Chapter 70: Nemesis, Journey to Perilous Mountain

After his conversation with the True Ascendant that day, Wen Daoyu immediately sent out two letters.

Why two? Because the Crimson Lord was nearby in the mountains, waiting especially for him to complete his healing. The Golden Monkey King’s water chamber was situated in a nearby river, so naturally, he could dispatch an Underworld Messenger to deliver the letter there. As for the Flying Centipede, its residence in a certain “famous mountain” was unknown, so he had to rely on the Golden Monkey King to pass along the message.

Unsurprisingly, the first to arrive at the appointed place was the Crimson Lord.

He was exceedingly cautious. Upon reaching the vicinity, he first sent the Five Immortals to scout, then ambled over slowly himself.

Each time Wen Daoyu saw that face—those narrow eyes, thin taut lips, and tall straight nose—it sent a wave of oppressive pressure through him.

“What exactly am I afraid of? We’re all in the same realm of Qi Refinement; he’s merely walked further, and perhaps more skillfully than I.”

The Crimson Lord cast a glance at Wen Daoyu, focusing especially on his legs. Previously, those legs were nearly crippled, but now they were as good as new. The Southern Star Lord must truly favor him.

“When will they arrive?” The Crimson Lord’s tone was as commanding as if he were ordering subordinates within Panhu. His long-standing habits of authority were well ingrained, and he saw nothing amiss.

“I’ve sent word to the River Lord of Golden Monkey half a day ago, but we must wait for him to notify the Flying Centipede. That may be delayed for some time.”

“No rush!”

Hearing mention of the Flying Centipede, the Crimson Lord showed remarkable patience.

Wen Daoyu asked confidently, “Is your lordship intending to subdue the Flying Centipede?”

The Crimson Lord’s brow tightened. He detested futile, probing exchanges. His voice grew cold: “Spare me the nonsense. Speak plainly.”

Even though no one else was around, Wen Daoyu felt his face flush. He’d never encountered someone so indifferent to his dignity, unwilling even to engage in conversation.

Suppressing his discomfort, Wen Daoyu forced a smile.

“Our operation this time is almost certain to pit us against the Mountain Demon, the Jia Lan Snake. To guard against unforeseen dangers, we must take precautions—”

The Crimson Lord interrupted, “Give me eight words. Make it clear.”

“Subdue the Flying Centipede, forge it into a killing move.”

Upon hearing these eight words, the Crimson Lord’s expression relaxed, signaling Wen Daoyu to continue.

“The Flying Centipede delights in devouring snake brains, its specialty is countering snake spirits. As the true heir of Panhu, you surely know this.”

“You… Tai Ping Mountain has already begun research on this?”

Wen Daoyu lifted his chin slightly, looking down on the Crimson Lord, feeling himself gradually gain the upper hand in the dialogue.

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“A block of ice three feet thick is not frozen in a day. The art of battle—especially between two sects—is a solemn, violent affair. Without thorough preparation, how could Tai Ping Mountain dare to go to war? You don’t presume we rely solely on a reputation for righteousness, holding sway as the voice of the southwest, with an earth immortal presiding and the Southern Stars’ protection, and thus act with impunity, do you?”

The Crimson Lord’s breath deepened; he knew Wen Daoyu was right.

Though Tai Ping Mountain was now a pillar of the righteous path, controlling the southwest’s discourse, with an earth immortal stationed and the six Southern Stars’ blessing, they had still developed the Wood-Dissolving Needle, a formidable poison neutralizer, for the Battle of Guancai Cave.

From Wen Daoyu’s words, it seemed they were researching ways to counter the Five Immortals as well—a level of meticulousness bordering on paranoia, like a vast, precise mechanism in constant motion.

Wen Daoyu enjoyed the Crimson Lord’s current expression, finding him far less intimidating.

No matter how brilliant the Crimson Lord was within Panhu Mountain, regardless of his illustrious past, under the righteous heavens, he could only lie low.

“If battle breaks out, the Flying Centipede may hold the key to victory. We must either cooperate with the centipede spirit, or proactively refine it ourselves. I favor the latter, and you are an expert in this field. I… need you to make the final decision.”

