Villainous Junior Chapter 49
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 49: Descending the Mountain
Large patches of black-purple thunder clouds condensed in the sky. Amidst the churning cloud layers, dazzling lightning and thunder flashed. An overwhelming demonic aura swept across this realm furiously, nearly swallowing the sun and moon.
Tianji Peak shook and trembled more violently. Meng Chen had just stood up when he fell to the ground again. He gritted his teeth and got up, recklessly channeling the last bit of spiritual power in his body. He mounted his sword and rushed towards the black clouds in the sky.
"Xue Lang!!"
He shouted his name hoarsely, trying to find the youth's figure, but failed. All he could see was a thick darkness. In his ears, it seemed thousands of evil spirits were roaring and screeching in unrestrained pleasure. Meng Chen rushed in recklessly. The surging demonic aura, sensing the intrusion of an outsider, maliciously surrounded him layer by layer, restlessly bumping around him, as if coveting this seemingly fine body.
However, soon the demonic aura seemed to receive some kind of command. Its movements touching Meng Chen paused for a moment, then reluctantly retreated from his side, giving him a gentle push outward before leaving. Meng Chen staggered backward, then rushed towards the black clouds again. This time, however, there seemed to be an extra layer of obstruction in front of him, preventing him from advancing even a step no matter how hard he tried.
The demonic aura no longer paid attention to him, turning instead to focus on Zhongli Jing.
Those who use the soul-transfer technique willingly erase their souls and sacrifice their bodies for evil spirits to control, usually to have the summoned evil spirits fulfill wishes they couldn't complete in life. As the price for rebirth, even if the evil spirits are unwilling, they must fulfill the wish of the person who sacrificed themselves. This was an established rule.
Although the demonic aura seemed a bit impatient, it lazily condensed into a pitch-black great sword in mid-air.
An indescribable pressure slowly spread through the air as the great sword formed, mixed with an extremely thick ruthlessness and cruelty. Meng Chen, feeling that terrifying power, widened his eyes in shock.
This was actually the pressure of the Tribulation Crossing Realm!!
In the cultivator world, Mahayana Realm masters were already few and far between. The Tribulation Crossing Realm hadn't been heard of for a hundred years. Now this unknown demonic figure had actually broken through the peak of Mahayana and reached the legendary Tribulation Crossing Realm!
The demon's patience didn't seem to be good. The pitch-black demonic sword swayed gently in the air, and in the next instant, wrapped in endless cruel killing intent, it cleaved towards Zhongli Jing with overwhelming force!
Zhongli Jing erected a defensive barrier in the blink of an eye. A Mahayana Realm barrier was one of the most solid things in the world. In his previous life, Xue Lang had broken his sword and shattered his bones without being able to shake it even slightly. But this time, when the demonic sword fell on that transparent barrier, it splashed countless dazzling sparks of lightning. After a moment of stalemate between the two forces, with a "boom", cracks spread all over the defensive barrier, and it was immediately shattered into powder!
The force rebounded into his body, and Zhongli Jing immediately spat out another mouthful of fresh blood!
After shattering the barrier, the demonic sword's momentum didn't stop. The sword's body of demonic energy swelled violently, screaming wildly as it surged towards Zhongli Jing. Zhongli Jing raised his hand to counter with the Fentian Sword, heavily meeting the black blade!
The wind and clouds rolled, gales howled, the ground quickly cracked open with several fissures, and the black clouds were instantly punctured with several holes by the sword light and sword energy!
However, this clash couldn't last long. Accompanied by the roar of demonic energy, the Fentian Sword was knocked high into the air by the black sword. In the next instant, the black sword suddenly condensed into a line, piercing through Zhongli Jing's heart like lightning.
Meng Chen, with reddened eyes, stared blankly at the scene before him.
Zhongli Jing also looked at him, seemingly having long predicted his own fate. His expression was calm, even showing a hint of pity, whether for others or for himself was unknown.
Some things cannot be forced.
Some people, throughout their entire lives, can never be obtained.
He had understood this principle long ago, but he just couldn't let go.
……
The thunderous gales gradually subsided, the black clouds slowly dispersed, and sunlight broke through the clouds. It was as if the scene of heaven and earth being destroyed moments ago had all been an illusion.
Meng Chen looked blankly at the demonic clouds that had vanished without a trace after completing their mission, and called out dazedly. "Xue Lang?"
No one answered him. A gust of wind carrying withered flower petals and leaves brushed across the ground, making a rustling sound, then quickly returned to silence.
"Xue Lang?" Meng Chen's voice began to tremble with fear. He suddenly took two steps forward and shouted hoarsely, "Xue Lang!!"
There was no echo.
Xue Lang was gone.
Or rather, the person named Xue Lang no longer existed.
He had disappeared so hastily, yet so thoroughly, not even leaving behind a shred of clothing or a strand of hair.
Meng Chen's figure swayed, and he collapsed to his knees on the cracked ground. His fingers trembled as they touched the formation pattern drawn with fresh blood. Finally, his heart shattered, and he cried out in despair.
****
Three days later.
Meng Chen placed the small earthen pot along with the little white flower inside it into his storage ring and walked out of Qixue Residence.
On that day, Tianji Peak had nearly collapsed, and the peak was in ruins. Qixue Residence, Luosong Residence, and Tianyin Pavilion were all half-destroyed. Fortunately, there weren't many valuable items in Qixue Residence. He only planned to take two things with him.
One was this pot of unnamed little white flowers that Xue Lang had given him. The flower had been kept in a barrier and was lucky to have escaped unscathed. It was still blooming vibrantly and carefree.
The second was the image-recording pearl they had brought back from their trip to Xianle City.
