Chapter 39: The Evil God's Subordinate

Huanyue and Ruofeng nearly bulged their eyes out when they heard those words.

“Is… is this really okay?” Huanyue stammered.

Ruofeng bowed deeply. “Then thank you, senior!”

What a stroke of luck they had encountered! To be invited by such a master to observe his cultivation grounds was a rare honor.

Both Huanyue and Ruofeng were beside themselves with excitement. Their reaction was much like a beggar suddenly chosen by the emperor on the street, with the emperor graciously offering to bring them into the palace.

Though the two young women were from the Sacred Land of Empty Perfection—a place named a “sacred land” surely held abundant resources—none of that could diminish their exhilaration at being granted a glimpse into the world of a true master.

The man standing before them possessed a power beyond even the Supreme level; perhaps he was an immortal… Ruofeng mused silently.

Even the Supreme-level Painting Saints of their sacred land could never create works with the awe-inspiring effect of this senior’s art. Nor could any of them cause Huanyue to break through from the Fifth Stage of Nascent Soul directly to the fullness of her realm!

Zhu Xiaoyuan noticed their astonishment and smiled. “Of course you may, so long as you don’t mind.”

Mind? How could Huanyue and Ruofeng possibly mind? They were far too excited!

Zhu Xiaoyuan gathered his things and headed down the mountain, with both young women following eagerly.

At that moment, neither felt any concern that Zhu Xiaoyuan might harbor ulterior motives. Their strength was negligible in his eyes; if he truly wished to do something, it would take nothing more than a flick of his finger—there would be no need for deception.

Zhu Xiaoyuan descended carefully, step by step, as the mountain was steep and required caution.

The little white cat, Hong Xiaoyue, nestled in his arms, her tiny paws clinging tightly to his coat.

This scene astonished Ruofeng and Huanyue.

“Se… senior…” they murmured, unable to comprehend. One such as him, whose every gesture overflowed with Daoist resonance, surely could traverse space with a thought, stride through the air; traveling anywhere should be but a blink.

Yet he used none of these abilities, relying instead on his own strength to walk down the mountain.

Huanyue and Ruofeng found this baffling.

Ruofeng stopped Huanyue gently. “The senior must have his reasons for descending the mountain this way. Let’s not question it. We need only follow.”

With these words, she followed Zhu Xiaoyuan without using any spiritual power, climbing down by sheer effort.

Seeing Ruofeng do so, Huanyue quickly kept pace.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, both were drenched in sweat.

“My goodness, I never imagined descending a mountain would be so exhausting!” Huanyue gasped, her cheeks flushed with a charming glow.

“To walk the world’s roads and see its scenery—every step brings its own reward. A painting must capture not only the beauty but also the feeling within it,” Zhu Xiaoyuan said, seeing their awe.

These were insights he had gained from his art.

Huanyue and Ruofeng shivered with enlightenment at his words.

“Senior is absolutely right! It turns out you’re teaching us!” Ruofeng exclaimed.

Huanyue turned to gaze at the peak she had just descended, her mind filled with thoughts.

Had she not made this journey down the mountain herself, any attempt to paint it would have been a shape without substance. Now, after experiencing it firsthand, she felt she could fill in what was lacking before.

Subtly, Huanyue sensed her heart was fuller than before.

This senior truly was extraordinary! With just a few words, he imparted profound truths.

Thinking thus, Huanyue’s gaze toward Zhu Xiaoyuan brimmed with respect and admiration.

Ruofeng, too, was full of reverence. To have such a great figure lead by example was a rare blessing.

“We should hurry. Let’s get back to the village before nightfall,” Zhu Xiaoyuan said.

With that, he strode off toward the village, Huanyue and Ruofeng following closely.

…

At that moment,

A flash of light streaked toward the small village, carrying two figures ever closer.

“Stop!” a voice suddenly called out. The two beams of light flickered, coming to a halt.

The figures were none other than Supreme Hongxi and Supreme Xieming. They had accompanied Leng Qianxue and An Yue’er to pay their respects to Zhu Xiaoyuan.

“What’s going on?” Supreme Hongxi asked, uncertain.

Supreme Xieming’s expression was grim, almost cold.

He spoke slowly. “I fear we’ve come in vain. The subordinate of the Evil God has already located the senior’s residence. Look—”

With those words, Xieming produced a mirror from his side, which was now glowing crimson.

“This is my artifact, Demon Tracker. Wherever it is, should any demon or monster appear within a thousand miles, the mirror will shine red.”

“From what I see in the Demon Tracker, the demon’s location coincides with the senior’s residence.”

At Xieming’s explanation, everyone’s face changed.

The Evil God’s speed was astonishing—how could they have arrived so quickly?

Though they themselves had rushed, the enemy had still beaten them to the senior’s home.

“What should we do now?”

“Is there any way to warn the senior that a subordinate of the Evil God is at his residence?” Supreme Hongxi asked.

Xieming shook his head. “It’s already too late. Our speed is no match for the Evil God’s servants. From my estimation, the enemy may be even stronger than either of us.”

“All we can do now is hope the senior is prepared and can withstand the Evil God’s subordinate,” Xieming said.

…

Above the small village,

Two wisps of cloud floated suddenly across the sky.

As they churned, the clouds transformed into two grimacing human faces, gazing downward for a long, long time.

“Calm as water—nothing seems amiss,” they said.

“In that case, let’s move swiftly and finish this quickly!”