Chapter One: Searching for a Home

Yang Nan stepped into the marketplace, where countless shops lined the streets and the crowds surged ceaselessly. People flowed back and forth, trading goods, and cultivators were everywhere. Besides disciples of Kunlun, disciples from other minor sects in the surrounding region also chose this largest marketplace within a thousand miles to exchange items.

Die Yi and the other girl, finding this Seekers’ Mansion to be a rare place of freedom, grew curious and, accompanied by Old Crab, wandered about the marketplace.

Yang Nan and Chi Yang entered a shop called “Universal Pavilion.” With a name like Universal, it was only natural that they would sell estates as well. From a distance, a commotion could be heard, and as Yang Nan stepped inside, he saw several richly dressed young men arguing with a man dressed in black.

Those three or four young men were accompanied by more than a dozen fierce, murderous retainers brimming with spiritual power, while the black-robed man stood alone. Yet, the quarrel between the two sides was evenly matched.

Both groups glared at each other, swords drawn in a tense standoff, though neither seemed willing to make the first move.

The shopkeeper stood by, troubled and shaking his head with a wry smile. Yang Nan frowned and quietly asked Chi Yang, “Even in Seekers’ Mansion, there are those bold enough to cause trouble?”

Chi Yang, seeing how fiercely the young men argued, sneered, “They wouldn’t dare lay a hand on anyone. If they did, do you think they’d walk out of this city alive?” In Seekers’ City, violence was forbidden; to break this rule was tantamount to challenging Kunlun itself—something everyone knew.

Chi Yang’s voice was a bit loud, and the young men immediately turned, glaring fiercely at him. Yang Nan found their arrogant and domineering manner unpleasant and, turning to the shopkeeper, asked, “Excuse me, do you have any estates for sale?”

The shopkeeper, seeing this refined young gentleman speak politely, clearly unlike those scions of noble families, quickly replied, “What sort of estate would you like, young master? Estates in Seekers’ Mansion are worth their weight in gold. The largest estate is being fought over by these gentlemen, but we still have several smaller ones available.”

Before Yang Nan could answer, one of the noble youths sneered, “Shopkeeper, surely first come, first served? I haven’t decided which estate to buy yet, and you dare sell to someone else?”

Yang Nan looked up and saw that the speaker was handsome, with a hint of malice in his eyes, spiritual energy flickering around him—a cultivator too, though hardly cultured. These young men were likely inexperienced and immature. Yang Nan had no desire to tangle with such ignorant boys and simply ignored them.

The shopkeeper smiled apologetically, “Gentlemen, you’re after the large estate, while this young master wants a smaller one. There are seven or eight small estates left—you couldn’t possibly buy them all, could you? These are two unrelated matters.”

The young man’s brows shot up, and he sneered, “What if I buy them all? I want a large estate for my family, but this black dog dares compete with me, and now a yellow-haired brat tries to embarrass me. Do you think I, Li Guo, am afraid? If they leave Seekers’ Mansion, I’ll make them regret it!” He glanced contemptuously at Yang Nan, seeing only a young boy with weak power.

Yang Nan, despite his usual composure, felt a surge of anger. These youths were unbearably insolent. Just as he was about to retort, the black-robed young man laughed coldly, “A bunch of bullies, all bark and no bite. If you leave Seekers’ Mansion, it’s likely you wild pups who’ll be wiped out, not me.”

Li Guo was furious, pointing his finger and shouting, “Black dog, you dare insult me? Compete for women, estates—if you have the guts, fight outside the city!”

The black-robed youth laughed carelessly, “You’ve all advanced to the seventh level—hoping to gang up on me? I don’t mind, but if I defeat you, can you promise not to call your elders for help?”

Li Guo’s face darkened, “Well, black dog, who’s calling for help? We’ll fight outside the city today, and if you lose, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

The black-robed youth smiled coldly, his eyes flashing with a fierce, knife-edge glare. Li Guo was startled by the intense look, and those around quickly gathered, shouting, “What, you want to fight inside the city?”

Yang Nan saw that the black-robed youth radiated killing intent and had a hint of evil in his demeanor. Clearly, he was no ordinary person and handled the noble boys with ease. Yang Nan grew wary, and Chi Yang said solemnly, “He seems to be from the Demon Sect—we’d best avoid him.”

Yang Nan shivered inwardly. Among the four great sects—Demon, Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian—the Demon Sect’s arts were the most sinister, often refining souls into magical artifacts. This youth had evidently used a rare item to hide his vital energy, or Yang Nan would have sensed his power.

The Demon Sect’s arts were cruel; even the Blood Demon Ring that Huang Shan used was a low-level artifact. After devouring thousands of souls, the summoned blood demon rivaled the strength of Yang Nan’s supreme demon body—if cultivated to the highest level, countless lives would be lost.

