Ancient Banyan Descends

Zhang Mo's hand had been healing for three days and was finally able to move.

Ning Rongrong changed his bandages every day, her face turning redder with each passing session. Yang Wudi watched from the side, chuckling to himself. Chen Xin would occasionally come up to sit, saying nothing, just watching.

On the morning of the fourth day, the system's warning arrived.

Zhang Mo was eating breakfast when his right eye suddenly stung. A purple light screen popped up, casting a violet hue over his porridge bowl.

[Warning--]

[Detected: Fifth "Crisis Summon" about to trigger--]

[Target: Ancient Banyan]

[Identity: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Bone Douluo, wielder of the Bone Dragon Spirit]

[Soul Power Level: Level 95 Title Douluo]

[Spirit Rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Black]

[Traits: Extremely high defense, nearly immortal in Bone Dragon True Form state]

[Arrival Time: 12 hours later]

[Arrival Location: SH City District, approximately 15 kilometers from current position]

[Mission: Kill Ancient Banyan]

[Reward: World Origin Point x1000, Random Spirit Bone x1]

[Failure Penalty: Dual World Collision accelerated by 110 days]

The chopsticks in Ning Rongrong's hand clattered to the floor.

She stared at the lines of text, her face turning pale.

"Grandpa Bone..."

Yang Wudi set down his bowl and let out a low whistle.

"Another one," he said. "Is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect coming in a group?"

Chen Xin stood up and walked to the window, looking out.

"Old Bone," he said softly. "That old thing is here too."

Ning Rongrong turned to look at him.

"Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Bone, he—"

Chen Xin waved his hand, cutting her off.

"I know," he said. "He's here for you."

He turned around and looked at Zhang Mo.

"Old Bone's trial is harder than mine."

Zhang Mo didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

Chen Xin said, "I can still be reasoned with. Old Bone doesn't listen to reason."

Yang Wudi chimed in from the side, "Just how unreasonable is he?"

Chen Xin thought for a moment and said:

"Years ago, a Soul Douluo offended Rongrong, and she said, 'Grandpa Bone, help me vent my anger.' Old Bone chased that man for three days and three nights, followed him all the way into his sect, and beat him to a pulp right in front of his sect master."

Yang Wudi was stunned.

Chen Xin continued, "The man begged for mercy on his knees later, but Old Bone didn't even acknowledge him. It wasn't until Rongrong said to let it go that he finally stopped."

He looked at Ning Rongrong.

"He listens to this girl. He doesn't listen to anyone else."

Ning Rongrong kept her head down, silent.

Zhang Mo was quiet for a few seconds, then asked:

"What will he do once he arrives?"

Chen Xin said, "He'll find me first. He'll think I didn't protect Rongrong well enough and pick a fight with me. Then, he'll come for you."

He looked at Zhang Mo.

"When he comes for you, you'd best make sure Rongrong is standing in front."

Ning Rongrong looked up.

Chen Xin said, "Once he sees Rongrong, half his anger will vanish. If he sees Rongrong protecting you, the other half will vanish too. As for what's left—"

He paused.

"That depends on whether you can take a punch from him."

Yang Wudi laughed.

"Taking another hit?" He looked at Zhang Mo's right hand. "That hand of yours hasn't even fully healed yet."

Zhang Mo did not speak.

Ning Rongrong suddenly stood up.

"I'll go meet him."

The three of them were stunned.

She looked at Chen Xin, her eyes bright.

"Grandpa Bone loves me the most. I'll go talk to him."

Chen Xin looked at her, silent for a few seconds, then shook his head.

"It's useless."

"Why?"

"Because he will ask me," Chen Xin said. "He'll ask why I let you stay here. If I tell the truth, he'll think you're being used and get even angrier. If I lie, he'll be able to tell."

Ning Rongrong's face turned pale again.

Yang Wudi coughed from the side.

"Old man," he said, "can't you just stop him?"

Chen Xin glanced at him.

"I can't stop him."

Yang Wudi was taken aback.

Chen Xin said, "We've fought our whole lives, and it's always been a draw."

