Chapter Ten: The Dark Soul Does Not Disperse, Brilliant Like Clouds and Rainbows

  Xiao Qing naturally also knew that the Tea Fairy was the Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect for the past eighteen years, which was what Bai Zhu Ye told her last night. She also knew that according to the Demon Sect's rules, before the new Holy Maiden officially returned to Zhongyuan, her power in Zhongyuan was no less than that of the Demon Sect's leader. That's why Du Fu Zhang Lao instructed them to come and pay their respects to the Tea Fairy before his death.

  For these past ten years or so, although nominally only as Bai Mudan's maid, Xiao Qing has been like a sister to her. Even the venomous old master treats Xiao Qing as one of his own, and thus she is also carefree and lively in the Five Poisons Sect. Her personality is straightforward, thinking whatever she says, and so now she asks: "Then...Aunt, did our former sect leader promise before returning to Miao territory that he would leave behind the 'Toxic King's Treasure' as a condition for you and the sect leader to agree to his request to return home? Was it used as an exchange condition?"

  At first, I was stunned when I heard it. Thinking about it, if this is indeed the condition for exchange, then the people of the demonic sect would not be considered loyal and righteous. Is that really the case?

  As soon as Xiao Qing finished speaking, Bai Zhu Ye's face changed drastically. She pulled Xiao Qing down to her knees, startling Chu Jiu and Lin Meng Er. Lin Meng Er hastily said: "Auntie, please forgive us. Xiao Qing has been following me since childhood, growing up together. I don't know what happened eighteen years ago. He doesn't know his place, speaking rudely to Auntie. Please, Auntie, don't take offense at this insignificant person's mistake and don't put it in your heart!"

  Although the ninth didn't understand why Bai Zhu Ye was so tense, seeing this scene, he was about to try his best to plead for mercy. However, Cai Cha Xian Zi had already smiled slightly and said: "How could I blame her? At such a young age, she can always think of you, clever and thoughtful. You have such a sister by your side, I'm delighted!"

  She paused, then continued: "Moreover, ordinary people would think so, she just spoke her mind, thinking that I, the Holy Sect Master, used the 'Poison King's Mirror' left by Poisonous Ancestor to coerce him, making your father return to Miaojiang but never having the idea of betraying the sect! However, such a thought is obviously underestimating the Holy Sect Master and your father!"

  Her face suddenly had a proud look: "My Master Shifu, with unparalleled martial arts skills, became the leader of the Holy Sect at a young age. His mastery of martial arts and Taoist principles was so impressive that he could rival the leaders of the seven major sects. What I admire most about him is his strong sense of justice and loyalty. The ten elders are mostly my Master's and my childhood teachers, who have taught us martial arts since we were young. For example, Wu Gou Long Lao's 'Curve Heaven Hook Sixteen Styles', although my Master learned from Wu Gou Long Lao, but when applying it, his power surpassed Wu Gou Long Lao! And then there's Yin Qiang Long Lao and Wan Dao Fu Ren... our respect for the elders in the sect cannot be expressed in words. How could I, as the leader of the Holy Sect and the Holy Maiden, stoop to threatening your father?"

  As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Jiu and Lin Meng'er suddenly felt a sense of clarity in their hearts, almost fainting from shock. No wonder Wu Gou and Yan Dao treated her with such respect and concern. No wonder she possessed such an otherworldly beauty and an aura that was beyond compare. Under the heavens, who else could possess all this except for the mysterious Holy Maiden of the Devil Sect?

  Finally, he let out a sigh of relief and found out the identity of the Tea Fairy, but his heart was filled with bitter laughter. What had happened to him and his junior sister? As soon as they entered the Jianghu, they encountered the arch-enemy of the righteous path, the Demon Cult's elder, the Demon Cult's Holy Maiden?

  Moreover, as the Holy Maiden of the Devil Sect, with tens of thousands of followers supporting her, why did she retreat to this secluded valley behind Mount Emei?

  The Tea Fairy's words turned, and she said softly: "Zhu Ye, Xiao Qing, actually, if you think about it this way, the one who is most desecrated is your father, Du Xiang Chang Lao. Because this 'Poison King Treasure' was left behind by him when he insisted on staying, no matter how much I and our Master's brother persuaded him, he wouldn't listen!" The Master's brother she mentioned was naturally the master of the Demon Sect for over twenty years, Yan Ying Fei!

