Chapter 364: Meeting
In a distant place, there was a tall mountain that strikingly resembled a broken tooth in its shape.
At the very top of the mountain, an individual dressed in a black cloak was seated. Their facial features were concealed by their attire, except for their eyes. These eyes were completely black, almost as if they held a deep abyss within them. They emitted an unsettling energy, akin to a demon emerging from the depths.
Perched on the shoulder of this person in the black cloak was a small black chick, not much bigger than a few inches. What made it distinct were its black feathers with crimson tips, and it possessed 9 tiny feather tails that hung down just below its talons.
"Master, are we going to fight some people? Being stuck in the Abyss Firmament is boring." Xiao Fei enquired lazily from Tang Yin’s shoulder.
"They’ve arrived." Instead of responding to Xiao Fei’s question, Tang Yin stood up and gazed into the distance. His eyes gleamed with a starry brilliance as if the entire universe were reflected within them.
"Who’s arrived?" Xiao Fei’s interest was piqued, and she focused her attention in the same direction, trying to spot any approaching figures.
Tang Yin didn’t provide a direct answer to Xiao Fei. Instead, he continued to look toward the Thousand Blossom Pavilion with a sharp, menacing glint in his eyes. His expression was aloof as if he viewed human lives as dirt.
....
Within the Thousand Blossom Pavilion’s Mission Hall, the familiar, plump clerk who had once assisted Tang Yin with his mission’s registration was stationed behind the counter. The bustling scene was much the same as before, with cultivators coming and going, completing and registering missions.
The overweight clerk was presently preoccupied with another disciple, his impatience and annoyance evident in his tone. "Mission registered. Return once it’s done." His words were brisk and devoid of enthusiasm as he leaned back in his chair, already nodding off.
The disciple who had just registered his mission regarded the clerk with a mixture of irritation and disdain. Just as he was about to depart, an abrupt and gruesome explosion of blood and gore transformed the once-lazy clerk into a chaotic burst of crimson fragments.
The vile odour of blood filled the air, leaving the disciple drenched in gore and his expression contorted in terror. He let out a horrified scream and sprinted toward the exit of the Mission Hall.
The other disciples within the Mission Hall were equally stunned and horrified, their confusion evident. Some hurriedly fled the scene, while others, morbidly curious, approached the mist of blood and shattered flesh that had replaced the plump clerk, attempting to comprehend the horrifying turn of events.
....
Within the confines of the Thousand Blossom Pavilion’s Holy Compound, the receptionist who had previously been involved in delivering letters for Tang Yin found himself seated in a lotus position near the entrance.
He was engaged in the practice of cultivating, his focus on absorbing the surrounding Spirit Qi to enhance his cultivation.
The routine seemed ordinary, as he intermittently extended his divine sense towards the entrance, awaiting the presence of visitors. After each scan, he would return to his cultivation, immersed in the process of absorbing the ambient Spirit Qi.
However, a sudden explosion erupted within his body, much like the fate that had befallen the overweight clerk in the Mission Hall. Overwhelmed by the Abyss Qi within him, he lacked the power to resist.
In an instant, his form disintegrated into a spray of blood mist, mirroring the fate of the clerk, with fragments of flesh and bone splattering the surroundings, including the gate by his side.
These two individuals who had unwittingly crossed paths with Tang Yin in the Thousand Blossom Pavilion met their ends swiftly and unexpectedly. The abruptness of their deaths left them with no opportunity to comprehend or resist the overwhelming force that overtook them.
....
"This is Broken Tooth Mountain?" inquired Xu Cheng, his curiosity piqued. Nevertheless, his brow was furrowed as he extended his divine sense over the mountain, his expression growing more serious by the moment.
"Yun’er, I can’t sense any Principle Step Demonic Beasts here. Rather, I’m detecting the presence of a person and a smaller creature, likely their Spirit Beast," Xu Cheng commented with a deep frown. His gaze settled on Xu Yun, his suspicion was evident. "Yun’er, your recent behaviour has been rather unusual. Are we really here for you to face a Demonic Beast? Or is there something else you’re not telling us?" Wan Mei and Elder Liang shared Xu Cheng’s concerns, and their unease about Xu Yun’s behaviour mirrored in their expressions.
Xu Yun’s intentions and motives were increasingly coming under scrutiny, leading her parents and Elder Liang to question whether there was more to this situation than initially met the eye.
