Chapter 259: Great Saint Qianhuan
"No, the visitor is Chu Feng, a newly advanced Half-Saint from Wendao Academy,"
Mo Qi explained, fully aware of how much dissatisfaction Bai Tao held toward that person from Wendao Academy.
"Hmm?"
Bai Tao looked at the four clan elders with doubt on his face and said in disbelief, "The four of you actually lost to a freshly advanced Half-Saint?"
Sigh…
Great Sage Lei Shu let out a long sigh. "Even now, I still find it hard to believe, but we truly lost—and it was a crushing defeat…"
He didn't try to conceal anything and told Bai Tao all about the events of that day.
Hiss…
Bai Tao's expression shifted from anger to doubt, and finally to shock.
He knew very well that the four clan elders wouldn't go easy on anyone. Among the Qingqiu fox clan, these four were renowned for caring deeply about their reputation—hence why they were entrusted to guard the four trials.
"After hearing all this, I really want to meet that guy. As for Master, I'll go report it right away."
Mo Qi said, "We've already delivered the message. If you want to meet Fellow Daoist Chu, you can see him at any time."
Bai Tao nodded and then turned around, heading toward the secluded cultivation chamber of Great Saint Qianhuan.
The four great sages didn't linger—they turned and left.
After arriving in the village, Chu Feng spent each day exchanging knowledge with the four great sages in turn, leading a rather pleasant life.
Seven days later—
Mo Qi brought good news: Great Saint Qianhuan had summoned Chu Feng to his mountain cave dwelling.
Chu Feng agreed without hesitation and followed the four great sages toward the cave.
Jinchi Diao Wang, Bing Yan, and the others remained at the residence, waiting for Chu Feng's return.
A short while later—
Chu Feng and his group arrived outside the cave dwelling of Great Saint Qianhuan. The moment he landed, he felt a gaze fixed on him.
He looked toward the source and saw a handsome fox clansman carefully examining him.
Mo Qi immediately made introductions. "Fellow Daoist Chu, this is Bai Tao, the disciple of Great Saint Qianhuan. You could say he's your senior brother."
Since Chu Feng was a personal disciple of the old man, there was nothing inaccurate in that introduction.
Chu Feng stepped forward with a smile and cupped his hands. "Chu Feng greets Senior Brother Bai."
The moment Bai Tao remembered that this guy was the disciple of that man, his expression fell. "I dare not accept that title of senior brother. Besides, your strength surpasses mine."
Though he showed no warmth, when he examined Chu Feng just now, he had sensed a depth unfathomable. That kind of pressure—he had only ever felt it from his master.
Chu Feng continued smiling. He had no idea what the old man had done to this youth in the past, but as a disciple, it was fine to shoulder a bit of his master's burden.
Mo Qi quickly stepped in to ease the tension. "Bai Tao, the old ancestor is still waiting. Don't throw a tantrum here."
Only then did Bai Tao remember his master's earlier instructions: not to be discourteous to this man.
"This way."
"After you, Senior Brother," Chu Feng said with a warm smile.
Mo Qi added, "Fellow Daoist Chu, we won't accompany you inside."
"Many thanks to all four seniors."
Chu Feng gave his thanks and followed behind Bai Tao.
One human and one demon—one ahead, one behind—walked into a cave that looked plain on the outside.
After passing through the entrance, Chu Feng realized it was an entirely different world inside.
The entire cave dwelling was filled with immortal energy, and faint melodies of string and bamboo instruments echoed within.
Bai Tao whispered, "Kid, once we go in, don't go looking around aimlessly. If you anger Master, no one will be able to save you."
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother."
Chu Feng responded politely, all the while observing the cave's interior. To his surprise, the decor here was identical to the secluded cultivation chamber behind Miaomiao Mountain that the old man used.
Hiss…
Was it the old man who had been here before, or had Qianhuan—no, master's wife—been to Miaomiao Mountain?
After crossing a small arched bridge, they soon arrived outside a pavilion.
Chu Feng looked up and saw a breathtakingly beautiful woman seated at a stone table, playing the zither.
The moment he saw her, he bowed and said, "Disciple Chu Feng greets master's wife."
That sentence immediately enraged Bai Tao. He couldn't help but shout, "How dare you!"
"Tao'er, have you forgotten how I usually teach you?"
The elegant woman in the pavilion rebuked him with a light but firm tone.
"Disciple acknowledges his mistake."
Though Bai Tao spoke the words, he felt deeply unwilling in his heart.
Great Saint Qianhuan waved her hand. "Tao'er, you may leave."
"Yes."
Although Bai Tao didn't want to leave, in the end he still obeyed.
"Where is your master?"
Great Saint Qianhuan glanced at Chu Feng and asked indifferently.
"He has passed away," Chu Feng replied.
At that moment, he felt a terrifying pressure descend over the entire cave.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"
Great Saint Qianhuan's voice was filled with overwhelming fury.
Chu Feng was stunned. What on earth was going on? Could she still harbor resentment born of love?
"Raise your head."
Her tone became icy.
Chu Feng lifted his head and looked straight at Great Saint Qianhuan. "What instruction does master's wife have?"
She said, "You should know—before a Saint, there are no lies. I won't ask a second time."
Chu Feng felt a chill down his spine. "Master's wife, master really has gone far, far away. He said he likely wouldn't see me again in this life. The day after saying that, I never saw him again. If he didn't pass away, what—did he ascend to the heavens?"
Great Saint Qianhuan: "…"
Silence. The cave was steeped in stillness. She didn't probe into Chu Feng's thoughts, but she could tell this boy wasn't lying.
"Before he said that, did he leave any other message?" she asked.
Chu Feng tilted his head and thought for a moment. "No. He just told me to study more. Pity I ended up reading even more than he did, so I eventually stopped."
She asked again, "Then who told you to come take Qianqian away?"
"It was the Dean, senior," Chu Feng replied truthfully.
Great Saint Qianhuan said, "Very well. Since he made the decision, then after a few more days, you may take Qianqian to Wendao Academy. But you must agree to one condition."
"Please speak, master's wife," Chu Feng said.
She continued, "Qianqian may go with you, but until she undergoes Nirvana, she must not take a Dao companion, and must preserve her primordial yin body."
Chu Feng found the condition odd but nodded anyway. "No problem."
"That's all. You may go."
With a wave of her hand, Great Saint Qianhuan dismissed him.
"Master's wife, this disciple takes his leave."
Chu Feng bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
He had only taken a few steps when her voice came again from behind:
"One more thing. If you see your master again, tell him to stop hiding. What's past is past."
???
Chu Feng's face was full of question marks, but he still responded, "Understood, master's wife."
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 2 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 32 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise