Chapter 603: Greeting The Forefather

After entering the tavern, Wang Sheng coughed subtly. An elderly man in a long robe stepped forward and extended a Daoist salute toward Wang Sheng.

"Elder Pi, how can I help you today?"

Wang Sheng said, "Please arrange a private room for us. Prepare some wine and food as well."

"Duly noted. Please follow me."

The elderly staff bowed and gestured ahead. Gazes quietly fell upon them from all over the tavern. Unbeknownst to Wang Sheng, they only seemed to be looking at him and Mu Wanxuan. The old man behind them was treated like empty air—as though he didn't even exist.

Wang Sheng seriously suspected that the old man was an expert of the Heavenly Court. He even racked his brain trying to figure out how to verify it without exposing himself.

When Wang Sheng looked at him again, he sensed something extraordinary and profoundly mysterious in the old man's Dao Rhythm.

Yaoyun telepathically cried out, "

Golden Immortal? Taiyi Golden Immortal?! Grand—

"

A trace of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes, making Yaoyun stop. It was as though he had discovered her presence.

In an unusually grave tone, she warned, "

Be careful.

If he's a friend, then all is well. If he's an enemy, crushing this celestial body would likely take only an instant."

Wang Sheng didn't show it, but he was startled. "

He's that powerful?

"

"

Cultivators who have broken past the Golden Immortal Realm are in a completely different league from those below it. The pressure he emits reminds me of the emperors back then.

"

Wang Sheng responded affirmatively. He didn't regret inviting the old man to drink together. The elder truly made him feel a sense of closeness, one that felt even a little absurd to him.

They ascended to the top floor and arrived at the most luxurious private room in the tavern. Wang Sheng turned slightly and gestured for the old man to come in, expressing as much respect as he could.

The white-robed elder lightly stroked his beard, took two steps forward, and surveyed the surroundings. He nodded with satisfaction.

The entire top floor resembled an enlarged pavilion that offered a full view of the city. It had soft, green carpeting, cloth drapes hanging from its four pillars, and a square table in the middle of it.

The old man laughed. "

Hahaha!

You're so young that I didn't expect you to already be a prominent figure in this city, Daoist Friend. It seems I've just managed to get myself a free meal!"

Wang Sheng smiled faintly in embarrassment. He invited the old man to sit first, then urged his senior sister to take a seat as well. Finally, he sat down across from the elder himself.

"Please don't tease me, Senior. I'm not prominent at all. We're in Xinghai City right now, which belongs to the Xinghai Sect." Wang Sheng sighed. "I left my hometown to explore six or seven hundred years ago, only to find myself with nowhere to settle and persecuted by powerful sects. Left with no other choice, I sought refuge with the Xinghai Sect. I've merely gained the title of elder."

"You're probably less than a thousand years old, yet you're already serving as an elder of a sect. Your cultivation realm is already quite high, too. Those are no easy feats."

The old man smiled as he placed the two wine jugs on the table. He casually tore open the seals and was about to hand a jug over when Wang Sheng smiled.

"I should first apologize, Senior. This wine is definitely the finest in the city, but I have another fine brew. Perhaps you would like it even more."

As he spoke, Wang Sheng took out two jugs of the secret brew that he had just acquired from Lishang.

The old man's eyes lit up. Not bothering to put on airs, he accepted the jug, lightly sipped from its mouth, and then sighed in satisfaction several times.

Such a manner of drinking was somewhat inelegant by nature, yet when he did it, he simply looked carefree and utterly natural.

That feeling...

It was as if every movement of the elder contained a wondrous Dao Rhythm. His words and actions all aligned with the Great Dao, making Wang Sheng strangely feel as though everything the old man did was precisely appropriate.

Wang Sheng could not help but chuckle bitterly. "Senior, your cultivation is truly profound. I didn't even notice that your Dao Rhythm was already influencing me. I have misjudged you earlier."

The old man's eyes squinted into a smile as he wiped the wine droplets from his beard. "You're quite perceptive. Would you like to form a friendship with me?"

"Of course. I only wonder whether you could tell me your esteemed name."

"Speaking my name brings either trouble or disaster. It's better that you do not know."

At that moment, several female cultivators holding food trays arrived on white clouds. They placed exquisite dishes onto the table, bowed in unison, and withdrew.

