672: Back of the Mountain

Back of the Mountain

2Before she realized it, Ming Yue had gone to the side roads, gently landing down. She clutched her chest, panting heavily as she pulled her aura in.  <ins id="1067137" data-width="308" data-height="298"

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"Haah, haah, that might buy me some time."

Thinking this, the young cultivator limped through the small roads. 

"Damn it, to think he'd be here at such a time. I need to escape somewhere but where? Where could I go? Flying all the way to Heaven's Gate is one way but the chances are slim. Could I even make it in my current state? No city is safe either."

Moments later, two shadows quickly approached, coming to her side. 

"Xiao Yin? Hei Yue? Are Elder Fei, Aunt Cui, and the others safe?" 

She looked down at them, asking this. Both beasts responded with chirping and nods, positive though there was some hesitation.

"As long as they're safe."

Ming Yue felt some relief though her current situation was becoming dire by the second. 

She then knelt down, looking at them both. 

"Stay with them, keep them safe, please!"

Both beasts had worried looks on their faces but relented, running back to Elder Fei and the others. Ming Yue sighed, standing back up and taking a look at her surrounding. 

"What if... what if I go into the Peeking Crow's Inn? The formation of that place is an altered teleportation array and it's meant to provide the utmost privacy. Is it enough to stop someone near the level of Heaven Realm?" 

It didn't seem like a bad option, in fact, it seemed like the best option at the moment. 

"But if it doesn't work, then I'll have to fight it out. Even if I die, I'll have to take him down with me."

Determined, she made her decision and headed straight for the inn. 

"Hm, you tamed a few beasts? Did you also use them when you were hunting down the other members?"

The Ascetic's voice echoed through the narrow paths and Ming Yue immediately ran off. 

"To think he'd find me so quickly!" 

She soared up above the roofs, searching for the Peeking Crow's Inn. Scanning the city, she spotted the small forest and flew straight for it. It wouldn't tak her more than a few second to get there at her top speed!

"I'm nearly there!" 

She didn't know how close the Ascetic was but she didn't care. All that the young cultivator focused on was getting inside. 

"Mm, that's enough struggling from you." 

A powerful force suddenly pushed down on her, forcing her to the ground. 

"Ugh."

Groaning in pain, Ming Yue could barely lift a finger as it felt like a mountain had been dropped onto her body. She could barely even turn her head, looking to see the Ascetic land in front of her.

Looking up at him, Ming Yue saw his appearance. Truly, the only word to describe him was "plain".

From his face to his clothes, everything about him seemed unremarkable. It'd be difficult to find him in a crowd of people, perhaps almost impossible. However, there was one thing about him that made her shudder. 

It was the look in his eyes. 

There was simply no emotion in them when he looked at her. It was as if she was nothing more than a bug to him. And he would spare no time crushing her.

Feeling the weight increase, Ming Yue summoned all of her strength, calling out both swords. Even with all of this pressure, she grit her teeth and swung both blades.  No thought formed in her mind, she felt nothing but her instinct.

A cornered beast will lash out, no matter who the opponent is.

And it did not disappoint, both blades produced a blade of energy, crossing each other and aiming straight for the Ascetic.  The man raised a hand toward them, stopping the strike in its path. However, they did not dissipate and pushed forward. 

Raising a brow in surprise, the Ascetic pushed back, trying to break it but failing to do so. 

For just a second, Ming Yue felt the pressure vanish as he exerted more power on the attack. 

"Now!"

She lunged past him, running for the entrance of the inn. 

"Hmph, such an act is only in vain."

Ming Yue felt a chill down her spine, turning to see him strike her with a fist. She crossed both swords before activating the Dusk Lily Pin, using whatever energy remained to form a shield. It was a pitifully thin barrier but it was enough. 

As his fist hit the barrier, it broke but the initial impact had enough force to send her through the teleportation array. The trees blurred as she flew back, landing on the ground before rolling to a stop. 

Her body was absolutely still for a moment. 

But then she stirred, slowly getting up. Staring at the dirt ground, she looked up, seeing an endless dirt road with trees. The young woman was completely and utterly silent, able to relax now. 

"It worked, it really worked."

She turned around, limping towards the other side. Making her way to the inn, a crow came to her landing on the dirt road. 

It cawed before flying off.

"Must be leading me there."

Thinking this, she followed the crow down the road but the path did not go as expected. Rather than reaching the main entrance, she reached a different part of the mountain. 

"Is this the back?" 

Ming Yue looked at the path, seeing not a spiraling road but stairs that reached the very peak. Something seemed a bit strange, why would the crow bring her here?

She stood at the bottom, looking up at the long set of stairs. 

The crow landed just a few steps above her, cawing for her to follow. 

"Ah, I suppose I don't have much choice, do I?" 

Given the choice of these steps or going back to the Ascetic, it was clear which option was better of the two. Taking in a deep breath, the young woman took the first step and started walking up, trailing behind the crow. 

It would fly every few dozen steps before stopping to wait for her, who struggled.

Panting heavily, she stopped and looked up, using her knee as support. 

"Damn it, of all things it had to be stairs."

Catching her breath, Ming Yue trekked on and soon enough, she made it to the top. Walking those last few steps, she reached flat ground, leaning over and panting. Unfortunately, it seemed like the crow didn't care, cawing for her to move. 

"Alright, alright!" 

Straightening up, she looked around, seeing a house with a little garden right next to it. The crow then flew into the building, going through the cloth flaps. Ming Yue studied the house before approaching it and then stepping inside. 

It was then that she was greeted by dozens of crows, all of which looked at her curiously.

Her eyes were wide in shock, standing there frozen even! But there was't enough time for her to take this all in, not when there was someone else there.  1

"Mm, seems like our guest is here."

Her gaze darted, seeing a plainly dressed man sitting in the middle and tending to a fire, There was a pot hanging above it, billowing with steam. Unlike the Ascetic who wore a simple shirt and pants, this individual wore gray robes. It was a different style but had the same effect nonetheless.

His own physical appearance was nothing short of handsome. His hair was untied, long enough to cover his shoulders. He had a calm demeanor coupled with a sharp nose. 

In some ways, he resembled a crow as well. Opening his eyes, he revealed two pitch-black pupils, staring in the direction of Ming Yue. 

"Would you like some tea?" he asked.

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