114: Unorthodox Offshoots

The vast expanse of Poyang Lake stretches for tens of thousands of miles, a realm of wetlands and winding streams that nurture countless species of birds. Among its myriad undulating mountain ranges, Yi Fan randomly chose one to hide within. The first few days were peaceful, but soon he began to sense that others were deliberately searching for him.

In these boundless mountains and the vastness of Poyang Lake, finding a single person is like searching for a needle in the ocean—an almost impossible task. Yet, with enough persistence, even the highest heaven can be scaled.

Dozens of men appeared before his makeshift thatched hut. Among them was the Taoist Zuo, though he stood noticeably toward the back. Leading the group was a lean, thin-mustached man who scrutinized Yi Fan with a cold gaze.

"A disciple of the Shangqing Sect?"

The lean man clasped his hands and said nonchalantly, "Since you were able to kill Brother Fang Chen, it proves you are stronger than him. If he died, he has no one to blame but himself. Blame my master for being too obsessed with appearances; since you killed his disciple, he must kill you in return. Moreover, as a disciple of the Shangqing Sect, you deserve to die even more."

Yi Fan glanced around; all exits were blocked, and there was no escape by land or air. The man before him exuded a pressure similar to that of Red-Brow from the Hundred Refining Sect. His strength was formidable—far beyond what Yi Fan could handle—not to mention the many disciples of the Gezao Mountain surrounding him, all waiting like tigers ready to pounce.

Suddenly, a powerful aura surged into the sky. Even from a distance of a thousand meters, it burned like a fire in the night, impossible to ignore.

In the blink of an eye, a woman carrying a sword appeared, moving from afar to near. When she came into view, even women would have been stirred by her beauty, yet her eyebrows were like blades, and her eyes held a cold detachment. She did not even blink, despite being surrounded by enemies.

"Fairy Guye?"

The cultivators of Gezao Mountain turned pale. They had received reports that the Shangqing Sect had dispatched this "female demon," but seeing her in person was an entirely different experience.

The lean man squinted, staring fixedly at her, fearing her unpredictable nature. Rumor had it that this woman dared to strike even her own teachers, and her cultivation level was beyond his perception—at the very least, she was in the "Returning Elixir" realm.

While the lean man pondered, the woman looked at Yi Fan and said expressionlessly, "Are you the one who has been impersonating a disciple of the Shangqing Sect and causing trouble everywhere?"

"He is not a disciple of the Shangqing Sect?"

The cultivators of Gezao Mountain were stunned. After all this trouble, it turned out he was a fraud? Yet, the aura of the cultivation technique he used was clearly the "Heart-Clearing Sutra," the introductory method of the Shangqing Sect. Even if someone else obtained it, they could not practice it without a master’s guidance—which was why they had been so certain he was a disciple of the sect.

However, they trusted Fairy Guye’s words. As one of the preeminent third-generation disciples of the Shangqing Sect, she was not only powerful but, given her character of only caring for the Dao, she would never lie.

Yi Fan abandoned all thoughts of escape. The woman before him felt like a drawn sword ready to strike at any moment, and he was certain that if he dared to run, she would truly cut him down.

"Yes and no. The trouble was caused by me, but I never claimed to be a disciple of the Shangqing Sect. Everything was merely their own speculation."

"Well done."

Yi Fan was startled, not understanding her meaning. The woman then raised her sword and looked at the cultivators of Gezao Mountain. "The southern regions are in turmoil, with demons running amok, and certain cultivators are fanning the flames, even participating themselves, turning everything into a mess. Since I have descended the mountain, I shall take this opportunity to clear them out."

Having said this, she added, "These are the words of the Headmaster."

The lean man’s expression shifted. He waved his hand, drew several talismans from his pouch, and stuck them to his feet, fleeing with a leap. The others scattered in panic.

Their cultivation levels were not on the same plane. If they had encountered cultivators from other sects, they might have used the reputation of Gezao Mountain to intimidate them, but against this "female demon," even if their master, Yan Ming, were here, he would find it a headache.

The woman simply plunged her sword into the ground and performed a set of hand seals in an instant. The dozens of talismans transformed into flying rainbows and gave chase. Before long, screams echoed through the air.

Not finished yet, she picked up her sword and tapped it lightly. A clear chime rang out, and the sword transformed into a streak of light, vanishing. In an instant, it returned and was sheathed.

Yi Fan’s eyelids twitched at the sight. She killed without hesitation, her expression never changing. Besides, wasn't the Shangqing Sect famous for its talismans? Why was her swordsmanship more formidable than that of actual sword cultivators?

"Come back to the sect with me."

"What?"

Yi Fan felt as if his head were spinning. He couldn't grasp her logic: she killed people one moment and demanded he return to the sect the next.

The woman glanced at him coldly. "The Headmaster said that although you are not an orthodox disciple of our Shangqing Sect, you are a branch of our lineage. The founder of your temple was a disciple who left our sect to establish his own. Now that your cultivation is barely passable, you may return to the sect to train."

So that was it. No wonder Yan Chixia had guessed something the first time they met but had remained silent. Yi Fan had suspected as much himself but dared not be certain. Now, the woman’s explanation resolved his confusion.

However, he knew his own situation. He had not attained his current cultivation through simple hard work. Once at the Shangqing Sect, not only would it be hard to improve his cultivation, but he might also expose his secrets.

Just as he was about to refuse, the woman said, "The Shangqing Sect has always valued freedom and does not force its disciples. The Headmaster said that if you do not wish to return, that is fine—provided you can take one strike from my sword."

She began to raise her blade.

Yi Fan was terrified and quickly blurted out, "Returning to the Shangqing Sect to train is my great fortune! Having drifted in this mortal world for years, I have long realized the benefits of belonging to a sect. I would naturally prefer not to be a rogue cultivator anymore."

At the same time, he felt a surge of resentment. The fate of the Gezao Mountain cultivators was proof enough—if she struck, survival would be impossible, let alone taking the blow. Besides, what was the Headmaster of the Shangqing Sect doing, worrying about a nobody like him?

...

Several months later, in the mountains, Yi Fan led his old donkey with the "Greed Ghost" scouting ahead. After traveling for over two hours and finally crossing a ridge, he said helplessly to the woman sitting on the donkey’s back, "Uncle-Master Guye, are you certain this is the right direction?"

Looking at the endless mountain ranges ahead, Yi Fan felt quite hopeless. He had never expected that even someone as powerful as Guye would have a fatal flaw: she was a complete disaster at navigation. For months, she had been leading them in circles through the mountains.

He truly could not understand how she had managed to descend the mountain and reach Poyang Lake in the first place.

Guye did not even open her eyes. She said faintly, "Kill this old donkey, and I will carry you on my way. We will certainly find the right direction."

The old donkey shuddered, opening its eyes to look at Yi Fan with grievance. This was not the first time! Though it could not understand what the "female demon" was saying, the bone-chilling intent to kill made its legs tremble.