After being announced, True Person Cangsong came out from the inner hall shortly.
He was still in his purple Taoist robe, holding a horsetail whisk.
He appeared benevolent and harmless.
But after the battle last night, I realized how formidable this alliance leader was.
His cultivation was high, and his Taoist practice was strong.
Upon seeing True Person Cangsong, we clasped our fists and spoke:
"Senior Brother Cangsong!"
"Venerable Cangsong!"
"..."
True Person Cangsong smiled and said:
"You three youngsters, are you all doing well?"
Lao Mo and I clasped our fists again:
"Venerable Cangsong, we are all well!"
"These minor injuries are insignificant."
Lao Mo echoed the sentiment.
Xiao Yao nodded.
Seeing our replies, True Person Cangsong nodded:
"It's good that you are alright. You are all the future of our Taoist sect. Recover well and strive for a speedy recovery."
We all nodded.
After the pleasantries, the Martial Uncle beside me spoke directly:
"Senior Brother Cangsong, I've brought Little Qin here today to claim his reward."
True Person Cangsong smiled and nodded, then said to Daoist Liuyun beside him:
"Junior Brother, go fetch the items. This time, Qin Ze, you won't be accompanying him, hahaha..."
True Person Cangsong teased.
After all, last time, due to the Twelve Demon Souls, the True Martial Diagram Array was triggered.
This led to the failure to receive the reward.
I smiled and did not reply.
Daoist Liuyun clasped his fists:
"Yes, Sect Leader Senior Brother."
With that, Daoist Liuyun left alone.
After Daoist Liuyun departed, True Person Cangsong looked at us and said:
"After last night's events, the Netherworld Cult will likely retaliate.
Currently, all factions of the Taoist Alliance are on high alert.
Brother Hu Xiao, what are your plans next?"
My Martial Uncle heard this and looked at me, saying:
"To be frank, Senior Brother Cangsong, we plan to return to Qing City.
I also need to expedite the matters you entrusted to me upon my return."
True Person Cangsong nodded with a hum:
"Then I shall trouble you, Hu Xiao. If we can get the Fox Clan, the Bottomless Pit, and Princess Jiusheng to join forces with our Taoist Alliance, we will surely be able to uproot these cults this time!"
"..."
While waiting, True Person Cangsong chatted with us for a while.
The topics mostly concerned the various evil cults.
The Longevity Society, the Netherworld Cult, the Black Demon Cult, and the Amaterasu Alliance.
The most significant threat now was the Netherworld Cult.
The next step in the Taoist sect's plan was to deal with the Black Demon Cult.
As for the Longevity Society and the overseas force, the Amaterasu Alliance, they did not pose a significant threat to the Taoist sect at present.
In True Person Cangsong's words, once the Netherworld Cult was subdued, seven to eight-tenths of the world's evil forces would be eliminated.
As we were talking, Daoist Liuyun returned.
He was carrying a large handbag.
"Sect Leader Senior Brother, I have retrieved the items."
Daoist Liuyun announced.
Our gazes were all drawn to the handbag.
True Person Cangsong smiled:
"Quickly give it to Nephew Qin!"
Daoist Liuyun nodded and handed the handbag over.
I was a little excited, as this item was extremely important to me.
I clasped my fists towards True Person Cangsong and Daoist Liuyun:
"Thank you!"
With that, I took the handbag.
"Nephew, quickly check the items inside to see if there are any discrepancies."
I trusted True Person Cangsong on this matter.
As a dignified alliance leader, would he shortchange me on these three items?
"There's no need, Venerable Cangsong."
My Martial Uncle, seeing that I had received the items, spoke at this moment:
"Senior Brother Cangsong, we shall not impose further. We will depart down the mountain now."
True Person Cangsong tried to persuade us to stay a bit longer.
But my Martial Uncle knew my eagerness to return, and we had already stayed at Wudang for too long, making it awkward to stay any longer.
So, we bid farewell.
