Eternal Sacred King 56 to 60

 Chapter 56: Waiting For Someone

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Next day morning.

The Su family and many Foundation Establishment Cultivators stood on the long street of Ping Yang Town, bidding their farewell.

In the middle of the long street, one man and one lady stood facing each other.

The man was dressed in a green robe, clean and plain, with a handsome appearance, while the lady wore a long pale yellow dress that reached the ground. Her black hair cascaded down her back. Her complexion was flawless, there was a touch of melancholy in her sparkling eyes.

“Zimo, are you really not leaving with me? Even if you can’t join Azure Frost Sect, given your capabilities, you will have great achievements at Great Zhou,” Ji Yaoxue said softly.

“No.”

Su Zimo smiled, “I am used to leading an unbridled life. I am unaccustomed to the rules and regulations of the palace.”

“Zimo, are you interested in joining the Ethereal Peak?” Ji Yaoxue was smart, she could vaguely sense that Su Zimo was deliberately keeping a distance from her.

“Mmm?” There was surprise in Su Zimo’s eyes, but he did not respond.

Ji Yaoxue continued. “It is more difficult to join Ethereal Peak than other clans. There are many tests to pass. The testing of the spirit root is only one of them. I heard that many high-level Qi Refinement Warriors could not join the Ethereal Peak, you...”

Su Zimo sighed in his heart at the look of concern in Ji Yaoxue’s eyes.

He knew that Ji Yaoxue was being genuinely good to him. Perhaps it was to return his kindness or for some other reason.

But no matter what, he could not leave with Ji Yaoxue.

Although Dai Xu had concealed his intentions well, he could not hide from Su Zimo’s spirit perception.

The man had murderous intent toward him!

It was alright if it was Dai Xu who wanted to kill him, however, if it was the Emperor of Great Zhou who wanted him dead, this was bad news to Su Zimo as well as the Su family.

The imperial edict might seem like a reward, however, the Emperor was giving them a warning as well.

Since the Emperor of Great Zhou could crown Su Hong as king, he could easily annihilate the Su family as well.

The Emperor’s power was vast and mighty and one could not predict his next movement or intention.

Die Yue might have been ruthless when she sent Su Zimo to the Cang Lang Mountain Range, but she was teaching him at the same time that regardless of whether it was the mortal world or the cultivation world, it was no different from the Cang Lang Mountain Range, where the strong ruled over the weak, and that was the only way to survive!

One had to be able to survive Cang Lang Mountain Range in order to be able to venture into the cultivation world!

If one was not powerful enough, one could only be passive and be powerless when others preyed on them.

“Zimo, what plans do you have?” Ji Yaoxue continued to ask.

Su Zimo replied. “To travel a thousand miles beats reading a thousand books. I might embark upon an adventure.”

Su Zimo paused briefly before he bowed to Ji Yaoxue, cupping his fists. “Miss Ji, let’s bid farewell today, please take care.”

Ji Yaoxue looked dismayed upon hearing that Su Zimo addressed her as “Miss Ji”. After a brief silence, she nodded. “Young Master Su, take care as well.”

Ji Yaoxue boarded the carriage and the bead curtain dropped to cover her from view. The two of them seemed to be thrown into two different worlds, and they might not be able to see each other again.

Su Xiaoning sat on the carriage and looked outside, tears falling down her cheeks. Ji Yaoxue sighed softly as she took Su Xiaoning into her embrace, saying softly, “Let’s go.”

The carriage flew up into the air and more than a thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators maneuvered their swords and followed behind, surrounding the carriage to protect the Princess. They disappeared from the sky of Ping Yang Town in no time.

At the end of the procession, one of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators came up to Dai Xu and asked softly, “Leader Dai, do we still need to kill Su Zimo?”

“No need. At least he is tactful, he did not reach out for a yard after taking an inch.”

Dai Xu sneered. “He is just a mere mortal. He is but a frog in a well. Just let nature run its own course.”

In the carriage.

Su Xiaoning seemed to be overly upset. She collapsed in Ji Yaoxue’s embrace and fell into a deep sleep. The tears at the corner of her eyes were still evident.

Ji Yaoxue gazed at the bead curtain, looking forlorn. She frowned slightly, sorrow etched in her features, looking pitiful.

“Princess, don’t be sad over that man, it’s not worth it,” Dai Xu said softly outside the carriage.

Ji Yaoxue did not seem to have heard him.

Dai Xu continued. “Princess, you are of noble birth and you are from the royal family. He is just a nobody. He is not worthy of you.”

Ji Yaoxue frowned. She checked on Su Xiaoning who was deep asleep in her embrace before she turned her head and said softly, “If he is a nobody, then what about you? You don’t have to care about my business. You are not qualified!”

Ji Yaoxue was harsh but she kept her volume down so as not to wake Su Xiaoning up.

