A Chance Encounter with Guyue Tian

Fengyun Wuji, carrying the unconscious Leng Ruoshuang under one arm, leapt down the mountain in just a few bounds. At the base, the carriage driver was still waiting by the roadside, having not moved an inch.

Seeing the blood-stained figure slumped at Fengyun Wuji's side, the driver immediately sprang to his feet—but his eyes were fixed not on Fengyun, but behind him.

Moments later, Shetu Mojun, also swift on his feet, caught up. Upon recognizing him as Helian Nanshan, the driver's face twitched involuntarily. Without saying a word, he climbed back onto the carriage.

"You… you're really from above, senior?" Helian Nanshan asked cautiously, pointing skyward as he observed Fengyun Wuji's expression.

"You've figured that out—good." Fengyun Wuji replied coldly. "This is my disciple. I've protected his heart meridian. Until I find a cure, he's your responsibility. If anything happens to him… you'll be joining him."

Boom.

It felt like lightning struck Helian Nanshan's mind—utter blankness. There were many tales of ascension in this world, but descendents from the heavens? This was the first. Though he had witnessed Fengyun Wuji's overwhelming power, hearing it confirmed from the man himself was another shock entirely.

Numbly, he took Leng Ruoshuang into his arms. When he came back to his senses, he realized he was already inside the carriage. It was relatively spacious, with thick furs lining the seats.

"Senior, where are we headed?" he asked, cautiously.

"First, find a larger inn nearby. Then, bring in a few physicians… no, ordinary physicians won't do. This is a highly toxic wound. We need a renowned martial world healer. That's your job. Do it well, and you'll be rewarded."

"Thank you, senior!" Helian Nanshan's face lit up. "Please, take me as your disciple!"

He almost knelt right there, desperate to formally acknowledge Fengyun Wuji as his master, but holding an injured man made it impossible. The regret gnawed at him—just a small favor from someone like Fengyun Wuji could benefit him for life.

The scene at the Mupurple Sword Sect still replayed in his mind: tens of thousands of swords hovering like a divine miracle, a single roar scattering thousands of Ascension Realm warriors. This man's strength was beyond doubt. Before, he had failed to ascend because his skills were lacking—but with such sword techniques at his disposal, who could stop him?

Crack!

The coachman lashed his whip, driving the horses toward the nearest town. They reached it just before dusk, stopping in front of an inn. This time, Fengyun Wuji personally carried Leng Ruoshuang to a private room, leaving Helian Nanshan to take care of the rest—he was an old hand in the martial world and knew exactly what to do.

Before long, Helian returned, dragging along a pale, skinny old man.

"Check this patient. If you cure him, your fortune is made. If not, be prepared to leave this place horizontal," he growled.

The old healer had been eating dinner with his family when this brute barged in and hauled him away without a word. At least he had the presence of mind to grab his medicine chest on the way.

The city's top physician furrowed his brow as he checked Leng Ruoshuang's pulse. Fengyun Wuji was just about to ask for his diagnosis when, without warning, the old man dropped to his knees and started kowtowing furiously, the thud of his head against the floor echoing through the room.

"Great master, please spare me! It's not that I won't help, but I've never seen such bizarre poison before! His heart and lungs are gravely damaged—it's a miracle he's still alive! This is far beyond my abilities. Please, don't kill me!"

Oddly, he was facing Shetu Mojun while begging, his entire body trembling so violently it could be seen even under his robes.

"Can't cure it?" Helian Nanshan shouted angrily, raising a hand to strike the man down—as was his usual way of handling things.

But Fengyun Wuji raised a hand. Instantly, Helian Nanshan fell silent and bowed respectfully. The old physician, seeing this, immediately switched his direction and prostrated himself before Fengyun Wuji instead.

Fengyun Wuji had expected that ordinary healers would be of no use, but confirmation still left him frustrated. With a wave of his hand, he said, "You may go."

The doctor bolted, clutching his medicine chest tightly. He glanced at Helian Nanshan and then fled as if his life depended on it.

"Keeper! A room!" came a boisterous voice from downstairs.

"Right away, honored guest!" came the reply.

Fengyun Wuji's heart skipped a beat. That voice was incredibly familiar. Releasing his spiritual sense, he swept the floor below—his eyes lit up with joy. It was him—Guyue Tian, of the Southern Star Sword Sect!

Helian Nanshan noticed Fengyun Wuji's sudden pause, and before he could ask, Fengyun Wuji's expression shifted to one of excitement. Without a word, he opened the door and went downstairs. Helian thought to follow, but reconsidered. Best to stay and watch over the patient—his reward depended on it. No need to get involved in other matters.

Soon, Fengyun Wuji returned, leading a middle-aged man. At first glance of Leng Ruoshuang on the bed, the man rushed over. Seizing the moment, Helian Nanshan slipped out for a few laps around the inn before returning.

As he approached the room, he heard Fengyun Wuji's voice from within:

"Yuetian, what are the odds of you lodging in this very inn?"

"Master-ancestor," Guyue Tian replied respectfully, "I just emerged from a spatial rift and found myself in a deserted place. I was with Senior Brother Mo Liye, but when I came out, he was gone. I figured Master would head for Southern Star to look for me, so I rushed this way. My qinggong is nothing like yours—it took all day just to reach this town. I planned to rest here before returning to the sect. Imagine my surprise running into you!"

"I see… sigh. Who would've thought the Sect Leader of Mupurple would stoop so low—poisoning Ruoshuang to keep his position? If I hadn't arrived in time, he'd already be dead."

"They dared hurt Brother Leng? Let's storm Mupurple and kill every one of those traitors!" Guyue Tian exclaimed.

"All of them? Thousands of Ascension Realm warriors?" Fengyun Wuji asked.

"…What?!"

Inside the room, Fengyun Wuji paced slowly, hands clasped behind his back, deep in thought. After a moment, he looked up and called out, "Helian, come in."

Looking sheepish, Helian Nanshan pushed open the door and entered.

"Master-ancestor, who is he?" Guyue Tian asked, eyeing Helian.

"Don't ask for now. Helian, I'm leaving Ruoshuang in your care. Take him to the most renowned martial healer you know. I don't care what methods you use—just make sure he gets treatment. If anyone gets in your way, deal with them."

With a wave of his hand, Fengyun Wuji's immense power pulled Helian Nanshan toward him like a ragdoll. He placed a hand on Helian's shoulder and surged true energy into him.

"I'm cleansing your body and gifting you five thousand years' worth of cultivation. Now, even hundreds of Ascension Realm warriors are no match for you… assuming you don't screw up. My energy now runs through your veins. No matter where you flee, I'll find you. If I return and you've failed me—you already know what will happen. Don't test my patience."

Without waiting for a reply, he struck Helian Nanshan with a palm, sending him flying through the windows and into the dark beyond.

Turning back, Fengyun Wuji said, "Yuetian, we don't have much time. Staying in this plane too long could attract divine forces meant to eliminate anomalies like us. We must act fast. Ruoshuang is in his hands now—I don't think he dares pull anything. At dawn, we leave for the Southern Star Sect."

"Yes, Master-ancestor!"