Chapter 1049: Unbroken Past Eighteen

In the heart of Banana Leaf Mountain, Hu Yun's figure appeared high in the sky. His gaze swept over the mountains and rivers below, sensing the underlying spiritual energy.

'Mr. Ji asked me to come here to investigate. I can't just take a quick look and leave. Is it about that female demon, or the mountain god I casually claimed a connection to?'

Hu Yun slowly descended, circling the mountain several times. He didn't detect anything unusual. While mountain gods and earth spirits might not possess many other skills, their ability to hide is typically formidable. Highly accomplished mountain gods are almost one with their mountains, making them exceptionally difficult to locate directly, unless one masters arcane arts such as Spirit Capture.

There are several villages both around and within Banana Leaf Mountain. At night, the lights from these settlements are quite visible. Most people who live off the land here build temples to worship the mountain god, and this area is no exception.

Hu Yun flew to an old temple in the mountains, pushed open its door, and entered.

The temple appeared somewhat dilapidated, but its interior was dust-free. The altar table held offerings, and all ritual items like incense burners and candle holders were present. There was even a kneeling mat, indicating that the temple was regularly maintained by people from the mountain.

Hu Yun glanced at the mountain god statue, which depicted a benevolent old man.

"Mountain god of Banana Leaf Mountain, reveal yourself."

Since Mr. Ji hadn't provided any specific instructions, Hu Yun assumed he was meant to handle the situation as he saw fit, and so he proceeded according to his own methods.

After waiting a while with no response from the temple, Hu Yun frowned slightly, cleared his throat, and, approaching the statue, increased the volume of his Daoist invocation.

"Mountain god of Banana Leaf Mountain, I request your presence."

In a mountain gorge, an old man and Mr. Gao were passing the time playing chess. Suddenly, a faint, indistinct sound reached their ears. They could vaguely discern a request for someone to appear. The voice was incredibly mysterious, neither male nor female, resembling a sound of the Great Dao itself.

"What's the matter, Elder Gong?"

"It seems a powerful being is requesting my presence!"

"Do you know who it is?"

Elder Gong shook his head.

"The voice I hear is extraordinary—like flowing water from a high mountain, yet also like faint thunder on the horizon. It is a sound of the Great Dao, a method I've never encountered before. The one who calls must possess incredibly profound cultivation!"

"Who could it be? Have our enemies found us?"

"I doubt it, but if Elder Gong reveals himself, he must still be cautious. The heavenly tribulation from the Thunder God that day was no accident; Lady She's whereabouts have already been exposed."

Elder Gong nodded slightly, stroking his beard as he spoke.

"I understand, of course. While this old man might lack the strength to repel an enemy, I am confident in my ability to escape within these mountains."

Back at the mountain god temple, Hu Yun waited for a while longer, yet there was still no sign of movement. His brows furrowed once more. 'Am I really so inept, learning even Mr. Ji's Daoist incantation so poorly? It's more likely that the mountain god simply doesn't want to show himself.'

Hu Yun was also exceptionally gifted. Although he still seemed like the little fox he once was in Ji Yuan's presence, he was now a formidable demon who had cultivated for nearly a millennium—a true fox immortal. Naturally, he also had his own temper.

So...

Hu Yun lightly stamped his right foot on the ground before him.

"Mountain god of Banana Leaf Mountain, I command your swift presence."

Ripple-like waves seemed to emanate from beneath Hu Yun's feet.

In the gorge, Elder Gong was still consulting with Mr. Gao on how to respond. The very next moment, a spiritual light flared around Elder Gong, his vital energy instantly confined. He then involuntarily performed an earth escape, vanishing before Mr. Gao's eyes.

"Elder Gong?"

While Mr. Gao was still bewildered by the situation, a wisp of smoke had already risen from the ground in front of Hu Yun. An old man spun a few times before emerging from the smoke, his face a picture of dumbfounded astonishment.

The sensation was eerily familiar, striking the old man to his very core. Upon seeing the red-robed woman before him, Elder Gong swiftly bowed in deference.

"This humble deity, Gong Muhua, greets the immortal master and awaits your command!"

"Your divine rank isn't high, yet you put on such airs. I called for you, but you wouldn't come, forcing me to resort to Spirit Capture. If anyone asks you about this later, don't you dare blame me!"

Gong Muhua was now greatly agitated. One of the most deeply etched memories in his mind resurfaced: the scene years ago when he was forcibly brought here by Spirit Capture. The calm, detached image of that immortal, whose identity he knew, reappeared in his thoughts.

This immortal lady's earlier words were no jest; she truly had a connection!

