Chapter Thirty-Two: Joining Forces

Nuo Tian truly had no idea how many peaks there were within the Path of the Reverse Dragon, so he didn’t know whether the Azure Cloud Peak even existed. However, he believed this man’s claim of being a disciple of the Reverse Dragon Path. If he was the senior disciple of a peak, he was at least at the pinnacle of the Spirit Core Realm in strength. Such disciples, due to their age, had lost the chance to become core disciples—unless they achieved some monumental merit.

As a rule, the Path of the Reverse Dragon would assign such disciples certain duties, tasks that ordinary disciples could not handle.

Nuo Tian maintained a genial smile as he looked at his fellow disciple. “Since you are a senior disciple of a peak, why do you appear here?”

Cang Song tossed the question back with ease. “And what about you, junior brother? Why are you here? Judging by your cultivation, you’re probably about on par with me.” As he spoke, Cang Song leapt before Nuo Tian, surprised to see how young his junior was. “Never mind. Let’s not speak in riddles. This matter with the Yun Teng Kingdom—when it was reported, the sect didn’t pay much attention, but later it became apparent that other forces had sent powerful experts. That’s why I took on this assignment: to deal with these hidden masters and prevent our Path of the Reverse Dragon from being outmaneuvered in the struggle among the sects’ outer forces.”

“There are other experts involved?” Nuo Tian asked with curiosity.

“Yes. Some factions seem to have sent disciples in the Spirit Core Realm. I truly don’t know what these minor sects are plotting—deploying such powerful disciples for some insignificant forbidden ground contest,” Cang Song replied, his tone a blend of curiosity and disdain.

Nuo Tian found himself intrigued as well. “Could this time’s forbidden ground inheritance conceal treasures beyond our imagining?”

Cang Song laughed. “Treasures? Junior brother, do you really believe that? The sect’s annals record no fewer than a hundred thousand such forbidden grounds appearing, and not once has a true treasure surfaced—only legacies left behind by our fallen disciples. A true master would never choose to perish in the mundane world! If one’s resting place is tainted by worldly dust, even reincarnation would be for naught.”

For cultivators, reincarnation after death was a reality. It was said that in some Western Buddhist sects, there were true sages who retained memories of former lives, hence their terrifying speed of cultivation and comprehension.

Seeing his junior brother’s interest in the forbidden ground, Cang Song began to hatch a plan. It was clear the other factions aimed to join forces and seize the inheritance, and reports suggested at least three Spirit Core disciples among them—likely equal in cultivation to himself. This mission was not without risk, and though he was not afraid, increasing his chances would do no harm. Why not invite this junior brother to join him?

“If you’re interested, why not come with me to have a look?” Cang Song said directly.

“Is that allowed?” Nuo Tian knew this was an official sect mission, and it might be inappropriate to meddle.

“Of course. If you come along, any treasure found shall be yours,” Cang Song nodded emphatically, even offering the spoils to Nuo Tian. Naturally, he didn’t believe there would be anything truly valuable—fulfilling the mission would be reward enough from the sect.

“Very well. I’d like to see how disciples from other sects compare in strength,” Nuo Tian agreed.

Once Nuo Tian had given his answer, he returned at once. Neither he nor Cang Song was one for unnecessary delay, so they decided to depart immediately. Of course, Nuo Tian needed to make arrangements first, and he did not plan to bring either Xin’er or his newly taken attendant, Guo Yue. For one, the journey would be dangerous, beyond their capabilities; for another, he hoped to settle matters swiftly, and going alone would suit him better.

The banquet was still ongoing when Yi Xin and Guo Yue quietly slipped away, finally retiring to Guo Yue’s private quarters. There, they spoke in confidence, most often about Nuo Tian. Since she was now his attendant, Guo Yue wanted to learn as much about him as possible.

Yi Xin understood her elder sister’s thoughts perfectly. Since things had come to pass, she explained what little she knew about her young master. However, she refrained from revealing anything about his status within the Path of the Reverse Dragon, as she lacked his permission. Thus, Guo Yue heard only tales of how Nuo Tian had rescued her from among the other disciples, laced with the little maid’s admiration and affection.

