu Huan into the temple, instantly regretting it upon entry.
The temple was filled with cultivators from various sects, their faces tense as they were caught in a heated discussion about some critical matter. Most of them were from well-known sects like the Five Mountain Schools and various Buddhist sects, with some rogue and demonic cultivators mixed in, including a few wearing the robes of the Jin Feng Mountain Manor.
Song Qing Shi despised the Jin Feng Mountain Manor but felt he shouldn't avoid them. It would make it seem as if he was afraid. On the other hand, he didn't want Yue Wu Huan to feel uncomfortable. Torn, he discreetly glanced at Yue Wu Huan, leaving the decision up to him.
Yue Wu Huan scanned the crowd and paused briefly before saying, "Master, something interesting seems to be happening."
Song Qing Shi understood; his little angel wanted to stick around for the excitement.
The Celestial Immortal of Yao Wang Valley rarely ventured outside; thus, even with Song Qing Shi's infamous reputation, few people recognized him. Yue Wu Huan wore a mask, and although his posture and the half-visible face underneath the mask were stunning, they weren't extraordinarily eye-catching. Many cultivators in the celestial realm wore masks for various reasons, so his attire was not considered unusual.
The cultivators from Jin Feng Mountain Manor were relatively young with low cultivation levels, appearing to be new disciples. Yue Wu Huan's expression suggested no old grudges with them. Those from other reputable sects were not significant elders or experts that Song Qing Shi had previously met, so they weren't a concern.
Taking advantage of the crowd's focused discussion, Song Qing Shi feigned nonchalance as if he were a mere passing cultivator. He boldly moved closer with Yue Wu Huan to eavesdrop and heard them talking about a water demon beast and the remnants of Mo Yuan in the area.
Few knew how Sword Master Mo Yuan had perished, only that he left behind nothing.
The water demon beast had numerous pure water-element spirit orbs within its body, useful for many purposes and could be refined into Aqua Elixirs to nourish water-based spirit roots.
With his still-recovering primordial spirit, Song Qing Shi had a great need for pure water-element elixirs. What intrigued him even more were the remnants of Mo Yuan. Mo Yuan was a figure that Yue Wu Huan idolized. Perhaps the remnants contained some sword techniques, treasures, or even records of Mo Yuan's life, shedding light on the glorious history of a mortal reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Yue Wu Huan seemed equally engrossed in the discussion.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted among the cultivators, who quickly drew their magical instruments. Looking down, Song Qing Shi saw Hao Long, having eaten its fill, boldly crawling back through the crowd towards him, coiling around his waist and nuzzling its head into his neck. Feeling helpless against this overly affectionate serpent, he quietly warned, "Little White, stop causing trouble; there are strangers here."
But the warning came too late.
All eyes followed Hao Long, landing squarely on him.
Feeling socially anxious, Song Qing Shi's body tensed up, his expression growing colder, reverting to the aloof demeanor of the Celestial Immortal of Yao Wang Valley, emitting an aura that kept people at arm's length.
Known for his aggressive and confrontational behavior, Xi Lin Gu Wang was an infamous figure, and his fearsome beast Hao Long was equally well-known. Seeing Hao Long affectionately coiling around Song Qing Shi caused the cultivators to gasp and quickly start analyzing the situation.
It was common knowledge in the Immortal Realm that Xi Lin Gu Wang had a volatile temper but was fanatically enamored with the Celestial Immortal of Yao Wang Valley.
If there were herbs suitable for Yao Wang Valley in a secret realm, he would certainly take action. If there were treasures ideal for Song Qing Shi, he would even kill to acquire them. However, Xi Lin Gu Wang absolutely forbade any discussion about his feelings for Song Qing Shi, considering it a taboo subject. Anyone mentioning it risked their lives.
As a top figure among primordial spirit elders, it was rumored that he had even withstood battles against transcendent beings and emerged unscathed.
After witnessing the horrifying scene of his swarm of bugs devouring a person, no cultivator dared provoke Xi Lin Gu Wang's violent temperament.
An Long followed Hao Long into the temple. He glanced disdainfully at the gathered cultivators as if they were obstructions tainting his field of vision. Everyone was so terrified that they moved aside, leaving a bewildered Song Qing Shi standing there rigidly, holding Hao Long.
