Chapter 47: Pilgrimage Part 2

Xiang Xian said, “It’s simple, really. Hold down the dragon’s head and release the Heart Lamp to dispel the Demonic Qi on it. Xiao Kun and I will watch your back.”

Xiao Kun added, “Hugging it works too. As long as you release the Heart Lamp Light, the black qi will naturally dissipate.”

“Come on!” Hulü Guang was eager to try.

Though Xiang Xian’s Wisdom Sword could exorcise demons, stabbing into the dragon’s body would kill it—no matter what, they could not do that.

Xiao Kun took a deep breath, activated the Dragon Soaring Jade, and released the corrupted black Demonic Dragon.

With a massive roar, qi surged across the ground. The Demonic Dragon reappeared, let out a shriek, and shot straight into the sky. But Xiao Kun had already moved to block it ahead. He crouched with hands on his knees for leverage. Xiang Xian leaped into the air and drew the Wisdom Sword two inches from its sheath.

Golden light flared. Sensing the threat, the Demonic Dragon veered and charged toward the ground. Wu Yingzong sidestepped to shield Chaosheng, unfolding a barrier of Magical Power. Hulü Guang saw such a terrifying behemoth for the first time and said in shock, “Is it starting already?”

“Hurry!” Chaosheng said. “It’s on!”

Hulü Guang snapped back, grabbed the dragon’s tail, and was yanked into the air, soaring skyward. Xiang Xian landed, kicking up dust. The Demonic Dragon swooped low. Hulü Guang moved with astonishing agility, lunged toward the head, and firmly gripped one of its horns.

“Then what?!” Hulü Guang shouted from the sky.

“Heart Lamp—!” everyone roared at once.

Hulü Guang raised one hand and slammed it onto the dragon’s head. The Demonic Dragon roared wildly and crashed into the Gobi rocks, shattering them.

“If we’d released it during the battle,” Xiang Xian said, “rampaging blindly like this would have been better than thousands of troops.”

“If we’d let it out against the Ba Army,” Xiao Kun said, “King Mu would have taken it! Chase it!”

Hulü Guang exerted himself fully. The Heart Lamp Light flickered faintly. When he pressed it to the head, it flashed once. Xiang Xian shouted, “It’s working!”

White light began to dispel the black qi on the horn, but unlike the brilliant burst they imagined, perhaps because Hulü Guang’s Cultivation Base was too weak and it was not a life-or-death moment, the Heart Lamp only released a little light, locked in stalemate with the Demonic Qi.

If Hulü Guang could unleash a burst, the Demonic Qi would scatter!

“No, no, no!” Chaosheng said. “He’s going to get smashed to death!”

Chaosheng worried greatly for Hulü Guang’s life. Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun chased at top speed behind the wildly crashing Demonic Dragon. Hulü Guang’s Heart Lamp showed signs of erupting, but the dragon had already smashed through three isolated crags.

Xiang Xian: “It’s heading into the city!”

Xiao Kun saw hope but feared Hulü Guang would be gravely injured, or worse, the dragon charging into Gaochang City. He swooped down from above, activated the jade pendant. The Demonic Dragon roared madly as black qi roiled and was sucked back into the Dragon Soaring Jade.

Xiang Xian rushed over to assist, placing his hand on Xiao Kun’s and channeling power together. With a fierce pull, they fully retracted the Demonic Dragon.

Hulü Guang lay on the ground, head bloodied, staggering toward them before his legs gave out and he collapsed.

Chaosheng hurried over, knelt beside him, stroked his forehead, and released green light to heal him.

Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun came to check. Seeing the injuries were not too severe, they breathed a sigh of relief. They helped Hulü Guang up, unsure whether to comfort him or ask after his wellbeing.

Everyone fell silent. In the quiet, Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun sighed in unison.

Hulü Guang looked around blankly and said, “Sorry.”

Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian said simultaneously, “It’s fine!”

Xiao Kun said, “As long as you’re unharmed, don’t take it to heart.”

Xiang Xian explained, “We were just thinking about how to get to Kunlun. A Huang, maybe you…”

“I’m not going!” A Huang saw through Xiang Xian’s intent—to make it fly up the mountain again and fetch Yuzhou.

A Huang could endure no more: “If you want to go, go yourself! Last time it flew me half to death! Kunlun has fierce winds, and it’s freezing cold! The White Jade Palace is huge, but there’s a Barrier outside—no getting in, and no one hears you shout! I shouted until my throat went hoarse before finding someone.”

“Ah, sorry.” Chaosheng said. “Chang Ge is getting on in years; his ears are a bit deaf.”

“This time you can take it slow, fly leisurely.” Xiang Xian said. “Otherwise, look at our big group, with all our baggage.”

“No,” A Huang resisted. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Fine.” Xiang Xian had to say. “Then… we’ll have to rely on ourselves?”

Xiao Kun thought and said, “Since we’re going to Kunlun to pay respects, we must show sincerity. I remember the Western Regions Loulan Ancient Path also allows pilgrimage.”

Wu Yingzong replied, “Yes, I remember. Though I’ve never been, I’ve heard of it since childhood.”

Xiang Xian snapped his fingers. “Let’s go.”

Taihang Mountain Summit:

A massive bird bathed in black fire flew in and slammed into the invisible Barrier. Flames scattered across his body as he let out a pained shriek.

Mu Qingshan wore a hunter’s fitted garb, undaunted by wind and snow. He carried a quiver with only one arrow inside, its tip shimmering with five-colored light like a flickering dreamscape.

“Bird, are you still not giving up? What are you searching for?” Mu Qingshan’s gaze was half-asleep, half-awake, hazy with drift and bewilderment. “Searching for those unwillingness and obsessions rooted in your memories?”

The Black-Winged Great Peng Bird folded his wings tightly, his voice like thunder.

“Have you ever shattered the obsessions in your own heart?” The Black-Winged Great Peng transformed into a burly youth and said gravely, “You chased me thousands of miles to this place.”