Netherworld Painted Skin Scroll

Chapter 400 The Veteran and the Young Adult

Kong Youxin froze instantly. At that moment, she couldn't think of anything; all she could see was the small flame still emitting black smoke in front of her.

—Savages! Savages from outside the faith have really arrived!
She looked at Zhou Xiang and lowered her voice, "Master... is he here for us? Is he chasing after us? Why is he talking to us?"

Zhou Xiang waved his hand: "Don't panic."

Then he pondered for a moment: "It would be wrong not to speak. The world outside the church is chaotic, and those who dare to walk alone in the wilderness like us must be capable. He must have seen us when he passed by. If he saw us and we saw him too, but he didn't say anything, we might think he had ulterior motives, and trouble might be brewing. It would be wise for him to speak up now."

He then said, "Don't speak, I'll do it."

Zhou Xiang stood up and said in the direction from which the person in the forest had spoken, "There is food. Please show yourself, fellow Daoist. The forest is difficult to traverse, please watch your step."

Kong Youxin was taken aback by his words before she realized what he meant. Her master telling her to watch her step was actually telling her to walk slowly and reveal herself gradually. Her master had truly remembered everything the other disciples on the ship had taught her; judging from this, he was definitely a seasoned veteran outside the sect!

The man said from the woods, "Alright, fellow Daoist, I'm coming right now."

The rustling sound started again, and then the two saw a dim light. The person was holding a lamp in one hand and parting the branches with the other, revealing himself.

Kong Youxin was stunned when she saw this person—

In her mind, unaffiliated monks outside the sect should be dressed in tattered and dirty clothes, their faces covered in grime, their hair and beards disheveled, and their appearance coarse and ugly. But the young man who appeared now was completely different from what she had imagined.

Because his face was illuminated by the lantern in his hand, it appeared very smooth and clean under the soft, dim light. His clothes were neither torn nor dirty, at least not as tattered as she had imagined; instead, he wore a black, narrow-sleeved outfit, with what appeared to be a large cloak or shawl around his upper body, presumably for warmth.

The man's hair, which should have been neatly combed, had become somewhat frizzy from being scratched by the branches and leaves in the forest. However, his hair was surprisingly white, as if he had aged prematurely… yet his expression suggested otherwise. As he slowly approached, he wore a slight smile. This smile was neither strange nor unnerving; it seemed quite polite.

He carried the lantern to a tree about five or six steps away, then stepped on a few clumps of branches to make sure the two could see his whole body. He then stood there, looked at the hearth, and said, "Fellow Daoists, you are master and disciple."

Zhou Xiang looked him up and down and smiled, "That's right."

The man wasn't as fierce as she had imagined, and her master seemed calm and composed, so Kong Youxin wasn't so afraid anymore. She even raised her head and sized him up with a stern face—her senior brothers had taught her on the ship that when interacting with independent cultivators, one shouldn't appear overly arrogant, nor should one appear timid and cowardly. A solemn and cold expression, and speaking little, was the most appropriate.

“You two have chosen the right path by walking along the beach,” the young man said with a smile. “There are fewer people on this beach. The starving people have all gathered in Dongdan. It’s quiet here and you can avoid a lot of trouble.”

Zhou Xiang nodded. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Yes. I'm traveling with a female disciple and don't want to cause trouble. Since you've also chosen this route, you must also prefer some peace and quiet."

Kong Youxin had been wondering why the man had stopped at a distance. Now, after hearing their exchange, she suddenly realized—the man was saying he didn't want trouble, and her master was saying she didn't want trouble either. These people really do speak in roundabout ways! And her master really remembers everything and knows a lot!

Sure enough, the man took a few more steps closer after hearing this. Zhou Xiang waved to him: "Come and warm yourself by the fire, it's getting colder every day."

The man smiled and walked to the fire pit, sitting cross-legged a step away. After sitting down, he tugged at his belt, as if it were too tight, but Kong Youxin could tell he was adjusting the position of the knife hanging at his waist, making it easier to draw. He carried a large package on his back, not round, but rather a square box. He also placed the package behind him, and with his other hand, he felt around inside, pulling out a small porcelain bottle.

"I have some Fuyuan Baosheng Dan powder here. It got a little damp, but I've dried it again." As he spoke, he spread his hand, uncorked the jade bottle which was no bigger than his thumb, and poured a little bit of the powder out into his palm.

