"Congratulations, Brother Zhong," came the voice of Zhao, the head of the Zhao family, not far away.
"Congratulations, Brother Zhong," another familiar figure, an acquaintance of Zhong's, echoed.
Zhong recognized him at a glance—Qian, the head of the Qian family, one of the four major clans.
"Thank you, thank you," Zhong immediately returned the courtesy.
After all, Zhao, too, was in the Innate Realm, and several offspring from his family had been chosen by the Immortal Sect.
"Not long ago, Brother Zhong celebrated his birthday. It's unexpected to see you here in such a short time. Truly a pleasant surprise," Qian remarked, looking at Zhong Shan.
"We did rush a bit, but we made it in the end. Are you all heading back now?" Zhong Shan replied nonchalantly.
"Not yet. We still have some friends to visit. Perhaps we can catch up another day," Zhao said.
"In that case, let's meet another day," Zhong chuckled.
With that, everyone bid farewell and departed.
Before long, the Longmen Valley was empty, save for Zhong and the four bodies of his loyal disciples lying before him.
Gazing at the corpses, Zhong sighed. The path they chose led to this, life and death were in the hands of fate. But if they were chosen like Zhong Nineteen or Zhong Tian, would their fate have been different?
After a moment of reflection, Zhong dug a large pit outside the Longmen Valley and buried the bodies of his four disciples.
As night fell, Zhong rested in the valley. The scenes of the day's battle were still vivid in his mind, but he felt no fear sleeping amidst the corpses.
At eighty years old, what scenes hadn't he witnessed? Moreover, this place was the safest; before the Dragon Gate Assembly, the powerful had already cleared out any nearby demons.
The next day, after eating some dry rations and leaning on his dragon-headed cane, Zhong began his journey back.
Reaching the Innate Realm was indeed different; walking was much swifter now. Nine had come, but only one was returning. Zhong felt no despair, only joy. The Innate Realm marked a new beginning.
Of the four disciples, three had betrayed him, but Zhong Tian remained loyal, upholding filial duty. Zhong remembered it all, buried deep within.
The mountain road was rugged, fraught with poisonous creatures. Zhong had to be cautious. Come dusk, he found a grove, climbed a tree, and strung his hammock between branches. He smeared herbs on the branches to deter snakes.
Though he could stay awake for long periods in the Innate Realm, Zhong dared not travel at night. The deep mountains held countless dangers. He could only doze in the hammock.
At midnight, two beams of light pierced the forest. Zhong, half asleep, woke at the sight.
"Caw caw caw, Purple Mist Fairy, join me. Be my companion. Would you refuse such an offer?" A sinister voice reached Zhong Tian.
"Daydreaming, Red Luan Demon. Would I, of the Kaiyang Sect, ally with you? The once honorable Red Luan Sect, now under your lead, has become a great evil," a melodious voice entered Zhong's ears.
Kaiyang Sect? Zhong recognized it. But he didn't rush out; instead, he held his breath, practicing the ancient breathing technique. He appeared lifeless in the hammock.
"Red Luan Sect? Caw caw caw, if you care for this ancient sect, what of this ancestral sword I offer? It will be yours if you join me," the Red Luan Demon chuckled.
"Huff... huff... What's happening? Are you poisoning me?" the woman cried out.
"The Red Luan Mist, how does it feel? The world's top aphrodisiac, only I, the Red Luan Demon, can wield it. I don't believe you can escape my grasp. Don't blame me; it was your female disciple's dying words that revealed your secret. She said you were the Vessel of the Cauldron, the perfect cultivation furnace. It took quite an effort for me, the demon, to injure you like this. Since you refuse to comply, don't blame me. I'll erase your memories and take you back to enjoy," the Red Luan Demon chuckled.
"You killed Qing'er?" the woman exclaimed in anger.
"It's not exactly killing. Who knows, maybe she's still having a great time. She's dead, though, under my care. She spilled a bit of your secrets before dying. Lucky me, right? The Vessel... no wonder the Purple Mist Fairy's thunder technique is so powerful. If it weren't for the sacrifices I made before, maybe I'd be defeated by you too," the Red Luan Demon laughed sinisterly.
"Even if I die, I won't let you succeed," the Purple Mist Fairy retorted angrily.
"It's too late. Feel that heat, Fairy? My Red Luan Mist envelops the entire forest. Even if you die, you won't be able to die. This perfect furnace, it's my first encounter. Come on, let me taste it. Haha," the Red Luan Demon laughed wickedly.
