Chapter 710 512: Zifu’s Fall

Green Pond Sect, Yuanwu Peak.

The news that Yuanwu is about to enter final meditation has quietly spread, and this Zifu Perfected Person is constantly shuttling in and out of the sect; none of the disciples dare mention it, though all know it in their hearts.

Yuanwu Peak soars high, shrouded in mist, with Fire Vein billowing forth; this peak is the Immortal Peak of Green Pond devoted to Artifact Refining, usually full of cultivators coming and going, bustling with life—now all is a little desolate, as if people are skirting around it.

After all, these days Yuanwu is the most unreasonable inside and outside the sect; even if he meets someone he finds unlucky and kills them with a wave of his sleeve, likely no one would dare complain.

Tang Shedou emerged from his cave mansion, his armor clanking, looking deeply troubled.

Tang Shedou did not gain much in Cave Heaven, but was instead gravely injured. Knowing that in recent years Yuanwu has been mad, he dragged out his recovery as an excuse and has been in seclusion on the peak for years, stalling again and again, more than a decade now.

But now he must meet Yuanwu; if he continues to avoid this, one day Yuanwu may recall him and break through The Great Void to slap Tang Shedou to death.

Unexpectedly, before reaching halfway up the mountain, he saw a youth-like man standing before the peak, startling Tang Shedou, who hastily said:

"Greetings, Yuansu Perfected Person."

Yuansu held a Jade Pot, seeming to still be drinking, waved his hand as if shooing away a fly and spoke softly:

"I've only come to watch him die; it's nothing to do with you."

Seeing Yuansu's wanton posture, Tang Shedou sweated as if drenched, and nearly wept in his heart; Yuansu is a harsh soul and would never miss such a good time to mock Yuanwu, only making trouble for them.

He hurried up the mountain; in front of the hall stood another man, not in green but clad in a brocade robe, with short beard, sallow skin, gaunt face, dull eyes, all filled with dread.

This was the other major figure on Yuanwu Peak, known for his greed: Jin Wuxi, Yu Su.

The two exchanged glances, faces twisted in grief, and saw that the once golden, radiant hall was now dim; Yuanwu, always a figure of brightness, was nowhere, only a white-haired old man, hair disheveled, kneeling dazed before the hall.

Tang Shedou's legs trembled; amid the clatter and clash of metal from the hall, he almost wanted to gouge his own eyes out, bowing his head to his chest, stammering:

"M…Master…"

Above, Yuanwu, sleepy and blurry-eyed, squinted down and wondered:

"Shecheng, Xiuxian, you two are here."

Their faces changed instantly, kneeling in silence.

Tang Shedou and companion knew those names well—one was Tang Yuanwu's son Tang Shecheng, the other was once senior brother Yu Xiuxian.

Tang Yuanwu was cold and merciless, yet only cared about those two; in the years they lived, the atmosphere atop Yuanwu Peak was nothing like now, and even Tang Yuanwu had smiles on his face.

Of course, Tang Shedou was nothing but an outer disciple's child, tagging along like a servant behind Tang Shecheng; Yu Su, for his greedy nature, was often strung up and beaten by elder brother Yu Xiuxian, wailing whole nights through.

Later, Tang Shecheng failed breaking through Zifu and perished; Yu Xiuxian was killed by Guo Er of Red Reef Island; Yuanwu could do nothing—since then, his temperament grew ever more extreme, becoming what he is now.

The two just knelt, not daring to speak; Tang Yuanwu, hair disheveled and eyes faint, stepped forward, reached to tug Tang Shedou, asking:

"Ah…Cheng'er…why are you dressed in armor? How many times have I told you…wear a Taoist Robe…carry yourself with flair…Oh…wearing Taoist Robes is good…"

Tang Shedou, though fearing and hating Tang Yuanwu, felt deep affection for Tang Shecheng and could not help but shed tears; Yu Su too was moved, and Tang Yuanwu reached for Yu Su, asking:

"Why dress so lavishly!…Xiuxian finally cares for himself…your younger brother's useless…oh…learn more Taoist Spells…don't just cultivate…"

Yu Su was already tearful—how could he bear this—this always greedy, vicious Jin Wuxi broke out crying aloud.

That was fine until then; this broke Tang Yuanwu from his haze and tenderness, as coldness and lunacy returned to his eyes; the brilliance once again rose from him as he roared in fury:

"Filthy wretch, what are you sniveling for! I'm not dead yet!"

Yuanwu slapped Yu Su on the chest, sending a mouthful of blood splattering, rolling off the dais, staining his brocade with red; he crawled up and knocked his head, crying bitterly:

"Master!"

This shout made Yuanwu lower his raised hand, his gaze skipping quickly from Yu Su to fall coldly on Tang Shedou.

Tang Shedou's lips were deathly pale, staring at him dumbly; Yuanwu flew into a rage, cursing:

"Rebellion! All of you are rebelling!"

He kicked Tang Shedou in the chest—there was a crunch of shattering bones, and Tang Shedou tumbled from the dais like a broken bird; Yuanwu coughed up a mouthful of gold dust, cursing:

"Filthy wretch!"

In the skies, wind and cloud surged, gradually forming a massive spiral; at its heart was empty, only heavy golden light remaining, shining down on the slowly rising white-haired old man.

Yuanwu, hair wild and eyes bulging, gazed at the rain of golden grains and iron dust falling from the heavens, wailing a cry not of any human.

The whole of Green Pond Mountain, in the steel and gold storm, was shrouded in darkness; all were as isolated isles, unable to discern shapes or faces. Yuansu Perfected Person grew solemn, raising his Jade Cup, and from afar made a toast toward the sky.

"Senior Brother…farewell."

'Seventh month. At Green Pond, Tang Yuanwu undergoes transformation by blade; gold rain cascades, falling iron like sand, Spiritual Sense scatter and break, near and far alike lost. When the gold rain wanes, stepping outside to look—the flood has passed three zhang, Green Peak is now Golden Peak.'