True Person

The sun lost its light, a Demon Star flickered in and out of sight, and a murky aura settled over the land. From the Seven Azure Peaks to the Great Scenery Plains, whirlwinds sprang up everywhere. For a time, heaven dimmed and earth darkened; one household lost its spirit beasts, another mountain saw its green pines toppled.

The phenomenon was terrifying. Xu Xuan felt that the last time he had witnessed anything like this was in the Jade Flow Mountains to the south, when hordes of demons invaded and unleashed a Demon Calamity.

Looking toward the Great Scenery Plains from distant Skyblue, he saw that every household had activated its formations. Spiritual currents across the plains were in turmoil, making it impossible to discern what was happening.

Wen Si'an had already led her disciples back to Green Luo and activated the [Fire-Crossing Long-Qi Formation], bracing as though a mighty enemy stood before them.

"Could the demon mountains south in Jade Flow be preparing to invade?"

Xu Xuan instinctively sensed a demonic aura lurking beneath this phenomenon, and he could not help worrying.

The phenomenon in the sky vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Xu Xuan saw no trace of any demons before sunlight shone once more, restoring a scene of gentle breezes and clear skies.

Elsewhere, the Li River suddenly fell silent. The pure land of the Lotus Temple north of the river dimmed its radiance, while Cihai, in his temple at Dapan, dismissed his worshippers and dared not lift his head.

The silhouette of a Golden-Armored Deity appeared in the sky, his features indistinct. He wore fine-scaled armor with Mystic Patterns and a sun-bright helmet spread with frost. A cloud of white vapor veiled his face, as though he did not wish anyone to see his true appearance.

Metal objects along both banks of the Li River trembled incessantly. Touched by the deity's aura, some swords, halberds, sabers, and spears actually fell to the ground and transformed into golden snakes, bronze sparrows, and other creatures. They bowed repeatedly to the figure in the sky, then turned into statues.

The Lotus Temple's Buddhist chanting ceased entirely, lest it anger the figure overhead. Every sect in Green Peaks bowed toward the sky to show its respect.

Xu Xuan took only one look at the figure's face before a sharp, gleaming Jin aura arose within his eyes, sending two trails of bloody tears down his cheeks. He immediately ordered his disciples not to move rashly, much less look at the figure in the sky.

"A Purple Mansion True Person."

Such might could belong to nothing other than the Purple Mansion realm. Xu Xuan had a vague guess as to where this Golden-Armored Deity had come from.

It should have been Tip-Feng Mountain in Heavenwater Commandery, north of Red Cloud. That sect cultivated [Hidden Metal], and its mountain abounded in golden men, iron horses, bronze sparrows, and jade dragons.

The moment this True Person appeared, the surrounding metal manifested Ling. Even [Cinnabar Thunder] within Xu Xuan's Qi Sea faintly responded, prompting him to restrain it.

He must have come because of that phenomenon.

The only sect in Red Cloud Commandery with a True Person presiding over it was the Longevity Monastery to the north. With that sect offering no response, no one from Green Peaks to the Great Scenery Plains would dare defy him in any way. Yet the Chen Household remained sealed behind its mountain gates, apparently still possessing some grounds for confidence.

The Golden-Armored Deity took a light step and instantly arrived above the Great Scenery Plains. He brought forth a bronze mirror engraved with a taotie motif, releasing Mysterious Radiance that swept over every household and sect, the Chen Household included.

Xu Xuan dared not reveal anything unusual. The White Jade Ancient Stele in his Qi Sea had completely concealed its radiance, turning into a wisp of white vapor and vanishing from sight. The ancient seal-script inscription [Sword Rises from the Deep Abyss, Dark Flood Dragon Commands Thunder] within his Consciousness Sea shrank straight into its deepest reaches, gathering into a single point and sinking to the bottom.

As for the blood flower, it pressed itself against the [Mystic Prayer Thunderwood], transforming into a small branch wreathed in lightning.

Xu Xuan dared neither think nor move. He feared that the figure would notice something amiss and immediately employ some method of searching his soul.

The Golden-Armored Deity surveyed the heavens all around. Apparently finding nothing, he withdrew his divine ability and prepared to leave.

Just as Xu Xuan's heart began to settle and he prepared to soothe the frightened disciples, [Cinnabar Thunder] within his Qi Sea suddenly trembled as though possessed. It shot out on its own, transformed into a thunder sparrow, and landed on his shoulder.