Since the old man was unwilling to tell, Wang Sheng naturally didn't dare press him. He lifted his cup in a toast, saying only that he hoped the elder would eat and drink well.

Wang Sheng wondered for a moment,

How do I figure out whether he's actually an expert of the Heavenly Court?

Unexpectedly, after taking a few more drinks, the old man sighed softly and asked, "What's your Daoist name?"

After a brief hesitation, Wang Sheng carefully answered, "Fei Yu."

The old man smiled, his eyes narrowing. "Oh? Is your surname Wang?"

Wang Sheng couldn't help but be surprised. "How did you know, Senior?"

The old man smiled smugly. He raised his right hand and shook it lightly, his fingers performing a brief calculation. "I know a bit of divination.

Mm...

let me see. If you are Wang Fei Yu, then this must be Mu Bu Yu. Your master is Qing Bu Yan, correct?"

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan both looked shocked.

The old man looked left and right, clearly finding their reactions immensely amusing. He took a sip of the Nuwa race's celestial wine, slapped the table, and sang. He then laughed. "Your master's naming is far too amusing. Bu Yan, Bu Yu, Fei Yu, Mo Yu. Why is everything about not speaking? Are you all competing with words?"

Amid the old man's loud laughter, Wang Sheng suddenly stood up with a solemn expression. He also pulled Mu Wanxuan along with him.

Wang Sheng flicked the hem of his Daoist robe and knelt straight down. "I, Disciple Wang Sheng, pay you my respects, Forefather!"

Kneeling to heaven and earth, to the forefathers, to one's master, and to one's parents. That was the rule and the proper rite of the Daoist tradition.

Mu Wanxuan remained utterly dazed. The old man abruptly stopped laughing and frowned at Wang Sheng as well.

How have I been exposed just like that?

The old man didn't dodge or hide. Instead, with clear interest, he asked, "How are you this clever? Get up then. Tell me, how did you see through me?"

Wang Sheng smiled bitterly. "Master Qing Yanzi has never left our homeland, and my junior brother Mo Yu is merely a small cultivator right now. I also don't believe all that much in the divination methods that you speak of, Senior."

"Our forefather once responded to the ancestral rites of the Pure Yang Sword Faction. Only he could have known the names of our sect's new disciples. Moreover, when I offered you celestial wine earlier, you immediately tried to give me a scripture, which suggests you already intended to grant me some benefit. Lastly, by focusing on carefully sensing your aura, I can tell that it shares the same source as my own."

The old man waved his hand. "Wonderful, wonderful! Sit down and have a few drinks with me."

"Yes, Forefather," Wang Sheng replied.

Instead of standing on ceremony, he sat down cross-legged once more. Mu Wanxuan obediently knelt to the side and took the initiative to pour wine for the forefather.

So he's Chun Yangzi?

She secretly observed him. The Heavenly Court's "prodigal" member, once famed for his handsome appearance and unrestrained flair, was now white-haired and weathered. Though he still showed traces of his carefree elegance, he now had a hint of disappointment and weariness.

Only now did the martial siblings realize that they had seen the old man's face several times before. Nevertheless, they failed to recognize his expressions and demeanor!

After drinking a few cups, the old man took out the scripture from his sleeve. He handed it to Wang Sheng with a smile. "Among my disciples and descendants, your Great Dao of Pure Yang is the most refined. Consider this your reward. Study it properly. If you can comprehend the profundity within it, you may one day make a name for yourself across the endless space and achieve renown as a true expert!"

With a solemn look, Wang Sheng accepted the scripture with both hands. When he lowered his head to look, he froze, then flipped through a few pages.

This is...!

It was about the Seven-Star Sword Formation, the very same one that he had been practicing since becoming Qing Yanzi's disciple. The mantras and techniques were identical down to the minute details.

The scripture further confirmed the old man's identity. After all, it contained Ziwei's actual Daoist heritage, which not everyone could simply produce.

As the last trace of doubt in Wang Sheng's heart completely disappeared, his lips curved into an embarrassed smile. "Forefather."

He opened his left hand, and a clear sword hum rang out from his palm. Countless starlight condensed into a sword phantasm and slowly rotated, making it seem as though an endless starry sky were gently unfolding.

Chun Yangzi was taken aback. "No, it can't be. Where did you learn that from? I thought the emperor entrusted that to me alone back then."

Wang Sheng said, "My master passed it down to me when I joined his sect."