Guo Yue was left speechless. Though she hadn’t learned much, one thing was clear: her young master was no villain. Serving him would surely be far better than following some inner disciple. She also realized the little maid had withheld certain details, but she understood—if everyone around the young master was simple-minded, he would be in far greater danger.

When Nuo Tian returned, he found Yi Xin absent from the banquet. Zhang Xianba, meanwhile, had been dragged to the table to drink with the various sect leaders. Nuo Tian paid this no mind, instead using his spiritual sense to locate his little maid. She was with Guo Yue, and though they were discussing private matters, Nuo Tian overheard Yi Xin’s words of affection for him, and Guo Yue’s teasing. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop; he simply wanted to know her whereabouts. He could only smile wryly at the little maid’s adoration, dismissing it as the innocent hero-worship of a young girl. Though the little maid was beautiful and charming, he had long regarded her as a younger sister, just as his own elder sister had once cared for him.

He knocked at the door, interrupting Yi Xin’s story. She started, but then, recognizing the knock, became excited and hurried to open the door.

Seeing her young master, she immediately hugged his arm. “Young master, you’re back so soon!” she exclaimed, brimming with delight and surprise.

Guo Yue stepped forward as well. “Greetings, young master.”

Nuo Tian nodded, patting the little maid’s head. “Yue’er, there’s no need for such formality with me. You can see from the little maid here that I ask nothing more from you, so don’t worry.”

This time, Guo Yue’s smile came from the heart. She truly felt she had made the right decision. “I understand, young master.”

“Xin’er, let go of me. For the next few days, stay here with Yue’er. I’ve met a disciple from the Path of the Reverse Dragon and intend to join him to investigate this time’s inheritance; so I can’t take you along,” Nuo Tian said, turning to the little maid.

Yi Xin pouted but nodded understandingly. “I understand, young master. Please be careful,” she said, sensible as always.

Guo Yue chimed in as well. “Young master, take care. I’ll look after Xin’er for you.”

Nuo Tian nodded. “Then I’ll be off. Xin’er, while I’m away, you’d best focus on your cultivation. If you don’t break through to the Heroic Realm within a year, I’ll have to make you gnaw on bones.”

Yi Xin nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick. “Don’t worry, young master! I’ll work hard and won’t slack off.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Nuo Tian vanished from sight.

Cang Song had been waiting for him in the rear mountains. Seeing him arrive, Cang Song nodded with satisfaction. Without another word, he led Nuo Tian flying into the distance.

The forbidden ground this time was in the western part of Yun Teng Kingdom, near the border, not far from the neighboring five kingdoms. After half a day’s flight, they arrived at a valley where a quiet river wound through, flanked by two modest mountains.

The scene reminded Nuo Tian somewhat of the Underworld Ravine. He turned to Cang Song, who explained, “The forbidden inheritance lies beneath the valley. The fallen disciple chose a hidden spot, only discovered when another disciple accidentally fell into the river.”

“Then why wasn’t the treasure taken immediately upon discovery?” Nuo Tian asked.

“That’s the reason for the current scramble. There’s an array guarding the forbidden ground. While it’s nothing to us, to others it’s formidable—especially since it’s an illusory array, a rarity that few can deploy. This led others to believe it might truly be the legacy of a great master,” Cang Song replied, still full of disdain for such inheritance grounds.

Nuo Tian nodded thoughtfully, scanning the surroundings and noticing that the area was already filled with Mortal-grade martial artists. “These are all sent by the Yun Teng royal family,” Cang Song explained.

When Nuo Tian saw that Cang Song seemed in no rush to enter or take further action, he asked, “Senior brother, aren’t we going in?”

Cang Song responded with a strange smile. “You don’t know, junior brother—my mission isn’t just to seize or destroy the treasure, but to deal with the intruders as well.” He sounded a bit embarrassed, having concealed part of the truth from Nuo Tian, but now that he’d gotten him involved, he decided to confess.

Nuo Tian was slightly bothered by the deception, but not surprised. Did his senior brother really mean to hand over all the treasures? It seemed there truly was no such thing as a free meal. “It doesn’t matter; I’d like to cross swords with disciples of other sects. But whatever treasure is found, it’s all mine.”

Cang Song nodded rapidly, afraid Nuo Tian might change his mind—he truly cared nothing for the so-called inheritance of these forbidden grounds.