Chapter 885: Xia Zi

Within the purple moon illusory realm, in the alternate Sieve of Heaven, Xiao Nanfeng frowned the moment he stepped within.

The floating islands, mountains, rivers, and countless buildings of the original Sieve of Heaven—none of them could be found in this replica. They were replaced by towering mountain peaks and a different landscape entirely. Only one thing remained unchanged: the imposing Mt. Kunlun.

The purple moon illusory realm's Mt. Kunlun, where Yu Fuli's Heavenly Palace had once stood, was identical in every detail down to the contours of its peaks.

"In the real world, the Sieve of Heaven collapsed alongside the Heavenly Emperor's demise. Even Mt. Kunlun vanished. Could it have been moved here?" Xiao Nanfeng speculated with a frown.

Mt. Kunlun was surrounded by fog. There were some purple-furred monsters flying nearby, though they seemed reluctant to approach the mountain.

Encircling Mt. Kunlun were twelve massive purple pillars of light that stretched into the heavens, positioned evenly around the mountain. Beside each pillar of light was a towering peak piercing through the clouds.

Though the landscape was shrouded in fog, its general outline was visible.

As Xiao Nanfeng studied the scene, he suddenly narrowed his eyes. "Doesn't this look like... the Yuqing holy land?"

Excited, he flew toward Chiyang Peak.

Along the way, despite the fact that the terrain was rougher and less detailed than in the real Yuqing holy land, the similarities were undeniable.

The area was patrolled by a large number of purple-furred monsters, but Xiao Nanfeng was able to move freely considering the purple moon token he held.

Very quickly, he arrived at the foot of Chiyang Peak.

At close range, he observed that the towering pillar of light lay to one side of Chiyang Peak. The pillar exuded a chilling aura, but was surrounded by a layer of pure yang energy that shimmered in gold. The intensity of the energy was hundreds of times more concentrated than normal, and left those in the surroundings revitalized and invigorated.

Chiyang Peak was bathed in this yang energy.

Xiao Nanfeng had shrouded his appearance in fog so that he could remain hidden.

Curious, he turned his gaze toward the peak as he prepared to investigate further.

Just as he began flying up the peak, someone barked, "Another intruder? I'll kill you!"

A streak of purple light shot toward him—a purple-robed man moving at incredible speed.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned and struck with his own fist.

Their fists collided in a thunderous explosion, but the energy released in the process was absorbed by the nearby pillar of purple light and left the surroundings undisturbed.

Both cultivators were pushed back by the force of the clash.

As Xiao Nanfeng steadied himself, he finally got a clear look at his attacker. Though it was their first meeting with each other, Xiao Nanfeng recognized him from portraits.

The purple-robed man had a fierce expression on his face. Upon seeing that his initial strike had failed, he lunged forward again with another punch.

"Senior Brother Xia Zi, wait! Don't attack!" Xiao Nanfeng called out.

The man ignored him. "I don't have a junior brother like you. I've already declared that anyone who trespasses on Chiyang Peak will be killed without mercy!"

Xia Zi shot toward Xiao Nanfeng again.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly and dispelled the fog around his face, revealing his identity as he countered with another punch. Their fists clashed again, though neither of them were able to overwhelm each other.

Only then did Xia Zi finally manage to get a good look at Xiao Nanfeng's face. His eyes widened in surprise.

Both cultivators withdrew their punches. Xia Zi stared at the cultivator before him. "You're Xiao Nanfeng?"

"Yes, Senior Brother. Greetings. I've regretted not being able to meet with you in person at Chiyang Peak—only to have a chance encounter with you here," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Xia Zi was Yu'er's elder brother. Yu'er had three elder brothers: Xia Zi, Xia Hong, and Xia Lan. Xia Hong and Xia Lan were serving as generals in the divine empire of Shenfeng. The last time Xiao Nanfeng had headed to the Yuqing holy land, the only one of Yu'er's brothers he hadn't met was Xia Zi. [1]

Xia Zi frowned. "How can you prove your identity?"

It was clear that Xia Zi was on guard against him. Judging from his behavior, Xia Zi had surely encountered some sort of problem lately, so Xiao Nanfeng didn't take offense.

He summoned his red moon, then waved a hand. Clouds of red fog appeared, and countless red ropes descended from the heavens and coiled toward Xia zi.

With a punch, Xia Zi deflected the majority of the ropes, but some managed to wrap around his limbs. A final length of red rope coiled around his neck and tightened.

"Argh!" Xia Zi yelped.

Of course, Xiao Nanfeng had held back. He merely demonstrated his power without causing any injury.

With a wave of his hand, the red ropes receded from Xia Zi's body.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

This display left Xia Zi convinced. The technique was unmistakably Xiao Nanfeng's signature move, impossible for anyone else to replicate.

