The Yinglong’s Legacy and a Fated Encounter

“I recall each of those three cave entrances was distinct. Do you remember which one you entered?”

Chi Qiu and her companion were slowly advancing through the deep, shadowy cavern. Beneath Chi Qiu’s feet, a sea of indigo flowers was spreading, aiding her in exploring every hidden corner of the cave.

“I entered the one with the flashing lightning,” Su Hanxing replied without a moment’s hesitation.

Chi Qiu nodded, remembering the entrance wreathed in electric light.

“Legend has it that in ancient times, the progenitor of the Yinglong, who slew Chiyou and Kua Fu, held dominion over all the wind, thunder, and rain in the world.” Su Hanxing suddenly began to recount an ancient myth to Chi Qiu.

“Oh? This I hadn’t heard,” Chi Qiu responded cooperatively.

“It’s only recorded in a few fragmented ancient texts, largely unknown to the common folk,” Su Hanxing continued, leaning closer to Chi Qiu. “I once believed it to be merely a fabricated tale, but today, I find myself convinced.”

“Why is that?” Chi Qiu asked, puzzled.

“Because the three entrances we saw earlier correspond perfectly with that myth. The first had flashing lightning, the second was assailed by howling winds, and the last was shrouded in drifting rain clouds.” Chi Qiu had merely glanced at the entrances, but Su Hanxing had observed them for much longer, naturally recalling them with far greater clarity.

“Indeed, now that you mention it, wasn’t the phantom of the Yinglong outside the Yinglong Tomb also wreathed in wind, rain, and lightning?” Chi Qiu nodded, her thoughts turning to the spectral Yinglong she had seen.

“Wait, something’s amiss.” Chi Qiu abruptly halted, simultaneously reaching out to stop Su Hanxing, who was about to press forward.

“What is it?” Su Hanxing’s smile vanished, and he lowered his voice, asking softly.

“Cultivators. Four of them, about three li ahead.” Chi Qiu offered Su Hanxing a reassuring glance.

“Your indigo flower sea is truly convenient, thriving even more in these intricate caverns. Can you discern their strength, and their direction of travel?” Su Hanxing nodded, continuing his inquiry.

“I can’t ascertain their strength. As for their direction… they seem to be completely stationary.” Chi Qiu closed her eyes, sensing for a moment before speaking, a hint of peculiarity in her tone.

The spreading indigo flower sea would naturally attract the attention of cultivators. To prevent detection, Chi Qiu typically extended the roots first, only allowing the flower sea to spread once the roots confirmed no anomalies. Currently, Chi Qiu had detected several cultivators using her roots, but she dared not extend the flower sea further, lest she alert them. While this method was discreet, it also limited the useful information she could gather.

Unknown cultivation realms, and no movement… Su Hanxing pondered briefly before making a decision.

“Quickly, let’s pursue them. Within this Yinglong Tomb, everyone vies for the upper hand. Cultivators who are currently stationary are either recuperating or have stumbled upon a fortunate opportunity. If we hurry, we might just get a share.”

Su Hanxing possessed absolute confidence in his own strength, and he equally trusted Chi Qiu’s capabilities as his ally. In his estimation, the four cultivators ahead were hardly a threat.

Chi Qiu nodded, naturally agreeing with Su Hanxing’s assessment. Since they had entered the Yinglong Tomb, conflict was inevitable, and taking the initiative was certainly a wise strategy.

The two channeled their true qi, executing their respective movement techniques. The three li distance would take them mere breaths to cover.

“Be ready, it’s just around the next corner.” Chi Qiu turned to instruct Su Hanxing, even as her own right hand settled on her sword hilt, poised for an immediate strike.

Su Hanxing nodded, his hand already gripping the great spear.

The two hugged the cave wall as they rounded a bend, revealing a somewhat narrow black stone corridor before them. The passage stretched for about ten zhang, leading directly to a massive iron gate. In front of this gate, four cultivators were exerting all their might, attempting to force it open.

“Who goes there? This place has been claimed by my Heavenly Abyss Pavilion. If you know what’s good for you, clear out now, lest you needlessly forfeit your lives.” Among the four, a slightly pale cultivator, resembling a scholar, turned his head and rebuked them loudly.

“The Heavenly Abyss Pavilion, you say? I’d certainly like to see what you’re made of.” Su Hanxing stepped into the corridor, casually swirling his great spear, creating several flourishes, his tone light and mocking.

Chi Qiu quietly followed beside Su Hanxing. She had heard of the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion’s formidable reputation. Rumor had it that this sect was established outside an exceptionally perilous forbidden zone known as the “Heavenly Abyss.” Its members apparently possessed a unique technique for entering and exiting this forbidden area, thus frequently sending disciples there for training.

Though the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion hadn’t secured a place among the Daqi’s Nine Great Sects, it was still an immensely powerful first-rate sect within Daqi. Its disciples were undoubtedly extraordinary.

As Chi Qiu mused, she instinctively tightened her grip on the Azure Frost Sword.

