Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Little Immortal Master at the Foot of the Mountain

“Master, your disciple is departing.”
On the Cloud Viewing Terrace, Qin Yi stood clad in a green robe, sword at his side, gazing at the Purple Profound Immortal.

The Purple Profound Immortal smiled warmly. “Return early.”

“Mm!” Qin Yi responded with a nod, resolutely mounting his sword and soaring away. After all, the trip to attend the Nanshan Taoist Debate would be brief; it was not a farewell forever.

He knew his master was surely watching him leave, but he dared not look back, fearing that hesitation and attachment would make parting difficult.

In mere moments, Qin Yi arrived at the gate of Mount Taiyi, where already many figures gathered—likely all preparing to depart for the Nanshan gathering. Though only a few could represent Mount Taiyi at the debate, the event still attracted many curious onlookers; after all, witnessing such an occasion was entertaining.

Moreover, while the number of official representatives was limited, the forum itself did not restrict participation strictly by affiliation. Anyone interested could join. The real worry was that some might lose face or, worse, have their Daoist resolve shaken through the experience—an outcome far worse than staying away.

Thus, the Nanshan Taoist Debate was a grand event not everyone dared to attend. Participation required careful self-assessment.

“Junior Brother Qin.” As Qin Yi lingered in an inconspicuous corner near the Mount Taiyi gate, awaiting the arrival of Jiang Yao and Zhang Chen, a young man in green robes, his waist adorned with a three-foot-long sword, approached with a smile.

Qin Yi had recently shone brilliantly at the Grand Martial Assembly of Multiple Meridians, so many recognized him upon arrival, but few came to greet him, assuming he would not respond.

Yet Qin Yi was no ordinary individual.

He returned the greeting with a smile. “Junior Brother Li, are you also heading to Nanshan?”

The newcomer was Li Xianghe, the most outstanding sword cultivator from Sword Cliff Peak this generation. Unfortunately, he had faced Wang Yuncheng, who had cultivated both the Grand Luo Scripture and the Taiyi Qingxuan Dao, and though they had vied fiercely for top honors, Li had failed to reach even the semifinals.

Still, Qin Yi did not underestimate him, for among the six peaks of Mount Taiyi, Sword Cliff Peak was known for its combat strength.

Li Xianghe glanced at the sword at Qin Yi’s waist and said with a smile, “Had you not unleashed that sword strike that day, Junior Brother Qin, I would have liked to spar with you.”

Qin Yi chuckled, “There will be a chance to exchange skills.”

Li Xianghe did not mention the Saint-Slaying Sword.

He then asked, “Are you waiting for someone, Junior Brother Qin?”

Qin Yi nodded and smiled, “Brother Li, why not accompany us on the journey?”

Li Xianghe teased, “That would be dull. Walking with Senior Sister Jiang Yao? What danger could there be?”

Feigning a stern face, Qin Yi said, “Brother, your words embarrass me!”

Li Xianghe laughed heartily, “No, it’s just that I can’t get an invitation from Senior Sister Jiang Yao, haha.”

He continued, “I’ll go ahead then. See you at Nanshan.”

Qin Yi smiled, “Safe travels, Brother.”

In his eyes, most disciples of Sword Cliff Peak had good character—likely influenced by Chen Yuxuan, their senior.

Both he and Jiang Yao had often learned swordplay from Chen Yuxuan in their childhood.

Qin Yi spotted Mu Fengqing nearby, apparently healed from his injuries. The latter sensed Qin Yi’s gaze, turned to look at him briefly, though his expression was somewhat grim, and soon departed with a group of disciples from the Discipline Hall.

At that moment, Zhang Chen finally arrived.

Seeing Zhang Chen’s improved complexion, Qin Yi asked, “Are you fully recovered?”

Zhang Chen smiled, “Long since recovered. By the way, Qin Buyi, shall we make haste and visit the South Sea? To check on Uncle Qin and the others.”