"I picked up some food when I passed through Dongdan, but I met a pitiful mother and daughter on the road, so I gave it to them. I was thinking I might run into some friends in the martial arts world to exchange for some more, but I haven't seen a single person along the way. Fellow Daoist, how much do you think this is worth?"

He pressed the tiny bit of powder from his palm back into his hand and handed the bottle to Zhou Xiang.

Zhou Xiang took the bottle, fanned it with her hand, smelled it, and then nodded: "Not bad, not bad."

He didn't speak for a moment, as if he was considering it. But Kong Youxin felt that her master was probably just as confused as she was.

The Life-Preserving Pill is considered a fairly good medicine in the religious area, and these Daoist disciples are given three pills every ten days. If they can't finish them, they can use them for trade within the sect—on Mount Budong, this thing is almost like silver outside the sect, and she herself has already saved up more than a hundred pills.

However, the powder this person had just poured out was whitish, and Kong Youxin could tell at a glance that it was already considered medicinal dregs. When refining the Life-Sustaining Pill, it failed, and the waste pills in the furnace scattered and became shapeless. The larger pieces could still be taken out and used as fertilizer for spiritual plants, while a thin layer of white ash—that's what they called it on the mountain—would be swept away and thrown away.

This person calls this layer of ash a powder for the "Life-Sustaining Pill"? And he wants to store it away? And then dry it after it gets damp? He's even asking what food he can exchange these things for? The senior brothers didn't mention this on the ship… maybe they never even thought of it!

As she thought of this, she saw her master holding the medicine bottle in his hand and handing it to her: "We need this medicine. But as you know, the world is not peaceful these days, and we are also short of food. I see that your complexion is rosy and your forehead is glowing, so you must have reached the Qi Refining stage and don't need to eat every day. How about this, you can have a meal with us in a little while, and when we part, I will give you half a pound of dried meat. Would you like that?"

Kong Youxin saw the man pause for a moment, then the slight smile on her face deepened, as if she wanted to laugh but held it back. She nodded repeatedly, "Alright, alright, of course I'm willing. Please keep this, fellow Daoist—how should I address you?"

He handed over the small wooden stopper, which Zhou Xiang plugged in, then carefully tucked the medicine bottle into his robes. He then said, "My name is Zhou Xiang, and this is my disciple, Kong Youxin."

The man quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, Young Friend Kong. My name is Li Xiao, oh, I already mentioned him, haha."

Seeing his smile, Kong Youxin completely shook off her fear. She then realized something she hadn't even noticed before—this young man wasn't bad-looking… not just not bad, but quite handsome. And now, with that smile, he seemed even more pleasing.

After only a few furtive glances, Kong Youxin couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This person, as a rogue cultivator outside the sect, had managed to reach the Qi Refining stage; his aptitude must be quite good, right? But to brave wind and rain, and still treat these medicinal dregs like treasures, was truly pitiful.

"Youxin, get something to eat."

Kong Youxin nodded immediately. She had already picked up three larger stones and piled them up while starting the fire. At this moment, Kong Youxin placed a small pot, about the size of a palm, on the stones, poured in some fried rice, and added water, just enough to cover the rice.

Li Xiao rubbed his hands together and said, "Great! It's been a long time since I've had rice. Did you exchange it in Dongdan?"

Haven't eaten this in a long time? So we shouldn't eat this? Kong Youxin was taken aback, but then saw Zhou Xiang smile slightly, shake his head, and say, "No."

This indicated that he didn't want to say more, and Li Xiao, being sensible, smiled and didn't ask any further questions.

Kong Youxin took out a small jar, about the size of her palm, and scooped a spoonful of solidified lard from it. Glancing at Li Xiao out of the corner of her eye, she felt that she shouldn't add too much, so she only used a spoon to swirl a tiny bit in.

Li Xiao then said, "Okay, I haven't had anything oily or greasy in a long time."

How come this person hasn't eaten anything in "a long time"? Kong Youxin originally wanted to add some dried meat to cook together, but now she didn't dare. Zhou Xiang, however, said, "Adding a little meat in is enough to entertain Fellow Daoist Li."

