Chapter 25: Guo Xiang — Brother Xuan’s Eagle Is Bigger Than Daddy’s

Now that Huang Rong—both her body and heart—had been molded into his image, what was the point in killing Guo Jing?

Besides, this trip to Xiangyang was mainly for her two daughters.

“I’m planning to take Fu’er and Xiang’er back to Peach Blossom Island to live in seclusion. No more involvement in the martial world. If you ever have time, just come visit us.”

The two walked and talked.

Peach Blossom Island really was a good place.

But with Guo Fu and Guo Xiang’s temperaments, could they really stay on that island forever?

Once they reached a certain age, they’d surely become curious about the outside world.

It was only a matter of time before they pulled a classic “run away from home” drama, just like their mother did years ago.

Before they left the town at the foot of the mountain, they overheard some locals gossiping about haunted happenings on Mount Zhongnan.

“Just half a month ago, the winds were howling and ghosts were wailing across a hundred-mile radius. I heard the whole Quanzhen Sect moved because of the ghosts!”

“That’s gotta be it. Otherwise, why would all the Taoists suddenly abandon the mountain?”

“In that case, this place probably isn’t livable either. Let’s move our shop somewhere else!”

Thanks to Wang Xuan’s actions, the once spiritually rich Mount Zhongnan had become a notorious haunted mountain that everyone avoided.

“This might be for the best. With fewer people coming, Li Mochou and the others can enjoy some peace and quiet.”

To Huang Rong, the tomb’s novelty wore off quickly.

Long-term residence there? She’d much rather live on Peach Blossom Island.

That was just her nature.

After leaving the town, the two gently tapped the ground with their toes and soared into the air.

At the tenth level of Qi Refinement, both Wang Xuan and Huang Rong were no different from Earthly Immortals.

Luckily, ordinary folks had already grown used to martial artists flying around. It wasn’t that surprising anymore.

As the saying goes: Outsiders see the spectacle; insiders see the technique.

If you’re not a martial artist, seeing me is like a frog in a well gazing at the moon;

If you are, then you’ll see me as a dust mote daring to face the sky.¹

From Mount Zhongnan to Xiangyang would take roughly two days and two nights of nonstop flying.

But Wang Xuan and Huang Rong weren’t in a rush. They traveled by day and rested in inns by night.

This, unfortunately, was hard on Huang Rong.

After only one day out of the tomb, she was already missing Li Mochou.

No one to help split the “attack load”—it was really too much to handle alone!

One day, as they glided above a gorge, they suddenly heard a sharp cry.

“Hmm?”

Wang Xuan immediately extended his spiritual sense toward the valley floor and spotted a giant eagle facing off against a massive python.

This scene looks awfully familiar…

Unlike the bald, ugly eagle that Yang Guo had encountered, this one was far larger, and its black feathers gleamed.

Judging by its wingspan, it could definitely fly.

“Let’s go take a look.”

Wang Xuan and Huang Rong descended into the gorge.

The eagle and python noticed them approaching and immediately became more alert—

One let out a long screech, flapping its wings furiously.

The other hissed violently, flicking its tongue.

The python’s body was a dazzling array of colors, and its head shimmered with golden light.

Its tongue was red edged with black—clearly venomous.

“Could this be the legendary Busiqu snake from Buddhist scripture?”²

Seeing the beasts looked ready to attack, Wang Xuan turned to Huang Rong and said:

“I’ve been wondering what gift to get your daughters. Looks like I’ve found it.”