Volume Five: Amethyst Turns to Mist Chapter Six: The Miao Village of Qingcheng

Yaoguang walked over and bowed seriously to the elder. “The Phoenix pays respects to Grand Shaman Lixing.”

“No, no, please rise, Divine One,” Grand Shaman Lixing hurriedly helped Yaoguang up. “All these years without seeing you, and now you’ve become a Divine One—how wonderful! Has everything been well?”

“All is well. If not for your life-saving kindness back then, I wouldn’t be here today. You saved my life; you are like a parent reborn to me. Please call me Ayao,” Yaoguang said, delighted to see that Grand Shaman Lixing was still strong and healthy.

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly! I’m just an old man, nearly ready for the earth. If not for you, I wouldn’t even be alive,” Grand Shaman Lixing replied with joy. “This is my grandson, Grand Shaman Licheng. He is now the grand shaman of the village. I’m retired, living out my days in peace.”

“Greetings, Divine One,” Grand Shaman Licheng bowed to Yaoguang, who returned the gesture politely.

“Hey, Yitian, Grand Shaman Lixing is Grand Shaman Licheng’s grandfather, right? Licheng must be around sixty, so how old is Lixing?” Xuancheng asked curiously from the side.

“Well, you may not know—back then, Miss was poisoned with the Golden Silkworm Gu by the Heishan Miao Village, and Grand Shaman Lixing saved her. After Miss ascended to Immortal, she returned and taught Lixing the art of cultivation. Later, she ascended to Divine, and as a reward for saving a divine, the heavens extended Lixing’s life. Miss also sent many elixirs and methods for ascending. Though she hasn’t set foot in Miao territory for years, their connection has never been severed. Now, Lixing is an immortal himself. Do you understand?” Yitian explained.

“Wow, such history! Phoenix is always tough on the outside, soft on the inside. Saving her earned him a path to immortality,” Xuancheng exclaimed.

“It’s also Lixing’s fortune; otherwise, he couldn’t have cultivated even with the opportunity,” Yitian said.

“Alright,” Xuancheng nodded.

“Divine One, let’s go inside to talk. Lihuo, arrange accommodations for these officers,” Grand Shaman Lixing gestured invitingly. Lihuo took the order and went into the bamboo house.

“Grandmother!” Jiang Yun spotted the elderly lady standing in front of the house and ran over, hugging her tightly.

“Good child,” the old lady smiled, stroking Jiang Yun’s head.

“Grandmother, this is my master, the Phoenix Divine One,” Jiang Yun introduced.

“Greetings, Divine One. It has been many years since we parted. Have you been well?” Lady Li Ying, Mistress of Gu, bowed to Phoenix. “You are lucky, child, to become the last disciple of the Divine One. Truly fate.”

“It is indeed fate. After all these years, seeing you healthy is a blessing to Phoenix. If not for the Qing Mountain Miao Village coming to my aid back then, I would have been lost to the underworld. I am endlessly grateful for your kindness,” Yaoguang said.

“You are a person of deep feeling. Though you haven’t set foot in Miao territory for years, Qing Mountain Village has benefited greatly from your gifts. The elixirs and herbs you sent over the years could fill a market,” Lady Li Ying smiled.

Everyone laughed as they walked inside. After dinner and some pleasantries, they finally got to the main topic.

“Divine One, please tell us about the situation,” Grand Shaman Lixing asked.

“It’s like this: Seven Han girls have been abducted to Heishan Miao Village. In our investigation, we captured Young Master Lihun and Black Heaven Grand Shaman’s attendant Lilie. According to their confession, Black Heaven Grand Shaman is using the girls’ bodies to forge the Immortal Gu, and their souls are sacrificed to their so-called deity. Based on Lilie’s account, this so-called evil god has several arms and lies in a pool of blood. If my guess is correct, it is the Five Venoms Evil God, already evolving toward the Lesser Black Heaven. If it completes the transformation, it will be disastrous and difficult to contain,” Yaoguang explained.

“The Five Venoms Evil God—they really forged such a thing. This is trouble. Divine One, you may not know, but Heishan Miao Village is the most brazen of all Black Miao villages. They are split into two factions: the Immortal faction led by Black Heaven Grand Shaman, seeking eternal life, and the conservative faction led by Village Chief Lishang, who opposes Black Heaven’s definition of immortality. Years ago, the Immortal faction was already abducting girls for forging the Immortal Gu. We White Miao have united many times to suppress them, but never succeeded. The conservative faction dislikes the immortals but joins forces against us when attacked. We always knew Heishan Miao Village had dark secrets, practicing evil arts, but never imagined they’d create the Five Venoms Evil God. This entity is nourished with countless human blood, regularly infused with fresh blood. They abduct young girls, implant Immortal Gu larvae, which devour their hosts’ organs and burst out, torturing them to death. The hosts’ resentment is collected, their souls bound by evil arts, and when the resentment reaches a certain degree, their souls are fed to the evil god, while their bodies are thrown into the blood pool to nourish it. According to your account, the evil god has absorbed 108 girls’ bodies; these seven are likely the last batch. Once the god consumes them, it will fully transform into Lesser Black Heaven. That will be the arrival of disaster,” Grand Shaman Lixing said, his expression grave.

