The man was handsome and dashing, with sword-like brows and bright eyes, and an otherworldly air about him. The woman was breathtakingly beautiful, with a graceful figure, like a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world.
The Heavenly Soldiers, who had been so imposing moments earlier, immediately looked at the two with reverence. They dropped to one knee and called out in unison, "Greetings, Great Emperor Qinghua! Greetings, Great Emperor Longevity!"
The two were Su Mu and Shaoyao, who had come after receiving a message from him. As soon as Shaoyao heard Su Mu's voice transmission telling her to come to Guanjiang Pass, she set out at once.
Su Mu said, "You may all withdraw. We'll handle things here." His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority.
The Heavenly Soldiers did not dare disobey. As if granted a pardon, they quickly got to their feet and left, not even daring to look back.
Yang Tianyou gazed at the two immortals before him, his heart full of gratitude. When they turned around, he cried out in delight, "Thank you, Martial Ancestor and Medical Ancestor, for saving us! If you hadn't come to our aid in time, my children and I would have lost our lives here today."
Hearing their father's words, Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, and Yang Chan all looked delighted. They had often heard their father tell tales of the Martial Ancestor and Medical Ancestor since childhood, and knew of the immense contributions the two immortals had made to the Human Race.
Though Yang Tianyou himself had no talent for martial arts, that did nothing to diminish his reverence and admiration for the Martial Ancestor and Medical Ancestor.
"Martial Ancestor, please save my wife!" Tears streaked Yang Tianyou's face. He dropped to his knees with a thud, clutched the hem of Su Mu's robe, and pleaded desperately.
His normally resolute face was now filled with despair and helplessness, and his voice had turned hoarse with desperation.
"Very well!" Su Mu's gaze sharpened, and he agreed without hesitation. Seeing this, the people behind him turned and followed him back to Guanjiang Pass.
As they stepped into the courtyard, the sight before them was shocking.
Yao Ji lay on the cold ground, her beautiful face as pale as paper, a trace of blood still at the corner of her mouth.
Her clothes were in tatters, and wounds covered her body. She had clearly been gravely injured.
"Princess Yao Ji, forgive me." Marshal Tianpeng said expressionlessly. He took out a gleaming golden rope and was about to bind her.
"No! Let go of my wife—our mother!" Yang Tianyou, their eldest son Yang Jian, and the two younger boys cried out together, their voices ragged with anguish.
Before their words had even faded, the four of them rushed toward Yao Ji like arrows loosed from a bow, instantly placing themselves in front of her.
Yao Ji struggled to lift her head. Seeing her husband and children suddenly appear before her, she was filled with worry and alarm.
Her lips trembled as she summoned the last of her strength to say, "You... Why have you come back? Didn't I tell you to leave at once? Hurry, go!" Tears ran down her cheeks and fell to the ground.
"Madam, don't be afraid. Someone has come to save us." Yang Tianyou forced down his grief and managed a smile to comfort Yao Ji.
Yao Ji only shook her head and smiled bitterly. "Who? Who in this world could save us?" Her eyes were filled with utter despair, as if she had already foreseen their tragic end.
Just as Marshal Tianpeng was about to attack Yang Tianyou and the others, a voice called out, "Marshal Tianpeng, wait!"
Marshal Tianpeng turned toward the voice and saw Su Mu walking calmly through the doorway.
Surprised to see Su Mu, Marshal Tianpeng cupped his hands and asked, "Great Emperor Qinghua, what brings you here?"
Su Mu's expression remained calm as he looked at Marshal Tianpeng and said evenly, "You need not involve yourself in Princess Yao Ji's affairs. Leave them to me."
Marshal Tianpeng considered this briefly before replying, "In that case, I shall go to the Heavenly Court and report to the Jade Emperor."
With that, clouds surged beneath his feet, and he vanished into the sky in an instant.
Su Mu then walked slowly over to Yao Ji. He extended his right index finger and gently pointed at her. A dazzling Cyan Flowing Light shot out like lightning and went straight into her body.
In an instant, color returned to Yao Ji's pale face, and her injuries rapidly healed before their eyes.
Once her injuries had healed, Yao Ji slowly rose to her feet, her face full of gratitude.
She bowed deeply to Su Mu and said softly but firmly, "Thank you, Great Emperor Qinghua, for saving me. I will never forget your kindness."
