First Immortal of the Sword

“Are you planning to avenge Miss Yuyan?” exclaimed the Immortal Lord.

Su Yi didn’t deny it. “Why shouldn’t I?”

He naturally couldn’t tell them that he’d long since set his sights on Chu Batian, much less that he planned to capture him.

“You? By yourself?” Tang Hanfeng couldn’t help but find this amusing. For a guy who couldn’t have gotten in without pulling some strings, he sure can boast! If Chu Batian were really that easily defeated, how could we possibly be sitting here enduring our anger in silence?

Someone sighed, “Fellow Daoist Shen, Chu Batian is a tyrannical, violent hooligan. How would going after him be any different from suicide?”

“Enough. No need to discuss this any further,” interrupted Tang Yuyan. “Come on, let’s find a place to rest. Once we’ve tended to our wounds, we can continue our journey.”

Although the others mocked Su Yi’s over-confidence, his kind intentions mellowed Tang Yuyan’s scowl considerably. He might only be in the Universe Realm, but he’s bold enough to speak of getting revenge against Chu Batian on my account. That’s truly impressive.

Su Yi mulled that over. In the end, he decided to just let it go. He’d gotten here a bit too late to hunt down Chu Batian anyway.

Before long, Tang Yuyan found a safe, secluded location to start treating her injuries.

Su Yi took out his wicker chair, sprawled out comfortably, and started drinking. Inwardly, he pondered what he’d do after he found Chu Batian. How do I capture him before he crushes his talisman?

The other six Immortal Lords clustered together and were chatting amongst themselves.

When they saw that Su Yi had brought a wicker chair to the Divine Hunt, they were unwittingly stunned. Does this guy think this is some kind of vacation?

Tang Hanfeng wasn’t at all happy. He couldn’t help but say, “Shen Mu, I’m curious. If you wanted to participate in the Divine Hunt, why didn’t you take the test and earn a spot with your own strength? Why have the Tang Family pull strings on your behalf?”

The others looked over.

Su Yi said honestly, “I couldn’t have participated in the selection. My cultivation is insufficient.”

He was a Universe Realm Immortal. If the Tang Family hadn’t pulled some strings, he could never have joined the Divine Hunt, an event only Immortal Lords were qualified to participate in.

The others’ expressions instantly grew strange. Tang Hanfeng couldn’t help but laugh coldly. “At least you’re self-aware. In that case, what did you join the Divine Hunt to do?”

Su Yi took a sip of wine. “To seek an opportunity to break through, and to investigate the hidden realm that’s existed since the Primeval Era.”

The group was flabbergasted.

One of the Immortal Lords couldn’t help but laugh. “You? You want to investigate the Primeval Immortal Cave at the heart of the Divine Hunt Demon Mountains by yourself?”

The others laughed along. This Shen Mu’s strength might not amount to much, but he sure can boast! He probably has no idea how terrifying a place that hidden realm is!

“No matter what you’re after, listen up!” Tang Hanfeng said gravely. “On the road ahead, you have to cooperate and do as we say. You are not to take action without permission!

“Furthermore, we’ll divide any trophies we acquire according to our abilities. The more you contribute, the greater your share. If you think you can reap the benefits without contributing, you’re dreaming! I won’t agree, and I trust my fellow Daoists won’t either!”

Tang Hanfeng stared intently at Su Yi. “Do you understand?”

He was setting rules for Su Yi, but Su Yi just said distractedly, “Sure. To each according to his abilities.”

How could he have missed that they’d taken him for a moocher taking advantage of the Tang Family? He just couldn’t be bothered to explain himself.

“At least you know what’s good for you.” Tang Hanfeng finally seemed satisfied, and he no longer paid any attention to Su Yi.

Tang Yuyan was seated not far away. Her eyes were closed, and she was focused on treating her wounds, but she heard every word, and she couldn’t help but be confused.

They’re treating him so badly. Why isn’t he at all angry?

The way she saw it, her seventh uncle, Tang Lingqi, wouldn’t have attached such importance to Shen Mu if he weren’t extraordinary. She figured he might well be a hidden expert.

If he weren’t impressive, why would Tang Lingqi break precedent to help Shen Mu participate? And why would he have repeatedly urged her to follow Shen Mu’s orders?

Tang Yuyan, naturally, was deeply opposed to this arrangement, and not at all comfortable with it.

But after clearing her head, she realized that her seventh uncle wouldn’t have done this without a good reason. Thus, she chose to accept Su Yi into their group and travel alongside him.

Now, when she saw Su Yi just sit there meekly, too afraid to argue when others mocked and belittled him, she couldn’t help but feel inexplicably disappointed.

Forget it. I’ll just consider him an extraordinarily… well-connected individual. Tang Yuyan set the matter aside.

Several hours later, her wounds fully knit back together, and her cultivation recovered. The group promptly continued on its way.

“Next, we’ll head to Meteor Ridge. There’s great fortune hidden there too, and if we’re lucky, we might well harvest Star Origin Essence Stones, an extremely rare divine material,” said Tang Yuyan.

She’d participated in the last Divine Hunt a hundred years ago, and she knew these mountains well. She knew which places hid treasure, and which places were forbidden zones no one should enter.

