The stir of Sword Energy in the night had already alarmed those on and around Cinnabar Cliff.

Perhaps many wished for Yu Ci's death, but they dared not let him die on Cinnabar Cliff, nor within Cliff City.

The moment his solitary courtyard was collapsed by Sword Energy, messages were immediately dispatched. As Yu Ci's Pure Yang Talisman Sword pierced the throat of the intruder, over a dozen people from White Sun Mansion, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, were already present. Each one of them was dumbstruck, unable to utter a word at the sight before them.

Li You, who had rushed over, was stunned as soon as he called out Xie Yan's name. He had decided to stay an extra night at White Sun Mansion due to his concerns for Yu Ci's safety, planning to return to the sect after Yu Ci and Xie Yan had formally met. He had not expected to wake up in the middle of the night to such a scene.

Fortunately, Li You had a good understanding of his elder's character, and after the initial shock, he laughed, "Elder Xie, what sort of play are you and junior brother Yu performing?"

Indeed, it was Xie Yan!

This Immortal Elder, described by Old Daoist Yu Zhou and Li You as extremely aloof, indeed appeared somewhat eccentric. His cheekbones were high, making his face appear thin, and his lips were always pursed, giving him a stern appearance. What was striking about him was his aqua-colored eyes, with pupils almost transparent, like artificial eyes made of glass, or as if covered in a layer of frost. It was quite unsettling to look directly at them. Combined with his expression, one would feel as if he was constantly picking out others' faults.

In short, he was a person hard to like at first glance.

At this moment, this Immortal Elder was staring at him with those peculiar eyes. Yu Ci only then remembered that his talisman sword was still pointed at the man's throat. He quickly sheathed his sword, only to find his legs had turned to jelly. However, he couldn't show any signs of weakness now and could only brace himself to bow, "Disciple Yu Ci pays his respects to Immortal Elder Xie."

Xie Yan did not respond immediately, but instead scrutinized him. After a while, he finally said, "Very direct, and very lethal."

Of course, he wasn't referring to Yu Ci's greeting, but to his swordsmanship just now. Yu Ci couldn't remember anything at the moment, but judging from his condition after regaining consciousness, he must have fought with a life-or-death determination. That was his instinct.

From his tone and expression, Xie Yan didn't seem to mind the sword that had almost pierced his throat. It seemed as if he had been expecting Yu Ci to make that move. His gaze shifted to the black-sheathed long sword in the Immortal Elder's hand. Its design was simple and unadorned. Seeing that the sword never left his hand, Yu Ci began to understand what the Immortal Elder meant by "speaking with the sword."

He probably believed that "the sword reflects the man," although that might be a bit biased.

Xie Yan didn't care about Yu Ci's thoughts. In fact, after making that comment, he shifted his gaze away. He ignored Li You, who came up to him with a grin, and said to the onlookers from White Sun Mansion:

"Where is Jin Huan?"

In the eyes of those at the White Sun Mansion, Xie Yan and Yu Ci were two completely different entities. Even when the Mansion Master was directly addressed by his name, they found it to be only natural. Lu Yang, who had just arrived, stepped forward and respectfully reported, "Honorable Immortal Elder, the Mansion Master is currently out, following traces of demons in the Western Hills."

Xie Yan interrupted Lu Yang, "Summon him to see me."

Lu Yang promptly acknowledged and quickly passed on the order.

Watching this scene, Yu Ci suddenly became curious about how the haughty Jin Huan would behave in front of Xie Yan. Would he maintain his usual demeanor, or would he put on a different face? He looked forward to seeing this version of Jin Huan.

Li You, accustomed to being ignored by Xie Yan, felt no embarrassment and came directly to Yu Ci's side. He gave a thumbs up, chuckled and said, "All these years, it’s the first time I've seen someone dare to challenge Elder Xie. That strike of yours was truly impressive!"

"That was the Immortal Elder's command."

"Nonsense, of course it was his command. Elder Xie is at the Vacuum Walking Realm of cultivation, just a step away from the immortal longevity of Taoism. Without a doubt, he is the top among the third generation disciples. But how many of the younger generation in the whole Sect dare to counterattack under his sword? Don't laugh, the first time I crossed swords with Elder Xie, I threw my sword away, and it ended horribly."

Yu Ci was about to laugh when Xie Yan said, "Looks good, but lacks spirit. Are you waiting for those cunning merchants to haggle?"

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

As he spoke, Xie Yan picked up the cage on the ground.

After the recent Sword Qi Storm, Yu Ci's courtyard had completely collapsed, but the Fish-Dragon in the cage was unharmed, obviously having received special care.

Just as Yu Ci was about to speak, he saw Xie Yan pat the top of the cage. The bars vibrated with a hum, and the seal of the "Three Yin Soul Falling Cage" was wiped away. Inside the cage, the Fish-Dragon seemed to take a moment to comprehend the situation. Once it understood, it flickered and shot through the gap in the bars, plunging into the darkness with an astonishing speed.

Li You exclaimed from the side, "Hey, it ran away!"

Before the words had fallen, Xie Yan's sword in hand trembled slightly. The dazzling sword light instantly illuminated the darkness, and the servants of the White Sun Mansion who were watching were knocked over by the radiance. Yu Ci widened his eyes, he could see clearly. The slender figure of the Fish-Dragon was instantly swallowed by the sword light, becoming a tiny shadow in the dazzling light. Then, as the Sword Energy surged upward, the small creature was swept up like a silk thread caught in a gust of wind, drifting into the sky.