Yue Wu Huan frowned slightly and stepped forward, subtly blocking some of the intrusive gazes directed at Song Qing Shi.
An Long, accustomed to being the center of attention, walked up to Song Qing Shi. His menacing expression instantly turned into a shameless grin as he playfully interacted with Hao Long on his shoulder, asking, "Qing Shi, what are you listening to?"
Song Qing Shi coldly chided, "Stop the nonsense."
An Long was delighted at being scolded and cheekily responded, "It's not like I did it on purpose."
At this point, who could fail to identify who Song Qing Shi was?
Rumor has it that the Celestial Immortal of Yao Wang Valley, Song Qing Shi, has a reclusive and toxic personality, prone to abducting anyone he dislikes for his experiments. The bewitching figure in the golden mask beside him must be that disfigured and temperamentally unstable madman, Yue Wu Huan. Add to that the vicious and unbridled Xi Lin Gu Wang, and you have a gathering of the three most unreasonable rogues in the immortal realm.
Among the present cultivators, the most advanced was merely at the peak of the Golden Core stage—daring not to cross these three infamous figures. The once talkative crowd now shrank like quails, especially those who prided themselves on their looks. They feared Song Qing Shi even more, considering he even disfigured a beauty like Yue Wu Huan and drove him to madness—what a ruthless Primordial Spirit Elder he must be!
The gazes made Song Qing Shi increasingly tense, further contorting his expression...
To an outsider, it looked like he was on the verge of a killing spree.
An Long, well-versed in his nature, couldn't help but chuckle for a while before whispering in his ear, "Qing Shi, you look ferocious."
Song Qing Shi was so incensed that he almost singed An Long's forehead with alchemic fire.
Yelping, An Long leapt away, begging for forgiveness but clearly unashamed—rather amused. In the western forest, it was natural for men to fear their wives or Dao companions. A little scolding signified affection, and An Long particularly relished being reprimanded by Song Qing Shi, both as a show of territory and as a relief for his tension.
Yue Wu Huan saw right through his foolish intent and found it both childish and amusing, not worthy of his concern.
From the moment he entered, Yue Wu Huan was partially distracted by a familiar face in the corner. It was Wu Jing, an overseas independent cultivator, whose impressive demeanor was not to be underestimated. A flood of wicked thoughts and past mischiefs surfaced in Yue Wu Huan's mind. Taking advantage of Song Qing Shi's diverted attention, he subtly curled his bewitching lips and flashed a radiant smile. His masked eyes shimmered, oozing an indescribable charm.
Wu Jing was almost entranced.
However, Yue Wu Huan immediately reverted to his serious demeanor, withdrawing his gaze to stand dutifully beside Song Qing Shi—acting so prudently that he seemed untouchable.
The more chaste he appeared after being so seductive, the more he fanned the flames of desire.
...
Having chided An Long, Song Qing Shi felt slightly relieved and commanded the crowd, "Start from the beginning."
Aware of Song Qing Shi's habit of skipping logical steps when nervous, An Long clarified, "You two idiots in the corner wearing yellow, with the ridiculous crests on your heads, yes, you! Weren't you talking a lot just now? Step up and explain everything! Fail to satisfy Qing Shi, and I'll find someone else!"
"Find someone else" usually meant killing the current speaker to find a replacement.
The called-out cultivators dared not refuse, rushing forward to elaborate on the situation.
Apparently, a water demon beast had appeared in the nearby Yue Ban River, devouring several fishermen. The local cultivators from Chi Long Sect, despite their grandiose name, were a penniless sect specializing in talismans. Their sect leader was merely a Golden Core cultivator, generally uncontentious, who had built good relationships by making talismans for other sects.
The water demon beast wasn't particularly strong, so the Chi Long Sect leader went with some disciples to exterminate it but never returned. His disappearance came to light when cultivators from other sects arrived to collect their pre-ordered talismans and heard the story from panicked junior disciples. By then, it had already been three days.
Thus, multiple sects discussed and decided to send experts to investigate. When the water demon beast retreated to a cave underwater, they pursued and found a hidden world within. The cave walls bore numerous sword marks emanating boundless killing intent, reminiscent of the once-great Sword Master Mo Yuan. Beyond the cave was darkness, a potential trap. The experts were hesitant to venture further but managed to rescue an unconscious Chi Long Sect disciple from the cave's entrance, whose black hair had turned white—likely from immense shock.
