Chapter 139: The Return of Yuntian

The Hall of Daoist Scriptures of the Dragon Guard was immense, far larger than the one at the Black-White Academy. It housed no fewer than three hundred and sixty types of celestial-grade Qi-refining cultivation methods, three Pure Yang Qi-refining methods, eighty-nine divine abilities, sixty-one divine sense secret arts, and one hundred and two taboo secret arts.

In addition, there were countless rare treasures and precious materials, and even celestial-grade magical treasures. Although they were only recorded in written catalogues, since they were displayed here along with clear requirements for exchange, the immense heritage of the Dragon Guard naturally meant they were able to provide them.

A group of newly inducted Dragon Guard members looked on with fluttering hearts and burning desire, and even Yun Tian could not help feeling curious and wanting to peruse them all.

Enticed thus, although many were still able to maintain their composure, some were nonetheless willing to give up the majority of their freedom in order to join the inner ranks of the Dragon Guard. This was because many divine abilities, secret arts, and cultivation techniques could only be exchanged for by inner members of the Dragon Guard.

"Everyone," Daoist Yu Lan said loudly, "joining the Dragon Guard can bring blessings to your clans. You may carve out a region with a radius of ten thousand miles within your clan's territory. As long as you remain alive, this ten-thousand-mile territory will be absolutely protected by the Dragon Guard. Absolutely no force will dare to invade it, including Marquis Antan. Even if you perish, this ten-thousand-mile territory will continue to be protected for a full thousand years."

Hearing this, Yun Tian's expression shifted slightly. A trace of a smile appeared at the corners of his slightly raised lips, and in his heart, he silently decided to designate the ten-thousand-mile region surrounding the Xia Clan as an area under the protection of the Dragon Guard. That way, he could be much more at ease regarding the safety of his mother, his eldest brother, and little sister Ling'er.

Soon, Yun Tian and his companions were arranged to be led to an ancient hall, where each person went in to demarcate their territory.

Yun Tian also marked out his territory and obtained a token. It required a cultivator at the Zifu level to refine it and hang it before the gates of the Xia Clan.

Afterwards, Yun Tian, Ji Ning, and Mu Zishu first accepted a Dragon Guard mission and then traveled back to Antan City together.

Upon returning to Antan City, Yun Tian and the others first processed their gains from the recent excursion at the Treasure Mountain, trading them for some supplies before hurrying back to the Black-White Academy, intending to cultivate in seclusion for a bit before executing their Dragon Guard missions.

Early the next morning, the three gathered at Ji Ning's Myriad Abyss Peak and quickly set off together, leaving the Black-White Academy. Accompanied by Uncle Bai and Qingqing the two spirit beasts, the three embarked on a journey to apprehend high-sin criminals for their Dragon Guard mission.

Thanks to the intelligence provided by the Dragon Guard, it took Yun Tian, Ji Ning, and the others only about a month and a half to slay three high-sin cultivators.

Those high-sin criminals might have possessed evil and bizarre methods, but how could they possibly match the three elite disciples of the Black-White Academy?

Having completed the mission, Yun Tian and Mu Zishu accompanied Ji Ning on his journey of vengeance. Ultimately, after many twists and turns, two of Ji Ning's three enemies were killed, while the remaining one, Dong Qi, hid within the Snow Dragon Mountain and could not be reached, forcing Ji Ning to temporarily halt his pursuit.

After returning to the Red Dragon Mountain Range to submit the mission, Ji Ning prepared to return to his hometown, Wing Serpent Lake; Mu Zishu was heading back to the Black-White Academy to accompany his master; while Yun Tian intended to return to the Xia Clan to check on his mother and the others. Thus, the three martial brothers parted ways.

...

Within the borders of the Tianyun Mountains, above the Flowing Cloud River, a lone flat-bottomed boat drifted downstream with the current.

"Yun Tian, is this your hometown?" At the bow of the small boat, Yuqiu leaned against Yun Tian's chest, gazing pleasantly at the scenery on both banks of the Flowing Cloud River.

"Mm!" Yun Tian nodded with a smile, gazing into the distance: "Following the river down to its lower reaches, our Xia Clan is situated right on the banks of the Flowing Cloud River."

Hearing this, Yuqiu raised her delicate eyebrows slightly: "The Xia Clan? Aren't you surnamed Yun? Why is your clan called the Xia Clan?"

"Hehe, that's because I have a formidable mother! Although the Xia Clan is only a small clan, it was built bit by bit by my mother herself. Because my mother's surname is Xia, and back then we were expelled from the Yun Clan, it was named the Xia Clan," Yun Tian chuckled softly.

