Starting Cultivation During a Trip

”You should be well aware of what happened in Qin Ancient Town,” Li Yishan said, looking at Zhang Fan.

”Your South Zhang still has experts alive.”

The three Celestial Masters died in Qin Ancient Town. Such a huge event could be kept from ordinary people, but the Wuwei Sect naturally has special channels of intelligence.

”The reaction within the Wuwei Sect is significant,” Li Yishan stated solemnly.

”The relationship between our family and your South Zhang is too complicated.”

Back then, the South Zhang lineage was determined to use the entire clan’s strength to produce a master who had perfected the [Three Corpses Illuminating Fate] skill to ascend to the position of the Wuwei Sect Leader and end centuries of enmity and disputes.

”The enmity between the Wuwei Sect and Dragon Tiger Mountain is as deep as the ocean, and you still have such ambitions. South Zhang is finished, but those holding onto such ambitions are not...” Li Yishan spoke gravely.

”Moreover, now that I’ve taken the Human Xiao Great Position, they fear...”

”They fear that another Three Corpses Daoist will emerge from the embers of South Zhang?!” Zhang Fan interjected.

”Yes!” Li Yishan nodded.

The relationship between their two families is indeed too close.

Li Cunsi and Zhang Lingzong knew each other from a young age and were close as siblings.

Later, the sisters Li Linglong and Li Linglang married Zhang Lingzong and Li Cunsi, respectively, making them even closer relatives.

Now, Li Yishan has taken the Human Xiao Great Position, while Zhang Fan not only cultivated the [Divine Demon Holy Embryo] but also dabbled in the [Three Corpses Illuminating Fate]. Their paths are very similar to those of their elders, perhaps even going further.

”Originally, we could maintain a semblance of stability and harmony,” Li Yishan continued.

After all, he is Human Xiao, and Jiang Yunxian has succeeded as the Lord of the Profound Palace.

On the surface, everyone is a Wuwei Sect member. He even dined with Ming Shenshou, all seemingly in harmony.

Ming Shenshou gave this big nephew a big red envelope.

The Lord of the Red Palace even intended to go to the Divine Power Association to select a Divine Technique for Li Yishan as a gift.

However, the incident in Qin Ancient Town caused intense unease among the higher-ups.

”There’s another extremely important reason for their actions,” Li Yishan suddenly said.

”What?” Zhang Fan asked.

”They’re secretly grooming a Preparatory Sect Leader,” Li Yishan whispered.

”Preparatory Sect Leader?!” Zhang Fan’s eyebrows twitched.

”Without a leader, it’s a scattered mess. If one day the Daoist Sect comes to break mountains and attack temples again, who will they listen to?”

A snake can’t function without a head. Throughout history, only the true Wuwei Sect Leader can truly lead the Wuwei Sect.

Human Xiao, as the Three Corpses Guardian, if the will can’t remain highly unified, it will be an impediment.

Back then, before the Three Corpses Daoist ascended to the Wuwei Sect Leadership, he not only faced a siege from the Daoist Sect but also encountered resistance from within the Wuwei Sect.

It was through his own effort, recruiting the Thirteen Zodiacs, mastering the [Three Corpses Illuminating Fate], that he stabilized his position and earned the title of the best master under heaven later.

”The Three Corpses Daoist also had competitors back then,” Li Yishan spoke with a concentrated tone.

”Nowadays, they’re already secretly grooming a Preparatory Sect Leader, and it’s been going on for a long time.”

Hearing this, Zhang Fan’s brows furrowed slightly, recalling the mysterious Primordial Spirit seen practicing the [Divine Splitting Technique] that day in the Tai Sui Temple in Tai Sui Village.

”Preparatory Sect Leader?!” Zhang Fan mused.

”Zhang Fan!”

Just then, a familiar voice echoed in the restaurant, pulling Zhang Fan’s thoughts back.

Zhang Fan looked up to see Meng Qiwu approaching, with Qin Ergou by her side.

After experiencing various changes, refining the [Purple Electric Toad], and visiting Luoying Mountain, Qin Ergou was now entirely transformed, his divine light restrained, Primordial Spirit forming, achieving a high-level realm.

”Brother Fan!”

Qin Ergou approached, greeted Zhang Fan, but his eyes involuntarily settled on Li Yishan.

