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Tian Buyi's heart warmed at those words. This disciple wasn't just talented....he was also kind and loyal.
"Still," Tian Buyi continued, "the head senior brother has recommended a mysterious person to train you for two years.
He believes this person can help you reach your true potential." His voice carried a faint sadness, as if he were handing away his own child.
Zhang Xiaofan now understood why his master seemed so reluctant.....Tian Buyi had taken in many mediocre disciples over three centuries, and only Song Daren was somewhat decent.
Now, after finally getting a gifted disciple he could be proud of, he was being told to let someone else teach him.
Yet Tian Buyi still chose what was best for his disciple's future, silently enduring the loss.
But Zhang Xiaofan had already guessed something. He thought:
Who does Master respect the most in his life? Of course....Senior Brother Wan Jianyi. Without him, Master would never have risen so high or married Mistress Su Ru.
It must be him.
"Master," Zhang Xiaofan asked carefully, "if the one teaching me was… Uncle Wan Jianyi… what would you think?"
"What?" Tian Buyi's expression changed instantly. He grabbed Zhang Xiaofan's wrist tightly. "Senior Brother Wan?!"
But soon, his excitement faded, replaced by deep sorrow.
"Impossible… Senior Brother Wan died three hundred years ago.
How could he teach you now? Could the dead return to life?"
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head. "Master, think about it...who in this world could the headmaster admire and look up to?"
Tian Buyi's eyes lit up with realization. "The only one would be Senior Brother Wan Jianyi.
He was once one of the 'Twin Beauties of Qingyun' and a true genius."
But then his face darkened. "No… Senior Brother Wan Jianyi was accused of killing his master and colluding with the demonic witch Youji.
He was executed by the Sect Leader and the elders. It can't be him."
Zhang Xiaofan still shook his head. "Master, the headmaster and Uncle Wan Jianyi had a complicated bond....part rivalry, part deep respect.
The headmaster could never truly bear to let such a genius die.
For the sake of the sect's honor, he might have kept it a secret, hiding Senior Brother Wan from the world…"
Tian Buyi's breath quickened again, and his eyes flickered with hope.
"You mean… the headmaster secretly saved him?"
Zhang Xiaofan smiled faintly. "Yes. And now, he's sending Uncle Wan Jianyi to train me."
Tian Buyi's heart pounded. The thought of seeing his senior brother again after three hundred years… was almost too much to believe.
Tian Buyi thought for a moment, then said with certainty:
"Looking at all the clues, I'm almost sure the mysterious person the headmaster arranged to teach you is none other than Senior Brother Wan Jianyi.
In the whole Qingyun Sect — no, in the entire righteous path ..... only Senior Brother Wan Jianyi could earn the headmaster's respect and admiration."
Suddenly, Tian Buyi burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha! Hahaha! So you're still alive, Senior Brother Wan! This is wonderful… absolutely wonderful!"
His face was glowing with excitement, his laughter echoing through the secret room.
Zhang Xiaofan watched his master's joy and felt happy for him.
But deep inside, he remembered the tragic fate that awaited his future master and mistress ... his master's unjust death, his mistress's suicide in grief. He clenched his fists.
I will never let history repeat itself. I will save Master… save Mistress… and…
His thoughts turned to Bi Yao .... the girl who would one day sacrifice herself for him, leaving behind only one soul and seven spirits.
Yes… I have to become stronger. Strong enough to protect all of them.
After a while, Tian Buyi's laughter died down. He placed a large hand on Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder and said with deep emotion:
"Xiaofan, go to Senior Brother Wan. His teaching is far beyond mine — you'll learn things I could never teach you."
Zhang Xiaofan bowed.
"Master, I'll set off for Tongtian Peak now."
"Wait!" Tian Buyi called out just as Zhang Xiaofan reached the door.
"When you meet him, try to confirm if it's really Senior Brother Wan Jianyi.
He has a broken arm, and his swordsmanship is unmatched. No one in Qingyun can surpass him with a sword."
"Yes, Master."
Wait again!" Tian Buyi stopped him a second time, his expression growing serious.
"If others learn that Senior Brother Wan is alive, they will mock Qingyun Sect.
Worse, there may be unpredictable consequences. For the sake of the sect's reputation, you must tell no one ... not even your Mistress.
The fewer who know, the safer this secret will be."
Zhang Xiaofan nodded solemnly.
"Understood."
With that, he left the secret room and took to the skies, flying toward Tongtian Peak.
---
Qingyun Sect stretched over a hundred miles.
Even though Dazhu Peak and Xiaozhu Peak were only a few dozen miles from Tongtian Peak, it was still a long trip.
Zhang Xiaofan flew for nearly half an hour before finally arriving.
He landed outside Tongtian Peak's main square and began walking inward.
Soon, the shimmering Rainbow Bridge came into view, with a vast pool beside it ..... home of Qingyun Mountain's guardian beast, Lingzun.
Quietly, Zhang Xiaofan activated his Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao, concealing the aura of his fire stick.
He crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and just as he expected, Lingzun did not appear to stop him.
He made his way toward the Jade Purity Hall.
Stepping into the hall felt like stepping back in time. It had been three years since he had last stood here.
Back then, Lin Jingyu had been chosen by the Seven Sect Leaders, while Zhang Xiaofan's "ordinary" talent was ignored.
Only Daoxuan Zhenren had taken pity on him and allowed him to become Tian Buyi's disciple, knowing that Tian and his wife treated all disciples fairly.
Now, three years later, he had returned ... no longer an overlooked boy, but a cultivator at the eighth level of Jade Purity.
A calm voice suddenly echoed through the hall:
"Xiaofan… coming back to the Jade Purity Hall again ... doesn't it feel like a lifetime has passed?"
Zhang Xiaofan looked up and saw Daoxuan Zhenren appear silently at the high platform, taking his seat as the Sect Leader.
...