“Princess, don’t blame me for being meddlesome. You will definitely be a Golden Core in the future and you will have a lifespan of 500 years. While he is just a mortal and his lifespan is only about 100 years. It is not practical to choose him as your Dao partner.” Dai Xu continued.

Ji Yaoxue’s expression darkened, asking all of a sudden. “Did my father say anything to you?”

“No-nothing.” Dai Xu paused momentarily before he quickly denied.

Ji Yaoxue clenched her fists in silence, saying in a cold voice, “Dai Xu, let me warn you, don’t you dare to do anything to Su Zimo or the Su family!”

Dai Xu’s expression hardened, but he remained silent.

After a brief silence, Ji Yaoxue sighed softly, feeling upset. “100 years will pass by in the blink of an eye. I am afraid that I will never have the chance to see him again.”

Upon hearing this, Dai Xu breathed a sigh of relief, finally putting his heart at rest.

Ji Yaoxue had finally realized that if she and Su Zimo were on close terms, it would not be helpful to Su Zimo, instead it would bring disaster to him.

Ji Yaoxue looked forlorn, she did not notice that Su Xiaoning who was in her embrace batted her eyelashes but did not open her eyes.

...

Ping Yang Town.

Su Hong and others were about to return to the capital with the army of the Country of Yan.

“Zimo, why don’t you stay in the capital with me for a period of time?”

Now that Su Hong was going to the capital, he would not be returning to Ping Yang Town anytime soon. He was worried at leaving Su Zimo behind by himself.

“Brother, you should go now. I will stay in Ping Yang Town for a while before I embark upon an adventure. You don’t have to worry about me,” Su Zimo said.

Su Hong frowned. “There is no one at the Su family’s residence and we don’t have any acquaintances in Ping Yang Town. You are by yourself...”

“I am not alone.” Su Zimo smiled.

“Mmm?” Su Hong was surprised.

Su Zimo did not explain. Instead he gave Su Hong a pound on the chest, smiling. “You should hurry to the capital now. There is no need to worry about me. If there’s a chance, I will go to the capital to visit all of you.”

“Alright, we will leave now.”

Su Hong mounted the horse and nodded towards Su Zimo. Under the protection of the Country of Yan’s army. Su Hong and the others of the Su family left for the capital, galloping away.

The cold wind howled. Su Zimo walked on the empty long street amidst the wind and snow, looking lonely and desolate from the back.

Xiaoning had left, so had Su Hong.

Everyone seemed to have left him within a day.

When Su Zimo reached his own mansion and he pushed the door open, the wind and snow seemed to have stopped and he could feel a sense of warmth rushing toward him.

There seemed to be a lady in a bloody red robe standing under the peach blossom tree. It seemed real and yet ethereal, as she turned to smile at him.

Su Zimo was not alone and he did not feel lonely.

When he came back to his mansion, it was as if Die Yue was by his side, watching him cultivate as usual, kicking and beating him occasionally.

Su Zimo smiled and closed the door.

Su Zimo had no intention of leaving Ping Yang Town right away.

He was waiting.

He was waiting for someone.

Just like that night one and a half years ago...

Chapter 57: The Wine To Send Him On His Way

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Winter had passed and spring was here.

Two years ago, Perfected Cang Lang inadvertently passed by Ping Yang Town and brought two people away with him, and that directly or indirectly changed the fate of many people.

Zhou Dingyun was one of them.

During the two years of cultivation in Iridescent Clouds Palace, Zhou Dingyun often thought to himself that without Perfected Cang Lang, he would still be at the prison in Ping Yang Town, munching on the cold buns, drinking the icy water, trying hard to please the prison guards.

But right now, Zhou Dingyun was a Qi Refinement Warrior, he was a disciple of Iridescent Clouds Palace!

Although he was an outer sect disciple, whenever Zhou Dingyun went to the mortal world, he would be respected and envied by the surrounding mortals.

He could decide the life and death of every mortal.

Although he was an outer sect disciple, he wore the Taoist robe of Iridescent Clouds Palace. The cultivators from the small clans might have higher cultivation base, but they would show respect for him whenever they saw him.

Zhou Dingyun enjoyed this feeling very much.

However, that was not enough.

Whenever Zhou Dingyun enjoyed the glory of being a Qi Refinement Warrior, a scene would flash through his mind automatically.

There was no moon that night. He knelt in front of a green-robed scholar, tears on his face as he begged for mercy.

This scene felt like a thorn that was stuck deeply in Zhou Dingyun’s throat. It had become increasingly intolerable and uncomfortable over the past two years!

The higher Zhou Dingyun’s realm was, the more he could not forget the scene.

No matter what achievements he had accomplished, it could not erase what happened that night, as well as the shame that the scholar brought him!

After cultivation, Zhou Dingyun knew very well that if he did not remove this thorn, it would become his mental demons in the future.

The solution was simple. He would return to Ping Yang Town to kill the scholar and annihilate his entire family clan!

