Running through the jungle, a young maiden vainly attempted to escape from the prowling beast behind her.
Looking back, she saw the beast only gaining more ground as she started to enter the thicker brush of the woods as she aimlessly ran away.
Yet, she did not cry for help nor cry out in fear. Perhaps out of pride or fear, not a single peep escaped from the girl's mouth.
However, to any experienced predator, the scent of fear clung to the poor girl's body like an alluring perfume.
Perched from above, Long Yuan watched as the girl and beast ran down below, his eyes gleamed with barely disguised lust and greed.
'Damn, she's one little beauty,' he mused as a lascivious smile crawled onto his face; licking his lips, he asked, "What is my success rate, should I act now, Zhuang Zhi."
Popping out from Long Yuan's sleeve, the sleek pearl did a scan of the forest within the five hundred li of its position. "Calibrating…. At Host's current time and position, Host has a 56% success rate."
"Hmm, it's more than half," he muttered as he watched them from above.
"Host is correct; however, this success rate may fluctuate as time goes by. This system recommends that Host treads carefully," the pearl warned as it slipped back into Long Yuan's sleeve.
'Tsk, On the one hand, one should value their life more than anything.
But one the other hand, it would be a waste for such a fine woman to die so brutally.'
"Very well, Zhuang Zhi," standing up from his tree branch, Long Yuan unleashed his new weapon.
"Heh, this never gets old," twirling his right hand, the iron ring around his finger transformed into a long shining sword in one fluid movement.
According to the original plotline, Long Yuan would've found this sword during this expedition after being trapped in the ancient sect treasury full of valuable scriptures and weapons! Piles of gold and silver! Nooks and crannies, filled with ancient secrets and techniques.
It's only right as the son of heaven that he should receive such treasures!
And, as heavens would have it, he managed to find this heavenly-grade weapon far before the original timeline, Long Yuan's sword, Liu Qing[1].
Forged in heavenly grade iron and flames, it said that this wondrous blade could split heavens itself.
'Although, my only complaint is that of its one weakness: if reforged by the same flames that created the blade, it instantly becomes trash! '
In the original plot, Long Yuan almost lost his heavenly treasure after a brief encounter with a user of the Zhu Yang flame.
Known for their excellent prowess of creating heavenly grade weapons and producing several powerful cultivators over the centuries, the reclusive Zhu Yang clan was once the pinnacle of heavenly-weapons.
Any notable cultivator who knows his worth in salt, would have at least one item forged by the Zhu Yang clan.
Of course, despite these talents, what was their actual weapon was the Zhu Yang flame.
They say they could turn any piece of scrap metal into a heavenly grade tool as well as reduce any treasure to mere ash just one lick of their mythical flames.
With such a heaven-defying gift, it's only natural that others would be greedy to possess the Zhu Yang flame for themselves. A fire that could both create and destroy — who wouldn't take the chance to use it for themselves.
So it is only natural that the clan has long gone extinct after the last few centuries, fallen from their once lofty position and crushed by their envious enemies.
Perhaps even finding that one user again is highly unlikely since many things have changed since Long Yuan entered this world.
Who knows if that elusive user is still alive.
Heck, he might even be dead right now as no way would the enemies of the Zhu Yang Clan let their golden pig runoff.
Therefore, any weapons forged from such a heavenly flame during that grand era are regarded as a family heirloom if not a national treasure.
'In any case, the poor fool will die by the tip of my blade anyways.
So, what's there to worry about?'
"Host, assume the unexpected," popping out of his sleeve, Zhuang Zhi floated up to his level. "There have been too many times that hosts have assumed that certain events would not happen during the story plotline.
However, the plotline always corrects itself, no matter what. After all, fate is set in stone."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Long Yuan grumbled as he fiddled with his sword. He had been lectured enough by his annoying system to learn as long as he does everything within the plot; his system couldn't do anything.
"Aiyah, enough talk, tell me the status report on the girl. I've grown bored with this repetitive conversation."
'It's been ringing in my ears for heaven's sake!'
"...," if Zhuang Zhi could roll its eyes at its host, it would.
"The girl is currently in a corner trapped by the level-nine Blue Tiger. If Host wishes to play hero, this system advises that Host acts now."
"Very well," in one-half step, Long Yuan appeared just behind the massive beast. Backed into a corner, the young girl pressed her back against the enormous stone mountain behind her.
She should've listened to her senior brothers and sisters to stick close when they ventured onto this expedition with the other sects!
Now, trapped by this savage beast and far from her group, she only had herself and her poor luck to blame!
"Growl…" the Blue Tiger sneered, pulling back its black lips to reveal its ugly yellow teeth and thick drool as it slowly crept closer to her.
Turning her head away, she squeezed her eyes shut as the young maiden tried to make herself as small as possible, waiting for the cruel beast to pounce and eat her up in one go.
Readying itself, the tiger suddenly made its move. "Growl!"
"No!" Holding her hands out before her, she vainly attempted to block the oncoming onslaught.
However, the sharp teeth and claws did not come. 'Huh?'
Slowly dropping down her arms, her jaws dropped in awe at the scene before her.
Like a hero from those numerous romance tales and plays, a handsome young man in white stood atop the fallen tiger as he wretched his sword out of the neck. Yet, not a single drop of blood stained his image.