Xia Zi exhaled in relief. "What a shock. Junior Brother Xiao, it really is you! I've heard so much about you from our parents. I'm thrilled to finally meet you in person."

"Apologies for startling you by arriving unannounced, Senior Brother Xia Zi," Xiao Nanfeng said, smiling.

"No need for formalities. We're family, after all," Xia Zi replied.

Clearly, Xia Xingchen and his wives had already acknowledged Xiao Nanfeng's courtship of Yu'er. Xia Zi, as Yu'er's eldest brother, was naturally interested in him.

"Senior Brother, why did you attack me so hastily earlier?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

Xia Zi hadn't even confirmed his identity beforehand. Was something wrong?

"Father's currently in secluded cultivation. He's trying to break through, but others don't want to see him succeed. They've been causing trouble over the last few days, and I've been on high alert as a result."

"Oh? Is Mountain Lord Xia here, too?" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes widened in surprise.

"Not just Father, but Yu'er as well." Xia Zi smiled.

"Really?" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes lit up in surprise.

Suddenly, Xia Zi frowned. "This isn't good. The commotion from out fight must've drawn those troublemakers here again. They're about to make a move."

Xiao Nanfeng, too, could sense several figures approaching Chiyang Peak at high speed.

"Let me handle this, Senior Brother. Please make a move if I miss any of them," Xiao Nanfeng said.

With Yu'er present and his prospective father-in-law attempting to break through, this was the perfect opportunity for him to prove himself. If anyone dared to disrupt Xia Xingchen's cultivation, Xiao Nanfeng would take them down.

His red moon appeared high overhead, and the red cloud it summoned was ten times its usual size. Lengths of red rope descended from the heavens, surging toward the approaching figures like vipers.

"Damn it, what's with this red rope?"

"Get me out!"

"Help, I'm stuck!"

In a matter of moments, Xiao Nanfeng's red rope had subdued all the intruders.

"Senior Brother Xia Zi, I've taken down all the intruders. Do you want them dead or alive?"

Xia Zi was momentarily stunned. He knew that Xiao Nanfeng had been holding back when fighting him, but not to such an extent.

He had clearly sensed multiple Golden Immortal auras heading toward them, and he himself was panicking—not expecting that Xiao Nanfeng would be able to finish them all off in one fell swoop. Not only that, he was asking Xia Zi if he wanted them dead or alive...

"Just toss them out. Killing them might provoke a response from a Boundless Immortal—we don't want that," Xia Zi said.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

He waved a hand. The red rope loosened as all the intruders were sent flying.

Xia Zi took a deep breath and proclaimed, "All of you, listen up. Chiyang Peak isn't receiving any guests for the time being. Any intruders will be killed without mercy."

The fog roiled, as if there were quite a few cultivators in its midst, but none of them showed themselves.

Xiao Nanfeng and Xia Zi eyed their surroundings, confirming that no one was intending to make a move before Xia Zi led Xiao Nanfeng up Chiyang Peak.

Though this Chiyang Peak was different from the one in the Yuqing holy land, they were remarkably similar.

They reached a fog-shrouded plaza up on the mountain, causing a group of Yuqing disciples to swarm around them.

"Senior Brother, have you beaten back all the intruders?" a Yuqing disciple asked.

Xia Zi nodded. "All thanks to Junior Brother Xiao."

Only then did the disciples notice Xiao Nanfeng. Their eyes widened in excitement. "Senior Brother Xiao, it's you! Thank goodness you're here!"

Xiao Nanfeng recognized that these were all Xia Xingchen's disciples.

"Greetings, junior brothers," Xiao Nanfeng said with a smile.

The disciples were overjoyed. After all, they had attended Xiao Nanfeng's lectures in the Yuqing holy land, and they felt particularly close to him.

"There hasn't been a problem here, has there?" Xia Zi asked.

"No, Senior Brother. We haven't dared to leave our posts at all. We've been guarding Master all this time," the Yuqing disciples promised.

"Good." Xia Zi nodded.

"Is Mountain Lord Xia breaking through to the Boundless Immortal realm?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Indeed. He suddenly wanted to do so a few days ago. Waves of energy began to pour out from him, but they also attracted enemies from other peaks who don't want to see him succeed. That was why I was so wary earlier," Xia Zi explained.

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

To think Xia Xingchen would have enemies within the Yuqing holy land... It seemed that there were dangerous undercurrents there, too.

Just then, a loud explosion erupted from within the hall. Golden light pierced the sky, causing an influx of spiritual aether.

"A Boundless Immortal's aura!" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes lit up.

"Has Father broken through? Wonderful," Xia Zi murmured.

"Now that Master has made a breakthrough, no one will dare make a fuss here anymore!" the Yuqing disciples cheered.

1. The names Zi, Hong, and Lan translate to purple, red, and blue respectively. They correspond to the colors of the three moons of the three Qing Grandmasters, though it's unclear if there's a deeper connection at the moment. ☜