And right now, the time had come.

Zhou Dingyun had the earth spirit root. He managed to reach Level 8 Qi Condensation within two years. His speed of cultivation was ranked the top few among other cultivators in his sect.

Of course, Shen Mengqi who joined the sect with him had heaven spirit root. She had reached Perfected Qi Condensation and was only one step to breaking through Foundation Establishment realm.

“There is definitely no way to defeat Senior Martial Sister Shen. But Level 8 Qi Condensation is enough. Hehe, I suppose there is no Qi Refinement Warrior in the entire Ping Yang Town.”

Seeing that Ping Yang Town was right before him, Zhou Dingyun could feel his blood boiling. He could not help but laugh.

In the eyes of the normal folks, there was nothing more proud and happy than a glorious homecoming.

And right now, Zhou Dingyun had done even better than a glorious homecoming by coming back as a Qi Refinement Warrior!

Zhou Dingyun was here not only to annihilate the Su family, but also to make Su Zimo kneel in front of him and to torture him viciously, as well as to reduce the prison of Ping Yang Town to rubble, killing all the prison guards that used to humiliate him.

“By the way, Su Zimo’s younger sister has good looks. I cannot kill her. Haha.” Zhou Dingyun smiled with a lecherous grin.

By the time Zhou Dingyun reached Ping Yang Town, it was already midnight.

It was a dark and gusty night, it was no different from that night two years ago.

There was no one on the empty street. Zhou Dingyun maneuvered his flying sword to reach Su Zimo’s mansion.

Zhou Dingyun felt deeply about the familiar mansion.

Two years ago, when he was here to assassinate Su Zimo, he had to climb over the wall carefully to get into the mansion. Right now, he could be open about going into the mansion!

To put it more accurately, he could fly into the mansion.

He wondered how Su Zimo would react when he saw him execute Sword Kinesis Flight.

Would he be scared stiff?

Would he kneel down right away, kowtowing to him, begging him for mercy?

Zhou Dingyun was full of anticipation.

Zhou Dingyun came to the courtyard and looked around.

It was no different from how it was two years ago. It was the beginning of spring. The peach blossom tree at the courtyard looked the same. The flowers had blossomed and the petals had fallen to the ground.

The only change was that there were a sanguine bow and a long saber on the stone table under the peach blossom tree.

There was a squeaking sound.

The door to one of the rooms in the courtyard opened and out came a green-robed scholar.

The green-robed scholar carried a jar of wine, looked calm and composed. He went to the stone table in the courtyard and took a seat casually, pouring two bowls of wine. He looked at Zhou Dingyun who was in mid-air as he said calmly, “Come down, I will treat you to a drink.”

Zhou Dingyun was stunned.

He had thought of all kinds of possibilities when they met, but the scene in front of him was totally beyond his expectation.

There was no shock?

There was no fear?

There was no pleading for mercy?

There was nothing at all!

The green-robed scholar looked calm and indifferent, making Zhou Dingyun even more eager to kill him.

“What’s with the pretense?”

Zhou Dingyun sneered. He had done a check on Su Zimo, he had no spirit qi.

This meant that two years had passed and Su Zimo was still a mortal!

Zhou Dingyun was fearless as he descended into the courtyard, coming up to the stone table, asking all of a sudden, “You seem to have known all along that I will be back, is that so?”

“Yes.” Su Zimo nodded. “When I let you off two years ago, I knew that you would return.”

“Haha, scholars are indeed smart.”

Zhou Dingyun broke out into laughter, there was mockery in his eyes, but he changed his tone right then. “However, your so-called wits seem childish to me.”

Zhou Dingyun had been observing Su Zimo. He was hoping to sense something from his expression.

But Zhou Dingyun was disappointed.

Su Zimo looked at him calmly. His eyes were clear, and there was not even the slightest bit of fluctuation in his mood.

Zhou Dingyun smiled dryly. “Fate is so amazing. No one would have imagined that the ruffian from Ping Yang Town two years ago would become a Qi Refinement Warrior and underwent such huge changes. Oh, by the way, do you know what is a Qi Refinement Warrior?”

Zhou Dingyun looked at Su Zimo with provocation in his eyes.

Su Zimo sighed softly with emotion as he nodded. “Yes, the changes are tremendous.”

“Do you know why I chose this time to come back?” Zhou Dingyun asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Why?”

“Two years ago, right here, at a night like this during the same season... it’s the two of us as well, but...”

Zhou Dingyun no longer hid his murderous intent in his eyes, as he said coldly, “The outcome tonight will be vastly different from that night two years!”

Su Zimo smiled and suddenly pushed the wine bowl toward Zhou Dingyun. He nodded and said, “Take a drink.”

“Mmm?”

Zhou Dingyun was on alert. He could not understand why Su Zimo was so calm and composed.

