A gentle and soothing voice arose at this perilous moment. In the void, the ethereal claws of Tu Du solidified, then dissipated into a wisp of smoke.

"Even Master Ming knows it's a jest? Hmm, I presume Little Monk Zheng Yan also knows. Only the fools of the Thousands Spirits Sect fail to understand... Spending years dealing with the dead has likely marinated their brains in corpse poison!"

With that, he burst into hearty laughter. Only then did the surrounding individuals manage to discern his form.

The infamous Elder Tu, who had been terrorizing the sheer cliff city for a century, did not disappoint them. Standing before them was a lean old man, who appeared to be past his fifties and had barely any flesh on his bones. Yet no one dared to underestimate him. Under the sunlight, his body was semi-transparent, and the black robe draped over him seemed more like a layer of smoke of the same color, swirling around him, creating an eerie and uncanny aura.

Upon seeing this figure, the inexperienced would exclaim, "A ghost in broad daylight!" while those who understood the principles would mutter, "A Yin Spirit wandering in the day," their horror surpassing that of the ignorant.

Ming Lan was more composed than anyone else, her gaze fixed on the Yin Spirit that hovered between the tangible and intangible. Her smile was as warm as ever, the faint laugh lines around her eyes and forehead making her appear even more amiable.

"After many years apart, Elder Tu is as spirited as ever. It's heartening to see."

However, before Tu Du could respond, Monk Zheng Yan had already interjected, "Where is the 'as ever'? Elder Tu is in excellent health now, which is truly cause for celebration!"

Tu Du squinted his old eyes, "Is the little monk mocking me?"

Monk Zheng Yan grinned, his snake-like face making the smile rather unpleasant, "What, is Elder Tu's health still the same? The journey from the sheer cliff city to the Sky Rift Valley is over twenty thousand miles. Spending too much time as a Yin Spirit out of the body might be a hindrance, right?"

This was clearly not concern, but rather the most malicious curse.

Tu Du, as eccentric as he was, had previously been petty with a child, but now he was surprisingly good-tempered with Zheng Yan, "Good, very good."

His Yin Spirit slightly undulated in the void, making his expression somewhat blurry, but his words were clear, "The little monk is very sensible. Send my regards to Master Yi Xin. He has done well, raising such a good disciple. I am quite envious!"

The word "raising" was emphasized heavily. Zheng Yan's face twitched a few times before he fell silent. Ming Lan cast him a glance as if unintentionally, then stopped speaking.

Seeing Monk Zheng Yan's ugly expression, Tu Du laughed heartily again. The air vibrated under the drive of the Yin Spirit, creating a sharp, piercing sound. He then casually waved his sleeve and "walked" between Ming Lan and Zheng Yan. As they brushed past each other, a chill permeated the air. Ming Lan remained smiling, seemingly unaffected, while Zheng Yan frowned and stepped back, avoiding the confrontation.

Only at this moment did the disciples of the Thousands Spirits Sect, who had been previously intimidated by Tu Du, come back to their senses. The disciples nearest to them rushed forward. One of them, who seemed to be their leader, bowed to Ming Lan and Zheng Yan. Without wasting words, he instructed his companions to protect the unconscious Cheng Rong and Little Nine. They summoned the Heavenly Blood Eagle, placed the two onto it, and hurriedly retreated, their departure marked by shame and haste.

Across the way, Huang Tai's countenance had turned particularly sour ever since Tu Du made his appearance. As Tu Du approached, a sense of dread began to spread uncontrollably. Behind him, the personal guards of the mansion knelt down in respect, making him stand out like a lone wooden post.

In the end, Tu Du didn't say anything. He merely let out a couple of cold, scornful chuckles and turned to walk away on his own accord. The guards, familiar with their master's temperament, hastily rose and followed. Huang Tai also moved to follow, his face a ghastly pale and rigid, devoid of any color.

