In an instant, all eyes fell upon this unremarkable disciple of the Great Bamboo Peak. Tian Buyi and Su Ru exchanged a glance; Su Ru smiled faintly and gave a small nod.
The people of Da Zhu Peak were all smiles as they crowded around. Lü Daxin gave Zhang Fan a heavy clap on the shoulder and laughed, "You little rascal, who knew your luck would be this good!"
Zhang Fan scratched his head and stuck out his tongue, his initial astonishment already giving way to delight. Beside him, Du Bishu suddenly slapped himself on the forehead in regret, realizing he should have placed a bet on who would draw this number-one lot. Heh heh—it would have been a massive long shot, an absolute killing!
"Go away, go away, go away!" Tian Ling'er spat at him dismissively, then turned to Zhang Fan and said, "Fan, it's not like you'd do anything useful even if you made it to the second round—why not just give me your draw?"
Zhang Fan hadn't expected his senior sister to say something like that. He froze for a moment, then murmured an acknowledgment and handed over the slip of paper with the writing on it.
Song Daren's expression flickered. He glanced around and lowered his voice. "Junior Sister, stop causing trouble."
Tian Ling'er let out a soft "pfft" of laughter, her beauty rivaling a peach blossom in full bloom. A faint blush crept across her jade-smooth cheeks as she extended her slender, onion-white fingers and gave Zhang Fan a light flick on the forehead. "Silly, I was just teasing you."
Zhang Fan blinked, and a smile broke across his face as well.
At that moment, on the elders' side, Daoist Cangsong's brow furrowed slightly, then he called out in a clear voice: "The drawing of lots has now been completed. All disciples, please come to me shortly and report your names according to your lot numbers. The results will be posted on the red board, and you will know who your opponents are. Now, please, senior brother Sect Master, say a few words."
The disciples, who had been somewhat boisterous, fell silent upon hearing that True Person Daoxuan, the sect master, was about to speak. True Person Daoxuan rose from his seat, walked at an unhurried pace to stand before the assembled crowd, swept his gaze across the disciples, and then said: "All of you are the finest of the younger generation within our Qingyun Sect — exceptional in talent and aptitude alike. In years to come, the positions of branch heads and elders across the various lineages of Qingyun Sect, and even this seat of sect master that I now occupy, may very well be assumed by the most outstanding among you."
A stir ran through the Qingyun disciples, and many of them could not hide the looks of yearning and excitement that spread across their faces.
True Person Daoxuan revealed a kindly smile. "However, to reach that point — to take the seats of these elders seated behind me — you will all need to redouble your efforts."
Everyone answered in unison, "Yes."
True Person Daoxuan stroked his long beard, nodded, and spoke in a solemn tone: "Our Qingyun Sect, from the day Patriarch Qingyu Zi first founded it, has always walked the path of righteousness and stood among the most distinguished of upright sects. Today we have risen further still, to become the foremost leader of the righteous path in the entire cultivation world. In this present age, the righteous path flourishes, demons and devils retreat, and the common people enjoy the blessings of peace. Yet the remnants of the demonic path, treacherous and vicious to the bone, have never abandoned their ambitions. In recent years they have shown signs of stirring once more. At such a time, it falls to us of the righteous path all the more to uphold the Way and root out evil. Therefore, each of you must devote yourself wholeheartedly to cultivation and steel your resolve without wavering. So long as we stand firm and self-reliant, demons and heretics shall find no foothold among us!"
The disciples called out in unison: "We respectfully heed the Sect Master's teachings!"
True Person Daoxuan nodded with a smile. "There is also one more matter I wish to announce to everyone: in order to encourage the disciples of Qingyun Sect to diligently pursue the Way and devote themselves to their cultivation, I have consulted with the various seated elders and decided that, beginning with this Seven Veins Martial Assembly, after each grand tournament, the ultimate victor shall be granted a special reward."
A commotion stirred among the cloud disciples.
True Person Daoxuan looked at these young disciples and smiled. "The prize for this occasion is '*
"What is that?" Zhang Fan was momentarily stunned—he had never heard of such a thing before. Unable to help himself, he glanced at those beside him, only to find that Tian Ling'er, Du Bishu, and the others wore equally blank expressions. The younger disciples from the surrounding lineages also seemed largely in the dark. But those who had been in the sect longer—Qi Hao, Song Daren, Wen Min, and their like—had changed color, their faces betraying a rare excitement and longing.