Kong Youxin then took out the dried meat, broke it into pieces, sprinkled a thin layer on the rice, and then put the lid on the small pot. The fire wasn't very strong, so the water boiled slowly. The flames had already licked the bottom of the small pot black, but not a single wisp of steam escaped from under the lid. The three of them sat there for a while, and Li Xiao, as if making conversation, asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhou... Senior Zhou, where are you and your master going?"

"There's nowhere else to go. The original place was destroyed, so the two of us wandered around, hoping to find a secluded paradise to rebuild our gate."

"Oh... I'm heading towards Yiling."

Kong Youxin's heart skipped a beat. Yiling!
Yiling was actually the place they were going to, because the Blood God Sect's training ground was in Yiling, near the former Heavenly Craftsmanship Sect of the Thirty-Six Sects!
Zhou Xiang didn't respond, so Li Xiao continued, "Senior, I have something... I really shouldn't have said this, but..."

Zhou Xiang smiled and said, "Why would I want to say something I shouldn't?"

Li Xiao sighed: "Senior, please don't take offense. I didn't know the depth of your cultivation before... You should have realized that I was afraid you were bad people. But a little medicine powder is enough to earn you such hospitality. Looking at the food you have and the demeanor of you and your master, I know that you must be a master, at least not a Qi Refining cultivator. I can't tell the depth of your cultivation."

Zhou Xiang remained silent, only staring at the flames.

"Traveling alone is too difficult. I was thinking, if you don't mind, could we travel together? It's not about mutual support, but rather that I'd like to borrow your help and do something for you. Judging from your accents, you must be from the north, right? I used to wander around this area a lot and I know this part of the south very well. If you're looking for an auspicious place, I might be able to help you a little."

Kong Youxin was overjoyed, thinking that her master would definitely agree. In fact, she had already thought about this on the ship—it would be best to find a wandering martial arts master to travel with her after arriving here, so that she could observe him as they went and learn something from him.

Li Xiao's appearance was too timely and too opportune; to others, it might even seem like he was deliberately sent forward. But this matter was top secret within the sect, and he had just disembarked from the ship a few days prior, so it was impossible for anyone outside the sect to know about it.

Master had mentioned Li Wuxiang on the ship before. Although his senior brother said it was not good, Kong Youxin knew why Master didn't care much.

Because he also carries the remains of thirty-seven Dao-Merging Elders of the sect on his body!
The "annihilation" of our ancestors was actually the return of their primordial spirit to its coffin, where it slowly transformed into true energy that could be used by the cultivators of the main altar, while their physical bodies remained.

Upon reaching the Dao Integration Realm, the physical body is already considered a celestial treasure. Although it is not like the Yang Shen of the Taiyi Sect, whose physical body is almost saintly, the body of the Dao Integration Realm has almost merged with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and can almost be regarded as a materialized spiritual energy.

This time, the plan is to send the thirty-seven remains to the Blood God Sect's headquarters in Yiling, so they can use the remains of the Dao-Merging Immortal to refine corpse immortals and annihilate the Taiyi Sect and the Descended Heavenly Demon. Therefore, these remains, carried on one's person, are themselves thirty-seven supreme treasures of heaven and earth, connected to the fortunes of the Five Sacred Mountains, something mortals could never fathom. Tonight's encounter with Li Xiao is truly an incredible coincidence delivered to one's doorstep.

Sure enough, Zhou Xiang hesitated for a moment before asking, "What are you going to Yiling for?"

Li Xiao immediately smiled: "It's not that I necessarily want to go to Yiling. Seniors, you all clearly have a lineage or come from a reclusive family, otherwise you wouldn't have such an air about you. Alas, someone like me was just a wandering swordsman and rogue cultivator in the past—"

Seemingly sensing that Zhou Xiang had softened her stance, Li Xiao was in a great mood and suddenly became more talkative, recounting his past experiences.

This person spoke clearly, fluently, had a pleasant voice, and was handsome. Kong Youxin became engrossed in listening to him—realizing that the area outside the parish was completely different from what she had originally imagined. Although it was dangerous, it was also very interesting!
First, listen to his story about how he went up Ran Mountain with someone near a big city called Deyang—he learned that there was such a dilapidated place among the Thirty-Six Sects.

He also heard about his previous trip to Dajie Mountain with others to join in the fun—he learned that the Taiyi Sect was actually in such a state of decline that it was fighting back and forth with its thirty-six branch sects.

Then I heard about the love affair between Tong Xu, the leader of the Qingpu Sect of the Thirty-Six Sects, and an elder of the Juque Sect—it turns out that they really can marry and have children at will outside!