“Its spiritual nature is strong; judging by its words and actions, it has already cultivated a human heart. It’s only a step away from ‘Illusory Transformation,’ lacking only the refinement of its essence into form. Such a centipede immortal must be enticed by profit, guided by emotion, and finally subdued by force—ground down day by day, month by month, until it is truly mastered. Otherwise, even if subdued for a time, it will be of no true benefit to my cultivation.”

Wen Daoyu focused only on the mention of “Illusory Transformation not yet achieved.”

Among monsters, Illusory Transformation roughly equated to the cultivators’ first step of “Essence Refinement into Qi,” while “Shape Shedding” was similar to the second step, “Qi Refinement into Spirit.”

He and the Crimson Lord were both in the second realm of Qi Refinement, the Crimson Lord being particularly outstanding; even on Tai Ping Mountain, only a handful could compare to him.

“To subdue it temporarily will suffice.”

Wen Daoyu spoke, assuming the air of a leader.

The Crimson Lord nodded with a smile, his narrow eyes half-closed, curling like a venomous snake coiling before an attack, hiding its intent.

Just then, a rushing wind sounded overhead. Looking up, an eye-catching “demonic wind” blew from the mountain’s base, settling before them.

The black “demonic wind” dissipated, revealing the Golden Monkey King clad in black scale armor, with the Flying Centipede coiled around his waist and shoulders.

From afar, their auras seemed fused into one, a searing presence that felt as if two demons were about to pounce.

Wen Daoyu swallowed quietly, his muscles tensing instinctively. He glanced at the Crimson Lord, only to find him reacting in the same way.

The Golden Monkey King rested both hands on his Wave-Splitting Blade at his waist, immensely pleased to see the two so wary.

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“I, the Golden Monkey King, wield the blade; Centipede Brother holds the pearl—who else in this land can stand against us?!”

The thought filled the Golden Monkey King with irrepressible delight. He laughed heartily and strode towards the two.

“You…” The Golden Monkey King’s gaze passed over Wen Daoyu, who had just spoken, and fixed solemnly on the Crimson Lord. “Watch closely. When we go to face the Mountain Demon, you won’t be charging ahead alone.”

A faint smile flickered in the Crimson Lord’s eyes. “I… look forward to it.”

“Centipede Brother, let’s go.”

With a flick of its thin wings, a buzzing sounded; the jointed legs curled around the monkey’s waist and shoulders, gradually lifting them into the air. Black yin wind spiraled around the Golden Monkey King, half concealing his form.

The Golden Monkey King crossed his arms, feeling that this manifestation of divine power had reached the zenith of his past, unlikely to be surpassed in the future.

Beneath the mountain waterfall, by the deep pool, Ji Ming arrived with the Golden Monkey King, with Wen Daoyu and the Crimson Lord close behind, traversing the ridges as if walking on level ground.

Ji Ming turned his head, looking at Wen Daoyu, who seemed to glance at him intentionally or unintentionally.

He could understand the Crimson Lord’s interest—after all, his Flying Centipede bloodline was rare and suited to the Five Immortals’ cultivation. But what did Wen Daoyu want from him?

The White Bone Heart-Pearl in his mouth stirred slightly. If not for the pressing matters at hand, he would certainly question Wen Daoyu thoroughly.

According to the logic under Heaven, when a cultivator frequently sizes up a spirit creature, there’s a forty percent chance he’s eyeing its materials, thirty percent chance he wants to tame it as a mount, and the remaining thirty percent is intent on slaying the monster.

“Mountain Demon, come out and speak!”

This time, the Golden Monkey King didn’t dive into the water. He shouted from above the pool, calling for a long time without response. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he cast a Water-Dividing Spell.

Ripples spread across the pool, pushing the water aside from the center, leaving a sunken void.

In moments, the deep pool turned into a deep well. Below, a small glass tower, a stone pillar before it, a gold-roofed hermitage, and a southern snake coiling around a column all came into view.

Wen Daoyu glanced at the Golden Monkey King, thinking, “If we were in his domain’s rivers, this Water-Dividing Spell would be even more potent. These mountain and river spirits are truly blessed, but they fail to heed fate.”

“He seems… not to be home?”

The Golden Monkey King suddenly remarked.

For a moment, everyone looked towards the splendid and solemn structures beneath the pool. Someone muttered, “There must be treasures inside.”