Young Bai Ze
The Thirty-six Peaks of Mount Shu refer only to those with established lineages; if one were to count the wild, unclaimed mountains scattered across the endless sea of clouds, there would be well over a hundred.
The Pagoda Peak was one such desolate, uninhabited mountain.
Though empty now, this peak was once among the most renowned in all of Mount Shu. In days past, it was the site of the legendary Demon-Suppressing Tower, hailed as the supreme artifact among all treasures in the Mortal Realm!
Five centuries have passed. Now, lush green forests shroud the peak, waterfalls cascade down its slopes, a paradise untouched by the world.
No disciple alive today has witnessed its former glory firsthand, but all have seen depictions in ancient scrolls. A colossal bronze tower stood between heaven and earth, howling winds and monstrous waves crushed beneath its weight—everything subdued by the tower's might.
It was as if a miracle had descended.
That bronze tower bore witness to Mount Shu’s splendor over millennia, yet now, though birds sing and flowers bloom, the sect is but a shadow of its former self.
Chuliang gazed at the scenery, unable to suppress a faint sense of melancholy.
As for Xu Ziqing, he did not dwell much on her. He wasn't sure why she had chosen this place for their meeting, but since she had sent an invitation, he felt obliged to come out of courtesy. That letter, however, struck him as odd—he doubted it was written by Xu Ziqing herself, suspecting it might be someone else’s prank.
It mattered little; he’d come to see who was behind it.
This was not complacency. Chuliang felt secure—he had no real enemies within the sect, and moreover...
This was Mount Shu, and his master was the Imperial Phoenix.
His master may have little use otherwise, but in matters of safety, she provided him with absolute assurance.
Throughout Mount Shu, it was believed that as long as the Imperial Phoenix’s disciple didn’t bully others, no one dared provoke him.
With these thoughts, Chuliang had barely landed before he began to survey his surroundings.
Suddenly, a rapid scurrying sounded from the woods ahead—not the footsteps of a person, but something wild.
“Hm?” Chuliang grew wary.
Then, a majestic white shape burst forth from the forest!
The creature stood seven feet tall, its body silver-white, head like a dragon, antlers like a stag, a mane of pure white draping its neck and head, tail long as a leopard’s, hooves swift as a galloping horse, its white scales gleaming in the sunlight.
“Horo-horo—”
It cried out, voice like the gentle call of a deer, darting from the woods with astonishing speed, a streak of silver lightning!
Chuliang blinked in surprise. “Bai Ze?”
Yes.
It was a Bai Ze—a youngling of Mount Shu’s guardian spirit beast.
Before he could react, the silver lightning barreled straight toward him, offering no chance to dodge!
Bang!
...
“Yeah!”
On a distant peak, hidden atop a tree, three figures draped in leaves and grass let out furtive cheers.
These were Shang Ziliang and his two followers.
Seeing Chuliang collide with the Bai Ze, Shang Ziliang grinned smugly. “Heh, even the Imperial Phoenix wouldn’t dare trouble Bai Ze, would she?”
“Boss, we should be careful,” the first follower whispered, curling up nervously. “If Bai Ze discovers us, we’ll be in danger too.”
“Of course I know,” Shang Ziliang replied impatiently.
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They had lured Chuliang here because not long ago, they themselves had suffered a bitter defeat.
Every great sect has its own guardian spirit beast—creatures born of the world’s great Dao, loyal, powerful, and long-lived. Once a pact is made, they can protect a sect for thousands of years.
Mount Shu’s beast is the Bai Ze.
Not this one, of course. The adult Bai Ze understands human speech, knows the mysteries of yin and yang, communes with spirits, and can wield the power of heaven—a being close to divine.
The ancient Bai Ze that guards Mount Shu once oversaw the Demon-Suppressing Tower. After the loss of the tower, feeling remorseful, it retreated into seclusion and has not been seen for years.
This one before them is merely its offspring, a Bai Ze cub not yet six hundred years old.
For a spirit beast with such longevity, a hundred years is but a child’s age; thus, this Bai Ze is indeed just a youngster.
Mount Shu has a dedicated peak for the spirit beast’s residence, forbidden to disciples. Normally, it never leaves.
Yet recently, when Shang Ziliang and his friends came to play at Pagoda Peak out of boredom, they were viciously attacked by the Bai Ze cub.