Then Yao Ji turned to Yang Chan and instructed her gently, "Chan'er, please show Great Emperor Qinghua and Great Emperor Longevity to the main hall so they can rest. Remember to prepare some fine tea for our honored guests, so they can recover from their fatigue. Your father, your elder brother, your second brother, and I will clean up the damaged courtyard first."
Yang Chan nodded obediently and replied in her clear, melodious voice, "Of course, Mother. Don't worry." Smiling, she gestured for Su Mu and Shaoyao to follow her to the main hall.
Su Mu and Shaoyao followed Yang Chan into the main hall. It was tastefully furnished, with the tables and chairs neatly arranged.
Yang Chan warmly invited them to sit, then quickly brought them fragrant tea.
The atmosphere in the hall was quiet. Shaoyao took a small sip of tea, then looked curiously at Su Mu and asked, "Senior Disciple Brother, you specifically asked me to come here. Is there something you need my help with?"
Su Mu smiled and replied unhurriedly, "Junior Sister, why don't you take a closer look at Yang Chan? What do you think of her?"
At his words, Shaoyao paused, then turned to look at Yang Chan, who stood quietly beside them.
Yang Chan happened to be watching Shaoyao too, her bright, star-like eyes gleaming with curiosity and anticipation.
Noticing Yang Chan staring right at her, Shaoyao felt puzzled and asked, "Little Sister Yang Chan, why are you looking at me like that?"
Yang Chan gave a small nod and said, "I grew up listening to tales of the Medical Ancestor's legendary deeds! When I was little, Father often told us wonderful stories about the Martial Ancestor and the Medical Ancestor. I've always admired the Medical Ancestor. Your miraculous skill in treating illnesses and saving people can restore those suffering from sickness or grievous wounds to life. It's truly admirable."
Hearing Yang Chan's words, Shaoyao was deeply moved. I never imagined that someone so young could have such a compassionate heart.
She slowly turned to Su Mu and asked softly, "Senior Disciple Brother, are you thinking of having me take her as my disciple?"
At this, Yang Chan's bright eyes seemed to shine even more. She gazed at Su Mu expectantly, as though waiting for him to confirm it.
"Yes," Su Mu said firmly.
Just then, Yao Ji and the others returned to the hall after finishing their work in the courtyard.
They had just entered when they heard Su Mu's words, and their faces lit up with delight.
Yao Ji was especially pleased. Smiling broadly, she joined the other three in looking hopefully at Shaoyao, as if all of them were waiting for her to agree.
"Very well, Yang Chan. Are you willing to take me as your master?" Shaoyao asked gently, smiling as she looked at Yang Chan.
Yang Chan was overjoyed. Her lovely face blossomed into a radiant smile.
Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees, placed her hands on the ground, and performed the formal rites of discipleship. Then she said loudly, "Your disciple Yang Chan pays respects to Master! It is the greatest honor of my life that you have chosen to accept me!"
"Yang Chan, get up. I'll find a suitable gift for you and give it to you when I do," Shaoyao said with a slight nod, gesturing for her to rise.
Yang Chan stood up happily and moved to one side. The rest of the Yang family were just as delighted.
All five members of Yang Tianyou's family wore smiles they could hardly contain. Yang Jiao and Yang Jian were glad their younger sister had become a disciple, but envy shone through even more strongly.
After all, she was the Medical Ancestor of the Human Race. Becoming her disciple was an unparalleled honor.
Just as the two brothers were envying her, Su Mu's voice rang out. "Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, would you two be willing to take me as your master?"
Yang Jiao and Yang Jian froze for a moment, then realized what he had asked. Trembling with excitement, their eyes shone.
Without another word, they quickly dropped to their knees like Yang Chan and bowed several times, then called out together, "Your disciples Yang Jiao and Yang Jian pay respects to Master! Thank you for accepting us!"
"Very well, get up. I'll find suitable gifts for you and give them to you when I do." Su Mu nodded with satisfaction and smiled as he told them to rise.
Su Mu and Shaoyao found a quiet place in Guanjiang Pass, settled there, and began carefully instructing the three Yang siblings.
Shaoyao passed her Medical Dao and the Thirteen Needles of Creation on to Yang Chan, while Su Mu taught the Nine Revolutions Divine Art to Yang Jiao and Yang Jian.
