Chapter Twenty-Six: The Immortal's Rescue

The searing chains of magma drew ever closer, and a shadow of anxiety flickered in Yue Dong’s eyes. Just then, an aged yet gentle voice rippled through the sky: "It would be best for a member of the Eastern Domain’s Zhu family not to trespass into Tiannan."

The voice was as clear as a mountain spring, ethereal and sublime. As it fell upon the ears of Qing Lan and Yue Dong, their bodies trembled slightly. Immediately afterward, a cool, misty immortal energy swept over them like a gentle spring rain, instantly neutralizing the scorching heat in the air.

The expression of the man from the Zhu family shifted dramatically. He quickly withdrew all his outward spiritual pressure, fearful of being seen as disrespectful. Raising his eyes to the void, he cupped his hands and bowed: "Might you be the Venerable Due?"

The voice offered no reply. Only billows of clouds and swirling threads of immortal essence drifted slowly through the air.

The man from the Zhu family understood; this was indeed the supreme master of the Purple Bamboo Forest of Tiannan—the Immortal Venerable Due.

Even so, he had no intention of letting Qing Lan and her companion go. "Venerable, you may not know, but these two have acted with ruthless cruelty. They harmed our clan’s junior, inflicting grave injuries upon him. Such actions are not those of a righteous cultivator. As a member of the Zhu family, I must bring them back to uphold our family law."

Hearing this, Qing Lan calmly retorted, "It was Zhu Ning who sought to seize our treasure first, and who planned to slaughter innocent mortals afterward. How can you blame us?"

A glint of murderous intent flashed in the man’s eyes, though he quickly suppressed it. He sneered, "You speak with great eloquence, but as things stand, you will come with me. I shall not kill you, but you must accept the punishment of our clan."

Qing Lan curled her lip, mocking him inwardly—did he take her for a three-year-old? Once on the territory of the Zhu family, would they ever have a chance to leave alive?

She ignored the man and addressed the sky respectfully: "Venerable, we have traveled from the Eastern Domain, crossing thousands of mountains and rivers. Having heard that the Formation Sect is the ancestor of all formations, we have come specifically to participate in the mountain gate trial. We humbly ask for your assistance in resolving this matter."

Yue Dong quickly added, "We were guided by a master who told us that Tiannan is a land of gentlemen, which is why we came."

At these words, the white clouds in the sky paused slightly. The personage seemed intrigued. "Oh? Someone would actually describe it that way?"

He seemed to be pondering something, and the ensuing silence in the air made the two of them quite nervous.

"These two children have come from afar with sincere hearts; it is no small feat. Perhaps the Clan Master of the Zhu family might grant me a favor and spare them this once?"

When these words were spoken, both were stunned—it was the Clan Master of the Zhu family himself who had been hunting them!

Qing Lan: "How terrifying."
Yue Dong: "I feel somewhat honored..."

The Immortal Venerable's voice continued to echo in the air. The face of the Zhu Clan Master was grim, a surge of uncontrollable irritation flashing through his heart—the other party knew full well he was the head of a prestigious and powerful noble family, yet he was given no face at all!

Truly, all beneath the Dao are but ants!

As a supreme expert of a noble family, he was mostly a Spirit Origin Realm cultivator. Facing one who had attained the Dao, he had no power to resist. Despite his immense unwillingness, he had to accept reality. "Since you have the favor of the Venerable, I shall let you go for now. But this does not mean the matter is settled. We shall surely settle this score in the future!"

With a cold parting remark, he left, filled with suppressed fury.

Qing Lan and Yue Dong stood where they were, their faces slightly pale.

Yue Dong let out a long breath: "We managed to save our lives this time."

Qing Lan drew a deep breath: "Many thanks to the Venerable for saving our lives."

The Venerable’s voice sounded once more, and Qing Lan’s expression shifted.

"If I hadn't stepped in, all the fish in my pond would have been stunk to death by you."

Qing Lan was speechless, and Yue Dong chuckled softly.

"Little girl, you don't have much talent, but you have plenty of tricks."

The air currents in the sky swayed gently, and two wisps of ethereal immortal energy quietly swirled around the pair. As the mist shifted, the fire seals within their bodies were drawn out, the serpents of flame crumbling into mere sparks and dissipating into nothingness.

The Venerable had removed the Zhu family’s tracking seals for them.

"For the two of you to have such an encounter at such a young age is not necessarily a bad thing on the path of cultivation. The mountain gate trial begins in ten days."

The voice paused, then continued, "There are no teleportation arrays in Tiannan. Best be on your way."

After bowing in gratitude, the two departed.

...

The scene shifted. Clouds drifted lightly until they reached a mountain range.

Under a sky of blended azure and blue, clouds were gently parted by mountain peaks. A vast forest of purple bamboo stood prominently, with dappled shadows and silken mists, creating an otherworldly, immortal landscape.

An old man in white Daoist robes sat on a bamboo mat, his hair like silver snow, his brows like frost, possessing an extraordinary aura.

He closed his eyes gently, immersed in the rising scent of tea, until the sound of splashing water broke the tranquility.

He slowly opened his eyes and sighed helplessly: "Stop complaining, stop complaining. They didn't mean it, and I already teased them a bit. Calm yourself..."

His tone was gentle, and he was speaking to a white carp in the pool before him.

Only upon hearing this did the carp settle down, and peace was restored.

...

Qing Lan and Yue Dong had believed the words of the Immortal Venerable.

On the road, Yue Dong had harbored doubts—how could there be no teleportation arrays in Tiannan?

However, they chose to trust the senior who had reached out to help them in their time of peril without reservation.

In reality, as the Domain of Ten Thousand Formations, where arrays were complex and exquisite, space-shifting techniques were the most "basic" of spirit formations.

Because of the influence of a certain lazy elder in the Formation Sect who disliked traveling far, teleportation arrays in Tiannan were as numerous as stars in the night sky. Every city concealed several, if not more, to the point of being excessive—a true display of luxury.

Many years later, when the two recalled this day, they would still look at each other in silence. It was the first time they had been teased by a senior master, and naturally, it would not be the last.