Shi Feiyang was very clever and realized that Xiankong Ancestor didn’t favor him. Even though he had been accepted as a disciple because of a past promise, he wasn’t the direct disciple and was only allowed to live and cultivate within Roc Bay. The eldest disciple, Ling Weisou, was a good-natured man who didn’t demand much effort to please, but the second disciple, Zheng Yuan Gui, was a ruthless character and also his guide. Hence, each ti Shi Feiyang saw Zheng Yuan Gui, he would flatter him incredibly.
In order to ingratiate himself with Zheng Yuan Gui, Shi Feiyang even trained two relatively beautiful rmaids in singing and dancing. He hid them in a cave in a corner under Roc Bay, often inviting Zheng Yuan Gui to indulge in corrupt pleasures.
Now that Zheng Yuan Gui planned to deal with the Black Dragon, Shi Feiyang offered his advice, "This matter is very easy; you need only relay the ssage that the Island Master commands him to leave imdiately, to get lost. We’ll set up an ambush outside the Xuanming Realm. When he arrives there, we can strike together, kill him, and take the Queen Mother Grass."
Zheng Yuan Gui’s thick eyebrows furrowed, "But he was entrusted to us by the Daoist Geng Peng. My master t with him so ti ago and even showed intentions of accepting him as a disciple. To now carry a ssage that expels him might arouse his suspicions."
Shi Feiyang grinned and said, "That’s simple too. Just say that he has been drilling holes in the Northwest Qian Position, damaging the mountain’s feng shui. As he was entrusted by Daoist Geng, the Island Master doesn’t wish to be too harsh, but since you are the second disciple here, you can’t just watch him ruin the Immortal Palace’s feng shui and do nothing. Naturally, you’ll have to bring it up."
After hearing this, Zheng Yuan Gui greatly appreciated it, "Let’s do as you suggest!"
He first sent his subordinates to arrange an ambush outside Iron Barrier Ridge, and to prevent being discovered, he pushed the ambush site further south into the North Pole Sea. Then, he went to find Shi Feiyang.
Shi Feiyang was in the middle of cultivation in his cave when he heard soone approaching. He ca out to et Zheng Yuan Gui, who had a stern face and said, "You are rely a guest residing here, yet you’ve drilled holes in the mountains, destroying the Immortal Palace’s feng shui and disturbing the spiritual energy of the earth veins, which is truly despicable! According to our brothers, we can’t possibly spare you, but since you were entrusted by Daoist Yu on his deathbed, my master can’t openly drive you out. Nonetheless, we can’t let you continue to act recklessly here!"
Shi Feiyang knew that Zheng Yuan Gui would eventually betray their sect and knew he wasn’t a good person. Moreover, Shi Feiyang hadn’t damaged the feng shui with his establishnt, and he couldn’t believe Xiankong Ancestor’s expertise was that poor.
However, he was essentially under soone else’s roof here, and if the legitimate second disciple wanted him gone, regardless of whether the reasons were justified, he felt he couldn’t stay any longer.
Shi Feiyang thought for a mont, "Then allow to bid farewell to the Island Master."
"No need. My master doesn’t want to see you!" Zheng Yuan Gui’s expression beca ferocious. "Do you still hope to rely on Daoist Yu’s good graces, planning to plead before my master for his continued protection? Better dismiss that idea at once!"
Shi Feiyang thought that no matter what, he ought to let the real master know the situation, not leave so quietly and unclearly.
He went into the cave to gather his belongings and the three artifacts into the Jade Box. Zheng Yuan Gui was still waiting outside the cave, clearly intent on driving him away that very day.
Shi Feiyang followed Zheng Yuan Gui out from the Northwest and walked south along Roc Bay, running straight into the eldest disciple, Ling Weisou, who asked them where they were going.
Zheng Yuan Gui preempted Shi Feiyang, saying, "He’s tired of staying here, constantly wanting revenge for Daoist Yu and plans to leave this place to seek refuge with Daoist Yi at Roc Bay."
Shi Feiyang spoke to Ling Weisou, "My friend, please convey a ssage to the Island Master for . Just say... just say that I... um, I’m leaving, but there’s sothing very important I must report to the Island Master in person before I go. Please allow this eting."
