Volume One: The Emperor’s Decree Chapter Seventy-Three: Galloping Out of the Mountain Depths

“Is this spirit beast yours? Will you sell it to me?” Xiao Qingshu examined the small tiger closely. With her years of experience, she could tell this was an extraordinary cub.

The little tiger was intelligent enough to understand human speech. Realizing this demoness wanted to buy it, it hurriedly cast a pleading look at Liu Xiaoyi for help. It was a dignified Golden-Eyed Tiger, yet here it was, fur mussed by the young girl’s relentless cuddling.

But Liu Xiaoyi, absorbed in the joy of his body’s transformation, had no intention of lending a hand. He hadn’t noticed what was happening in front of him at all.

Now that his soul was repaired, the spiritual root in his dantian grew greener and taller, with a new sprout breaking through the seed—still young, needing long cultivation to mature.

The soul of the golden dragon fused into his spirit, sealing every crack. In Liu Xiaoyi’s eyes, it was a marvel of creation. When Daoist Yellow Crane saw the golden dragon soul, he devised this method, a testament to his unfathomable skill.

Things seemed to be moving in a strange direction. Liu Xiaoyi had planned to practice swordsmanship, living life as a carefree swordsman, but these events forced him onward, whether he liked it or not.

The martial world was no longer as he remembered. The sects’ inner workings defied common sense. Even the mysterious soul, once damaged, could now be fully restored. After witnessing such wonders, nothing could surprise him anymore.

He came back to himself and reached for the sword hilt, only to discover that the King’s Sword had shattered. Without the golden dragon soul, the blade couldn’t bear the power and thus broke apart.

“What a pity for such a fine sword. I’ll have to forge another one when I leave.” As he mused, the little tiger’s whimper grew even weaker.

“I want to buy this little tiger—will you sell it or not?” Xiao Qingshu, seeing him return to his senses, coquettishly asked again.

Liu Xiaoyi snatched the cub back, tucked it into his arms, and replied, “I don’t need money. No matter how much you offer, I won’t sell!”

Little Gold, having recovered, poked its head out, baring its teeth at Xiao Qingshu. It meant to say: I have my master to protect me, and you, little girl, won’t touch me again.

“Anyway, you’re going to marry me. What’s yours will be mine!”

“I’m only fifteen—not getting married!”

“Then wait until you’re eighteen! My family is not to be trifled with. When we go back, I’ll tell my brothers and sisters you saw me naked and bullied me! Hmph!”

Xiao Qingshu invoked her family, hoping to intimidate Liu Xiaoyi. She shook her small fist, but he only rolled his eyes, tidied up, and walked out the door without responding.

“You—you—you’re infuriating! Don’t think you can shake me off!” Xiao Qingshu hurried after him, resembling a wronged wife, following Liu Xiaoyi up the mountain path to the summit.

No sooner had they reached the open ground than voices rang out. Liu Xiaoyi’s golden eyes flashed, and he saw the figures a hundred yards away clearly.

Countless soldiers lined up, well-prepared on the mountain peak. At the front were over a hundred disciples of Heavenly King Dao, all clad in soft armor and armed, their ranks solemn and orderly.

Several mountain lords were present. Daoist Xu, dressed in a robe sewn with gold threads, squinted as he surveyed the scene.

“Today, the disciples of Heavenly King Dao descend the mountain for the sake of the people and national peace. With war raging and lords dividing the realm, chaos has come. This is the time for heroes to emerge. Disciples, heed my command!” Daoist Xu called out with unprecedented force.

Before he could finish, he spotted Liu Xiaoyi walking slowly out from the woods. His words hung unfinished, leaving everyone uneasy.

They had sent people searching for Liu Xiaoyi days ago but found nothing. The Grand Elder had suddenly secluded himself, leaving the matter unresolved.

Liu Xiaoyi, calm and composed, walked through the ranks from tail to head. Many present recognized this young uncle, who appeared and disappeared unpredictably, and immediately fell silent.

“Sect Master, I’ve returned. Heavenly King Dao is indeed a wonder.” Liu Xiaoyi stepped forward, clasped his fists in greeting, and nudged Xiao Qingshu beside him. Instead, she raised her head, letting out a hint of her aura. Daoist Xu’s face immediately changed.

He lacked the cultivation of the Grand Elder. The surge of her aura nearly knocked him over.

“Who might this be…” Daoist Xu began to ask, but Liu Xiaoyi smacked the girl’s head, making Xiao Qingshu cry out. The intimidating aura vanished in an instant.

Daoist Xu broke out in a cold sweat, barely managing to stay calm. The other mountain lords, unaware, felt no pressure, as her aura targeted only Daoist Xu.

“This is my…” Liu Xiaoyi started, but Xiao Qingshu interrupted, “I’m his fiancée. We’ll marry as soon as we return!”

The crowd erupted in astonishment. Some disciples struggled to suppress laughter, covering their mouths, faces blushing. How could romance be discussed at such a moment? It was simply ridiculous.

Liu Xiaoyi’s face darkened. “Sect Master, don’t listen to her nonsense. Let’s focus on business. Do you know Daoist Xuanzi? He seems to be your peer.”