"Young maiden," the young man smiled as gentle as the moon. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," the young girl whispered before she felt her knees go weak from the shock. However, before she could hit the ground, the young man caught her in his arms.
"Careful," the sound of his laughter tickled her ears as her face began to glow red as she realized their ambiguous position.
"T-thank you, young hero," the young maiden stuttered out. "For saving my life.
T-this girl is called Shen An. Shen An from the Da Lei Chang Yang Sect.[2]"
"Hmm," the young man smiled. "I hear Da Lei is a fair from here, how did a pretty young miss like yourself find your way out here?"
"O-oh, um," the girl squirmed a bit as she grew more flustered by their closeness. It was their first time meeting, yet her heart thumped heavily in her chest. "This girl is here with her sect to investigate the demonic energy and sudden surge of spiritual beasts."
"Oh? What a coincidence," the young hero smiled. "So am I.
This one is called Bai Yuan of Yun Cai Peak.
It must've been fate to have met you, Maiden Shen."
---
"Bye. Bye, Master! See you when we get back from our trip!"
Flailing her arms, Zhu Na Ran waved farewell as she descended the mountain with her senior sister.
Waving back, Master Luo couldn't help let out an irked smile as his two disciples disappeared over the mountain's curve, as his eldest disciple left with one last glaring look of warning.
'Who's the real master, and who's the real naughty disciple here?!'
After harshly scolding him about his eating habits, his cruel first disciple left with one chilling warning:
'This place better be cleaned when we return or else.
And don't try to cheat, Master.
This disciple will know when Master is trying to pull the wool over our eyes.'
"Tch, look at yourself, Luo Yu Xing!
What a good disciple you've raised! Daring to speak back to her master in such a disrespectful manner!'
Over the past hundreds of years of life, who dared speak in such a way to him, the glorious grandmaster of Yun Cai Peak!
If he was sloppy in his appearance, so what!? Who dared speak up about it?
If he was eating extra food than most, so what?! It's not like it hurt anyone!
Well, he supposed that he could ease up on his binge eating. Pinching the band of fat that surrounded his body, he couldn't help frown a bit at the area where his eight pack used to be.
'Hmm, I've become soft…'
"Grandmaster Luo."
Not bothering to look back, Master Luo felt Sect Master Qing Shui approach from behind. "It has been some time since you've stepped out from your peak."
"Em," he grunted as he combed his fingers through his beard. "The grandmaster attended the sect conference no less than two weeks ago."
"Ah, yes," Sect Master Qing Shui corrected quickly. "This sect master means that it has been some time since grandmaster left closed-door cultivation to do other things than attend important meetings."
"Hmm, this grandmaster supposes so," picking out a piece of food scrap from his beard, Master Luo absent-mindedly flicked it away. "But, as Sect Master says, this grandmaster will retreat into the safety of this one's peak soon."
"Oh," Sect Master Qing Shui nodded. "But before Grandmaster Luo leaves, may this sect master be so bold to ask Grandmaster Luo something?"
"Eh, go ahead," Master Luo shrugged as he picked the dirt from underneath his fingers. 'Hmm, my callouses seemed to have grown soft. I suppose I should start up my routine again.
Especially considering today's circumstances.'
It could be any day now that he would need to stretch his old limbs and help out his disciples from time to time.
Plus, if he did so, he wouldn't feel so guilty for eating more than usual. After all, now he would be expending more energy than usual.
"Alright," Sect Master Qing Shui nodded, "this sect master noticed that the grandmaster's first disciple has a heavenly-grade weapon.
This sect master must say that I'm impressed that your disciple has earned such a good sword."
"Eh, she's quite good," Master Luo. "However, this master had no part in her receiving such a gift."
"What?" Sect Master Qing Shui was momentarily astonished at Master Luo's off-handed statement. "If not Grandmaster Luo, then who'd possess such a good tool and so easily give it away?"
Afterall, heavenly-grade weapons weren't as common as rocks. Not only were they incredibly rare, but they were also picky as well.
Even if one found such a weapon, there's no saying that it would accept one as it's master. And if one tried to force such a thing, then there would be deadly consequences on the user.
"Hmm, who knows," Master Luo yawned as he turned around with a tired sigh. "All I know is that my second disciple found an old sword and wanted me to tell her about its metal.
As for who she had refined it or reforged, this grandmaster does not know."
"Grandmaster Luo," Sect Master Qing Shui's eyes widened, and his heart grew excited as a possible explanation came to mind. "Could it be that that girl is from-"
"Careful, Sect Master," placing a hand on his shoulder, Sect Master Qing Shui felt his knees buckle as an oppressive force came crashing down upon him. Even if his cultivation were relatively high, no doubt he would've been brought to his knees, if he were just a bit weaker.
"It's best not to shout such exaggerated claims so loosely."
[1] Liu2 Qing2 - show mercy (or forgiveness, compassion) Although, this sword name is in the context of this phrase: hao2bu4 liu2qing2 — show the enemy no mercy; to be relentless/ ruthless. A rather fitting name of LY's character.
[2] Da3 Lei2 Chang2 Yang2 - the city 'Da Lei' means thunder, and the sect 'Chang Yang' means to wander. Therefore together, the name means 'wandering thunder.' A cool name, in my opinion. Anyways, I wanted to try any write the sect names like they do in MDZS, but couldn't think of a city name for the great three. I doubt they would need one, because they're popular lol.