4. Return
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"How did that rootless thing succeed, one of the Xu elders asked, and the eldest didn't hesitate to fan the flames.
"Exactly! I went at thirty, and I was several levels stronger than Weiyan at the time! Everyone that has gone was at least twenty six, so how did a nineteen year old child succeed?!
"If you ask me, that makes Xu Weiyan more like an enemy we should carefully observe! And you want to make her Head Disciple? Wo-Peh!"
But Xu Fengyan remained calm. "One may lose everything, but should never lose his own conscience... So you knew she was a young child of only nineteen? Why then did you conspire and send her to Caoyang?"
Xu Fengyan relished the guilty looks on their faces.
He had been off hunting an evil spirit, only to return and learn that his daughter had been sent on the mission to Caoyang, and she was long gone by the time he returned.
CaoYang was a floating mountain in Sky Realm, anchored to the ground with giant frozen chains, and there was an Age Ban on the mountain which prevented anyone above thirty from approaching.
This automatically meant Immortals couldn't enter. Most immortals poured cultivation into their unborn children, and they were born with at least five hundred years of cultivation...
Even a baby immortal wouldn't be able to approach Caoyang.
And this was why the Immortals arranged for humans to kill the black dragon.
To keep things safer, the Immortals recommended humans from age twenty-six at least, and they clearly outlined the dangers to expect...
The journey began with climbing the frozen chain links which dangled from the mountain. But they were coated in loose snow, making them perilously slippery.
Next came an abyss filled with tricky ghosts, evil spirits and illusions, whose sole purpose was to kill outsiders or lead them to their doom.
And next came the Lava Sea, then the Snake Forest, and finally the heart of CaoYang, where the Black Dragon himself waited.
Far too dangerous for such a human! Much less such a young lady!
"But Xiao Feng, even the Wulin don't know how Xu Weiyan succeeded! She might have brought back some sort of evil!" One of the elders said, but Xu Fengyan slammed a hand on the table.
Silence filled the tent, but he simply poured himself another cup of tea, and they all watched as it trinkled into the cup, catching the early evening sunlight.
"If Weiyan is evil, the immortals would have noticed." Xu Fengyan began calmly. "She even met the Sky Emperor, so let's mind our words!
"As for my son, he's neither impressive in skill, nor leadership. There's nothing wrong with making him work hard for his title, so if Weiyan defeats him again at the tournament, I'll give it to her!
"Numerous ghosts and evil spirits have appeared recently, and we all heard what happened at TianYue Temple last night. We haven't even been able to identify the bloodied pieces of the poor victim!"
The elders shuddered.
It was unheard of for a ghost to break the temple enchantments, and they even left a dark aura behind, making the temple a constant reminder of their misdeeds!
"Since the disciples constantly go on hunts, should they not have the most effective leader?" Xu Fengyan continued. "You've refused to believe it, but Yanyan attracts good fortune. She won't disappoint us!"
The elders were clearly displeased, but couldn't argue much.
Not only was Xu Fengyan an outstanding Sect Leader, but he had brought glory back to a dying Sect, and he also had the backing of Lord Huo, from the strongest sect.
"Sect Leader Xu!" A disciple called from outside. "The Procession is almost here!
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Meanwhile, Bailong followed the Procession, deliberately listening to an abundance of whispers which turned his expression more and more sour...
He could understand the part about him being the Demon King's Incarnate.
But...
'When did I come to Mid-Realm to wreak havoc??!!'
He had been imprisoned on Mount Caoyang for nearly thirty-thousand years!
If he had not heard people say the name, 'Yin Xiaolong', he would have assumed they were speaking about another 'Black Dragon'!
'No wonder those foolish humans kept invading Caoyang!' He thought.
While he had been trapped on Caoyang, he had never understood why the humans had kept throwing their lives away!
And Xu Weiyan, that traitor, hadn't said anything!
Bailong sighed as the procession slowed to a halt, stopping before a large gate.
Brief flashes of the body's memories were now slipping into his mind, and he recognized they were on Yueyan mountain.
The large intimidating gate was the entrance to Yue City, seat of the Yueyan Sect, and here and there, he could see flags bearing a spread-winged swallow across a full moon- the Emblem of the Sect.
The memories also helped him identify several people, or even groups of people in the crowd.
There were the Xu Clan elders and the Sect Elders, most with their hands regally folded behind their backs, calm measured gazes observing the procession.
Scattered here and there were the Sect Warriors and the excited disciples most chatting in easy camaraderie and excitement.
