Chapter 613: Little Senior Brother, Sword Mountain’s Rising Star

The two chatted casually, and soon the conversation turned to how Mo Chou had fared over the years.

More than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Listening to Mo Chou recount these stories, Chen Changsheng couldn’t help but feel how swiftly time had flown. Occasionally, he even felt like he had truly become an elder himself.

This sudden feeling struck Chen Changsheng as absurd, as if he really had grown old.

But thinking about it practically, he really was somewhat older now.

The tavern attendant brought up wine and dishes.

The two then talked freely over the food and drink.

Mo Chou was no longer as shy and reserved as he had been when they first met, nor did he place so much importance on rank and position. Yet Chen Changsheng could still sense the respect Mo Chou held for him in his heart.

But more often, the two felt like close friends.

This feeling was what intoxicated Chen Changsheng the most.

They talked about everything, stories from all corners of the world, the unique colors of certain places — whatever Mo Chou had seen or heard, he told Chen Changsheng about it.

The feeling was as if he had journeyed alongside him and experienced it all himself.

Yet both knew that after sharing this drink, they might well part ways again. When they might meet once more remained entirely uncertain.

So they spoke freely.

Whether exaggerating or simply making things up, as long as it was said over wine, in that moment, truth or falsehood didn’t matter.

Mo Chou grew quite drunk.

The blame lay with Rain City’s liquor — it truly was fiercely strong.

He finally couldn’t drink any more, stopping only when he stood up and swayed unsteadily.

Mo Chou booked a room at the tavern and stayed there temporarily.

He refused to sober up, for he cherished this fleeting bout of happiness. Whether for cultivators or mortals, it was the same.

Amidst his drunken haze, Chen Changsheng bid him farewell.

Chen Changsheng said, “When we meet again, I’ll host.”

The drunken Mo Chou laughed, replying, “Definitely.”

The two made a pact.

But when it would be fulfilled, neither knew.

Nor would they dwell upon it.

People like them, roaming across the entire land, had met countless others. Remembering was enough.

Chen Changsheng left the tavern.

Upon leaving Rain City, he couldn’t help but look back once.

This mountain shrouded in misty drizzle had etched a memory within him, one he would hold for a long, long time…

The Green-Robed Gentleman’s lips curved into a faint smile. Then he strode forward purposefully, continuing on his path.

Cloudtop Manor had been quiet for quite a long while.

When Chen Changsheng returned, he felt the manor seemed especially deserted.

Mo Yu was not there. Jian Shenghua was also missing.

Fearing some mishap, Chen Changsheng’s heart tightened in alarm.

Manyue walked out from the woods. Seeing Chen Changsheng, she stated calmly, “You’re back.”

Chen Changsheng nodded and leapt down lightly.

He asked, “Where are Mo Yu and Jian Shenghua?”

Manyue replied, “That Evil Phoenix escaped earlier. They both went after it. They haven’t returned yet.”

“Escaped?”

Chen Changsheng paused. “What reason?”

He couldn’t believe that under Manyue’s watch, the Evil Phoenix would have found a chance to flee.

Manyue said, “I knew I couldn’t hide it from you. I faintly sensed that Evil Phoenix seemed to know something. It was desperately eager to get out. So I decided to play along, to see what it was truly after.”

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng nodded. “That explains it. How long has it been since it escaped?”

“Just six months.”

“That’s not too long.”

Chen Changsheng stepped forward saying, “I’ve found the Demon Realm. Matters concerning the Underworld should be settled in the next few days.”

Manyue paused at this. “You found it?”

Chen Changsheng said, “The Demon Realm turned out to be ready-made. It even retains a Blood Sea inside — an overwhelmingly heavy baleful aura and malice. Completely wiping it out at once is difficult. I will need your help later, Miss Manyue.”

“A small matter,” Manyue laughed softly. “If not for you, I would likely have long vanished under the Heavenly Might.”

She then asked, “When shall we act?”

Chen Changsheng paused, then said, “The sooner the better. Right now, perhaps?”

Manyue said, “Manyue can go at any time.”

“Good.”

She paused again, asking, “About the Heavenly Dao…”

Chen Changsheng raised an eyebrow. “There should be some trouble when we head there.”

“I share the same root as this Great Heavenly Dao. I fear I cannot aid you directly.”

Chen Changsheng waved a hand. “No matter. I have some measure of confidence.”

Slightly reassured, Manyue asked, “Then… should we wait for Mo Yu and the others?”

“Not necessary. For this matter, they wouldn’t be able to help either. The truly thorny issue comes later, after we connect the Yellow Springs.”

Decision made, they prepared to depart.

Their immediate task was establishing a basic framework: an Underworld not yet connected to the outside world.

This itself wasn’t overly difficult. But they had to guard against the Heavenly Dao attempting to block their way en route, so caution was required.

Chen Changsheng said, “I must first fetch my Immortal Sword. Will you accompany me on the way, Miss Manyue, or wait here temporarily?”

Manyue responded, “I too wish to go out and see the world.”

Chen Changsheng replied, “Then let us travel together.”

He wondered how Listening to Rain fared now.

Many more years had also passed since he last saw it.

………

Sword Mountain.

Once renowned far and wide, Sword Mountain now bore an air of neglect.

After the Jing Wuya incident, the mountain’s reputation plummeted.

Fewer and fewer disciples sought to join its ranks. The once top-tier peak of the Cultivation World now seemed somewhat irrelevant.

Still, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. In the surrounding regions, Sword Mountain remained a place holding substantial prestige.

Recently, Sword Mountain suddenly produced a genius.

He was a newly accepted disciple. According to the Sword Mountain cultivators, this recruit was the reincarnation of a Sword Mountain ancestor, endowed with exceptional talent. Barely half a year after joining, he had comprehended Sword Intent upon Sword Peak, achieving completion in Sword Intent after executing just two moves.

During Sword Mountain’s grand competition, this new disciple thoroughly stole the show, even defeating several Senior Brothers from the previous generation. Thus, he became known throughout Sword Mountain, earning the title of ‘Little Senior Brother,’ famous both within and beyond the mountain.

Jiang Chengxiu had been deeply worried lately. This ‘Little Senior Brother,’ hailed throughout Sword Mountain, outwardly seemed basked in glory. But inwardly, he possessed no grand abilities.

His victory over the Senior Brothers of the previous generation during the competition was deeply flawed.

Ninety-nine percent of it rested on the sword he had found before ascending the mountain.

Now that his fame had spread far and wide, he grew increasingly anxious about the day his deception might be exposed. This unease gnawed at him, leaving him unable to find peace for days and nights on end.

Jiang Chengxiu cradled a sword, saying, “Brother Sword, Brother Sword… if I ever get jumped by people, you’d still help me, right?”

The sword in his arms trembled lightly, as if responding.

Jiang Chengxiu opened his mouth to speak, but instead sighed, “But Brother Sword, what good would it do? Just you alone, how could you fight off several Elders? What am I going to do…”

“When that happens, I’ll probably be dead. Even my ashes might get scattered to the winds.”

The sword in his arms stilled momentarily, as if sensing something.

【I must go.】

“Huh?!”

Jiang Chengxiu started violently. “Who is that speaking?!”

He froze for a second, then looked down at the sword in his arms.

“You… You can talk?!”

【Mm.】

“!!!”

Jiang Chengxiu was so startled he almost threw the sword away.

He snapped back to his senses sharply and stammered, “You… You’ve been with me for eight years! And you choose only now to speak?!”