Eternal Tale

On the high platform, over a hundred gazes turned respectful. As expected of Elder Baiyu, well done! This scoundrel is too arrogant!

”Why are you two disciples late?”

Baiyu True Lord spoke calmly, his gaze steady as he looked at them. ”Have you ever heard the tale of Xuan Yuan Tianzun? When immortals listen to the Dao, even if it’s a Void Refinement junior speaking, respect is due.”

His words carried a weight of history, reminiscent of the time when Xuan Yuan Tianzun listened to a Void Refinement junior’s teachings, arriving earlier than all other cultivators.

Mu Qingyao and Nangong Heling blushed slightly, feeling at fault. With such a historical anecdote pressed upon them, they had no grounds for rebuttal.

Both bowed their heads, not daring to utter a word. Although Baiyu True Lord wasn’t strong in duels, his status in the academy was high.

In the grand world of cultivators, it’s not just about who is stronger or weaker; otherwise, how would they differ from starry sky thieves?

”What are your names, disciples?”

”Reporting to Elder, Mu Qingyao!”

”Nangong Heling...”Their voices were soft and gentle, like the chirping of birds in a secluded valley, leaving no impression of forcefulness, making it easy for others to feel favorable towards them.

Baiyu True Lord’s expression softened, satisfied with their attitude. ”Take your seats. This month’s teachings last three days. Considering you are new, I will spare half an hour for you.”

”Thank you, Elder Baiyu!” The two were delighted, quickly finding a spot near the flower bushes to sit, each more obedient than the other.

Baiyu True Lord nodded slightly, his eyes calm as he continued his teachings. However, his expression grew increasingly solemn, filled with respect for the grand history of immortals.

The surrounding disciples also became serene, their eyes reflecting contemplation.

Only Nangong Heling was still scribbling in a small notebook. Recording the elder’s teachings with an Image Stone was considered highly disrespectful.

Mu Qingyao felt drowsy, even wanting to enter meditation...

It was her first time finding the teachings so dull, as listening to immortal history offered no benefit to her cultivation.

She blinked and quietly sent a voice transmission, ”Heling, what are you writing?”

Little Crane glanced at Baiyu True Lord on the high platform and transmitted back to Mu Qingyao, ”Writing down insights, my eldest brother will check them.”

”What?”

Mu Qingyao’s sleepiness vanished. She couldn’t forget the imposing figure who led tens of thousands of sinful spirits to the distant immortal island. ”I see...”

She also had an elder brother at home, but he seemed a bit lacking compared to Heling’s brother, a figure from the thousand-year Immortal Prison... truly impressive.

Mu Qingyao suddenly became entranced. Little Crane glanced at her and resumed listening intently.

She was quite interested in immortal history, especially the rise of the human race, which fascinated her.

Nangong Heling never considered herself a tree, mainly because Chen Xun would often tell her, ”Your eldest brother is human; if you’re not human, what are you?!”

She firmly believed her brother’s words, considering her true form merely a magical artifact, independent of her existence.

At the foot of the mountain.

Feng Jinyu sat on the ground, eyes red, gazing up at the mountain. Three days of companionship shattered by a single sentence from Elder Baiyu?!!

”Such humiliation, an utter disgrace!”

Feng Jinyu cried out miserably, his expression gradually becoming serene. ”I’ll wait here for Heling. We can leave the academy once a year, and although we can’t leave the immortal island, there are plenty of good places on the outskirts.”

He chuckled foolishly, feeling that being by her side was enough, a chance not many disciples had.

”Oh, isn’t this the third young master of the Feng family?”

At that moment, a cold voice came from the side. It was a man, in the late-stage Transformation. ”Haven’t seen you in years, and you’re still sitting on the ground? Haha.”

”Xu Chen!” Feng Jinyu’s gaze turned cold as he slowly stood up. ”What, leaning on the Flood Dragon clan of the Eight Veins, and you’re all puffed up? Ridiculous!”

He flicked his robe with a sneer, his eyes full of disdain.

In the Mengmu Sea Region, both the Feng and Xu families were powerful cultivator families, but the Xu family had allied with the Flood Dragon clan, overshadowing the Feng family.

”Allied? You’re overthinking it; it’s a collaboration.”

Xu Chen’s eyes flashed with cold light, a fleeting look of anger on his face, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. ”I’ve heard you’ve been enamored with a woman these years, neglecting your cultivation.”

He glanced at the mountain, knowing full well what was being taught there, shaking his head at Feng Jinyu, his mockery evident.

”She’s my friend, Xu Chen. Speak with respect to this young master.”

”Or what?”

”A duel on the academy’s platform!”

Feng Jinyu’s aura turned sharp, dust swirling around him. ”Dare?!”

Xu Chen’s expression grew serious, a cold snort escaping him. ”It’s time you Feng family people understood the difference in the immortal path, you...”

”Xu Chen!”

Just as tensions were about to erupt, a woman in a white dress appeared, also in the late-stage Transformation. ”Come with me, there’s trouble in the secret realm.”

”Chi Ye!” Feng Jinyu’s eyes showed surprise. She had come to Dongxuan Dao Academy too, and her identity was no simple matter.

She glanced at Feng Jinyu, not recognizing him, with no intention of acknowledging him.

”Fellow Daoist Chi.” Xu Chen quickly bowed, his brow twitching.

”Don’t say more. We need your ’Heavenly Gang Divine Thunder’; there’s an evil presence there.”

Chi Ye’s demeanor was lofty, seemingly with some small faction influence within the academy. ”Just come with me.”

”Alright!” Xu Chen nodded, but still gave Feng Jinyu a cold snort, his eyes full of provocation.

”Xu Chen, did I say you could leave?!”

Feng Jinyu raised his hand, drawing a line on the ground like a blade. ”Insulting my friend, and you think you can just walk away with an excuse?!”

He stepped into the air, his aura surging, giving Chi Ye no face at all.

Chi Ye frowned. Feng Jinyu? She had never heard of such a person in the academy, so arrogant?

She spoke coldly, ”Fellow Daoist Feng, the matter is urgent. Please don’t block the way. Your grievances with Xu Chen can be settled later.”

”Feng Jinyu, have I been too lenient with you?!”

”You cur, I’ve long found you displeasing. Dare to fight?!”

Feng Jinyu shouted fiercely, a fierce wind rising, a terrifying spiritual pressure descending upon Xu Chen. ”Either apologize here or admit your mistake!”