The Gathering of the Snowdragon

At noon, the three-legged Golden Crow hung high in the sky.

While Ji Jiuhuo, Ji Ning, and the others were setting up the grand formation at Oxhorn Mountain and immersing themselves in its practice, a large number of Zifu Disciples of Snowdragon Mountain were already gathering in ‘Snowdragon City’ within the Yan Mountains. High above the city, a massive cloth screen hung suspended, upon which were set low tables, plates of fruit, and cups of wine.

The cultivators sat cross-legged at their leisure, toasting one another with cups and chatting contentedly.

“This Dongzi Qi, Junior Apprentice-Brother Dongzi, really knows how to invite people. He must have invited all our fellow disciples from the lands around the Yan Mountains,” an old, long-bearded cultivator said, holding a beast-head wine cup as he spoke to a silver-haired cultivator beside him. “It's only been a short time, and already more than ten Zifu Disciples have gathered.”

“The more Zifu Disciples, the better we can practice our Snowdragon Mountain combined-formation arts,” the silver-haired cultivator replied with a smile. “This way, no matter what tricks that tiny Ji Clan tries, once all of us fellow disciples join forces… it will be a simple matter to crush them.”

“That tiny Ji Clan? There's no need for so many Zifu Disciples,” the long-bearded elder said, shaking his head. He had come to earn some merit; after the mineral vein was taken, the sect would assess their contributions. The more cultivators involved, the smaller the share each person would receive.

As they chatted, Dongzi Qi, the host, naturally circulated among them, cup in hand. He was a man of some repute among his fellow disciples, a fairly outstanding figure, and everyone showed him respect. However, Dongzi Qi spent most of his time attending to Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu.

Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu’s face shone with a golden light. Sitting cross-legged, he naturally exuded a domineering aura. His Earth Dragon mount had shrunk to a few zhang in length and was lying nearby, occasionally gobbling down some meat.

Beside him sat Dongzi Qi and two other relatively strong junior apprentice-brothers.

“With Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu here, no matter what schemes the Ji Clan tries, they will be useless. Honestly, the rest of us are just here for an easy share of the merit.”

“The last time I saw you, Senior Apprentice-Brother, was over thirty years ago.”

They all talked, flattering and praising him.

After all, this Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu before them could, purely on his own strength, fight head-on against an ordinary Wanxiang Adept! By relying on his divine abilities, killing Zifu Disciples like them would be as easy as slaughtering chickens. They had also heard that Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu was currently in seclusion, striving for a breakthrough. If he succeeded, he would become a Fiendgod Body Refining cultivator at the Wanxiang Adept level.

At that point, Tongyu’s status would skyrocket, and he would become a major figure in the sect. Naturally, now was the time to ingratiate themselves.

“Hm?” Dongzi Qi turned his head to look at the sky.

In the distance, a man dressed in animal skins was riding a common bird, not a Xiantian great demon. The man shouted directly, “Cultivators of Snowdragon Mountain, I am here on the order of my clan leader to inform you. The Ji Clan leader and his Zifu Disciples have set up a grand formation on Oxhorn Mountain, eight hundred li outside Ten Thousand Swords City, and await the arrival of Snowdragon Mountain to break it!”

Having spoken, the animal-skin-clad man turned his bird around and flew away.

“Insolent whelp! Watch me capture him!” a black-robed Zifu Disciple with triangular eyes said coldly, preparing to make a move.

“Stop.” A calm voice rang out.

The triangular-eyed cultivator looked and saw that it was Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu, seated in the main seat, who had spoken. He immediately dared not act.

“We are cultivators who have stepped onto the Immortal path. That messenger is merely a mortal. To lower ourselves to killing him would only tarnish Snowdragon Mountain’s reputation,” Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu said flatly. “Since that petty Ji Clan dares to openly set up a formation and challenge us, we, the fellow disciples of Snowdragon Mountain, must display absolute power and crush them directly with overwhelming force.”

“Well said, Senior Apprentice-Brother.”

“Senior Apprentice-Brother is right.”

“Our strength far exceeds the Ji Clan’s. Acting openly and righteously is the proper way.” The Zifu Disciples all chimed in with praise.

Tongyu then said, “However, since the Ji Clan dares to come directly and inform us, they must have some tricks up their sleeves. These tribes have been rooted here for thousands of years… they might have some powerful methods. Junior apprentice-brothers, do not be careless. Be attentive and cautious… given our strength, destroying the Ji Clan is naturally a foregone conclusion.”

“Yes.” Everyone nodded, having been admonished. In truth, they all knew this already, but since Tongyu was speaking, they had to listen obediently.

…

About two more hours passed, and another three Zifu Disciples arrived. Upon seeing so many fellow disciples gathered, especially Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu, they naturally acknowledged his leadership. Although many went to exchange a few words with Tongyu, he only gave perfunctory replies.

“Hm?” Tongyu’s eyes lit up as he looked towards the distant sky, even setting down the beast-head cup he was holding.

In the distant sky, a white crane broke through the air. On its back sat two Zifu Disciples. One was Mu Si, the junior apprentice-brother who had been sent to invite their fellow disciples. The other was a cultivator dressed in ordinary animal skins, his hair disheveled. His gaze was as bright as a brilliant star, and just looking at him made one’s heart feel at peace.

“It’s Junior Apprentice-Brother Nong Zidao,” Dongzi Qi said, immediately rising.

“Let’s go. Let’s go and welcome Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao,” Tongyu said, also standing.

Since Tongyu rose to welcome him, naturally all the other Zifu Disciples did the same, their faces full of enthusiasm.

