As he spoke, Zhang Zhiwei slowly raised his hand, intending to pat Zhang Chulan on the head.
But the sudden show of affection made Zhang Chulan instinctively step back, a flicker of awkwardness and unease flashing across his face.
Zhang Zhiwei's eyes showed a hint of disappointment—but it vanished quickly. He retracted his hand calmly, his expression unreadable.
A sigh escaped his lips, filled with age and resignation.
"Sigh…"
"If Huaiyi had returned back then, he might not have gone through all that suffering."
"With my master and I both around, no matter what, we could've protected him. But he just had to choose the hardest road."
Zhang Zhiwei's words pulled Zhang Chulan into silence.
From a young age, he'd been told he wasn't like the others. He had to learn to hide—so much so that even his original personality might have changed along the way.
And for what?
His grandfather was dead, his father missing, and if it weren't for the name Wherever Hall, he might've already been eaten alive by now.
He raised his head, eyes filled with longing for the truth.
"Shīyé… why won't anyone tell me the truth about my grandfather?"
His voice trembled faintly, revealing the helplessness and confusion buried deep within.
Zhang Zhiwei looked into the young man's earnest and determined gaze and sighed again.
He knew. This youth had carried far too much already—but even now, he couldn't reveal that truth.
So, he spoke slowly, each word weighted with intent:
"Chulan… there are some things you're not yet meant to know. If you want the truth, win the Trinity Gate Gathering. Become the Celestial Master. Only then will you have the right to uncover those secrets buried in dust."
Frustration and resentment surged within Zhang Chulan.
Why was he not even allowed the right to know?
Just as he was about to press the issue further, Zhang Zhiwei's eyes narrowed sharply—his gaze falling on Hikaru Uchiha.
"I don't believe we've met. Who exactly are you, and why are you standing at Zhang Chulan's side?"
Hikaru smiled faintly.
"That's not quite right. I didn't go looking for him—he's the one who came to me, asking questions about his grandfather."
Zhang Zhiwei's guard rose, like a plucked string thrumming with tension.
There was something about Hikaru… something hidden beneath the surface. Perhaps he really did know something no one else did.
Zhang Zhiwei probed further:
"Oh? Then it sounds like you know what truly happened back then?"
There was a subtle urgency in his voice.
But Hikaru didn't answer.
This world was filled with mysteries—even he couldn't grasp them all.
After all, before he transmigrated, the original story wasn't even finished.
His goal here was simple: retrieve the Heavenly Talisman. and the Wind Hou Secret Art. When Quan Xing attacked the mountain, he'd make his move for the Six Vaulted Immortal Bandits.
As for all the secrets and ancient grudges? They weren't his concern. This wasn't his world.
His silence only deepened Zhang Zhiwei's suspicions.
He was almost certain—this man had a connection to the past events.
And just as he prepared to make a move, a chilling sense of danger surged through his body.
It had been a long time since he felt a threat like this.
But now, it came loud and clear.
Cold dread flooded his heart.
He knew this wasn't an illusion. If he made a move, the consequences could be catastrophic.
He wasn't afraid of death—but he couldn't afford to drag Mount Dragon-Tiger and Zhang Chulan down with him.
His junior brother Tian Jinzhong, the future of the mountain, Zhang Chulan's path…
Even an invincible being had weaknesses.
Just like in the original world—even he had shown cracks in the armor, reasons for retreat.
He had once revealed his overwhelming strength to the world. But eventually, he chose to return to Mount Dragon-Tiger and stay his hand.
Hikaru sensed the brief flash of killing intent from Zhang Zhiwei, but didn't consider it hostility.
After all, the man hadn't acted—just shown a flicker of intent.
He wasn't about to complain just because someone thought about attacking. That would be unreasonable.
Still, Hikaru's interest was piqued. He wanted to find a chance to spar with this Old Celestial Master someday.
Just then, a calm and cheerful voice broke the tense silence.
Everyone turned toward it.
A young man in Daoist robes stepped forward and bowed respectfully toward Zhang Zhiwei.
"Wudang's Wang Ye, greeting the Celestial Master."
There was clear admiration in his tone.
Zhang Zhiwei smiled kindly.
"Oh? And how did you know it was me?"
He sounded genuinely curious.
Wang Ye raised his head and answered respectfully:
"You jest, Master. There's a photo of you on Mount Dragon-Tiger's welcome board."
Zhang Zhiwei laughed heartily, clapping Wang Ye on the shoulder.
"You all see that? So many people here, and only this junior bothered to pay attention."
His praise was heartfelt.
But as his hand made contact, his expression subtly changed.
"Hmm?"
He looked closely at Wang Ye.
"With injuries like yours, you came to compete in the Trinity Gate Gathering? You trying to die on my watch?"
Wang Ye forced a smile, looking a bit helpless.
"As expected of the Celestial Master. One glance and you saw through me. But I've come here for something important."
His gaze turned firm.
Even with his injuries, he didn't regret coming.
Zhang Zhiwei squinted slightly, glanced at Zhang Chulan and Hikaru again, and seemed to understand something.
He sighed.
"What did you ask the Inner Realm?"
Wang Ye's eyes widened in disbelief.
"How… how did you know?"
Zhang Zhiwei snorted.
"Your injuries are exactly like mine when I messed up my own Inner Realm back in the day out of boredom. Why wouldn't I know?"
Everyone looked at Zhang Zhiwei strangely—even Hikaru raised a brow.
That wasn't in the original story.
Then again… perhaps for someone with Zhang Zhiwei's talent, the Inner Realm really was just a way to kill time.
Hikaru, curious now, grinned.
"So… what did you both ask? I'll let Wang Ye slide, but I'm really curious what you, Old Celestial Master, asked when you were young."
"You asked me what I know, right? Tell me what you asked, and maybe I'll answer your question."
Wang Ye's face darkened. What do you mean "Wang Ye just slides"? I'm still the inheritor of the Wind Hou Secret Art! Give me some face, will you?