At this point, Tian Ling'er and the others had also noticed that Senior Brother and the rest seemed to know something. They drew closer and quietly asked, "Senior Brother, what exactly is the \*\*Mirror?"
Song Daren said in a low voice: "The \*\*Mirror is an Artifact passed down by our Sect's tenth-generation founding patriarch, True Person Wufang Zi. I have never seen its true form with my own eyes—only heard from my master in the past that it is one of our Sect's rare treasures, one of immense power. Moreover, it possesses a wondrous quality: so long as the wielder's spiritual energy is strong enough, the \*\*Mirror can reflect all attacks, placing its user in an unassailable position."
Everyone's jaws dropped. Du Bi exclaimed, "Wouldn't that make him invincible under heaven?"
Song Daren shrugged. "As for what exactly it looks like, I'm not too sure myself — but Master is never wrong about these things. This time—" He shot a glance at True Person Daoxuan and lowered his voice. "This time, it seems like the Sect Master and Master have really gone all out!"
Strange expressions crossed the faces of all present, and most seemed to be quietly swallowing their saliva. It appeared that with such rare treasures before them, even those who walked the path of Cultivation could not help but be stirred by worldly desires.
True Person Daoxuan paused for a moment, smiling as he watched the young disciples chatter animatedly among themselves. After a while, he spoke: "All right, that is the general outline of it. Go back and rest — at dawn tomorrow, the Seven-Vein Martial Assembly will begin its bouts."
The Qingyun disciples bowed as one, calling out in unison, "True Person Men."
True Person Daoxuan gave a nod. "Go."
The disciples gradually withdrew one by one, until only the seven branch seats of Qingyun Sect and a dozen or so elders remained in the great hall. True Person Daoxuan turned back toward the elders with a smile. "Fellow seniors, you should retire to rest early as well. Starting tomorrow, many rounds of competition await, and we shall need to trouble you greatly."
Some of the elders were white-haired and deeply wrinkled, while others appeared remarkably youthful, having mastered the art of preserving their looks. Upon hearing True Person Daoxuan's words, each said nothing more and filed out one by one. When all was done, only the seats of Qingyun Sect's seven lineages remained in the Jade Purity Hall.
True Person Daoxuan slowly let the genial smile he had worn fade from his face. His gaze swept across the other six seated in their chairs, and he said mildly, "Good. Now there are only the seven of us."
Shang Zhengliang, seated in the "Chaoyang Peak" chair on the right, furrowed his brow. "Fellow Senior Brother, do you have anything to say to us?"
True Person Daoxuan gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. "I have just paid a visit to the Spirit Venerable," he said.
The moment those words were spoken, every face in the crowd changed.
※※※
Descending the steps, the disciples still moved with trepidation as they passed by the edge of the Jade Pool—yet this time, the Water Qilin lay sleeping soundly, without so much as a stir.
After crossing the Rainbow Bridge and returning to the vast plaza known as "Cloud Sea" — a place that looked like something out of paradise — Lin Jingyu exchanged a few words with Zhang Fan, then headed off in the company of the disciples from Dragon Peak. Zhang Fan watched him disappear into the distance before making his way back to the group from Big Bamboo Peak, listening as Song Daren went over various reminders and the lodging arrangements for later. As he listened, Zhang Fan suddenly remembered something and cried out in dismay: "Oh no, this is bad!"
Everyone was caught off guard, startled all at once. Tian Ling'er stood at his side, her voice laced with surprise. "Fan, what's wrong?"
Zhang Fan looked around in all directions, his voice urgent: "Just now I was so caught up talking with Jingyu that I completely forgot about Ash — and now I have no idea where it's run off to?"
Only then did everyone recall that indeed none of them had noticed any trace of that grey-furred monkey. They all turned to search in every direction, but saw only drifting white clouds as the disciples of each lineage gradually dispersed—without so much as a shadow of the grey monkey anywhere to be found.
Zhang Fan's heart surged with panic. Two years had passed since he brought Ash back from that secluded valley, and in those two years the man and the monkey had shared the same dwelling, forging a bond deeper than words. Now, gazing up at Tong Peak as it soared into the clouds, its expanse stretching in every direction beyond all reckoning, he despaired at the thought: if Ash had slipped away somewhere to forage for wild fruit, how in the world would he ever find her?
