Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Crimson Cloud Emerges from the Mountains

In the vast wilderness, there existed a peculiar place. This extraordinary land was shrouded year-round in vibrant, multicolored clouds, and atop this wondrous mountain dwelled a mighty being known as the benevolent Patriarch Redcloud.

Patriarch Redcloud rarely returned to his own cavern, and so the Fiery Cloud Cave grew desolate and empty. At that moment, five figures emerged from the depths of the cave. One of them spoke, "Where on earth has that Redcloud fellow gone?"

A Taoist beside him replied, "Your Majesty, I believe Redcloud must have gone to his friend Zhenyuanzi's abode, indulging in food and drink." Clearly, this Taoist was well acquainted with Redcloud's nature, and explained accordingly.

"Hmm, it seems we must make a trip to the Five-Grain Temple after all," another Taoist commented. With that, the five figures vanished from the entrance of Fiery Cloud Cave.

Meanwhile, at the Five-Grain Temple, Patriarch Redcloud was drinking himself into oblivion in a side chamber, utterly unaware that danger was creeping ever closer.

"Qingfeng, Mingyue, why are you not cultivating in your rooms, but instead peering out the window?" Zhenyuanzi caught sight of his two disciples spying on something outside and was irritated by their lack of decorum.

Since parting ways with Tongtian, Zhenyuanzi felt his own realm had loosened, and so he instructed Patriarch Redcloud to keep a close watch over his disciples. By now, Zhenyuanzi had broken through the shackles of heaven and earth, achieving the realm of Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Today, as he emerged from seclusion, he witnessed this scene and promptly admonished his two young disciples.

"Ah, it's… teacher," Qingfeng and Mingyue were so startled by his shout that they became dazed, and Qingfeng stammered a reply.

"What are you two up to?" Seeing his disciples avoid a direct answer, Zhenyuanzi frowned and then demanded sternly.

"Teacher, it's because… because Patriarch Redcloud ate all your treasures!" The two little disciples fell to their knees in terror and confessed.

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi took a deep breath to calm himself, then flicked his robe, "Return to your rooms and copy the Tao Te Ching five hundred times." With that, he entered the chamber.

Qingfeng and Mingyue, utterly distressed, quickly retreated to their rooms to begin copying the Tao Te Ching.

Surveying the mess and disorder throughout the hall, Zhenyuanzi could hardly believe this was his own sanctuary. His gaze then fell upon Patriarch Redcloud sprawled open-limbed across the main seat.

Holding a wine bottle, drooling at the mouth, and seeing the chaos all around, Zhenyuanzi could not help but feel annoyed—this was, after all, his own domain; Redcloud ought to show some respect.

"Brother, wake up, wake up," Zhenyuanzi called softly, knowing well this was Redcloud's usual behavior, and thus did not blame him too harshly. With a spell, he tidied up all the mess, and then gently spoke to Redcloud, who was in such a disheveled state.

"Oh, it's you, brother," Redcloud replied languidly as he woke, scratching his tangled hair and realizing his loss of composure.

Patriarch Redcloud was troubled. When Tongtian visited, he had received him warmly, only for Tongtian to warn that Redcloud was soon to face a great catastrophe, one threatening his very life.

This terrified Redcloud. His cultivation was only at the late stage of Taiyi Mysterious Immortal; countless beings were stronger—Kunpeng, for instance, had already reached the initial stage of Grand Luo Golden Immortal. Redcloud truly feared for his life.

In the end, Tongtian assured him that as long as he remained within the Five-Grain Temple, he would be safe. So for thousands of years, Redcloud dared not set foot in his own cave, which was why Zhenyuanzi was not angry—what could be more important than his friend's life? After Tongtian left, Zhenyuanzi often checked on Redcloud, resigned to endure his antics.

Yet now, Zhenyuanzi's patience was wearing thin. How could anyone plot against his friend at such a time? The demon clan was mobilizing in the heavenly palace atop Buzhou Mountain, and all the mighty beings of the wilderness were focused there—what danger could possibly threaten Redcloud?

"Brother, have you considered seeking a treasure to protect yourself during this calamity?" Redcloud was fond of feasting and drinking, but he never took matters of magical artifacts lightly, which prompted Zhenyuanzi's suggestion.

In truth, Zhenyuanzi wished Redcloud would leave soon—if he kept wreaking havoc, his celestial sanctuary would be ruined.

"Oh? Do you know where such spiritual treasures might be found?" Redcloud, unconsciously growing arrogant—after all, he would one day become a saint—spoke with a hint of disdain for Zhenyuanzi's words.

Zhenyuanzi laughed lightly, paying no heed to Redcloud's tone. He was eager for Redcloud to depart, and as for spiritual treasures, even Zhenyuanzi himself possessed none at the moment; he was merely coaxing Redcloud.

After tidying up, the two left the Five-Grain Temple, heading south. They were no fools—the east was embroiled in the friction of the great battle between the sorcerer and demon clans, and to go there now would only add to the chaos.

The west had no spiritual treasures; it was the domain of Zhunti and Jieyin. If they ventured there, those two would surely take offense.

The north was ruled by Minghe and Kunpeng, and vast endless seas offered little to explore.

The south, however, was different. Firstly, Redcloud's own abode was in the south. Secondly, during the first great calamity of heaven and earth, the south was spared from major wars. Furthermore, the south was a patchwork of powers: demon clan, sorcerer clan, as well as stray immortals and remnants of the dragon and phoenix clans.

Zhenyuanzi led the way, with Redcloud closely following. Just then, a voice echoed from afar, "Redcloud and Zhenyuanzi, how have you been lately?"

From the auspicious clouds of the south emerged five figures, one stepping forward to greet them.

Though Redcloud was well-liked, he did not recognize these individuals. He stepped forward and asked, "You seem unfamiliar, fellow Taoist. May I ask where we might have met?"

If he did not understand, he would ask—that was the principle Redcloud lived by.

"Haha, it seems you are truly forgetful, Redcloud," the Taoist teased.

Redcloud glanced at Zhenyuanzi, then at himself, and shook his head, indicating he truly did not know who this person was.

"Do you know whence came your Primordial Purple Thread?" The Taoist's demeanor suddenly turned rigid and fierce.

"It was bestowed upon me by the Ancestor Hongjun," Redcloud replied loudly to the challenge.

At that moment, the Taoist burst into laughter, "Redcloud, do you really not know who I am?"