The room went quiet.

Zhang Mo suddenly stood up.

"I'll go."

Ning Rongrong grabbed him.

"Your hand—"

Zhang Mo looked down at his right hand, then looked back up at her.

"I still have my left."

Ning Rongrong's eyes reddened.

"Are you stupid..."

Yang Wudi rolled his eyes from the side.

"Alright, alright," he said. "Stop the drama. We still have twelve hours, think it over slowly."

He stood up, walked to the window, and took a look outside.

Then he froze.

"Old man," he said, "is that your old brother?"

Chen Xin walked to the window and followed his gaze.

In the distance, a figure stood on the roof.

A gray-white robe, a gaunt frame, and a head of messy white hair.

He just stood there, watching this direction.

Even from a kilometer away, those eyes were terrifyingly bright.

Chen Xin frowned.

"He's early," he said.

Ning Rongrong ran to the window, and upon seeing that figure, her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed.

Zhang Mo caught her.

She turned to look at him, tears swirling in her eyes.

"Grandpa Bone..."

In the distance, the figure moved.

He jumped straight off the roof, landing on the ground and smashing a crater into the earth.

Then, he began to walk toward them.

He didn't walk fast, but every step carried an indescribable sense of oppression.

Yang Wudi gripped the Soul Breaking Spear that had just been repaired.

Chen Xin reached out and grasped the hilt of his sword.

Zhang Mo pulled Ning Rongrong behind him.

At the entrance of the alley, the figure stopped.

He stood right there, twenty meters away, watching this side.

The sunlight shone from behind him, shrouding his face in shadow.

But those eyes were startlingly bright.

He spoke, his voice hoarse, like rusted iron scraping against iron:

"Chen Xin."

Chen Xin stepped forward.

"Old Bone."

Ancient Banyan stared at him for a few seconds, then his gaze drifted past him, landing on Ning Rongrong behind him.

His expression shifted.

"Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong poked her head out from behind Zhang Mo and whispered:

"Grandpa Bone..."

Ancient Banyan took a step forward.

Chen Xin blocked him with his sword held horizontally.

Ancient Banyan stopped and looked at him.

"Move aside."

Chen Xin shook his head.

"Listen to me—"

Ancient Banyan raised his hand and struck with a palm.

The wind from his palm whistled, carrying ripples of black Spirit Power.

Chen Xin swung his sword to parry.

BOOM—

A crater exploded in the ground between the two of them.

Ancient Banyan looked at him, his eyes as cold as ice.

"You didn't protect her well."

Chen Xin did not speak.

Ancient Banyan said, "She has been missing for so many days, and you found her, yet you didn't bring her back. What is the meaning of this?"

Chen Xin said, "It was her own choice."

Ancient Banyan froze for a moment.

He looked at Ning Rongrong.

"Rongrong, is what he says true?"

Ning Rongrong nodded.

Ancient Banyan stared at her for a long time.

Then, he suddenly laughed.

The smile was uglier than crying.

"Good," he said. "Good."

He turned around and looked at Zhang Mo.

"Is it you?"

Zhang Mo nodded.

Ancient Banyan walked toward him.

Chen Xin tried to block him again, but was shoved aside.

He walked up to Zhang Mo and stood still.

He was half a head taller than Zhang Mo, his gaunt frame like an old bamboo stalk, yet the sense of oppression he exuded was heavier than a mountain.

He looked down at Zhang Mo.

Zhang Mo looked back at him.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

Ancient Banyan suddenly raised his hand and slammed a fist into Zhang Mo's chest.

Zhang Mo flew backward, slammed into the wall, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Zhang Mo!" Ning Rongrong screamed as she ran over.

Ancient Banyan watched this scene, his eyes growing even colder.

"Is this it?" he said. "The person Rongrong has taken a fancy to, is just this?"

Ning Rongrong stood in front of Zhang Mo, looking up at him, tears streaming down her face.

"Grandpa Bone! You are not allowed to hit him!"

Ancient Banyan looked at her, his eyes complex.

