Ancient Gods - V1C5
Prologue: Farewell, Fourth Elder
1: A remaining mark
2: The Star Emperor Tower
3: Lingxu's Hostage
4: A Bunch of Hypocrites
5: Uninvited Visitor
6: The Duel
7: Dao of Divine Pills
8: Beauty Pill
9: Mastering Alchemy
10: Xu Xin and Su Fei Are Denied
11: No Meat, No Soup, No Cooking
12: The Extraordinary Tianxuan Realm
13: A Salted Fish Turns over
14: Those Elders Have No Shame
15: The Yangchun Pill
Chapter 5
Uninvited Visitor
The following morning, as soon as Mo Yang exited the Pagoda Tower, he felt an aura drawing near his small courtyard. He frowned slightly and peered through the crack in the door, spotting a figure cautiously eyeing the courtyard from the gate. It was Su Fei.
Mo Yang and Su Fei never interacted much since he arrived at the Lingxu sect. Aside from yesterday's incident, their previous encounters were marked by Mo Yang being on the receiving end of her teasing when they crossed paths. As the Lingxu Sect Master’s daughter, she wielded substantial influence in the Lingxu Sect. With her striking looks, she drew many admirers, and her mischievous spirit only amplified her devilish aura.
Mo Yang frowned; since he had used Su Fei as a hostage the day before, her visit likely wasn’t a good sign. After a brief moment of doubt, he opened the door and stepped outside.
Su Fei, caught off guard, glared at Mo Yang with resentment.
"What brings you here?" Mo Yang asked coldly.
"You worthless Mo Yang! How dare you talk to me like that! Do you think just because you can cultivate now, I won’t be able to handle you anymore?"
Seeing Mo Yang’s uninterested expression only further fueled Su Fei's rage. "You actually had the audacity to hold me hostage yesterday!"
With that, she swiftly pulled a short sword from her sleeve and lunged at Mo Yang, aiming to thrust it into him.
Mo Yang remained still, refusing to back down until the sword tip was inches from him. In that moment, he moved, channeling his True Qi to his palm and clamping down on the shimmering short sword.
The sharp blade was halted by a thin layer of protective True Qi, never actually touching Mo Yang’s skin. Then, with a firm grip, he applied pressure. Amazingly, the sword's edge began to bend, and with a soft 'crack,' the blade shattered completely.
Su Fei froze, a look of shock appearing in her eyes, and she instinctively retreated.
Mo Yang moved forward swiftly like a ghost. Before Su Fei could react, he had already gripped her neck tightly with his right hand. The sharp energy around him felt like a blade pressed against her skin, causing her body to freeze instantly.
He didn’t attack further, but instead fixed his gaze on Su Fei and declared coldly, "I’m not the person I used to be. Others might indulge you, but I won’t. If you try to harm me again, don’t expect mercy!"
Su Fei was momentarily taken aback. The depths of Mo Yang’s eyes seemed endless, sending a shiver through her heart. The intimidating energy radiating from him now felt even stronger than before, filling her with dread.
Before she could regain her composure, Mo Yang released her and turned away, walking into the house. The door slammed shut behind him.
After a brief moment of shock, Su Fei angrily stamped her foot and glared at Mo Yang’s room, exclaiming, "Mo Yang, just you wait! I’ll tell the Grand Elder and my father that you attacked me!"
In a shocking display, she quickly tore several slits in her dress and tousled her long black hair before storming out of the small courtyard.
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Mo Yang paid her no mind. After freshening up, he left the courtyard and made his way down Wood Peak towards the Library Pavilion.
In the Lingxu Sect, disciples were not permitted to enter the Library Pavilion freely, as it housed all the sect's cultivation techniques and secret manuals. Access was restricted to certain times or given as rewards. However, Mo Yang had received special permission from the Lingxu Sect Master the day before, allowing him unrestricted access.
He wasn’t particularly interested in the cultivation techniques or manuals; his focus was on finding ancient texts that might reveal information about the Star Emperor.
The elder overseeing the Library Pavilion kept a close watch on Mo Yang, a look of surprise crossing his face, but he chose to remain silent, merely nodding. Upon entering, Mo Yang climbed the levels until he reached the fifth floor. He had previously learned from the Fourth Elder that the strongest cultivation Techniques, Secret Arts, and valuable ancient texts were all housed on this floor, a place that even the Lingxu Sect's most gifted Prodigy disciples rarely accessed.
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Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Spirit Void Sect's peak, Su Fei rushed in, her eyes swollen from crying. This sight startled the Lingxu Sect Master and several Elders present. Su Fei looked extremely disheveled; her long hair was tangled, her dress was torn in multiple places, and she was missing a shoe, revealing one bare foot.
The Elders in the hall exchanged glances, their expressions shifting dramatically as they connected this incident to something troubling.
"Fei’er, what happened?" the Lingxu Sect Master asked, springing from his seat with a serious expression.
"It’s Mo Yang! He bullied me... wuwu[i]!" Su Fei's voice was filled with anguish as she struggled to catch her breath through her sobs.
