165: Chapter 164 Never-ending 165: Chapter 164 Never-ending The cultivators from both factions took their positions atop the mountain peaks to prepare and regulate their breathing.
As it was still early, some took the opportunity to idle around and stretch their limbs, keenly aware that because their realms were not yet sufficiently advanced, the time they could spend in meditative breathing practice was limited.
After a few days, they would reach their limit; indeed, many of the more restless characters couldn’t even sit in meditation for a few hours.
Hou Niao felt somewhat awkward, for it seemed that among this group, he alone was on his own; naturally, he did not belong to the Anhe Daoist Sect or the Huncheng Sect, nor did he have the temerity to insinuate himself among the ladies.
Even when mingling with people from the Quanzhen Sect, he looked like an outsider.
Uncle Zheng certainly wouldn’t bother with him, and those two Bridge Connection fellow disciples would of course take their cues from Uncle Zheng’s likes and dislikes.
Feeling rather lonely and not wanting to stray too far, he strolled back and forth between the two hills, habitually familiarizing himself with the terrain.
He encountered two young girls head-on.
He guessed they were girls by their youthful gait and manner of speaking, not more than eighteen years old, yet they already possessed the cultivation necessary for fasting – such was the depth of the Daoist Sect.
They easily reached the Upper Realm, while he felt as if he had to exert every last bit of effort, struggling to make the smallest gains.
That was the difference.
“Greetings, Elder Brother Hou.
I am Lan Re, and this is Lan Ting, at your service.”
Since he had stumbled upon them, it would be impolite not to respond accordingly, “Greetings, younger sisters, to possess such cultivation at such a young age, this title of Elder Brother truly shames me.”
Through the gauze veils, the one named Lan Re proved quite articulate, “The journey of cultivation is long, and until its end, who dares to speak lightly of talent?
There are many who start late yet become great cultivators through perseverance.
Why would Elder Brother belittle himself?”
Lan Ting, however, was more forthright and didn’t mince her words, “Elder Brother Hou stands alone, why not come and chat with us to alleviate your boredom?
And by the way, you could give us some insight into the true situation with the Soul Ghosts of West Mang Mountain?
It seems you don’t get along well with Uncle Zheng and his group?”
Hou Niao forced a smile, “Our Quanzhen Sect, well, this is just how we interact with each other, very directly.
And it’s not just me; as for the Demon Sect…”
He happily accepted the invitation and naturally headed towards the Anhe Daoist faction, not because the two women were charming but because he had other thoughts in mind.
Approaching the hilltop, of course, he first paid his respects to the leading Anhe Daoist elder, “Fairy Yan, the world is indeed small for us to meet again.”
Daoist Yan looked at him with a smile, “Did you recognize me right away?”
Hou Niao naturally took a seat next to her.
For some reason, in front of this woman, who was leagues apart from him in realm, he had never regarded her as a senior or as a benefactor, but as merely a woman.
“At first, I wasn’t certain, as I can’t discern the aura of a fairy.
But as soon as you brought out your jade zither magic artifact, I knew it was you.
Is that child doing well?”
Daoist Yan remained calm, “If you truly wished to know how she’s faring, you should go and see for yourself; but I’ve heard she’s become much more lively and cheerful, so it’s best not to dredge up past matters.”
Hou Niao nodded, “You’re right.
To her, I’m probably the nightmare in her heart; it’s better not to stir up such memories.”
Daoist Yan showed little concern, “No one is another’s nightmare, unless it’s the nightmare in their own heart.
Don’t you think that joining the Quanzhen Sect is the nightmare in your own heart?”
Hou Niao sighed inwardly.
This woman had always wanted to pull him out of what she saw as his ‘sea of suffering’, starting from Liuyang.
While she had never spoken plainly, her intentions had never been hidden.
One Daoist had thrust him into this world, while another sought to pull him out; life’s twists were indeed curious.
He longed to see her reaction if she ever discovered the truth, yet he also knew that was an impossibility.
It wasn’t that he distrusted her integrity, but rather, he knew he would never encounter another trustful figure like Daoist Chong Ling, who had both trusted him and given him free rein.
If this woman were to learn that he was actually a deeply embedded agent of the Anhe Daoist Sect, she would undoubtedly not hesitate to burden him with endless additional tasks, taking delight in doing so.
Women as a species are inherently attracted to acting and to mysteries; they would dive headfirst into the drama, revel in it, and then he would be finished!
“What is your nightmare?
Is it pulling me out?”
Daoist Yan grew serious.
She realized this junior cultivator was behaving rather too familiarly with her, as though he were with a close friend?
She did not appreciate that, “I’ve witnessed some things happening to you.
When the dust kicked up by a horse’s hoofs hits your face, don’t you feel that you have lost the most precious thing for a cultivator – your dignity?
In our Anhe Daoist Sect, such a situation could never occur.
Even in death, we retain our dignity.”
Hou Niao nodded in agreement.
“You’re right; the esteemed figures of the Daoist Sect would never stoop to such pettiness or rudeness; always courteous, their behavior impeccably elegant.
But it seems you’ve forgotten something: those of us smudged with dust too can express anger before our mentors – we can ignore, disdain, or refuse to see them as mentors.
Is this possible within the Daoist Sect?”
Hou Niao stated indifferently, “If I had the choice between being slaughtered with dignity or being rebellious without it, I’d choose the latter.
That’s the allure of the Demon Sect – we’re not confined by strictures and codes.
This might suit my temperament better.”
Daoist Yan’s heart turned cold and she refrained from further persuasion.
This man was already on the path to demonhood – a perfectly good Anhe cultivator giving himself over completely to the Demon Sect.
Such cases were not uncommon in Anhe Country, and even more cultivators from Shan Country turned to Anhe Daoism, depending on each person’s fundamental nature – such matters could not be forced.
The man before her had changed from the one who had brought the child a year ago, with less gentleness in his heart and a growing coldness, sinking deeper into the path of demons.
She could only try to offer a helping hand, yet she could not make a cow drink by pushing its head down.
Changing the topic, she said, “You’ve been patrolling Yinling, and you’ve said there have been unsettling signs from the Soul Ghosts of West Mang Mountain.
Hou Niao answered earnestly, “My words are not without basis or meant to cause trouble out of nothing; indeed, in recent days, there have been sightings of formidable Wandering Souls and ghosts.
So, in my opinion, West Mang Mountain is not suitable for trials; it easily leads to accidents.
However, Uncle Zheng does not see it as a cause for alarm.
He has his reasons – perhaps from the perspective of an Upper Cultivator, my estimations are just like making mountains out of molehills?”
Daoist Yan looked at him intently, “What are you worried about?
Is it the cultivators who have come here?”
Hou Niao shook his head, “I’m not concerned about the cultivators.
Being on the path of cultivation means accepting life and death with equanimity; accidents are just a part of cultivation.
What’s there to worry about?
Besides, we have three Upper Cultivators in charge.
What I’m worried about is, should the Soul Ghosts spread, the surrounding human fortresses near West Mang Mountain will suffer, for they lack the power to deal with these ghosts.
Soul Ghosts are not meant to walk under the sunlight, but that refers to normal circumstances.
You know better than I do that if thousands of Soul Ghosts band together, they too can roam by day.”