Starting Cultivation During a Trip

”More than half of the Old City redevelopment projects in Yujing City are being handled by Xu Group—we represent Xu Group.”

”Xu Group!?”

Zhang Fan paused for a moment, then looked at Xu Zhixia in surprise. Although they had gone to university together for years, he never realized that Zhixia’s Xu was the same Xu as the Xu Group.

It was common knowledge that Xu Group was a renowned conglomerate in the south, with industries that touched virtually every aspect of ordinary people’s lives.

”What? Zhixia, you never told him? Seems your ex-boyfriend doesn’t know much.” Li Gaoyang glanced at Zhang Fan’s bewildered expression, his words tinged with mockery.

The implication was that Xu Zhixia’s feelings for Zhang Fan weren’t deep—just playing around, perhaps; not even willing to tell him the truth about herself.

”Zhang Fan, my family…” Xu Zhixia raised her eyebrows, hesitating to speak.

”I get it, it’s fine.” Zhang Fan waved it off, appearing indifferent.

Xu Group, on the surface, was an illustrious financial powerhouse; behind closed doors, however…

”It’s a direct lineage from Ancestor Xu of the Jingming Sect!” Zhang Fan mused to himself.

Ever since he left Zhenwu Mountain, venturing into the ’Night is not bright’ and gradually encountering the Daoist Jianghu, his horizons had broadened, and he learned of many hidden secrets unknown to most.

The Daoist tradition lasting until now, anyone bearing the title ’Ancestor’ must have reached the Pure Yang Infinite Realm, crossed the Three-Five Transformation, become an Earthly Immortal.

For example, Ancestor Master Chunyang—Ancestor Lv—or Quanzhen Dao’s Ancestor Qiu, and so on.

Besides those, the most famous are the so-called Four Great Celestial Masters: Zhang Daoling, Ge Hong, Sa Shoujian, and Xu Xun.

These ’Four Ancestors’ gained the title ’Celestial Master’ because most of their legends were at the Celestial Master level, but their real cultivation and achievements far exceeded that.

The so-called ’Ancestor Xu’ is Xu Xun among the Four Great Celestial Masters, founder of the Jingming Sect, most famous for slaying Flood Dragons.

Legend has it, Ancestor Xu was a Daoist of the Eastern Jin era, mastery of Divine Techniques unmatched, at the time when floods ravaged the land and the people suffered, Ancestor Xu led his disciples to roam the world, controlling the water disasters and personally slew ninety-nine rampaging Flood Dragons, earning great fame.

In later ages, whenever a technique to slay Flood Dragons or subdue Dragons is performed, one would surely invoke Ancestor Xu’s Divine Techniques. Even now, at many scenic sites, Dragon-locking Wells, Trapped Dragon Pools, the chains are inscribed with talismans left by Ancestor Xu.

The Xu Group descends directly from Ancestor Xu’s bloodline.

Though they kept a low profile and cultivated among mortals—unlike the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family, who claimed famous mountain abodes—they still held major authority in the Daoist world.

Much more prestigious than the Xiong Family or Wang Family of Yujing City.

Xu Zhixia was actually a descendant of Ancestor Xu, which genuinely surprised Zhang Fan.

Judging by appearances, her companion, Li Gaoyang, must hold a high status too and seemed closely connected to the Xu Family, no wonder he looked down on ordinary folks like Zhang Fan.

And they only claimed to be from Xu Group, never revealing the incense inheritance of Ancestor Xu’s lineage.

Which was reasonable, as in their eyes, Zhang Fan was just a regular person—the two belonged to different worlds. Even if they explained ’Daoist Sect’ or ’Ancestor Xu,’ Zhang Fan likely wouldn’t understand.

”Why don’t you come in with me?”

At that moment, Xu Zhixia’s voice pulled Zhang Fan’s thoughts back to reality.

”Zhixia…” Li Gaoyang frowned slightly as he heard this.

”I can make this call myself.”

Xu Zhixia glanced at Zhang Fan and smiled slightly, ”I can’t let you make an early-morning trip for nothing.”

”Uh… Thanks, then.” Zhang Fan nodded.

Originally, he planned to wait here for Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue, and then go in together.

”Let’s go.”

