Chapter 599: Black River (I)
Unbeknownst to anyone in Ten Thousand Flower Valley, a strange immortal had been hiding in the Dragon River that bordered Dragon River Town for several weeks. Located directly outside of the sect's borders, the town was the only place where outsiders could get a glimpse of the sect. Spies of various factions knew this and set up shop in the town but this immortal was the only one that was actually hiding underwater.
That person was Immortal Black River Yang Heida. His figure was long and thin, opposite of his brother Immortal Yellow River Maoda. His face, however, was equally unattractive and could even be considered misshaped. They were both servants of the disgraced Yang Gehu and had come to the Eastern Sanmu Subcontinent to cause trouble for Chen Wentian.
Yang Heida's ability was related to his immortal name. Among the various Daos related to water developed by the Yang Clan of Great Waves, there was one that specialized in hiding one's presence in water for purposes of spying. Although he could not turn his body into water like a shuimu, he could still hide his presence completely from other Spirit Lords if there was a large enough body of water. Even a Spirit King that wasn't paying attention might assume his presence to be that of a small fix or pond critter.
He had been scoping out Ten Thousand Flower Valley for the past two weeks. He had not tried to break in yet because he had sensed some strange auras within. He was afraid of tripping some hidden alarms. However, when the water crystal that was tied to his brother's life energy shattered, he no longer hesitated and rushed up the river and into the valley.
Yang Heida was filled with anger. His brother was the only family he had in this life. As slaves to the Yang Clan, they didn't even have the right to get married or father children. Since one of them died, he would have to rush back to the clan and report the matter. He might even get tortured by the young lord. As such, he no longer cared about hiding himself anymore.
At some point, he leaped out of the river and flew low and fast. He spread out his spiritual sense and observed his surroundings. The winding river he had been living in was accompanied by an avenue paved with smooth stone slabs. On both sides, the hillsides were occupied by patches of farmland intersected by bamboo groves.
A sweet, medicinal fragrance filled the air. Each plot of cultivated land was home to all kinds of herbs and flowers. They were all of high quality and exuded a vibrant spirituality. But in his eyes, these were nothing unusual. The Yang Clan had countless gardens and farms like this.
Yang Heida continued and soon arrived at the main sect complex at the end of the avenue. It was smaller than he expected, only the size of a modest country manor. It had square walls made of white stone and blue roof tiles. The buildings enclosed were only one story and unremarkable.
"Stop! Who are you?" Someone shouted.
A squad of three guards patrolling on foot ran into him. Their faces were a mask of fright at the sight of a strange immortal.
Yang Heida swept out a hand and three jets of black-colored water shot out like powerful arrows. In a blink, the attack blasted a fist-sized hole through each guard's chest. He didn't give them another glance and flew over the walls.
He swept through the manor, going room by room. He killed the servants that ran into him and ignored the ones that didn't. He wanted to find something interesting but he was disappointed over and over. There was nothing worthwhile. It was all ordinary rooms and decorations with no priceless possessions hidden anywhere. The library had nothing but trashy mortal secret arts and martial arts. The armory, the library, the medicine hall; they all contained worthless things. Even more anger filled his heart. His brother had died and yet he was still empty-handed. If he returned like this, who knew what would happen to him?
By now, the dead guards and servants had been discovered by others. Shouts and cries soon filled the air along with a succession of alert talismans. Ignoring all of this, Yang Heida left the main building and headed toward the rear mountains.
He followed the narrow stone path which led out of the valley, past the hills, and up a small mountain range that contained several smaller peaks and one main peak covered in snow. He ransacked the small villa near the top but found nothing. There was a cultivation platform a short distance away but that was also unremarkable. He found nothing valuable he could take away.
All in all, this worthless sect was every bit as poor and undeveloped as he had expected. This Chen Wentian, this Ten Thousand Flower Valley, they dared to offend the Yang Clan of Great Waves. Yet they had nothing to back up their arrogance. It was truly unbelievable.
"A bunch of peasants!" Yang Heida muttered to himself, "My young master will slowly play with you until you beg for death. Just wait!"
He then shot down towards the last place he wanted to check. There was a rocky path that led into the eastern forest. It was the only other place that held any signs of development in this place.
He rushed over the tops of the trees and arrived at a man-made clearing. He saw paw-prints of various beasts like wolves and foxes. None of this was out of the ordinary but there was also a distinct fragrance that led him to a large hole in the ground.
Suddenly, he sensed a spiritual aura, a presence that resonated with his spiritual sense and instinct. He didn't exactly know what it is but it had to be a good thing. He was finally excited. This trip had not been in vain. Whatever rare spirit beast that Chen Wentian was raising here, he would take and gift it to his young lord.
Yang Heida slid inside the hole. He held his breath and hid his immortal aura to the limit. He didn't want to alarm whatever was hiding inside here.
He saw a flash of white fur but it quickly disappeared around a corner. His heart jumped at the possibilities as he quickly followed. The tunnels were somewhat complicated and he felt something pulling him forward and he soon reached the end which was a circular chamber with an arched ceiling.
He carefully peered inside. There was a raised bed in the center. Amidst an array of pillows and silk covers was a mass of white fur. It was pure like snow and brilliant like the full moon.
His heart skipped a beat. He couldn't believe it. But the divine aura that filled the room was unmistakable. He suddenly felt like the luckiest man in the world. He didn't care about that idiotic young lord anymore. Such a discovery was enough for him to abandon the Yang Clan and finally attain his freedom. If he could obtain this thing, he felt as if he could become invincible. He could soar across the world unopposed.
He hadn't even taken a step inside the chamber and his mind was stilled with fantasy when there was a blinding flash of white. Before he could move or control a single strand of spiritual energy, a beam of divine energy arrived like a heavenly spear of punishment. It was simply overwhelming and sudden beyond measure.
When the light disappeared, the limp body of Yang Heida fell onto the ground. There was a sizzling stump where his head and neck should have been.
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