Chapter 191: Restoring the Glory of Our Ancestors, Starting from Wuyun Mountain
Atop a steep mountain, flowers and trees vie for beauty, and in patches, pines and bamboos stand in vibrant green.
Amidst the misty clouds, a stone gate looms on the mountainside. Two figures stand on a platform in front of the gate, their hands dangling.
"Yunling, haven't you found the one with the strange fire yet?" A faint, commanding voice emanates from the stone gate.
Hearing this, among the two figures in front of the stone gate, an old man in plain white robe hurriedly bowed and said: "Reporting to the old sect master, I have sent a large number of people to monitor the entire Gama Empire, but this person has not been seen since his brief appearance in Yancheng last time!"
"Moreover, my Yunlan Sect has been making too much noise recently. It seems that it has aroused the vigilance of the old guy in the royal family. He is constantly testing our sect's intentions!"
"The royal family. Jia Xingtian!" A pondering voice sounded from the stone gate, and then said in a calm tone: "Don't worry about that old guy. Let him test if he wants. Your main task now is to find that person, understand?"
"Yes! I will do my best!" The old man in plain clothes responded respectfully: "In addition, I just received intelligence that someone felt a strong fluctuation of fire attribute from a distance in the Tagor Desert not long ago, suspected to be the breath of strange fire!"
"However, that place belongs to the territory of the snake people. Queen Medusa is now suspected to have been promoted to Dou Zong. Our people dare not go deep into it to check!"
"Snake People! Queen Medusa!" The man inside the stone gate frowned, seemingly fearful. He asked, "Gu He, I remember you and Yun'er last encountered that person in the Tagor Desert, right?"
"Yes, old Sect Master!" Gu He, still maintaining his refined demeanor at the gate, bowed and said, "Last time, I asked the Sect Master for help, but you went ahead and intercepted this person. When I arrived, they had just left, but you refused to let me pursue them. It seemed like you had some connection to them, so you didn't attack them at the time and let them go!"
At this point, Gu He felt something strange about the situation. He hadn't found Yan Shi and Feng Li at the time, but when he ran into them later, they told him that the person possessing the strange fire was a Dou Zong!
Furthermore, they had fought Medusa, who had also reached the Dou Zong level.
Upon hearing this news, he had already given up on the idea of obtaining the strange fire from that person. After all, the person had emerged unscathed after the battle with Medusa, clearly someone he couldn't afford to provoke.
But the subsequent developments left him somewhat bewildered.
The old sect master, who had been in seclusion for years, unexpectedly summoned him and questioned him in detail about what had happened, particularly regarding the azure strange fire. He was particularly intrigued and detailed.
Shortly thereafter, a series of changes took place within the Yunlan Sect. The sect master was laid off, and the Great Elder, Yun Leng, assumed power.
"Yun Leng, Yun'er still won't reveal that person's identity?" After a moment's silence, a slightly angry voice emanated from the stone gate.
"Old sect master, the sect master said she's said everything she needs to know, but she doesn't know who that person is!" Yun Leng bowed, seemingly smiling wryly.
"Let's not talk about identity, but you should remember their appearance, right? What about their age and looks?"
"The sect master said she forgot!"
"What nonsense! A Dou Huang with a photographic memory, yet she claims to have forgotten? I think this girl has grown too powerful!"
The person within the stone gate erupted in fury, a tremendous aura emanating from them that made the two outside the gate gasp.
"Last time I asked you to take over the position of Sect Master temporarily and take charge of the power, but she didn't react at all? Does she really not want to be the Sect Master anymore?"
"The Sect Master said that she is doing well now. She has nothing to do and is free to guide the Young Sect Master and relax!"
Gu He frowned and looked at Yun Ling. This old guy was not honest at all. He seemed to be telling the truth, but every word he said was provocative.
"Haha. Good, good, good!" The man in the stone gate seemed very angry and sneered: "You are really a good disciple of Yunshan!"
"Gu He!"
"Yes, old sect master!" Gu He stepped forward and bowed, saying: "Old sect master, there is no need to be so angry. The sect master is like this. She is indifferent and doesn't like worldly affairs. Since the strange fire is missing, Gu He can go and find it. There is no need to go to so much trouble and cause discord between the sect master and you, the master and disciple!"
"Haha. Gu He, you are very good!" Yunshan laughed and said: "Over the years, I have seen all your contributions to the Yunlan Sect. Don't worry, the Yunlan Sect will help you get this strange fire!"
