382: Luotian Dajiao Dragon and Tiger List Opens (4K monthly ticket request)

“Whoa!”

“Who is this person?”

“I haven’t seen him inside the Pass.”

“His Divine Qi is restrained; even I can’t see through him. He’s not simple.”

“Ordinary people wouldn’t dare to take on this bounty. There are many Heavenly Gate experts here, but look, who dares to make a Move, besides that Gongsun Wuji who acts like a madman, constantly searching for and killing Yao Race outside the Pass? It seems he truly has some ability.”

“…”

The newcomer was dressed in white, with a head of silver hair that glowed brilliantly as if light flowed through it, flying like a rainbow from outside the Pass.

His gaze was like lightning. He saw the lively scene below the city gate, swept his eyes across it, then his sharp gaze condensed. He flew up, tapped his feet, and took down the bounty notice from the city wall. Then, ignoring the scrutinizing gazes, he transformed into an afterimage and quickly vanished from everyone’s sight.

The entire process was seamless and incredibly elegant, drawing a series of gasps.

Soon after, he arrived at a crisscrossing, wide and narrow alley in the west. As he walked through it, his black boots “creaked” and “creaked” on the thick layer of snow that had been swept and then re-covered.

At this moment, the alley was utterly silent. His white attire seemed to blend with the surrounding snowy landscape. He quickly walked through an alley, his figure disappearing around the corner.

A short while later, from the other end of this alley, a figure wearing a brown, patched cotton jacket, with hands tucked into sleeves and breath misting in the cold, took small, shuffling steps, his body slightly hunched, as he passed through the alley.

“It’s really cold.”

“When will this wretched weather end!”

The figure continued to complain and mutter under his breath.

However, when the figure’s small steps reached the end of the alley, just before turning the corner, he suddenly stopped for some unknown reason. Then, he lifted the face beneath his grey cloth hat.

It was ordinary, with festering chilblains on his ears, looking just like a common traveler.

At this moment, the ears under the man’s hat twitched. He heard the creaking sound moving away, and then his eyes rolled within the confines of the wall.

After one or two breaths, the man’s stopped body moved again. He stepped forward and entered the alley around the corner.

The next second, the man’s pupils widened. Just around the corner, the figure in white stood there, his eyes fixed on him, radiating a cold light.

“It’s really cold! I need to go back and warm myself by the fire!”

The man’s pupils and expression instantly returned to normal. He lowered his head, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and while muttering, he trotted past the man in white, pretending to be just passing by.

Just as they passed each other, a voice spoke from the Young Master in white, “Beast, you followed me all the way from outside the Pass, and you even managed to deceive the Demon Mirror under the city gate. It seems you still have some Dao. Has the Yao Race become so rampant now?”

The man’s body stiffened. He looked around, then turned his head, his face filled with confusion, “Young Master, who are you talking to?”

Zhao Quanzhen turned his head, his gaze like lightning, and his hand shot out like a flash, grabbing the man.

Zhao Quanzhen had firmly seized the man’s shoulder.

“Ji!”

A sharp, strange shriek rang out, and a yellow light flew out.

The man, however, was like a deflated ball, leaving only his clothes, while within the rushing yellow light, there was clearly a demonic creature about ten feet tall.

It had long, pointed ears topped with brownish-yellow bristles, and eerie green, triangular eyes that gleamed with cunning and ferocity.

“Chi!”

This demonic creature, likely at the Body Profound Qi Realm, bared its fangs at Zhao Quanzhen, then leaped, attempting to escape.

However, with a “bang,” the demonic creature seemed to hit an invisible barrier. With a muffled thud, it fell directly down.

The beast tried to flee in other directions but was repeatedly bounced back.

Its fierce gaze immediately intensified, and it lunged viciously at Zhao Quanzhen. A putrid stench emanated from its entire body, making one nauseous. A few feet of distance were covered in an instant.

Just as its claws were only three feet from the man, Zhao Quanzhen raised his hand and pointed at it.

With a muffled “poof.”

There was no scene of flesh and blood exploding. Instead, a mass of Devilish Qi as thick as ink burst from the demonic creature, leaving behind only a skin!

Zhao Quanzhen grabbed the fur, pulling it into his hand, and frowned, “Clone?”

Half a tea-time later, deep within this crisscrossing alley, Zhao Quanzhen pushed open the gate of a single-entry, square courtyard.

The courtyard was simple, constructed entirely from stacked stones, without any vibrant colors. The few touches of green were buried in the wind and snow.

Just then, from the main hall directly opposite the courtyard gate, a “creak” sounded, and an old man with a ruddy complexion, a youthful face, and a head of white hair emerged, dressed in plain linen, smiling at Zhao Quanzhen.

“Master!” Zhao Quanzhen quickly strode towards the hall, arriving before his Master Lingzi, and respectfully performed the Disciple's bow.

“Disciple has returned!”

His Master Lingzi smiled and nodded, “It’s good that you’re back. What did you gain from your training outside the Pass this time?”