Zheng Yuan Gui glared fiercely at Shi Feiyang, wanting to stop him, but Ling Weisou, being a kindly old soul, happily agreed. He even asked why Shi Feiyang couldn’t stay a bit longer and if there had been any shortcomings in their hospitality.
Ling Weisou then went into Wuding Island to find Xiankong Ancestor, who was outside Shuanghua Palace attending to the Earth Cold Bell, studying the talisman inscriptions on it. Recently, he had encountered so issues while refining the Hundred Treasure Ruyi Pure Yang Heart Lock and wanted to consult with the "Heavenly Immortal" about it. However, as the Earth Cold Bell continued to remain silent, despite his prayers over several days, he heard Ling Weisou outside calling to see him.
Xiankong Ancestor was displeased, "Haven’t I said that I am here to comprehend the subli sounds of the Upper Realm and no one should disturb ?"
Ling Weisou hastily replied, "I dared to speak only because the Earth Cold Bell did not ring. If it had been ringing, I would never dare to disturb."
"What do you want?"
Ling Weisou reported, "Master Geng’s disciple, Black Dragon, wishes to leave."
"If he wants to leave, just send soone to escort him out!"
Ling Weisou pondered and said, "I saw him with the second junior brother, and from the look on junior brother’s face and his tone, it seed like he said so unpleasant things. There seems to be so hidden information. Black Dragon also ntioned that he has sothing very important to discuss with you in person."
"What important matter could he possibly have?" Xiankong Ancestor said impatiently. "Right now, nothing is more important than listening to the celestial music and comprehending the heavenly sounds. As for Yuan Gui’s temperant, I am aware. But he is a different species—suffering so grievances doesn’t matter. Not to ntion different species cultivating, even humans face thousands of hardships. In the path of Immortal Cultivation, there are countless obstacles, Three Calamities, and Six Tribulations, eighty-one difficulties in total. If he can’t even endure so minor grievances, what kind of Immortal Path is he cultivating? Just let him go!"
Having said so, Ling Weisou found it inappropriate to say more. After coming out, he delicately conveyed Xiankong Ancestor’s words to Shi Feiyang.
Shi Feiyang sighed internally. His main reason for wanting to see Xiankong Ancestor was to gauge his true intentions. Regardless of whether Xiankong Ancestor intended to send him away, he was prepared to reveal Zheng Yuan Gui’s future betrayal as a repaynt for the shelter provided to him for so long.
Unfortunately, Xiankong Ancestor did not even wish to et him. So be it.
He bid farewell to Ling Weisou and left the Qiong Embroidery Fields.
When Shi Feiyang had arrived, it was Geng Peng who had flown him here at an incredibly fast speed; it took just the blink of an eye. However, leaving was not so easy.
Firstly, he had to navigate the circuitous Nine Curves Mysterious Ice Road which stretched for hundreds of miles. Following that, he entered the Xuanming Realm that spanned thirteen thousand miles.
Xiankong Ancestor had set up multiple restrictive nets in the sky, barring almost everyone from flying except for a very few individuals. Everyone else had to walk on the icy, snowy ground, allowed only to fly a few feet above the ground at best.
All around him was endless solid ice and thick snow; everywhere he looked was a vast expanse of white.
Zheng Yuan Gui had been leading the way from the start. Shi Feiyang had suggested letting him go on his own after being told the directions, but Zheng Yuan Gui insisted on seeing him out.
This inevitably made Shi Feiyang suspicious.
Even if it was as Zheng Yuan Gui said, fearing he might get lost or accidentally touch the restrictive net and get trapped, needing rescue, Zheng Yuan Gui disliked him so much that he needn’t have taken him personally. Sending a few disciples or even those half-human, half-demon beings would have sufficed.
After leaving the Xuanming Realm and crossing the 3,600-mile-long Iron Barrier Ridge, they were no longer in Xiankong Ancestor’s domain, yet Zheng Yuan Gui still didn’t go back. He only ntioned that he needed to collect herbs along the way and would accompany him a bit further.
By this point, even a fool would realize that sothing was amiss!
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