Chapter 134: The Verdant Tree Chases the Moon

Chapter 134: Green Wood Chasing the Moon

"Sky-Traveling Cranes!" Ximen exclaimed in astonishment as he watched six flying spirit beasts descend from the peak of Mount Hua. He knew well that the Sky-Traveling Crane was the finest breed among Rank 2 spirit beasts. Even the Xixia Sect possessed only a few, yet this small sect somehow commanded them.

"Rank 2 spirit beasts," Ximen Shang muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly. As his gaze swept over the cultivators riding the cranes, a look of relief flickered across his face. While Rank 2 flying spirit beasts were rare, the Huisheng Temple, being a major sect, would never lack such mounts. In fact, even Rank 3 beasts were likely commonplace within their walls. However, the monks of Huisheng Temple adhered to a code of humility and low-profile conduct, and they would never ride such flashy Rank 2 cranes.

Furthermore, the Huisheng Temple disciples were universally bald—a clear mark of their order. These youths, however, wore grey robes and hair buns, confirming they were not from the temple. According to Ximen Shang’s own senses, there were no powerful cultivators left on Mount Hua beyond these few spirit beasts, let alone any monks. Thus, even if they assisted the Tianshan Sect, there was no risk of offending the Huisheng Temple.

"Jiang Yan!" Lu Tiannan’s mouth dropped open so wide an egg could have fit inside as he spotted the grey-robed youth on the crane’s back.

"Woof!"

At Jiang Yan’s feet, the Soul-Howling Dog suddenly let out a sharp bark. The sound triggered visible ripples in the air, carrying a massive sonic wave that surged directly toward the Tianshan cultivators standing before the gates of Mount Hua.

*Swish.*

The long sword hanging at Lu Tiannan’s waist suddenly unsheathed, glowing with a brilliant purple light. Channeling his Foundation Establishment spiritual power into the Cold Light Lishui Sword, he unleashed a heavy, oppressive aura.

*Boom.*

With a surge of unmatched spiritual power, Lu Tiannan slammed the sword into the ground before him, kicking up a silent wave of earth that collided head-on with the sonic ripples of the Soul-Howling Dog.

*Crash!*

The collision sent clouds of dust billowing into the air. Driven by Lu Tiannan’s malice and superior power, the dust surged forward to engulf Jiang Yan, who had just landed.

"Swift!" A clear, sharp cry rang out from among the Mount Hua disciples. A green shadow flashed—Tang Wan stood before Jiang Yan. With a gentle push of her delicate hand, the dust cloud was sent recoiling back, rushing straight toward Lu Tiannan, who stood with his hand on his sword.

Seeing Tang Wan, Lu Tiannan froze. "Tang Wan returned as well? Both of them made it back from the Demon-Hunting Battlefield!"

"Pah! Pah!" Lu Tiannan stomped his feet and spat. Caught off guard by the sight of Tang Wan, he had hesitated for a mere moment, leaving him covered in grit and dust. The Tianshan disciples behind him were also left sputtering.

"Jiang Yan, you... you and your junior sister returned from the Demon-Hunting Battlefield? What about the others? Did they make it back too?" Lu Tiannan pointed a trembling finger at Jiang Yan. If Jiang Yan had returned, there would be witnesses to his theft of the Demon-Hunting Gate and his assault on the Huisheng Temple disciples. He would be unable to avoid offending the temple after all.

Jiang Yan glanced at the Green Wood Arrow slowly forming in Tang Wan’s palm, then looked at Lu Tiannan with a mocking smile. "Thanks to your good fortune, Lu Tiannan, everyone else from the other sects was killed by the shockwave of the Demon-Hunting Gate’s explosion—except for us and a few monks from Huisheng Temple. Are you happy now?"

"The monks from Huisheng Temple survived too?" Lu Tiannan looked at the poised Jiang Yan, his eyes full of shock. If those bald monks were alive, his future would be grim indeed.

Seeing the Green Wood Arrow taking shape in Tang Wan’s hand, Jiang Yan’s lips curled into a sneer. "Lu Tiannan, you want to know? Fine. If you can injure my junior sister in a one-on-one duel, I will tell you exactly how our sect master escaped the battlefield."

Lu Tiannan’s face darkened, his complexion turning a deep, menacing shade. His spiritual power surged, enveloping the Cold Light Lishui Sword still stuck in the ground. With a sharp, armor-piercing momentum, he shot into the air, hovering high above and radiating an intimidating pressure.

"Injure her? How could I bear to hurt such a beautiful young girl? So you won't talk? Fine, Jiang Yan, then I shall wipe your Mount Hua Sect off the map today and see if you still refuse to speak!"

Lu Tiannan shouted arrogantly. A thin layer of frost began to coat his floating sword. As he spoke, a bone-chilling cold radiated from him, rapidly permeating the entire area.

"Swift!" Tang Wan’s clear cry rang out once more. The Green Wood Arrow in her fingers was fully formed. Thirty arrows pierced the air with a mournful whistling sound, cutting through Lu Tiannan’s oppressive aura and streaking directly toward him.