“Now they’re not only forging an evil god, but also colluding with the Ghost Sect. Lilie said he saw a black-caped, shadowy figure meet Black Heaven Grand Shaman. If the Ghost Sect is involved, it will be even trickier,” Yaoguang frowned.

“The Ghost Sect—those parasites have returned,” Lady Li Ying said, gritting her teeth.

“The Ghost Sect is my mortal enemy. Years ago, they almost annihilated my Heavenly Sword forces. Ghost Sect members are to be slain without mercy—that is our principle. This time, we must capture Heishan Miao Village and destroy its evil god. Grand Shaman Lixing, I’ve brought fifty cultivators, four Phoenix Mountain immortals, fifteen special forces operatives, twenty Heavenly Sword Action Team officers, and twenty local police. You decide how to deploy them; you know Heishan’s situation better than I,” Yaoguang said.

“Alright, let’s have the special forces and Heavenly Sword officers stay outside the village, blocking the paths down the mountain and sealing Heishan Miao’s exits. Grand Shamans Licheng and Li Ying will lead our Gu Masters in support. Your cultivators can set up formations. I and you, with four immortals, will spearhead the assault. Does this sound feasible?” Grand Shaman Lixing proposed.

“Yes, let’s do that. Tianyou, you stay outside to command. Xuancheng, Akun, Jiang Yun, and I will go together. We’ll begin deployment tonight and attack the village tomorrow morning, when the yang energy is strongest—best for dealing with evil gods,” Yaoguang said.

“No problem,” Xuancheng nodded.

“Divine One, since you’re back, shouldn’t you visit Jinlin?” Grand Shaman Lixing asked.

“Of course. I haven’t seen it in years. Grand Shaman, I have a request,” Yaoguang said solemnly.

“You wish to take Jinlin with you?” Grand Shaman Lixing smiled.

“Exactly. I want it to return to Phoenix Mountain. Its tribulation is near, and the spiritual energy there will help it succeed. May I have your blessing?” Yaoguang asked.

“Of course. Jinlin was always yours. Back then, when you were poisoned by the Golden Silkworm Gu, you couldn’t care for it, and it was still small, so I kept it here. Now it’s grown and it’s time to return. Even if you didn’t ask, I would have sent it back. Jinlin has been like our child; everyone loves it. Bring it back often,” Grand Shaman Lixing said kindly.

“Grand Shaman, I know. Once it can ride clouds and summon rain, let it return on its own. This is its second home,” Yaoguang said gratefully.

“Phoenix, who is Jinlin?” Huo Mingkun asked curiously, never having heard Phoenix mention it.

“You’ll see soon,” Yaoguang replied mysteriously, heading behind the bamboo house. The area opened up, with a stream and sparkling water, mountains across the bank—a paradise.

Yaoguang walked to the water’s edge. “Jinlin, Jinlin, I’m back. Jinlin!” she called toward the mountain across the river, cupping her hands to her lips.

Her voice echoed, ethereal and lingering. Suddenly, trees on the mountain began to shake, as something moved toward the water. Soon, a great splash was heard, as some huge creature entered the water. Everyone looked to Grand Shaman Lixing, who smiled quietly at the water.

As everyone wondered, a massive golden snake head emerged from the surface, followed by its body. Xuancheng and the others were stunned. A seven- or eight-meter-long golden serpent, thick as two people’s arms joined, slithered ashore and stopped before Yaoguang, extending its head and gently touching her face with its red tongue.

“Captain Xie, what’s this snake doing?” Huo Mingkun’s legs went weak. “Is this a snake or a dragon?” But what happened next shocked him even more. Yaoguang suddenly hugged the snake’s neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Jinlin, I’ve missed you. You’ve grown so much. I’m sorry—I failed you,” Yaoguang wept like a child, hugging the giant snake. The snake leaned its head against her, its gaze sorrowful yet joyful.

“Jinlin, once this mission is over, I’ll take you back to Phoenix Mountain. I’ll never be apart from you again,” Yaoguang sobbed, clinging to the serpent.

