Xianxia: Big Brother of Tianyong City

Chapter 1 - The Eldest Disciple of Tianyong City, Xiao Yu

Chapter 1: The Eldest Disciple of Tianyong City, Xiao Yu

“Brother Mad Dog! It’s been what, seven or eight years since we last met? You haven’t changed a bit—still as sharp as ever! And breaking through to the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm—truly impressive! I’m delighted for you, hahaha!”

Dressed in a black robe, Wu Laoda (乌老大, Wū Lǎodà) stood before him. His left eye socket was hollow, the flesh around it shriveled, lending his face an eerie, grotesque appearance.

[Wu Laoda (乌老大, Wū Lǎodà): The name combines 乌 (wū, “black”) and 老大 (lǎodà, “eldest” or “boss”), a common nickname for leaders of unsavory groups.]

“Please don’t flatter me like this, Senior. If there’s anything you need, just say the word. I’ll follow your orders without hesitation,” Mad Dog Daoist (疯狗道人, Fēng Gǒu Dàoren) replied, bowing in submission.

[疯狗 (Fēng Gǒu): “Mad Dog.” “疯” means crazy or mad, and “狗” means dog. Together, it conveys someone wild, aggressive, or uncontrollable. 道士 (Dào Shì): “Daoist priest.” A practitioner of Daoism (Taoism), typically associated with spiritual practices, rituals, or martial arts in fictional or historical contexts.]

The cultivation world was merciless—only the strong survived. As a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, Mad Dog had no choice but to grovel before a powerful figure like Wu Laoda.

“Ah, Brother Mad Dog, always so straightforward. I won’t beat around the bush, then,” Wu Laoda said, his tone darkening. “You know I have a blood feud with Tianyong City’s Hansu Zhenren (涵素真人, Hánsù Zhēnrén). That old bastard blinded me in this eye.”

[Tianyong City (天墉城, Tiānyōng Chéng): A fictional sect in the story. The name translates to “Sky Wall City,”]

[寒 (Hán): Means “cold” or “chilly,” often used metaphorically to represent austerity, simplicity, or hardship. 素 (Sù): Means “plain,” “simple,” or “unadorned,” often associated with purity, modesty, or a lack of materialism. 真人 (Zhēn Rén): Literally “True Person,” a title in Daoism (Taoism) referring to an enlightened or highly accomplished Daoist practitioner. It denotes someone who has attained spiritual or mystical enlightenment, similar to a “sage” or “immortal.”]

Wu Laoda touched his hollow eye socket, his face grim.

“I’ve summoned you here because I plan to ambush two disciples of Tianyong City: the eldest disciple, Xiao Yu (萧羽, Xiāo Yǔ), and Hansu Zhenren’s daughter, Fu Qu (芙蕖, Fú Qú).”

“Alright, Senior Brother, I’ll listen to you,” Fu Qu replied cheerfully.

Fu Qu was the cherished daughter of Hansu Zhenren, Tianyong City’s leader. At sixteen, she was the picture of youthful vitality, dressed in an elegant purple robe. Her eyes sparkled like autumn water, and her brows arched like distant mountains. With her radiant beauty and spirited demeanor, she could captivate anyone who looked her way.

“Junior Sister, are you enjoying the journey?” Xiao Yu asked with a smile.

“Of course I am! This is the first time I’ve traveled so far from home. The best part? We’re thousands of miles away from Tianyong City, and I don’t have to listen to Father nagging me anymore!” Fu Qu giggled, revealing pearly white teeth.

“Master’s strictness is for your own good. You may not understand now, but you will in time,” Xiao Yu said solemnly. “I’ve heard that demonic cultivators have been active lately. We must stay vigilant.”

Xiao Yu felt responsible for Fu Qu’s safety. Though she was lively and innocent, the cultivation world was rife with danger—conflicts between immortals and demons were bloody and relentless. Death and destruction were ever-present.

“Those scoundrels are nothing to fear! With Father’s magical treasure protecting me, I’d love to show them what I’m made of!” Fu Qu said, her hand brushed over the pendant on her chest.

The pendant, shaped like a leaf, shimmered with a jade-like brilliance. Strung on a delicate bead chain, it glowed faintly, radiating immense spiritual power.

“One Leaf Obscures the Eye may be a top-tier magical artifact, but if we encounter a Golden Core cultivator or someone with a countering artifact, its effectiveness will be greatly reduced. We must remain cautious,” Xiao Yu advised.

[One Leaf Obscures the Eye (一叶障目, Yī Yè Zhàng Mù): A magical artifact in the story, its name comes from a Chinese idiom meaning “blinded by a single leaf,”]

At twenty-one, Xiao Yu was more composed and mature than his junior sister. This was precisely why Hansu Zhenren had entrusted him with Fu Qu’s care.