Revisiting Old Haunts! Old Matters of the Southern Border!

After Li Xiaoyao left, only Zi Xuan’s heartbroken sobs remained in Nüwa Temple. Listening to her cries, Chu Yang suddenly recalled the first time he had met Zhao Ling’er.

That girl had loved crying too.

The Nüwa Clan’s inheritance in the matter of crying was remarkably stable, just like their spiritual power.

Chu Yang still disliked this sort of melodrama. He interrupted, "Crying can’t solve anything. It only wastes time. Everything that should have happened during the years you were absent from the Nanzhao Kingdom has already happened. Other than making amends, nothing else has any meaning."

Zi Xuan stared at the statue of Nüwa and used a spell to draw the Sacred Relic Pearl from within her body before offering it forward. "Please, Lady Nüwa, take back this Sacred Relic Pearl. Zi Xuan is unworthy of possessing it."

Nüwa did not take back the Sacred Relic Pearl. Instead, she fell completely silent.

Zi Xuan anxiously rose to her feet and called for Nüwa to reveal herself. Like a little girl separated from her mother, she helplessly paced back and forth inside Nüwa Temple.

"Clearly, Lady Nüwa does not approve of the way you intend to make amends."

Chu Yang walked to Zi Xuan’s side and urged her to take back the Sacred Relic Pearl. Yet Zi Xuan continued calling for Nüwa without pause. He shook his head and turned to leave Nüwa Temple.

After reaching a deserted place, Chu Yang entered the Soul Palace.

The moment he entered, Magic Chu Yang smilingly handed the newly upgraded Demon Devouring Gu to Xianxia Chu Yang. "The replication technique for the Demon Devouring Gu has reached perfection. There will no longer be any loss of cultivation, and we’ve even developed an upgraded version of the Demon Devouring Gu!"

Xianxia Chu Yang took the Demon Devouring Gu and examined it curiously. "What does an upgraded Demon Devouring Gu mean?"

Magic Chu Yang explained proudly, "The original Demon Devouring Gu could only devour demons. But the upgraded version works on demons, devils, ghosts, and monsters alike, so long as the target has a physical body."

Xianxia Chu Yang was deeply shaken. Science truly deserved to be called the primary productive force.

"What about the Golden Silkworm Gu?"

Xianxia Chu Yang asked impatiently.

"That thing is much harder to study than the Demon Devouring Gu. Replicating it is extremely difficult, so we may need to prepare ourselves for failure. More importantly, the process from a Golden Silkworm Gu’s birth to maturity is very long. We haven’t yet found a suitable way to speed it up."

Magic Chu Yang looked troubled. They still had far too little information on gu insects. Working behind closed doors would only waste time. To make a substantive breakthrough, they needed to collect more samples or obtain the Miao people’s cultivation methods.

After thinking it over, Xianxia Chu Yang said, "I’m currently at Nüwa Temple in the Nanzhao Kingdom, and Zi Xuan is with me. She should know many kinds of gu insects, so she can help us find some materials."

Magic Chu Yang’s eyes lit up with delight, and he quickly nodded. "That would be best. Get more gu insects for research and learn as much as possible about them from her."

Soon afterward, Xianxia Chu Yang left the Soul Palace with the newly refined upgraded Demon Devouring Gu.

Nüwa Temple.

Zi Xuan stood there in a daze. She had already accepted the fact that Nüwa was unwilling to acknowledge her any longer.

"Rather than wasting time being depressed, Senior Zi Xuan, why not help me with something?"

Zi Xuan turned to look at Chu Yang standing at the entrance and said in a low voice, "You can see what state I’m in now. It isn’t that I don’t want to help you. I truly lack the strength."

Chu Yang smiled and shook his head. "You won’t need to exert yourself. Senior Zi Xuan only needs to take me somewhere."

Zi Xuan looked bewildered.

Some time later, the two arrived at the White Miao Tribe’s settlement. Because the Moon Worship Sect had held absolute power over the Nanzhao Kingdom in recent years, the White Miao Tribe had relocated their entire clan from within the kingdom to the depths of the mountains.