Despite their suspicions, they remained puzzled about what exactly was different with Xu Yun. Xu Cheng, being a Peak-stage Principle Manipulation Realm cultivator, had thoroughly scanned her with his divine sense, and any discrepancies should have been revealed to someone of his expertise. Yet, nothing amiss had been found.
However, unless Xu Cheng delved into Xu Yun’s soul with his divine sense, he wouldn’t be able to detect any anomalies. Such an action, though, could potentially harm her soul, something he would never risk.
"Yes, I lied. I’m sorry. However, Mother, Father, Uncle Liang, I didn’t bring you here for nothing. There’s someone I want you to meet, he’s waiting for us at the top of Broken Tooth Mountain." Xu Yun admitted her deception, realizing there was no use in keeping up the pretence now that they were at their destination.
Xu Cheng, Wan Mei, and Elder Liang all furrowed their brows, curious about how Xu Yun could be acquainted with someone outside of the Pavilion.
"Who is this person? How do you know him? What did he say to you? Why does he want to meet us?" Wan Mei rapidly fired off a barrage of questions, her curiosity and concern overwhelming Xu Yun.
"Mother, you’ll find out everything once you speak to him. It’s best not to keep him waiting." Xu Yun replied, taking a step back awkwardly. She was willing to answer her mother’s questions, but she didn’t want to further delay their meeting with Tang Yin.
"Yun’er, is the person I sensed with my divine sense at the peak of Broken Tooth Mountain the same person you’re referring to?" Xu Cheng suddenly asked, his tone tinged with unease. He felt a chilling gaze fixated on them from the mountain, unsettling his nerves.
"Yes, it’s likely him. He mentioned that he’d be waiting at the summit of Broken Tooth Mountain for us." Xu Yun confirmed with a nod. She then hurriedly moved towards the mountain, leaving her parents and Elder Liang no choice but to follow. Given their current location, they could only meet this mysterious individual and evaluate the situation firsthand.
....
Tang Yin’s lips curled into a mysterious smile as he observed Xu Yun and her family approaching him with haste. ’So, you’ve completed the task.’ He mused to himself, his mind cloaked in enigma.
With Xu Yun and her family quickly closing in on Broken Tooth Mountain, it didn’t take long before they reached the summit.
All four of them smoothly landed on the mountain’s peak, stopping around 20 feet away from Tang Yin.
"Who are you?" Wan Mei couldn’t help but ask with curiosity. She had a strange sense of familiarity with this person as if they had met before. This feeling wasn’t unique to her, even Xu Cheng and Elder Liang shared the same sentiment.
"Brother Asura, as you requested, I’ve brought my family here. Could you now share the information about our grandfather that you mentioned earlier?" Xu Yun cheerfully approached Tang Yin, displaying a strong familiarity.
But Wan Mei decisively took hold of Xu Yun’s slightly sulking arm and guided her back to their group.
"Asura? Could it be..." The instant those words, ’Demonic Asura,’ escaped Xu Yun’s lips, it was as though a thousand thunderclaps had reverberated within their minds.
They gazed fixedly at the form of Tang Yin, and it promptly overlapped itself with a figure they were exceedingly acquainted with from the past.
Indeed, Wan Mei, Xu Cheng, and Elder Liang swiftly came to the realization that the individual before them was none other than Demonic Asura. He was the one who had escorted Xu Yun to the Thousand Blossom Pavilion, had won the favour of Qian Zhong, and had even been addressed as a Junior Brother by Qian Zhong!
This individual, perpetually veiled in an enigmatic shroud and possessing a power so concealed that its true extent eluded their awareness. They held a profound recollection of him, a person who emitted an aura of detachment that would endure unshaken even if the world were to collapse at that very moment.
"You despicable fellow! You were the last person seen with our father. How on earth are you still breathing, and what in the world happened to our father!?" Xu Cheng’s voice boomed with righteous fury.
Tang Yin had departed from the Moonlit River Sect alongside Qian Zhong in the past. Yet, here he stood before them, while Qian Zhong had met his demise.
Did this not imply that he had forsaken Qian Zhong in his time of need?
"Fellow cultivators, let’s not act in haste. I possess certain insights that might intrigue you. Would you not care to hear me out?" Tang Yin respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice emanating a sense of undisturbed tranquillity and unfazed courage.
The trio exchanged glances and fell into a contemplative silence, evidently intrigued by what Tang Yin was about to reveal.
