Chapter 107: How Should the Azure Wood Spiritual Energy Be Understood?

Sitting on the rock by the waterfall pool, gazing at the blooming and withering plum forest below the mountain, his mind was filled with worry over why Senior Van Saint had yet to return. Previously, the letter had clearly stated he would only be away for a day and would be back by dusk. Yet now, the last glow of sunset was nearly fading from the horizon, and there was still no sign of Van Saint.

Even someone as mature beyond his years as Bai Mu couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anxiety in his heart.

“Croak… croak.”

Amidst the turmoil in his mind, a sharp, piercing cry suddenly echoed from the south, breaking the silence of the cold abyss valley. The sound was especially distinct in the stillness.

“It's Senior Van Saint!”

Bai Mu’s thoughts stirred, and he leapt high from where he sat, then seemed to ride the wind as he flew into the plum forest.

At that moment, Bi Fang, the one-legged fiery bird, also flapped its wings and dove from the treetops, disappearing into the forest in the blink of an eye.

Seeing Bi Fang’s frantic return, Bai Mu guessed something must have gone terribly wrong. His heart pounding, he took several quick bounds like an agile bird and arrived at the spot where Bi Fang had landed.

Once steady on his feet, he looked more closely and saw a figure clad in a blue robe crawling atop the fiery bird’s back, already unconscious.

The dark, tangled hair hung messily over his shoulders, and dried crimson blood stained his waist. His whole posture looked utterly wretched.

Though his face was still obscured by the disheveled hair, Bai Mu could tell from the attire that this was none other than the usually elegant and noble Senior Van Saint.

“Oh my heavens!”

Bai Mu cried out, rushing over to Bi Fang and stretching out his long, strong arms to cradle Van Saint carefully.

He swiftly brushed aside the hair covering his face and saw that Van Saint’s complexion was pale and faint, barely clinging to life.

Cautiously, he probed for breath and was relieved to find it steady enough—no immediate danger.

A closer inspection revealed only some wounds around the waist where the blood had long since stopped flowing. Despite his battered appearance, no other injuries were visible, which comforted Bai Mu greatly.

After the examination, he patted his chest in relief and sighed, “Thankfully, it’s just a close call—no vital damage.”

“But who could possess such power to strike down a rare strong warrior from the Barbaric Realm like Senior Van Saint?”

“Prince Xie Gui!”

A faint voice sounded within Bai Mu’s mind, rough yet clear—a voice he had never heard before.

“Who’s speaking to me?” Bai Mu asked, wide-eyed, looking toward the plum grove.

“It’s me!”

“Bi Fang!”

The one-legged flaming bird before him opened and closed its beak as if speaking. Though no sound emerged, Bai Mu distinctly heard the voice in his mind.

“Bi Fang, you can actually talk?” Bai Mu asked in disbelief, holding Van Saint as he stepped forward and stared at the bird with astonishment.

“Of course!” Bi Fang replied with an air of pride.

“I’ve cultivated for thousands of years—how could I not speak?”

The bird arrogantly turned its head away, refusing to meet Bai Mu’s gaze.

Seeing the bird seemingly irritated, Bai Mu quickly forced a sheepish smile and muttered apologetically, “So you really can speak?”

Then he shifted the topic, surprised: “You just said Senior Van Saint was wounded by Prince Xie Gui. What exactly happened?”

“And who is this Prince Xie Gui?”

“Prince Xie is just Prince Xie—why ask so many questions?” Bi Fang snapped impatiently, shooting Bai Mu a sharp look.

Urgently, it continued, “We need to focus on saving him. The master is currently afflicted by the Qingmu spirit energy from the Guilin Eight Trees and injured by Xie Gui’s evil aura. His body is being invaded by this dark energy. If we don’t handle it properly, he will fall to the path of evil!”

“Ah!”

Bai Mu was frightened and flustered by the news.

Life in Dongwang Mountain had been straightforward—no matter the crisis, his master, Bai Ze, always had his back.

After sneaking out, he met Ling Yan, the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor. Her profound cultivation and sharp insight always led the way before him, no matter the peril.

Later, Ling Yan was injured, and then Senior Van Saint kindly taught him the Supreme Water-like Method and provided this tranquil refuge for recovery.

But now, with his master gone, Ling Yan unconscious, and Van Saint in distress, the heavy burden suddenly fell upon Bai Mu’s young shoulders, making even breathing feel difficult.

After standing silently for a moment, Bai Mu took a deep breath to calm his mind before urgently questioning Bi Fang, “Since you know so much, is there any cure for this evil aura and the Qingmu spirit energy?”

“You ask me? I ask who?” Bi Fang scoffed, turning away disdainfully.

“As one of the Four Great Fierce Beasts, I only know how to kill and harm—curing the sick is beyond me.”

“But don’t worry. On the way back, I already infused my internal fire spirit energy into the master’s body.”

“Fire overcomes wood; fire is the yang force of heaven, able to dispel all evil energies.”

“So, for now, the fire spirit energy suppresses both the Qingmu spirit energy and the evil aura inside the master. As long as we find a cure soon, he won’t be in danger!”

With that, Bi Fang proudly flicked its phoenix-like tail, hopped on one leg, and strode deeper into the forest, leaving Bai Mu standing silently with Van Saint in his arms.

“What should I do?”

Bai Mu muttered anxiously, his eyes catching Van Saint’s increasingly pale face. A wave of helplessness washed over him, making his steps feel unsteady.

He looked up at the now pitch-black sky, where a few stars streaked across the plum forest’s canopy before vanishing into the infinite heavens.

Beneath this boundless sky, no one was there to offer a helpless boy even a shred of care or aid.

Bai Mu felt like a lone boat tossed amidst towering waves, constantly on the brink of destruction.

His heart gradually grew cold, cold sweat breaking out on his back. At this moment, all he could do was remain silent, powerless.

“Boy, what are you dazing about?”

The voice of the mysterious figure from the Void Cauldron rang out at just the right moment, its desolate and distant tone like a ripple on a calm lake, snapping Bai Mu’s wandering thoughts back to reality.