Chapter 13: The Black Tiger of North Mountain

The night was deep, and the light of the waning moon draped over this ancient and vast city.

The Nine Star Immortal Carriage, enveloped in flames, also entered the mansion of the Black Tiger of North Mountain.

"Young master."

"Young master."

The soldiers on night duty all called out respectfully. Beishan Baiwei, along with Ji Ning, the White Water Marsh, and the maids, alighted from the carriage. The Nine Star Immortal Carriage, without anyone controlling it, directly entered the mansion.

"Let's go." Beishan Baiwei smiled and led the way.

Ji Ning observed carefully; the gate they entered this time was a side gate.

"So big." As they walked, the scenery changed, with pavilions and towers everywhere, truly a feast for the eyes. "A mansion ten li in radius is comparable to the urban area of a county town on Earth in my past life."

"Once you enter this garden, it's all guest quarters." Beishan Baiwei walked on a path formed by lotus leaves on the water's surface. Around them were fish of various colors, occasionally leaping out of the water. At the bottom of the pond were luminous pearls, making the entire pond resemble a celestial jade pool.

In one quiet and elegant courtyard.

"Brother Ji Ning, rest here for a few days. Generally, joining a sect happens in the twelfth month." Beishan Baiwei smiled. "Tomorrow I'll bring you records of the various powers in Anchan Commandery. You can carefully choose, and also go out often to listen to discussions outside. Then decide which sect to join."

Ji Ning nodded with a smile.

"Alright, it's late, I won't disturb you." Beishan Baiwei said. "If you need anything, just instruct the servants. I'll take my leave now."

...

This courtyard was clearly for entertaining honored guests, spacious and large, with five inner courtyards. At all times, twelve servants were on standby here, all beautiful maids.

"Young master." The twelve maids all bowed. The leading tall woman was even a Xiantian lifeform.

"Prepare a bath for me." Ji Ning instructed. "I don't wish to be disturbed while bathing."

"Yes." The tall woman replied.

Cultivators generally had strong self-control; even if they indulged in women, it was merely for pleasure. Like Beishan Hu, who sent the White Witch to her death without hesitation.

After a moment.

Inside the room, in a large smooth stone bath, steam rose. Ji Ning lay naked in the bath, leaning against a pillow. Beside him were a fruit platter and fruit wine.

"Ning'er." The White Water Marsh, lying by the bath, looked at Ji Ning. "You made a stunning debut today, and at the Carefree Cave, the top pleasure spot in Anchan Commandery. The news will spread quickly... Are you doing this to...?"

"Yes, I want to make a splash." Ji Ning said. "My only real enemy is Snowdragon Mountain. The other powers have no grudge against me. A young monstrous genius with no enmity, just at the Zifu early stage, about to join a sect—they'll only try to recruit me or befriend me."

"As for my sole enemy, Snowdragon Mountain, I don't know if they're still watching me. Even if they are... now that I'm in the Black Tiger Mansion of North Mountain, they can't touch me." Ji Ning said.

"Mm." The White Water Marsh nodded.

"If I'm not mistaken, perhaps tomorrow, Baiwei's father, the Black Tiger of North Mountain, will meet me in person." Ji Ning said solemnly.

Ji Ning's divine sense was extremely acute; he sensed that there were no eavesdropping or surveillance restrictions around. This was a guest reception area; if guests discovered they were being watched, it would backfire. The Black Tiger of North Mountain naturally wouldn't do that.

...

In a dim space.

A burly, tall bald man in black robes sat cross-legged on a fiery red rock.

"Whoosh..." A massive black serpent over a hundred zhang long coiled around the surrounding space. At first glance, it seemed like a giant snake, but upon closer inspection, it was entirely composed of black flames—its scales, whiskers, and fangs all made of countless black flames.

The black flame serpent coiled around, its head approaching the bald man.

"Hmm?" The bald man in black robes frowned, opening his eyes. His pupils seemed to contain lightning, striking fear.

"Whoosh!" He opened his mouth.

Instantly, the black flame serpent turned into countless black flames, surging madly into his mouth. In one breath, all the endless black flames were swallowed into his belly.

"Baiwei, come in." The bald man in black robes said directly.

Boom!

A door appeared in the dim space. Beishan Baiwei entered and said respectfully, "Father, I have something to report."

This man was none other than the candidate for the next Marquis of Anchan, the Black Tiger of North Mountain, a being of immense power.

"Speak." The Black Tiger of North Mountain looked down at his son.

Beishan Baiwei immediately recounted clearly what had happened at the Carefree Cave that day.

The Black Tiger of North Mountain listened with a frown.

"Reincarnation of a mighty being?" The Black Tiger of North Mountain muttered. "If he were reincarnated, friends from his past life would have come to guide him. Why would he need to join a sect?"

Beishan Baiwei waited silently by the side.

"Baiwei." The Black Tiger of North Mountain nodded slightly. "Making such a friend is good. Tomorrow, I'll go see him. It's late; go rest."

