Chapter 501: Senior Brother, I’m glad you’re here
Amidst the ghost mountains and precipices, a city stood precariously on a sheer cliff, with demonic cultivators patrolling the sky on their flying swords.
Outside the city gate’s towering structure, inside a hastily constructed watchtower, demonic cultivators gathered from all directions, waiting for the city’s warden to call their names so they could receive their entry tokens.
Most of these demonic cultivators were rogue cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage, who usually roamed the Eastern Domain and built their cave dwellings in remote areas.
However, the immortal families had now breached Seven Star Pass and sent many inner disciples into the Eastern Domain.
In this situation, they, as minor rogue cultivators, could only seek protection from powerful demonic cultivators for self-preservation. Cities like “Tian Bei City,” guarded by cultivators at the Deity Transformation Stage, were their best choice.
Among this motley crew, one man and two women stood out, drawing constant discussion:
“Is that a Nascent Soul cultivator? Are there any Nascent Soul rogue cultivators within a thousand li radius? I’ve never heard of any.”
“Sigh! Someone at the Nascent Soul stage has nothing to do with you. They might be here to play the pig and eat the tiger. Don’t say anything, be careful not to offend him…”
… …
Ye Anping, now wearing Kong Huayuan’s human skin mask, sat calmly at a square table in the corner, swirling his teacup. He listened to the surrounding discussions, hoping to glean some information about “Gong Yimo.”
He was very familiar with Tian Bei City, a major city in the Eastern Domain comparable in scale to Donghuang Immortal City. It housed over forty demonic cultivator clans, and the city lord maintained close ties with major demonic sects like the Tian Mo Sect and Hehuan Sect, possessing considerable power.
However, he knew nothing about this “Gong Yimo.”
This character had never appeared in the game, nor was he recorded in the Heavenly Scroll of the Dao or the Tian Mo Book Scroll.
His current purpose for coming to Tian Bei City was to meet “Gong Yimo” and see if he was the “amnesiac immortal” played by players in the original game.
The characters played by players in the game were, frankly speaking, mere tools for Feng Yu Die.
Although they followed Feng Yu Die and Xiao Yunluo around during the main storyline, the interactions with Feng Yu Die were basically:
— Feng Yu Die: “I have a new quest! Help me kill ten wild boars.”
— Amnesiac Immortal: “Okay!”
— Feng Yu Die: “Help me deliver a letter to the Central Domain!”
— Amnesiac Immortal: “Okay!”
… …
The “amnesiac immortal” participated in the game’s main storyline but could not alter its course.
Only in side quests could they influence some matters, more or less.
For instance, in the matter of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect, the “amnesiac immortal’s” choices determined whether Yun Yiyi, Yun Jiujiu, or Yun Xi would survive.
The Snow Jade Myriad Spirit Sword, inherited from Yun Jian Shang Xian, was also obtained by the “amnesiac immortal.”
It could be said that although the “amnesiac immortal” was recognized by the characters in the game to some extent, he was actually a fictional character, more like a “camera” that the scriptwriters forcibly inserted for gameplay.
Moreover, the “amnesiac immortal” was the player, and what differentiated players from Feng Yu Die and the others was their ability to revive in the main city no matter how many times they were killed, to re-equip and fight again if they couldn’t defeat a BOSS, and to recover from any spell with a potion…
This created a paradox.
These things were perfectly reasonable in a virtual game world.
But was this world now a game?
Ye Anping swirled his teacup, slightly raising his head to look at Feng Yu Die, who was now propping her chin and looking at him. He then recalled his junior sister, Xiao Yunluo, his parents… and Xu Xiyue.
He could conclude that this world was definitely not just a bunch of “1s” and “0s.”
Therefore, it could be inferred that the person called “Gong Yimo” was simply a demonic cultivator with a bit more luck.
However, without meeting him, all this was just his speculation.
As Ye Anping was deep in thought, a slender finger suddenly touched his forehead and gently rubbed it.
Seeing his furrowed brow, Feng Yu Die couldn’t help but ask:
“Young Master Ye, who is that Gong Yimo? You’ve been thinking about him so much that we specifically came to this place.”
Ye Anping shrugged slightly:
“It’s not so much that I’m thinking about him. The immortal families in the Southern Domain are probably trying to figure out how to attack Tian Bei City right now, so we’re just helping them out along the way. As for Gong Yimo, I’m just taking this opportunity to meet him.”
At this moment, a demonic cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage emerged from the inner room, cleared his throat, and shouted:
“Liang… what kind of weird name is that… Liang Da Liu!! Come in and get your token!!”
Upon hearing this, all the rogue cultivators in the watchtower froze for a moment and looked around, as if trying to see which cultivator had such a rural name, eager to witness the spectacle.
However, as Ye Anping stood up, everyone immediately fell silent.