After rescuing the disciple, they discovered the remnants of what seemed to be left by Sword Master Mo Yuan, thus attracting the attention of various sects and causing the present commotion.
The assembled cultivators discussed at length—some suggesting they should go back for a Primordial Spirit Elder's help, others proposing they collectively break the formation, and still others suggesting multiple reconnaissance attempts to ascertain the details. Finally, a few daring cultivators, unable to resist the allure of the Mo Yuan relics, ventured into the water cave first and vanished yet again.
"We must save people first!" a disciple from Wu Shan Sect cried. "My senior brother is trapped inside; delaying further could put him in danger."
A cultivator from Miao Yin Sect retorted angrily, "Bah! As if your senior brother's life is more important than anyone else's."
The quarreling among the cultivators erupted once more.
Song Qing Shi softly said, "I'll go examine the unconscious disciple first."
His words were drowned out in the squabbling. Losing patience, An Long gestured, and swarms of gu insects paved the way, frightening everyone and scattering them. Then he grabbed a junior disciple from Chi Long Sect to lead them to the patient.
The junior disciple, new to the path of cultivation and thus fearless, quickly led them to the backyard chamber: "As soon as my senior brother was rescued, he was in poor condition and unfit to be moved. Master Zhi Hui placed him here until he gets better."
Song Qing Shi entered the chamber and saw that the patient on the bed did indeed have white hair and beard. Extending his divine sense, he circled the patient's body and found no major injuries that could have caused the unconsciousness. He took out gold needles and inserted them into the patient's head, channeling his spiritual power through the acupuncture points. Noticing Yue Wu Huan was not around, he instructed An Long to fetch a calming pill, dissolve it in water, and administer it through a crane-mouth pitcher.
An Long complied with every instruction.
The patient woke up under the stimulation of the golden needles and screamed in abject terror, "Snakes! So many snakes!"
Hearing his cry, Hao Long curiously peeked its head over.
The sight of a massive snake head beside his bed caused the patient to foam at the mouth and faint once more.
The disciples of Chi Long Sect wailed and lamented.
"It's okay," Song Qing Shi said, slightly embarrassed. He picked up Hao Long and began to recite his medical diagnosis, "The patient's unconsciousness is due to extreme fear causing disarray in his consciousness. I have already cleared that up. He will wake up soon... I will leave some calming pills and soul-soothing incense. Given time, he will recover. Also, he may develop a psychological aversion to snakes, so please keep that in mind."
Coming from the most renowned physician in the immortal realm, his diagnosis was highly convincing.
The Chi Long Sect disciples went from despair to joy, but remembering their missing sect leader, they wept again.
"Are there all snakes inside the water cave?" An Long was overjoyed at the prospect. Specializing in insect and snake cultivation, he thought the snakes inhabiting the underwater cave must be special. He pulled Song Qing Shi aside, "Would you accompany me? The water demon beast is yours; the snakes are mine. Any relics left by Mo Yuan will be divided between us."
After considering, Song Qing Shi agreed, "It's getting dark, and it's not advisable to venture into the water now. Let's prepare and go tomorrow."
The water demon beast, although not particularly formidable, was nearly transparent, making it incredibly difficult to locate at night—significantly raising the level of danger.
The disciples of the Chi Long Sect thanked them profusely, their tears flowing freely, as they kowtowed and begged them to rescue their sect leader.
An Long had no interest in his Master; he happily ran off to prepare containers for the snakes. Song Qing Shi, reassured that the patient was stable, was eager to find Yue Wu Huan to discuss the adventure they might have together, reminiscent of the grand escapades in "The Three Brothers Hunt the Tiger," aiming to strengthen their relationship.
He found it odd that Yue Wu Huan wasn't by his side. Casting his spiritual sense around, he discovered Yue Wu Huan was talking to someone in a secluded corner.
Song Qing Shi hurried over and came to a halt...
He saw Yue Wu Huan leaning against a tree, a smile on his lips, toying with a fallen leaf. His mood seemed excellent. A tall, handsome male cultivator was stammering a confession, blushing: "It would be wonderful if you're willing...I don't mind your disfigurement; I'll treat you well..."