“What is even happening? Phoenix is talking to a snake…” Huo Mingkun’s jaw dropped.

“This is the Tianshan Jinxin Golden Python, a Wenhan—a serpent spirit from cold regions, counted as an earth dragon, capable of transforming into a dragon. Ayao rescued it years ago, back when it was much smaller. Looks like it’s about to attempt its tribulation. Early in her cultivation, Ayao traveled everywhere with it; later, when she was poisoned by the Golden Silkworm Gu and the snake wounded by Black Miao, she had no choice but to leave it here. Many things happened afterward, and the timing wasn’t right to bring it home. Now, fate has reunited them,” a refined male immortal explained. Huo Mingkun looked from him to Yaoguang, teeth chattering. “Heh, Phoenix is truly extraordinary.”

“Jinlin, do you hate me?” Yaoguang asked, holding the snake’s head in both hands.

“Why?” Jinlin replied.

“It spoke—the snake actually spoke!” Huo Mingkun was dumbfounded.

“It’s already an earth dragon, with an immortal soul. Why should it not speak? Don’t be so shocked,” the male immortal scoffed, flicking his long sleeve as he walked over to Yaoguang.

“Jinlin,” he called, raising a hand to stroke the snake’s head.

“You’re here too,” the serpent looked at him, joy turning quickly to surprise. “You—you’ve become a ghost immortal? Where is your body? What happened?”

“It’s a long story. Years ago, in the battle to destroy the Ghost Sect, my body was reduced to ashes. Ayao guided me into the Dao. I’ll tell you the details later; there will be time,” the immortal smiled.

“Body reduced to ashes?” The snake paused, then growled fiercely, “The Ghost Sect must be destroyed. I’ll avenge you.”

“Calm yourself, Jinlin. You’re about to face your tribulation—anger is dangerous. I promise, when we destroy the Ghost Sect, you’ll come with us. You’re much stronger now,” the immortal soothed.

“You’re truly remarkable, Ayao. I’ve been waiting for you, working hard,” the snake looked at Yaoguang, earnest in its gaze.

“I know, I know,” Yaoguang hugged the snake’s neck again, tears flowing.

“Don’t cry, it’s not beautiful,” the serpent used its tongue to wipe away Yaoguang’s tears, then coiled its massive body, carrying her toward Grand Shaman Lixing. “Benefactor, thank you,” the snake bowed its enormous head to him.

“No need for thanks. Over the years, you’ve protected our village from many disasters,” Grand Shaman Lixing stroked its head.

“This is my spirit pearl. Keep it. After I leave, use it to command the mountain’s snakes. Ayao will teach you the technique. Some are cultivated; they’ll guard the village,” the serpent spat out a white pearl into Grand Shaman Lixing’s palm.

“Thank you. For the attack on Heishan Miao Village, will you help?” Grand Shaman Lixing asked.

“I’ll follow your and Ayao’s lead,” the snake nodded.

“Good,” Grand Shaman Lixing said with satisfaction.

“Jinlin, I have a question: When this is over, how do I bring you home? You’re so big now, I can’t carry you,” Yaoguang reclined on the snake’s body in distress. She used to carry it in a bamboo basket.

“I can swim, or travel over the mountains—what’s the worry?” the snake replied.

“Oh, please, it’s a long way. I’ll call for a box truck to transport you,” Yaoguang lay on the huge serpent, crossed her legs, lit a cigarette, and smoked leisurely.

“You’ll need a shipping container, or I won’t fit,” the snake retorted.

“You even know about shipping containers—impressive,” Yaoguang teased.

“I am an earth immortal, after all. Why shouldn’t I know?” The snake carried Yaoguang toward a bamboo house.

“True enough. So, a shipping container it is. Yitian, call for a container truck—I want to take my treasure home,” Yaoguang called.

“Yes, Miss,” Yitian replied, running off to make the call.

“Tonight, will you sleep inside or outside?” Yaoguang asked.

“Will I fit inside?” the snake replied.

“Then you’d better sleep outside,” Yaoguang said.

“No problem—same as always. You sleep, I keep watch. No mosquitoes in the house,” the snake responded.

“It’s so nice to have you—no mosquitoes. Every time I get bitten, I wish you were here,” Yaoguang joked.

“I’m your mosquito chaser,” the snake growled.

“Oh, that won’t do,” Yaoguang pouted.

“All right,” the snake replied, speechless.

Listening to this exchange between human and snake, Xuancheng and the others’ worldview was shattered. The male immortal and the villagers laughed at their dumbfounded expressions.

The immortal smiled and hurried after them. “Ayao, wait for me…”