Chapter Fifty-Four: The Celestial Veil Pavilion

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“Dugu Ling, let me introduce someone to you. This venerable gentleman’s surname is Tian; you may call him Elder Tian. Elder Tian is a master at the middle stage of the Celestial Immortal rank,” Ouyang Chi said with a smile, sitting across from Dugu Ling in the carriage.

What? To think that such an unassuming old man would actually be a master of the middle Celestial Immortal stage! Dugu Ling hurriedly clasped his fists and greeted him respectfully, “Greetings, Elder Tian.”

On the path of cultivation, every level is separated by an insurmountable chasm. Generally speaking, it is impossible to challenge someone of a higher rank—unless one possesses extraordinary techniques or magical treasures, it is next to impossible. Even the difference between stages within the same rank is vast. Take, for example, the lower Celestial Immortal cultivator who killed Yuan Longba a few days ago; Elder Tian could handle ten such opponents on his own.

“You’re too courteous, Young Master Dugu,” Elder Tian replied with a warm smile. “I have cultivated for many years and only just reached the middle Celestial Immortal stage. I am truly ashamed.” Dugu Ling thought to himself: This old man seems so kindly, nothing like the usual cultivators who look down on others simply because they tread the immortal path, prideful in their seniority.

“I have long heard tales of your prodigious strength, Young Master—you lifted the black iron warhammer that even the Lord of Cold Moon City could not so much as budge. Such strength is truly astonishing. I am certain that on your journey to the Spirit Veil Pavilion, you will be chosen, and your future accomplishments will far surpass mine. Who knows, perhaps one day I may have to trouble you for help.” Elder Tian’s face was always adorned with a gentle smile, exuding an air of kindness.

The Spirit Veil Pavilion—among those living in the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range, there is not a soul who doesn’t know its name. There are three major cultivation sects in these mountains: the Spirit Veil Pavilion in the northwest, the Seven Mysteries Sect in the southeast, and the Three Immortals Sect in the center.

Aside from these, the southwestern part of the mountains is dotted with many smaller sects, each with only a handful to a few hundred disciples at most. By contrast, the major sects are mighty: the Three Immortals Sect has over ten thousand disciples, and even the weakest, the Seven Mysteries Sect, boasts several thousand—not including the common folk who handle chores and cook meals. It is easy to see how formidable these three major sects are.

As for the northeastern part of the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range, it is like a living hell for ordinary people: barren land, harsh mountains, and infested with demon beasts and dark cultivators. It is said that the soil is blood-red, corpses and rotten flesh are everywhere, and the rivers flow with blood rather than water—a truly terrifying place.

“Elder Tian has always been like this; he watched me grow up. There’s no need for formality,” Ouyang Chi said with a laugh. “The journey to the Spirit Veil Pavilion is long, and to guard against any mishaps, Elder Tian has come specifically to protect us.”

“Will we really encounter any danger along the way?” Dugu Ling asked, somewhat apprehensive after hearing Ouyang Chi’s words.

Ouyang Chi’s expression suddenly darkened, but then he regained his usual composure. “Normally, there shouldn’t be any danger—after all, the once-every-five-years admission ceremony for the Spirit Veil Pavilion is the grandest event for mortals in the northwest of the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range.”

“To avoid missing any hidden talents, the Spirit Veil Pavilion opens its admissions to all. And to prevent any prodigies from being harmed en route, the Pavilion always sends people to escort the candidates. Our destination is the rendezvous point within the Starry Sky Empire, where Pavilion envoys will receive us.”

“Although the Pavilion claims that all candidates are under its protection, this region is far from the reach of imperial authority. I worry that someone may harbor malicious intent before we reach the Starry Sky Empire.” Ouyang Chi continued in a low voice, “We must be extremely cautious. Stay close to Elder Tian at all times, and don’t let your guard down, understand?” he admonished Dugu Ling.