Every morning, they practiced their techniques facing the rising sun. In the afternoon, their teachers explained the mysteries of the heavens and the ways of immortal arts. The three Yang siblings studied diligently and made rapid progress.
Meanwhile, far away in the Heavenly Court, Marshal Tianpeng stood respectfully outside the door to Haotian's seclusion chamber, reporting on Yao Ji.
He recounted every detail he knew to Haotian.
After hearing Marshal Tianpeng's report, Haotian fell silent, lost in deep thought. After a long while, he finally said, "You may leave for now. I'll decide what to do once I emerge from seclusion."
Marshal Tianpeng obeyed and left, but Haotian's attention remained undivided.
What mattered most to him now was continuing to comprehend the mysterious Primordial Violet Qi.
Only by unraveling its mysteries could he attain sainthood and gain boundless power and glory.
As for why Su Mu had intervened to stop Yao Ji's capture and the killing of the children she had borne with a mortal, those questions weighed on Haotian's mind. But compared with his pursuit of sainthood, they would have to wait.
Once he had achieved his goal, he would seek out Su Mu and demand an explanation.
At Guanjiang Pass, time passed in the blink of an eye. Yang Jiao and Yang Jian, once mere children, had grown into tall young men.
Yang Jiao was nineteen, with sword-like brows, bright eyes, and an imposing bearing. Yang Jian had just turned eighteen, handsome and refined, while their younger sister Yang Chan had blossomed into a graceful young woman of seventeen.
One day, Su Mu found Yang Jian and said to Yang Jiao, who was practicing diligently nearby, "I have an important matter to attend to and must take Yang Jian with me. Keep up your training while we're gone, and don't slack off."
Hearing this, Yang Jiao hurriedly put down his weapon and replied respectfully, "Yes, Master! I will follow your instructions and focus on my training." Then he watched as Su Mu and Yang Jian walked away.
Su Mu took Yang Jian with him and hurried along. Before long, they arrived at a small, desolate-looking village.
Looking at the dilapidated settlement overgrown with weeds, Yang Jian was puzzled. He asked Su Mu, "Master, what happened to this village? Why is it so deserted and run-down?"
Su Mu answered gravely, "This village was once peaceful and tranquil, but, unfortunately, its people were all killed and devoured by a demon. Over time, the village was abandoned and became what you see now."
Hearing this, Yang Jian flew into a rage. Clenching his fists, he gritted his teeth and said, "These demons are cruel and vile! Don't worry, Master. Today, I'll capture this wicked demon and avenge the innocent people who lost their lives!"
Su Mu led Yang Jian in pursuit, and at last they discovered where the Three-Headed Flood Dragon was hiding.
When they arrived, the sight before them made their hearts race—the Three-Headed Flood Dragon had opened its enormous maw and was about to swallow a group of innocent villagers!
In the blink of an eye, Yang Jian rushed forward without hesitation, trying to stop the horrific scene.
Yang Jian was no ordinary person. He had diligently cultivated the Nine Revolutions Divine Art and benefited from Su Mu's patient guidance and wholehearted instruction. He had now reached the peak of the Martial Emperor (Golden Immortal) realm!
By comparison, the Three-Headed Flood Dragon was only at the Early Taiyi Golden Immortal level.
The Three-Headed Flood Dragon had been rampaging when it suddenly saw someone daring to obstruct it. Its fury blazed.
But when it got a good look at Yang Jian, it felt reassured instead. After all, Yang Jian's cultivation seemed slightly weaker than its own.
"Hmph, you ignorant brat! You're only a mere Golden Immortal at the peak, yet you actually dare fight me? You're courting death!" The Three-Headed Flood Dragon sneered at Yang Jian in contempt.
Faced with the Three-Headed Flood Dragon's arrogant taunts, Yang Jian was enraged. "You audacious fiend! How dare you harm the Human Race in broad daylight? Today, I'll see you brought to justice!"
Although Yang Jian had more than enough strength to handle the Three-Headed Flood Dragon, this was his first real battle, and he lacked combat experience. At the start, he inevitably found himself at a disadvantage.
But as time passed, Yang Jian gradually adapted to the rhythm of the fight. His combat skills grew increasingly polished, and his experience steadily increased. The Three-Headed Flood Dragon, by contrast, began to feel its strength failing and the pressure mounting.
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