77. Gods?
"Go to sleep early, we'll reach Wangshan tomorrow."
Jingwei still didn't dare to answer Yun Ling's question directly.
Yun Ling closed his eyes and said nothing more.
Jingwei's gaze remained fixed on the book, but she did not turn a single page.
The next day, a large group of martial arts practitioners had gathered at the foot of the mountain.
Their purpose in coming here is self-evident.
It's just to compete for the title of "second best in the world".
Jingwei and Yun Ling had already climbed Wangshan Mountain and had no intention of making any contact with them.
The setting sun had not yet fallen, and rays of sunlight shone into the bamboo forest, creating a sense of freshness and elegance.
Unfortunately, all of this was ruined by the oppressive atmosphere emanating from the mountaintop.
By the time the two reached the mountaintop, the sun had completely set, and many people were already lying on the ground.
"I, a junior disciple of Yan Shilu, pay my respects to the Immortal Jingwei. The arrival of this immortal has brought glory to my humble abode on Wangshan Mountain."
Yan Shilu had white hair and a sinister, venomous look in his eyes. His gaze toward Jingwei was filled with unrestrained aggression.
For him, becoming the best in the world was already within reach.
Yan Shilu wasn't the only one who turned around to greet him. Qingmu Daoren of Ziyang Mountain and Cui Yuanpeng of the Giant Whale Gang also paid their respects to the immortal. Both of them were top-notch martial artists in the Jianghu, and in terms of strength, they were only slightly inferior to the elders of the five major sects.
"These guests arrived earlier. Would the immortal mind if I 'entertain' them first?"
As Yan Shilu spoke, the blue-green flames in his hand poured out, and the two lives that were just now alive withered away.
Seeing this scene, Jingwei and Yun Ling felt nothing. They had both come for fame and fortune, so who could they blame for their deaths?
Jingwei observed Yan Shilu's actions.
Extremely high concentration of Honkai energy, retaining complete self-awareness, and the flames containing a Honkai reaction sufficient to give birth to an Emperor-level Honkai Beast...
He seems to have fallen into demonic possession, yet he doesn't; rather, he seems to be more like... a Herrscher?
"Yun Ling, he has fallen into demonic possession."
"Yes, Master."
Yun Ling coughed lightly twice and came to Yan Shilu's side.
"My name is Yun Ling. Please enlighten me."
Yun Ling looked sickly and coughed from time to time, giving the impression of being frail and weak.
"Oh? This must be the legendary chief disciple of Taixu, Young Master Yun Ling?"
"Perfect timing! There are always rumors in the martial arts world that I am not as good as you. Let's give it a try today!"
Yun Ling followed Jingwei down the mountain to exorcise demons a long time ago, so many people in the martial arts world know of Yun Ling's existence.
During the demon-slaying process, Yun Ling's power shocked countless people.
With the added aura of being a disciple of an immortal, some people ranked him second in the world, but Yun Ling was not interested in that.
However, Yun Ling rarely went down the mountain to eliminate demons in the past three years and spent most of his time on Mount Taixu.
Yan Shilu managed to maintain his "second place" title by taking action against people from various sects through his own methods.
Yan Shilu's true energy suddenly expanded, and the temperature of the flames rose by a significant amount.
Yun Ling remained standing there quietly, seemingly oblivious to the intense heat.
"Young Master Yun Ling, won't you draw your sword?" Yan Shilu asked, looking at Yun Ling.
"Maintaining Ruoshui takes a lot of time, and Ruoshui is in a bad mood today and doesn't want me to draw her." Yun Ling casually made up a reason.
"...Arrogant!"
A flame was launched towards Yun Ling.
Yun Ling extended two fingers and pointed them in front of him, and an invisible sword aura blocked the flames.
"Mysterious Ice Jade Palm!" Yan Shilu rushed forward, his holy fire blazing brightly, and struck Yun Ling with a powerful palm strike.
However, the next second, he flew out like a kite with a broken string.
The speed was so fast that it was impossible to see what was happening.
"No...impossible! I am protected by the gods, and I possess the sacred fire. How could I possibly lose to you! Jade Divine Skill!!!"
Yan Shilu could hardly believe the difference, so he began to frantically circulate his internal energy, pouring it outwards as if his life depended on it.
Suddenly, he knelt down, his whole body convulsing uncontrollably.
"?" Yun Ling blinked.
He hadn't even made a move yet, how did he get lying down? Was he trying to scam someone?
"God...God...you...ah!!!"
Yan Shilu began to scream wildly, and his sacred fire actually set him ablaze.
A piercing scream echoed throughout Wangshan.
"Don't...don't abandon me..."
When the flames subsided, Yan Shilu had been burned to a crisp, but he was still muttering some words about "gods".
This scene also caused a hint of astonishment to flash in Jingwei's eyes.
Who exactly are the gods he is talking about?
However, certainly, Yan Shilu is not a Herrscher; he is far from being one.
With the leader of the Holy Fire Cult dead, his followers naturally scattered in all directions.
"Master, why did he suddenly set himself on fire? Did he not practice his skills properly?" Yun Ling looked at Jingwei.
"I don't know." Jingwei shook her head.
This was the first time she had ever seen anything like it, but judging from his appearance, he must have been controlled by something and killed.
Is it the god he spoke of?
But why kill him?
Suddenly, two children walked over.
They were holy maidens of the Holy Fire Cult, but at this moment, they seemed to have been possessed, staring blankly at Yun Ling.
"Yun Ling, you can't escape."
They said to Yun Ling in unison.
This bizarre scene was somewhat terrifying; the gaze seemed to want to devour him completely.
"You know me?" Yun Ling frowned, sensing that something was amiss.
But he didn't get a reply from them, because both of them disappeared after saying those words.
"They have good talent. Take them with you and return to Mount Taixu," Jingwei said to Yun Ling, completely unaware of what was going on.
"Master, didn't you see it just now?" Yun Ling was even more surprised.
Two perfectly healthy people just vanished before our eyes...
"See what?" Jingwei's eyes showed a hint of confusion.
When Yun Ling came to his senses again, two little girls were looking at him with bright eyes.
"???" Yun Ling was stunned.
Was he hallucinating just now?
Yun Ling took a closer look at the two girls.
"Sister, I'm scared."
"Little sister, I'm scared too."
They clasped their hands together, pretending to be frightened.
"Don't be afraid, let me check you out... Ouch!"
"Let's go." Jingwei left without looking back.
The two sisters hurriedly followed Jingwei, but suddenly Jingwei stopped in her tracks and looked to one side.
A girl hid behind a stone pillar, cautiously watching Jingwei and the others.
Although she was still young, a considerable amount of true energy emanated from her body.
"Who are you..."
"She won't answer," said the older sister.
"She's strange; she completely ignores everyone," the younger sister explained.
Yun Ling saw it; there seemed to be a peculiar emotion in Jingwei's eyes, an emotion that seemed to be called reminiscence...
Is this child special?
"What...is her name?"
"Name? I think it's called..."
"Cheng Lingshuang!"
...