"Chulan, the Luo Tian Grand Ritual isn't happening right now. There's no one else here—who exactly are you trying to hide your strength from?"
Wu Tong watched as Zhang Chulan inched his way across the chain like a caterpillar.
Zhang Chulan didn't respond immediately.
Just as Wu Tong thought he was contemplating his answer—
After a long pause, Zhang Chulan finally spoke up, his voice tinged with embarrassment.
"Tong-ge, what if... what if I'm not hiding my strength at all? What if I'm just genuinely afraid of heights?"
Wu Tong: ???
That was unexpected. Wu Tong froze for a moment before letting out a wry laugh.
It seemed he had been too influenced by the "plot." Every time Zhang Chulan acted strangely, he assumed it was some kind of act—some scheme to conceal his true abilities.
But he'd forgotten that Zhang Chulan was just a college student. Even with his sharp wit and occasional fox-like cunning, there were still things he simply wasn't good at.
Hearing Zhang Chulan's words, Zhang Huaiyi, who had already crossed halfway, turned back.
"Chulan, you still haven't overcome your fear of heights?" Zhang Huaiyi asked, amused, as he observed Zhang Chulan's pitiful state.
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Zhang Chulan by the waistband and hauled him across the chains toward the other side.
Seeing this, Wu Tong dismissed the thought of helping Zhang Chulan himself and simply waited for the two to arrive.
Before long, the three of them continued their journey up the mountain.
When they finally reached the summit, Wu Tong let out a sigh of relief. After three days of travel, they had finally arrived at Dragon Tiger Mountain.
As they approached the clearly visible buildings ahead, Zhang Huaiyi led the way forward.
"Honored guests, please hold. May I ask your purpose for visiting the Heavenly Master's residence?"
A Daoist priest sweeping the courtyard stepped forward to greet them.
"Greetings, Daoist. The three of us are practitioners. We've come to Dragon Tiger Mountain seeking an audience with the Heavenly Master—we have urgent matters to discuss."
Wu Tong stepped forward, stating their purpose clearly before circulating his Shao Yang True Qi as proof of his sincerity.
"You wish to see the Heavenly Master? Very well, follow me."
The Daoist scrutinized them carefully, but seeing no deceit in their demeanor—only straightforwardness—he turned and gestured for them to follow.
As for the possibility of them causing trouble? Unthinkable. No one would dare stir up trouble in the domain of the strongest practitioner in the jianghu.
Without hesitation, the three followed him inside.
"Greetings, Uncle Rongshan."
"Good morning, Uncle Rongshan."
...
Rongshan?
Wu Tong's thoughts clicked into place as he overheard the passing disciples' greetings.
So this is Rongshan—the same Rongshan who, in the story, encouraged Zhang Lingyu to defeat Zhang Chulan.
He hadn't paid much attention earlier, but now that he heard the name, he recognized the man.
Rongshan was a middle-aged Daoist who appeared frequently in the "plot." His heart-wrenching grief after Elder Tian's death had left a deep impression on Wu Tong back then.
Though Dragon Tiger Mountain had many buildings, the paths were compact and straightforward.
Lost in thought, Wu Tong barely noticed the time passing before they arrived at a modest-looking house.
"Everyone, we've arrived. Please wait a moment while I announce your presence."
Without waiting for a response, Rongshan opened the door and stepped inside, leaving the three of them outside.
Wu Tong studied the house, finding it no different from the others—simple and unadorned.
Before long, Rongshan reappeared.
"Please, come in. The Heavenly Master will see you now."
They followed him inside, entering a small, well-kept courtyard devoid of weeds—clearly maintained with care.
Without pause, Rongshan led them toward the reception hall.
Before they even reached it, voices drifted out.
"Heavenly Master, what did you just say? You're planning to hold the Luo Tian Grand Ritual? That's no small matter!"
A vigorous, elderly voice rang out, filled with disbelief. The speaker sounded bold and straightforward.
"Now, now, Old Lu. It's just the Luo Tian Grand Ritual. It's not as serious as you're making it out to be."
Another aged voice responded, but this one carried an air of indifference—a carefree arrogance, as if nothing in the world could faze him.
Before "Old Lu" could retort, the Heavenly Master suddenly spoke again.
"Old Lu, we have guests. Let's discuss this matter after I've greeted them."
Then, addressing Rongshan directly:
"Rongshan, bring them in."
At his words, the group entered the reception pavilion.
There, they saw the Heavenly Master—his hair and beard white as snow, his demeanor transcendent. Despite his age, he exuded vitality rather than frailty, his simple robes somehow enhancing his noble bearing.
As the newcomers observed him, the Heavenly Master studied them in turn.
His gaze first fell on Zhang Chulan.
Zhang Chulan—the grandson of that big-eared rogue. I heard he's been hunted by the Quanxing and was heading for Dragon Tiger Mountain. Right on schedule.
Next, Wu Tong.
Unfamiliar. His background is unusually obscure—no records whatsoever. Rumors say he's part of the trio traveling with Zhang Chulan, and his strength is nothing to scoff at.
Finally, his eyes landed on the elderly man.
At first glance, the Heavenly Master showed no reaction.
But upon closer inspection, his half-lidded eyes widened slightly—just a fraction—betraying shock.
"...Big-Eared Thief?"
His voice boomed, thick with disbelief, as if he were seeing a ghost.
"It's me, Shixiong. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Hearing the Heavenly Master's words, Zhang Huaiyi—still wearing another's face—knew he had been recognized. With a sigh, he dispelled his disguise, revealing his true appearance.
The moment Zhang Huaiyi's real face was unveiled, Lu Jin—standing beside the Heavenly Master—gasped.
"Zhang Huaiyi?! It's really you? But... you're supposed to be dead!"
Zhang Huaiyi didn't answer Lu Jin immediately. Instead, he looked at him with a nostalgic gleam in his eyes.
"Old Lu... it's been a while. How have you been?"
"Shixiong...?"
Rongshan, who had frozen the moment Zhang Huaiyi addressed the Heavenly Master as "Shixiong," finally snapped out of his daze.
The old man I brought in... is Shifu's junior brother? That makes him my martial uncle!
But I've never heard of any other martial uncles besides Uncle Tian!
And why doesn't he live on Dragon Tiger Mountain?
As questions flooded Rongshan's mind, the Heavenly Master glanced at him.
"Rongshan, step outside for now. Go and fetch your Uncle Tian."
PS:Read 50 advance chapter at patreon.com/CNBLUE