The fame of the Free and Unfettered Peak in the Star River Sect is well-known throughout the world. However, everyone knows that the Free and Unfettered Peak is the weakest among all the peaks in the Star River Sect. Its peak master is merely a decade-old Qi Refiner. If not for his strong connections, he would have long been relegated to menial tasks.
There's even a popular saying among the people:
"Rather be a humble disciple at the foot of the mountain than join the Free and Unfettered Peak of the Star River Sect."
I still remember when the Grand Councilor came to pay tribute, the emperor repeatedly instructed him to invite a High Envoy from the sect to descend the mountain and slay a dragon-like creature. Ideally, someone from the Heavenly Sword Peak should be invited.
At all costs, avoid the Free and Unfettered Peak.
Yet here he is, kneeling before none other than the peak master of the Free and Unfettered Peak.
It's quite frustrating.
The Grand Councilor doesn't know what to say. After hesitating for a moment, he says earnestly,
"High Envoy, perhaps you could climb the mountain once more and invite someone from the Heavenly Sword Peak instead."
"I'm not doubting your abilities, but that dragon-like creature is extremely powerful. With a disciple from the Heavenly Sword Peak by our side, we would have a better chance of success."
The Grand Councilor's words are quite tactful.
"I am sufficient," Ye Kong replies calmly.
It's just a petty dragon-like creature. I can deal with it with a wave of my hand. Why bother the Heavenly Sword Peak?
Upon hearing this, the envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom feels like crying. "Peak Master, that dragon-like creature is no joke."
"Our Great Yan Kingdom has dispatched armies, but to no avail. If we had any other options, we wouldn't have come to beg for the Star River Sect's help."
Ye Kong sighs and says calmly, "You must trust me."
Trust you? Are you kidding me?
You're just a Qi Refiner. If you die within our Great Yan Kingdom's territory, even if we survive, we'll be skinned alive by your Star River Sect.
I just came here to seek assistance, not to mess with my mind!
If you weren't the peak master, I would have scolded you already.
"Peak Master, let's not joke around, okay?" says the envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom.
Ye Kong looks at the envoy solemnly and says earnestly, "Would the peak master of this sect joke with you?"
It's just a small dragon-like creature. I can destroy it with a wave of my hand. Why is it so difficult?
See how anxious you are. As an envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom, you should know how to keep calm.
The envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom stares at Ye Kong's solemn expression, momentarily stunned.
What can he do? The peak master has spoken.
He can only trust him.
At worst, if the dragon-like creature eats him, he'll just come back again.
You're the one who's seeking death, not me!
"Let's go. Don't waste time," Ye Kong says softly.
The envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom nods and takes a sip of wine to calm his nerves before leading the way.
Outside the brothel, Lin Yaotian sees her master emerge and hides nearby.
Master, you're so fast? It didn't even take a cup of tea?
Master, you need to nourish your kidneys!
Ye Kong senses his disciple hiding nearby as he emerges. He intended to fly straight past, but fearing that his disciple couldn't keep up, he boards the carriage with the envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom instead.
His disciple wants to follow, and he doesn't expose her.
Seeing this, the envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom can't help but sigh. If you can't even fly, how can you help our Great Yan?
Alas, if I could turn back time, I would have asked about your identity first.
Now, you're rushing to your death, and you're dragging me along with you.
The Grand Councilor feels desperate, knowing the reputation of the Free and Unfettered Peak.
"Giddyap!" The driver yells, and the heavenly horse gallops, swiftly heading towards the Jiangnan region of the Great Yan Kingdom.
Lin Yaotian emerges and flies in the air, following the carriage.
Ye Kong, seated inside the carriage, senses his disciple following closely within a thousand meters.
Alas, my disciple is too clingy.
I'm just going to slay a small dragon-like creature, and you have to follow?
Wouldn't it be better to use this time to cultivate?
Well, if you want to follow, follow. When I slay the dragon-like creature, I'll roast a leg for you.
Ye Kong thinks to himself and closes his eyes to rest.
The envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom looks out the window with a complicated expression, already making the worst preparations.
If you can't even fly, how can you deal with a dragon-like creature?
We're doomed.
The envoy of the Great Yan Kingdom holds back his sorrow, letting the wind dry his tears.
After two hours...
The carriage arrives in the Jiangnan region of the Great Yan Kingdom.
The journey was short, and with the swiftness of the heavenly horse, they arrived in no time.
As the carriage enters the Jiangnan region, the Grand Councilor disembarks and pulls aside the curtain.
"High Envoy, we have arrived in the Jiangnan region."
Ye Kong steps out of the carriage and looks at the prosperous scenery before him, marveling,
"White egrets fly before the Western Barrier Mountains, and the peach blossoms and flowing water nourish fat mandarin fish."
The Jiangnan region of the Great Yan Kingdom is extremely fertile, supporting the entire kingdom with just one region.
"High Envoy, what a beautiful poem!" A phoenix-shaped carriage slowly approaches.
"Greetings to Princess Chang'an!" The Grand Councilor bows, and the officials behind him kneel.
Ye Kong stands with his hands behind his back, turning to look.
A cultivator does not need to kneel before a princess of a secular dynasty.
From within the carriage, a graceful princess, around eighteen years old, with a trace of baby fat on her face, steps out slowly.
She has been sent to receive the High Envoy of the Star River Sect.
Originally, she was reluctant, but upon seeing Ye Kong's appearance, she changes her mind.
"Greetings to the High Envoy!" Princess Chang'an walks up to Ye Kong and greets him.
Ye Kong acknowledges her greeting.
Lin Yaotian follows behind, seeing her master standing side by side with a princess and chatting happily. She can't help but feel enraged.
I see, that's why my master came all this way. It's for a rendezvous.
And with a princess!
Hmph!
I'm angry!
Lin Yaotian stands behind and shatters a stone tablet with a palm strike!
Ye Kong shakes his head at the destruction around them.
This beautiful scenery is now marred by ruins, rivers stained with blood, rice paddies damaged, and roads severed.
"What a shame to ruin the scenery," Ye Kong says calmly.
"Yes, please, High Envoy, help us slay the dragon-like creature!" Princess Chang'an requests politely.
In the river, the dragon-like creature emerges from the water.
With a fleshy crown on its head, its body covered in scales, and a length of over ten meters, it has yet to develop limbs.
It's a pity it hasn't grown claws yet.
I was thinking of roasting its claws for my disciple to strengthen her constitution.
But a dragon-like creature is only slightly more delicious.
Although it's just a dragon-like creature, it possesses the strength of a second-order beast, equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
However, in the water, its body is extremely agile, with a natural advantage of the environment.
Capturing and subduing it is not easy, even for a Golden Core cultivator.
Unless one can restrain it completely.
But for Ye Kong, it's just a matter of waving his hand.
Chang'an looks at the dragon-like creature emerging from the water and frowns slightly.
"Why has this dragon-like creature become smaller?"
Princess Chang'an is puzzled. She remembers the dragon-like creature being hundreds of meters long and having three claws.
Ye Kong stands with his hands behind his back, looking at the small dragon-like creature with little interest.
A mere dragon-like creature, easily slain with a flip of the hand.
"Princess, run!" The Grand Councilor shouts to the princess beside him.
"What's there to be afraid of? We have the Imperial Envoy with us," said the princess calmly.
"Princess, he's the Master of Free-Roaming Peak!" the Grand Commander reminded her.
"The Master of a Peak? Even better!" Princess Chang'an exclaimed joyfully.
But halfway through her laughter, Princess Chang'an's smile froze.
"Wait, what Peak?"
"Free-Roaming Peak!"