Meng Chen took out the small purple pearl and gently rubbed it three times with his fingertip. The pearl began to emit a soft, lustrous light, and a picture gradually formed in the air. In the picture, two people stood shoulder to shoulder, one smiling faintly but relaxed, the other smiling foolishly but sincerely.
Meng Chen stared intently at the face of the youth in the picture, reaching out his hand absentmindedly, only to touch a cool patch of air.
He suddenly remembered that after they had taken this picture together, he had wanted to give the pearl to Xue Lang for safekeeping, but Xue Lang had insisted on leaving it with him.
Was it because, at that time, Xue Lang had already anticipated this day would come?
The young man's eyes gradually reddened. He suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe. His hand clutched tightly at the fabric over his heart as he gasped for air, closing his eyes in extreme pain.
Something light fell on his shoulder, followed by a fluffy little head nuzzling close, clumsily wiping away the wetness from the corner of his eye with its feathers. Meng Chen opened his eyes to see the blue chubby bird pressed tightly against his cheek, its black eyes faintly showing sadness, letting out a low chirp.
The white crane also landed by his feet, quietly rubbing against the hem of his robe.
Meng Chen's eyes gradually softened. He reached out to stroke Blue Fatty's feathers. "Don't worry. I'll find your master and bring him back."
Blue Fatty understood and fluttered its wings, gently pecking his nose tip with its beak.
Meng Chen crouched down and placed it next to the white crane. "Take care of each other while I'm gone."
Blue Fatty and the white crane huddled close together, nodding in unison.
"You're both too fat. Remember to diet," Meng Chen added. "Also, diligently cultivate. I'll check when I return."
Both birds stiffened simultaneously but still agreed reluctantly and obediently.
Meng Chen smiled, patted each of their heads, then stood up and walked out of Tianji Peak.
In the Qingzheng Hall, the Taixuan Sect Leader saw him arrive and asked after a moment of silence. "Are you really going to leave?"
Meng Chen gave a faint "Mm" in response. "Although I have left the sect, if Taixuan Sect needs me in the future, I will return at any time."
The Sect Leader looked at the young man's pale, expressionless face and let out a deep sigh.
The dramatic events at Tianji Peak had shocked the entire sect.
In one night, the renowned Mahayana Realm Immortal Lord of the cultivation world had fallen. Of the once-praised and envied young geniuses, one had entered the ghost path and was imprisoned in the netherworld for life; another had entered the demonic path, his whereabouts still unknown; and the third had sacrificed himself to feed demons, his primordial spirit erased, never to be reincarnated.
Although three days had passed and everything was irreversible, the Sect Leader still couldn't accept this reality. He closed his eyes, feeling a sting in them.
"Why did it turn out like this..." he lamented painfully, "How could this have happened!"
Meng Chen, seeing the strands of white hair that had appeared overnight at the Sect Leader's temples, remembered his usual care and guidance, and said softly, "I'm sorry."
The Sect Leader opened his eyes, shook his head, and placed his broad hand gently on Meng Chen's shoulder.
"You've done nothing wrong, there's no need to apologize," the Sect Leader sighed. "Pei Yuze and Yin Chi were obstinate and took the wrong path. Your master... he too couldn't see through it. He trapped himself."
"Each person has their own fate... This was the fate they chose for themselves."
Meng Chen pressed his lips together.
"It's just a pity about that child Xue Lang..." the Sect Leader said to Meng Chen, "Meng Chen, do you really intend to search for him? You should know, even without me telling you, that for someone who has used the soul-transfer technique, there's no possibility for their soul to continue existing. Even if you find him, it will only be the demon spirit occupying his body, no longer your junior brother."
Meng Chen: "There will be a way. I will find a way to bring him back."
The Sect Leader wanted to say this was impossible, but seeing the young man's lips tightened into a line beneath his calm expression, he suddenly felt unable to bear it. In the end, he only said, "Meng Chen, remember, Taixuan Sect will always be your home. If you get tired out there, or if someone bullies you, come back and tell us. We will always be your support."
Meng Chen felt a sting in his nose and couldn't speak, only nodding vigorously.
After bidding farewell to the Sect Leader, he walked out of the Qingzheng Hall and arrived at the main gate of Taixuan Mountain.
His footsteps came to a halt.
He saw that on both sides of the gate stood Xiao Guan, Zhao Jingchen, Liu Xuanxuan, Wan Qiu... and many other disciples, both familiar and unfamiliar. Seeing him arrive, they all gathered around him, not saying any words to make him stay, but instead pushing various objects from their hands into his.
"Senior Brother Meng, this is a defensive magical artifact I begged from Elder Yu. Take it with you, it will provide some protection when you're outside."
"Senior Brother Meng, here's a stack of talismans for you. A dozen of us brothers worked through the night to draw them. Hope they'll be useful to you."
"Senior Brother Meng, we made you a package of snacks. When you're feeling down, eat something sweet, and you'll be able to reignite your strength!"
"Senior Brother Meng, don't bear everything alone when you encounter difficulties out there. Just send us a message, and no matter where you are, we brothers will come to support you!"
Those hands stretched out before him, holding all sorts of strange and varied things. Those young faces bore expressions of reluctance to part and encouragement, gazing at him with sincere and warm eyes.
Meng Chen bowed deeply to them, accepting each farewell gift from the disciples one by one, then walked out of the gate.
Liu Xuanxuan's eyes brimmed with tears, and she suddenly called out to him with a choked voice. "Senior Brother Meng, we'll be waiting for you and Junior Brother Xue to return!"
Meng Chen didn't stop. He raised his hand and waved to them, then, under everyone's watchful gaze, he descended the steps one by one, walking towards an unknown future.