"Yes, yes, yes, this humble deity was disrespectful, failing to recognize the arrival of the immortal master who saved my life, and hesitating. That was truly a sin, not your fault, immortal master! Please, tell me what you need!"

'Heh heh, so obedient?'

Hu Yun had learned Spirit Capture from Lu Shan-jun over two hundred years ago, but this was the first time he had used it since then. Its effectiveness was indeed remarkable.

"Ahem, it's nothing major. Where is that lynx?"

Gong Muhua looked up at Hu Yun.

"To answer the immortal master, Lady She, err, She Ji is recuperating at my residence. If you wish to see her, this humble deity can escort you."

Hu Yun was slightly surprised.

"She Ji? Aren't you afraid I might harm Lady She?"

"The immortal master previously intervened to save her, so you would certainly not take advantage of someone in their weakness. Furthermore, Lady She is not inherently evil and has committed no heinous acts. She was merely forced to flee here. I took her in at a friend's request, and after observing her for many years, I, too, concluded she is not a malicious demon, and have thus sheltered her to this day."

"Oh! So why did she flee here?"

Hu Yun became somewhat intrigued.

"Well, it seems she provoked a demon with immensely powerful connections, known as the Great Sage Mihuáng, who is quite formidable. That day's thunder strike from the celestial god was also very peculiar. I implore the immortal master to investigate thoroughly!"

"Great Sage Mihuáng?"

Hu Yun repeated the name, his voice rising.

"Oh, how grand, how daring! Even Master Yin and Zuo Wuji, despite their immense cultivation back then, were exceedingly humble. Yet this demon dares to call himself a Sage? What kind of demon is he?"

Just as Gong Muhua was about to answer, Hu Yun swiftly stopped him.

"Wait, don't tell me! What does this have to do with me... Ahem, Mountain God Gong, how severe are She Ji's injuries? And has she given up on Sun Yiqiu?"

Knowing too much about such matters here might instantly entangle him. Since he already knew the name, Hu Yun could easily investigate it on his own.

Gong Muhua admonished himself not to be impatient, and composing himself, he replied.

"She Ji is also a demon who has cultivated for many years. Moreover, because she is untainted by evil habits, her demonic energy is pure, so the celestial lightning tribulation did not harm her as severely as it would other demons; thus, her injuries are not too serious. As for her feelings for Sun Yiqiu, I dare not hide it from the immortal master: initially, it was merely for the sake of improving her cultivation and securing a safeguard, but now she has truly fallen in love."

"She fell in love just from playful glances in dreams?"

"Immortal master, Lady She is not one of those female demons who delight in draining men's essence. For centuries, she has mostly dedicated herself to rigorous cultivation. She deeply admires the Sword-Riding Deer Immortal, Lady Bai, and is utterly fascinated by her stories. While Sun Yiqiu appears quite ordinary, he possesses an innate spiritual energy and often displays a charming clumsiness. In Lady She's words, he strives to 'restrain himself and return to propriety,' struggling with his body in shame, yet persevering with such earnestness, which she finds truly endearing and adorable!"

Hu Yun paused, a slight realization dawning on him.

In matters of the heart, She Ji was like a young girl experiencing her first crush. As a staunch admirer of Lady Bai, she then encountered the earnest Sun Yiqiu. Their dream encounters became a mutual flirtation, and she fantasized about the most beautiful human-demon love, genuinely developing deep feelings for Sun Yiqiu.

"Uh, if we hadn't held her back, and despite knowing the dangers, She Ji would have already sneaked out to see Sun Yiqiu again. Especially the day she heard Sun Yiqiu had a human childhood sweetheart; though she was supremely confident she could win him over, there was an undeniable nervousness about her."

Hu Yun listened in a daze, then suddenly found it quite amusing. 'This demon is fascinating; Mr. Ji would probably laugh if he heard this.'

"Immortal master?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I won't trouble her. You may return. I'll be leaving now."

Hu Yun decided it was best not to meet She Ji. As he prepared to depart, Gong Muhua grew somewhat anxious.

"Immortal master! This humble deity dares to ask you something!"

"Hmm? Speak."

Hu Yun turned to face the mountain god, who stood beside his own statue, speaking with a slightly agitated, trembling voice.

"Immortal master, if you happen to see that senior from my sect with whom I have an old acquaintance, please inform them that this humble deity has diligently fulfilled his duties as a mountain god for many years and performed numerous good deeds!"

Hu Yun looked at the mountain god, feeling somewhat bothered, and simply gave a casual affirmation.

"I will inform the elder about you. For today, this will suffice."

"Safe journey, immortal master!"

The mountain god bowed in farewell. When he looked up, the red-robed immortal had already vanished from the temple, leaving him with a somewhat wistful expression.