The Journey West Obstructed

After reading what Daozheng had written on the silk, Su Yao made up his mind. He first put away the wooden box and the silk, then looked at the two of them.

"You two may each return home."

Both shook their heads repeatedly. A trace of panic appeared on Li Siyi's face as she hurriedly explained,

"The exalted immortal's decree said, 'Let the two of you serve the Dao Child well, so that the alliance may endure.'"

Hearing this, Su Yao looked at the panic and pleading on their faces and pondered.

The two Households did indeed have an alliance with Qixia Temple. In years past, they had been among the few who followed the temple south. Their Purple Mansion cultivators had also fallen in the demonic calamities over three thousand years, and it was not until more than three hundred years ago, with Daozheng's support, that they had renewed their Purple Mansion inheritances.

He had only intended to descend the mountain to settle his worldly ties, then seek that fortuitous opportunity, find a place of clear waters and beautiful mountains, and build a hut where he could live in seclusion for a dozen years before returning to his sect. But now, it seemed he was unlikely to have the chance anytime soon.

Besides, he would need people he could call upon, and he was indeed short of hands to serve as his protectors and divine generals. These two could be considered children of respectable families under Qixia Temple, so there was no harm in making use of them. After all, the four Celestial Masters were all still in their positions, and naturally lent their support to such matters.

Su Yao looked at the two and asked,

"How old are you?"

At his words, the panic finally eased from their faces. Though both came from immortal clans, their clans were affiliates of Qixia.

Though Qixia had sealed its mountain, elders from their clans had been summoned to attend the ceremony when this Dao Child was appointed. They naturally knew of his talent. Although his cultivation speed was not among the very best of the present age,

his true strengths lay in his comprehension, Law Techniques, and attainment in the Dao, all of which outsiders praised without end. Those who could attain the Great Dao at least had good comprehension, while cultivation speed could be aided in countless ways, with pills, spiritual items, and the like.

Li Siyi looked at Liu Yunhe, who was five years older than her, and gestured for him to speak first. Liu Yunhe did not decline.

"I am now ninety-six, at Foundation Establishment Late Stage. I cultivate my family's inherited fifth-grade Cultivation Method of the Wood Uniting Dao, the True Scripture of Jade Mist and Resting Feathers. My immortal foundation is Resting Subtle Feather."

When Liu Yunhe had finished, Su Yao said nothing, so Li Siyi spoke.

"I am ninety-one this year, at Foundation Establishment Late Stage. I cultivate the fifth-grade Cultivation Method bestowed by the superior sect, the Wondrous Canon of Five Mists Condensing Radiance. My immortal foundation is Bathe in Five Vapors, of the Wu Earth Dao."

Hearing this, Su Yao made his calculations. Though these two Daos were useful in this region, the rainbow-mist Dao he cultivated himself, while untouched by all things, was only average in killing power. Fortunately, he had cultivated enough Law Techniques.

The traditions these two cultivated excelled at formations and Law Techniques, but not at combat. He did not know why the representative of the other Household had not come, but since they had not, he would let the matter rest.

At most, these two could run errands for him. The main thing was that the patriarch had an alliance with these Households. After observing them further, he could take them in if there were no major problems with their character.

After all, their talent was decent, and they could be considered potential Purple Mansion cultivators. Had they not cultivated fifth-grade Cultivation Methods, they should have been a little faster. Their aptitudes were, after all, barely sufficient to cultivate such methods.

The two looked at Su Yao, who remained silent for a long time. They were filled with worry, uncertain whether the Dao Child would think them worthy.

Just as they were about to give up, Su Yao finally spoke.

"Then stay for now."

Without waiting for them to respond, he continued,

"But if you prove unfit for use in the future, do not blame me for casting you out without mercy. If you render service, you will naturally be rewarded. If your contributions are great enough, the spiritual items and precious medicines needed for Purple Mansion, and even the Spirit Artifacts and spirit treasures for after you attain it, may be yours."