"Rongrong, move aside."

Ning Rongrong shook her head.

Ancient Banyan reached out to pull her away, but Ning Rongrong clung tightly to his arm.

"No! I won't!"

Ancient Banyan froze.

He looked at Ning Rongrong's tear-stained face, looked at the way she was desperately shielding that man, and suddenly remembered her when she was a child.

Back then, she was only three or four years old; she wouldn't cry when she fell, just climb back up on her own. He would praise her for being brave, and she would look up with her little face and say, "Because I am a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Now she had grown up and learned how to protect others.

He slowly lowered his hand.

"Rongrong," he said, his voice hoarse, "do you like him?"

Ning Rongrong bit her lip and nodded.

Ancient Banyan fell silent.

For a long, long time.

Then, he sighed.

"Fine," he said. "As long as you like him."

He turned and walked away.

After a few steps, he stopped again, and without looking back, said:

"If this brat bullies you, tell me."

He left.

Ning Rongrong stood where she was, watching his back disappear at the mouth of the alley.

She suddenly crouched down, buried her face in her knees, and sobbed until she was out of breath.

Footsteps sounded from behind.

Zhang Mo walked over, crouched down, and reached out to pat the top of her head.

She looked up at him, her face covered in tears.

Blood still hung from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were calm.

"It's alright now," he said.

Ancient Banyan was gone.

The alley quieted down, with only the sound of Ning Rongrong's sobbing.

Chen Xin stood in place, looking in the direction his old friend had vanished, and remained silent for a long time.

Then he turned around, looking at Ning Rongrong and Zhang Mo, who were crouched on the ground.

"Get up," he said. "He will come back."

Ning Rongrong raised her head, her face streaked with tears.

"Grandpa Bone... will he come back?"

Chen Xin nodded.

"With his temper, he won't rest until he's vented his anger." He paused. "He is angry at me for not bringing you back."

Yang Wudi walked over from the base of the wall and slammed the broken half of his Soul Breaking Spear into the ground.

"Then what do we do? Wait for him to come back and fight again?"

Chen Xin glanced at him but said nothing.

He walked up to Zhang Mo and looked down at his chest—the spot where Ancient Banyan had landed that punch.

"How many ribs are broken?"

Zhang Mo moved slightly, frowning in pain.

"Two."

Chen Xin reached out and pressed down, and Zhang Mo let out a muffled groan.

"Three," Chen Xin said. "Lie down for two days."

Ning Rongrong grew anxious and helped support Zhang Mo.

"I'll help you upstairs."

Zhang Mo waved his hand, bracing himself against the wall to stand.

"No need."

He took two steps, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead from the pain in his chest, but he gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound.

Ning Rongrong followed beside him, her hands hovering as if to support him, afraid to apply pressure but afraid to let go.

Yang Wudi watched them head upstairs, then looked at Chen Xin.

"Old man, when do you think that old bag of bones will be back?"

Chen Xin thought for a moment.

"Tonight."

Yang Wudi was taken aback.

Chen Xin said, "With his temper, he won't last half a day."

Yang Wudi laughed.

"Fine. Then we wait."

He hoisted his spear and followed them upstairs.

Upstairs, Zhang Mo lay on the sofa while Ning Rongrong wiped the sweat from his brow.

Yang Wudi walked in, took one look, and rolled his eyes.

"It's just three ribs, you won't die." He walked over, pulled a small porcelain bottle from his robes, and tossed it to Ning Rongrong. "Give him one."

Ning Rongrong caught it, poured out a pill, and fed it to Zhang Mo.

Zhang Mo swallowed it, feeling a warm current spread from his stomach, and the pain in his chest eased slightly.

"What medicine is this?"

Yang Wudi said, "Bone-Mending Pill. A secret recipe of our Breaking Clan."

Zhang Mo nodded, leaned back against the sofa, and closed his eyes.

Ning Rongrong sat beside him, watching him.

Outside the window, the sky slowly darkened.

At eight o'clock in the evening, footsteps echoed in the alleyway.

Ning Rongrong ran to the window and looked down.