“Yes,” Dugu Ling nodded. Elder Tian also wore a serious expression.

Speaking of the Starry Sky Empire—it is one of the four great empires in the northwest of the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range. Besides governing Sunset City, Cold Moon City, and Morning Star City, it also rules over the cities of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, making a total of eight great cities.

Although the Spirit Veil Pavilion does not openly meddle in the affairs of these empires, it is in fact the true ruler of the northwest, holding sway over hundreds of millions of people with the might of a single sect. Such power is truly formidable.

Thus, the carriage traveled safely for three days.

On the morning of the third day, Ouyang Chi glanced at the sun outside and said, “It seems we’ll reach the imperial capital of the Starry Sky Empire by sunset. There, Pavilion envoys will meet us.” After three days of arduous travel, the group was visibly weary. Seeing that their destination was near, Ouyang Chi smiled with relief.

“Why haven’t we seen any other candidates along the way? Don’t tell me we’re the only ones from Cold Moon City?” Dugu Ling asked in confusion.

“Of course not. The outstanding young talents from Cold Moon City must already be at the Pavilion by now. We simply left too late. Usually, ordinary commoners set out six months early. But it’s fine; we should arrive three days before the ceremony begins, if all goes well. If you were to reach the Pavilion now, you’d see seas of people,” Ouyang Chi replied with a smile.

For a while, they forgot their fatigue, chatting and laughing to pass the time. Elder Tian, however, sat upright and alert, ears pricked for any sign of trouble.

Meanwhile, just behind a hill not far from their carriage, a group of people were lurking.

There were about twenty of them, all with veils covering their faces and weapons in hand—some wielded kitchen knives, others had hoes, and some simply brandished sticks.

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“Boss, I just saw a carriage up ahead—real fancy, must be worth a fortune!” A scruffy youth came running up, reporting to a young man.

This youth was handsome, with a refined air and a hint of heroic spirit between his brows—he looked every bit a scholar.

“Alright, I’ve decided. We’ll target them. After this, we’re done, understood?” the young man said.

What? This refined, scholarly youth was actually a bandit!

“Young master, Master Dugu, be careful—there’s an ambush ahead,” Elder Tian whispered to Ouyang Chi and Dugu Ling.

“What?” Dugu Ling and Ouyang Chi were both startled, fearing some grave danger.

“No need to panic, young master. I took a look—it’s just a bunch of country bumpkins. I’ll handle them myself,” Elder Tian said calmly.

“In that case, I’m relieved. We’re almost at the imperial capital—Starry Sky City. I don’t want anything to go wrong now,” Ouyang Chi replied.

“Understood, young master,” Elder Tian responded.

Dugu Ling listened in amazement. Elder Tian hadn’t left the carriage—how did he know what was happening outside? He must have used some extraordinary secret technique. The way of cultivation truly was wondrous. Dugu Ling’s longing for the path of immortality grew even stronger—he wished he could fly to the Spirit Veil Pavilion that very instant to see what made it so legendary.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and a voice rang out from outside, “This road is mine, this tree I planted. If you wish to pass, pay a toll.”

Dugu Ling and his companions lifted the curtain. Opposite the driver stood about twenty burly young and middle-aged men, all wielding various makeshift weapons, none of them of any real quality. Only the scholarly-looking leader held a decently sized kitchen knife. In Dugu Ling’s eyes, this band of so-called bandits could be summed up in one word—comical.

Behind them, a man-tall boulder blocked the road, preventing the carriage from proceeding.

Seeing this, they had no choice but to disembark.

“Why are you robbing us?” Ouyang Chi asked.

“Le-le-less talk, h-h-hand over your money, or... or else,” stammered a scrawny, limp, gap-toothed, cross-eyed, slobbering fellow with sticking-out ears.

Dugu Ling nearly burst out laughing. This fellow’s appearance was so comical that, if he performed in Cold Moon City, he could earn a fortune just by virtue of his looks.