Without many words, being the [Xu Dog], he instantly sensed the formidable presence of the man before him.

The faint pressure seemed instinctual.

”Xu Dog? Zhang Fan, the new hire you recruited for me is good,” Li Yishan’s eyes lit up, smiling.

Qin Ergou was too unique. Back in [Toad Treasure Mountain], he had endless opportunities, fishing Toad Qi, swallowing Dragon Vein, inheriting the Northern Emperor Technique, later training in Zhongnan Mountain and obtaining the Dharma Lineage of the Profound Sect, not to mention he recently refined an Innate Treasure.

Now, stepping into the high-level realm was a culmination of preparation, favored by the heavens.

”Human Xiao!”

Before Qin Ergou could speak, Meng Qiwu interjected, her expression serious, eyes fixed intently on Li Yishan. It was hard to imagine that this seemingly carefree young man was the famed Human Xiao.

”Miss Meng... Have a seat. I’ve heard about you from Zhang Fan, shall we add each other on WeChat?” Li Yishan said with a smile, opening the QR code.

”...”

Meng Qiwu was momentarily speechless but still took out her phone.

”What’s the situation outside now?” Zhang Fan asked.

He had been in Chang’an for two days, wanting to observe.

After all, with Human Xiao breaking through and the appearance of the South Zhang leader, such a significant matter, the Wang Family should give the Daoist Alliance and Shangjing an explanation.

”So far, things seem calm. It’s just unknown how the Wang Family explained it to the Daoist Alliance,” Meng Qiwu said solemnly.

”However, I did receive some news.”

”What?”

”Han Wenlong is dead.”

”Dead?” Zhang Fan paused, remembering he was a disciple sent by White Crane Temple to supervise in Chang’an, the junior of Yan Fei.

Pity those two, one died at Rosen’s hands, the other didn’t perish amidst the chaos of Luoying Mountain, yet now he’s gone!? ”

”He died on the way back to Shangjing, suddenly, with even his Primordial Spirit gone. On the surface, it’s said to be overwork... The Wang Family’s explanation is that it was the handiwork of the Wuwei Sect,” Meng Qiwu said, looking towards Li Yishan.

Zhang Fan also looked over.

”Why are you looking at me? I don’t even know this... what’s his name? Han Dizong’s people.”

”Who is he?” Li Yishan asked.

”Now the Wang Family can provide Shangjing an explanation,” Zhang Fan said with meaning.

...

Shangjing City.

Immortal Concealment Road 273, Daoist Alliance Headquarters.

”Chairman, the Wang Family in Chang’an sent word that Human Xiao hasn’t appeared,” Yue Cangfeng said, looking at the compiled intelligence in his hands, his expression slightly tense.

”Also, both Yan Fei and Han Wenlong met with misfortune...”

”The Wang Family suggests it was the method of the Wuwei Demon, and they are pursuing it wholeheartedly.”

”Additionally, Rosen not only lost control but is missing. The Wang Family’s message is that this child’s potential danger is too great to trust.”

As he spoke, Yue Cangfeng’s brow furrowed deeply.

”Chairman, the Wang Family is being deceitful. Our people clearly detected unusual activity in Luoying Mountain. The night before last, there were traces of Celestial Master-level activities there...”

By the desk, Jiang Wansui adjusted his thick presbyopic glasses, placing down the file in his hand.

”And your conclusion?”

”I’ve already mandated the local Daoist Alliance to investigate,” Yue Cangfeng said coldly.

Evidently, the Wang Family was hiding something; their attempt to shirk responsibility was as clear as day, vastly different from the intelligence and deductions shared by White Crane Temple.

”No need,” Jiang Wansui shook his head.

”No need?”

”After all, it’s the Ancestral Master Chongyang’s Dharma Lineage. I trust them,” Jiang Wansui said lightly.

”Just send someone to find Rosen. He’s a good kid.”

”But...” Yue Cangfeng’s expression changed subtly.

Trust?

He could see the problem. Could Jiang Wansui, as the helmsman of the Daoist Alliance Headquarters, not see it?

”Enough. If we can’t trust our fellow Daoists, who can we trust? Let this matter rest,” Jiang Wansui said, lowering his head and resuming his perusal of the documents on his desk, a thick stack of materials beside him, on top of which was a personal file with a white passport photo attached, and the name field prominently displayed:

Zhang Fan!