Under the moonlight, a gaunt figure stood in the center of the alley, looking up at the window.

Ancient Banyan.

She turned to look into the room.

Chen Xin had already stood up, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

Yang Wudi picked up his Soul Breaking Spear.

Zhang Mo opened his eyes and tried to stand, but Ning Rongrong pressed him back down.

"Don't move," she said. "I'll go."

She pushed the door open and ran downstairs.

In the alley, Ancient Banyan saw her, and his gaze softened for a moment.

"Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong ran over and grabbed his sleeve.

"Grandpa Bone, please don't fight with Grandpa Sword."

Ancient Banyan looked down at her, silent for a few seconds.

"He let you stay here, and I have nothing to say about that," he said. "But he didn't protect you well, and that account must be settled."

"It's not his fault..."

Ancient Banyan waved his hand.

"Rongrong, go back," he said. "Don't get involved in adult matters."

Ning Rongrong shook her head, refusing to let go of his sleeve.

Ancient Banyan looked at her and suddenly sighed.

"Rongrong, when has Grandpa Bone ever harmed you?"

Ning Rongrong was stunned.

Ancient Banyan said, "Your father entrusted you to us so that we would protect you. And what happened? You went missing for so many days, and we didn't even know where you were. That old thing Chen Xin found you, yet instead of bringing you back, he let you stay with someone of unknown origin."

His voice deepened.

"If I don't settle this account with him, who should I settle it with?"

Ning Rongrong opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Ancient Banyan didn't give her the chance.

He gently pulled his hand away from hers and took a step forward.

Upstairs, Chen Xin had already descended.

The two stood ten meters apart, locking eyes.

Moonlight shone into the alley, stretching their shadows long.

"Chen Xin," Ancient Banyan spoke, his voice hoarse, "do you have anything left to say?"

Chen Xin looked at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said:

"Nothing to say. If you want to fight, then fight."

Ancient Banyan smiled.

The smile was brief and cold.

"Good."

He raised his hand and struck out with a palm.

Black Spirit Power transformed into a Bone Dragon, roaring as it charged toward Chen Xin.

Chen Xin drew his sword.

The Seven Kill Sword left its sheath, sword qi surging everywhere.

BOOM—

A massive crater exploded into the ground between the two.

Ning Rongrong was knocked over by the shockwave, tumbling to the ground.

She scrambled up and saw that Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone were already locked in battle.

Sword light and bone shadows intertwined; every collision made the ground tremble. Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the walls on both sides of the alley.

"Stop fighting!" she shouted.

No one paid her any mind.

Ancient Banyan struck with a palm; Chen Xin dodged to the side, and the blow smashed into the wall, blasting a giant hole through it.

Chen Xin slashed with his sword; Ancient Banyan blocked it head-on with his arm. The blade sliced through his clothes, leaving a white mark on his skin.

Both of them were truly enraged.

Ning Rongrong was so anxious that tears streamed down her face.

She rushed forward, intending to stop them, but before she could get close, she was sent flying by the shockwave.

She hit the ground harder this time, her head slamming against the wall, and her vision went black.

In her daze, she saw a figure rush over.

Zhang Mo.

He clutched his chest, ran to her, and crouched down.

"Rongrong!"

Ning Rongrong shook her head, regaining a bit of clarity.

"I'm fine..." she said, "Go... stop them..."

Zhang Mo looked up.

Chen Xin and Ancient Banyan were blinded by their fury, completely unaware of what was happening here.

He stood up, shielding Ning Rongrong behind him.

A wave of sword qi swept toward them; he couldn't dodge it and had to take the hit with his back.

The sword qi tore through his clothes, leaving a deep, bloody gash across his back.

He let out a muffled groan and dropped to one knee.

Ning Rongrong saw the blood on his back, and her mind went numb.

She stood up and rushed between the two men.

"Enough!!"

She poured every ounce of her strength into that shout.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda manifested in her palm, its seven-colored light blindingly brilliant.

Chen Xin and Ancient Banyan stopped simultaneously.

