Chapter Twelve: The Grand Guardian, Ancestor of the Ashen Crane

In a rush, he reached into his robe and swiftly drew out a bone as thick as a child's arm. In a flash, he swung it at the approaching sword energy, and black demonic aura poured from the bone like a thousand charging troops, scrambling to surround the Azure Dragon sword energy. Black and white, the two forces hovered in the air, locked in a tense standoff.

The Dream Mo, already terrified out of its wits, had been wounded in several places by the sword energy. Its tiger-like tail was severed almost instantly, and now the sword energy, not yet spent, slashed toward its elephantine trunk.

Had it been daytime, it would never have feared this sword energy. Its agile body, though no match for the Azure Dragon sword energy, could at least have guaranteed its survival, or escaped if necessary. But today was different. Severely wounded, it was barely able to move, and evading the sword energy was utterly impossible.

A series of miserable cries escaped the Dream Mo's mouth as the ancient, desolate sword energy struck its trunk with full force. The relentless sword energy sliced through it as easily as chopping vegetables, severing its nose and spraying crimson blood under the moonlight, staining the scattered rocks a dark red.

Fortunately, both Ling Yan and Bai Mu, as children of the gods, were constantly protected by spiritual energy, so the blood did not splatter them.

The once arrogant Dream Mo now lay on the ground, barely breathing, clearly on the brink of death.

“Hmph!”

The old man snorted, his bone growing three feet longer as more demonic aura surged forth, instantly swallowing the Azure Dragon sword energy. He glanced coldly at the dying Dream Mo, then spoke in a sinister, almost predatory tone, enunciating each word: “Shameless youths, launching a sneak attack at the slightest disagreement—is this the conduct of cultivators?”

He shifted his gaze, his eyes fierce, and berated the two: “You both have handsome features and exceptional skills; surely you are rising stars of a great sect. Yet you turn out to be shameless as well. This enrages me!”

Ling Yan’s face flushed with embarrassment, feeling awkward. Perhaps as the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor, she felt that attacking in secret was beneath her dignity.

Those born to noble families often held rigid views, unlike Bai Mu, who had grown up wild and free in the untamed realm, unburdened by such constraints.

Moreover, Bai Mu’s master, the ancient god Bai Ze, although famous, was a divine beast who cared little for worldly conventions. Under his influence, Bai Mu, though also a child of the gods, possessed an unconventional, free-spirited nature.

Thus, the old man's seemingly righteous rebuke did not shake Bai Mu’s sense of self in the slightest.

He raised his brows, smiling lightly as he retorted, “Didn't you secretly send the Dream Mo to kill and collect souls for your evil cultivation? At your age, to commit such cruelty—what right do you have to lecture us?”

“And you wielded a bone as your weapon, clearly marking you as a demon. Now you come to reprimand us—truly the pot calling the kettle black!”

“Bai Mu…”

Ling Yan called out, hesitating to speak further.

He sensed she still had qualms about their ambush, so he quickly reassured her: “Striking first to gain the upper hand—that’s the rule for survival in the wild realm.”

“I don’t know where you grew up, but this is the ancient wild realm. If you wish to survive, you need methods that work. That’s what my master taught me!”

“Hahaha!”

The gray-robed elder laughed wildly outside the cave, then asked with ill intent, “Who is your master? He seems to be quite the teacher.”

“Hmph.”

Bai Mu sneered, dismissively. “My master’s name is not for a petty demon like you to ask. First, answer us: why are you here killing and collecting souls, bringing disaster upon the living?”

“I, Ancestor Gray Crane, have roamed the wild realm for thousands of years. Killing a few mortals under Mount Mang today—do I owe you two juniors an explanation?”

“You’re the infamous Ancestor Gray Crane?”

Ling Yan’s expression changed, and she instinctively pulled Bai Mu back a few steps.

“You little girl, have you heard of my name as well?” Ancestor Gray Crane looked at her in surprise.

“Of course. Ancestor Gray Crane is a notorious demon of Cangwu’s wilds, one of the four great guardians under the Demon Emperor Ni Qin.”

“Seven thousand years ago, Brahma Immortal led the disciples of the Holy Temple of Guixu to defeat the Demon Emperor. You and all the demons of Cangwu were sealed there. I never expected you to appear here under Mount Mang—it’s truly astonishing!”

“Hahaha!” Ancestor Gray Crane spread his arms and laughed to the sky. “Seven thousand years! Seven thousand years!”

“I never imagined that after hiding for so long, someone would still remember my name. I suppose my days in the wild realm were not wasted!”

“Silence!”

Bai Mu interrupted impatiently, “How dare you speak of the past? Murderous fiends like you deserve to be sealed in Cangwu’s wilds forever!”

Ling Yan quickly tugged at his arm, lowering her voice. “These demons of Cangwu’s wilds have no honor. Be wary of a sneak attack.”

“Besides, he has nearly ten thousand years of cultivation. Even together, we may not be his match. If we’re outclassed, follow me—I have a treasure to help us escape!”

Bai Mu nodded, feigning calm, but worry flickered in his heart.

When tracking the Dream Mo, he’d thought it was just an ordinary demon collecting souls for cultivation. He never expected the mysterious figure to be a guardian from Cangwu’s wilds, with nearly ten thousand years of power.

If that was true, even his master Bai Ze would be wary, let alone the two of them. They might not even be qualified to spar with him.

In fact, Ancestor Gray Crane himself was contemplating retreat and considering how best to escape.

Since he and the other guardians had broken the seal with the Demon Emperor Ni Qin’s help, half his power had been stripped away by Brahma Immortal’s seal. For someone of his stature to be reduced to hiding in the remotest mountains to collect souls for cultivation showed just how far he had fallen.