"Follow me!"

Xie Yan's voice pierced through the air, and before Yu Ci could react, his body felt light. Li You's face in front of him blurred for a moment, then the roar of the wind filled his ears. He was enveloped in Xie Yan's Sword Energy, soaring up into the sky, reaching thousands of feet high within an instant.

Yu Ci had experienced something similar before with Ye Bin, so he quickly regained his composure, guessing that Xie Yan must have something important to say, hence their retreat to this secluded spot. At the same time, he couldn't help but admire the extraordinary flying ability of Vacuum Walking Cultivators.

Above in the cold night, under the chill stars, with the wind howling and no ground underfoot, Yu Ci stood steadily. Xie Yan's Sword Energy protected him well, requiring no effort on his part. From this height, the view was breathtaking. He could overlook the entire Cliff City, including the vague mountain ranges in the distance.

The magnificent scene reminded Yu Ci of the Divine Map.

Looking again, he saw the Fish-Dragon also wrapped in Sword Energy, dancing and spiraling in the night sky, no longer displaying its languid demeanor from within its cage. In the darkness, this strange creature could move hundreds of feet in a flash. Yet no matter how it darted around, once it tried to cross the five-mile radius, a whirlpool of Sword Energy would form in the air, sweeping the creature back into its confines.

After several attempts, the Fish-Dragon, dazed and confused, seemed to enjoy this more than being in the cage. Its simple mind slowly adapted to the situation, even finding it amusing. It dashed and was flung back, reveling in the thrill.

Seeing Xie Yan's Sword Energy restraint, Yu Ci was greatly impressed. If he had such a skill back in Sky Rift Valley, capturing the Fish-Dragon wouldn't have been so strenuous.

At this moment, Xie Yan spoke, "Among all the Fish-Dragons I've seen, this one ranks second in quality."

What ranked first then? Yu Ci wanted to ask, but Xie Yan changed the topic, "However, keeping it in a cage for too long will sap its vitality, making it less appealing. In the following days, no more cages. It should be free-range!"

"Huh?" Yu Ci was taken aback. Wasn't his task completed once he handed the Fish-Dragon to Xie Yan? Why did it sound like he still had to keep it for a few more days?

Xie Yan didn't give him a chance to question, "Before the Fish-Dragon's eye is opened, its mind is very simple. I have a Soul Controlling Method. Learn it tonight, and you'll be able to control the Fish-Dragon. Before the Treasure Exchange Banquet, not only do you have to keep it safe, but you also need to establish a connection with it, nourishing it with your own Primordial Qi. Even if you can't improve its quality, at least make it appear in better shape."

With an air of finality, there was no room left for Yu Ci to harbor any doubts.

Yu Ci furrowed his brows, he was not fond of Xie Yan's attitude: "Thank you, Immortal Elder."

Before he could finish his sentence, Xie Yan's almost colorless eyes locked onto him, interrupting him mid-sentence, "I know you have other matters to attend to in Cliff City. What you do after the Treasure Exchange Banquet is none of my concern, but in these few days before the banquet, your task is to take care of the Fish-Dragon. Everything else, step aside!"

Yu Ci's eyebrows shot up.

Such a commanding tone was not unacceptable from a Sect elder. However, Yu Ci would have preferred it to come from Yu Zhou or Elder Jie Liang, as he held great respect for these two Immortal Elders who had taught and helped him.

But this man, although he might have a good relationship with Yu Zhou and Elder Jie Liang, was showing a tough attitude on their first meeting, and moreover, for personal matters unrelated to the situation in Cliff City.

Perhaps this Immortal Elder did not know that he was the type who would bend but not break.

"To show dignity and backbone, one must first have solid ground under one's feet."

The timely cold wind from high above and Xie Yan's words brushed past his ears.

It was then that Yu Ci remembered that he was thousands of feet in the air, suspended only by the Sword Energy from Xie Yan. If Xie Yan meant him harm, all he needed to do was withdraw his Sword Energy, and he would plummet to his death on Cinnabar Cliff.

At this moment, Xie Yan was taking out a Jade Slip, which should contain the Soul Controlling Method he mentioned. However, his attention was clearly not on it, and his tone was casual, contrasting with his earlier decisiveness:

"Your Sword Intent, while precise, ruthless, and dangerous, dares to launch a frontal attack even in a passive situation, putting oneself in a desperate situation to survive. Very impressive. Generally speaking, such people, no matter their appearance, possess a tenacious nature."

Was this praise?

Yu Ci sensed a subtle change in Xie Yan's tone. Then he heard the latter chuckle, "Persistent and unyielding, Taoist Yu was like this back in the day. You remind me of him, perhaps that's why he took such good care of you."

Yu Ci's brows were still furrowed as he replied, "I remember Taoist Yu's kindness, regardless of the reason."

Xie Yan looked up at him, his strange eyes revealing no emotion, "You remember? Do you know that he is dying?"

A storm was brewing in the mountain city. Brother Fishbone was accumulating strength, and I too, was gathering my own. Seeing more and more friends reading this book gives me great joy. Please continue to vote and bookmark!

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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e