Chapter 20: The First Encounter!

“The Grandmaster of the Moon Worship Sect graces us with his presence—why did you not give prior notice to the residence? No one was here to receive you; it’s a breach of the Tang Dynasty’s etiquette,” Hao Yun said with a smile. He had come precisely because he sensed a powerful aura… yet, to his surprise, it was the Moon Worship Sect!

Were the officials of the Astronomical Bureau fools? How could they have allowed the Moon Worship Sect to enter Tang territory so recklessly?

The Moon Worship Sect leader wore a look of frustration. He had intended to sneak in quietly upon hearing that the top scholar had been poisoned, hoping to seize the opportunity to recruit Liu Jinyuan as his disciple. But now, facing the Tang imperial advisor, how could he threaten him?

He certainly did not believe that the imperial advisor before him could not handle a mere spider venom!

The thought of returning empty-handed soured the Moon Worship Sect leader’s tone. “Imperial Advisor, you speak as if I were here to cause trouble. I’m merely traveling. Surely the Tang Dynasty does not forbid foreigners from entering? Tsk, tsk, I must report this policy back to the other nations…”

The two men stood their ground, neither yielding—a verbal duel as sharp as blades hidden beneath gentle words. Their brief exchange was thick with threats and counterattacks.

The Moon Worship Sect followers carrying the palanquin and the gate guards trembled, fearing the clash between these titans would spill over onto them.

After a few more jabs, impatience grew. The Moon Worship Sect leader could not win by words, and Hao Yun, mindful of Chang’an’s citizens, refrained from actual combat. This verbal sparring was unusual for both, who preferred direct confrontation.

The Moon Worship Sect leader finally broke the stalemate, tired of mere words and thirsty besides. “Imperial Advisor, do you insist on blocking me?”

He still hesitated over Liu Jinyuan. The top scholar was not just brilliant and quick-witted, but also the son of a second-rank minister—truly a prodigy by both pedigree and talent.

Hao Yun sneered. “Brother, what are you thinking? The Minister of Revenue has long had his eyes on Jinyuan—you’re out of your depth.”

Indeed, Liu Jinyuan’s brilliance had marked him early on as a prized asset. The Minister of Revenue, eager to retire and enjoy his twilight years, had been waiting for this moment. If the Moon Worship Sect stole Liu Jinyuan away, the old minister might well hang himself from the imperial advisor’s gate!

For the sake of his own safety, Hao Yun would never allow the Moon Worship Sect to abduct anyone.

“Are you truly unwilling to let him go?” the Moon Worship leader narrowed his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing with ill intent.

“Not letting go. What are you going to do about it?” Hao Yun retorted cheekily, his gaze fiercely provocative.

“Good! Very good!” The Moon Worship leader waved his hand, signaling his followers to carry the palanquin away. “I don’t believe you can guard him forever!”

“Oh? So you’re staking a claim on Liu Jinyuan and planning a secret abduction? Then don’t leave yet. Let me test your mettle—let’s see if you dare to back up such boasts!”

Hao Yun could no longer restrain himself. The audacity of the Moon Worship Sect entering Chang’an so freely was infuriating. Now, after openly issuing threats, if he let them leave, where was the imperial advisor’s dignity?

“Mirror Space!” Hao Yun pressed his palm to the ground, and the earth surged like a tidal wave toward the Moon Worship leader.

The leader remained unmoved, clasping his hands together and pressing slightly. The overwhelming force instantly quelled the disturbance, the surrounding space returning to a serene stillness as if nothing had happened.

Hao Yun smirked. Interesting.

“Continue! Wood Release: Buddha atop the summit, true thousand hands!” he commanded.

Clenching his hands again, Hao Yun unleashed another wave of power.

The force swept through, shattering a colossal Buddha statue hundreds of feet tall; its hands crumbled to dust.

“Out of tricks? Imperial Advisor, that move was weaker than before…” the Moon Worship leader smiled slyly. His words clearly implied: is that all you’ve got?

Hao Yun was somewhat surprised. At this point, the Moon Worship leader did not yet possess the Five Spirit Beads, yet he had managed to deflect one percent of his attack.

If he gained the beads or merged with the Water Demon Beast…

“Looks like it’s better to end you here!” A murderous intent flashed in Hao Yun’s eyes. With a phantom-like step forward, he unleashed a punch.

“Just an ordinary fist!”

This time, Hao Yun infused his entire being with the power he had grasped after ascending to the Heavenly Father level.

The Moon Worship leader’s expression changed drastically as the incoming fist grew larger, blotting out the sky.

“Ah!”

He let out a piercing shriek, unleashing his full strength despite bodily limitations.

Under Hao Yun’s punch, everything was obliterated into nothingness. The Moon Worship leader’s body exploded in a crimson tide, dissolving into blood light, leaving only a pool of blood behind.

Behind the minister’s mansion gate, a trembling guard poked his head out. Seeing the deep scar etched into the ground stretching endlessly beyond sight, he shuddered violently.

The imperial advisor is mighty indeed! Just a bit too destructive. Looks like I’ll have to tell the master to allocate more funds for reparations.

This was why Hao Yun was reluctant to fight openly in Chang’an. Ascending to the Heavenly Father level meant every move could stir the earth’s might, causing tremendous destruction.

“Imperial Advisor, did the Moon Worship Sect leader perish?” the guard asked anxiously.

Hao Yun’s face darkened as he shook his head. “He escaped. It’s a life-saving technique from Nanzhao.”

Though reluctant to admit it, Hao Yun acknowledged the Moon Worship Sect’s diverse magical skills. Even their low-level energy techniques had unique effects.

Techniques akin to ninjutsu’s substitution, spiritual summoning, or the Flying Thunder God involved manipulating space and time—advanced concepts indeed.

So it was hardly surprising that Nanzhao’s magic enabled escape.

“Then… forget it. I’ll inform the Golden Guards. Imperial Advisor, you’re here to cure the young master’s poisoning, right?”

“Yes,” Hao Yun nodded and stepped into the mansion.

The guard’s face brightened with relief as he hurried ahead to lead the way. “Thank you, Imperial Advisor. This way, please!”

Meanwhile, on the back mountain, Ling’er, Yue Ru, and the others were embroiled in a fierce battle—they were no match for the spider demon!

Though the spider demon’s strength was only at the Fragmentation Stage, the same as theirs…

What the four youngsters did not realize was that battle experience could sometimes compensate for such gaps.

The four were driven back repeatedly; Anu nearly fell into the spider’s grasp when suddenly a long sword descended from the sky, severing the spider’s web and shielding Anu.

“Who dares disturb my Poison Lady’s work!” the spider demon roared in fury. She had been so close, so very close to breaking the encirclement and escaping!

The four youths gasped in relief and looked up to the sky…

A sword aura filled the air, and a massive wine gourd crashed down.

“With sword in hand and wind at my back, I purge demons ‘neath heaven’s vast expanse. With wine, I roam carefree; without it, I’m still wild and free. One drink drains rivers; another swallows sun and moon. A thousand cups won’t bring me down—I am the Wine Sword Immortal!”

As the song ended, a disheveled yet striking middle-aged man fell atop the gourd. He lifted his head, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he regarded the four.

“Little ones, need a hand?”