The mention of Mo Yang's name stunned the Lingxu Sect Master and the Elders, even causing the Grand Elder to frown slightly. It appeared that the situation wasn’t as serious as it looked, which brought them some relief.
The Sect Master's eyes narrowed as he pressed on, "Are you sure it was Mo Yang?"
Su Fei, wiping her tears and nodding repeatedly as she sobbed, confirmed.
"That scoundrel!" Several Elders erupted in anger.
"Sect Master, this child must be dealt with. To dare commit such an act, he should face immediate punishment!" one Elder declared, his face contorted with rage.
"In just a single day, he has become so bold. Does he think he can act without consequences?"
"It’s no surprise he suddenly changed his mind and stayed yesterday; he’s retaliating against the Lingxu Sect!"
As the Elders continued to voice their outrage, the Grand Elder interjected, saying to Su Fei, "Fei’er, please go rest for now. Don't worry, I will ensure you receive justice!"
Though still tearful, a glimmer of satisfaction appeared in Su Fei's eyes as she nodded and left the hall.
Once she had left, the Grand Elder commented, "This seems to be a false alarm, but we should monitor the situation closely." He continued, "If she hadn't gone to Wood Peak this morning, she wouldn't have encountered Mo Yang. I know my granddaughter; she has a sharp tongue. Yesterday, she experienced a blow to her pride. Moreover, Mo Yang joined the Lingxu Sect as a child, and given his character, he likely wouldn't have acted inappropriately. We all know that Su Fei is a spoiled child."
The Sect Master and the other Elders frowned at this. After some thought, they couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
"Fei’er has always been mischievous and has been spoiled since she was young. Perhaps she sought out trouble with Mo Yang after being held hostage yesterday, and after failing to best him, she orchestrated that scene?" The Sect Master contemplated this and, knowing his daughter's personality well, felt it was very plausible.
Of course, all of this was influenced by the remarkable cultivation Mo Yang had demonstrated. In the past, such a display would have led to one outcome: heavy punishment, even execution.
Afterwards, the Lingxu Sect Master and several Elders exited the main hall. Upon learning from some disciples that Mo Yang had gone to the Library Pavilion, they decided to check on him but remained hidden there.
"He's quite audacious to go straight to the fifth floor, thinking those cultivation techniques are so easy to master!" The Grand Elder’s expression was cold, tinged with mockery, as he recalled how Mo Yang had defied him the previous day, which left a lasting displeasure.
"Do you notice that this young man seems a bit different from yesterday? The faint aura around him appears to have solidified significantly after a night!" The Grand Elder observed silently before speaking, his tone laced with surprise.
"He does seem different. What could have happened to him in just one day?" The Sect Master replied after his careful observation.
The Grand Elder peered into the Library Pavilion and said, "Regarding what Fei’er mentioned, let's not confront him just yet. For now, we should keep an eye on him in secret. Fei’er is already sixteen, after all. If we want to keep Mo Yang in the Lingxu Sect, I believe Fei’er would be a good choice..."
He continued to observe before adding, "Putting aside yesterday's incident, Mo Yang's character, on reflection, isn't bad at all!"
Hearing the Grand Elder, the other Elders were taken aback. They understood the implied meaning behind the Grand Elder's words, but when they glanced at the Lingxu Sect Master, they saw him nodding slightly, causing them to hold back the comments they had wanted to make.
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Mo Yang remained completely unaware of the events occurring outside the Library Pavilion. He had already gone through nearly ten ancient texts in a row, but none mentioned the Star Emperor. It was as if the figure never existed at all. He was convinced that the title had a direct link to the middle-aged man.
Even so, he discovered something worthwhile. While sifting through the old books, he came across an Incomplete Manual of Sword Arts. Regrettably, it was quite deficient, offering only one level of the Mind-cultivation Technique.
"Why would he choose that Incomplete Manual? The Sword Art is far too flawed, and its Mind-cultivation Technique is too complex for him to cultivate!" the Grand Elder remarked with a furrowed brow, clearly observing Mo Yang’s decisions in the Library Pavilion.
"What's with this kid? Doesn't he have any interest in other cultivation Techniques? Why would he choose that one?" the Grand Elder said, visibly troubled. Several Elders lurked in the shadows, observing Mo Yang as he left the Library Pavilion. He didn't stop and made his way directly to Wood Peak.
However, just as he was about to disappear from view, Mo Yang suddenly turned around and glanced in the direction of the Elders' hiding spot.
"Could he have sensed us!" the Grand Elder gasped quietly, quickly suppressing his Aura.
"He's only at the early stage of the Earth Realm, yet his spiritual sense is remarkably keen!" the Second Elder whispered in surprise.
"He may not have truly noticed us, but this young man is becoming increasingly mysterious..." The Grand Elder absentmindedly stroked his white beard as he spoke, a slight smile creeping onto his face.
Soon after, the group discreetly departed. They had initially come seeking to address issues concerning Su Fei and to confront Mo Yang, but the Grand Elder halted them. Even though both the First Elder and the Second Elder found Mo Yang off-putting, they had to restrain themselves.
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Once Mo Yang returned to Wood Peak, he immediately entered the Pagoda Tower to delve into the Sword Art he had acquired from the Library Pavilion, having already memorized its intricate incantation.