The divine light in Zhao Quanzhen’s eyes receded, and his voice softened a few shades, “This journey south, Disciple only now understands the scene described in books: ‘White bones exposed in the wilderness, a thousand li without a rooster’s crow.’ Disciple measured two thousand three hundred li with my own feet, and along the way, I don’t know how many demonic creatures I killed, but eventually, Disciple became timid and could no longer continue. At first, I felt nothing, but later, I only felt a sense of oppression and numbness. Disciple felt that my state was problematic, so I stopped and hurried back.”

He had traveled south outside the Pass, witnessed too many human tragedies, and continuously wielded his sword to slay demonic creatures. From initial pity, to anger, to eventual numbness, oppression, and even loneliness and fear.

He realized his state was problematic and chose to stop.

Zhao Quanzhen paused, his eyes resolute, “Disciple plans to return and listen to Master’s teachings, to resolve the confusions I encountered along this journey, and after a brief rest, I will set out again!”

This second Young Master of the Imperial Capital’s Ministry of War, a true Disciple of Wudao Mountain, was now incredibly resolute.

He had initially come to Sichuan because his younger brother was killed by a Li family retainer. Later, through a twist of Destiny, he followed his Master and met the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General, eventually staying at Chuanzhong Pass, this frontline, for training.

And his Master, Lingzi, at this moment felt relieved and nodded, “Quanzhen, Quanzhen, discard the false and preserve the true. Face your fears. There’s no need to say much. Stop when you should stop. If you feel you should continue, then continue. Master will not stop you.”

“However, there’s one thing. First, see who has arrived?”

Lingzi soothed his Disciple like a gentle spring breeze, then smiled slightly and turned his body to the side.

As he spoke, another person walked out of the main hall. Zhao Quanzhen hadn't sensed the slightest aura from the newcomer.

The person who emerged had black and white hair, simply tied with a wooden hairpin. He wore a black feathered robe with a white lining, a small goatee on his chin, a face like a reclining silkworm, and held a jade ruyi scepter. His eyes exuded an air of unapproachable authority.

“Senior Martial Uncle Yang Shan!”

Zhao Quanzhen was slightly startled upon seeing him. He drew a semicircle with his hands, performing the Junior's bow.

This was one of the Eight Mountain People of Wudao Mountain, and also his Master’s Senior Brother, a Major Achievement in martial arts. He hadn’t expected this Senior Martial Uncle to come here.

He wondered what it was for!

“No need for formalities. You two Master and Disciple have been hard to find, coming all the way here. Since you’re back, follow me back to the sect!” This Senior Martial Uncle Yang Shan’s tone seemed somewhat rigid, but he didn’t exude any oppressive aura.

Zhao Quanzhen was a bit confused, “Senior Martial Uncle suddenly summons Disciple back to the sect? Has something happened?”

Lingzi spoke at this moment, “The Luotian Grand Ritual, held every twenty years, is about to take place, and the dragon and tiger list will reopen. Your Senior Martial Uncle wants you to represent our mountain lineage and your Senior Brothers from other sects to compete for this list against the younger generation from other Grotto-Heavens!”

The Luotian Grand Ritual is a grand ritual assembly held by the Daoist Court’s Dragon and Tiger Mountain, held once every twenty years. It’s an unprecedented event. As the Daoist Court, Dragon and Tiger Mountain is at the head of the Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens. At that time, people from various Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands will be invited to observe the ceremony.

Everyone in the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands is like a Dragon. At that time, the younger generation from various Grotto-Heavens will engage in contests, another round of Dragon Tiger struggles, thereby opening the dragon and tiger list. Those who rank on the dragon and tiger list will, during the Luotian Grand Ritual, have the Daoist Court petition Heaven and Earth, and the Heavenly Officials will bestow blessings and Luck upon them.

If one ascends this list, their Luck will be long-lasting in the future, gaining an extra share of good fortune. Given time, they will ascend to the Dragon Tiger Great Realm, becoming a Great Divine Power Practitioner, one of the few in Heaven and Earth.

This list, verified through generations, has seen countless powerful beings ascend it, becoming famous throughout the world. Its value is extremely high, and thus it is highly valued by all sides, creating an unprecedented spectacle. The younger generation from various Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands all wish to achieve fame and distinguish themselves through this battle.

But at this moment, Zhao Quanzhen looked at his Senior Martial Uncle Yang Shan and shook his head, “Thank you for your kindness, Senior Martial Uncle, but Quanzhen will not go. Let this spot be given to other Senior Brothers!”

Upon hearing this, Senior Martial Uncle Yang Shan raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, “The Luotian Grand Ritual, the dragon and tiger list opens. How many young Prodigies in the world wish to distinguish themselves and achieve fame on it? You are a young man; you should have youthful ambition. Why not?”

This wasn’t a question, but rather a hint of confusion. The spots to participate in the Luotian Grand Ritual were not something just anyone could obtain. Within Wudao Mountain, how many Disciples fought openly and secretly, striving with all their might for this spot, with each lineage sending only one person.

His lineage was somewhat special; it was difficult to enter, and Disciples were few. Zhao Quanzhen was the most outstanding among the younger generation of this lineage.

He should also understand its importance.

