Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 167 - 167 166 Continuous Combat Extra for 500 votes

167: Chapter 166 Continuous Combat [Extra for 500 votes] 167: Chapter 166 Continuous Combat [Extra for 500 votes] This night, on two hills of West Mang Mountain, the light was splendid, and innumerable souls were ferried.

Until the dawn was about to break, all the Soul Ghosts on these hills and the nearby ones had been swept away.

Just as Hou Niao had predicted, there was no clear distinction of superiority; but he also noticed that despite its effectiveness, such an operation consumed a great amount of Spiritual Power from the cultivators.

Some of the weaker ones had nearly exhausted half of theirs.

This aspect demonstrated the Anhe Daoist Sect’s ability to control a battle and also indicated that for their current Realm, casting spells all night was quite burdensome and not as effortless and breezy as imagined.

Throughout the night’s resistance, Hou Niao had not drawn his sword, nor pointed a finger, and if he wished, he could even have lied down and slept at the center of the Array.

Day broke, and everything returned to tranquility.

The good thing about battling Soul Ghosts was that there was no need to worry about the aftermath of bloodshed.

The entire hill remained unchanged, as if nothing had happened.

The Cultivators quickly entered a state of Breathing Control, everyone’s premonition being that if a single battle did not yield a distinguishable result, then they would engage in two or three battles.

If this place wasn’t thrilling enough, then they would proceed deeper!

After a night of ferrying souls, everyone was brimming with confidence.

The fabled Yinling’s West Mang Mountain was but a trifle, all within their control.

After the morning practices, the female cultivators of the Anhe Daoist Sect started their free activities.

After sitting in meditation all night, they also needed to stretch their muscles and relieve the stiffness of their bodies; those below the Tongxuan Realm were still not free from the mortal coil, which meant they still retained many mortal habits.

It was then apparent how diverse the practices within the Daoist Sect could be.

Among the dozen people, some performed elegant sword dances, some played ball games, others sat quietly playing the zither, some read in solitude, and yet others prepared tea and brews…

Lan Re and Lan Ting seemed to be a pair of conjoined beings, each never far from the other.

They brought him a cup of exquisite brew.

Hmm, of course, not the kind that true Immortals drank, but rather something concocted from various unnamed spices, herbs, and Spirit Plants.

The flavor was quite good, refreshing and brain-stimulating, with a slight supplement of Spiritual Power; it was only a bit too sweet.

“Senior brother, you’ve worked hard.

How does the taste of my Qingpeng Brew compare?”

“Not hard at all, not at all.

I’m considering just taking a nap in the next battle.

With the sisters’ Qingguang Array, there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.

He certainly didn’t vainly flatter himself thinking the two women were interested in him.

It was clear that these two beautiful women were merely mouthpieces for Daoist Yan.

Daoist Yan did not wish to show herself too often, so it was natural for her close disciples to communicate on her behalf, and to others, it would not seem strange or thought-provoking.

“What a brew!

Truly, it’s a taste I’ve only encountered in life!

The sisters may not know, but in our place, there are basically just two beverages, tea and wine.

It’s very monotonous.”

The two women laughed.

Although it smacked of flattery, flattery required skill, and brother Hou was adept at this—no wonder…

Lan Ting was still as outspoken as ever, her enchanting eyes sizing up the Demon Sect disciple from behind her veil.

Tall and erect like a pine tree, he had the spirited air typical of all Quanzhen Sword Cultivators.

But to say he stood out markedly would be an exaggeration.

Within the Anhe Daoist Sect, there were far too many Qian Xiu who were more dashing and free-spirited than he.

So then, how did Daoist Yan come to be associated with a Demon Sect disciple like him?

“Senior brother and Daoist Yan are old acquaintances?” she asked.

Hou Niao did not hide anything, nor was there a need to.

His experiences held no meaning to conceal,

“I suppose so?

A year ago, I came from Anhe to Shan Country.

Along the way, I encountered danger and was saved by the Fairy, so…”

The two women suddenly comprehended, “So Brother Hou is also from Anhe?

Why didn’t you join the Anhe Daoist Sect instead of going out of your way to join the Demon Sect of Quanzhen?”

Hou Niao responded awkwardly, “Well, my talents are mediocre, perhaps not highly regarded by the Daoist Sect?

I’m also quite straightforward and fond of contention, so I ended up in Quanzhen of Shan Country; the Fairy wasn’t too pleased.

She thought I had abandoned my roots and taken the wrong path, so she didn’t show me any goodwill.”

The two women couldn’t stop giggling, feeling a sudden closeness between them; as lower-ranked cultivators, they still had only a vague understanding of the strife between Daoism and the Demon Sect.

They didn’t really see each other as die-hard enemies and would only grasp the deeper principles as their realms gradually advanced.

Lan Re chuckled, “Then Brother, you’d better be careful.

If the Fairy decides to discipline someone, she’s relentless and won’t stop until she gets her way!

Especially since you’re a child of Anhe too.

Which part of Anhe are you from?”

Hou Niao said with a laugh, “Guangchuan State, Three Rivers Prefecture, Fufeng City.

It’s a small place; you sisters probably haven’t heard of it.”

The two women clapped their hands and laughed merrily, “Never have we seen someone describe their hometown the way Brother does – calling it a small place.

Lan Ting and I are also from Guangchuan State, though we’re both from Three Rivers Prefecture, not too far from Fufeng City.”

Hou Niao joked, “That’s different, you’re from a big place.

I’m just a country bumpkin…”

When away from home, the hometown accent matters a great deal.

With orders from the Fairy and the warmth of fellow countrymen, the two women now fully embraced Hou Niao as one of their own, chatting and laughing merrily.

Eventually, the conversation came back around to the issue of eradicating Soul Ghosts on West Mang Mountain, and Hou Niao complained, “You too, staying nicely in Jin City discussing the Dao would have been better, wouldn’t it?

Why on earth did you have to come here, causing such a ruckus that no one can live in peace?”

Lan Ting snorted, “Why indeed?

Those demonesses are constantly at odds with us.

We prefer plainness, and they embrace flamboyance; we play the zither, and they play the flute…”

Hou Niao was utterly astonished, “Wait, you’re saying that the cause of your disputes comes down to this?

What clothes you wear?

What colors you prefer?

What music you enjoy?

Just these trivial matters?”

Lan Re had to interject, otherwise her sister would go on indiscreetly, maybe revealing something even more embarrassing.

It wasn’t just these; there were also differences regarding the Dual Cultivation Path, boil it all down and one side was more conservative, the other more unrestrained.

If we delve deeper into this, it would relate to differences in physical constitution…

“Actually, these are just superficial triggers.

It’s all about the contention with the Demon Sect.

Since we’re both in Jin City, some clashes of aura are inevitable.

It’s just a matter of finding an excuse, and when it comes to finding one, of course, it starts with dressing preferences and beauty habits…

But everyone knows what’s really going on; it’s all about looking for an opportunity to make a scene at the other’s home.”

Hou Niao sighed; it was indeed complicated.

It seemed that the life of a Quanzhen Swordsman was much simpler: at the slightest disagreement, draw swords and hack away; if the conversation is pleasant, raise a glass and drink.

“Sisters, it seems this isn’t going to be resolved in one go, and you’re planning to continue?”

Lan Re nodded, “Of course.

I heard from the Fairy that not only we need to continue, we need to go deeper.

To avoid endless bouts, we might have to dive in really deep this time.

Why, Brother, do you think it’s improper?”