At the sight of the bowl of wine in front of him, a thought flashed in Zhou Dingyun’s mind. He could not help but sneer. “Second Young Master Su, I suppose there is something about the wine?”

“So this is what you are counting on! Hehe, it’s a pity that I have seen through it.”

Zhou Dingyun thought that Su Zimo had poisoned the wine and was in a hurry for him to drink the wine.

“There is nothing with the wine. But there is indeed something with the name of the wine.” Su Zimo shook his head.

“What is it?” Zhou Dingyun asked automatically.

“This the wine to send you on your way.”

Su Zimo raised his head to look at Zhou Dingyun, as he said calmly, “After drinking this bowl of wine, I will send you on your way.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Dingyun could feel the chills on his back. The glance that Su Zimo gave him reminded him of that night two years ago!

Chapter 58: Pierced Through The Heart By Countless Arrows

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Zhou Dingyun seemed to have gotten a big shock. He jumped up, retreated a few steps, reaching his palm toward the storage bag at his waist. He narrowed his eyes and looked solemn.

“Calm down, calm down!”

Zhou Dingyun assured himself. “I am a Level 8 Qi Refinement Warrior. I underwent a total transformation and am no longer the same person two years ago. I will never be frightened by a scholar. Su Zimo is a mere mortal, what could he count on?”

“Aren’t you going to drink?”

Su Zimo smiled, shaking his head. “If you don’t drink, you won’t have the chance anymore.”

“You are bluffing!”

Zhou Dingyun gave a loud shout. He slapped his palm on the storage bag, maneuvering a flying sword, shooting out a ray of spirit qi from his fingertip. The flying sword shone brightly.

Inferior-grade spirit weapon.

“Jee!”

Zhou Dingyun had the flying sword in his hand. He calmed himself and pointed forward. Right then, the flying sword turned into a ray of light, reaching Su Zimo within seconds!

Su Zimo did not move a single inch. He seemed like a monk who was in meditation.

The flying sword was right in front of Su Zimo’s glabella. It would pierce into it if it went one inch further. However, Su Zimo maintained his composure, and he did not bat his eyelids at all.

Zhou Dingyun thought that Su Zimo must be scared stiff. He could not help but grin hideously. “Su Zimo, if you kneel down to beg me for mercy, I can consider not killing you.”

“I think you have gotten something very wrong here.”

Su Zimo stretched out his palm, gently holding the flying sword in front of him as he said calmly, “It is the same place, the same season, the same night, and the two of us, but there will not be too much of a difference in the outcome.”

There was a look of malice in Zhou Dingyun’s eyes, as he saw how Su Zimo used his palm to grab hold of the sharp inferior-grade spirit weapon.

What a fool!

Su Zimo continued. “If there are any changes, it would be that two years ago I let you off, but today, you won’t be able to leave.”

“Damn, how dare you speak conceited nonsense. I will maim one of your palms first!”

Zhou Dingyun yelled, ruthlessness in his eyes. He maneuvered the flying sword, exerting force for it to spin!

In the meantime, Su Zimo’s palm wrapped and hit the sword.

Pa!

There was a sound as loud as thunder. Zhou Dingyun was given a shock.

It was not the flying flesh and spurting blood that he was expecting.

Instead, Su Zimo’s palm was intact!

Zhou Dingyun was even more surprised that he had lost control of the flying sword!

How could this be?

The next moment, Zhou Dingyun turned from shock to aghast at the sight that he witnessed.

Su Zimo spread his palm and the flying sword lay quietly on his palm. It was covered with cracks.

Su Zimo released his hand and the inferior-grade spirit weapon turned into fragments, scattering onto the ground.

An inferior-grade spirit weapon was deemed useless!

Zhou Dingyun stared at Su Zimo whose eyes had gradually turned cold. His heart sank deeply to the bottom as well.

He finally realized that two years had passed and he had become a Level 8 Qi Refinement Warrior, but Second Young Master Su who was in front of him was no longer the frail scholar back then!

He suddenly realized that when Su Zimo said that everything had changed tremendously just now, Su Zimo was not referring to him but to Su Zimo himself!

The bowl of wine on the round table was really meant to send him on his way!

But Zhou Dingyun still could not figure out why Su Zimo could shatter his inferior-grade spirit weapon with his blood and flesh.

Zhou Dingyun did not wish to find out the reason.

Right now, his only thought was to leave this place and try his best to steer clear of Su Zimo!

Zhou Dingyun took out a flying sword from his storage bag. This was a pseudo spirit weapon.

It was already unimaginable for outer sect disciples to receive inferior-grade spirit weapons in Iridescent Clouds Palace. However, it had been shattered by Su Zimo’s palm.

Zhou Dingyun stepped onto the flying sword, rose into the air and flew out of the mansion.

Before he left, Zhou Dingyun could not help but look back.

Su Zimo was not in a hurry to get up. He drank the bowl of strong wine on the stone table unhurriedly before he stood up, tied the long saber to his waist, carried the quiver on his back and took the sanguine bow in his hands.