Zi Xuan had returned once when Qing’er passed away, but the previous Holy Aunt had driven her out.

Now that she had returned to this old place, her face was filled with sorrow.

"Why couldn’t Lady Nüwa let Xiaoyao and me return to ten years ago? Then I could have died in Qing’er’s place."

Zi Xuan murmured to herself.

"Fate has its own design. Even if you could return to the past, you probably still couldn’t change what was meant to happen. That is why Lady Nüwa warned Xiaoyao not to try changing anything."

Chu Yang glanced at her before striding into the White Miao Tribe’s settlement.

Over the past dozen or so years, the White Miao Tribe’s population had dwindled drastically. They now had fewer than one-fifth of their peak numbers.

After entering the deep mountains, they had not only needed to fight the fierce beasts of the forests for living space, but also remain constantly vigilant against the Moon Worship Sect.

Chu Yang, dressed in Daoist robes, quickly drew the attention of the White Miao tribespeople.

A group of armed Miao soldiers swiftly surrounded him and Zi Xuan. Their eyes were filled with hostility, as though they would attack the next moment.

"Stop!"

A clear voice, as crisp as a yellow oriole’s song, rang out and halted the Miao soldiers who were preparing to attack. Respect appeared on the faces of the soldiers and nearby White Miao tribespeople, as though the newcomer held great status.

Before long, Chu Yang saw a beautiful woman whose appearance was no less stunning than Zi Xuan’s.

"Holy Aunt!"

Everyone called out in unison.

Ming Yuanqing.

The disciple of the previous Holy Aunt, Puppet Granny, and the biological mother of the next Holy Aunt, A Nu.

The Drunken Sword Immortal’s wife.

What was one supposed to call one’s martial uncle’s wife?

Chu Yang suddenly felt a little troubled.

The moment Ming Yuanqing appeared, she fixed Zi Xuan with an indifferent gaze. She had met this woman when she was very young, and her master had said that she would assist her in the future.

But in the end, it had become Qing’er instead. She had wholeheartedly helped Qing’er become a Witch Queen beloved by the people, yet Qing’er had died.

When she and Qing’er had needed help most, this Descendant of Nüwa, who had lived for centuries, had never appeared.

Instead, after Qing’er suppressed the Water Demon Beast, she had come here to put on a hypocritical display of weeping and wailing.

As Ming Yuanqing sank into her memories, anger gradually appeared on her face.

If Puppet Granny’s feelings toward Zi Xuan were disappointment at her failure to live up to expectations, then Ming Yuanqing’s feelings toward Zi Xuan were pure resentment.

If Zi Xuan had been there back then, if she had not taken away the Sacred Relic Pearl, perhaps the Nanzhao Kingdom would not be in its current state!

"You are a sinner of the Nanzhao Kingdom and the Nüwa Clan. You should not be here. My master made that very clear to you before she died!" Ming Yuanqing pointed outside. "Please leave, and take this friend of yours with you!"

She knew Zi Xuan had left for love, so the way she looked at Chu Yang was just a little off.

Chu Yang immediately glared back!

What a joke!

By the rules of the Jianghu, seducing one’s martial uncle’s wife meant being dunked in a pig cage!

"I am a disciple of Shu Mountain. By chance, I met Zhao Ling’er on Immortal Spirit Island and escorted her all the way to Shu Mountain. Ling’er is now peacefully recuperating and carrying her child in Yuzhou City at the foot of Shu Mountain."

"After so much time, A Nu should have contacted Senior Holy Aunt, shouldn’t she?"

Chu Yang drew a deep breath, forced out a smile, and explained with impeccable courtesy.

Ming Yuanqing’s indifference abruptly vanished, replaced by panic. Her eyes filled with guilt and apology.

She hurriedly signaled for the Miao soldiers around them to withdraw, then crossed the distance to Chu Yang in a few quick steps. In a gentle tone, she asked, "May I ask whether you are Daoist Chu Yang of Shu Mountain or Daoist Xu Changqing?"