The reason Mo Yang was drawn to this Sword Art was that its incantation was especially obscure and challenging to pronounce, distinctly different from typical Sword Arts. This resonated with him because the Star Emperor Sutra he practiced closely aligned with it.
As Mo Yang practiced throughout the evening, he found it difficult to grasp the concepts. However, unbeknownst to him, his cultivation was actually progressing significantly. The energy circulation within his meridians intensified, progressing from the early to the late stage of the Earth Realm.[ii]
Mo Yang was genuinely impressed by the extraordinary qualities of the Star Emperor Sutra. If he continued at his current pace, it wouldn't be long before he reached the peak stage of the Earth Realm and advanced to the Sky Realm. His rapid progress was remarkable. Additionally, he realized that he had gained the ability to effortlessly remember everything he encountered or read, which was incredibly useful while studying the Sutra or any other book. His five senses—sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch—had also developed significantly.
Unbeknownst to him, the Lingxu Sect was already in turmoil over his actions. Many disciples witnessed Su Fei rushing down from Wood Peak, visibly distressed, her clothes torn and her hair in disarray. Such a scene naturally sparked numerous speculations among the disciples.
As the various rumors spread, Su Fei's admirers were incensed. However, what puzzled many was the lack of inquiry from the Lingxu Sect Elders, who seemed entirely oblivious to the commotion.
Su Fei herself was thoroughly baffled. While she could understand the rumors circulating, she was taken aback by the Grand Elder's unexpected stance when she approached him that evening. Rather than reprimanding Mo Yang, he encouraged her to interact more with him and repeatedly praised his abilities, leaving her with an unmistakable implication to seduce him.
The next day, Qi Heng, the top Prodigy of the Lingxu Sect, emerged from his retreat. As the Senior Brother of the main peak, he had just broken through to the earl Stage of the Earth Realm after almost a year of seclusion. Furious upon hearing the rumors about Su Fei, he initially considered attacking Wood Peak directly, but after reflecting on Mo Yang's recent actions recounted by other disciples, he opted to send a challenge letter instead.
On Wood Peak, Mo Yang sat on a stone stool in the small courtyard, puzzled as he read the challenge letter, which merely stated the time, place, and Qi Heng's name. He had no idea that Su Fei was the source of the uproar.
"Qi Heng... ah, a youthful competition," he mused. "This could be a great opportunity to test my combat skills. As my Master always says, true strength comes from constant battle!" He dismissed the situation lightly, assuming that Qi Heng was aware of his recent advancement to the Earth Realm.
The challenge letter announced a meeting scheduled for noon three days later at the training ground. Naturally, the Lingxu Sect Elders became aware of this, but the Grand Elder decided to ignore it, viewing it as an opportunity to assess Mo Yang's true combat skills. With both Qi Heng and Mo Yang at the early stage of the Earth Realm, the result of their match would determine who was the stronger fighter. Little did the Grand Elder realize that Mo Yang had actually reached the late stage.
In the meantime, Mo Yang devoted most of his time to understanding the enigmatic runes within the Pagoda Tower while also practicing the Incomplete Manual of Sword Arts.
Three days passed in a flash.
As the various rumors spread, Su Fei's admirers were incensed. However, what puzzled many was the lack of inquiry from the Lingxu Sect Elders, who seemed entirely oblivious to the commotion.
Su Fei herself was thoroughly baffled. While she could understand the rumors circulating, she was taken aback by the Grand Elder's unexpected stance when she approached him that evening. Rather than reprimanding Mo Yang, he encouraged her to interact more with him and repeatedly praised his abilities, leaving her with an unmistakable implication to seduce him.
The next day, Qi Heng, the top Prodigy of the Lingxu Sect, emerged from his retreat. As the Senior Brother of the main peak, he had just broken through to the earl Stage of the Earth Realm after almost a year of seclusion. Furious upon hearing the rumors about Su Fei, he initially considered attacking Wood Peak directly, but after reflecting on Mo Yang's recent actions recounted by other disciples, he opted to send a challenge letter instead.
On Wood Peak, Mo Yang sat on a stone stool in the small courtyard, puzzled as he read the challenge letter, which merely stated the time, place, and Qi Heng's name. He had no idea that Su Fei was the source of the uproar.
"Qi Heng... ah, a youthful competition," he mused. "This could be a great opportunity to test my combat skills. As my Master always says, true strength comes from constant battle!" He dismissed the situation lightly, assuming that Qi Heng was aware of his recent advancement to the Earth Realm.
The challenge letter announced a meeting scheduled for noon three days later at the training ground. Naturally, the Lingxu Sect Elders became aware of this, but the Grand Elder decided to ignore it, viewing it as an opportunity to assess Mo Yang's true combat skills. With both Qi Heng and Mo Yang at the early stage of the Earth Realm, the result of their match would determine who was the stronger fighter. Little did the Grand Elder realize that Mo Yang had actually reached the late stage.
In the meantime, Mo Yang devoted most of his time to understanding the enigmatic runes within the Pagoda Tower while also practicing the Incomplete Manual of Sword Arts.
Three days passed in a flash.
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