“Daoist Xuanzi? How do you know my junior brother? He’s been in seclusion.” Daoist Xu’s junior had remarkable insight into souls and hadn’t been seen since he secluded himself years ago.

Liu Xiaoyi took out the bronze key Daoist Xuanzi had entrusted him with. Daoist Xu sighed deeply, “My brother is gone after all. I told him countless times not to touch those strange objects, but he wouldn’t listen!”

Within a few minutes, Daoist Xu endured so much emotion he felt dizzy. Fortunately, the Lord of Tianxu Mountain supported him, helping him steady himself.

The mountain lords, though not disciples of Daoist Xu’s master, had close ties to Daoist Xuanzi. Seeing the bronze key, they understood everything.

“Brother Daoist Xuanzi said that if anyone else holds the bronze key, he must have died, and the bearer is his chosen successor,” explained the Lord of Tianxu Mountain. “His abode lies along our path. Young uncle, you may travel with us.”

“Lord of Tianxu Mountain, I must say, he must come with me to Move-the-Mountain Sect first!” Stone Fate, shaking his large belly, squeezed out from the crowd to stand by Liu Xiaoyi’s side.

Liu Xiaoyi felt the warmth of his aura, relaxing immediately. Stone Fate quietly shielded him from the mountain lords’ pressure.

The difference in cultivation made conversation together oppressive. Liu Xiaoyi grew more fond of Stone Fate for his kindness.

“Young uncle, this place is near Flame City on the border of Yanliang and Central Provinces. You may meet us there,” Daoist Xu handed over a token inscribed with identity. “Grand Elder instructed me to give you this token, which commands all disciples of Heavenly King Dao.”

He still couldn’t fathom why the Grand Elder valued this youth so highly. His cultivation was modest, and he showed no extraordinary talent.

Stone Fate pressed his hands together, “Blessings! Sect Master, if you’re willing to let him go, we’ll take our leave. Liu, please follow me!”

At Stone Fate’s words, his followers echoed him. The disciples of Move-the-Mountain Sect mounted their horses and departed.

“Senior Stone Fate, I’ve spent six months here—will the trip over there take long?” Liu Xiaoyi climbed onto his horse, with Xiao Qingshu, unable to ride, clinging tightly behind him.

“The year-long promise will be easily kept. Don’t worry—it’s not far to Move-the-Mountain Sect, and we’ll arrive soon.” Stone Fate always spoke with a smile, calm and unhurried, especially toward Liu Xiaoyi, his gaze full of indulgent affection.

Move-the-Mountain Sect was once the leader among nine Daoist branches, but in recent years had declined. When Stone Fate took over, the sect had only a thousand followers, scattered throughout the Iron Dynasty, all gathered in a single town.

Life in Move-the-Mountain Town was much like any ordinary village. The people farmed, hunted, and fished for a living, practicing cultivation only in their spare time. All cultivators here were robust—women were sturdy and strong, men could wrestle tigers and leopards bare-handed.

The cultivation of the nine Daoist branches requires deep comprehension of the “Lin” character formula, to realize one’s own principles and achieve true attainment.

Because the nine-character mantra is so esoteric, a master divided it into branches of Daoist methods, making it accessible. The gold, silver, copper, and iron body is the current doctrine of Move-the-Mountain Sect.

Through body refinement, one’s body becomes an indestructible weapon, embodying the defensive aspect of the “Lin” formula. The town has a Sky Stele with no inscription; one must stand in its central groove, fully attuned to the “Lin” formula. Whatever insight is gained appears upon the stele.

Stone Fate spent half a year at Heavenly King Dao just to bring Liu Xiaoyi along, as he mistakenly believed Liu Xiaoyi to be a Spirit Disciple—one who innately comprehends a character. Such a disciple, standing within the stele, could certainly unlock all secrets of the “Lin” formula.

Thinking of this, Stone Fate spurred his horse down the mountain road. Despite his big belly, he rode with remarkable lightness.

As the Move-the-Mountain group departed, Daoist Xu finally drew his sword and led his troops out. A hundred thousand strong, they surged from Seven Stars City, swords aimed at Central Province’s White Jade Capital.

He had already coordinated with Cui Ran, agreeing to meet before the capital to jointly suppress the rebels.

Daoist Xu kept Cui Ying close, so that if anything went wrong, he would be the best hostage.

Feng Nanjue, Guo Shuda, and other inner disciples each led their own squads. An army composed entirely of sect disciples—this was unique to Heavenly King Dao.

They did not realize what awaited them was invisible glory. Central Province was roiling with undercurrents: streets empty by day, cries of battle echoing at night. The jade-paved avenues were soon to be stained red with blood.

Watching the now-empty mountain gate, the Grand Elder’s brows were clouded with worry: “Immortals are involved. Whether Heavenly King Dao brings fortune or disaster, who can know? I only pray the nine branches spare the martial world, and let Iron Dynasty survive!”

His words were full of despair. With a sigh, his back hunched further, and after coughing twice, he returned to the main hall.