  This eagle has flown for decades, with one man's power leading the Devil Sect's elders to resist all the major orthodox sects of the martial arts world, never falling behind. The legend of him has long been spread throughout the martial arts world, and he must be what kind of person!

  Bai Zhu Ye, although she had been relatively calm just now, was startled when she heard the end of the story. She couldn't understand and asked: "Auntie, you said that this 'Poison King's Treasure' was left behind by my father on purpose... then why?"

  The Tea Fairy took three steps forward and gently lifted up the white bamboo leaf, saying: "All of you get up first!"

  Xiao Qing also stood up with Bai Zhu Ye, and the Tea Fairy handed over the "Poison King's Treasure" to Bai Zhu Ye. Bai Zhu Ye solemnly performed a grand bow again, and then listened to the Tea Fairy say: "In those years, my master led the elders back to the East Sea Holy Butterfly Island on the eve of their departure. Your father came to find me and Master, saying that your mother had been waiting for him in Miaojiang for 20 years, but unfortunately contracted a terminal illness, and only had two or three years left to live; and he had just had a daughter, who was about to be one month old, which is you, and he couldn't help but worry!"

  She handed the white bamboo leaf back to her seat and continued: "Master and I have always respected the Five Poison Sect's elder, although at that time it was the Holy Religion's recruitment period, but of course we immediately agreed to your father's request! However, he wanted to show his sincerity, saying that no matter what, he had to leave behind the Five Poison Sect's 'Poison King Treasure' and make a poisonous oath, swearing that in this life and the next, he would never betray the Holy Religion. He said that after a hundred years, his successor would find the Holy Religion and come back for the 'Poison King Treasure'! And before retrieving the 'Poison King Treasure', the new leader of the Five Poison Sect absolutely cannot use poison!"

  Bai Zhu Ye only then understood his father's loyalty, thinking that his mother had always been weak and sickly, even his aunt had given up on her, saying she would only live for two or three years, but she had lived until he was eight years old, showing how meticulous his father's care for his mother was.

  Originally, Father had entrusted himself to come to the back mountain of Emei Mountain to find Auntie for his own good, to improve his martial arts and poisoning skills, and to pass on the "Poison King's Treasure" to him. She remembered that her father was extremely loving towards her when he was alive, and even at the time of his death, he only thought about how to protect her. With this in mind, she got up again, saw the "Poison King's Treasure" in her hand, and burst into tears. She took three steps forward and bowed to the ancestral tablets on the altar! Xia Qing naturally followed closely behind!

  On the ninth day, Lin Ming'er also felt a sense of emotion. No wonder the Demon Sect had been thriving for generations, opposing the Orthodox Sect for hundreds of years without falling behind! From the sect master to the saintess and the elders, they were all sincere with each other, and just from this, one could glimpse the true strength of the Demon Sect, which was not ordinary!

  Suddenly, a "wow" sound came from the door, and the two three-tailed spirit foxes, one red and one white, rushed in, yelping. Unlike before when they were playing, there was a hint of panic. Everyone was confused, but then saw Xiaobai jump into the arms of Chaoyi Xianzi, her eyes fixed on something outside. On the ninth day of the first month, Lin Meng'er saw that the two spirit foxes were so tense and didn't know what was going on. However, Chaoyi Xianzi's expression changed suddenly, and she understood the warning from the spirit foxes. Everyone looked up at the sky outside again, where signal flares rose high in the air, exploding with a loud "boom" sound. Although they were far away, the noise was enormous, wave after wave echoing through the air.

  It turned out that the three-tailed spirit fox had already sensed the danger and escaped to inform everyone, the spirit fox's sense of touch was absolutely more sensitive than humans by a third.

  Everyone saw it, with different expressions. The white bamboo leaf and the small green face were puzzled, the tea fairy's face was surprised and uncertain, while Lin Meng'er was delighted: "Master brother, look, that third flower is our Diancang's 'Tianhua Feishangtian', it seems that father has arrived, this time we can ask father to heal your wounds!"

  As soon as I opened my eyes, I took a glance and naturally knew that it was a provocative signal from the various major sects. The various major sects were indeed relying on their large numbers and powerful momentum to conduct such a large-scale and grand search of the mountains. Those signals, although at least twenty miles away, were clear and distinct, exploding in the air one after another, lined up in a row. Upon closer inspection, there were five different styles, apparently from the Wudang, Kunlun, Diancang, Kongtong, and Qingcheng sects, which seemed to have merged together and were advancing towards this mountain valley!