“Su Hanxing of the Tianyan Sect? Don’t presume we’re afraid of you.” The scholar-like cultivator from the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion first froze upon seeing Su Hanxing’s face, then his expression hardened into a fierce glare. He drew the thin sword from his waist, speaking with a sinister edge.

“Unclaimed treasures belong to the fated. Today, encountering us means your fortune here ends. Depart swiftly, lest you invite a deadly calamity.” Su Hanxing leveled his spear directly at the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion cultivators, his tone chilling slightly.

“The two of us will hold off Su Hanxing. The two of you, make quick work of it, capture that female cultivator, and use her to force them to retreat.” The scholar-like cultivator instructed his companions, making a simple allocation of tasks.

The remaining three nodded in agreement, then formed two groups: one facing Su Hanxing, the other directly confronting Chi Qiu.

The scholar-like cultivator hadn’t tried to conceal his words much. After all, Su Hanxing’s reputation preceded him, and they had no desire to make an enemy of him. If they could make him retreat voluntarily, it would be for the best.

Chi Qiu narrowed her eyes slightly. Being treated as a pushover was, naturally, an unpleasant sensation. The only solution was to make them suffer a little.

“One God Concealing stage, one Heart Scripture Realm. Can you handle them?” Su Hanxing smiled faintly, seeing Chi Qiu’s gritted teeth and displeased expression, and quietly informed her of their opponents’ cultivation levels.

“Who can say without a fight? Anyway, with you here, those two wouldn’t last long against you even if they teamed up, would they? You could just come help me then.” Knowing their opponents’ realms, Chi Qiu felt a slight surge of confidence.

“Since you put it that way, Little Chi, I’ll swiftly defeat these two and come to your aid.” Hearing Chi Qiu’s implicit trust, Su Hanxing’s mood brightened considerably, and he readily made his promise.

“You truly underestimate us!” The other cultivator, who was blocking Su Hanxing alongside the scholar-like one, felt indignant seeing Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing conversing so casually, as if they were inconsequential. With a flash of his figure, he wielded a long ke staff like a whirlwind, charging directly at Su Hanxing.

Su Hanxing showed no fear, raising his spear and meeting the long ke staff head-on.

As Su Hanxing engaged in battle, the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion cultivators on the other side naturally dared not hesitate. They swiftly circulated their true qi and charged towards Chi Qiu.

Chi Qiu was already prepared. The moment her two opponents moved, she unleashed a diagonal slash, and a streak of Flying Haze Sword Qi shot forth from her sword tip. Chi Qiu deliberately slowed the sword qi’s speed to observe the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion cultivators’ reactions.

The Flying Haze Sword Qi possessed astonishing power. The two cultivators dared not meet it head-on, opting instead to split apart to evade its sharp edge.

Seeing this, Chi Qiu immediately executed the Seven Stars Step, closely following the sword qi. She quickly located the Heart Scripture Realm cultivator and thrust her sword forward. Since the two had willingly separated, Chi Qiu seized the opportunity to test the skill of this Heart Scripture Realm cultivator from a major sect.

Clang, clang—

The Heavenly Abyss Pavilion’s Heart Scripture Realm cultivator showed no fear, raising his spear to meet the challenge. Amidst a cacophony of clashing metal, the two engaged in close-quarters combat.

The cultivation method Chi Qiu practiced, the Moon Gaze Treasure Canon, was of extremely high grade, considered a pinnacle among Earth-tier techniques. The Lunar true qi it condensed possessed undeniable lethality. Moreover, just recently, Chi Qiu had refined a portion of Yinglong’s divine power, integrating it into her true qi and soul. Now, the true qi she circulated likely surpassed even ordinary Heaven-tier techniques in pure destructive power.

In less than a breath, the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion’s Heart Scripture Realm cultivator was steadily forced back, his hands trembling and barely able to parry.

After Chi Qiu kicked away the Heart Scripture Realm cultivator, she spun and horizontally blocked a heavy staff strike from the God Concealing stage cultivator, parrying it by the narrowest margin.

“Brother Lin, be careful! Her true qi is incredibly strange; do not underestimate it.” The Heart Scripture Realm cultivator, having been repelled by Chi Qiu, straightened up and warned with a grave expression.

The God Concealing stage cultivator, addressed as Brother Lin, nodded slightly, acknowledging the warning. Without hesitation, he took a step forward, raising his black staff high, and brought it crashing down towards Chi Qiu’s head.

Chi Qiu deftly sidestepped the attack, retreating and striking as she moved towards another direction, ensuring she only ever faced one opponent at a time.

This marked Chi Qiu’s first direct confrontation with a God Concealing stage cultivator. She found the opponent’s staff strikes incredibly powerful and heavy. Moreover, the true qi imbued in the staff seemed almost sentient, specifically targeting her weak defensive points, making it difficult for Chi Qiu to parry effectively.

Whoosh!

