Chapter 515: Here to Slay the Senior

Stepping onto the paved stone path, Song You crossed the ornate stone bridge.

The wooden corridors of the mountain stretched upwards, their thick beams embedded into the rock face, supporting elevated walkways that twisted and turned along the mountain’s contours. The higher they climbed, the steeper the ascent.

Above, people were already waiting.

At least dozens of Daoists—some old, some young, men and women alike, varying in height and build—stood along the wooden corridor. They were all dressed in pale moon-white Daoist robes, standing on either side of the walkway with their hands cupped in salute, heads bowed in respect.

At the very front stood an elderly Daoist.

“A visitor from Hidden Dragon Temple... I regret not welcoming you sooner.”

The old Daoist's expression remained calm, his back straight and upright, his gaze level and unwavering as he addressed Song You.

“I have come uninvited. Please forgive the intrusion.”

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“A guest from afar is still a guest. Please, come inside.” The elder gestured forward and took the lead.

Song You, equally composed, followed suit.

Behind him, his jujube-red horse and the Lady Calico followed closely. Then came the dozens of Daoists, filing in behind them.

“I am Song You.”

“I have heard of you.”

“May I ask how I should address you, Senior?”

As they walked, the elder spoke candidly, without concealment.

“I was once merely a willow tree in these mountains. By chance, I gained enlightenment and have since devoted myself to cultivation. By sheer luck, things went smoothly.” His voice was even, revealing neither pride nor modesty.

He continued, “Having lived long enough, most demons in Yuezhou that knows me refer to me as 'Willow Ancestor.' In the past, old acquaintances called me 'Willow Daoist', but they have all long since passed.”

And yet, he still did not tell Song You how to address him.

“...”

Song You pressed his lips together, but he did not mind. Instead, he simply followed the elder into the grand palace at the summit of the stone mountain.

This structure resembled both a wooden pagoda and a lofty pavilion. From the outside, it appeared to have multiple levels.

Yet inside, it was a single, vast chamber, the ceiling so high that a glance upward revealed the intricately painted decorations and carvings adorning the pointed tower roof.

The lowest floor was spacious, decorated in a style that was refined yet understated. A massive ink-wash landscape painting dominated one wall, accompanied by countless smaller artworks.

The room was lit by numerous candles, their soft glow flickering across rows of neatly arranged seating. At the center, a long banquet was set, laden with dishes and tea.

Willow Daoist took the seat of honor and motioned for Song You to sit in the guest’s place of distinction.

At first, Willow Daoist intended to arrange seats for the Lady Calico and the swallow as well. However, Song You declined, allowing only the cat to sit beside him, while the swallow remained standing at the corner of the table.

The rest of the Daoists took their seats.

Though it was broad daylight, the great hall was dimly lit. Candle flames flickered, casting shadows as the assembled Daoists sat either cross-legged or kneeling in silence. Some gazed toward Willow Daoist, while others focused on their guest.

For a moment, the atmosphere felt as if an ancient sage were founding a great sect, preparing to preach scripture and wisdom.

From outside, a young Daoist attendant carried in wine, pastries, and fruit platters.

A voice came from above. Willow Daoist spoke, his tone carrying a faint air of superiority, “Fellow Daoist, you visited the Qingtong Forest once before, several years ago. At that time, we were strangers, and I, accustomed to my quiet seclusion, did not take the initiative to invite you as a guest. I hope you can forgive me for that.”

“Of course,” Song You replied with equal calmness.

“But since you are travelling the world, why have you come back now that you’ve already passed through these lands once before?”

“Simply out of curiosity.”

Song You answered, yet also posed a question in return, turning to meet the old Daoist’s gaze.

“I have heard that Yuezhou is home to several ancient demon lineages. Of them all, it is said that one Willow Immortal possesses the deepest cultivation. I have already met the Yuezhou foxes, the marsh dragons, and the white rhinoceros. Yet I have never encountered you, Senior. I could not help but find that... regrettable. So tell me, when did you settle here? And why did you come to this place?”

Willow Daoist did not answer. His expression remained blank.

Instead, he countered with a question of his own, “I have hidden myself extremely well. How did you know I was here?”