After the recent turmoil, the old fortress lord, prioritizing the safety of the entire Fish-Dragon Fortress, had led everyone to the South Sea, near Beihai City. Life there was better, especially with the He family’s protection. Now in the South Sea, the He and Chen families dominated the main markets. To thrive there, one had to maintain good relations with these two clans.

Moving there offered peace and the chance for a better life. Though the people had grown attached to Fish-Dragon Fortress, for their own sake and future generations’, options were limited.

Qin Yi hesitated briefly before smiling, “Very well! There are still a few days before the debate. If we hurry, a trip to the South Sea won’t hurt.”

Nanshan lay in the central region of Lingzhou. Traveling south from Mount Taiyi to the South Sea meant passing near Nanshan. Visiting the hometown residents’ new settlement sounded worthwhile.

He wondered whether most had become fishermen.

Suddenly, Qin Yi nudged Zhang Chen with his elbow, signaling him with a glance.

At first puzzled, Zhang Chen soon understood as he followed Qin Yi’s gaze. Not far from the gate appeared three figures, all dressed in white with swords at their sides, their beauty so striking they were known as celestial maidens even within Mount Taiyi.

One was naturally Jiang Yao; the other two were familiar as well—Bai Xiaoying and Lin Yuxiao. He hadn’t expected Jiang Yao to bring along a few junior sisters.

Qin Yi looked at Jiang Yao with a smile, receiving a roll of the eyes in return.

Zhang Chen chuckled, “Greetings, three Senior Sisters!”

Jiang Yao smiled and nodded. Lin Yuxiao responded with a respectful “Senior Sister,” while Bai Xiaoying remained cold and aloof.

Zhang Chen muttered, “That Senior Sister Bai seems rather difficult to get along with. Looks like only Senior Sister Lin has a chance.”

Qin Yi twitched his mouth. “Don’t get ideas about Lin Yuxiao! Though I don’t know why Jiang Yao brought her.”

Zhang Chen was displeased, “Why not? Are you planning to have your cake and eat it too? Aren’t you afraid Senior Sister Jiang will cut you down in one strike?”

Qin Yi scowled, “He’s my Third Senior Brother.”

Hearing this, Zhang Chen paused, then said, “Nonsense! They’re not official yet, so I still have a chance.”

Qin Yi considered this and patted Zhang Chen’s shoulder. “If my Third Senior Brother beats you up, don’t look to me for help.”

Zhang Chen sneered, “That’s our Qin Buyi for you.”

Qin Yi shrugged helplessly.

“Let’s go!” After meeting up with Jiang Yao and the others, Qin Yi declared he could no longer bear the hungry gazes at the gate.

Jiang Yao smiled and nodded.

The five of them left the Mount Taiyi gate.

After traveling a while along the mountain path, Qin Yi suggested, “Jiang Yao, how about we ride the sword? I want to visit the South Sea.”

“If you’re going, go ahead. I’m not coming,” Bai Xiaoying said abruptly before Jiang Yao could respond.

Qin Yi was a bit helpless at her coldness.

Lin Yuxiao had no objection—she probably just wanted to follow Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao sighed. “No, Junior Sister. Master told me to protect you, so I must stay by your side.”

Bai Xiaoying said firmly, “Senior Sister, then we won’t go to the South Sea. We’ll go directly to Nanshan.”

Qin Yi and Zhang Chen both twitched at this.

Qin Yi suddenly had an idea and smiled at Bai Xiaoying, “How about this, Senior Sister Bai: if you come with us to the South Sea, I’ll agree to spar with you then. How’s that?”

Bai Xiaoying narrowed her eyes at him. “Really?”

Qin Yi laughed, “Really. No joking. Besides, they’ll be witnesses.”

She finally nodded.

During the sword flight, Zhang Chen whispered in Qin Yi’s ear, “That Bai Senior Sister is impossible.”

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yao leaned over as well, silencing Zhang Chen. Then she smiled at Qin Yi. “On the Floating Snow Peak, whether senior sisters, junior sisters, or elders, everyone respects me. Do you know why Bai Junior Sister acts this way?”