As the two groups went their separate ways, only Ming Lan, Zheng Yan, and their attendants remained, leaving the surrounding area much more open.

At that moment, Ming Lan suddenly spoke up, "Little monk, what do you think?"

"Master Ming, you're sounding just like that old man!"

Monk Zheng Yan's complexion had much improved. He grumbled at her words, then chuckled, "I was too busy holding my temper just now, what did Master Ming ask?"

Ming Lan shot him a sideways glance. She had no particular strategy for dealing with this monk who appeared cold on the outside but was slick on the inside. All she said was, "I was asking you, what do you make of Elder Tu's arrival at Sky Rift Valley?"

Zheng Yan's response was smooth, "That old man is quite presumptuous. Astral Travel, flesh body far away. If he were to be injured, there would be nowhere for him to recover. Does he really think Sky Rift Valley is a sheer cliff city, where everyone should give him respect? Hmm, Master Ming, is that what you wanted me to say?"

"A character like you coming from the Pure Water Sect is indeed a rarity." Ming Lan's eyes sparkled with amusement. Even though her youth had faded, she still held a certain grace.

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"I understand what Master Ming means."

Zheng Yan, a master of adapting to the situation, quickly got to the point, "The old man is still very careful. When his Yin Spirit exerted force just now, it was cold as ice, but there was a hint of Yang Qi within. This doesn't seem like the aftermath of astral travel. Either he lied just now and his flesh body has already arrived nearby, or his flesh body is not here, but his soul is attached to something..."

"Are you referring to the Sun Soul Banner?" Ming Lan responded with a playful smile.

Zheng Yan highly praised, "Master Ming has keen observation."

Ming Lan brushed off the monk's flattery, "The Sun Soul Banner is his precious treasure. Did he bring it this time, believing success is assured?"

"Who knows?"

"Is that so?" Ming Lan regained her smile, "The Earth Immortal's Lost Treasures rumored in the valley, the True Form Immortal Cocoon, are all preoccupying his thoughts. If my life were nearing its end, my flesh body about to collapse, and I heard of such an opportunity, I would surely be tempted to take a gamble. Why would Tu Du be any different?"

Zheng Yan, a smile curving his lips, began to speak, "Master Ming, in your prime, there's no need to..."

His words abruptly ceased, for Ming Lan had raised a hand to her lips, a gesture that seemed to carry a magical power to stop him from further smooth-talking.

"We're not joking!"

Though she said so, Ming Lan was still smiling, her demeanor warm and friendly. Monk Zheng Yan's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. He seemed somewhat uncertain, his voice dropping lower as he spoke in a grave tone, "Master Ming..."

Ming Lan waved her hand dismissively, and the attendants by her side obediently stepped aside. Seeing her action, Monk Zheng Yan considered for a moment before signalling his disciples to do the same. They retreated to the outskirts, where they could not overhear the conversation, their backs turned to show their utmost caution.

Under this tense atmosphere, Zheng Yan appeared somewhat agitated. His narrow eyes flickered with light, his skin emanating a faint blue hue, and his breathing grew heavy. In contrast, Ming Lan continued to smile, but seemed to have lost her interest in talking. She looked at Zheng Yan in silence.

Under her gaze, Zheng Yan's behavior became increasingly peculiar. He began to breathe heavily, a hissing sound like that of a snake emanating from his throat. But just as the sound was about to reach the ears of the people on the outskirts, it quieted down. Within his dull eyes, a strange purple glow began to shine.

Seeing all this, Ming Lan's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she asked with a smile, "Master Yi Xin?"

To this seemingly nonsensical question, Monk Zheng Yan nodded. Due to the previous incident, a thin layer of sweat had formed on his forehead. He did not wipe it away, but instead solemnly joined his hands and bowed to Ming Lan, "Please enlighten me."

Such an action, though performed by monks before, usually carried a hint of pretentious slickness. But this time, he had completely rid himself of that air. Despite his grim and ugly appearance, one could see his sincere reverence.