Just as Zhang Fan was growing anxious, he suddenly heard a sound from Tian Ling'er on the other side. He turned to look, and there she was, face lit up with a smile, pointing ahead. "Look," she said.
Everyone looked over and could not help but burst out laughing — there sat Hui, perfectly at ease on the back of the big yellow dog that Tian Buyi kept, chittering away with "squeak squeak squeak" sounds and waving its monkey paws toward Zhang Fan, while the big yellow dog came charging over with its mouth clamped shut, somehow clutching a meaty bone it had found from who knew where.
Before long, Dahuang came trotting over with Hui on its back. Hui scrambled up onto Zhang Fan's shoulder in two or three bounds, and Zhang Fan quickly ruffled its little monkey head, affecting an expression of reproach. "Where did you run off to?"
Hui showed no fear, grinning as it pointed at Da Huang, who lay sprawled on the ground gnawing on a meat bone. Amid a stream of squeaks, it gestured and gesticulated without pause. Zhang Fan watched for a long moment, then suddenly said, "Where did that meat bone come from?"
Hearing this, Hui made another flurry of gestures, pointing toward a direction at the far end of the square. Zhang Fan glanced over at Song Daren, only to see Song Daren dart a quick look around him, his expression caught somewhere between embarrassment and suppressed amusement. Lowering his voice, Song Daren murmured, "That's the kitchen where the Changmen disciples eat."
Everyone was momentarily taken aback, then burst out laughing, shaking their heads one after another. Song Daren took the lead toward the other side. "Let's all head to the guest quarters to rest as well. Oh, right—Junior Sister, since you are a woman, we have arranged for you to share lodgings with the junior sisters of Bamboo Peak. You have no objections, I hope?"
Tian Ling'er shook her head with a smile. "I was already planning to chat a bit more with Sister Wenmin — and to put in a few good words for you while I was at it, Senior Brother."
The crowd erupted in laughter. Song Daren's face flushed red; he pretended not to hear and strode out, leaving the others still laughing and joking behind him. Zhang Fan, walking last, didn't join in. Instead, he glared at the gray monkey perched on his shoulder and said, "You wretched monkey—next time you sneak off to make trouble, just see how I deal with you."
Hui let out two "squeak squeak squeak squeak" cries, then split into a wide grin — whether it simply hadn't understood Zhang Fan's words, or whether it simply didn't take them to heart at all, there was no telling.
Zhang Fan cursed at it a few more times and walked on. After a few steps, something seemed to cross his mind. He turned his head and shouted, "Move it, you mangy mutt! All you ever think about is food!"
Dahuang, who had been sprawled on the ground gnawing his meat bone without a care, finally deigned to lift his eyes. Only when he saw that everyone had walked far away did he get to his feet, pick up his half-gnawed bone in his mouth, and lazily trot after them.
※※※
In the Yuqing Hall, the representatives of the seven lineages of Qingyun Sect had convened. At this moment, all their attention was drawn to True Person Daoxuan.
The Daoist Zuoyun of Luoxia Peak was the first to rise. "Senior Brother, could you tell what exactly was wrong with the Spirit Lord just now?"
True Person Daoxuan let out a sigh and said slowly, "I have examined carefully — the Spirit Venerable shows nothing out of the ordinary."
"What?" Looks of surprise rose on the faces of all those present.
True Person Daoxuan glanced at these fellow sect disciples. "Indeed it appears so. I have examined it repeatedly—the Spirit Lord seems completely normal in every regard. I truly cannot fathom why it would suddenly fly into such a rage, only for it to vanish just as swiftly!"
Tian Buyi pondered for a moment. The Spirit Venerable's attacks seemed to be targeting a group of young disciples—could it be that someone had provoked its wrath?"
Master Shuiyue of Bamboo Peak cut in: "Impossible. If the disciple had truly offended the Spiritual Lord, why would the Spiritual Lord have given up after a single strike?"
Shuiyue was quite beautiful, but the moment she spoke, her tone turned ice-cold, as if laced with a faint chill. Tian Buyi glanced at her once, then held his tongue.
True Person Daoxuan shook his head. "The Venerable One is an ancient spirit beast whose nature has long since awakened to sentience. In a thousand years, there has never been such a sudden aberration—there must be a reason behind it."
Seated to the left, Zeng Shuchang—elder of Fenghui Peak, his temples white as frost, the most aged-looking among the seven present—was the first to speak: "Could it be that our Sect Master has already reached a conclusion in his heart?"
