The moonlight like water, Wen Jing flew within the mountain. The mountain road was clearly visible.
The pythonâs whereabouts were unclear. This was not a moonless day of the month that he searched for a trace of the serpent, but on the contrary, it was a night filled with moonlight that he had learned it might occasionally be seen.
Arriving at the monolith, Wen Jing stealthily flew by only to see the immense coil of its body. The pythonâs tongue flicked out. Its body no longer trembling, it lay quiet and still as it gazed at the moon looking bored to death.
He quietly tossed over a piece of hongfan fruit.
The pythonâs head suddenly lifted up and bit the hongfan fruit. Glancing at Wen Jing it immediately spit it out. The fruit rolled across the ground.
Wen Jing picked up the piece of hongfan fruit and wiped it off: ăYou clearly like to eat it, why arenât you willing to acceptâŠâŠă
Not daring to act rashly, he once again pulled out a piece of hongfan fruit and silently sat down on a nearby rock.
His placed his hand on the body of the python and very slowly and gently began to stroke.
The python didnât resist. Wen Jing was secretly happy. Not satisfied with his small victory he reached his hand towards its head.
This temperamental serpent was difficult to coax yet unexpectedly it tolerated his behavior.
At last, his hand reached the top of its head. The serpent shifted, apparently somewhat dissatisfied but did nothing else.
Wen Jing was restless at heart. He wasnât shaken off?
He stroked for a while. The python lowered its head and quietly flicked its tongue. Wen Jing decided to quit while he was ahead and pulled out two hongfan fruit and held them out in front of him: ăEat.ă
The python bowed its head and ignored him.
Wen Jing restrained himself for a long time, his heart thumping until finally he couldnât help but to quietly say: ăYouâll become my demon beast, ok?ă
His voice had hardly fallen when the pythonâs head suddenly lifted up with an ice-cold expression. Its coils stretched out as its body blocked the moon.
Enveloped in the pythonâs shadow, Wen Jing trembled and asked: ăYou donât like the idea of becoming my demon beast? Uh, I got itâŠâŠI wonât anymore, I wonât dare ask againâŠâŠă
Suddenly, there was a loud sound from not too far away. A ray of light rose into the sky and illuminated the night.
A green light thrust at the python!
The pythonâs eyes were ice-cold as it flew into the sky and promptly formed a protective screen of blue light in front of its body.
The green light struck the barrier and scattered, raining down like needles upon the surrounding rocks.
Wen Jing covered his head. Injured by the sharp spiritual energy, his arms and thighs immediately began to pour blood. He was greatly shocked.
The surprise attack was from a golden core cultivator. Not only that, he had already reached the late stage of cultivation! Who could it be?
Wen Jing felt himself to be incomparably insignificant. He didnât know how he could escape when suddenly the python wound its tail around his waist in protection.
The green light came again and fell on the monolith forming the figure of a tall and straight Taoist.
Appearing about thirty he was dressed a dull gray Taoist robe. His hair was worn in a messy bun giving him a slovenly appearance.
He stood perfectly straight, his unfeeling gaze could freeze a person solid.
Feeling uneasy, Wen-Jing tightly clutched the pythonâs tail. This Taoistâs cultivation was terrifying. Could the python at his side stand up to him?
A long sword, upon which shone the green light of a large coiled dragon suddenly came out from somewhere and appeared in his hand. Killing energy poured forth.
There was a humming sound in Wen Jingâs head.
Azure Dragon Sword.
This Taoist was ăŒăŒDuan Xuan!
That is since he had joined the sect, the one that should have been present but had never appeared, irresponsible, dreadful, one who should die for his sins ten thousand times over, master!
Duan Xuan slowly raised the Azure Dragon Sword, his gaze like a knife, without saying a word.
The pythonâs eyes filled with murderous intent as it raised up and exposed its slender fangs.
The chill of Qing Xu was the cold of the Azure Dragon.
The Azure Dragon Sword was a cold sword. The python dreaded the cold and it was likely that would not be a match for it.
Suddenly, a green light flew out as fast as lightning and punctured the blue barrier with a loud sound. The python dodged to the side and taking the advantage, the green light deeply cut the serpentâs body. Blood gushed out.
The python let out a hissing sound as it gathered a ball of light blue light in its mouth.
Wen Jing saw the serpentâs body become stained with red blood and felt deeply anxious.
Duan Xuan wanted to slay the python, what should he do?