Qin Yi waved his hand helplessly, “How would I know? I recall when we left Mount Taiyi, she was just a little girl, newly arrived.”

Jiang Yao smirked, “Because of your flirtatious Fourth Senior Brother.”

Zhang Chen, realizing the implication, tactfully went off to chat with Lin Yuxiao. He knew who Qin Yi’s Fourth Senior Brother was—the very Qin Yi himself!

Qin Yi twitched his mouth. “Jiang Yao Senior Sister, how am I a flirtatious rake?”

Jiang Yao pointed at the sword-riding Bai Xiaoying with closed eyes. “Look how much she’s bewitched by our Junior Sister Bai.”

Qin Yi grinned, “Not quite! I recall my Fourth Senior Brother has the most rumors with the Sacred Maiden Bai Feng of the Heavenly Yuan Sect, aside from you, Jiang Yao.”

Jiang Yao’s eyes narrowed sharply. Qin Yi felt uneasy—he’d taken the joke too far.

Without another word, he swiftly flew away on his sword.

Jiang Yao smiled, “You’re addicted to jokes, Qin Yi.”

Qin Yi stopped and looked at her.

Seeing his gaze, Jiang Yao asked, “What is it?”

Qin Yi smiled, “Your little dimple is so lovely.”

Jiang Yao’s face flushed deeply.

They continued flying side by side, chatting casually.

As the sun dipped low, the five arrived at Nanshan. Zhang Chen traveled by talisman, as was customary.

Every talisman cultivator possessed a unique innate talisman, varying in strength. Though Qin Yi’s was powerful due to his supreme Daoist potential, he was not a talisman specialist, so his talisman was currently weaker than Zhang Chen’s.

“Let’s rest here for the night at the foot of the mountain and continue tomorrow,” Qin Yi suggested, eyeing the only small town below Nanshan’s foothills.

Regardless of others’ opinions, Qin Yi was the first to descend; the day’s sword riding had exhausted him, and he needed to reward his stomach.

The five entered a relatively upscale inn in the town. Money was no issue; though his master cared little for material wealth and the Cloud Soaring Isle was not rich, Qin Yi’s current status connected him to the He family of the South Sea. Moreover, Chen Yuxuan was wealthy enough, and Qin Yi often shamelessly borrowed from him without complaint.

Mount Taiyi, as one of Lingzhou’s three great powers, was not concerned with freeloaders. Unlike the East Ridge Wang clan or the West River Martial Hall, Taiyi disciples generally avoided losing face by such behavior.

Qin Yi had heard that some Taiyi disciples who freeloaded outside were eventually caught and disciplined by the old stubborn Gu Beishan, head of the Discipline Hall.

Ordinary townsfolk often offered free meals to Taiyi disciples, for compared to the East Ridge Wang family’s clan power or the quarrelsome West River Martial Hall, Taiyi’s disciples appeared more like genuine cultivators.

At that moment, the inn’s waiter spotted Jiang Yao and the others and immediately guessed their affiliation. Businesspeople all had keen eyes.

“Oh! You must be little immortal masters from Mount Taiyi! Please, come this way,” the waiter greeted cheerfully, leading them to a lavish Eight Immortals table. Then he called out to the kitchen, “Little immortal masters from Mount Taiyi have arrived! Bring out the finest wine and dishes!”

Turning back with a bright smile, he said, “Please enjoy, little immortal masters! The owner insists that no payment is needed when a celestial master visits our humble inn.”

Before Qin Yi could respond, a man in golden robes at a nearby table, attended by servants, spoke with an unfriendly tone toward the waiter, “Waiter, why didn’t we hear of such treatment when we arrived? Are we, the East Ridge Wang family, not immortal masters?”

Qin Yi glanced over and recognized the golden-robed youth bore resemblance to both Wang Hong and Wang Yuncheng.

