Chapter 721: 幼年吞天兽

Ji Yuan had seen the Heaven-Devouring Beast before, but Zao Niang, Hu Yun, and Sun Yaya were encountering it for the first time. Unsurprisingly, they were all awestruck. Even from such a distance, the colossal creature in the sky was comparable to a mountain.

“Sir, is that a monster?”

“It’s so big? As big as a mountain…” “Yes, how much could it eat in one gulp?”

Wei Wuwei, with his characteristic smile, explained to those beside Ji Yuan.

“Everyone, this is the Heaven-Devouring Beast of the Weimei Sect. To describe it aptly, it’s like an exaggeratedly huge ship. Of course, this ‘ship’ also has its own temper and capabilities.”

“Patriarch Wei, did you say this ‘ship’ came specifically to pick up Sir?”

“Precisely. My Jade Embrace Mountain’s Jade Spirit Peak Immortal Port isn’t fully formed yet, so there typically wouldn’t be any realm ferries visiting. This beast was brought here by Senior Lian from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets after he visited the Weimei Sect.”

Hu Yun nodded thoughtfully, recalling "Free and Easy Wandering," which Mr. Ji had taught him years ago. The Heaven-Devouring Beast clearly resembled a fish. However, seeing no particular expression on Mr. Ji’s face, he said nothing further.

“Mr. Ji, since you’re already here, please take a tour of Jade Spirit Peak, which I oversee, and offer some advice. Please!”

“I wouldn’t call it advice; I’m merely observing the spectacle. Please lead the way, Patriarch Wei.”

“Sir, please!”

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wei Wuwei led the way. The surrounding mist automatically parted around him, and in some ravines and steep areas, a soft, misty path would even appear underfoot.

The Jade Spirit Peak, formed by the fusion of five peaks, appeared far more towering and majestic than the surrounding mountains from up close. It had essentially become the foremost grand peak of Jade Verdant Mountain, second only to the Jade Embrace Sacred Realm.

During the ascent, they occasionally saw other climbers. Besides cultivators and spirits, there were surprisingly ordinary mortals. Many of these mortals, leveraging their proximity, had connections to the Wei family.

When the Heaven-Devouring Beast roared, not only did the cultivators and spirits on the mountain tense up, but the mortals were even more affected.

The Heaven-Devouring Beast let out another loud roar, causing the clouds in the sky to churn. Standing atop the head of this colossal beast, which captivated everyone, was a woman holding a whisk. She gazed at the scenery of Jade Spirit Peak and Jade Verdant Mountain. Her hair, adorned with red silk ribbons, swayed in the wind along with the white bristles of her whisk. This was Jiang Xueling, a high-level cultivator from the Weimei Sect. Just then, another female cultivator floated through the air and landed beside her.

“Grandmaster, this Jade Embrace Mountain is unexpectedly impressive, especially how these five peaks were merged to create Jade Spirit Peak as a port. It’s truly a profound and mystical feat.”

Jiang Xueling smiled, flicked her whisk, and a radiant light flowed from it, gently sweeping across one side of the Heaven-Devouring Beast’s face, calming the giant beast once more.

“Jade Embrace Mountain is certainly not a minor sect. My master once mentioned that the Jade Embrace Sacred Realm might possess a genuine Mountain Enfeoffment Talisman. If someone could activate it, it could establish a true Mountain God, and given enough time, this deity could reach the realm of a True Mountain God without any bottlenecks.”

The female cultivator beside her looked surprised.

“Wasn’t that just a rumor?”

“Yes, I used to think it was a rumor too. However, this time, the five peaks merged so perfectly, as if naturally formed, without harming a single blade of grass or tree on Jade Verdant Mountain, and blending with the surrounding terrain like water. Besides the undeniable skill of those who performed the ritual, such seamless integration might also be due to the effects of an Enfeoffment Talisman.”

“Grandmaster is right, but I think there’s another possibility. Isn’t there also Mr. Ji from Jizhou, Dazhen? If he were to act, it wouldn’t be surprising for the five peaks to merge so naturally, would it?”

Jiang Xueling glanced at her, then considered for a moment.

“That makes sense.”

“Hehe, oh, by the way, Grandmaster, someone from Jade Embrace Mountain just informed us that we’ll be departing in a few days.”

The female cultivator had been talking for a while and seemed to have only just remembered the reason she came to find her grandmaster. Her personality indeed resembled her lineage.

“Understood.”

Jiang Xueling acknowledged, her gaze sweeping over the area below. She suddenly paused, her spiritual eyes focusing on the grand path leading up to Jade Spirit Peak’s summit. While she couldn’t directly sense Ji Yuan’s arrival, she could vaguely perceive a pure energy rising from the peak from afar.

“He’s here?”

“Grandmaster, who did you see?”

The female cultivator followed Jiang Xueling’s gaze. At the entrance to the mountain path, figures moved to and fro, but even with close observation, she saw nothing unusual, only many spirits and cultivators.

“I didn’t see him directly, but if I’m not mistaken, the Mr. Ji you admire should have arrived.”

Jiang Xueling glanced at the female cultivator beside her, then lightly leaped, stepping into the mist ahead and gliding downwards like a delicate butterfly.

“Mr. Ji? Ji Yuan, the Hidden Immortal Master of Dazhen? Oh, Grandmaster, wait for me!”

Seeing her grandmaster depart quickly, the young woman hastily summoned the wind to catch up, channeling her magic to travel alongside Jiang Xueling.