Duan Xuan coldly grunted. The Azure Dragon Sword was already in his hand as he immediately sent out a killing moveăŒăŒ
Wen Jing panicked and shouted: ăMaster, have mercy!ă
The Taoistâs eyebrow raised slightly as he coldly spoke: ăWho?ă
Wen Jing struggled out of the pythonâs tail and tumbled out to stand in front of the Taoist who was positioned on the monolith, saying: ăMaster! Iâm Lu Jing! This pythonâs nature isnât bad, please be merciful!ă
The Taoistâs brows creased deeply as if trying to remember which of his disciples was called Lu Jing.
Wen Jing shouted: ăMaster! Although this python has occupied this area without permission, it has never injured anyone. Master donât hurt it!ă
Duan Xuan coldly gazed at him: ăMove aside.ă
His voice was callous without even the slightest amount of emotion.
He disliked explaining himself. This pythonâs body emitted a faint demonic energy and very likely had uncertain origins. It was better to kill it before it became dangerous.
As he finished speaking, he gathered the green light again and immediately the python spat out another ball of blue light which crashed against the other. The sky lit up with a bright light which illuminated Wen Jingâs deathly pale face.
The green light and the blue light were an even match but the blood flowing out of the pythonâs body violently gushed forth.
Duan Xuanâs gaze was ice cold. He silently chanted as the Azure Dragon Sword suddenly lit up and decisively forced back the blue light into retreat.
ăHeaven Amplification Art! Break!ă
As he gave a low shout there came a loud crash from the sky. The Azure Dragon Sword suddenly struck through the blue light and stabbed towards the pythonâs body.
Wen Jing looked at the python with distress: ăNoâŠâŠă
It dodged but fell short and was cut open by the sword. Both wounds spurted blood and the serpentâs body was soon drenched. It coiled up into a ball looking extremely miserable.
The Azure Dragon Sword returned to Duan Xuanâs hand. With effort, the python attempted to straighten its body, its eyes filled with hatred but already too weak to make a move.
Duan Xuan lifted the Azure Dragon Sword with the intention of killing the python with his next move.
Only to see a small person throw himself on the pythonâs body and stand up with sadness and bitterness and shout: ăMaster, have you forgotten? Our sectâs ancestor Qing XuZi who captured and released the cyan python seven times. Donât tell me Masterâs decision is to kill it? Although the python doesnât have permission to be here in Xun Yang mountain, has master heard of it hurting anyone?ă
Duan Xuan was shocked. He coldly stared at Wen Jing and tightly pursed his lips.
These words were directly from the teachings of Duan Xuanâs master, Lu Zhen.
The original words were like this.
ăLu Zhen had once said: ăThe ancestor of our sect, Qing XuZi captured and released a cyan python seven times. Why would you need to exterminate this monster? He hasnât hurt anyone, he only has a different way of living.ăă
ăŒăŒexcerpt from ăA Calamity for All Living ThingsăChapter 142.
Originally, Duan Xuan had been obsessed with killing and accidentally become deviated. Fortunately, Lu Zhen had sacrificed himself to pull him away and allowed him to rein himself in from disaster. Duan Xuan wasnât an expressive person, but these words were engraved in his heart.
Since then, the other disciples had placed Liu QianMo in charge of handling issues related to Duan Xuan.
This time, it was Wen Jing shouting these words, his whole body tense as he looked at him with fear. Would it be any use, or did it require Liu QianMo to shout these words to be effective? Would Duan Xuan kill or would he let them off?
Duan Xuanâs expression was uncertain, his thoughts were in disorder and he swayed as he stood.
The tone was so similar. The python had a trace of demonic energy, but it had never caused any harm.
âŠâŠwas his deceased master guiding him through this young man?
Anguished at heart, Duan Xuanâs thoughts were chaotic. Not in the mood to continue fighting, he icily glanced at Wen Jing and recalled the Azure Dragon Sword.
The rays of light filling the sky promptly died away.
The green light rose into the sky and was gone.
Wen Jing blankly stared at the sky, his heart almost jumping out of his chest.
Duan Xuan had left, heâd flown awayâŠâŠ
In a daze, suddenly he felt something silently rubbing his back.
Wen Jing turned around and saw the large pythonâs head softly nudging him. Slowly stroking, the serpentâs tongue tasted the air, then wrapped around his waist.
Wen Jing felt warm inside as he hugged the pythonâs head saying: ăI was scared to deathâŠâŠI thought heâd kill us bothâŠâŠă
He wasnât boasting. Just now he had rushed in without thinking.
The python lay quietly as it bled, itâs tongue licking the tears from Wen Jingâs face.
ăUghâŠâŠdonât lickâŠâŠdonât lickâŠâŠitâs slimyâŠâŠIâm not crying, ok?ăHe grabbed the serpentâs tongue on his face but it was too slippery to hold as it pulled away.
Wen Jing touched the pythonâs head as he anxiously asked: ăWhat about your injuries? Will you die from the bleeding?ă
Hearing this, the python turned and licked the wounds.
