Chapter 315: Xu Caichen Revisits an Old Place
"If you insist on taking it seriously, we guardians really are little more than ornaments. Of course, if Xiao Chen asks me to do something, I will never refuse—even serving as his attendant would be fine."
Great Sage Yishan's tone was completely earnest, with none of the aloofness expected of a Great Sage. Instead, he sounded like a loyal old servant.
This manner and tone left Great Sage Jiaoyang momentarily stunned. If she had not already investigated and confirmed that Chief Chu's strength surpassed her own, she might have felt the urge to show the Miscellaneous Dao Institute just what she could do.
Yishan, naturally aware of her doubts, spoke slowly. "When I first followed Xiao Chen, I was only a mere Nirvana cultivator. In less than ten years by his side, I hardly ever had to act.
He took me to a single ruin, and I broke through to Half-Saint. Tell me, where else in this world could you find work this easy?"
Silence.
A heavy stillness hung in the air.
Although Jiaoyang's expression stayed calm, inside she was awash with shock. If not for maintaining her lofty image, she would have blurted out—old man, your luck is outrageous!
Yishan continued, "If senior sister is curious about the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, observing the disciples' cultivation tomorrow will answer your questions."
Jiaoyang quickly collected herself and smiled faintly. "Thank you for the guidance, junior brother. I know what to do. Farewell."
"Farewell."
Yishan watched her figure fade away, thinking: I hope this senior sister from the Holy Court knows her place—otherwise, Senior Brother Chu will not be lenient.
Jiaoyang found a random spot to sit and rest. Several hours later, footsteps entered her divine sense's range.
She followed the sound with her sense and saw Cao Youqian striding toward her with a swagger that seemed to acknowledge no one.
Does this brat always look so infuriating?
While she was still wondering, Cao Youqian found a spot and began his daily cultivation.
He first ran through every fist technique he had ever learned, then began practicing Taiji.
This left Jiaoyang puzzled—how did this boy learn such a complicated mix of skills?
As the Cao family's ancestor, she naturally did not want to see her descendant stray from the right path, and instinctively she prepared to step out from hiding.
But the words Yishan had spoken earlier resurfaced in her mind.
Forget it. I'll just watch for now.
As Cao Youqian slowly moved through his Taiji forms, a yin-yang Taiji diagram manifested behind him.
This… this boy's punches were resonating with heaven and earth!
Seeing this, all of Jiaoyang's earlier displeasure and doubt vanished instantly.
I underestimated him. It's a good thing I listened to Yishan—otherwise, I'd be the one embarrassed now.
I wonder how the other disciples of Wendao Academy cultivate?
Leaving Cao Youqian, Jiaoyang went on to observe the other disciples of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
By the time she had finished, she was stunned—every disciple's training appeared ordinary, yet each movement contained the principles of heaven and nature.
No wonder these youths could achieve so much at such a young age.
Chief Chu truly was an extraordinary man. How did he cultivate himself?
Although curiosity stirred in her heart, reason kept her from pursuing it—peeking into another's cultivation method was a grave taboo.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
Chu Feng's group had packed their belongings and were ready to depart. Before leaving, he informed the dean.
The dean said little. For something as minor as visiting a secular kingdom, he naturally would not pry.
The Wu Kingdom lay ten thousand li from Wendao Academy. With their artifact flight, the group arrived in a single day.
Upon reaching Wu Kingdom territory, they chose not to fly openly but instead rode horses toward the capital city, Lin'an.
Along the way, Chu Feng took in the local customs and scenery. Compared to the ancient kingdoms he had seen in dramas from his previous life, there was little difference.
From time to time, they even passed a few low-level cultivators on the road, most of them below the Dao Foundation realm.
Everyone took in the atmosphere of the mortal world, and the conversation soon shifted to Xu Caichen.
Cao Youqian asked, "Junior Brother Xu, back then, how long did it take you to travel from this small Wu Kingdom to Wendao Academy?"
Xu Caichen replied, "Three years. Along the way, there were kind-hearted cultivators who gave me a ride, especially when I met Xiao Zhuo. Hero Yan helped us a great deal. I wonder if I'll ever meet him again in this lifetime."
Chu Feng said, "If you wish, spend some merit points, and you can certainly find him."
Hearing this, Xu Caichen's eyes lit up, and he muttered, "Once I've settled this matter, I'll post a missing person notice at the Foreign Affairs Court."
Chu Feng did not continue the topic and casually asked, "Caichen, how much farther until we reach the capital of Wu Kingdom?"
Xu Caichen replied, "Master, from here it's still over a thousand li to the capital. With these fine steeds, if we don't push them hard, it will take about three days."
Chu Feng responded calmly, "Then we'll take our time."
"Alright."
Everyone agreed and continued chatting, not in any hurry.
Unknowingly, the sun was already setting, and they were still in the wilderness.
Chu Feng swept the area with his divine sense and found a dilapidated temple.
Although the temple was in ruins, there was no trace of demonic or yin energy within.
A closer probe revealed three large characters on the entrance plaque—Lanruo Temple.
At that moment, Xiao Zhuo, who was riding with Xu Caichen, spoke up. "Husband, do you still remember this place?"
Xu Caichen smiled. "Of course. Just ahead is Lanruo Temple. If I hadn't been robbed by bandits back then and forced to stay there, perhaps we would never have met in this lifetime."
Xiao Zhuo said, "Then let's revisit our old place. Who knows, we might even meet Hero Yan again—then you won't have to keep wondering about him."
Xu Caichen's eyes brightened, and he turned to the group. "Master, fellow disciples, one li ahead is Lanruo Temple—the place where Xiao Zhuo and I pledged ourselves to each other."
Cao Youqian chuckled. "Then we must go take a look."
"Let's all go," the others said, letting Xu Caichen lead the way.
A short while later, they arrived outside Lanruo Temple.
Everyone dismounted, leading their horses inside.
As soon as Chu Feng stepped through the gate, he sensed an aura at the Divine Transformation realm. Beside him, Xu Caichen called out loudly without hesitation.
"Hero Yan! Hero Yan!"
Before his voice faded, a hearty laugh came from the distance.
"Hahaha… Xu Caichen, you rascal, what brings you back to Lanruo Temple?"
With the voice came a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man with a full beard.
Seeing the newcomer, Xu Caichen smiled. "I was passing through on my way back to Lin'an and thought I'd check whether you were still here. I didn't expect to actually find you. How have you been these years?"
Hero Yan nodded. "I wandered around several nearby kingdoms over the years but found that nothing suited me as well as Lanruo Temple, so I came back. By the way, who are these people?"
Xu Caichen smiled knowingly. "Hero Yan, I forgot to introduce you—this is my master, and the others are my fellow disciples."
Before setting out, Chu Feng had reminded them not to reveal their identities lightly while outside, so Xu Caichen kept the introduction brief.
However, Yan Chixia was a seasoned wandering cultivator, and at a glance he could tell Xu Caichen's group was extraordinary. Most of all, Xu Caichen himself—once an ordinary mortal, now someone whose cultivation he could not see through. Either his realm surpassed Yan's, or he possessed a treasure that concealed it.
Either way, it proved the boy had joined a remarkable sect.
He cupped his fists to Chu Feng. "Junior Yan Chixia greets senior."
Chu Feng smiled. "No need for formality. Meeting is fate—shall we share a few drinks tonight?"
At this, Yan Chixia's eyes lit up. He clasped his fists again. "As you command, senior."
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