It was a lot of information to take in, and Bailong shifted his eyes to the obvious leader of this entire crowd.
'Lord Xu Fengyan'. The memories informed him. 'Leader of the Yueyan Sect.'
Lord Xu Fengyan was smiling tearfully at the veiled seat, craning his neck towards it, but he was startled when an amused voice called out,
"Xiao Feng! Surely you can afford to observe basic etiquette before showing off?" The speaker was Lord Huo.
"Ah, Senior! My apologies! I haven't seen Yanyan for months now, so I'm overjoyed!" Xu FengYan quickly cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.
"Forgive me, Senior!"
Xing Dalu had numerous sects, but the Twelve great sects stood out as the best, and of the twelve, Huofeng was the strongest.
Since Yueyan ranked 3rd, Lord Xu was expected to pay respect.
However, even without their respective ranks, Lord Huo had personally trained Lord Xu as a youth, making them more like uncle and nephew.
Lord Huo smiled and returned Lord Xu's bow with a slight bow of his head. "I understand! You are so fond of *Xiao Yan, so I was a bit surprised to hear she was going to Caoyang at such a young age!"
(*Xiao Yan- (Little Yan). A familiar way to address a younger person. Weiyan is like Lord Huo's grand-niece, and he also calls her father 'Xiao Feng')
A dark look crossed Lord Xu's face and he whispered to Lord Huo, explaining all that had happened.
Lord Huo patted his shoulder in comfort.
"It's all water under the bridge now. Thank the heavens that things worked out, and I must say that Xiao Yan made us proud! I'm almost jealous! She lives up to her *name, and thanks to her, your sect might finally climb to 2nd place!"
(*Wei Yan- Great Swallow)
"Ei? Why not 1st place?!" Lord Xu feigned surprise.
"Hehe, won't you wake up from your dream?" Lord Huo replied, and the two men laughed heartily.
"Ahem! My Lord?" One of the Huofeng disciples had approached Lord Huo.
The disciple nodded toward the procession, where Immortal Sun Liang impatiently eyed them.
All three men turned and bowed respectfully, but not before Lord Huo sent Lord Xu an exasperated look and rolled his eyes.
Immortal Sun Liang had acted unbearable throughout the parade, as if escorting a human was far beneath him.
But Lord Huo quickly adjusted his expression.
"High Immortal Sun, please..." He gestured toward Lord Xu.
Sun Liang floated down from his golden stead and then over to them.
His feet gently touched the ground and a golden scroll appeared in his hand.
"Receive the Sky Emperor's Decree." He said importantly, and every single soul knelt down as he unrolled the scroll.
"I, the Sky Emperor, acknowledge that Xu Weiyan has accomplished a great feat, and done a great Service to the Two Realms." Sun Liang read aloud in a bored drawl.
"For successfully entering the heart of CaoYang, I bestow upon Xu Weiyan, the virgin title of 'Swift-Feet' among all mortals."
Hidden in the crowd, Bailong scoffed. 'Hmph! Why not ask her how she got in?!'
"For tricking and defeating the bloodthirsty Black Dragon, I bestow upon Xu Weiyan, the virgin title of 'Erudite Swordsman'."
'Nonsense! Tricking who?!' Bailong was nearly raging at this point, but Sun Liang continued.
"In addition to this, the Yueyan Mountain Sect is titled 'Most Recognized by Sky Realm', and shall be showered with the following gifts:"
As Sun Liang read, a long row of well-dressed fairies passed by with chests filled with jade, gold, and silver. These were followed by chests filled with even rarer items, which made cultivators from other clans eye them with envy.
"Two chests of pure jade." Sun Liang read.
"Five tons of gold. Seven tons of silver. Three chests of meteoric metals. A small chest of Moon Metal, Ten Gold foundation pills, Seven Light-Years cultivation pills, Eight stems of Twilight Ganoderma. Four rare Spatial Lilies, Three Blessed Silk Worms, and one Lunar Pearl."
Bailong's eyes were getting wider and wider. 'Such priceless items!'
Even for an immortal, these were priceless... For humans, these items, used well, could raise powerful cultivators and forge top-tier weapons!
A few fairies pulled the two golden cords dangling on either side of the Light tiger.
This drew back the gilded veil like a curtain, to reveal Xu Weiyan seated atop the tiger.
She leapt off the seat and spun in the air, and the gathered crowd ooh-ed and aah-ed as she floated to the ground...
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月燕 - Yuè yàn - Moon swallow (Yueyan Sect)
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