Volume One: The King's Command Chapter Seventy-Six: Beyond the Mountain, Greener Peaks Await

Four clay figures stood within the formation, and the disciples of Mount Ageless exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what to do. The Four Elders of Spring and Autumn were renowned heroes, famous for decades, yet today they had all been defeated by this old Daoist. Judging by his steady breath and unruffled demeanor, the Daoist’s skills were truly extraordinary.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Bai Yiting strolled leisurely into the center and spoke, “Is there any other master from Mount Ageless who wishes to exchange techniques? Or are these four brash children the only ones to step forward, parading themselves for the chopping block?”

His words were sharp and biting, but none replied. The Four Elders of Spring and Autumn were the top experts of Mount Ageless—encountering even one would be a challenge, let alone seeing all four captured at once.

“It seems no one else wishes to answer. Sect Master Daoxuzi, I’d say we can advance.” Bai Yiting had barely turned to return to his own formation when a figure leaped from the walls of Flame City behind him. The man had fiery red hair and beard, a wild tangle covering his cheeks, and was bare-chested, brandishing a pair of copper hammers and letting out a string of bizarre cries.

“Which Daoist dares mock Mount Ageless and claim we have no one? Take a good look at who I am!”

Bai Yiting frowned, for he did not recognize the man. “And who might you be? I don’t recall anyone like you among Mount Ageless.”

“Red-Haired Demon Ma Deren! Take my hammers!”

Without further ado, the burly man swung his hammers with overwhelming force. Any clay figure that tried to surround him was instantly smashed to bits, and with each blow, a visible white vapor rose wherever the hammers struck. The clay figures shattered, dried up, and were scattered by the wind, unable to reform. Ma Deren’s technique was innately opposed to these earthen puppets, and before long, every obstacle between the two men had been cleared.

“Daoist, show me what other tricks you have! Lay them all out at once!” Ma Deren howled wildly, his rough appearance belying a surprising agility—he always managed to intercept Bai Yiting’s movements, forcing the Daoist to retreat step by step.

Yet Bai Yiting remained unhurried. He tossed his earthen jar to the ground, which transformed into a giant earthen golem over thirty feet tall, wielding two massive hammers. Chanting under his breath, Bai Yiting set the clay giant in motion, swift as a whirlwind. In a few strides, it faced Ma Deren and brought its hammer crashing down.

“Well struck!” Ma Deren crossed his copper hammers to block the blow, his feet driven deep into the earth like a stake, enduring the next series of heavy strikes without yielding. He met the golem’s force head-on, causing clumps of earth to fly from the golem’s body.

No ordinary person could withstand such combat. Even Bai Yiting’s expression darkened, feeling the tremendous force transmitted through the golem. Though Ma Deren seemed to rely on brute strength, his timing and control were flawless—no energy was wasted.

After a dozen violent collisions, Ma Deren was buried up to his waist in the ground. Seizing a chance as the golem staggered back, he struck the earth with both hammers, launching himself into the air and, twisting mid-leap, clamped his legs around the golem’s head.

“Down you go!” With both hammers raised, he smashed downward. If that blow landed, the golem would be at least crippled if not destroyed outright.

Bai Yiting hurriedly chanted, “Scatter!” The golem promptly disintegrated, causing Ma Deren to crash to the ground, then swiftly reformed some distance away.

“Can’t you fight me head-on? Are all Daoist tricks so sneaky and evasive? How dull, how dull!”

Despite his complaints, his hammers showed no sign of weakening. As he swung them, the very air ignited, producing a piercing screech that set teeth on edge.

Mount Ageless welcomed all, which attracted many wandering cultivators and eccentrics seeking shelter—so encountering someone as peculiar as Ma Deren was not uncommon.

After eighty more exchanges with the earthen golem, Ma Deren finally saw his chance. Lifting his wooden-clogged foot, he kicked the golem square in the abdomen, shattering it completely.

“Any more minions to summon? Bring them all out! Otherwise, you won’t get another chance!” Ma Deren strode toward Bai Yiting. The old Daoist swept his arms, sending gusts of wind that formed blades, slashing at his opponent.

Ma Deren ignored the assault, the wind blades clanging harmlessly against his body without leaving a mark.

“Wind and rain, arise!” Bai Yiting pointed skyward; rain fell with the whipping wind, swiftly turning the ground into a swamp, trapping Ma Deren a few paces away.

From the mire, giant serpents of mud emerged, coiling around Ma Deren’s limbs to restrain his hammers.

“Not bad, but this is the end!” Ma Deren grinned, opened his mouth, and spat out a glittering red pearl. It floated into the air, instantly dispersing the storm, clearing the skies in a flash.

Now Bai Yiting’s expression changed and he cried out, “Heavenly Sun Pearl! Who are you, really?”

“Mount Ageless, Red-Haired Demon Ma Deren!” The pearl burned away the swamp and reduced the mud serpents to ash.