"...That's how I am, I go wherever there's excitement, hoping to have some fortuitous encounter and get back on the right path. But these are chaotic times, it's really too difficult to learn any real skills. I've heard that cultivators are all heading to Yiling to join the Blood God Sect, but I feel their techniques are a bit evil, so I don't really want to go. It's because I've heard rumors that some fellow martial artists are also going there to observe, that I'm thinking of going too. In times like these, good and evil are clearer than before. If I encounter a senior who doesn't want to join the Blood God Sect, maybe I can be accepted as a disciple..."

Zhou Xiang laughed: "What, do you also want to become my disciple?"

"Huh?" Li Xiao was stunned, seemingly feeling that saying yes or no was not good either.

Zhou Xiang waved his hand: "It was just a joke. You don't know whether my master is righteous or evil, so naturally you can't make up your mind."

Li Xiao was about to speak again when Zhou Xiang nodded: "But just considering that you think the Blood God Sect's techniques are a bit evil, you're quite intelligent. Alright, let's travel for a while first. When it's time for you to head to Yiling, you can make your own plans."

Li Xiao straightened up, a look of joy appearing on his face, but he also let out a sigh of relief and said respectfully, "Then thank you very much, senior."

Kong Youxin discovered another difference between people outside and inside the diocese—they all seemed to prefer keeping their emotions hidden. This wasn't directed at Li Xiao; he was quite cheerful and talkative. However, as he himself had just said, it was precisely because of this temperament that he was considered an anomaly among independent cultivators, suffered considerably, and caused many "experts" who had considered taking him as a disciple to abandon him, fearing he would cause trouble sooner or later.

Even so, Kong Youxin felt that he was quite shy and reserved within the parish.

Actually, Li Wuxiang felt the same way. He also noticed that these two people were strange, acting a bit like little adults.

What is this little adult saying? Children like to imitate adults' mannerisms and speak in a serious manner. But even if they imitate 90% of it, the remaining 10% is enough to make them look ridiculous.

The master and apprentice seemed to be trying to act like seasoned veterans, but they were revealing their true colors at every turn.

For example, seasoned veterans don't light fires at night. And when they do, they don't create a fire pit. Picking up stones and piling them up isn't difficult, but it's easy to get distracted while doing so. Wandering martial artists who go out to survive make do with what they can, and they don't waste their energy on things like comfort; they focus entirely on staying alive.

A seasoned veteran wouldn't be unable to hear a sound after approaching within twenty or thirty paces, nor would they stand up and talk by a fire before figuring out where the other party was hiding in the woods. Wouldn't that make them even more conspicuous? They should have put out the fire immediately after hearing the noise.

A seasoned veteran wouldn't simply accept the bottle of Life-Sustaining Pill powder when he was handed it over. If he had encountered Old Guo, whom he had met when he first left Jinshui, or the rogue cultivator who used poison, he would have been poisoned just now.

These flaws had previously led Li Wuxiang to believe that the two were novices, perhaps having escaped from a reclusive family.

The problem was that even reclusive families needed to exchange goods with the outside world, so they should know the value of that small bottle of powder—in this world, it was good enough to get a bite to eat, but they wanted him to sit down and have a meal, plus half a pound of dried meat? He almost burst out laughing. These two were incredibly extravagant. They wanted fried rice with lard, saying "add a little bit of meat," and it turned out to be a thick layer of it, with a kind of unrefined, worldly beauty…

It reminded him of Xu Daosheng.

While he was speaking, his spirit had already left his body and looked around the beach where the two of them had walked, finding their footprints.

These two came from the sea. They didn't possess any demonic aura. While I might not have been able to tell before, now that I had obtained the skin and bones of the Xie Zhi, I was absolutely certain they were human. Moreover, they were imbued with numerous magical techniques, their power so formidable that even I, a Nascent Soul cultivator at the Great Tribulation stage, dared not easily probe the depth of their strength.

What are the Six Departments of the Mysterious Sect doing? If we're talking about breaking the rules, they brought people here by sea, possibly even crossing the ocean from the Eastern Continent. But if we're talking about following the rules, aren't these two disciples of the Mysterious Sect?

I've really hit the jackpot, though I can't quite pinpoint which kind of luck it was.

(End of this chapter)