"Old sect master." Gu He's eyes were touched. He didn't expect the old sect master to be so determined to help him, but thinking of the beautiful figure he had been thinking about day and night, he couldn't help but hesitate and said: "But the sect master..."
"Don't worry about her. I have my own plans!" Yunshan interrupted Gu He and said: "I've always known how you feel about Yun'er, and I used to let her do what she wanted. But now she's become more and more unreasonable, and even my words don't work. It seems like it's time to find someone to take charge of her!"
"Old Sect Master!"
Gu He's body trembled, his eyes bright, and he was almost overwhelmed with excitement. At this moment, the strange fire and the improvement of his alchemy skills were unimportant.
"Alright! You can go first. I have something to tell Yun Leng!"
Yun Shan stopped talking, as if he had said something, but it also seemed like he had said nothing. This ambiguous statement intrigued Gu He, but he didn't dare to ask directly, as it would annoy others and would be counterproductive. So he left with a feeling of regret.
"Tsk tsk. Master Gu He is truly a love-struck person!"
Yun Leng watched the figure drift away like a drunk, and sighed inwardly: "Old Sect Master, what a way!"
"Yun Ling, tell Yun Er that if she continues to be so stubborn, she should be prepared to take care of her husband and children!"
"Don't you like a leisurely life? Now I'll let her have enough leisure!"
Yun Ling was stunned and said in surprise, "Old Sect Master, are you going to help Gu He?"
This shouldn't be the case!
Hasn't the old Sect Master always used the Sect Mastership to lure Gu He, but didn't let him succeed, driving this sixth-grade alchemist to work hard for the Yunlan Sect?
Why does it seem like he has changed his mind today!
"That depends on what my good disciple chooses!" Yunshan said calmly, "Don't treat Gu He like a fool. If he hadn't been in love with Yun'er, how could he have stayed in the Jia Ma Empire for so many years with his talent for alchemy?"
"Such a young sixth-grade alchemist has many admirers outside. He seems to to have rejected invitations from other forces over the years, but his attitude is quite ambiguous. This is clearly putting pressure on the Yun Lan Sect!"
"I was too indulgent of Yun'er before, thinking she wouldn't agree and dragging it out. But if she's really stubborn this time, let's find another way to contribute to the Yun Lan Sect!"
"Tie Gu He, the sixth-rank alchemist, completely to my Yunlan Sect's ship!"
"Alright! You go too. Find out about that person as soon as possible. Don't slack off!"
"Yes!" Yun Leng bowed in response.
After Yun Leng left, the mountainside was covered with clouds and mist, and silence fell.
In the secret room of the stone gate, a figure dressed in a simple white robe sat cross-legged. After a moment of silence, he murmured: "Yun'er, don't blame your master for being cruel."
"Before he left, that guy gave a deadline. If he can't find this person within this deadline, with his methods..."
As he spoke, a strange figure in black mist emerged in Yunshan's mind, and a flicker of intense fear flashed in his eyes.
"Soul Palace... I wonder what kind of power they are? A mere guardian has attained Dou Zong cultivation!"
Yunshan extended a hand. His once wrinkled hands had completely regained their youthful form, slender and fair.
With a gentle squeeze, the air slowly vibrated, and ripples spread out.
"Is this the Dou Zong realm? It's truly marvelous!"
A strange dark light flashed in Yunshan's eyes, and a smile gradually formed at the corners of his mouth.
He had been hopeless about breaking through and his lifespan was drawing to a close. Unexpectedly, one day, a mysterious figure in black mist suddenly descended upon his retreat.
They offered him a deal: he would work for Soul Palace, and in return, they would help him break through to Dou Zong and extend his lifespan.
Growing increasingly fearful of death, he grasped at the offer as if it were a lifeline, accepting it without hesitation.
"Hehe, hahaha," the laughter grew louder, a hint of frenzy echoing within the stone chamber.
"For the sake of the sect, nothing is unsacrificable. We will fulfill the long-cherished wish of our ancestors, making the Yunlan Sect great again and restoring the glory of our ancestors, starting with Yunshan!"
Just as Yunshan laughed heartily, a pair of clear, beautiful eyes, filled with worry, gazed towards the stone chamber from within a delicate courtyard within the Yunlan Sect.
"Teacher, what are you thinking? Do you really want to push the Yunlan Sect into opposition with all forces?"
A woman in a green dress sat at a stone table. Her figure was graceful and well-proportioned, her long black hair tied in an elegant phoenix bun cascading down her waist. She exuded a noble and graceful aura.