The God Concealing stage cultivator thrust his staff forward, using it as if it were a spear. Although the staff lacked a sharp spearhead, a single thrust from a proficient God Concealing stage staff user could still impale a person.

Fortunately, while the thrust was immensely powerful, its strike range was considerably smaller than a sweeping blow. Chi Qiu merely twisted her body slightly to evade it.

After dodging the thrust, Chi Qiu seized the opportunity, using her arm to trap the staff. Though her strength couldn’t compare to the God Concealing stage cultivator’s, she managed to control the staff for a fleeting moment.

With the staff momentarily controlled, Chi Qiu, holding the Azure Frost Sword, mercilessly slashed forward, intent on disemboweling the God Concealing stage cultivator.

The God Concealing stage cultivator, without a moment’s hesitation, released his grip and abandoned his staff, fleeing. As Chi Qiu’s left shoulder relaxed, the staff clattered to the ground. Disregarding it entirely, she prepared to press her advantage, seizing the Azure Frost Sword and charging forward, determined to finish him.

Light flashed beneath the God Concealing stage cultivator’s feet as he began to retreat step by step. Chi Qiu, likewise employing her movement technique, drew closer with each stride.

Swish—

Suddenly, the sound of tearing fabric echoed. Chi Qiu felt a sudden numbness in her right hand, almost losing her grip on the Azure Frost Sword. She steadied her mind, first enduring the pain to unleash a sword qi strike towards the God Concealing stage cultivator. Then, lightly tapping her foot, she gracefully retreated several zhang.

Only then did Chi Qiu have a moment to inspect the wound on her right arm. Blood was gushing from her upper arm, quickly saturating her entire sleeve.

She then turned her gaze to the God Concealing stage cultivator, noticing that he now held a large saber, which had appeared in his hand at some unknown moment. The saber was entirely black, strangely shaped, and exuded an aura of malevolence.

The cultivator raised the saber high and made a sweeping downward slash from a distance. Chi Qiu felt a sudden chill, then instinctively brought her sword up to block.

The instant Chi Qiu’s sword moved to block, a wave of impact swept over her. Though the Azure Frost Sword deflected the majority of it, a portion still bypassed her blade, striking Chi Qiu’s body.

Splatters of blood erupted. Chi Qiu stared, bewildered, at the distant figure of the cultivator wielding the black saber. There had been no fluctuations of true qi or spiritual energy; from where had this attack originated?

“Your luck is truly exceptional. The first saber strike, you managed to largely evade by twisting your body, only wounding your right arm. Yet, with this second strike, you reacted swiftly enough to block with your sword. Could it be that you’ve encountered cultivators from my Heavenly Abyss Pavilion before?” The God Concealing stage cultivator, seeing that Chi Qiu still possessed the strength to fight, eyed her with a strange expression, asking as he approached.

These two saber strikes were immensely draining, making it difficult to launch another attack without a few breaths of recovery. This intangible, qi-less attack was a unique technique of the Heavenly Abyss Pavilion, highly concealed but slightly lacking in raw destructive power. Nevertheless, it had yielded considerable results in the current situation.

Seeing her opponent draw near, Chi Qiu dared not show any carelessness. She raised a hand and pointed, and a blood lotus slowly bloomed. Then, Chi Qiu lightly tapped the blood lotus, causing it to split into two, each streaking towards one of the two Heavenly Abyss Pavilion cultivators who were approaching her.

“Little Chi, are you alright?”

Accompanied by a peal of thunder, Su Hanxing arrived beside Chi Qiu, his great spear in hand. Seeing her covered in blood, his heart ached with concern.

“You actually defeated both my senior brothers so quickly?” The cultivator surnamed Lin asked, utterly shocked, even as he struggled to resist the blood lotus’s strangling force.

“I’m fine, just some superficial wounds.” Chi Qiu shook her head, indicating that she was alright.

Su Hanxing examined Chi Qiu’s injuries and nodded slightly. Though the splattered blood looked rather frightening, they were indeed minor wounds.

“Both your senior brothers have been knocked unconscious and tossed aside. Do you two still intend to resist stubbornly?” Su Hanxing swept his great spear horizontally, creating a whooshing sound that underscored his imposing presence.

“We won’t compete with you for this opportunity! Please, quickly tell that young lady to stop these blood lotuses!” The Heavenly Abyss Pavilion’s Heart Scripture Realm cultivator was already on the verge of collapsing under the blood lotus’s strangulation. His robes were tattered, revealing numerous lacerations carved into his body by the blood lotuses.

Meanwhile, the other God Concealing stage cultivator, surnamed Lin, though not as wretched as his companion, was also being steadily pushed back by the blood lotuses. He clearly wouldn’t be able to hold out indefinitely.

Su Hanxing turned to Chi Qiu, speaking softly, “Little Chi, whether these two live or die, the decision is yours.”

After a brief hesitation, Chi Qiu waved her hand, and the two blood lotuses vanished into thin air.

“These two didn’t try to kill me during our fight, so a minor punishment will suffice.”