  On the ninth day of the first month, why didn't Shaolin and Emei send any signals? Even if Shaolin didn't get involved, as the host of Emei sect, how could there be none?

  If it were an ordinary day, seeing the "Heavenly Flower Blooming in the Sky" of his sect would be a cause for great joy. However, today is not a good omen! He never thought that the four major sects would arrive so quickly and are now at Mount Emei. His senior brother and sister have been with the demonic cult for days, how can they show their faces in front of the leaders of the four major sects? Isn't this a loss of face for the Qingyun Sect and an implication that they are colluding with the demonic cult? Moreover, when his master sees that he and his sister are injured, he will definitely ask questions and investigate to the bottom. This would only lead to conflict with the Canglang Sect. Although Lie Huoyan is severely injured and cannot come today, Dugu Xiong, Hengyi, Liu Heimeng, and others are all top-notch experts. His master is alone, and while he may not be afraid of a one-on-one fight, he does not have a 100% chance of winning in a group battle.

  The Tea Fairy was also thinking, as if waiting for something. Sure enough, from the other side of the sky came two more signals, two large lotus-shaped signals that exploded in the air at the same time, dazzling and colorful. Lin Meng'er didn't recognize them, these were the Emei Sect's signal "Radiant Clouds", Chu Jiu was somewhat puzzled, other sects only released one signal, but the Emei Sect released two, was there another meaning to it?

  But judging from these signs and clues, it seems that the people of the five major sects and the Qingcheng Sect are indeed coming to search!

  Although the Tea Fairy's complexion had changed, especially when she saw the two signal flares of the Emei School "brilliant as clouds and rainbows", it seemed that she was familiar with the use of signal flares and knew whether it was a bad omen or a good one! The various major schools entering the valley to search for themselves would naturally be unfavorable to them!

  Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing had already turned their heads back, but they didn't know what this signal was. Xiao Qing hastily asked: "Ming Er sister, what is that?"

  Lin Meng'er said in a low voice: "The major sects' dark souls are not dispersed, and they have come to this mountain valley to pursue and kill!" Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing were both startled. Bai Zhu Ye turned around and said: "Auntie, these righteous people are really formidable, now they're openly sending signals to provoke us, but each sect has a first-generation master inside, and now there's also the addition of Lie Chi Yan, the leader of the Cangshan Sect. What should we do?" Xiao Qing also said with hatred: "The most despicable thing is that those who claim to be famous orthodox sects always say 'when dealing with evil demons and external paths, what need is there to talk about Jianghu morality?' and then they launch a surprise attack on us. If we engage in battle now, I'm afraid the outcome will be unfavorable!"

  On the ninth, Lin Meng'er's face turned red upon hearing Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing's words. They were recalling the White Emperor Temple, where the orthodox sect ambushed and attacked Silver Spear Old Man by the Yangtze River, and at the Moon Inn, the orthodox sect again used their numbers to bully Wu Gou Long Lao and Wan Dao Furen. However, Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing weren't talking about Lin Meng'er's Diancang Sect on that day, which was fair and square on Mount Diancang, engaging in one-on-one matches, and letting them leave afterwards, a true noble gesture.

  On the ninth day, a sigh was heard in the dark, as if another great war was about to come?

  The Tea Fairy raised her head and said, "Zhu Ye, Xiao Qing, as members of the Holy Sect, have you ever feared death?" Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing listened, and their faces immediately appeared with a holy glow, saying in unison: "To live for the Holy Sect, to die for the Holy Sect, neither is worth regretting!"

  The tea fairy smiled and nodded, although she was also slightly panicked in her heart, but still arranged the crowd in an orderly manner. She pointed to the east and said: "This is it! However, we should not confront them head-on, leave the green hills behind, and don't worry about having no firewood to burn! Zhuyeh, you and Xiaocyan, take the small path on the eastern side of the valley, that path was only opened by me in the past two years, also for emergency escape. Once you go out ten miles, it will be the main road of the Upper and Lower Emei Sects, they are heading towards this mountain valley, but the defense on the main road is actually the weakest, you can easily get out!" She was obviously brave and resourceful, with a different judgment and prediction of the situation than ordinary people!

  "Auntie, disaster is looming over us, how can I bear to leave you behind?" said Bai Zhuye, unable to bring himself to go alone.