Zhou Dingyun swallowed his saliva, feeling nervous. He turned and used all his energy to maneuver the flying sword, speeding toward the far distance.

The wind howled in his ears. Zhou Dingyun could not help but shiver as the wind blew at him. He did not know since when he broke out in cold sweats.

Zhou Dingyun left Ping Yang Town in no time.

The Cang Lang Mountain Range was not far in the distance. It was pitch dark and he could vaguely hear growling sounds made by the spirit beasts.

Zhou Dingyun let out a long breath, putting his heart at rest.

Right then, Zhou Dingyun heard a cold voice coming from behind him!

“Do you still remember the vow you made on that night two years ago when you knelt down to beg for mercy?”

Zhou Dingyun was terror-stricken upon hearing this. He almost lost control of the flying sword, causing him to lose his balance and almost fall off from mid-air.

Su Zimo!

This was Su Zimo’s voice!

How was that possible?

How did he manage to catch up?

Zhou Dingyun’s face was as white as a sheet, breaking out in cold sweats. He tried all his best to maneuver the flying sword to speed forward while he looked backward.

Su Zimo was right behind him. He looked calm, as if he was just casually walking. However, every stride that he took was as far as 20 to 30 feet!

“He... he is not using his full force!”

At the thought of this, Zhou Dingyun seemed to have descended into an icehouse, he felt chills all over his body.

Su Zimo’s voice was heard again. “On that night two years ago, you swore that even if you were lucky enough to join the immortal sect, you would never seek revenge on me. If not, you will suffer a painful death where countless of arrows pierced through your heart.”

“Well... since that was the case, you will get what you wished for.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Dingyun finally understood what the sanguine bow on the round table was meant for.

“Don’t!”

Zhou Dingyun turned around quickly. He had just uttered a word and he was shrouded by a black shadow in front of him.

Whoo-hoo-hoo!

Dozens of arrows pierced through the air one after another!

Poof!

Zhou Dingyun felt pain in his chest. It was as if he had lost something in his body. He felt weak all over and he dropped from mid-air.

Zhou Dingyun made a loud thumping sound as he flopped down onto the ground. He was covered with mud and the ground that he lay on had turned blood-red.

“Ee...”

Zhou Dingyun lowered his head to look at his chest.

It was a bloody mess. There was a bloody hollow as large as a bowl on his chest. His heart was pierced through and shot away by dozens of sharp arrows.

Pierced through the heart by countless arrows!

Everything seemed to be fated and predestined.

There was a breeze in the air. Zhou Dingyun could see a corner of the fluttering green robe in front of him.

Zhou Dingyun lay on the ground, looking up at Su Zimo who stood in front of him. There was a strange smile on his face, as he spoke, but his words were indistinct. “I, I am Iridescent Clouds... Palace, since you, you killed me, you won’t be able to escape. One... day, Perfected Cang Lang... will come looking for you...”

Su Zimo squatted down and smiled. “I will go look for him before that day comes. You will be the first to go, Perfected Cang Lang will be next in line!”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Dingyun’s head dropped to a side, as he took his last breath.

Su Zimo pulled the storage bag from Zhou Dingyun’s waist and kept it. He then grabbed his corpse, took a few steps forward before he threw it directly into Cang Lang Mountain Range.

It would not take a day before Zhou Dingyun’s corpse was devoured by the spirit beasts.

This was getting rid of the corpse to destroy the evidence of one’s crime.

No one would know what happened tonight.

Chapter 59: The Foggy Test

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The reason why Su Zimo did not leave Ping Yang Town immediately was to wait for Zhou Dingyun.

If Zhou Dingyun was to return to Ping Yang Town and he could not find Su Zimo, he would definitely target the Su family instead.

The imperial edict might be a deterrence to the states, but it might not be useful to Qi Refinement Warriors. Moreover, he was the disciple of Iridescent Clouds Palace, which was one of the five main clans.

Unless Zhou Dingyun died, Su Zimo could not leave in peace.

As what Su Zimo had said to Zhou Dingyun, from the moment he let him off, he knew that Zhou Dingyun would be back.

It was just that Su Zimo did not know when Zhou Dingyun would be back.

But he was willing to wait. Perhaps it was because he could not ease his concern because of Zhou Dingyun, or that he had a sense of nostalgia and attachment to the mansion, the cultivation field and the particular someone.

He had waited for half a year.

During the past half a year, Su Zimo was not in a hurry to cultivate the fourth section, Marrow Cleansing of The Mystic Classic of the Twelve Demon Kings of the Great Wilderness. Instead he continued to cultivate the first three sections namely, Body Tempering, Tendons Transformation and Bones Strengthening, to strengthen his body and to refine the essence in his body that was sealed by the Scarlet Flame Fruit.