True Person Daoxuan let out a soft sigh. "I have kept this from you all — in truth, I am just as bewildered. But Linzun is the guardian spirit beast of our Qingyun Sect, no trifling matter. I had intended to employ our Sect's secretly transmitted 'Spirit Communication Art' to get to the bottom of it, yet unexpectedly—"
At this point, True Person Daoxuan suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Those around him had only heard half of what he was saying before he went silent without warning. Tian Buyi was the first to press him: "Elder Brother Sect Master, what is the matter?"
True Person Daoxuan wore an expression of embarrassment. "Spirit Communication is a heterodox technique, yet it allows one to exchange a few words with the Spirit Sovereign. To my surprise, just as I was about to employ it, the Spirit Sovereign had already fallen asleep — and now I am utterly without recourse."
Everyone was left speechless.
True Person Daoxuan cleared his throat twice and said gravely, "There is no need to worry about this matter. Once Ling Zun awakens, we can deliberate at our leisure. But there is another pressing matter I wish to discuss with you, fellow senior brothers."
Seeing the grave look on True Person Daoxuan's face, everyone sensed this was no trivial matter. They set aside their smiles and sat up straight.
True Person Daoxuan settled back into his seat as well. After a moment of contemplative silence, he said, "Fellow cultivators, do any of you know of a place called Mount Kongsang, three thousand *li* to the east?"
Everyone was taken aback. Daoist Cangsong was the first to collect himself. "Senior Brother, could you be referring to that Kongsang Mountain — the one with the Ancient Grotto of Ten Thousand Bats?"
True Person Daoxuan nodded. "Yes."
Zeng Shuchang frowned and said: "From what I've heard, that 'Myriad Bat Ancient Cave' is an enormous cavern that plunges straight into the earth, its depths beyond measure. The place is cold, damp, and sunless, inhabited by nothing but countless bats—reportedly numbering in the millions. Such a barren and forsaken place—why would Senior Brother bring it up at all?"
True Person Daoxuan spoke unhurriedly: "What you gentlemen do not know is this — though the Myriad Bat Ancient Cave appears utterly forsaken by man and beast alike, eight hundred years ago it was an important stronghold of the Demonic Sect. The cave is cold, damp, and sunless, making it perfectly suited for those heretical fiends to cultivate their dark arts. Later, under the combined assault of us righteous cultivators, the Demonic Sect's accursed scoundrels were routed and driven off, and this place has lain abandoned ever since."
Master Shuiyue spoke coldly, "Senior Brother Sect Master, you raise this matter again at this moment — what exactly is your intent?"
Shuiyue addressed True Person Daoxuan in such a manner — her tone decidedly unfriendly — yet everyone present knew that Master Shuiyue had always spoken to others this way. True Person Daoxuan did not take offense, merely letting out a sigh. "Junior Sister Yue may not be aware: just half a year ago, I received a letter from Burning Incense Valley, reporting that there had lately been signs of surviving demonic-cult remnants stirring near the Ten-Thousand Bats Ancient Cave. They wrote to solicit my opinion on the matter. After careful deliberation, I dispatched my second disciple Yicai to make haste to Kongsang Mountain and look into it."
Upon hearing this, Shang Zhengliang of Chaoyangfeng Peak broke into a smile. "Is that not settled, then? Junior Nephew Xiao Yicai is exceptionally gifted and profound in his Cultivation — truly the finest in all of Qingyun Sect. In the last Seven-Vein Grand Martial Assembly, he even took the champion's laurels. With him going, what could possibly go undone?"
True Person Daoxuan smiled faintly. "You flatter me, martial brother. But ever since the gifted one journeyed to Kongsan Mountain, word has spread — and it has since been confirmed that members of the Demonic Sect are indeed active near the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats. What is more alarming still is their apparent purpose."
Everyone was taken aback. Zeng Shuchang said, "What is it?"