Seeing that our minds were made up, True Person Cangsong nodded and told us to be careful on our journey.
Afterward, we left the main hall.
We first returned to our previous lodging at Wudang to pack our belongings.
In the room, I opened the handbag and examined the items within.
There were still three boxes.
One black, one red, and one crystal.
I opened them one by one, with Lao Mo, my Martial Uncle, and the others watching nearby.
Opening the black box revealed a black cloak.
The Water Nether Silkworm Stealth Cloak, capable of isolating all traces of presence.
It came from the Water Nether Silkworm of the Eastern Sea Abyss, rarely seen in the world.
Touching it, it felt very cold and smooth like silkworm silk.
I glanced at it and then paid it no further mind.
Lao Mo picked it up to examine it.
Next was the red box.
Inside was a Heavenly Rank Talisman, the Fire God Talisman.
A Heavenly Rank Talisman of the fire element.
Extremely rare, a talisman that made major sects covetous.
The method of drawing this talisman was lost, making it more valuable for research than the talisman itself.
I glanced at it and didn't pay it much attention.
My Martial Uncle, however, was quite interested.
The last box, the crystal box.
This was what I was most concerned about.
Impatiently, I quickly opened it.
As soon as I opened it, a medicinal fragrance filled the air.
White mist billowed.
Inside the box was a medicinal herb with nine leaves, resembling white bones.
This was the exceptionally rare "White Bone Reverting Soul Grass," which could be consumed by both humans and demons.
I was filled with surprise and excitement.
I had finally obtained this herb.
With this item, Qing Dai's injuries could be healed in the shortest possible time...
Looking at the White Bone Reverting Soul Grass before me, I felt immense excitement.
"Wow, it smells so good!"
"No wonder this medicine is so precious, just its scent makes one feel comfortable."
Lao Mo and Xiao Yao exclaimed.
I smiled.
Then I closed the box.
However, this item could not be exposed to sunlight for too long.
With the three rewards now in hand, there was nothing left to linger for.
After examining the Water Nether Silkworm Stealth Cloak and the Divine Fire Talisman, we gathered our respective belongings and left the small courtyard.
However, before descending the mountain, my Martial Uncle intended to inform Daoist Ju Cheng.
And we also needed to bid farewell to Yun Long and Yun Hu, and check on Yun Hu's injuries.
By the time we reached the place where Yun Long and Yun Hu were recuperating, it was already half an hour later.
Both of them were in the back mountains of Wudang.
Yun Long had superficial injuries similar to ours, only damaging the muscles.
Although painful, it was not a major issue.
Yun Hu's condition was more serious; when we arrived, he was still unconscious.
It would be at least ten days to half a month before he could get out of bed.
Daoist Ju Cheng and Yun Long could only remain at Wudang Mountain temporarily.
My Martial Uncle bid farewell to Daoist Ju Cheng, and we also bid farewell to Yun Long before making our way down the mountain via a small path in the back.
These past few days out have brought many gains, but also nearly cost me my life.
However, on the whole, it was a good experience.
Leaving Wudang Mountain, we headed straight to the airport.
The plane tickets were booked in advance, so it wasn't much trouble.
Around ten o'clock at night, we returned to Qing City.
Upon deplaning, my Martial Uncle and the others were quite exhausted.
After all, the life-and-death battle last night had drained them considerably.
And today, they had rushed back without rest, making them all too tired.
But I, however, did not want to rest; I wished I could fly back to Old Huangshan immediately.
By the time we took a car back to the shop, it was already midnight.
Xiao Yao and Lao Mo returned to their respective residences midway, and my Martial Uncle returned to the shop directly from Yellow Springs Road.
He even told me to go back and rest early.
With that, he yawned and entered the Hall of Longevity.
Only I, throwing my sword bag backpack at the doorway, wasted no time.
Carrying the White Bone Reverting Soul Grass in the crystal box, I hurried towards the Jiusheng Mansion in Old Huangshan...