"You go to hell!!!" the Purple Mist Fairy roared.
"Boom..."
A deafening sound, then silence in the distance.
"Huff... huff..."
In the distance, only the sound of the Purple Mist Fairy's heavy breathing remained. It was unclear whether it was from exhaustion or from being affected by the Red Luan Mist.
"Crackle... crackle..."
A series of strange crackling sounds followed.
"Caw caw caw, can't move, huh? The Heavenly Thunder Pearl, didn't expect it. If you had used it from the start, maybe you could have killed me. But now, struggling to move, under the Red Luan Mist, you'll soon lose your senses. Then, it'll be my turn. Haha," the Red Luan Demon chuckled.
"Still... still not coming out. Huff... huff..." the Purple Mist Fairy gasped.
As soon as the Purple Mist Fairy spoke, Zhong knew she was referring to him. Helplessly, he had to get up. It seemed the Purple Mist Fairy's cultivation was stronger than the Red Luan Demon's. Otherwise, she wouldn't have noticed him. Escape now? Once his aura leaked, the demon would find him, and there would be endless pursuit.
Sure enough, as Zhong got off the hammock, the Red Luan Demon noticed him.
"There's someone else," the Red Luan Demon said coldly.
Zhong grabbed his dragon-headed cane and walked toward the depths of the forest. Before long, in an extremely bright area, he saw the two figures.
The Purple Mist Fairy? Wasn't she the stunning woman who appeared alone on the stage during the Dragon Gate Assembly among the five major immortal sects? Kaiyang Sect?
At this moment, the Purple Mist Fairy lay on the ground, her face flushed, eyes unfocused. Her luscious lips slightly parted, she panted softly, as if her last bit of consciousness was keeping her somewhat alert.
In the palm of the Purple Mist Fairy's hand was a streak of purple light, connecting to a purple flame. The flame danced incessantly, emitting countless lightning bolts. The bolts struck a hideous old man in black robes, who emitted crackling sounds.
The old man struggled amidst the purple lightning, excitement flickering in his eyes. However, upon seeing Zhong suddenly appear, a trace of malice flashed in his eyes.
Before the old man lay a broken red greatsword, presumably the so-called ancestral sect blade, which seemed to have been shattered by the purple flame.
"Move my body forward, use the Heavenly Thunder Purple Fire to burn him to death. Huff... huff..." The Purple Mist Fairy's eyes had narrowed into slits, forcing herself to remain somewhat alert.
Seeing the Red Luan Demon, Zhong acted without hesitation. He held the Purple Mist Fairy's body and pushed her forward. As she was propelled forward, the 'Heavenly Thunder Purple Fire' connected to the purple light quickly approached the Red Luan Demon.
"No... no...!" the Red Luan Demon cried out in terror.
"Huff... huff..."
There was no explosion. In an instant, the Heavenly Thunder Purple Fire enveloped the Red Luan Demon. In just two breaths, the demon's body turned to ashes.
"Good... huff... huff..." A faint smile appeared on the Purple Mist Fairy's face. The thunder and fire swiftly returned, disappearing into her palm.
At this moment, the Purple Mist Fairy seemed to have completed everything. She relaxed completely, utterly confused.
Her graceful body, held in Zhong's arms, began to move restlessly, panting softly.
Watching this stunning woman wriggle in his embrace, Zhong felt his breath quicken.
"Huff... huff..." Zhong's eyes gradually turned red, a strong possessive desire surged within him.
Suddenly startled, Zhong wondered, What's happening to me? Although the Purple Mist Fairy was beautiful, he had seen plenty of beautiful women before. Moreover, his Bao'er was no less attractive than her. Besides, he was already quite old. What's wrong with me? Why can't I control myself?
Zhong, feeling surprised by his own desires, sensed a thread of restraint, as if it kept him lucid. Yet, in his arms was an incomparably beautiful woman, continuously tugging at his clothes and showering him with kisses.
Zhong felt increasingly unable to control himself. His eyes brimmed with desire, and he found himself panting incessantly, the lust seeming to grow stronger.
But I'm old, eighty years old. What's happening? Am I still pursuing young women? No, this Purple Mist Fairy's cultivation might be even older than mine. Perhaps she's the one pursuing
As he thought about it, Zhong's last shred of clarity completely crumbled.
It seemed Zhong had entered a dream, a spring dream he hadn't experienced in decades. In this dream, he was the male protagonist, and the former leading lady, Bao'er, had transformed into the Purple Mist Fairy.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/Jw-q2euGywY