“Master, the one you’re going to take in this time, is it a Junior Brother or a Junior Sister?”
Ye Chen looked utterly bewildered, his mind still catching up.
Lu Xuan chuckled. “I’ll keep that a secret for now. Just wait for me to get back.”
Instantly, Lu Xuan activated the Supreme Great Emperor Formation Pattern, a profound surge of Spatial Power enveloping him. He vanished from the spot, dissolving into a wisp of light breeze.
Watching Lu Xuan disappear, Ye Chen immediately turned to his Senior Sister. “Senior Sister, what did Master mean by that?”
Ji Fuyao’s beautiful face glowed with divine radiance. “Junior Brother Ye Chen, Azure Mystery Peak is about to welcome a new Junior Brother or Junior Sister.”
Ye Chen froze, completely stunned. What?
But then, realization dawned. Senior Sister was right! Master was too selfless, too detached from worldly affairs. His only Persistent Thought was cultivating peerless disciples. This was the only thing that could stir even a flicker of excitement in his supreme heart!
Ye Chen looked at Ji Fuyao with deep admiration. “Senior Sister, you truly understand Master best!”
Ji Fuyao smiled sweetly, continuing her cooking while addressing Ye Chen. “Junior Brother Ye Chen, while you wait for the meal, you should cultivate. In the pursuit of the Dao, one must never waste a single moment!”
Ye Chen nodded vigorously. Senior Sister was absolutely correct! Once the third Junior Brother or Junior Sister arrived, he would be the Second Senior Brother. He had to set an example. He wouldn't be the lazy, good-for-nothing Second Senior Brother of the tropes; he would be the diligent, upwardly mobile Second Senior Brother!
***
Baiya Prefecture.
On a completely unremarkable, unnamed mountain peak, a waterfall cascaded down its side. The spiritual woods were quiet. At the summit, a small clearing had been established, containing a thatched hut surrounded by a low fence. Inside the fence, a small, slightly neglected field showed the imagery: Grass abundant, seedlings sparse.
Outside, a fine drizzle began to fall.
Inside the hut, a plain-looking man in white robes sat cross-legged, an Ancient Zither resting before him. He plucked the strings lightly. The music was ethereal, yet tinged with discord, reflecting the heavy burden on the musician’s heart.
This man was Chen Changsheng.
His worries were immense. Since returning from Cloud State, he had been agonizing over how to meet Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan’s strength was terrifying; he needed extensive preparation—specifically, how to Run away at a moment’s notice.
After all, he harbored many secrets, and if exposed, the entire Southern Wilds would erupt. He didn't know how Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan would treat him. The worst-case scenario was Lu Xuan discovering his secrets and resorting to violence. How should he respond? The problems were endless, tangled up like a ball of yarn.
As he plucked the zither, watching the raindrops fall, his Transmission Jade Slip vibrated slightly. Chen Changsheng injected his divine sense.
The message, relayed by one of his puppet clones, detailed the Grand Dao Sect’s actions: After leaving Cloud State, they had gone to Yanzhou and, with thunderous speed, annihilated the Ancient Qin Family and all its subordinate forces. Afterward, Tianyuan Old Ancestor remained to clash fiercely with Nanchenzi, the Nine-star Great Emperor of the Supreme Profound Sect.
The battle shattered the land for a hundred miles, tearing the earth, drying up rivers, and evaporating underground streams—it was terrifying beyond measure!
Subsequently, Tianyuan Old Ancestor demanded the death of Pill Saint Yunyang, but Nanchenzi issued a chilling threat: “If you dare to kill Pill Saint Yunyang, I will kill Lu Xuan, Ji Fuyao, and Ye Chen!”
Ultimately, both men withdrew. They were evenly matched, both wielding Nine-star Emperor Weapons, making it impossible for either to crush the other. After half a day of intense fighting, Nanchenzi and Tianyuan Old Ancestor departed.
The people of Yanzhou sighed over the hundred miles of shattered land, but they were helpless.
Chen Changsheng put away the Transmission Jade Slip and carefully pondered the details of the message, muttering to himself.
“The Ancient Qin Family had secured the Supreme Profound Sect’s promised protection, yet the Grand Dao Sect still wiped them out! This clearly shows a fundamental shift in the Grand Dao Sect’s approach.”
“The Grand Dao Sect used to be reclusive and extremely low-profile. They didn't even participate in the opening of several Supreme Paths, leading the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds to believe they were in decline. But now, the Grand Dao Sect is acting with lightning speed and decisive ruthlessness, as if the sect itself has undergone a complete personality change…”
“Wait a moment. The root of all this doesn't seem to lie with the Grand Dao Sect, but with... Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan!”
A flash of lightning seemed to strike Chen Changsheng's mind as he grasped the crucial point. Lu Xuan was the one secretly changing the Grand Dao Sect!
“Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan took his first disciple, Ji Fuyao, just a few months ago, after seven years of silence, and things immediately spiraled out of control! The Grand Dao Sect’s current troubles are all caused by Lu Xuan!”