Xu Zhixia led the way, Li Gaoyang shot a sidelong glance, then followed closely behind, pushing Zhang Fan to the rear.

Entering the old residential district, every few meters someone stopped them for inspection, but fortunately, Xu Zhixia flashed her badge and they passed through without issue.

”Zhang Fan, did you live here when you were a kid?” Xu Zhixia asked without turning her head.

The narrow alley barely allowed two to walk side by side.

”Yeah, I lived here until I was twelve.” Zhang Fan nodded.

Though he’d been away for ten years, the place had hardly changed. Returning, ghostly fragments of memory flickered through Zhang Fan’s mind.

”I don’t recall you ever mentioning it.” Xu Zhixia said gently.

”Who’d want to admit living in a place like this?” Li Gaoyang sneered coldly.

Zhang Fan followed behind, staring at the back of the man’s head, eyes darkening, a sudden urge flashing to smack him.

”Gaoyang, if you’re going to keep talking like that, you can just go home.”

Xu Zhixia stopped, evidently unwilling to embarrass Zhang Fan further—a touch of irritation showing on her pretty face.

Li Gaoyang quickly softened his tone and soothed her, ”Alright, alright, since it’s your friend, I’ll keep quiet.”

”Zhang Fan, where’s your family’s old house?” Xu Zhixia looked past Li Gaoyang and turned her gaze to Zhang Fan.

”Just turn down that alley ahead, then left.”

Zhang Fan tried to recall, looking at the house numbers on the abandoned courtyards and slowly pieced it together.

”Let me walk you over.”

Xu Zhixia continued forward, ”Security here is a mess these days. If you’re not registered, they’ll probably throw you out as soon as you get there.”

”Thanks for the trouble.” Zhang Fan nodded.

Yesterday, he’d heard from Sui Chunsheng that officially there were experts evaluating the site, but actually the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance had taken over. Aside from other details, there were dozens of Daoists stationed around, with at least five High Skill-level cultivators among them.

Clearly, the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance took this matter seriously. After all, ’stealing Dragon Qi, robbing the Celestial Secret’ was no small thing. In ancient times, it could’ve spawned a Great Demon, plunging the mortal world into chaos.

”This is it.”

In front of a timeworn residence, a large tree stretched out from the courtyard, its lush shade spreading out.

The door was unlocked. Xu Zhixia pushed it open and entered; the courtyard was full of Daoists, the ragged doors and walls plastered with talismans…

In the center of the yard they’d set up a magic altar, incense rising, banners planted, everyone busy at work.

”Don’t mind… Anytime we break ground here, they have to pay some respect to these ’superstitions.’” Xu Zhixia turned to Zhang Fan, who stood behind her, and explained.

”Mm!? She’s here for the Dragon Qi theft as well.” Zhang Fan saw the look in Xu Zhixia’s eyes and understood all at once.

The Old City redevelopment was just a cover—maybe it was happening, but that wasn’t Xu Zhixia’s real purpose today.

”Who are you…”

”Xu Family’s people!?”

Just then, a woman walked out from the courtyard, looking at Xu Zhixia and Li Gaoyang beside her.

”Yes, I’m Xu Zhixia.”

”I’m Zhou Miaochan, in charge of this alley. The higher-ups have already been notified, but…”

Zhou Miaochan’s gaze swept over, spotting someone standing behind Xu Zhixia and Li Gaoyang.

”The paperwork says only you two are allowed in—why did you bring…”

Mid-sentence, Zhou Miaochan stopped, finally seeing the face of the person behind them.

”He’s my friend, used to live here, so…” Xu Zhixia tried to smooth things over.

”Friend or not, rules are rules. Don’t think just because you’re Xu Family, you can do whatever you want. This is Jiangnan Province…”

Just then, Zhou Miaoyu walked out, her tone sharp, directly snapping, ”Hurry up and get your friend out—”

At that very moment, Zhou Miaoyu’s words cut short; she glanced at her sister, both of them staring in shock, their eyes quivering, then looking past Xu Zhixia at the figure slowly emerging behind her.

”Miss Zhou, long time no see.” Zhang Fan greeted politely.

”Zhang Fan!?” Zhou Miaochan’s beautiful brows knitted in alarm, a hint of wariness and dread rising in her eyes.