True Person Daoxuan's expression remained calm and composed, betraying no trace of emotion. In Yi Cai's letter, it was written that he had captured a member of the Demonic Sect and, through interrogation, had extracted the following information: eight hundred years ago, the Ancient Bat Cavern had served as the main stronghold of a Demonic Sect faction known as the Blood Refinement Hall. At its peak, the Blood Refinement Hall was a formidable power—one of the five great factions within the Demonic Sect. However, after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of our Righteous Path's forebears, it never recovered, and the Ancient Bat Cavern fell into ruin and abandonment. Yet somehow, in recent years, the long-diminished Blood Refinement Hall had begun to show signs of resurgence. According to legends passed down within the Hall, although all of its principal figures had been slain beneath the swords of our Righteous Path cultivators during the battle of the Ancient Bat Cavern, deep within the cavern there lay a hidden treasure vault, concealed with utmost secrecy, filled with countless rare and precious treasures, demonic texts, and heretical scrolls—none of which had ever been discovered by anyone."
By now, everyone had understood. Daoist Cangsong let out a cold sneer: "Demonic heretics—what wishful thinking!"
True Person Daoxuan shook his head. "Whether or not this rumor holds any truth, what I know for certain is this: after the great battle eight hundred years ago, those of the righteous path found no hidden chamber or treasure vault within the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Cave. As for the rest, that matters little—but if such a secret treasury truly exists, I fear there may be an object of tremendous malevolence within it. That is something we cannot afford to leave unguarded against."
All eyes turned to True Person Daoxuan. The Cloud Daoist spoke: "Elder Brother, what exactly is this great evil you speak of, that it should be so urgent?"
True Person Daoxuan swept his gaze across those gathered around him and said in a low, grave voice: "The Blood-Devouring Pearl!"
Everyone was startled and shaken. Daoist Cangsong exclaimed in surprise, "Shouldn't this vile creature have perished along with the Black-Heart Elder long ago?"
True Person Daoxuan shook his head and said: "Not so. Though the Black-Hearted Elder is dead, the Blood-Devouring Bead may not have perished with him. An object of such profound malevolence cannot be wielded by those of ordinary ability—it is entirely possible that demon sect fiends, lacking sufficient cultivation, chose to store it away. Moreover, the Black-Hearted Elder's origins lay precisely within the Blood-Refining Hall lineage of the demon sect. Therefore, my estimation is that the Blood-Devouring Bead very likely rests within this hidden cave."
Everyone fell silent after hearing True Person Daoxuan's words. After a long pause, it was the cold and aloof Master Shuiyue who finally spoke: "Then what does our Senior Brother the Sect Master intend to do?"
True Person Daoxuan said: "Upon receiving the message from Yicai, I immediately notified Burning Incense Valley and the Temple of Sound. Before long, both great sects sent word in return—they too would dispatch their finest disciples to Kongsang Mountain to stop the villains of the Demon Sect and root out evil in the name of the righteous path."
Tian Buyi frowned. "Then what does Senior Brother Sect Master mean by—"
True Person Daoxuan's face broke into a smile. "This is also a rare and excellent opportunity for tempering. Though our Qingyun Sect has no shortage of young talents, most have never ventured out to cultivate, and with the world at peace for so many years, they have never faced the demons of the Evil Cult in open battle. Taking advantage of this Seven-Vein Martial Assembly, I intend to send the top four young disciples together to Kongsang Mountain — on one hand to stop the Evil Cult's fiends from their wicked deeds, and on the other to let them temper themselves and broaden their horizons. Furthermore," — his smile faded, his expression turning solemn — "I have heard that in the past century, Tianyin Temple and Fenhxiang Valley have each produced several truly remarkable disciples of exceptional gifts. If we continue to sit by and do nothing, I fear that in time, our standing as leaders of the righteous path will be difficult to hold. Were that to happen, I, Daoxuan, would have no face to stand before the ancestors of generations past!"
Everyone nodded in unison. Daoist Cangsong was the first to speak: "Sect Master Senior Brother sees far and thinks deep — you are absolutely right."
True Person Daoxuan looked around at those assembled and said, "Since everyone is seated in silence, I take it there are no objections."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
True Person Daoxuan said, "Then it is settled. Quarters have already been prepared for all of you senior brothers in the Jade Clarity Hall—please go and rest." With that, he clapped his hands three times in succession. Several Daoist acolytes immediately came in from outside the door. "Escort our honored guests to their rooms."
The Daoist acolytes rose at the call. Those seated at every table stood, bowed to True Person Daoxuan, and followed along.
Note, Volume Four, *Classic of the Eastern Mountains*: In the Second Canon of the Eastern Mountains, there is a mountain called Kongsang. To its north it overlooks the River Shi; to its east it faces Ju Wu; to its south it looks upon Sha Ling; to its west it gazes toward Min Marsh.