Early morning, the sun had just risen.
It was a fine day today, with clear skies stretching for miles.
Since the spiritual anomalies had occurred one after another in Nature several days ago, the surrounding regions had been shrouded in dark clouds, either with howling winds or torrential downpours. However, things had improved over the last couple of days, especially today. As the sun rose, it seemed to sweep away all the gloom.
Yet today was not merely a fine day; it was also an auspicious occasion.
For everyone knew that today was the day the Bing Xuan Sect would hold its Inheritance Grand Ceremony. Prominent figures from major sects, great families, and powerful factions across the surrounding regions had almost all set out for the Bing Xuan Territory to offer their congratulations.
On the road to the Bing Xuan Territory, a grand carriage drawn by four horses was speeding along.
The driver was a short, stout man wearing a bamboo hat. Dressed in a custom-tailored robe, he stood on the carriage, holding the reins with one hand and cracking a whip with the other, occasionally shouting, "Hyah! Hyah!"
The four steeds were all spirited White Flame Horses. The grand carriage itself looked rather aged, its surface somewhat worn and shabby. It was entirely bronze-red, exuding an ancient feel. Inside the carriage sat a man.
A man who appeared to be in his early twenties, wearing clean, neat white robes. His long black hair was loosely draped over his shoulders. His rather handsome face wore a leisurely expression as he leaned against the carriage window, one leg crossed over the other. He sipped his little tipple while admiring the surrounding scenery, utterly at ease.
Clean white robes, casual black hair.
A handsome face, a leisurely demeanor.
No vigorous youthful spirit, only the languid air of twilight.
Who else could it be but Gu Qingfeng?
He was on his way to the Bing Xuan Territory to attend the Bing Xuan Sect's Inheritance Grand Ceremony.
To be honest, Gu Qingfeng hadn't originally wanted to go. As for forming a dual cultivation partnership with the Bing Xuan Sect's Leng Yanqiu to graft karma—such a ridiculous affair held no interest for him. He didn't even know what this so-called karma was about, and even if he did, what of it?
Graft it?
If karma could be grafted, why would Yun Nishang have buried her own soul within Ouyang Ye's bloodline?
Thus, he couldn't be bothered with such nonsense. And dual cultivation with a young girl?
What a joke.
He understood better than anyone how complicated dual cultivation could be. Even if he knew what the karma was, even if karma truly could be grafted, he wouldn't engage in dual cultivation with another. For he had sworn long before the Great Calamity that he would never practice dual cultivation with anyone again.
Yes.
He had sworn an oath.
This trip to the Bing Xuan Sect was also to make this matter clear.
Most importantly, he simply couldn't withstand Huode's persistent pestering. The old fellow kept going on about how the Yunxia Sect had been looked down upon for centuries, especially by the Bing Xuan Sect. Back then, because of the dual cultivation pact between the two sects, he and his fellow disciples had even been beaten at the Bing Xuan Sect. They had swallowed that humiliation for centuries. Now that they finally had such a good opportunity, Huode was determined to go to the Bing Xuan Sect to vent their grievances, or at the very least, restore the face they had lost back then.
To this end, Huode had pleaded relentlessly for days. Gu Qingfeng had no choice but to agree. In his mind, helping an old friend vent his anger and restore his honor wasn't a difficult task—it merely meant putting on a show and acting the part of a big shot for once.
"I say, Fei Kui, do you actually know the way or not? Are we lost?"
Gu Qingfeng looked around. This wretched place was not only chilly but also full of desolate mountains and wild forests, without a trace of human habitation.
"Young Master, you told this humble one to take you around to see the scenery..." Fei Kui felt wronged. When they set out, Gu Qingfeng had said he wanted to see the scenery. Fei Kui figured the main roads wouldn't offer much to look at, so he had taken a more remote path.
"Seeing the scenery is fine, but what's there to see in this wretched place besides desolate mountains?"
"Young Master, this is a side path. It'll be much better once we reach the Bing Xuan Territory..." "Alright, alright, hurry up."
Gu Qingfeng waved his hand, signaling Fei Kui to keep driving. He poured himself another cup of wine. Just as he was about to drink it, he suddenly sensed something amiss. Looking up, he saw a white crane soaring swiftly through the sky. On the crane's back sat a panicked-looking girl of about fourteen or fifteen.
The girl was clinging to the crane's neck, her face deathly pale, mouth open in a scream. Chasing closely behind the crane was a massive snow eagle.
The snow eagle was enormous, with a wingspan of three to four meters when fully extended. It pursued the crane relentlessly. Its eagle eyes glowed with a bloody crimson, its feathers were in disarray—some patches missing, others torn—and its body bore wounds.
Good heavens!
It was a Blood-Eyed Bald Eagle!
And an exceptionally ferocious one at that. This vicious bird was incredibly fast, possessed astonishing strength, and had an extremely savage temperament. An adult Blood-Eyed Bald Eagle could effortlessly shred a Golden Core cultivator to pieces in an instant with its sharp talons.
*Screech!*
The Blood-Eyed Bald Eagle suddenly launched a surprise attack. Its talons instantly tore the white crane to shreds. The girl plummeted from the sky. Gu Qingfeng, quick as lightning, flashed forward and caught the girl in his arms.
"Watch out!"
Terrified, the girl saw the Blood-Eyed Bald Eagle charging toward Gu Qingfeng and couldn't help but cry out.
*Screech!*
The Blood-Eyed Bald Eagle spread its wings, opened its sharp beak, and extended its talons as it dove at Gu Qingfeng, intent on tearing him apart.
Without even looking, Gu Qingfeng waved his hand. A flash of light erupted, and a crescent-shaped arc shot forth. The arc, like a bolt of lightning, struck the Blood-Eyed Bald Eagle. With a *crack*, the eagle was instantly blasted into a bloody pulp, reduced to a pile of debris.
Landing on the ground, Gu Qingfeng set the girl down and smiled. "Little sister, are you alright?"
Perhaps due to the immense shock, the girl's pretty face was deathly pale, devoid of any color. Her eyes were wide as she stared at Gu Qingfeng. She glanced at the debris on the ground, blinked, then looked back at Gu Qingfeng. Her initial panic turned to sheer terror. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.
Gu Qingfeng caught the unconscious girl, feeling utterly speechless. However, at that very moment, a sharp shout rang out from the sky.
"Halt!"
*Whoosh!*
A fierce sword gleam shot toward him.
As Gu Qingfeng turned, he waved his hand, dispersing the sword gleam into nothingness. Focusing his gaze, he saw two figures flying toward him through the air.
A man and a woman.
The woman was dressed in white robes, ethereal as if shrouded in mist, giving her a very elusive presence.
The man beside her appeared to be around twenty years old, holding a long sword. His stern, cold face wore a fierce expression. Seeing Gu Qingfeng block his sword strike, he first showed surprise, then fury.
"Seeking death!"
As the words fell, brilliant light erupted wildly around him. He fiercely swung his sword once more.