Time slipped by, the years flying like a shuttle.
A yao's life had not been wasted, and the future held promise.
In the end, Su Changsheng decided to leave, return to the Black Mountain Demon Stockade, and use it as a springboard into a wider world.
Shallow waters could not nurture a flood dragon; a small temple could not accommodate a Venerable Deity.
White Mountain Village was simply too small. It had only been a modest experiment in cultivating a force while he recovered from his injuries. Even if there seemed to be some problems here, they could not command much more of his attention.
His future held only immortality.
Leave, then. So be it!
Whatever turmoil might remain here, once he had left, what could the hand behind the scenes do?
"Disperse!"
"Before long, I too shall leave."
As the three yao knelt at the foot of White Mountain, a voice drifted from the void, then vanished without a trace.
At the same time, a white stone wreathed in azure fire floated down, landing right before Su Changsheng.
"Disperse?"
"Lord White Mountain means..."
The little snake girl looked both excited and bewildered, with a trace of fear mixed in.
She was excited because the mysterious lord of White Mountain had appeared, bewildered because the White Mountain Yao Village she had worked so hard to establish seemed utterly useless, and afraid because she would once again be left homeless.
Without Lord White Mountain's protection, where could they go?
"Let's go to the Black Mountain Demon Stockade!"
"By granting us this, Lord White Mountain has already shown us the way. With it, we can reach the Black Mountain Demon Stockade safely."
Su Changsheng raised the white stone burning with azure flames in his hand and spoke calmly.
The little snake girl