In that instant, Chen Changsheng felt a renewed sense of terror. Lu Xuan was the one driving the Grand Dao Sect’s momentum and the entire fate of the Southern Wilds!
“For example, when Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan transmitted his voice across the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds—was that merely a transmission? No! Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan intentionally woke up the Emperor-tier Magnates of the Southern Wilds, accelerating the arrival of the Great Era and the bloody conflict! Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan is terrifying. He is the Layout Planner of the Southern Wilds, the Chess Player controlling the board of all living beings, secretly stirring up the winds and clouds, dictating the rise and fall of Overlord-level Powers.”
Chen Changsheng sighed, the more he thought about it, the more mysterious Lu Xuan became. “To use the populace of the Three Thousand States of the Southern Wilds as chess pieces—what a grand scheme, Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan!”
It seemed he needed to be even more cautious when meeting Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan.
With this thought, Chen Changsheng continued to pluck the zither, his gaze distant. The most pressing matter now was not gaining the Longevity Opportunity from Lu Xuan, but figuring out how to Run away instantly if disaster struck!
***
In a flash, Lu Xuan Traversing the Void, heading toward Chen Changsheng’s location.
The System’s voice rang in his ear.
“Ding! Host’s second disciple is cultivating! Beginning cultivation synchronization!”
A surge of pure spiritual energy rushed through Lu Xuan’s body, leaving him feeling utterly relaxed and comfortable.
He was slightly surprised. Wasn't he waiting for dinner? Why is Ye Chen cultivating already? He really doesn't waste a single moment. What a good disciple!
Suddenly, Lu Xuan sneezed. He frowned slightly. Which Birdman is discussing my handsomeness in secret?
In the next instant, Lu Xuan descended upon the unnamed mountain in Baiya Prefecture. He heard the faint, ethereal zither music, tinged with a delicate sadness.
The mountain peak was bathed in the faint sunlight filtering through the drizzle, the sky a clear azure.
Lu Xuan was in high spirits. Everything indicated he was about to acquire his third disciple!
He slowly landed on the summit, listening to the zither music, and walked toward Chen Changsheng’s thatched hut, humming softly.
“A zither in the distance, mournful and ethereal, every note summoning the rain, a trickling of heart secrets, spoken only to oneself…”
Chen Changsheng paused, startled. The words perfectly matched his current state of mind.
His divine sense swept out, and he saw Lu Xuan walking toward the hut.
Chen Changsheng’s first instinct was to Run away!
What the hell is going on?
He wasn't ready! Why had Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan come here so suddenly? Couldn't he have given some advance notice? This sudden intrusion felt extremely abrupt.
However, Chen Changsheng didn't move. Since Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan had arrived, he would remain calm. Moreover, if Lu Xuan could find him in Baiya Prefecture, he must have known of his existence since the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm.
Perhaps an honest, heart-to-heart discussion was the best policy.
With this thought, Chen Changsheng put away the Ancient Zither, rose slowly, and bowed respectfully toward Lu Xuan. “Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan, this is but a humble dwelling. Your presence honors us!”
Lu Xuan smiled faintly. Old Third, Old Third. You still want to call me ‘Fellow Daoist’ at a time like this?
He returned the greeting with a slight nod. He decided not to mention discipleship yet, as it might scare Chen Changsheng away. He would try to 'subdue the enemy without fighting' first.
If he could recruit this disciple just by having a chat, that would be the best outcome! Although he already had a premonition that he might ultimately have to 'subdue him with virtue'—the System had given him the Eight-star Great Emperor Experience Card, which lasted three days, after all. That implied the difficulty would be extraordinary. This recruitment might be a long, drawn-out battle.
But that was a concern for later. First, courtesy before force!
Soon, Lu Xuan and Chen Changsheng sat cross-legged inside the thatched hut. They looked at each other in silence, like familiar strangers.
Chen Changsheng instantly felt that Lu Xuan was incredibly deep and strategically brilliant.
For a moment, Chen Changsheng didn't speak, and Lu Xuan didn't speak. They simply stared at each other.
After a tense silence, Chen Changsheng finally couldn't bear it and asked indirectly, “Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan, you know everything, don't you?”
The question was vague, but Lu Xuan understood perfectly. He was asking about everything Chen Changsheng had done, from the Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm to the annihilation of the Heavenly Net Hall in Cloud State.
Lu Xuan nodded faintly. “The Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm, Luo Yangtian’s ambush, the Cloud State incident... you were present for all of it, weren't you?”
Chen Changsheng’s gaze deepened, filled with admiration. Lu Xuan had indeed discovered him long ago! Simply terrifying! Most importantly, Lu Xuan had known but never questioned him until now. This showed immense sincerity!
Thinking this, Chen Changsheng cut straight to the chase. “Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan, why have you come today?”
Lu Xuan looked serene, like a transcendent sage. “I came today, Fellow Daoist, to Discuss the Dao!”