Without any perceptible change in his aura, the Golden-Armored Deity had somehow already descended behind Xu Xuan.

Xu Xuan could discern no trace of humanity within that imposing, fearsome dark armor. White vapor swirled inside the helmet, making it impossible to glimpse the expression beneath.

Xu Xuan immediately knelt and bowed, saying respectfully:

"Greetings, True Person."

The figure remained silent and merely stepped closer. White vapor drifted beneath every part of his armor, making one wonder whether there was truly flesh and blood inside.

An invisible force lifted Xu Xuan little by little. He could muster no thought of resistance. He lowered his aura to its faintest, drew in all his magical power, and kept his expression respectful, not daring to show even the slightest disrespect.

The bronze mirror rose into the air, and its mysterious light spilled down, illuminating all of Xu Xuan's internal organs, his Qi Sea, and his Spirit Platform. Nothing unusual appeared.

Yet the crushing pressure on Xu Xuan did not dissipate. Instead, it grew heavier and heavier. His bones gave off sharp cracks as they buckled under the burden, and his lower legs were nearly crushed.

Still, he dared not utter a sound, merely lowering his eyes respectfully.

The Golden-Armored Deity seemed to think of something and suddenly turned toward the Founders' Hall on the peak.

"Is this Wen Fufeng's sect? What are you to him?"

The voice rang like metal striking metal, without the slightest trace of humanity, and shook blood from both of Xu Xuan's ears.

"In answer to the True Person, our humble sect is the Great Red Abbey. Wen Fufeng is my master, and I currently have the unworthy honor of serving as sect leader."

Xu Xuan answered with some difficulty. He no longer knew how many ribs had broken inside his chest.

The crushing pressure on him suddenly vanished. The figure before him seemed to breathe out, and a warm breeze brushed over Xu Xuan. His injuries healed instantly, and his cultivated body became even tougher than before. Even [Cinnabar Thunder] gained a measure of spiritual awareness, rising in an instant to the upper grade of Qi Refining.

"Other than your Sword Qi, there is truly nothing worth praising. You fall far short of your master."

When Xu Xuan raised his head again, the Golden-Armored Deity had already vanished. Yet he still dared not feel any anger. Instead, he bowed once more toward Heavenwater Commandery to see him off.

A short while later, Wen Si'an rushed up the peak. At the sight of the bloodstains on the ground, her face went deathly pale. She hurriedly took out medicinal pills and helped Xu Xuan up, only relaxing after learning that he had no injuries.

"Some disciples looked at the True Person's cultivated body, and now both their eyes are blind. Gao Xia is leading people to treat them. Some unattended weapons took on living forms, but once that person left, they became scrap iron."

Wen Si'an sounded uneasy as she explained everything to Xu Xuan.

"Fortunately, nothing too serious happened. That great personage was reasonable. Once he saw that nothing was amiss with me, he let me go and even bestowed a fortunate opportunity upon me."

With that, Xu Xuan smiled and took out [Cinnabar Thunder] to show Wen Si'an. He dared not tell her the full extent of what had happened, fearing it would distress her.

"Stay on the peak and recuperate for the next few days. The spirit field matter has been resolved, and Senior Brother Xi Wei and I are still here to oversee the sect. You needn't worry."

Wen Si'an's brow remained furrowed. Clearly, she did not believe Xu Xuan's account. The ground was drenched in blood, and his array robes were torn to shreds. Although he had no injuries, he had probably suffered a great deal.

Wen Si'an insisted that Xu Xuan rest for several days, then hurried down the mountain to attend to the chaos within the sect.

Back in True Abode Hall, Xu Xuan suddenly felt a bone-deep chill.

Could that True Person have left some divine ability on me? Could he still be watching me?

Once that thought arose, he felt as though the True Person's eyes and ears were everywhere, leaving him unable to sit or stand at ease.

Just then, the White Jade Ancient Stele within his Qi Sea revealed itself. The blood flower also fell away from the [Mystic Prayer Thunderwood], while the flood dragon within his Consciousness Sea freely stretched its body.

A clear light flowed from the ancient stele, shining through all of Xu Xuan's root bone, flesh, and blood, even more thoroughly than the True Person's bronze mirror. Xu Xuan examined himself carefully and only relaxed once he found nothing unusual.

Enveloped by the clear light, the blood flower gave a mournful cry. As though struck by lightning, it withered somewhat.

Xu Xuan looked inward. It seemed that the emergence of Tip-Feng Mountain's True Person was inextricably connected to this flower.

(End of chapter)