Ming Lan let out a soft sigh for some unknown reason, her tone immediately turning solemn, "The decree says, meddle less!"

Though her words seemed unrelated to the previous conversation, the monk's body shuddered violently. Without any hesitation, he responded, "I will faithfully follow the decree!"

Hearing his words, Ming Lan's stern expression softened into a warm smile, "Did the message get through?"

"Yes." The monk maintained his respectful demeanor.

Seeing his reaction, Ming Lan couldn't help but smile, "There's no need to be so formal. We do not belong to the same sect, I'm merely conveying the decree. Your reverence, how should I, your junior, respond?"

"That's not the case, it's only appropriate."

The monk revealed a smile, but no matter how he tried, it was still eerie and unpleasant, "Our two sects share the same roots, trust each other, and make no distinction between us. Moreover, Master Ming's sincere devotion is admired by both sects, regardless of seniority."

After speaking, the monk bowed once more, "Since the decree states so, I will certainly comply without error. There are many matters at hand, I must take my leave first!"

Ming Lan, the female protagonist, returned a courtesy, saying, "No need to see me off!"

As she straightened her slightly bowed body, a long sigh from Zheng Yan, the male character, resounded before her.

Compared to before, Zheng Yan seemed to be drained of energy. His monk's robe was half soaked, and the purple glint in his eyes had disappeared. Moreover, the look he cast her was different from before. His previous casual attitude was gone, replaced by a hint of fear, and even resentment.

Of course, what was most prominent was his wariness.

Ming Lan heaved a soft sigh, then, she made an unexpectedly surprising move. She reached out her hand and caressed Zheng Yan's cheek. This action left the monk stunned, so much so that he forgot to dodge, allowing Ming Lan to pat him twice gently, as if to comfort a child.

"Poor child," she said.

After this inexplicable statement, Ming Lan spoke no more to him. She summoned her attendants and turned to leave.

Was this an insult?

Zheng Yan stood dumbfounded for a while. Without his command, his disciples could only stand still, bracing the cold winter wind. Apart from the whistling wind, there was no other sound in the world.

He didn't know how much time had passed when a sound other than the wind startled Zheng Yan. He closed his eyes, allowing his nearly exploding emotions to calm down, then coldly turned his head back. At this moment, someone shouted:

"Please hold on, fellow Daoist!"

*************

The base of the Thousands Spirits Sect was shrouded in a cloud of sorrow. Unlike the other four stewards of the Thousands Spirits Sect, Cheng Rong was in charge here, assisted by another elder with the honorary title, Yu Xuan. Although Yu Xuan was a divine Cultivation Level, he was the most indecisive. When Cheng Rong and Miss Sun were carried back unconscious, he immediately panicked, gathering the heads of the base for discussion. However, he couldn't control the situation, and a fierce argument broke out.

Some suggested retreating, some wanted to hold their ground and wait for reinforcements, some proposed sending the injured away first, and others argued that the injured would be less safe on the road. None of the leaders could persuade the others, but everyone had to admit that at this moment, the imposing aura of Old Monster Tu Du was like a mountain pressing on their heads, making it hard for them to breathe.

Just when everything was in chaos, news came from outside that Monk Zheng Yan, the chief disciple of the Pure Water Sect, had come to visit the injured with a friend. Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Before they could figure out what was going on, real good news came:

Cheng Rong had woken up.

Elder Yu Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, stroked his graying hair, and felt that he had aged ten years in this short half-hour.

Half a moment later, Cheng Rong forced himself to sit up and received his guests on his sickbed. Upon seeing the person who came after Zheng Yan, his eyes, which had been hard to open due to his injured Yin Spirit, suddenly widened:

"Mr. Yu!"

**************

"Please hold on, fellow Daoist" ... I'm speechless, but maybe Brother Fishbone will use this phrase often in the future. Yes, yes, please click, bookmark, dear readers!

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