Discussing the Dao! Chen Changsheng’s interest was immediately piqued. Discussing the Dao was certainly acceptable! Especially if they were discussing the Dao of Longevity, he would wholeheartedly agree!
Lu Xuan took out a jar of Azure Nether Celestial Water and two Ancient Stone Cups. He poured them full, smiling faintly. “The friendship between Fellow Daoists is as pure as water. I invite you to drink. We must finish this pot today.”
Chen Changsheng’s face twitched, confused. Discussing the Dao was one thing, but why drink water?
But Lu Xuan had already pushed one of the Ancient Stone Cups toward him. Without waiting, Lu Xuan lifted his cup and drank it down in one gulp. Tastes like nothing. Ordinary.
Chen Changsheng looked into the cup and his pupils constricted. He gasped, “Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan, this is Azure Nether Celestial Water!”
Azure Nether Celestial Water! This was a legendary Heaven and Earth Wonder, born in mysterious places, saturated with the ultimate ‘Dao and Essence’ and ‘Heaven and Earth Principles.’ Every drop was priceless! Many Overlord-level Powers in the Southern Wilds likely didn't possess even a single cup!
Yet, Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan had an entire pot! And he claimed they must finish it today! This was simply too extravagant!
Chen Changsheng was utterly stunned. To casually offer Azure Nether Celestial Water—just how terrifying was Lu Xuan’s true foundation?
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, looking at Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then drank it down in one gulp. It was smooth going down, but this was Azure Nether Celestial Water! If the Emperor-tier Magnates of the Southern Wilds knew, they would be heartbroken! Drinking it like this was simply wasting a heavenly treasure!
Instantly, a profound, mysterious aura surged from Chen Changsheng’s body. The obscure energy of the Heaven and Earth Principles manifested around him. His figure became even more ethereal, as if transcending this world and aligning with the Heavenly Dao. Lu Xuan felt an indescribable sensation.
Lu Xuan found himself unable to perceive Chen Changsheng’s cultivation! He felt extremely strange. He asked the System what was going on, but his Insight Eye seemed to be covered in a layer of mist. It felt like a fake eye, not a true one.
The System remained deliberately silent, mysterious as ever.
Lu Xuan’s face twitched. Fine, whatever. This makes things more interesting, doesn't it?
Chen Changsheng entered a state of profound enlightenment. A stick of incense burned. An hour passed.
...
Half a day later, Chen Changsheng slowly opened his eyes, a look of satisfaction on his face. He bowed respectfully toward Lu Xuan. “Thank you, Fellow Daoist.”
He had gained much this time, but he felt that, before Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan, his gains were insignificant.
Chen Changsheng moved his consciousness, retrieving a small bundle of spiritual tea from his Storage Ring. He smiled. “Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan, this is 8,200-year-old Enlightenment Spirit Tea I acquired from an Ancient Inheritance Secret Realm. Let us drink tea while we Discuss the Dao!”
Lu Xuan took the tea and immediately stuffed the entire bundle into the pot of remaining Azure Nether Celestial Water. He shook it vigorously, mixing it all together.
Chen Changsheng stared, aghast. “This…”
The value of this spiritual tea was far less than the Azure Nether Celestial Water! He had just wasted a pot of Azure Nether Celestial Water like that?
He was truly stunned. Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan was showing him too much respect! Chen Changsheng felt slightly embarrassed.
Lu Xuan quickly poured them both another cup. Chen Changsheng gestured. “Fellow Daoist, please.”
Lu Xuan drank it down, even chewing the Enlightenment Spirit Tea leaves. Eh... no feeling. Still ordinary.
Chen Changsheng asked curiously, “Fellow Daoist, did you achieve enlightenment?”
Lu Xuan paused. Enlightenment? Of what? Nothing.
But Lu Xuan put on a look of profound realization. “I have achieved enlightenment.”
Chen Changsheng nodded, taking a shallow sip, and asked expectantly, “Fellow Daoist, what Dao shall we discuss?”
Lu Xuan’s gaze was distant. “The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. Naturally, we discuss the Dao of Longevity and the Dao of Life and Death!”
Chen Changsheng rubbed his nose. Sure enough. They had found common ground in this niche pursuit!
Lu Xuan pointed to the drizzle outside the hut and spoke slowly. “Look at this rain. Born in the heavens, falling to the earth—that is the rain’s entire life. Life and death are but a fleeting moment.”
Chen Changsheng froze, repeating Lu Xuan’s words. “Look at this rain, born in the heavens, falling to the earth—that is the rain’s entire life…”
Infinite profound mystery was hidden within this sentence! It was incredibly subtle and wondrous! Truly worthy of Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan! A single sentence was astonishing!
This sentence was indeed related to life, death, and Longevity. The rain's birth and fall were like a human life—the blink of an eye. Wonderful! Wonderful!
This was the rain’s destiny, and it was man’s destiny. The life and death of a cultivator were but a fleeting moment, an instant.
But the key was: How to break this destiny?
Chen Changsheng pondered deeply, then asked, “Fellow Daoist Lu Xuan, how do you suggest we break this cycle of fate?”