Zhao Quanzhen nodded, “Senior Martial Uncle is right. One must remember the soaring ambition of youth, once promising to be the best in the world. Disciple naturally yearns for the day when my name can be known throughout the world, but Disciple wishes to stay here and continue training. This is more important than going to the Luotian Grand Ritual.”

His words were firm and powerful, as if he had made some kind of decision.

Who wouldn’t want to go to the Luotian Grand Ritual, to witness that rare spectacle, to see the martial arts Masters gathered from all over the world? But he still wanted to stay here, because he had witnessed the true meaning of martial arts here.

Not that of a specific individual, but what he saw in the Fa Shan Army, in those Jianghu people who supported the front lines—not cold Moves and Divine Abilities, but the vivid joys, sorrows, and angers of individuals as they fought against demonic creatures.

“Senior Brother, just let Quanzhen stay here. There’s no need to persuade him!” Lingzi spoke at this moment.

As his Master, he knew this spot was very important to his Disciple, but he didn’t try to persuade him at all. Instead, he persuaded his Senior Brother. He understood his Disciple and trusted his choice.

“Never mind, you two Master and Disciple are both stubborn. I won’t say more!” Senior Martial Uncle Yang Shan, hearing the words of the Master and Disciple, showed no sign of anger. Instead, he shook his head.

As he spoke, he turned his head to Lingzi, his eyes widening, “Lingzi, it seems your Disciple has been taught well by you. He is neither arrogant nor impatient, and his Dao Heart is firm. I also heard your conversation just now: ‘My name sung on the dragon and tiger list, is not as good as a demonic skull to comfort my heart.’”

At this point, Senior Martial Uncle Yang Shan’s eyes gleamed with divine light, “When the world is not in chaos, Sichuan is in chaos first. I’ve long heard that Sichuan has become a mess. This time, I came personally to see how ferocious the demonic creatures of the Ten Thousand Mountains are.”

“I see that the military strength of Chuanzhong Pass is weak. You said there are only two Martial Treasuries guarding it. Can it hold up?”

He remained skeptical.

Lingzi’s expression became somewhat wistful; he didn’t know what to say. The issue with the defending soldiers here wasn’t whether they could hold on, but that even if they couldn’t, they still had to. Once it fell, behind it lay the Sichuan plain, with almost no natural defenses to rely on.

At this moment, Zhao Quanzhen pulled out a scroll from his sleeve, flicked it open with a “swish,” his eyes like lightning, suddenly blazing, and said:

“Senior Martial Uncle, do not underestimate these soldiers.”

“Master, Senior Martial Uncle, please look.”

“This is the bounty just released by the Fa Shan Army!”

Lingzi and Yang Shan looked at the content of the bounty.

“They are offering a bounty to investigate the Yao Race’s troop transfer portals. Are they planning a counterattack to prevent the demonic creatures from descending?”

Lingzi’s expression was somewhat strange as he said this.

“Disciple also has this thought.” Zhao Quanzhen’s eyes were eager, his silver hair gleaming brightly.

“Not very likely!” Lingzi shook his head again, refuting, “With the current strength of the Fa Shan Army, defense is already strenuous enough. Moreover, these bounties are made public, clearly without careful consideration. Does the Fa Shan Army think the demonic creatures of the Ten Thousand Mountains are oblivious to outside affairs? Unless this matter is urgent, and the Fa Shan Army lacks enough manpower to complete this task, they would not offer such a heavy bounty.”

It must be said that this Martial Treasury of Wudao Mountain had clear thoughts, making rational conjectures about various possibilities, already very close to the truth. But he naturally couldn’t know what the Fa Shan Army of Chuanzhong Pass was ultimately planning.

However, Senior Martial Uncle Yang Shan, who was beside them, listened to the conversation between the Master and Disciple, looked at the bounty, and then looked at his Martial Nephew Zhao Quanzhen, and spoke, “These are irrelevant for now. Martial Nephew, did you take the bounty?”

Zhao Quanzhen nodded upon hearing this, his eyes shining brightly, “Disciple wants to try!”

“Senior Martial Uncle, if you go outside the Pass, you’ll understand. Many people are eagerly awaiting the day of the counterattack!”

These words, on the contrary, made Lingzi, who had always supported his Disciple, frown a little, because he had just analyzed the situation.

“You acted a bit rashly this time. The Yao Race’s teleportation channels are definitely heavily guarded, and this news might alert the Yao Race. This is not something a Heavenly Gate expert can accomplish.”

“No matter!”

But then, Yang Shan, who was beside them, spoke, his eyes moving, with a certain air of authority, “Aren’t there still the two of us?”

“Exactly, I also want to go and see.”

“Senior Brother, aren’t you in a hurry to go back? The Luotian Grand Ritual is also approaching.” Lingzi felt his Senior Brother’s old habit was acting up.

“No matter!”

Indeed!

And just as Zhao Quanzhen and his two sect members were discussing a bounty, a silver light flew out of Chuanzhong Pass, heading north into the wind and snow, an urgent eight-hundred-li dash, speeding towards Jinguancheng! (End of Chapter)