“No... laughing. If you... laugh again, y-your head... will roll,” the stammerer continued.

Dugu Ling couldn’t help but chuckle. There was simply no resisting the urge when faced with such an amusing figure.

“Enough—show some respect,” the young leader interjected.

At his words, the stammerer fell silent, clearly the leader commanded respect among his group.

The leader then bowed politely, saying, “We do this only to survive. You, dressed in fine clothes, surely won’t miss a bit of silver. We seek only wealth, not lives. Please, hand over your valuables.” He finished with a proper salute.

“Young master, we’ve tarried too long. Let’s be on our way—leave this to me,” Elder Tian said, preparing to act.

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Just as the young leader bowed, Dugu Ling noticed the thick calluses on his hands. Suddenly, he shouted, “Elder Tian, stop!”

“What is it?” Elder Tian asked.

“I’ll handle this,” Dugu Ling replied. He then walked slowly toward the group.

A powerful aura began to emanate from him, growing ever more intense with each step. Dugu Ling advanced like a looming mountain, his presence so overwhelming that the bandits found it hard to breathe.

The group stared at him in terror, eyes wide with disbelief. How could an ordinary youth exude such a bestial aura? His hair rose as if stirred by a wind, and with the massive black warhammer and blood-stained spear strapped to his back, not a single bandit dared move.

Behind Dugu Ling, Elder Tian and Ouyang Chi watched in surprise, their mouths slightly agape. Clearly, Dugu Ling’s display astonished even them.

“Master Dugu is indeed extraordinary,” Elder Tian murmured.

Dugu Ling walked past the bandits, none daring to stop him. He reached the boulder blocking the road, raised his massive fist, and smashed down.

There was a thunderous crack as a fissure appeared in the rock. In the blink of an eye, cracks spread across its surface, until the entire boulder crumbled into countless fragments.

Dugu Ling withdrew his fist, turned around, and in that instant, the boulder collapsed to pieces. The bandits gaped in shock.

He glanced at them, then spoke to the stunned, scholarly leader: “Happiness is something you must seize for yourself. Believe in your own strength—it can change your fate. Whatever you take from others will never truly be yours; only what you earn yourself belongs to you forever.”

With that, he returned to Ouyang Chi’s side. “Let’s go,” he said to Elder Tian and Ouyang Chi.

They boarded the carriage and rode slowly past the bandits, who were still paralyzed with shock.

The young leader, however, was deep in thought. Dugu Ling’s words sounded like a thunderclap in a drought, exploding in his mind and awakening him. “Believe in your own strength—it can change your fate,” he whispered to himself.

Once they were some distance away, Ouyang Chi asked, “Why did you do that?”

Dugu Ling rested his head on his hand, and after a long pause, replied, “When the leader bowed, I noticed the thick calluses on his palms—the kind only years of farming can produce. I looked closely; all of them had the same calluses. I think they’re farmers, forced into this by circumstance.”

Dugu Ling had lived in Dugu Village for three years, a place where people hunted or farmed. He recognized those hands—they were just like the village chief's, hands he revered.

“I see.” Ouyang Chi nodded. Someone like him, or Elder Tian, would never recognize the hands of hardworking farmers—hands that have raised countless noble children like themselves. “I hope they understand your good intentions,” Ouyang Chi said.

Dugu Ling hoped so, too, gazing toward the northwest sky—the homeland of Dugu Village. Village Chief, Brother Dabo, everyone in Dugu Village, are you well in heaven? I’m about to set out for the Spirit Veil Pavilion. Please watch over me—I’ll live well. And Brother Yuan Tianci, I will avenge you, I promise.

The carriage continued winding through the mountains. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, a massive city appeared ahead. Three grand characters were carved above its gates—Starry Sky City.

Spirit Veil Pavilion, here I come, Dugu Ling declared silently in his heart as he gazed at those characters in the glow of the setting sun.