They looked at Ning Rongrong.

She stood between them, trembling all over, tears streaming down her face.

"Have you had enough of fighting yet?!"

Her voice was sharp, laced with sobs.

"If you've had enough, then stop!"

Chen Xin was silent.

Ancient Banyan was also silent.

Ning Rongrong pointed at Zhang Mo.

"To protect me, he took a punch from Grandpa Bone and broke three ribs. Just now, to protect me again, he took a sword strike, and his back is bleeding."

She looked at Ancient Banyan.

"Grandpa Bone, he is the one you wanted to hit. But when you hit him, I was watching from the side, and my heart was shattered."

She looked at Chen Xin again.

"Grandpa Sword, you want to fight Grandpa Bone, and I cannot stop you. But when you two fight, I am watching from the side, and I am terrified."

Her tears flowed uncontrollably.

"I am already this terrified, and you still want to fight?"

The alley fell silent.

Only the sound of Ning Rongrong's sobbing remained.

Ancient Banyan looked at her, his expression complex.

Chen Xin also looked at her, remaining silent.

After a long while, Ancient Banyan suddenly sighed.

He walked up to Ning Rongrong and reached out to wipe away her tears.

"Rongrong, Grandpa Bone was wrong."

Ning Rongrong was stunned for a moment.

Ancient Banyan said, "I shouldn't have fought in front of you."

He glanced at Zhang Mo, then at Chen Xin, and turned to walk away.

When he reached the entrance of the alley, he stopped and said without looking back:

"If that brat dies, I will take responsibility. If he doesn't, then forget it."

He left.

Chen Xin stood where he was, watching his figure disappear, then slowly sheathed his sword.

He walked over to Ning Rongrong and looked down at her.

"Rongrong, Grandpa was wrong too."

Ning Rongrong looked up at him, her eyes red.

"Grandpa Sword..."

Chen Xin reached out and patted the top of her head.

"No more fighting from now on."

Ning Rongrong nodded.

She turned and ran back to Zhang Mo's side.

Zhang Mo was still kneeling on the ground, the blood on his back having already stained a large portion of his clothes red.

She supported him.

"Zhang Mo, how are you?"

Zhang Mo looked up at her, his face pale, but he managed to pull a smile to the corner of his mouth.

"I'm fine."

Ning Rongrong's tears welled up again.

"You're lying..."

Zhang Mo reached out, wanting to wipe her tears, but halfway through, his vision went black, and he collapsed into her arms.

"Zhang Mo!"

She held him, crying her heart out.

Chen Xin walked over, crouched down, and checked Zhang Mo's breath.

"He fainted," he said. "We need to carry him up."

Yang Wudi came down from upstairs, saw the scene, and clicked his tongue.

"This brat really has a tough life." He walked over and hoisted Zhang Mo up. "Alright, stop crying, he won't die."

Ning Rongrong followed behind him, wiping her tears as she walked.

Upstairs, Yang Wudi placed Zhang Mo on the Sofa and unbuttoned his clothes, revealing the wound on his back.

A sword mark stretched from his shoulder to his waist, the flesh curled open, deep enough to see the bone.

Ning Rongrong took one look, and her legs went weak.

Yang Wudi, however, let out a sigh of relief.

"It's alright, no damage to the internal organs." He pulled a medicine bottle from his robes and sprinkled the powder onto the wound. "He'll be fine after half a month of bed rest."

Ning Rongrong watched from the side, her tears never ceasing.

After finishing the bandaging, Yang Wudi stood up and looked at Chen Xin.

"Old man, that sword strike of yours was ruthless."

Chen Xin did not speak.

He looked at Zhang Mo, remaining silent for a long time.

Then, he suddenly said:

"Rongrong, this lad is worth it."

Ning Rongrong looked up at him.

Chen Xin said, "When he rushed over to shield you just now, he was putting his life on the line."

He paused.

"I approve of him."

Ning Rongrong was stunned.

Then she lowered her head, looking at Zhang Mo's pale face, and tears streamed down once more.

But this time, the corners of her mouth were curled upward.