With that, he looked at the two.

They were overjoyed and bowed together.

"Many thanks, Dao Child. We shall devote ourselves wholeheartedly to repaying your immortal grace."

Though their own clans would provide the spiritual items and precious medicines needed to break through to Purple Mansion, and had Spirit Artifacts and spirit treasures for those who attained it,

how could those things compare with Qixia Temple's treasures?

The treasures that guarded their two clans had all been bestowed by Qixia for services rendered by their ancestors. Only because of this had the Households been able to save up their own spiritual items for cultivators with a sliver of hope of reaching Purple Mansion to attempt the breakthrough.

Other Households might struggle to obtain a single spiritual item, only to agonize over whether to give it to an existing True Person to refine a treasure or to a clansperson with a chance of reaching Purple Mansion to attempt the breakthrough.

Su Yao waved a hand.

"Rise. There is no need for such ceremony. Come with me to Yongzhou first."

The wild joy on their faces instantly froze. They hurriedly said,

"Dao Child, the exalted immortal's decree said that you cannot go to Yongzhou yet. If you do, great calamity will surely follow."

Su Yao was puzzled.

The next moment, Li Siyi took out a scroll of white xuan paper, quickly came before Su Yao, and presented it to him.

Su Yao took it and opened it. It was indeed an immortal decree issued by Qixia. Aside from what the two had said earlier, it contained only one sentence: "Yongzhou is perilous. You must not go there for the time being."

After reading it, his face turned livid. He looked in the direction of Qinghe Commandery City, then toward Yongzhou, then at the two before him.

After a long while, he finally spoke, looking north as he said coldly,

"Since I cannot go to Yongzhou today, I shall let the matter rest for now.

"But the heavens cannot stay dark forever, nor can the rosy clouds remain hidden forever."

He paused, then said each word distinctly: "I shall wait for the right time to act. If I do not cry out, so be it; but when I do, I shall astonish the world."

With that, he mounted the Clear Wind Sword and headed west.

Though his voice had not been loud, Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi felt fear rise in their hearts. Only now did they understand what their elders had said:

"Though the Qixia Dao Child is genuine in temperament, he is also ruthless. After he was appointed Dao Child, his methods were decisive and severe. In the exalted immortal's name, he punished the improper practices within Qixia's sect, stripping a full half of its disciples of their Daoist status and cultivation. Thus, when the Dao Child emerged, Qixia was like rosy light rising after a period of dimness."

At the time, Qixia Mountain had only a little over two hundred disciples, and he had removed half of them at once. He truly deserved the name of ruthless.

The two stood dazed for a moment. Seeing that Su Yao had already left, they mounted their Law Artifacts and followed.

After traveling several dozen li, streaks of rosy light suddenly flashed from between Su Yao's brows, followed by the rumble of explosions.

A dozen or so demons that had gathered on the mountain below to divide and devour humans were wiped out, and the mountaintop itself was blasted flat.

Rocks flew, and the earth shook and the mountain trembled.

Su Yao stopped, his face full of anger.

In Su Yao's arms, the Morning Rosy Cloud Duck and Azure Empyrean Sparrow cried mournfully, as though sensing his mood.

A long while later, Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi caught up from behind. Seeing Su Yao as he was, they exchanged glances.

The three people and two birds looked at one another in silence. After they had hovered in the air for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Su Yao suddenly looked northeast, rosy light flickering in his eyes.

"Who is it? Get out here!"

Liu Yunhe and Li Siyi immediately looked in the direction of his voice.

There was no one in sight to the northeast. The next moment, strands of rosy light gathered between Su Yao's brows and shot in that direction.

A moment later, a screen of light appeared where the rosy light had struck, holding it back briefly. Several figures then flew out from behind the screen, dodging the rosy light's power.

"What an imposing display from the Qixia Dao Child."

The voice was full of disdain.

At the same time, a chorus of bird cries rang out, and the northeastern sky was dyed a fiery red.