Wan Jianyi's entire body shook when he heard Zhang Xiaofan's words.
His eyes widened in shock as he stared at the young man.
"For thousands of years," he said in disbelief, "no one has been able to become an immortal.
Even Qingye Patriarch, a once-in-a-millennium genius, could not achieve it. And yet… you dare to dream of becoming an immortal?"
Zhang Xiaofan met Wan Jianyi's gaze, then turned his eyes toward the distant mountains.
After a long pause, he replied slowly:
"For thousands of years, there have been no immortals.
No cultivator has walked that path…" He smiled faintly. "But all roads in the world are created by people.
How do you know that I'm not the one who can walk the path to immortality?"
Wan Jianyi tilted his head back, looking at the sky.
His mind seemed far away, lost in thought. After a long silence, he finally spoke:
"Indeed… there are no roads until someone dares to walk them.
And when enough people follow, the road is formed."
He looked back at Zhang Xiaofan, his voice deep. "If there are no immortals now, how can I be sure you won't be the one to become one?"
At that moment, Wan Jianyi's eyes drifted to the two treasures in front of him .... the Fire Stick and the Dragon Slaying Sword.
"Most people," he said, "faced with a choice between the dangerous Fire Stick ....which can corrupt the mind and threaten one's life ....and the Nine Heavens Divine Dragon Slaying Sword ....a legendary, peerless weapon ..... would choose the sword without hesitation.
But you… knowing the risk, gave up the sword and chose the Fire Stick. In that alone, you surpass millions."
He sighed. "Just like you now — knowing no one has become an immortal, yet still determined to forge your own path."
Wan Jianyi gently stroked the Dragon Slaying Sword, which had been with him for three hundred years.
The sword's spirit seemed to sense his emotions , it trembled and hummed, as if unwilling to part from its master.
But suddenly, Wan Jianyi gripped the sword tightly… and without another word, hurled it far into the back mountain.
The sword streaked through the air like a shooting star and disappeared among the peaks.
Watching the sword vanish, Wan Jianyi's expression changed.
A strange clarity filled his eyes as he murmured:
"Without destruction, there can be no creation.
Only after something is broken… can something new be built."
His aura exploded outward like a storm. The fallen leaves in the courtyard turned to dust under the pressure.
The force only grew stronger.
Then ,astonishingly .... the white hair on the right side of Wan Jianyi's head turned black again, while the left side stayed white.
At the stump of his severed arm, flesh began to twist and grow.
Zhang Xiaofan knew immediately ....Wan Jianyi was having an epiphany.
Although the ancestral hall was safe, Zhang Xiaofan gripped the Fire Stick tightly, eyes sharp, scanning the surroundings.
At that moment, a green light burst from the Fire Stick, forming a protective shield a hundred meters around them, holding back the crushing aura.
.....,.....
An hour later…
Wan Jianyi opened his eyes. They were no longer cloudy, but bright and clear.
A brand-new arm had fully formed.
Zhang Xiaofan smiled and congratulated him. "Uncle Wan, have you reached the Great Purity Realm?"
Wan Jianyi shook his head. "The Great Purity Realm is not so easy to reach.
I'm only halfway there. But… give me twenty more years, and I'll definitely reach it."
Zhang Xiaofan's heart sank. Twenty years… In ten years, the Beast God would attack Qingyun Sect, and the Ghost King would master the Four Spirits Blood Formation.
Without someone at the peak of Great Purity, they would be no match.
Even if Wan Jianyi reached Great Purity, he would be at the early stage ..... still not enough to defeat those enemies.
That meant for the next decade, Zhang Xiaofan could only rely on himself.
Still, Wan Jianyi's strength meant he would survive future disasters. And if Daoxuan, the headmaster, fell in battle, Wan Jianyi would surely step forward to protect the sect.
.....
Suddenly, Zhang Xiaofan said, "Uncle Wan, please don't tell the headmaster that I've broken through to the Shangqing Realm."
Wan Jianyi chuckled. "Keeping your strength hidden, eh? You're more cautious than I was in my youth. Don't worry ... I won't tell Daoxuan.
Besides, he rarely comes here. This time he came only because of you ..... he hasn't set foot here in a hundred years."
Zhang Xiaofan nodded. "That's a relief. Oh, and there's something else…"
Wan Jianyi frowned. "Say it now. I just had an epiphany thanks to you, and I need to return to Konggu to consolidate my cultivation."
"There's a young man in Qingyun Sect named Lin Jingyu," Zhang Xiaofan said quickly. "His sword talent is as great as yours, Uncle Wan. Please teach him."
Wan Jianyi waved dismissively. "Forget it. After teaching you, why would I want to teach anyone else? Compared to you, others are just fools."
Zhang Xiaofan smirked. "If Lin Jingyu's talent is nearly the same as mine… are you calling yourself a fool?"
Wan Jianyi froze, then pointed at him in mock anger. "You dare insult me, brat? Careful, or I'll beat you right now!"
Still, when Zhang Xiaofan bowed again and added softly, "Lin Jingyu is my brother… please,
Uncle Wan," Wan Jianyi sighed and relented.
"Fine, for your sake, I'll teach him. You're always making trouble for me."
Zhang Xiaofan smiled. "Then I'll take my leave.
I need to prepare for the Seven Clans Martial Arts Competition."
Wan Jianyi waved him off. "Prepare all you like — first place is already yours."
"Hehe," Zhang Xiaofan chuckled, strapping the Fire Stick to his waist as he left.
"Remember," Wan Jianyi called after him, "you carry my true teachings. Don't embarrass me!"
"Don't worry!" Zhang Xiaofan's voice echoed from outside.
Wan Jianyi stood there a moment, then turned to pick up a broom.
As he swept, he murmured to himself, "Why does it suddenly feel so quiet… and uncomfortable… after that kid left?"
Yuqing Palace
Zhang Xiaofan made his way down from the back mountain toward Yuqing Palace.
The palace blocked the way off the mountain, and it would be disrespectful not to greet the headmaster before leaving.
Besides, Daoxuan would surely want to test his progress over the past two years .... there was no way he'd let Zhang Xiaofan just walk away.
When Zhang Xiaofan entered Yuqing Palace, he saw Daoxuan sitting high on the platform, his calm gaze fixed on him… as though he had been waiting for this moment all along.
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