“Senior, I asked first.”

“You answer first.”

“...” Song You shook his head, a hint of exasperation in his expression. “Senior, you have lived for over a thousand years. Even if you do not care for proper etiquette, surely you should at least understand the order of conversation?”

As his words landed, a moment of silence spread through the great hall. Willow Daoist remained seated, motionless, his expression unreadable.

But below, the dozens of Daoists reacted instantly—furrowed brows, sharp glares—all eyes turning toward Song You, as if he had just insulted them all.

Some looked toward Willow Daoist, awaiting his reaction. When he did nothing, their anger gradually subsided, though traces of resentment lingered in their eyes.

A moment later, Willow Daoist finally spoke, his tone indifferent, “In the past, the mortal realm fell into chaos. Wars broke out, and bloodshed spread like wildfire. The northern frontier invaders surged southward into Yuezhou, burning, killing, and pillaging. They transformed the land into a wasteland and a living hell on earth.

“In such an aura of bloodlust, evil spirits inevitably arose. Many demons of the north could not resist the temptation of devouring blood and souls, so they fell to corruption. The Heavenly Palace has always despised demons and spirits. Their philosophy is simple,

better to kill wrongly than to let one escape

.

“Look at the marsh dragons, the white rhinoceros, and the nine-tailed foxes. Tell me... Who among them dares remain in Yuezhou, or even anywhere in the north?”

“This makes sense,” Song You nodded with a smile. “Take the white rhinoceros, for instance. A great demon among them couldn't resist temptation and thus fell into corruption, becoming a Demon King. As a result, the entire white rhinoceros suffered.”

“I’m glad that you understand.” Willow Daoist lowered his gaze. “Had I remained in my original place, I fear I would be in trouble by now as well.”

“But this place is a bit too secluded, don't you think?”

“You’re saying that to a tree?” Willow Daoist shot him a glance. “When I cultivate, I take root in one place, and close my eyes for ten years. I neither see nor hear, unaffected by wind or rain. Is that really too secluded?”

“That’s true.”

“For a thousand years, I've grown accustomed to the changes of the world. Long ago, I became weary of others disturbing me—whether it be flattery or hidden agendas. Even more so, I am tired of living in constant fear, always wary of the Heavenly Palace's purges.” Willow Daoist lifted a cup of wine and downed it in one gulp.

He continued, “So I moved here instead, using the mist as a veil, the spiritual resonance as a disguise. Yes, it is monotonous, but I still have the moonlight when I wake and the breeze when I am drunk. That is enough.”

“The moonlight when you wake, the breeze when you're drunk—what elegant sentiments.” Song You couldn't help but laugh. “Senior, you truly have a refined taste.”

“Now it's your turn to answer.” Willow Daoist set down his cup and raised his head to look at him. “This place is naturally shrouded in mist, concealed by spiritual resonance. I also employed many techniques to remain hidden. Last time you passed by, you didn't sense anything at all, so how did you discover my retreat this time?”

“From the mysteries of heaven and earth, as well as the spiritual resonance of the seasons.”

“The Four Seasons Rotation Method...”

“Exactly!”

As he spoke, Song You stood up.

Willow Daoist, seated in the elevated main seat, lifted his eyelids to follow his movements. Sensing something unusual, he asked, “Why have you really come here?”

“To eliminate you, Senior.”

The moment Song You finished speaking, he tapped the ground with his staff.

The bamboo staff struck the floor, releasing a dazzling burst of spiritual light.

The radiance was white tinged with green, and green suffused with white, like the tenderest leaf bud wrapped around the innermost sprout. In an instant, it spread across the ground.

It was as if the earth had been pierced open, a rift expanding rapidly. Ripples, like those on water, spread outward in concentric circles. Wherever the ripples passed over the ground, the illusion dissipated, revealing a filthy, muddy terrain. When they swept over the walls, the elegant surroundings melted away, revealing a dilapidated ancient tower covered in cobwebs.

And the ripples were still expanding.

The elegant, classical pavilions and towers on the mountain rapidly crumbled, revealing crude thatched huts and earthen houses—structures commonly found abandoned in Yuezhou—now dilapidated and barely able to withstand wind and rain.