Nong Zidao…

He was a renowned figure throughout the Yan Mountains and surrounding lands. Tongyu had originally been a rogue cultivator who joined Snowdragon Mountain later in life. Nong Zidao, however, had been trained by the sect since childhood. He was a member of the ‘Nong’ clan, a powerful faction within Snowdragon Mountain. A famous formation expert among the younger generation of the sect, he practiced a profound Ki Refining technique and stood a good chance of reaching the Wanxiang Adept level in the future.

A figure like this was normally very hard to invite.

“I never thought Dongzi Qi would be able to invite Nong Zidao,” many Zifu Disciples thought to themselves in surprise.

“Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao,” Tongyu said, greeting him with a smile. “I thought it would be some time before you arrived. I didn’t expect you to get here so quickly.”

“Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu,” Nong Zidao said, stepping down from the crane as it landed on the cloth screen. “When I heard that Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu had invited me and that there was some merit to be earned, I naturally didn’t dare to be slow. With my crane to lead the way, my speed was just a bit faster than the other junior apprentice-brothers and sisters.”

The two of them spoke to each other, not addressing the other disciples, who all felt this was only right and proper.

“Junior Apprentice-Brother Ziqi,” Nong Zidao said, looking at Dongzi Qi beside him. “You have rendered great service this time.”

“With Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao here, I can finally rest easy,” Dongzi Qi said hurriedly. “Earlier, Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu and I were both worried about the formation… Although the Ji Clan is a small tribe, it has several thousand years of history. To ensure their survival, the formation they have set up must be extraordinary. I was quite nervous before, but now that Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao is here, everything will be simple.”

“With Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao here, that petty Ji Clan’s formation can be broken with ease.”

“It’ll be a piece of cake.”

All the Zifu Disciples nodded and praised him.

Nong Zidao nodded slightly. He was skilled in formations and was highly regarded within the sect, but after all, he was only a Zifu Disciple. Without reaching the Wanxiang level… his status could not be elevated too high. Tongyu, however, with his divine abilities, was a match for a Wanxiang Adept. He was also relatively young and had a real chance of breaking through. Naturally, Nong Zidao wanted to cultivate a good relationship with him. Besides, this was a chance to earn merit with ease, so of course he had come.

“With Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao here, we now have a total of nineteen Zifu Disciples,” Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu said, looking around. “If we count my Earth Dragon and Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao’s crane, we can be considered the equivalent of twenty-one Zifu Disciples.”

Everyone nodded.

Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu glanced at Nong Zidao beside him, and their gazes met. A decision was made instantly.

“Our strength is absolutely dominant, and we have Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao to break the formation,” Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu said. “In that case, there is no need to delay any further. We will set out for Oxhorn Mountain immediately! As for the fellow disciples who arrive later, Junior Apprentice-Brother Ziqi, have someone wait here to greet them and tell them that we have already gone to Oxhorn Mountain.”

“Yes.” Dongzi Qi immediately agreed. Since Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu and Nong Zidao had made the decision, those who arrived later would not dare to complain.

“Alright, let’s move.”

“With so many of us, destroying the Ji Clan is more than enough.”

“With Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu and Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao here, the outcome is already decided.” All the Zifu Disciples agreed. The more people who arrived, the more the merit would be split. By setting out first… they would claim the main share of the merit. Those who came later would at most get the scraps.

Dongzi Qi directly sent a sound transmission to his clansmen in Snowdragon City: “Wait in the city. When my other fellow disciples arrive, tell them… Senior Apprentice-Brother Tongyu and Junior Apprentice-Brother Zidao have led the others to Oxhorn Mountain first.”

“Yes, Patriarch.” In the city, Xiantian creatures were already prepared to welcome the Zifu Disciples who would arrive later.

“Let’s go,” Dongzi Qi said with a smile.

Whoosh!

The cloth screen immediately tore through the air.

The group of Zifu Disciples sat on the cloth screen, drinking and chatting leisurely. To them, this trip to Oxhorn Mountain was merely a pleasant excursion, a relaxing break.

…

Oxhorn Mountain.

The sun had already reached the western hills. The light of dusk covered the earth, draping the wilderness and Oxhorn Mountain in a layer of red gauze.

The Ji Clan members had long since finished their drills and were resting. Every one of their eyes held confidence and anticipation. If earlier, they had been completely desperate, even ready to die… now, they had enough confidence to fight Snowdragon Mountain head-on. Ji Jiuhuo had even said, “Unless they are prepared to lose dozens of Zifu Disciples, they won’t be able to break this formation.” His tone was filled with the anticipation of slaughter.

With a formation this powerful… a large number of Snowdragon Mountain’s Zifu Disciples would have to die within it.

“This bottle of Primordial Liquid,” Ji Ning said, holding the jade bottle as he spoke to the Patriarch and the others. “I’ve only used a little over thirty percent in my cultivation, so there’s plenty left. For this battle with Snowdragon Mountain, our Ji Clan cannot afford the slightest carelessness. This Primordial Liquid could be of great use at a critical moment. Please take care of it, Patriarch.”

Just as Ji Ning was saying this, Ji Liuzhen suddenly shouted, “Look! To the north!”

“Hm?” Everyone turned their heads to look.

Standing on the peak of Oxhorn Mountain, they could clearly see a massive cloth screen flying towards them in the distant sky. On the cloth screen were low tables, and Zifu Disciples sat cross-legged, drinking and chatting leisurely. Among them, one person stood at the edge of the screen, looking their way. It was Dongzi Qi!