Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

Tang Xuejian followed the woman in white along the mountain path leading to Xiaozhu Peak.

Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, the blue stone steps wind their way upwards.

The green bamboo on both sides swayed gently in the wind, making a rustling sound.

The woman walking in front had a tall and straight figure, dressed in white, with her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall.

It was tied with only a plain-colored ribbon.

Her every step was as light as walking on clouds, yet she carried an aura of coldness that kept strangers at bay.

Tang Xuejian secretly glanced at that stunningly beautiful back view, feeling inexplicably uneasy.

She had seen many beauties in Yuzhou City, but this senior sister in front of her was different.

It is beautiful, but it is like an iceberg that never melts, making people afraid to get close.

"Excuse me, senior sister, what's your name?"

Tang Xuejian finally mustered up her courage, her voice slightly stuttering.

The woman didn't stop walking, only replying calmly, "Lu Xueqi, my master asked me to take you there."

The voice was clear and cold, like a mountain stream, yet it carried a sense of aloofness that kept people at arm's length.

Tang Xuejian was stunned when she heard this.

Lu Xueqi?

She suddenly opened her eyes wide, and the next moment, an unbelievable look of surprise spread across her face.

"You're Lu Xueqi? The number one young talent in the world, Lu Xueqi?!"

Tang Xuejian was so excited that she took three steps at a time to catch up with him.

I almost tripped on the mountain road and barely managed to steady myself.

I've heard of you in Chongqing!

They say you are the most outstanding disciple of the Qingyun Sect in a hundred years, breaking through to the Shangqing Realm at the age of eighteen. Is that true?

Lu Xueqi turned her head slightly and glanced at the chattering little girl beside her.

She had never liked noise, but for some reason, Tang Xuejian saw the pure admiration in her eyes.

It unexpectedly stirred a long-lost warmth in her heart.

"I am Lu Xueqi, but I am not the number one among the younger generation."

Lu Xueqi deliberately made her tone even colder, but the corners of her lips curved almost imperceptibly.

"Senior sister, don't be modest!"

Tang Xuejian followed her like a little sparrow.

"I've heard it from many people: you defeated seventeen senior brothers and sisters in a row by yourself with just one sword at the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament."

If it weren't for Dao Xuan Zhenren's personal disciple intervening, the championship would definitely be yours!

Lu Xueqi stopped talking and continued walking forward.

Tang Xuejian, however, didn't seem to care about her coldness at all, and kept talking to herself:

"Senior sister, you don't know, my dream is to become a female knight-errant, like you, roaming the world with a sword, upholding justice..."

As the mountain road ascended, the clouds and fog grew thicker.

Tang Xuejian's voice echoed through the mountains, and Lu Xueqi would occasionally respond with a soft "hmm".

Looking out from the top of Xiaozhu Peak, the seven peaks of Qingyun appear like seven sharp swords piercing the sky.

It gleamed with a faint golden light in the sunlight.

From that day on, Qingyun Sect indeed gained a lively and active little girl.

Unlike other new disciples who were cautious and timid, she spent her days running around to different peaks.

Soon everyone in Qingyun knew that the newcomer, Tang Xuejian, was Lu Xueqi's little follower.

……

Half a year is but a fleeting moment for a cultivator.

Southern Xinjiang, deep in the mountains of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

The Demon-Suppressing Cave is dark and gloomy, with dark green moss crawling all over its walls.

The sound of dripping water echoed in the empty cave.

Deep within the cave, a figure sat quietly cross-legged, surrounded by faint black mist.

After many hardships, Yan Hui finally arrived at this place and stood there obediently.

Looking at the number one demon in the world not far away.

He had been standing at the cave entrance for three whole hours, his forehead dripping with cold sweat.

But they dared not move an inch.

Not far away, the man known to all as the Beast God was resting with his eyes closed.

It was as if they didn't even notice his presence.

Half a year ago, the Beast God was severely injured by Dao Xuan Zhenren in that battle, and the whole world knew about it.

But only when you actually stand in front of him.

Yan Hui then felt that suffocating sense of oppression—this was definitely not the aura of someone who had not yet recovered from serious injuries.

"Speak."

Finally, the Beast God opened his eyes.

Those were a pair of eerie eyes.

Yan Hui trembled and quickly bowed: "Beast God, my sect leader is willing to join forces with you to kill Dao Xuan."

"Join forces?"

The Beast God chuckled, his voice filled with undisguised sarcasm.

"The Ghost King Sect, with its paltry strength, dares to discuss joining forces with me?"

"The sect leader has mastered the Four Spirits Blood Formation!" Yan Hui hurriedly asked.

"This formation is incredibly powerful, enough to shake the heavens and the earth. If we have the assistance of the Beast God, we will surely be able to break through Qingyun and slay Dao Xuan!"

Upon hearing the words "Four Spirits Blood Array," a flicker of interest flashed in the Beast God's eyes. He slowly rose, his red robes billowing even without wind.

"The Four Spirits Blood Array... an ancient evil array that uses the blood of the four evil spirits as a catalyst. It's quite interesting."

He paced back and forth in the cave, his footsteps sounding exceptionally clear in the silence.

"Very well." The Beast God suddenly stopped.

"Tell the Ghost King that if he really has the guts when I fight Dao Xuan, he can join me in the battle."

If it's just a bluff..."

Before he could finish speaking, the sudden burst of murderous intent nearly made Yan Hui kneel down.

"I understand! I will report back to the Sect Master immediately!"

Yan Hui scrambled out of the cave, only daring to catch his breath once he was out of the Demon-Suppressing Cave's range.

After he left, a white figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the cave.

"Are you really going to go see Dao Xuan again?"

Xiao Bai leaned against the stone wall, her cool voice carrying a natural allure, but her eyes were full of complex emotions.

Six months ago, the Beast God manipulated her to deliver a message to Qingyun, which angered her.

But after spending time with him, she found that this madman had some redeeming qualities—at least, he never lied.

"Of course," the Beast God answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Dao Xuan is the only person I have ever defeated in my life. If I don't kill him, what's the point of my life?"

Xiao Bai sighed softly: "Didn't you ever consider that perhaps Dao Xuan Zhenren had no intention of being your enemy?"

He was simply protecting Qingyun, protecting all living beings under heaven.

"The common people?" The Beast God seemed to have heard a joke.

"What do I care about the common people? This world is so filthy, it's time to cleanse it thoroughly."

He turned to look at Xiaobai, his crimson and blue heterochromatic eyes flashing with a crazed light:

"I forgot to tell you, I've already broken through to the Earth Immortal realm."

"What?!" Xiaobai's expression changed drastically.

Earth Immortal!

That is a realm beyond the mundane; across the entire land of China, only a handful of people can reach it.

Dao Xuan Zhenren was revered as the greatest in the world precisely because he had already reached the realm of Earth Immortal.

Now that the Beast God has also broken through, what about their next encounter...?

"Aren't you afraid I'll tell Dao Xuan Zhenren?" Xiao Bai forced a smile.

The Beast God waved his hand dismissively: "It doesn't matter whether you tell me or not."

"Once I destroy all living beings, you will be the new ruler of the world."

"Everyone's dead, what use is this world to me?" Xiaobai smiled bitterly.

The Beast God did not answer, but simply looked up at the cave ceiling.

It was as if one could see the sky through the layers of rock. A cruel smile curled at the corner of his lips:

"Dao Xuan, just wait. I'll give you a surprise next time we meet."