"Yes." Beishan Baiwei replied and left the dim space.

In the dim space, the Black Tiger of North Mountain pondered: "Among the various teachings, sects, tribes, and even gods and demons, I haven't heard of anyone reincarnating in the last twenty years. But for this kid to reach such a level at such a young age, even if he's not a reincarnated mighty being, he must have an extraordinary great fortune."

"Huh." The Black Tiger of North Mountain then stopped thinking, opened his mouth, and countless flames rushed out, soon forming a huge black flame serpent around him. The serpent seemed very comfortable in the dim space.

...

The next morning, the Golden Crow hung high, its light covering the entire Anchan City.

In a side courtyard of the Black Tiger Mansion of North Mountain in Anchan City, Ji Ning sat in a pavilion. On the low table before him were fruits and fine wine. Ji Ning extended his index finger, on the tip of which floated a palm-sized Water-Fire Lotus, spinning continuously.

"Water, fire, wind." Ji Ning murmured softly. "The Water-Fire Lotus is formed by the convergence of the true intent of the three Daos of water, fire, and wind."

"Currently, I've comprehended the 'Rainwater Sword Domain' in water, but fire and wind are relatively weaker."

Ji Ning watched the spinning Water-Fire Lotus on his fingertip, feeling its mysteries, gradually comprehending. At his current level, a single thought could touch the Dao.

Suddenly, a maid ran over quickly.

"Hmm?" Ji Ning's fingertip lotus vanished instantly.

"Young master, Young Master Baiwei sent word that he and the mansion lord will come to see you shortly." The maid looked nervous.

Mansion lord?

Ji Ning frowned slightly and stood up: "Alright, I understand. You may leave."

"Yes." The maid withdrew.

"Mansion lord? The Black Tiger of North Mountain? He really came." Even with Ji Ning's firm Dao heart, facing the candidate for the next Marquis of Anchan, he felt an underlying pressure.

The White Water Marsh, lying nearby, also stood up.

"Let's go greet him." Ji Ning said, leading the White Water Marsh toward the gate.

Just as they reached the gate, they saw three figures approaching from afar.

In the center walked a robust bald man in black robes, his eyes like deep pools. As he strolled over, the surrounding heaven and earth seemed to merge with him, and an invisible aura rushed toward Ji Ning. Ji Ning even felt unable to breathe.

"Danger, danger, danger!" Ji Ning looked at this man, feeling an inexplicable sense of extreme danger.

Ji Ning could discern that it wasn't a calamity, but that this man posed such a great threat that he could kill him instantly, leaving him utterly defenseless.

"Is this the Black Tiger of North Mountain? Why is his aura so intense and domineering?" Ji Ning was secretly shocked.

Beishan Baiwei was a graceful, refined gentleman.

But his father, the Black Tiger of North Mountain, was like an ancient god or demon that had lurked for eons, exuding endless ferocity and dominance. His gaze, his gait... all embodied 'ferocity.' As he approached, it was like an ancient ferocious beast drawing near.

Temperament is cultivated over time. The father and son's temperaments were so截然不同 that Ji Ning found it strange.

"The two beside him..." Ji Ning glanced. On one side of the Black Tiger of North Mountain was his son Beishan Baiwei, and on the other was a pale, beardless old man with triangular eyes. Even when smiling, he exuded a chill. Once Ji Ning noticed him, he immediately sensed the old man's terror.

If the Black Tiger of North Mountain was like an ancient ferocious beast,

then the old man was like a cold, venomous snake. If you weren't careful, you might overlook him, but upon sensing carefully, you could detect his dreadfulness.

"Danger!" Ji Ning also sensed the old man's terror.

The Black Tiger of North Mountain and the triangular-eyed old man.

The threat these two posed to Ji Ning was extreme—even Xue Hongyi, whom he had once seen, was but a weak ant before them.

"So strong."

"Too powerful. Truly worthy of being a likely candidate for the next Marquis of Anchan." Ji Ning's heart trembled.

Of course, with his strong soul, Ji Ning could maintain a calm exterior.

"Hahaha..." The Black Tiger of North Mountain laughed heartily, his laughter seeming to shake the space around him. "I heard Baiwei praising his friend Ji Ning, and I didn't believe it. But now I see—truly extraordinary. A Zifu cultivator who can remain unflinching before me is rare."

"I came to see you. Not bad, not bad." The Black Tiger of North Mountain smiled. "I have matters today, so I won't stay long. After you join a sect, come to my mansion often. Baiwei is lucky to have a friend like you."

"Meeting Brother Baiwei is also my fortune." Ji Ning appeared humble and respectful.

The Black Tiger of North Mountain laughed heartily, then left with the triangular-eyed old man, who had also observed Ji Ning for a long time and nodded slightly.

Once they left,

"Phew." Beishan Baiwei let out a long breath, glanced outside, and only relaxed completely after seeing his father was gone. "After all these years, I still get nervous in front of my father."

...