  Xiao Qing also echoed: "Yes, Auntie, we should also stay behind to defend against the enemy. One more person is one more bit of strength!"

  The Tea Fairy knew they were kind-hearted and didn't say a word, she raised her palm, and a gust of wind blew towards the window. Through the open window, outside in a clump of bamboo forest, there was a "crack" sound, a bamboo tree with a diameter of several inches snapped in half and fell to one side. Chu Jiu secretly felt shocked, the Demon Sect's Holy Maiden was indeed famous for a reason, her internal strength surpassed even Wu Gou's.

  Everyone saw her excellent martial arts and internal strength, and they all admired her in their hearts. However, they didn't understand why she had made this move. Only the Tea Fairy spoke up, saying: "Zhu Ye, Xiao Qing, with your two people's martial arts skills, staying here will only make me have to take care of you two more. You should leave first, and then we three can escape! And by leaving, you'll also be helping us, and you'll be able to lure them away from us!" She paused for a moment: "Besides, this mountain valley is full of strange things, and Auntie has lived here for over a decade. It's simply delusional for them to think they can catch her!"

  She finished speaking, with an air of mystery, a faint smile floated on her face!

  On the ninth, Lin Meng'er finally understood that as soon as she made a move, she would be indicating to Bai Zhu Ye that with her own martial arts skills, she only had the luck of escaping, and Bai Zhu Ye would only have the share of being implicated. The chances of successfully escaping were even lower!

  "After you leave the valley, quickly return to Miao territory and master 'Du Wang Bao Jian' and your father's swordsmanship as well as the poisonous techniques of 'Hua Wu Bai Yang Hong'. White Bamboo Leaf, listen carefully, from today on, you are one of the new generation of Ten Elders of our Holy Sect! I, a Holy Sect Elder, have never been so soft-hearted!"

  Those "Hundred Varieties of Red Flowers" are precisely the infamous poisons of the Five Poisons Sect! The "Treasured Mirror of Poison" records in detail the methods for cultivating them.

  Bai Zhu Ye knew that the Tea Fairy's mind was made up, and the two of them waiting here would only increase the burden. So, he and Xiao Qing knelt down together, kowtowed three times to the Tea Fairy, clasped their hands together, and made a gesture of respect towards the sky and the east, then placed their hands horizontally in front of their chest, one high and one low. The left hand formed a flame shape, while the right hand supported the left hand. This was the sacred teaching's "Eternal Flame" gesture of respect. After Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing finished paying their respects, they stood up and came over to bid farewell to Chu Jiu and Lin Ming Er!

  Lin Meng'er and her two sisters spent the past three days together, filled with joy and endless conversations. However, now that they are about to part ways, all she can do is bid a painful farewell!

  Lin Meng'er's eyes turned red as she said: "Bai sister, Xiao Qing younger sister..."

  Bai Zhu Ye smiled and said in a low voice, "Chu Jiu Xiao Xia, don't worry too much about your injury. The Han people say that good fortune comes from heaven, and with the help of Gu Gu, you will definitely recover! Lin Ming Er, when I see you again... your second brother, please give him my regards!" After saying this to both of them, she became shy and didn't wait for Lin Ming Er's response. She took Xiao Qing and ran off towards the east. Over the past three days, Bai Zhu Ye had expressed her gratitude and concern for Chu Jiu's second brother, Lian Tian, to Lin Ming Er.

  As expected, on the east side of the mountain, the white bamboo leaves and small greenery rushed past, but at first glance, it was just a precipice, and I suspected that there was no road. It wasn't until we reached the foot of the mountain that things became clear, and the mountain path suddenly curved behind the trees, revealing a small path hidden among the dense foliage. If the tea-picking fairy hadn't pointed it out, outsiders would never have found it!

  Bai Zhu Ye and Xiao Qing were even more confused, this mountain valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, and this hidden path could be said to be the last escape route. Since Auntie had pointed it out to them, she must not be able to use it herself, so what method would they use to avoid the people from various sects?

  However, she understood that the Demon Sect's Holy Maiden Chaixianzi's martial arts and combat experience were more than ten times her own. She worried about herself unnecessarily, so she calmed down and silently prayed for the prosperity of the Sacred Fire of the Holy Sect, then broke through with Xiaoqing first!

  Now in Yuangu Valley, only Chaixianzi, Chuyi, Lin Ming'er and the three-tailed spirit foxes Hong and Bai were left. With their current strength, fighting back would be suicidal. How could they break through?