"So that's how it is." Chun Yangzi laughed in embarrassment. "I really am getting old and muddled."

He casually took back the

Seven-Star Sword Formation

, then pulled out another scripture—the

Pure Yang True Explanation

!

Wang Sheng hurriedly accepted the scripture, opened it, and scanned a few lines. He discovered that it was a deeper extension built upon the

Pure Yang Immortal Mantra.

"Thank you so much, Forefather!"

"You little rascal! I gave you an actual immortal scripture, and you have the nerve to examine its legitimacy right in front of me?!"

Wang Sheng gave him an embarrassed smile. "I should at least know what you're giving me, Forefather. If I may be so bold, is it alright if one of your old friends joins us?"

"Oh?"

Chun Yangzi's expression turned more serious. He summoned a censer in his hand and placed it at the center of the table, causing an invisible ripple to sweep out and wrap around the table.

It was by no means a simple array. On the contrary, it made the martial siblings feel as if they had left the Three Realms and now existed separately from the Five Elements.

No matter what was said next, no traces of it would be left within the Great Dao.

Chun Yangzi said, "Where is this old friend of mine?"

Wang Sheng held out Spiritless. "Right here."

Immortal sword radiance surrounded the sword, transforming it into Yaoyun in a long dress. She gave the white-haired elder a complicated gaze.

Chun Yangzi's expression was filled with surprise. "Thirteenth?"

Yaoyun said softly, "

Mm.

"

She slowly knelt and sighed lightly, conveying all the bitterness in her heart. He was the same person, yet he was now white-haired. Moreover, though his presence was familiar, he seemed like a stranger to her now. There was no suffering in the world greater than this.

"What happened to you? Why did you turn into a sword?"

Calmly, Yaoyun asked, "What's wrong with that? At least I'm still alive. If not for this transformation, I would've just been a remnant soul meant to be extinguished. Now, I can sit here and meet an old acquaintance once more."

Judging by Yaoyun's attitude, she clearly wasn't lying when she said she disliked Chun Yangzi.

"Fair enough. All that matters is you survived."

Chun Yangzi downed the wine in his cup, and Mu Wanxuan hurriedly poured more wine for him.

Yaoyun frowned. "Hua Qing, switch seats with your junior brother. You are a dignified, righteous deity. You shouldn't be doing things like pouring wine and serving dishes."

Mu Wanxuan hesitated.

Astonished, Chun Yangzi questioned, "Hua Qing? Plant Goddess Hua Qing?"

Yaoyun's eyes filled with bitterness. "Yes, but her divine soul was already too severely damaged by the time she reincarnated. She ended up losing her previous life's memories. If you examine her carefully, you'll be able to sense it."

"This is... It really is you! I have been careless, my apologies."

Chun Yangzi cupped his hands toward Mu Wanxuan, then let out a light laugh.

"This is quite a strange fate. The goddess I once admired back then has unexpectedly become my great-grand disciple."

Yaoyun snorted softly in displeasure. Meanwhile, Mu Wanxuan looked flustered and unsure what to do. Hence, Wang Sheng quickly stood up and switched seats with his senior sister. Smiling warmly, he poured wine for the three former Heavenly Court members.

Afterward, Chun Yangzi looked Wang Sheng up and down a few times.

Plant Goddess Hua Qing's reincarnation accompanies him, and he uses a Heavenly Court princess as a sword. Moreover, he has my Pure Yang immortal arts and Emperor Ziwei's Daoist heritage. My own bloodline seems to have also undergone some inexplicable change...

Chun Yangzi's expression turned rather strange. Frowning, he asked, "And which old acquaintance is he? Has my Pure Yang lineage truly stumbled upon great fortune?"

Yaoyun calmly replied, "He has no relation to the Heavenly Court. Anyway, may I trouble you with one matter?"

"Thirteenth, why speak like that? Just give the order." Chun Yangzi sighed. "Back then, I promised Seventh and Ninth that I would take good care of you. I never thought that I'd fail to protect you properly during the great battle. I've always carried that regret in my heart."

Yaoyun smirked. "There is a celestial sect here called the Celestial Wind Sect. They insulted the Heavenly Court and bullied your great-grand disciple. Go and wipe them out, then come back and drink."

Celestial Wind Sect?

Chun Yangzi pressed his thumb against his other fingers to calculate, then fell into silence.