The Heavenly Sun Pearl was a peerless treasure, more precious in Bai Yiting’s eyes than any disciple of Mount Ageless. Legend held that it was forged from the purest solar fire, granting its bearer the power to kill with flame; now, seeing its might firsthand, Bai Yiting was convinced.

“What’s your relation to Fire Immortal Ma Bo?”

“Ma Bo is my father! You know him?” Ma Deren ceased his attack. The Sun Pearl spun above his head, radiating heat that shattered the clay imprisoning the Four Elders of Spring and Autumn, saving their lives.

Disciples of Mount Ageless rushed to protect the Four Elders, preventing any further harm.

“So you’re Ma Bo’s son? Then go tell your father Bai Yiting is here—tell him to come speak with me! Years ago I saved his life, and he still owes me a favor!” Bai Yiting reformed his earthen jar, though it was now paler in color.

Ma Deren scratched his head, put away his hammers, and strode back into the city. “What a bother—Father never mentioned any benefactor here. Old man’s always causing trouble.”

Seeing him depart, Bai Yiting finally breathed a sigh of relief. Daoxuzi, having watched closely, knew that the appearance of the Sun Pearl had changed the course of the day. That Ma Deren was so forthright he could be dissuaded with a few words was a stroke of luck; otherwise, if Mount Ageless had pressed their advantage, the losses would have been considerable.

When Bai Yiting returned to his own camp, he quickly ordered the gong sounded for retreat, withdrawing twenty miles to make camp and sending scouts to inform Cui Ran at the front that they’d met resistance at Flame City.

“Daoist Bai, what is this treasure, that it could wield such power?” Once things calmed, Daoxuzi and the mountain lords gathered at Bai Yiting’s tent.

Bai Yiting gestured for silence. Behind the tent, a soldier had dug a grave. Li Jue himself buried Guo Shuda there, laying his magical implements beside him.

“Brother Guo, I, Li Jue, will avenge you! Here at your grave, I swear to slay the Four Elders of Spring and Autumn!” Li Jue cried, tears streaming down his face. The two had been friends for many years, sharing a rare bond. Now, with Guo Shuda dead, the fierce grief in Li Jue’s eyes caught even Bai Yiting’s attention.

“Li Jue, those four elders are not foes we can handle now. We must plan carefully and not act rashly,” Meng Qiaoqiao said through her tears. She hadn’t known Li Jue well, but she’d seen enough of Guo Shuda’s temperament to worry he might lose his head and throw his life away.

“Thank you for your concern. I won’t seek revenge until I’ve mastered the Golden Light Incantation. To go now would be to die in vain,” Li Jue replied, more composed than Guo Shuda ever was. Just one of the Four Elders was beyond his ability to challenge.

Once the body was buried, Bai Yiting finally spoke. “The Heavenly Sun Pearl is a divine object born of the essence of heaven and earth, the spirit of the sun. Its power far exceeds ordinary magical treasures—even my own artifacts are no match.”

“At the dawn of the world, a host of such miraculous treasures came into being. Later cultivators discovered their uses, claimed them, and passed them down through the generations.”

“I just never expected the Ma family to appear here. What is Ma Bo doing with Mount Ageless? I haven’t seen him in thirty years.” Bai Yiting sighed, “Our generation is aging; his son is even better suited to wield the Sun Pearl.”

The bearer of the Sun Pearl gained power over fire, but at the cost of greatly shortened lifespan.

Daoxuzi asked respectfully, “With him here, we cannot advance. What should we do? One day’s rations for a hundred thousand men costs fifty wagonloads—that’s no small matter.”

With Ma Deren blocking the way, the army was trapped—unable to advance or retreat, a humiliating predicament if word spread.

During this celestial campaign, Bai Yiting was among the honored guests invited half a year ago. Having taken the lead and failed to prevail, others grew restless. Taking advantage of his setback, some left the camp to challenge Ma Deren on their own.

Daoxuzi let them go, knowing none could stand against the Sun Pearl’s might. Even the greatest heroes would be outmatched.

“It’s not hopeless—we need at least a week. Is there enough provisions to last?” Bai Yiting, who had traveled widely in his youth and made many friends, was confident he knew how to counter the Sun Pearl.

“We have ten days’ supplies left, Daoist Bai. Rest assured—share your strategy,” Daoxuzi said, brightening at the hope.

“All things have their opposites—where there is yang, there is yin. The Heavenly Sun Pearl is no exception. Summon Granny Yin, and she can break the Sun Pearl’s power.” Bai Yiting called for Meng Qiaoqiao and handed her a jade token.

“Take this token to Windhowl Valley and invite Granny Yin. Ask her to bring the Heavenly Yin Pearl.”

Daoxuzi immediately replied, “I’ll send disciples to protect you. Feng Nanjue, Zhang Yi—accompany her and ensure Granny Yin is brought safely!”

If Granny Yin could not be persuaded, the lives of the twelve captured heroes outside, now in Ma Deren’s hands, would be forfeit.