Faced with Mount Shu’s most protected creature, they dared not retaliate... Besides, a Bai Ze is born with power almost at the Fifth Realm—they stood no chance.
It was a traumatic ordeal...
The three were trampled by the Bai Ze, then tossed away with its antlers, one by one. After returning to Yun Yao Peak, they could only sleep face down for four or five days.
Later, Shang Ziliang asked his father, Shang Shuwen, and learned the Bai Ze cub visits Pagoda Peak every month for several days, and when it’s there, no one is allowed near—or else it attacks fiercely.
Thus, Shang Ziliang had to accept his misfortune.
Today, seeing someone else about to suffer the same fate, the three couldn’t help but rejoice.
Yet...
Their joy lasted only a moment before their expressions froze, then shifted to astonishment and disbelief.
They seemed to witness something unimaginable.
Shang Ziliang’s eyes were blank with confusion. “Is something wrong?”
The first follower gaped. “I don’t understand.”
The second follower remained silent, equally perplexed.
Three faces bewildered.
...
“Bai Ze...”
When Chuliang was first knocked down by the Bai Ze cub, he felt a hint of dread.
Though he had never met this spirit beast before, every disciple of Mount Shu was taught from a young age that Bai Ze was the sect’s most precious companion, never to be harmed.
Even if beaten by it, one could only accept it in silence.
Moreover, its speed and strength far surpassed his own—he had no chance to fight back.
But as Chuliang fell and closed his eyes, the pain he expected never came. Instead, his face felt a warm, sticky sensation.
Slurp... slurp...
Opening his eyes, he saw a pink, tender tongue—the majestic Bai Ze cub was... licking his face?
Their eyes met at close range, and in Bai Ze’s gaze, Chuliang saw unmistakable delight and a deep kinship.
As if it recognized him.
“Huh?” Chuliang wondered.
The Bai Ze cub’s affection was clearly genuine, but he had never met it before. Even if they’d crossed paths, how could he deserve a spirit beast’s favor?
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Chuliang pondered, considering the most likely reason.
Could it be...
Because he was handsome?
“Horo-horo—” The Bai Ze cub cried out joyfully.
It seemed to be speaking to him.
But Chuliang didn’t understand beast language; unable to grasp its intent, he responded by gently stroking its neck.
“Horo-horo—” The Bai Ze cub pranced happily around Chuliang twice, then lowered its head and body toward him.
“Hm?” Chuliang furrowed his brow.
Was it inviting him to ride?
Spirit beasts rarely permit riders; if they do, it signifies profound trust.
Presented with this rare opportunity and such warmth, Chuliang could not refuse. He stood, moving cautiously toward the creature.
His movements were slow, wary of misunderstanding—should the Bai Ze cub suddenly turn hostile, he could quickly withdraw and explain.
Just a little touch, not really mounting.
Fortunately, it seemed he had guessed right.
Once he was seated securely on its back, the Bai Ze cub gave a cheerful cry and stood up, then suddenly dashed forward.
Whoosh—
In a blink, wind howled past, moving several times faster than Chuliang’s best sword-flight, plunging into the dense forest ahead.
Trees raced by in a blur; Chuliang could barely make out the scenery, only feeling a sudden leap as a silver waterfall appeared before him!
This was the great waterfall of Pagoda Peak!
Legend holds that after the Demon-Suppressing Tower vanished, it left behind a massive crater, which later became a lake. The waterfall plummeted directly into the lake, thundering like a storm.
As they reached the lake, the Bai Ze cub never slowed, and with a swift bound, crashed straight into the waterfall.
“Hey!” Chuliang exclaimed under his breath.
Bang—
A muffled sound echoed, and the Bai Ze carried him through the waterfall. Instead of hitting solid rock, they entered a hollow cavern behind the water.
A hidden world!
A Water Curtain Cave?
Through the forest, into the cave, and still not finished... It seemed the Bai Ze meant to go all the way in.
The darkness ahead was bottomless, yet the Bai Ze cub raced on, carrying Chuliang deeper and deeper. In moments, they had sped unknown distances, and finally, reaching a new cliff, the Bai Ze leapt once more!
Only then did Chuliang see the end of the cave.
Within was...
A woman?
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