He wanted no entanglements with the Demon Sect and, seeing the quarrel grow lively, turned to the shopkeeper to choose an estate. Though a “small house,” the estate covered vast grounds and cost more than a hundred thousand silver taels—a fortune to ordinary folk, but hardly a concern for Yang Nan.

He casually selected a tranquil estate, paid with gold and silver from his spatial ring, and the shopkeeper handed over the deed. As Yang Nan was about to leave, the arrogant youth shouted, “Put down that deed—these estates belong to me!”

Yang Nan laughed coldly, ignoring him and leaving with Chi Yang. The young man cursed furiously behind them, but no one in Seekers’ Mansion dared challenge Kunlun’s laws. Though arrogant, he wouldn’t dare draw his sword, so he was left ranting.

Yang Nan, though furious, didn’t bother arguing. After leaving the marketplace with Die Yi, the other girl, and Old Crab, Chi Yang laughed, “Most of these noble sons come from immortal clans and are arrogant from birth. You’re right not to engage them—if you meet them again, teach them a lesson.”

Yang Nan was not one to suffer losses, and had his own calculations. Seeing Chi Yang’s attempt at comfort, he smiled, “Don’t worry, brother. If grudges arise, a single sword settles it—what use is arguing?”

Chi Yang, seeing Yang Nan’s restraint and ruthless resolve, secretly sighed in relief. Every cultivator is ruthless; only naïve youths make enemies lightly. Yang Nan’s courteous manner with friends and mercilessness with foes was the right path.

At only twelve years old, Yang Nan already possessed such temperament. Chi Yang, long familiar with him, often praised his innate Daoist bones. Yet he did not know that Yang Nan was no child—his previous life’s lessons in kindness had been all too bitter: driven from home, hunted across the land, unable even to bid his father farewell. Was that not enough?

Kindness depends on whom it’s shown to. In this life, Yang Nan would never be a good man; seeking immortality, one cannot afford goodness.

As they chatted, the group arrived at the estate Yang Nan had purchased, located on Youxian Street on the eastern side of Seekers’ Mansion. In this city where every inch of land was precious, it was unremarkable, yet though called a “small house,” it was rather spacious. Yang Nan opened the gate and took a leisurely tour. Clearly built by wealthy folk, it was not as grand as a duke’s manor but quiet and elegant. Several groves of bamboo swayed in the breeze in the front yard, while lotus buds were about to bloom in the pond, with a pavilion standing over the water, lending an air of tranquility.

The estate was arranged in three courtyards: the front with gardens, bamboo groves, and ponds; the middle with the hall, main room, and guest rooms; and the back reserved for the master’s private quarters.

Steward Chang Fu led a group of servants to begin cleaning and organizing the estate. Yang Nan summoned Fish Maiden from the Realm Ring, instructing her to manage all matters, large and small. Fish Maiden, dignified and capable, managed the household with impressive poise, and Yang Nan left everything to her.

He could not bring his demon troops to Kunlun, but the Realm Ring must go with him. Yang Nan decided to give his spatial ring to Chi Yang, who, though a master, lacked a storage artifact. The spatial ring was precious, but compared to the bond of brotherhood, it meant little.

The demon troops from the Realm Ring, plus those summoned by Goldfish Spirit, numbered two thousand. This would greatly aid Yang Nan in using his supreme demon body. General Crab trained them diligently; only about a hundred demon soldiers were fit for Yang Nan’s personal guard, led by Commander Shrimp.

Yang Nan did not hesitate to teach his demon guards Daoist arts, grant them elixirs, and forge weapons to strengthen them. These little demons were his lifeline, and he could not be stingy. Though his resources were limited, he had Huang Shan forge some weapons and armor from materials found at the riverbed.

The Golden Scale King, after having all his scales plucked and suffering three punishments and six tribulations, feared Yang Nan greatly. With the Golden Thread Buddha Armor forged by Huang Shan, his powers increased, and he became much more docile under kindness and intimidation. The thousand demons crowded the courtyard until General Crab had them revert to their original forms and enter the pond—both to guard the estate and save space.

Yang Nan cared little for gold and silver. He left plenty behind and planned to buy neighboring estates when they became available.

With General Crab, Huang Shan, Goldfish Spirit, and a host of little demons, as well as Fish Maiden and the two girls, Die Yi and Lotus Butterfly, managing the household, Yang Nan could leave for Kunlun without worry.

After staying in Seekers’ Mansion for a few days to organize his belongings, Yang Nan prepared to take the Celestial Purity Talisman, and only brought a hundred demon guards from the Realm Ring, knowing Kunlun would not mind.

One day, Yang Nan left Die Yi and Lotus Butterfly to watch over the estate, took Chi Yang, and set off for Kunlun. A thousand miles from Seekers’ Mansion rose the majestic Kunlun Mountain, and within its bounds lay the domain of the Kunlun Sect.