Su Zimo had moved on to another realm, he had almost reached phenomenal success for the first three sections.

In his spare time, Su Zimo would also practice archery in the cultivation field.

It was due to his hard work in practicing archery in the past half a year that he was able to shoot dozens of arrows accurately at where the heart was.

Now that he had killed Zhou Dingyun, Su Zimo no longer had any reason to stay at Ping Yang Town. Unexpectedly, he felt an unexplainable sense of loss.

Su Zimo went back to the mansion. He stood at the door, watching the peach blossom tree not far away. His eyes were blurred, and he stood there for a long time.

The dark clouds seemed to have dispersed, and the moonlight was clear as water. The petals of the peach blossoms fell off the tree. It was like that night two years ago, however the lady was no longer around.

Su Zimo recalled a poem that he once read. “Last year in this villa on the same day, On blushed face the fine peach-blossoms portrayed. Today, O You’re gone, my Fair, but where, please? Peach-blossoms are still smiling in Spring breeze!”

When he was young, Su Zimo could not understand the artistic conception of the four-line poem.

And now, Su Zimo was 19 years old. He was no longer young and inexperienced. He could finally understand the sense of sadness that one felt when things had remained the same, but people had changed.

Su Zimo would never be able to forget that it was that night when he was at his lowest, feeling frustrated, lost and helpless, when a lady stood among the falling peach blossoms and brought him into the cultivation world.

Su Zimo smiled. He stretched out his hands and closed the door to his mansion slowly.

Now that he closed the door, Su Zimo was shutting the mansion and the very precious memory that he held dear to him, to a close as well.

Only when he reunited with that person would he open the door to this memory.

Su Zimo looked forward to that day.

After a long time, the sky gradually brightened. Su Zimo took a deep breath, his eyes clearing up. He took out a map made of animal skin from his clothes and looked carefully at it, taking big strides towards a certain direction.

A ray of light broke through the dark clouds in the sky behind him.

The morning sun rose from the eastern horizon.

A new day had begun.

...

In the southwest region of the Great Zhou dynasty, there was a place in the vicinity that was very famous.

There would be dense fog all year round. If one watched from afar, it was as if it was enveloped by countless unpredictable clouds. It was ethereal and it did not seem like the mortal world.

Curious men and women once went into the fog to find out what it was, but they would always end up in the same place that they started out.

In the course of time, all the nearby villagers knew that this was the place where immortals resided and mortals were forbidden entry.

Every year, there would be a few days whereby the villagers could vaguely see a mountain peak within the thick fog. It towered into the clouds, looking majestic and grandiose.

During these few days, the nearby villagers would kneel down in the direction of the mountain peaks, praying for favorable weather and good health.

This day, a green-robed scholar came to their village.

It was not really accurate to call him a scholar.

The man looked handsome, however there was a long saber at his waist and a sanguine bow at his back. His outfit was quite odd.

The green-robed scholar was none other than Su Zimo who had left Ping Yang Town.

Ji Yaoxue was correct. Su Zimo had indeed thought of joining the Ethereal Peak.

On one hand, since even Ji Yaoxue found that the Ethereal Peak was mysterious, it must be extraordinary.

On the other hand, since the Ethereal Peak was the closest to the Country of Yan, if anything happened, Su Zimo would be able to rush back as soon as possible.

It was just that on the map, it only marked the approximate location of the Ethereal Peak. Once Su Zimo reached the place, he was enveloped by thick fog and he could not find its exact location.

Su Zimo had walked for a day and he always ended up at the same spot. He was clueless.

Su Zimo could not see clearly in the thick fog. The visibility was low. Given his eyesight, he could only see ten meters away.

The place seemed like a maze. He kept walking in circles in the thick fog, but he could not find the exit.

“Weird.”

Su Zimo was back to the original spot again. He stared at the fog in the distance as he brooded.

Ji Yaoxue once told him that if one wanted to join the Ethereal Peak, it was far more difficult than joining other sects. Other than having a high grade spirit root, there were many tests to pass. Many high-level Qi Refinement Warriors could not join the Ethereal Peak as well.

However, this was exactly what made the Ethereal Peak so attractive to Su Zimo.

If it was like the Iridescent Clouds Palace where they only took in disciples based on the different grades of spirit root, Su Zimo felt that this kind of sect had nothing special at all.

“I guess I have to put in some effort to join the Ethereal Peak.”

Su Zimo vaguely guessed that the thick fog in front of him might be the first test that he had to go through in order to join the Ethereal Peak.

If he could not pass this test, he would not be able to see the Ethereal Peak, let alone join the clan.

Seeing that it was getting late now, Su Zimo decided to find a place to rest for the night and to think of ways to get through the maze before he decided what to do tomorrow morning.

The thick fog in front of him must be there for a reason. It was useless to barge around without a plan.