Her chin rested on her hand, her delicate brow furrowed, as if burdened with unresolved sorrow.
Thinking of the sect's recent atmosphere, it was completely different from before.
Following Yunling's series of actions, they acted without restraint, losing the previous aloof and detached air of a sacred place of cultivation.
"Teacher!"
A crisp voice interrupted Yunyun's thoughts at the table.
Tilting her head slightly, she saw the courtyard door swing open and a woman in a white gown walk in.
"Yanran, you're already grown up, can't you be more steady? Why are you still so impulsive?" Yun Yun grumbled softly from her seat at the table.
"Oh," the woman in the white gown stepped forward, taking Yun Yun's arm and coquettishly saying, "No matter how old we are, we're all just children in front of the teacher!"
"Hehe, you little girl! You've been away for so long this time, so practice hard now that you're back!" Yun Yun caressed Nalan Yanran's head lovingly and said, "Your appointment with that kid from the Xiao family is almost here!"
"Teacher, don't worry! I won't lose to him!" Nalan Yanran smiled confidently.
"Don't be careless. I've received news that your fiancé has regained his talent. If he loses, don't cry!" Yun Yun patted her shoulder and warned her earnestly.
"I, Nalan Yanran, will never lose!" Nalan Yanran exclaimed, fists clenched.
"Alas," Yun Yun sighed, and said helplessly: "You girl, you are still so stubborn. Three years ago, just because of a word from your grandfather, you took Ge Ye to break off the engagement!"
"I did nothing wrong! I decide my own destiny, is there anything wrong with that, Teacher?" Nalan Yanran said aggrievedly. He had been unhappy with his family for a long time because of this matter.
Yun Yun looked at this girl who seemed like she had not grown up, feeling quite helpless. She said softly and persuadingly: "It's true that you want to cancel the engagement, but you shouldn't have rushed over in such a hurry. You came to their house with such fanfare and lost their face. Have you thought about your grandfather's feelings?"
"There was a better way to handle it. Both sides could have parted ways amicably, but if you make such a fuss, how will others look at the Nalan family? Will they say that the Nalan family is arrogant, too snobbish, and untrustworthy?"
"Reputation is something that is not easy to build, but extremely simple to destroy. Now think about it, isn't it the Xiao family that has lost face, but your Nalan family has lost its substance, and both sides are hurt!"
"I... I..." Nalan Yanran was a little speechless for a moment, and stammered: "Teacher, why didn't you tell me this when I came back from canceling the engagement?"
"At that time, you were as stubborn as a bull. You had a quarrel with your family and ran to me with grievance, saying that you would only have your teacher in the future. If I had said anything to you then, you would probably feel that the whole world had abandoned you!"
Yun Yun tapped her forehead lightly and said unhappily: "Besides, things have happened, and you made a bet with others. I wanted to wait until you got through that period before telling you, but then the sect was busy and I forgot about it for a while. It's just that I'm free now, so I'm telling you about it!"
Looking at Nalan Yanran with a flickering look in her eyes, Yun Yun patted her head and said, "After you finish the competition, whether you win or lose, you must admit your mistakes to others. It will be regarded as a better end to the fate between you!"
"Huh! I won't apologize to that guy!"
Nalan Yanran thought of the angry boy who shouted "Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west" to her three years ago. Her eyes struggled for a moment and she turned her head to the side.
"Well, whatever you say!"
Yun Yun waved her hand helplessly, suddenly feeling disheartened. Thinking of her current situation, she felt a pang of anguish.
Thinking of what Yun Leng had just said to her, about her teacher, a flicker of helplessness and sadness crossed her eyes.
Speaking of fate, she recalled the young man she had met in the Monster Mountain Range.
According to the young man with the strange fire in the desert, he had left the Jia Ma Empire and gone to Canaan Academy. She wondered what had become of him, and whether they would ever meet again.
While she longed to see him, she was also somewhat grateful that he hadn't chosen to follow her to the Yunlan Sect.
Otherwise, with his domineering personality, he would have split Gu He in two upon hearing Yun Leng's words.
"Aniu."
Yun Yun stared blankly up at the sky, as if she could see that face, alternately stern, smiling, and domineering.
Just as Yun Yun was missing someone, that person was sitting cross-legged in a secret room.
His appearance was solemn, and a colorless aura swirled around him. The energy he exuded was solid and heavy, without a trace of vanity.
A tiny, delicate dragon silhouette, following the colorless aura flowing through his body, came alive.
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(End of this chapter)