A flash of sudden realization crossed Yuqiu's face as she said, "Oh, so that's how it is! That being said, your mother really is quite impressive. I'm rather curious about her and looking forward to meeting her soon!"

"Huh? You're actually looking forward to meeting her?" Yun Tian looked at Yuqiu in slight astonishment. Surely this wasn't the correct script for an unconventional daughter-in-law meeting her parents-in-law?

"What's wrong? Don't you want me to meet your mother?" Yuqiu looked at Yun Tian with mild perplexity.

Realizing himself, Yun Tian couldn't help shaking his head with a smile and hurriedly said, "Of course not! I was just wondering if you'd be nervous meeting my mother for the first time!"

"Nervous? What's there to be nervous about? Why would I be nervous? Didn't you say your mother is only a Zifu cultivator?" Yuqiu asked strangely.

What did that have to do with cultivation level? Yun Tian was speechless. He realized there truly was a generational gap between him and Yuqiu. In Yuqiu's eyes, the concept of a daughter-in-law nervously meeting her husband's parents simply didn't exist. Perhaps if Yun Tian's mother were an Immortal, it might make Yuqiu slightly nervous!

"Right... right..." Facing Yuqiu's strange gaze, Yun Tian could only nod in agreement, pondered for a moment, and then continued: "My mother, she might not be too fond of cultivation, but her talent is still quite good, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to become a Zifu cultivator."

Hearing this, Yuqiu immediately furrowed her brows and said, "Not fond of cultivation? Without sufficient strength, how can one control one's own destiny? Doesn't your mother want to live a longer life, or even become an immortal Celestial who never grows old?"

"But after all, those who become Celestial Immortals are exceedingly rare. Compared to the countless mortals, cultivators are similarly scarce. Even if one becomes a cultivator, it doesn't necessarily mean one can control their own destiny, does it?" Yun Tian shook his head and said hastily, "Alright, let's not dwell on this issue. Right, let me tell you about the situation at my home first! Aside from my mother, there is also an adopted elder brother and an adopted younger sister. Although their cultivation is a bit weak, they both treat me very well and are my family. As for the rest of the people in the Xia Clan, their backgrounds are rather mixed... But generally speaking, they are the lowest, weakest, and most fragile lives in this world. All they ask for is simply those two words: survival."

Listening slowly as Yun Tian recounted various matters concerning the Xia Clan, Yuqiu let out a sigh of emotion after a long while: "I never expected the life of a weak clan to be like this; even survival is not an easy task..."

While they spoke, Yun Tian and Yuqiu could already see the towering city walls of the clan situated on the banks of the Flowing Cloud River. Indeed, the Xia Clan of today was no longer the small settlement of the past; it had transformed into a grand city. The city walls were fully ten zhang high, roughly ten miles in length and breadth, and even the clan warriors responsible for patrolling the walls radiated an entirely different spirit.

The small boat pulled ashore, and Yun Tian and Yuqiu walked straight toward the city gates. They saw that the spacious gates were bustling with people coming and going, appearing quite lively.

"Young Master?" Among the several clan warriors guarding the gates, one middle-aged warrior caught sight of Yun Tian, his eyes widening in mild astonishment and disbelief. Then, after rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, he excitedly and joyfully rushed forward to kneel and salute Yun Tian: "Gabu pays respects to the Young Master!"

"Hey, Uncle Gabu, what are you doing? Get up quickly!" Yun Tian hurried forward to help him up.

Looking at Yun Tian with intense excitement, Gabu said, "Young Master, the clansmen have missed you terribly and are so grateful to you! If not for you, how could our Xia Clan enjoy today's prosperity and glory? Have you seen it, Young Master? This city was built just these past few years—it's the city of our Xia Clan!"

"Yuntian City?" Yun Tian looked up at the three clearly visible large characters inscribed above the city gate and was momentarily dazed. The city of the Xia Clan had actually been named after him?

The news of Yun Tian's return quickly startled all the clansmen of the Xia Clan, and the entire Yuntian City became lively. Facing the immensely enthusiastic clansmen, Yun Tian instead pulled Yuqiu and practically fled back to his home—the original stone courtyard located in the center of the city. This lord's manor might have appeared somewhat humble, but looking at it filled Yun Tian with a deep sense of warmth.

"Tian'er!" Welcoming them from within the manor, Xia Qing saw Yun Tian, her eyes likewise turning red with overwhelming emotion.

Xia Yunhu and Xia Yunling also followed closely behind Xia Qing, looking at Yun Tian with pleasant surprise. However, upon catching sight of the tall, cold, breathtakingly beautiful Yuqiu standing beside Yun Tian, Xia Yunling's feminine intuition caused her delicate brows to furrow slightly, and her gaze towards Yuqiu carried a hint of probing vigilance.