Not far away was a small village. A woman was preparing dinner while a strong man was chopping some wood. A hunter carried his prey on his way home, and two elders squatted at the entrance of the village, a table right in front of them, playing chess on the chessboard. Children from the village were playing and running about.

This was a happy and pleasant scene.

Su Zimo could feel a sense of warmth at this scene. There was a smile on his face as he took quick steps toward the village.

“Grandpa, I am Su Zimo, from the Country of Yan. I don’t have a place to stay for the night. Can I stay at your place for a night?” Su Zimo reached the entrance of the village, making a bow as he asked the two elders who were playing chess.

The two elders did not seem to have heard him. They were engrossed in the game and they could not be distracted.

Su Zimo coughed softly and repeated his question.

The two elders still did not reply to him. They each held a chess piece, as they stared intently at the chessboard. They would make a move occasionally, looking very serious.

Su Zimo felt awkward.

Since the two elders did not respond, it would be rude if Su Zimo rashly entered the village.

Su Zimo smiled and turned to leave.

Given his abilities, he could sleep in the open. It would not be a problem to him.

The reason why he wanted to stay for a night in the village was because Su Zimo could feel a sense of warmth that he had not felt for ages.

Just when Su Zimo was about to leave, his eyes inadvertently rested on the chessboard of the two elders and he stopped in his tracks.

This was an intense game. The two parties were in a stalemate. Even the slightest mistake in every move might cost them the game.

Since Su Zimo had nothing else to do, he decided to watch them finish the game before he left. Therefore he stood by the side to watch them as they played.

Fast Passes and Coins which were spent between 14 Jan–14 Feb 2020 will be refunded beginning 15 Feb 2020, taking 7 working days to be deposited.

A new round of Trial Read selections will begin on 15 Feb 2020. From 15 Feb 2020, Coins spent on books that aren’t selected will be refunded within 30 days. However, Fast Passes will not be refunded.

The selected book will have a mark on the corner of the book cover in 30 days to indicate continuation.

Thank you for your understanding.

Chapter 60: Breaking Through The Fog

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After a long while, the game ended.

The elder who was defeated waved his hands, disinterested, mumbling to himself. “I don’t feel good today. I will let you win today, let’s play another game tomorrow.”

The elder placed his hands behind his back, with his palms facing upward, walking leisurely back to the village.

The remaining elder had rosy cheeks and looked energetic. He picked up the chessboard, while looking at Su Zimo, smiling as he said, “There are very few young men who are as composed as you. Let’s go, follow me to the village.”

“Thank you, grandpa.”

Su Zimo smiled, expressed his gratitude and followed the elder into the village.

On the way, Su Zimo passed by several villagers. They gave him a glance before returning to whatever they were doing. They did not find it odd, they seemed to have become inured to the unusual.

“There is no extra room here. Young man, are you okay with sleeping in the woodshed?” The elder asked.

“I am okay with that.” Su Zimo smiled as he answered.

The sky had darkened and most of the villagers had yet to turn in for the night. The elders who had their dinner took leisurely strolls in the village, while the women did their needlework, mending clothes.

They led a down-to-earth, simple, and peaceful life.

This seemed to be a hidden land of peace and prosperity. There were no bloody fights, instead everyone seemed to carry a content smile on their faces.

Su Zimo sat down at the entrance of the woodshed, watching the scene quietly. He emptied his mind of all thoughts and the fatigue he felt on the journey seemed to have lightened tremendously.

The sky gradually darkened. The moon was bright and there were few stars.

The elderly, the women and the men had returned to their rooms to rest, except for some energetic and bubbly children who were still playing around on the street, refusing to go home to sleep.

Su Zimo stood up, returned to the woodshed and closed the door getting ready to sleep.

Just then, he heard the bright and sweet voice of a young child coming from the village.

“Where shall one find the traces of the immortal? Looking far into the distance of the Ethereal Peak, it was deep in the mountains where the thick clouds were.”

“Mmm?”

Su Zimo had an idea. He turned, pushed the door open and went in the direction of the voice.

Not far away, was a seven or eight-year-old child. The child smiled and jumped, moving in his direction.

Su Zimo thought for a while before he walked forward. He squatted and asked with a smile on his face, “Young child, you were saying something just now. Whom did you hear it from?”

“Who said it?”

The child bent their head to the side and blinked, looking confused. “I have no idea. But all of us know it.”

“Is it just a nursery rhyme?” Su Zimo mused.

“Big brother, are you interested in immortal cultivation?” The child continued to ask.

“Yes.” Su Zimo nodded and smiled. “How do you know?”

There was a flicker of craftiness in the child’s eyes. The child stuck out the tongue. “Every year there will be many people like you. But most of them won’t get to see the immortals. Haha.”

“What should I do to see them?” Su Zimo was interested, feeling like teasing the child.

“I don’t know as well.” The child pouted their lips and shook their head.