Ye Anping, leading Gu Ming Xin and Feng Yu Die, walked towards the person who called out. The demonic cultivator immediately turned pale, shrinking his head and asking:
“Senior, you are…”
“…Liang Da Liu.”
“Ah… oh, Senior, please this way.”
The demonic cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage was covered in sweat. He didn’t dare to speak further, bowed his head, and led Ye Anping and the other two into a room, closing the door.
Inside, a middle-aged man at the Core Formation Stage sat sloppily at a desk. Seeing a Nascent Soul cultivator enter with two women, he quickly stood up and cupped his hands in greeting:
“Senior, please wait a moment. Your cultivation is too high. I am merely reviewing the entry permits for the riff-raff outside, I wouldn’t dare to offend you…”
Ye Anping didn’t say much and nodded.
“Hmm…”
Seeking refuge in Tian Bei City was not free. Upon entry, people would be assigned to various tasks within the city as forced laborers. For instance, the demonic cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage outside would generally be assigned to gardening, and if a woman had some good looks, she might even be sent to serve the powerful figures within the city as a maidservant…
As a Nascent Soul cultivator like himself, his treatment would naturally be different.
If he were lucky, he might be assigned a hundred or so subordinates, or perhaps he could affiliate himself with the Gong family of Tian Bei City and be treated as an honored guest.
This person was likely going to summon a Nascent Soul cultivator from within the city…
Watching the person quickly run out of the room, Ye Anping finally spoke to instruct them:
“Agu, Senior Sister Feng, it’s the same as usual, pretend to be my cauldrons.”
Gu Ming Xin pouted and jokingly said:
“Pretending is boring… How about we…”
“Stop.”
Ye Anping completely ignored her. Just then, the room door was pushed open from the outside.
A man with a pitch-black spirit sword hanging from his waist entered the room with his hands behind his back. Upon seeing Ye Anping and the others, his gaze lingered on each of them for a moment before he cupped his hands and said:
“Fellow Daoist Liang, I am Gong Yimo, the Young Master of Tian Bei City.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Anping quickly stood up, turned to face him, and returned the salute:
“Liang Da Liu, I have long heard of Young Master Gong’s name.”
While greeting him, Ye Anping’s gaze swept over Gong Yimo’s clothing and waist accessories. He noticed that Gong Yimo possessed several magical artifacts that should have been scattered throughout the Eastern Domain, and a hint of vigilance appeared in his eyes.
Gong Yimo smiled faintly and said:
“Most of those who come to Tian Bei City now are desperate rogue cultivators seeking refuge. With your Nascent Soul cultivation, Fellow Daoist Liang, I wonder…”
“I am also a rogue cultivator. Now that the immortal families have breached Seven Star Pass, I can no longer live as I did before. Naturally, I must find a place to settle. I just heard of the Gong family of Tian Bei City and wanted to try my luck here. I wonder if Young Master Gong is willing to grant me a place to stay.”
“Fellow Daoist Liang is too kind. Since you are already at the Nascent Soul stage, how can you not find a place to settle? If you are willing to come to Tian Bei City, I, Gong, will certainly welcome you. However… there are many spies from the immortal families around now. If we let in a spy from the immortal families…”
Gong Yimo narrowed his eyes slightly and moved his hand towards the hilt of his sword.
Ye Anping knew this was a test, so he immediately stood with his hands behind his back, gestured backward, and signaled Gu Ming Xin to extend her hand.
Gu Ming Xin looked helpless and stepped forward, placing her hand into Ye Anping’s. She then used a small knife hidden in his sleeve to make a small cut on his palm.
Instantly, Gong Yimo, sensing this aura of blood and killing intent, quickly took half a step back, cupped his hands apologetically, and said:
“That’s enough, that’s enough. Please understand, Fellow Daoist Liang, in this situation, I must be cautious.”
“That’s understandable.”
Ye Anping waved his sleeve to suppress Gu Ming Xin’s murderous aura.
Then, Gong Yimo extended his hand to lead the way, gesturing:
“Fellow Daoist Liang, please follow me into the city. We can chat further elsewhere. As for these two…”
Ye Anping glanced back at the two behind him and said:
“Just companions to relieve boredom on the road…”
“I see…”
Gong Yimo nodded and turned to lead the three of them out of the room.
Ye Anping followed behind him, his gaze warily fixed on the “Scorching Demon” sword at Gong Yimo’s waist. He gradually relaxed, thinking that Gong Yimo, an early Nascent Soul cultivator, despite possessing several Eastern Domain mystic treasures as accessories, didn’t seem like a major threat. He seemed to be exactly as he thought, a demonic cultivator with slightly better luck.
Gong Yimo walked ahead, directly discussing the situation in Tian Bei City with Ye Anping:
“Now that the immortal families have captured Seven Star Pass, their next move will likely be towards Tian Bei City. We are short-handed everywhere. Your timely arrival, Fellow Daoist Liang, has solved an urgent problem for me. I wonder…”
“Sword Cultivator.”