“But Meteor Ridge is dangerous. It’s home to numerous terrifying demonic creatures. Furthermore, if it’s as I suspect, other Immortal Lords will have headed there too. When we arrive, you’d all best be on guard. Don’t let anyone trick you.”

Once Tang Yuyan finished giving orders, the group set off under her leadership. Along the way, the group occasionally encountered demonic creatures, but there were no real obstacles.

When they did encounter demonic creatures, Su Yi never once lent them his aid, and he really didn’t receive any of the spoils.

Su Yi didn’t care at all. Why should he? It was true that he hadn’t helped.

But the Immortal Lords were increasingly displeased, and increasingly certain that Su Yi was just playing around. Nonetheless, out of consideration for Tang Yuyan, none of them said anything.

About half a day later, the group finally arrived at Meteor Ridge. It was vast and barren, and the mountains’ slopes were riddled with holes. The sky above the ridge was full of dense thunderclouds and churning, baleful mists.

Tang Yuyan had only just led the group into Meteor Ridge when a group of demonic creatures surrounded them.

They were apes covered in dense fur. Their faces were hideous, their eyes were blood red, and they were terrifyingly strong. Every one of them could kill ordinary Immortal Lords with ease!

Worse, they attacked in packs, and they fought with no fear of death.

Tang Yuyan and her allies had no choice but to give it their all. By the time they finally slew every last ape, everyone but Tang Yuyan was gasping for breath.

But their trophies were quite generous. They’d gathered several dozen extraordinary demonic cores.

“Shen Mu, why didn’t you fight earlier? Were you scared stupid?” Tang Hanfeng glanced at Su Yi in displeasure.

Su Yi examined the depths of Meteor Ridge and said casually, “A battle like this wasn’t much trouble for you. There was no need for my intervention.”

The group was so furious that they almost laughed. If you were scared, just admit it! Don’t put on airs!

Tang Hanfeng was about to say more when Tang Yuyan cut him off. “Less chatter. Let’s hurry further into the ridge.”

The group promptly set off. They encountered numerous ambushes along the way, and although none were lethal, they were enormously troublesome.

Once, a swarm of demonic butterflies with hideous, contorted human faces surrounded the group. Tang Hanfeng and the others didn’t get off lightly, and many of them were injured.

Even so, Su Yi didn’t lend a hand. There was simply no need.

Every time a battle broke out, he determined the outcome at a glance. He could tell that Tang Yuyan and the others were strong enough to handle it, so there was no need for his assistance.

However, Tang Hanfeng and the others increasingly looked down on him, and they were increasingly cold to them. None of them spoke to him any longer.

Su Yi rather enjoyed the peace and quiet.

He walked with his hands behind his back, leisurely keeping pace with the group.

“Quick, look!” When they reached the depths of Meteor Ridge, Tang Yuyan’s beautiful eyes lit up.

A swath of blood-red baleful mist appeared in the distance, blotting out the stun. Numerous colorful and resplendent stars danced within the mist, flickering in and out of view.

Upon closer inspection, the “stars” were actually fist-sized meteorites!

“Star Origin Essence Stones! Those are such rare divine materials that even Immortal Kings would drool over them. They can be used to make top-grade immortal weapons!”

Tang Yuyan’s eyes flashed. The others looked similarly excited. There were over hundred Star Origin Essence Stones dancing about the blood-red fog. They were extraordinarily enticing.

Suddenly, Tang Hanfeng glanced coldly at Su Yi. “You’d best not get involved in this!”

Su Yi laughed. “Then you’d best be careful. If I’m not mistaken, there are quite a few mighty foes hidden deep within the bloody mists.”

Tang Hanfeng was briefly stunned, but then, he jeered. “There’s no need for your concern!”

But Tang Yuyan frowned. “Shen Mu is right. There really are dangerous creatures lurking within the mists. Some of them are even capable of threatening me.”

The crowd was stunned. All of them were instantly solemn.

“That said, there’s no need for concern. I came prepared.” Tang Yuyan took out a snow-white rope as thick as her thumb. “This is a Spirit-Binding Rope. I’d like you all to watch over me while I use it to retrieve the Star Origin Essence Stones.”

Her companions straightforwardly agreed.

But then, Su Yi suddenly looked into the distance. “People are coming.”

He’d only just said this when a dazzling streak of light whooshed over. It was a whole group of Immortal Lords!

The leader was dressed in an apricot-yellow shirt with broad sleeves. He was handsome, with youthful features and long white hair.

“The unrivaled Immortal Lord of the Church of Divine Flame, Gu Dongliu!” Tang Hanfeng looked stricken.

The Church of Divine Flame had sent numerous Immortal Lords to participate in this Divine Hunt, but three were the most eye-catching. Gu Dongliu was one of the three.

He was a heaven-defying Demonist cultivator with a widespread reputation.

When he and his allies whooshed over, the atmosphere was instantly stifled and tense.

Tang Yuyan couldn’t help but frown. She too was an unrivaled Immortal Lord, and she naturally understood how mighty a foe Gu Dongliu was.

Only Su Yi just stood there, perfectly composed.