The waterfall that had once cascaded gracefully down the mountainside suddenly stopped flowing. The stream beneath it ceased its gentle movement, growing thick and sluggish, darkening into a deep crimson. No longer the pristine, clear waters of before, it now resembled pooled blood, reeking with a heavy stench of iron.

The wooden walkways winding through the mountain transformed into the gnarled roots of an ancient tree, coiling tightly around the slopes.

At the mountain’s peak, a massive willow tree loomed.

The once-lush bamboo forest withered, leaving only the willow standing green and vibrant. Its roots stretched deep into the stream, greedily absorbing the foul, blood-tainted water.

Among the bamboo, clusters of termite mushroom sprouted—each one growing beside piles of white bones. Beneath the willow tree, heaps of firewood were stacked. But upon closer inspection, these were not firewood at all. They were the bones of people who had perished beneath the tree. Some skulls even hung from the branches.

The ethereal celestial aura from before had completely vanished. In its place was an overwhelming surge of demonic energy and sinister bloodthirsty miasma. The serene and elegant mountain retreat had, in an instant, become a hellish demon domain.

Even the sky dimmed, its light turning ominously murky.

The stone lanterns lining the path flickered, their flames shifting to an eerie green. The stone carvings twisted and contorted as if they had gained life, their textures transforming, yet they remained frozen in place.

The world had changed in the blink of an eye.

“Senior, what remarkable skill—moving an entire demonic kingdom into the depths of the Qingtong Forest, and hiding it so perfectly.” Song You shook his head in admiration as he addressed Willow Daoist ahead of him. “Your performance was equally convincing. But perhaps, Senior, you did not expect that a few days ago, I had already sensed the overwhelming presence of this bloodlust and evil qi.”

The Qingtong Forest was perpetually shrouded in mist and toxic fog. If Song You had not deliberately dispersed it, even he would have struggled to navigate within. Very few mortals ever ventured this deep.

This place was rich in spiritual qi, filled with profound spiritual resonance. It naturally concealed other unusual spiritual qi and resonance, as well as suppressing the baleful aura of bloodlust and evil. Moreover, in the northern part of Yuezhou, there existed a divine bird. Being an omen of good fortune, it easily misled people psychologically.

On top of that, he had set up a grand formation, truly a masterpiece in its intricacy. He ensured everything was concealed.

But no matter how great one’s abilities, they could never truly defy the will of heaven. When the time was right, the heavens and earth would lend their strength. In the past, even the cunning fox had failed to hide itself from Song You during

Qingming

. Naturally, this one would fail as well.

Clatter

...

Countless cups of wine and plates of food crashed to the ground.

The numerous Daoists present all rose to their feet, their eyes sharp and predatory, fixing their gazes on the young Daoist before them like a pack of wolves.

On the main seat, Willow Daoist also stood up. His gaze turned cold and dark, locked onto Song You, yet he remained silent for a long time.

“

Roar

!”

Below, some of the Daoists, overcome by agitation, could no longer contain themselves. In an instant, they shed their human forms, revealing their monstrous true selves. Their Daoist robes tore apart in a flash. After all, if the palace and halls were mere illusions, then so too were these so-called Daoists.

One transformation triggered another.

In the blink of an eye, every Daoist in the hall reverted to their demonic or ghostly forms, their true nature laid bare. Each one possessed considerable cultivation; their former politeness and restraint had vanished, replaced only by savage ferocity and murderous intent. Their eyes were of mismatched sizes, their appearances grotesque and varied, yet all were locked onto Song You.

From outside the desolate hall, a thunderous noise echoed.

A calico cat, on high alert, widened its eyes and peeked outside, only to see the withered bamboo forest shaking violently. Countless demons and fiends swarmed like a tidal wave, surging toward them.

The cat quickly withdrew its gaze and turned toward the swallow.

Seeing the same fear, wariness, and concern reflected in the swallow’s eyes, it then turned in unison with it—both staring at the Daoist.

But the Daoist remained utterly unperturbed, his focus fixed solely on the figure above.

As if he did not regard them as a threat at all.