Hearing Xu Changqing’s name suddenly come from Ming Yuanqing’s mouth, Zi Xuan could not help falling briefly into a trance.

Chu Yang cupped his hands. "I am Chu Yang of the Shu Mountain Sect. Xu Changqing is my senior brother. I came to the White Miao Tribe today because I have a favor to ask. I hope Senior Holy Aunt can lend me her assistance."

For Chu Yang’s sake, Ming Yuanqing ultimately allowed Zi Xuan to enter the home she had not seen in so long. She brought them both to her house, though her attitude toward Zi Xuan remained cold.

However, she treated Chu Yang as though she were a different person, always appearing warm and kind.

"I must thank Daoist Chu for saving A Nu and Tang Yu. I told A Nu long ago that Moon Worshipper was a dangerous man, but that child is too innocent. She always thought Moon Worshipper was a good person. How could she have known what that monster was truly like!"

When A Nu was mentioned, Ming Yuanqing’s demeanor was no different from that of any ordinary mother.

"Senior Holy Aunt need not worry about A Nu. She and Ling’er are in Yuzhou City. Elder Shi and Tang Yu are protecting them there, and my martial uncle, the Drunken Sword Immortal, is looking after them as well."

"Speaking of my martial uncle, he is quite fond of A Nu. He should have been wandering the world, yet now he stays in Yuzhou City and refuses to go anywhere. The two of them truly are fated."

"I just don’t know why he always sheds tears whenever he is with A Nu."

As Chu Yang vividly described A Nu’s time in Yuzhou City, Ming Yuanqing wore a loving smile. But when she heard the Drunken Sword Immortal’s name, that smile abruptly froze.

Seeing that the timing was right, Chu Yang said no more. Sooner or later, Ming Yuanqing would not be able to resist seeking out the Drunken Sword Immortal.

Or perhaps the Drunken Sword Immortal would eventually be unable to resist confronting Ming Yuanqing.

"Daoist Chu has spoken for so long, yet I have not asked what you need the White Miao Tribe’s help with."

Ming Yuanqing hurriedly changed the subject.

"I am quite interested in the gu insects of the Miao Territory, which is why I came today. But please rest assured, Senior. This will be a fair exchange. I will offer compensation that satisfies you."

Chu Yang took out a jade bottle from his robes and poured out several Blood Bodhi.

"What are you saying, Daoist Chu? The White Miao Tribe owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude. Let alone a few gu insects, as long as it is not a sacred relic of the Nüwa Clan, we can give you anything!"

Ming Yuanqing declared with conviction.

Chu Yang smiled.

Discussing matters with someone sensible was truly a pleasure.

The two spoke for a long time afterward. Chu Yang not only obtained the White Miao Tribe’s methods for raising gu insects, but also acquired many gu insects.

Unfortunately, there was no Golden Silkworm Gu.

According to Ming Yuanqing, Golden Silkworm Gu could not be raised through human effort. They were born by gathering the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, and every gu insect had the potential to evolve into a Golden Silkworm Gu.

No wonder Magic Chu Yang had said replicating the Golden Silkworm Gu was difficult…

It seemed he could only find another path and think of a different method—some ruthless technological solution.

After accomplishing his goal, Chu Yang still left Ming Yuanqing with plenty of Blood Bodhi, using the same excuse he had used when trading the Demon Devouring Gu with Zhao Ling’er.

Ming Yuanqing feared that she might delay Chu Yang’s cultivation, so she could only turn this repayment of kindness into a transaction. However, she left him with a promise.

No matter what it was, as long as Chu Yang needed the White Miao Tribe, they would do everything in their power to help him.

Ming Yuanqing personally escorted Chu Yang outside. Before he departed, she seemed to remember something and softly said, "If Daoist Chu urgently needs Golden Silkworm Gu, you may go to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains south of the Nanzhao Kingdom. There are many gu insects there that are born and raised by nature."

"But remember, you can only operate around the edges of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. Do not venture too deeply inside. The Black Witch Tribe and the Sixty-Three Barbarian Tribes are there. They are fierce, warlike, and extremely dangerous."