“A sword cultivator, eh… I am also a sword cultivator. Shall we spar later when there’s a chance?”
“I’m just afraid of hurting Young Master Gong. If I injure the young master of the Gong family right after arriving, wouldn’t that be…”
“Heh heh… Fellow Daoist Liang is too modest.” Gong Yimo patted the spirit sword at his waist and said, “I, Gong, am no ordinary Nascent Soul sword cultivator. Among cultivators of the same level who can defeat me in sword arts, perhaps only Young Master Gu of the Tian Mo Sect in the Eastern Domain can do so.”
Ye Anping heard this and glanced at Gu Ming Xin, saying:
“I heard that Young Master Gu has betrayed the Tian Mo Sect? Then isn’t Young Master Gong now the number one sword cultivator in the Eastern Domain?”
“Heh heh… Fellow Daoist Liang really knows how to talk.”
Gong Yimo smiled and sighed, “I dare not claim the first place, but if I claim the first place, no one in the Eastern Domain would dare to claim the second. However, speaking of Young Master Gu, it’s a shame. I wonder what she was thinking. Clearly holding the position of Young Mistress, she betrayed the Tian Mo Sect for an immortal… Could it be that some pretty boy from the immortal realm charmed her?”
Ye Anping fell silent: “…”
Gu Ming Xin, standing beside him, pursed her lips and smiled:
“Perhaps so.”
Gong Yimo glanced back at her, shrugged, and said, “If that’s the case, then she’s truly an ungrateful wretch… I heard that Supreme Judge Yu Yan treated her well, so why did she run off with some pretty boy from the immortal realm?”
Ye Anping was speechless and decided to remain silent.
Just then, there was a sudden “Bang—!”
The noisy pavilion fell silent. All the demonic cultivators within the tower turned their attention towards the person kicking open the door.
The one who kicked open the wooden door of the watchtower was a short figure with golden hair, and behind her were three others.
The moment they saw the short figure, Ye Anping and Feng Yu Die both Held their breath.
Hiss—
Yun Jiujiu?!!
Yun Jiujiu, from I don’t know where, had found a Hehuan Sect uniform and draped it over herself, but seemingly finding the Hehuan Sect uniform too revealing, she had padded several layers inside, making her appearance a bizarre mishmash.
However, it was clear she was like a sheep wearing a wolf’s skin, trying to sneak into a wolf den.
Ye Anping instantly understood that Yun Jiujiu intended to disguise herself as a demonic cultivator to infiltrate the city and gather information.
But…
“Tsk…”
Ye Anping clicked his tongue slightly and quickly signaled Feng Yu Die with his eyes to be ready.
He hadn’t anticipated Yun Jiujiu’s arrival, nor… did he know if Yun Jiujiu was being reckless.
But no matter what, he had to protect her life at all costs.
Feng Yu Die also nodded slightly, preparing her sword. Her gaze shifted to the back of Gong Yimo’s neck, waiting for an opportunity.
The rogue cultivators present, at most at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, were insignificant. The only one who could pose a threat to Yun Jiujiu here was Gong Yimo.
Gong Yimo sensed the vigilance of Ye Anping and the other two, but seemed to have misunderstood. He explained:
“Fellow Daoist Liang, don’t be alarmed. Let that immortal cultivator enter the city; I’ve already given the word.”
?
Ye Anping was somewhat puzzled. Seeing Gong Yimo continue walking forward without turning his head, he quickly followed and, after some thought, asked:
“The golden-haired girl just now was clearly an immortal cultivator… What is the intention of Young Master Gong in doing this?”
“We’ll capture her alive after she enters the city,” Gong Yimo said with a sinister smile. “Fellow Daoist Liang may not know this, but that girl is the second young lady of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect, and today Tian Bei City needs to fight against immortal cultivators. We can’t do without hostages…”
Ye Anping fell silent for a moment and asked:
“Based on what Young Master Gong said, it seems you knew she would come?”
“Naturally. That girl brought three demonic cultivator spies to inquire about demonic cultivator information. I received contact as soon as she left Seven Star Pass. I instructed the three demonic cultivators beside her to advise her and lead her into Tian Bei City.”
“So, she came?”
“Yes. Didn’t you just see it, Fellow Daoist Liang? She tried to sneak in wearing a Hehuan Sect uniform. That uniform was also sent to her by me, Gong.”
“… …”
Ye Anping fell silent, a mixture of emotions appearing on his face. He turned to look at Yun Jiujiu, feeling a slight sense of relief.
He had come for Gong Yimo.
And now, it seemed fortunate that he had come, otherwise Yun Jiujiu would have been in serious trouble.
However, speaking of which…
Ye Anping looked again at the three people who entered with Yun Jiujiu: three… demonic cultivator spies?
What kind of destiny was this Yun Xi having…
… …