Shortly, the bleeding began to slow.
ăEhâŠâŠyour tongue can stop the bleeding? Such a miracleâŠâŠăHe said as he stared, only to see the python then lick the cut on his own arm.
A soothing feeling surged from the wound and the pain faded by half.
Wen Jing silently looked at it.
He was so weak, it was no wonder the python looked down on him.
One day, he would become a strong person who would not lose face.
Under the gentle moonlight, Wen Jing leaned against the python and quietly placed the hongfan fruit by his side.
â„
The next morning.
The man in the mirror had an icy expression. Calm and collected, he slowly treated the injuries on his back and leg. The bleeding had already stopped, but the Azure Dragon Swordâs damage hadnât yet been eliminated.
In previous years, in the winter days without a moon, he hadnât been able to control his transformation and had needed to occupy the area by the moonstone. On those dark and cold nights, no one traveled, only himself alone would stay by the monolith and pa.s.s the endless night. Until now heâd never been found.
If it hadnât been for that youngster going out every day to find him, he wouldnât have been out on a day with the moon and then by chance have run into Duan Xuan.
Wen Jing woke up alone in his stone house and rubbed his eyes. After last nightâs fierce battle, Wen Jing had feared that a concerned Liu QianMo would follow the sounds and arrive. Not daring to stay longer, he parted ways with thy python and urged it to also leave.
It had been really scary, he didnât know if something else that could threaten the python would show upâŠâŠ.
While he was dressing, the transmission stone suddenly lit up. Wen Jing promptly picked it up: ăEldest senior brother!ă
ăLu Jing, please come to the main hall immediately!ăHis voice seemed to hold a trace of urgency.
Wen Jing didnât dare ignore it. He quickly put on the rest of his clothes and flew to the main hall.
What happened?
Arriving at the entrance, he saw the other nine people solemnly standing along with the indistinct sound of a voice. Seated within was a Taoist around 30 years of age with sharp eyes and wearing a grey Taoist robe.
Wen Jingâs body trembled a little as he trotted in, silently stood by Jun YanZhi, and attempted to become invisible.
However contrary to his wishes, Liu QianMo pulled Wen Jing forward ăMaster, this is the small junior brother I mentioned just now. He was a.s.signed to us by clan head Xi.ă
Cheeks streaming with tears, Wen Jing thought: Weâve already met!
The hall was quiet.
Liu QianMo secretly swallowed his saliva. If master didnât want to accept this disciple, he would accept him himself!
There was a long pause, then Duan Xuan emotionlessly said: ăI will accept him as a disciple tomorrow.ă
Liu QianMo was relieved and released his breath: ăMany thanks, master.ă
The cold voice continued again: ăNow we will determine his resilience. He will soak in the ice mountain spring all night without eating New Yearâs Eve dinner.ă
Liu QianMo froze, then replied: ăâŠâŠunderstood.ă
Wen Jing hated to the point that his teeth itched: There was only one New Years Eve dinner a year, and he wasnât allowed to eat! It was clearly a grudge from last night!
He quietly opened Duan Xuanâs moral standing value.
ăMoral standing value: -243. Misfortune to the world, should be eliminated.ă
He truly was a scoundrel!
Authorâs notes:
Regarding the question that the small black gong (1) not being black: at present time the small gong hasnât completely become black. (2)
Small theater:
The Taoistâs brows creased deeply as if trying to remember which of his disciples was called Lu Jing.
Wen Jing, Jun YanZhi: You only have nine disciples, do you need to think this much?
Translatorâs notes:
1. You might remember that in j.a.panese, seme is the top while uke is the bottom of the pair. In Chinese, gong is the top while shou is the bottom.
2. Probably doesnât need to be explained, but this refers to blackened where the originally nice guy becomes cold and ruthless due to storyline. See Renegade Immortal for a non-bl example.
I once read a Sci-fi series where in the fifth book or thereabouts, the author decided to give the heroine amnesia via brain damage from an accident. I struggled to finish the book with the now boring heroine only to discover at the end that she gains back some memories but her personality is forever changed. WTF. Give me back my heroine! I looked up some spoilers for the next book to see if the author redeemed the story only to discover that her husband (who I never liked) admits that he never loved the heroine in the first place, hooked up with her only to fulfill a promise he made with her ex-fiance, and only finally fell in love with her after her personality change. OMG. Itâs been years since I read that and I still think itâs the worst thing Iâve ever seen done to a story and such a horrific revelation. Sheâd been living a lie all along.  â§Âș·(Ë ËÌŁÌŁÌ„âËÌŁÌŁÌ„ )â§Âș·Ë