The immortal port atop Jade Spirit Peak was not a single flat area but consisted of five distinct, elevated regions, perfectly aligning with the five fused peaks. These areas were connected by mountain paths and numerous suspended stone platforms linked by wide rope bridges through the clouds. This layout not only provided a vast usable area but also imbued it with a strong sense of immortal elegance.

At this time, various buildings already dotted Jade Spirit Peak, and cultivators or spirits were casting spells to erect new structures.

Upon their arrival at Jade Spirit Peak, Ji Yuan and his companions were immediately struck by its beautiful scenery.

“Mr. Ji, all the arrangements throughout Jade Spirit Peak are based on my own designs. How does it compare to the other immortal ports you’ve seen?”

Wei Wuwei asked Ji Yuan with considerable confidence, and the latter did not stint on praise, nodding in approval.

“Of all the immortal ports I’ve seen, Jade Spirit Peak is the finest in terms of scenery!”

“Hahahaha, thank you for the compliment, Sir.”

At this moment, Ji Yuan looked up at the sky. After a slight delay, those around him also looked up. Near the faint outline of the Heaven-Devouring Beast, clouds parted to reveal the creature’s slightly fearsome front half. Its massive eyes seemed to be gazing at Jade Spirit Peak.

“It really does look like a fish!”

Hu Yun couldn’t help but exclaim, while Ji Yuan widened his spiritual eyes, watching the two women descending from the clouds, observing that they appeared to be flying toward his location.

“Sir, it seems some female cultivators from the Weimei Sect are descending.”

“Yes, I know.”

No sooner had Ji Yuan’s words fallen than Jiang Xueling’s voice drifted from afar.

“Mr. Ji, it is indeed you.”

As her voice arrived, Jiang Xueling and the female cultivator beside her descended together. Jiang Xueling took a moment to observe Ji Yuan, then looked at the faint, hovering Green Vine Sword behind him, and then at Zao Niang and the others one by one. The small paper crane on Ji Yuan’s shoulder and the Golden Armor behind him were also present.

“Mr. Ji’s companions are indeed quite interesting.”

Saying this, Jiang Xueling subtly bowed to Ji Yuan, holding her whisk. The female cultivator beside her quickly followed suit, bowing respectfully and cautiously observing Ji Yuan as she said, “Greetings, Mr. Ji.”

Ji Yuan had an impression of the whisk-wielding woman and knew she possessed profound cultivation, but he genuinely didn’t know her name. He hadn’t interacted much with her at the Immortal Gathering either. Yet, she acted as if they were well acquainted, making him wonder if it would be inappropriate to directly ask, “What is your name?”

“Uh, greetings, fellow Daoists!”

Ji Yuan felt uncharacteristically awkward. He could only return their bows. Zao Niang and the others, assuming they were Ji Yuan’s acquaintances, also politely bowed, though only Golden Armor remained steadfast and unmoving.

“Mr. Ji, this junior is Zhou Xian from the Weimei Sect, and this is my Grandmaster, Jiang Xueling. Although we haven’t formally met in person, we have long heard of your esteemed name.”

The female cultivator quickly introduced herself, while Jiang Xueling merely nodded from the side.

“So it’s fellow Daoist Jiang and fellow Daoist Zhou!”

Jiang Xueling swept her whisk and tucked it into her arm, then directly addressed Ji Yuan.

“Mr. Ji, I presume you will be traveling with us this time. I came to greet you first. Back then, you and a few fellow Daoists refined magical artifacts on Nine Peaks Mountain, stealing the limelight at the Immortal Gathering. I would like to discuss the art of crafting and wielding artifacts with you.”

“If the opportunity arises, I will certainly seek your guidance.”

“Hmm, when we depart, I’ll take you to see Xiao San.”

“Xiao San?”

Ji Yuan paused slightly, then saw Jiang Xueling point towards the sky, directly at the colossal beast faintly visible in the distant clouds.

“The Heaven-Devouring Beast?”

“Yes, it’s still a child. Who knows how many more years it will take to grow up.”

Jiang Xueling said with a smile, but her words made Hu Yun’s eyes widen.

“This is still a child? When it grows up, will it truly be a Kun?”

Hearing Hu Yun’s words, most of those nearby seemed unfamiliar with the reference, but Jiang Xueling instantly turned her head to look at the youthful-looking Hu Yun, though she merely narrowed her eyes slightly before looking away.

“I won’t disturb your leisurely enjoyment of the mountains, Mr. Ji. We shall meet again when we depart. And if you wish to find me, just come directly to Xiao San.”

Jiang Xueling bowed lightly to Ji Yuan, then, taking the female cultivator who had wished to speak more with Ji Yuan, she departed, riding the wind.

As soon as they left, Sun Yaya asked Hu Yun.

“Senior Hu, what is this Kun you spoke of?”

“In the Northern Darkness there is a fish; its name is Kun. The Kun’s size is unknown, for it is thousands of miles long… That’s from ‘Free and Easy Wandering,’ which Sir taught. Uh, hehe, it’s not convenient to say more.”

Hu Yun instinctively pulled back his neck, looking at Ji Yuan, and dared not say anything further.

Jiang Xueling’s reaction just now wasn’t particularly subtle, or perhaps she only made a perfunctory attempt to conceal it. Of course, it didn’t escape Ji Yuan’s notice. The other party showed neither confusion nor asked Hu Yun any questions, indicating that she was not unfamiliar with the term “Kun.”