"But the most dangerous thing is…"

"Watch your words!"

Before Ming Yuanqing could finish, Zi Xuan rudely interrupted her. It was the first time she had displayed such a forceful attitude before Ming Yuanqing.

It was Chu Yang’s first time hearing that there were Ten Thousand Great Mountains south of the Southern Border. This was clearly not part of the Chinese Paladin setting and must have been woven together from another worldline.

What story involved the Ten Thousand Great Mountains?

The Black Witch Tribe?

Chu Yang suddenly recalled the Black Miao Tribe, which stood in opposition to the White Miao Tribe.

For the first time, a trace of apology appeared on Ming Yuanqing’s face. She nodded to Zi Xuan. "This is the White Miao Tribe’s greatest taboo. I should not have spoken of it."

Zi Xuan sighed. "If Daoist Chu wishes to know, let us find a place with no one around. This matter is not glorious for the Nüwa Clan."

The two immediately left the White Miao Tribe’s settlement. Rather than returning to Nüwa Temple, they sat down in a ruined pavilion thirty li away from it.

"Daoist Chu should know that every generation of Descendants of Nüwa is accompanied by a Holy Aunt. The Nüwa Clan has existed for as many years as the position of Holy Aunt has been passed down."

"The purpose of a Holy Aunt is to help the Descendants of Nüwa mature quickly. But several thousand years ago, there was a Holy Aunt whose talent and ability were unmatched in her era. Even the Descendant of Nüwa of that time was far inferior to her."

"Gradually, that woman became dissatisfied with being merely a Holy Aunt. She sought immortality, comprehended the Great Dao, and wished to forge her own path. There was nothing inherently wrong with that. Everyone has the right to choose."

"But her actions directly caused the split between the White Miao Tribe and the Black Miao Tribe. She led some of the Black Miao people to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains and called themselves the Black Witch Tribe."

"She also stole many treasures from the clan, causing the Nüwa Clan to decline for a very long time. Fortunately, she did not take the three most fundamental treasures: the Heavenly Serpent Cane, the Sacred Relic Cape, and the Sacred Relic Pearl."

"She should never have used an evil art in pursuit of immortality and created a monster founded upon the hostile energy of heaven and earth. So long as it continuously absorbed the hostile energy of its surroundings, it could grow endlessly stronger, much like the Evil Sword Immortal today."

"The only difference was that hostile energy was even easier to produce than evil thoughts, especially in battle."

"One could even say that as long as someone wanted to kill that monster, it could obtain an endless supply of nourishment from that person."

"That woman did not realize her mistake as quickly as the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain had and seal away the Evil Sword Immortal. Instead, she aided evil and helped that monster grow stronger without end."

"Until one day, when she discovered that the monster had become so powerful that even she could no longer control it, she fell into despair."

"She returned to the Miao Territory and hoped to borrow the power of the Descendant of Nüwa to destroy that monster."

"For the sake of all living beings, the Descendant of Nüwa agreed. The two went together to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, but at the critical moment, that woman unexpectedly developed feelings for the monster she had created and showed mercy."

"The operation failed, and the Descendant of Nüwa died as a result. The Black Witch Tribe returned the treasures here, while that woman was overcome with regret and could only seek another way to seal the monster."

"In the end, she used her own flesh and blood as shackles to seal that monster within the Demon Suppression Stone Cave deep in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains."

"That woman was called Linglong, and the monster she created was known by the people of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains as the Beast God."

Only after hearing the end did Chu Yang finally understand what story this was.

Zhu Xian!

Ancient records in Shu Mountain’s Scripture Repository had mentioned the Qingyun Sect, but Chu Yang had never personally seen the Qingyun Sect in the heartland of the Central Plains. He could not find any information about it even after making inquiries.

The same was true for Fenxiang Valley and Tianyin Temple. There were no similar sects anywhere in the Central Plains.

Over time, Chu Yang had assumed it was all a misunderstanding. Yet today, he had heard the story of Linglong and the Beast God from Zi Xuan.

Linglong had actually been a Holy Aunt from several thousand years ago!