Su Zimo smiled faintly. He was just about to stand up to leave when a thought flashed across his mind. He asked the child. “Where shall one find the traces of the immortal? Looking far into the distance of the Ethereal Peak. However, the Ethereal Peak is covered by thick fog. How can one be able to see it?”

“This is easy.”

The child raised the chin feeling proud. “The fog will gradually disperse a few days later. If you stand here, one can vaguely see the mountain peak. However, it will only last for three days. If you miss it, you won’t be able to see it.”

Su Zimo was elated.

As long as he could see the Ethereal Peak, and moved forward in its direction, he would definitely be able to reach the foot of the mountain.

Su Zimo certainly did not think that he only needed to pass through the thick fog to be able to join the Ethereal Peak. This was just the beginning.

Su Zimo stayed in the village for seven days.

On the seventh day, the thick fog gradually dispersed and he could vaguely see a majestic and towering mountain looming in the distant clouds.

Su Zimo bade farewell to everyone in the village and stepped into the thick fog once again.

In the thick fog, all the senses had been dulled and one could not have a good sense of direction. Su Zimo felt that after turning eastward and westward, he seemed to be retracing his steps at times.

As the thick fog gradually dispersed, he could tell the exact location of the peak in the far distance despite being shrouded in fog.

Su Zimo threw caution to the wind and tried to ignore the wrong impression he had because of his senses, moving forward according to the location of the mountain peak.

All of a sudden!

Gurgling sounds could be heard coming from deep in the fog. It was frightening and eerie. It seemed as if spirit beasts were moving about, stepping on the grass.

It was getting closer and closer!

A faint bloody smell wafted over him.

“Mmm?”

Su Zimo squinted and stopped, looking in the direction where the sound came from.

He waited for a long time but he did not see any spirit beast.

It was a strange feeling.

Su Zimo did not sense any danger with his spirit perception.

However, he had indeed heard the sounds made by the spirit beast and detected its aura coming from that direction. Su Zimo spent one year in Cang Lang Mountain Range. The smell was too familiar. He would never be mistaken about it.

“Weird.”

Su Zimo murmured and continued to move forward.

“Roar!”

Soon after, there was a loud tiger growl. It was deafening and it had a formidable aura. It proved that the spirit beast was very powerful. It could even be of the same level as a spirit demon!

Su Zimo frowned.

Logically speaking, if there was a powerful spirit beast or spirit demon in front of him, Su Zimo should be able to sense the danger with his spirit perception.

However, strangely his spirit perception could not detect anything, while his senses kept telling him that there was danger.

In this case, there could only be two possibilities.

The surrounding fog had shrouded Su Zimo’s spirit perception or that it had confused his five senses.

The answer was obvious.

These methods were meant to scare off those who wanted to take the path of immortal cultivation or those who were weak-minded.

The tiger growl and the bloody smell were just methods to deceive people.

After figuring out the purpose of the thick fog, Su Zimo smile and ignored all the sounds that he heard from the surroundings, walking deeper into the fog without any care.

Nevertheless, it was a brilliant move to make use of the thick fog to confuse one’s senses.

If Su Zimo did not have spirit perception, he would be trembling in fear and taking careful steps along the way.

Su Zimo gradually sped up and he walked out of the thick fog in no time. Everything became clear in front of him.

As far as the eyes could see, there were verdant and lush vegetation, clear waters and green hills. It was full of vitality. He felt as if he was in the immortal world.

There was a stone gate not too far away.

At the back of the stone gate was a mountain road that was paved with green stones. The path winded around the mountain and led all the way to the deep, dark end of the fog.

On the two sides of the stone gate stood two young smart-looking children who cultivated Dao. One of them was plump while the other was thin.

At the sight of Su Zimo, the plump child smiled and nodded. “Young Master, you are the first to reach. Please wait here. We will only open the gate and accept disciples three days later.”

Su Zimo was not in a hurry. He waited by the side silently.

Many people kept coming out from the fog. Most of them were mortals who had not been cultivating. They looked pale and beads of perspiration could be seen on their forehead. It seemed that they were scared stiff during the journey.

Some of them were Qi Refinement Warriors who maneuvered flying swords to break out of the fog. They breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the stone gate.

A few Qi Refinement Warriors swept their gaze over Su Zimo. They relaxed slightly upon knowing that he had no spirit qi.

Some Qi Refinement Warriors took a glance at the bow and saber that Su Zimo had with him and sneered. They could not help but smirk.

There were people from all walks of life.

Three days passed in no time.

Fast Passes and Coins which were spent between 14 Jan–14 Feb 2020 will be refunded beginning 15 Feb 2020, taking 7 working days to be deposited.

A new round of Trial Read selections will begin on 15 Feb 2020. From 15 Feb 2020, Coins spent on books that aren’t selected will be refunded within 30 days. However, Fast Passes will not be refunded.

The selected book will have a mark on the corner of the book cover in 30 days to indicate continuation.

Thank you for your understanding.