The waiter, merely a waiter, smiled nervously, “Young master, please don’t be angry. It’s just that the East Ridge Wang family is powerful and wealthy, so I didn’t think a little money mattered.”

The golden-robed man smiled slyly, “Young master here does care, actually. What now?”

The waiter’s face darkened, helpless, knowing even the boss couldn’t control this.

“Clang…”

Qin Yi slammed a gold ingot onto the table, silencing the waiter. Looking at the golden-robed man, he smiled, “Waiter, that wouldn’t do. We are cultivators, so we must not freeload! That would be shameful.”

The golden-robed man frowned, his guards’ eyes sharp and hostile.

Most patrons turned to look at him with disdain.

Though the East Ridge Wang family was renowned in Lingzhou, everyone here had their own formidable standing.

Qin Yi added fuel to the fire, “Also, this young master seems to have forgotten his wallet; I’ve paid his share as well.”

The inn fell silent. Though no one dared offend the East Ridge Wang family openly, they also wouldn’t allow them to lose face so blatantly. After all, the Wang family was one of Lingzhou’s top powers.

The golden-robed man narrowed his eyes and smiled, “Kid, you’re something else! Disrespecting the East Ridge Wang family so openly—you might be the first.”

Qin Yi smiled, “You flatter me.”

The golden-robed man’s expression darkened, ready to explode.

“Creak…”

At that moment, the door opened, and several figures clad in black robes entered, each holding various arcane implements.

By coincidence, Qin Yi recognized some among them.

“Brother Qin, Brother Zhang, Miss Jiang—is that you?” Wu Bo greeted upon entering, noticing their conspicuous seats.

The golden-robed man had been unbothered until hearing “Miss Jiang,” when his eyes narrowed on Jiang Yao. He sensed immediately that the most stunning woman in the group was no ordinary figure—it was intuition.

“Miss Jiang—could it be her? But why would she come here?” he muttered. Given Jiang Yao’s status and strength, she shouldn’t frequent such places. Who was this unfathomable person before him?

Qin Yi returned the greeting with a smile. “Brother Wu, long time no see.”

The man at the front of the black-robed group, a handsome gentleman, glanced at Jiang Yao, then looked disdainfully at the golden-robed man. “Wang Chang, I usually despise you, but this time I admire you—you even dared offend her.”

Wang Chang scowled at the man, “Zhan Beihai, who exactly is she?”

Qin Yi and Jiang Yao exchanged glances.

Jiang Yao’s tone was calm, “You know me. You’re Zhan Beihai. How are you related to Zhan Beihe?”

Zhan Beihai chuckled, “I’m no fool—how could I not recognize the Cold Plum Sword Immortal? Zhan Beihe is my elder brother.”

No wonder he seemed familiar. He was the younger brother of the “Martial Lunatic.”

“Cold Plum Sword Immortal!” Upon hearing this, Wang Chang immediately ceased raising his cup, a chill running down his spine. The Cold Plum Sword Immortal was a figure even his fourth brother feared—a top-ranking figure on the Qing List.

Wang Chang lost all appetite for food and drink, tossed down a gold ingot, and without another word, left with his entourage.

Zhan Beihai laughed heartily, “Wang Chang, you coward! I was just complimenting you. Why the sudden scare? Stay and drink a few more!”

Wang Chang knew Zhan Beihai was teasing but ignored him and resolutely walked away.

Qin Yi pulled Wu Bo to the Eight Immortals table and smiled, “Come, Brother Wu, let’s have a drink. By the way, where’s your brother?”

Wu Bo sighed and sat down. “My brother didn’t plan to participate, so he’s not in a hurry.”

He then raised his cup to Qin Yi and Zhang Chen, “Long time no see. Cheers.”

Zhan Beihai joined with a grin, “Brother Qin, this Nanshan Taoist Debate—may you attend in good health!”

Qin Yi smiled, “You recognize me?”

Zhan Beihai nodded confidently, “Of course! You and your Fourth Senior Brother look almost identical.”