HPDBC Chapter 84: Shrouding the Sky, Swallowing the Heavens—The Netherbird!
Chapter 84: Shrouding the Sky, Swallowing the Heavens—The Netherbird!
Chapter 84: Shrouding the Sky, Swallowing the Heavens—The Netherbird!
“Mastering the Emperor’s Extreme Sword Art ensures the position of Crown Prince?”
Gu An picked herbs as he eavesdropped.
The Emperor’s Extreme Sword Art? I’m pretty familiar with that!
He decided he would ask Li Ya about it later. If Li Ya wanted to vie for the throne, Gu An figured he could give him a few pointers.
Wait a minute!
This old schemer isn’t up to any good!
Gu An’s instincts flared with unease. He suspected Li Xuandao had deliberately let him overhear this conversation since the pavilion wasn’t warded against sound.
He recalled something else—Li Xuandao’s ultimate ambition was to become an immortal emperor. To emperors, the greatest threat was often the crown prince. Even in mortal dynasties, aging emperors were wary of their heirs, and crown princes who ascended smoothly were a rare breed.
Could Li Xuandao be planning to use Li Ya to eliminate the crown prince?
That’s actually quite likely!
Gu An dismissed these thoughts and focused on picking herbs. Let the father and son fight it out amongst themselves.
Since Li Xuandao was present, Gu An didn’t leave immediately after harvesting the herbs. He only departed early the next morning. When he left, Li Xuandao was still lingering, claiming he would stay longer to watch the unfolding conflict between the righteous and demonic factions.
Returning to Xuan Valley, Gu An gave Wu Xin and the others some instructions:
“The demonic faction is about to launch an attack. Don’t wander around unnecessarily.”
This warning made the disciples, including Wu Xin, quite nervous.
Gu An decided to spend his nights in Xuan Valley from now on. The Third Medicine Valley, guarded by Elder Tian and fifty Core Formation cultivators, was very secure. Xuan Valley, on the other hand, was home to only a group of errand disciples.
Even though Xuan Valley’s contribution to his lifespan income was dwindling, the Eight Views Celestial Realm beneath it was an entirely different matter. Besides, Gu An couldn’t bear to abandon Xuan Valley entirely.
Ten days later, the Nascent Soul cultivator Li Xuandao had arranged for arrived at Xuan Valley.
Standing by the wooden fence, Gu An looked into the distance. A woman in a green robe and conical hat approached, carrying a sword. The cold wind stirred her clothing, giving her an ethereal aura.
[Yang Ni (Ninth-Level Nascent Soul Stage): 214/780/1360]
A two-hundred-year-old Nascent Soul cultivator—quite a talent.
Gu An silently mused as he stepped forward to greet her.
“I’m Gu An, the master of this Medicine Valley. May I ask who you are?” he inquired as he approached, raising a hand.
Before he could react, Yang Ni appeared directly in front of him. Startled, he feigned a step back.
“Let me see your other valley master token,” Yang Ni transmitted her voice, her tone cold yet melodious—a voice that hinted at beauty.
Gu An immediately took out the Horizon Valley token. Yang Ni snatched it, examined it, and returned it to him.
“The Emperor sent me to protect you. From now on, I’ll be an outer sect disciple at your side,” she transmitted again.
Gu An nodded and spoke aloud, “So it was Elder Han who recommended you. I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time.”
With that, he turned and led Yang Ni toward the pavilion.
As Yang Ni followed, the other disciples in the valley cast curious glances her way. Her appearance alone made it hard not to stare.
Once inside, Gu An closed the door and said, “The valley is full of Qi Refining cultivators. You don’t need to worry.”
Yang Ni raised her hand, conjuring a blue restriction with spiritual energy and imprinting it onto the door.
So cautious!
Wu Xin fell silent, seemingly recalling something, and awkwardly stopped talking.
Gu An continued shoveling snow, though after a while, he frowned slightly, sensing something. However, he didn’t stop working.
At the same time, Yang Ni seemed to have noticed something as well. She leaped into the air, landing atop the southern peak in one fluid motion. Her sudden movement drew all eyes in the valley toward her.
Snow continued to fall heavily, enveloping the world in a vast white haze. From the valley’s perspective, Yang Ni’s figure on the mountaintop was hazy and indistinct, as if the blizzard might swallow her at any moment.
“What’s she doing?” Wu Xin couldn’t resist asking Gu An.
Gu An looked up. “I don’t know. We’ll ask her when she comes back down.”
A soft, ethereal bird cry echoed through the heavens, piercing even the howling wind. The sudden sound made everyone frown, glancing around in search of its source.
Wu Xin seemed to realize something, his face changing drastically. He shouted urgently, “Everyone, get inside! Quickly!”
As he spoke, he grabbed Gu An and bolted toward the cluster of pavilions.
Gu An shook off his hand and said, “You go first. I need to watch over the Medicine Valley.”
Wu Xin turned back, his voice anxious. “That’s the demonic creature from the Thousand Autumn Pavilion—the Netherbird! It’s not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator can handle!”
“You go inside first. I’m not going to fight it! Don’t forget your role!” Gu An said firmly.
Wu Xin hesitated before gritting his teeth and running back.
Soon, the valley was empty except for Gu An. The other disciples peeked nervously from their windows, their eyes glued to the sky.
Gu An could already feel the aura of the Netherbird.
It was powerful—on par with a Void Transformation cultivator.
A fierce wind howled from the south, rolling waves of snow toward the valley. Gu An’s heart ached as he watched the rare herbs swaying in the storm. But with Yang Ni and the other disciples around, he couldn’t reveal his true cultivation level. He walked to the most valuable herb garden and shielded it with his Foundation Establishment spiritual energy.
At that moment, Yang Ni appeared beside him out of nowhere. She took out a large flag, planted it into the ground, and infused it with spiritual energy through her palm.
The flag fluttered, forming a light barrier that shielded them from the snow and wind.
Yang Ni sighed in relief and turned to Gu An, scolding, “Are you crazy? What do these herbs have to do with you? Can’t you feel the demonic aura?”
Gu An replied calmly, “I felt it, but if I can sense it, then the grandmasters of Taixuan Sect certainly can too...”
Boom!
A terrifying pressure descended abruptly. Gu An looked up, as did Wu Xin and the other disciples, their eyes widening in shock.
The swirling snow clouds were dispersed, revealing a massive, terrifying bird in the sky. Its enormous form blotted out the sun, plunging the valley into darkness that lingered.
Even Gu An was stunned by the Netherbird’s sheer size. From what he could see, its wingspan exceeded a hundred miles—utterly absurd.
On the bird’s back, he sensed the presence of numerous demonic cultivators—at least ten thousand. Its destination was the Taixuan Sect’s outer sect city!
“The Netherbird of the Thousand Autumn Pavilion... a sixth-rank demonic creature. It wields the power to destroy dynasties. This is my first time seeing it,” Yang Ni murmured, gazing at the monstrous creature. Fear flickered in her usually composed eyes.
Gu An didn’t respond, his eyes fixed on the Netherbird, silently praying it wouldn’t target his Xuan Valley.
As the Netherbird passed over the valley, sunlight broke through, illuminating the Medicine Valley. Moments later, snowflakes drifted down like a dense, vast fog.
This sight brought a collective sigh of relief from the disciples.
Gu An could already sense battles between Void Transformation cultivators in the distance.
Void Transformation!
And not just two of them!
The battle was far from their location—likely in another outer sect city.