"Rank 2 Green Wood Archery!" Ximen Shang narrowed his eyes, a faint trace of astonishment coloring his face as he watched the brilliant green arrows. This Rank 2 Mount Hua Sect was far from simple. A Rank 2 flying spirit beast, a Rank 1 attack spirit beast—both were incredibly rare—and now they possessed a Rank 2 attack technique. Even many Rank 3 sects did not necessarily have access to such high-grade manuals.

Ximen Shang and Young Master Ximen exchanged a glance and tacitly stepped back a few paces. This small sect was not to be trifled with; they would avoid conflict to prevent offending the wrong people.

*Whiz! Whiz!*

The Rank 2 Green Wood Arrows, glowing with a clear, vibrant light, whistled through the air, heading straight for the well-prepared Lu Tiannan.

Lu Tiannan snapped his fingers together into a sword seal, crossing his hands before his chest to concentrate his power. With a sudden flick, he directed the purple Cold Light Lishui Sword. A purple blade of light separated from the main sword, lunging toward the rain of arrows. Then a second, then a third...

Having stepped into the Foundation Establishment stage, Lu Tiannan practiced the Cold Shadow Sword technique. This move was the second form of the Tianshan style: "Moon Motion, Stars Sway."

*Clang!*

The first collision echoed through the air. Upon impact, both the Green Wood Arrow and the cold light blade dissolved into dust, dissipating as mere spiritual energy.

*Cling, clang, cling, clang...*

The sound of continuous impacts filled the air. Arrows and blades vanished in rapid succession, turning into clouds of green and purple spiritual energy. Seeing that her attack was stalled, Tang Wan waved her hand, releasing all the remaining arrows. She then stepped lightly into the air, transforming into a green shadow that shot upward. She traced a circle with her hands, and her spiritual energy poured into the ring like a dam breaking.

As her energy flowed, the green circle grew increasingly brilliant.

Seeing Tang Wan stop her assault, Lu Tiannan sneered inwardly. *Stupid girl, now it’s my turn.* He flicked his sword seal, and the blades of cold light shifted direction, diving straight for Tang Wan in mid-air.

*Whoosh.*

The cold blades pierced the air with a low, mournful sound. As they reached Tang Wan, they dove straight into the green circle forming before her chest.

Silently, the purple blades vanished upon entering the ring. However, after a short while, the green ring began to take on a faint purple hue, losing its initial, vibrant emerald glow.

*Whoosh...*

The cold blades continued to streak into the ring, disappearing one by one. Lu Tiannan’s forehead began to bead with sweat. What kind of technique was this? It was so bizarre—his cold light blades were being neutralized with such ease.

*Hum...*

A brilliant green light erupted from the circle. Within the emerald glow, a hint of deep purple now shimmered. As the purple deepened, the circle drifted away from Tang Wan’s palms and hovered in the air.

Lu Tiannan’s expression shifted. He stopped the Cold Light Lishui Sword from spinning out more blades, staring in shock at the floating, purple-tinged ring. It felt different—as if a ferocious beast were hiding within it, glaring at him with predatory intent.

"Go," Tang Wan said softly, sweat glistening on her brow. The green circle drifted slowly toward Lu Tiannan.

With her command, the ring flared with blinding light, its speed suddenly surging as it lunged toward Lu Tiannan.

Lu Tiannan flashed, vanishing from his spot. He reappeared several feet away, choosing to flee out of fear for the beast hidden within the circle.

The green circle changed direction instantly, continuing its pursuit. Simple evasion no longer seemed possible.

Lu Tiannan gritted his teeth, a ruthless look in his eyes. He hunched over and raised his arms, bringing the Cold Light Lishui Sword above his head to block the path of the ring. Purple spiritual energy snaked across his skin as he activated a newly acquired spirit armor, hoping to defend against Tang Wan’s attack.

*Whiz! Whiz!*

Several whistling sounds suddenly echoed by his ears. Lu Tiannan looked up in shock to see Tang Wan had landed. Sweating and panting, she flicked her wrist, sending a few more Green Wood Arrows toward the space above his head.

Seeing the trajectory of the arrows, Lu Tiannan’s heart skipped a beat. He remembered clearly from the Demon-Hunting Battlefield the terrifying power of several Green Wood Arrows exploding at once.

The arrows were fast, reaching the space above him in a heartbeat. They caught up to the green circle, and to his horror, they dove straight into its very center.

*Chime...*

A clear, sharp sound resonated through the air.

"Sect Master Lu, retreat!" Ximen Shang shouted from the sidelines. He had finally recognized the technique, but it was too late. Tang Wan’s move was already complete.

*Boom!*

A thunderous explosion erupted. A brilliant green shockwave ring detonated directly over Lu Tiannan’s head. Like a cannonball, the wave of energy crashed down upon him.

"I wonder," Jiang Yan mused, watching the green circle explode over Lu Tiannan, "just how powerful this 'Green Wood Chasing the Moon' really is?"