Chapter 1568: 97 Dongyang Anecdotes_4

Chapter 1568: Chapter 97 Dongyang Anecdotes_4

“It’s a Black Chicken Daoist Soldier, but it’s one of the weaker Class II Dao soldiers… At best, it can only compare to cultivators in the early to middle-stage of the Golden Core realm.”

“Is it that formidable?”

Song Dongyang couldn’t help but show an expression of surprise.

Wang Qingyang shook her head:

“Formidable? This is nothing. Master has several Class III Dao soldiers in his possession… No more talking about it; we’ve arrived.”

As they spoke, their figures swiftly ascended, and in the blink of an eye, they saw three grand halls suspended in mid-air, arranged in the shape of a triangle.

Many cultivators moved to and fro among these three halls.

Upon seeing Wang Qingyang, they all respectfully performed salutes.

Wang Qingyang nodded to each of them and then ushered Song Dongyang into the Rende Hall.

After learning Song Dongyang’s name, a wave of commotion swept through the Rende Hall.

The cultivators within Rende Hall all cast astonished glances toward Song Dongyang.

Fortunately, Wang Qingyang had already mentioned this earlier, so Song Dongyang wasn’t overly nervous.

Soon, he completed his walk through the so-called “Spirit Mirage Heart-inquiring Array.”

Upon emerging, he saw Senior Sister Wang Qingyang chatting casually with some cultivators.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator himself, he faintly overheard snippets of unfamiliar conversation:

“… If they fight, that’s for the best…”

“Kingdom of Immortals… who would have guessed… tied…”

“True Martial… that’s troublesome…”

Song Dongyang felt a trace of curiosity rise within him.

From just these scraps of dialogue, he began piecing together a few things.

“Could it be that wars occur even among cultivators?”

With curiosity, he approached Wang Qingyang and softly called:

“Senior Sister.”

Wang Qingyang, who seemed to be looking at something, turned her head when she heard him. Her expression held a mix of surprise and delight as she glanced at him before bidding farewell to the other cultivators in the Rende Hall.

As they departed, Song Dongyang found himself burdened with quite a few gifts.

“Accept them all. It’s fine. They are giving them either to honor Master or because of your boundless potential. We’re all fellow disciples; there’s no need to act aloof.”

Wang Qingyang reassured Song Dongyang with a smile.

Song Dongyang didn’t feel much about it, but in his heart, his curiosity toward the teacher he had yet to meet grew all the stronger.

“Come, you’ve already passed through the Spirit Mirage Heart-inquiring Array. Let’s head to the Ancestral Hall first. Once we’ve paid respects to the Patriarch, you’ll officially be a member of the Wanxiang Sect.”

Wang Qingyang said.

Song Dongyang naturally had no objections.

Just as they left the Rende Hall, a faint blue figure hurriedly flew past the two of them.

Upon noticing the figure, Wang Qingyang quickly stepped forward and performed a salute:

“Grandmaster Tang.”

The faint blue figure paused upon hearing Wang Qingyang greet him, nodded slightly, and said:

“Ah, Qingyang. Where are you off to now?”

Song Dongyang glanced over and saw the man garbed in a light blue Daoist robe. His age was indiscernible; he possessed refined brows and bright eyes, with a slight beard under his chin. Though he had appeared rushed moments before, his demeanor now was calm and composed, exuding an unspeakable elegance and charm.

Wang Qingyang’s attitude toward him clearly displayed greater respect. Gesturing toward Song Dongyang, she said:

“I was just about to take Master’s newly accepted disciple to the Ancestral Hall.”

“Oh? He accepted a disciple?”

The faint blue figure seemed slightly surprised as he glanced at Song Dongyang, then nodded:

“It’s about time he took a few more disciples. Your Wanfa Peak has had single-line transmission for generations—far too lonely.”

He then turned his gaze to Song Dongyang, pondered briefly, and retrieved a Fragrance Plaque from his sleeve without any visible movement, letting it fall into Song Dongyang’s hands.

“This is our first meeting. As an elder, I’m unsure what to gift you. This Fragrance Plaque can withstand one strike from an average middle-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Treat it as a protective talisman.”

Song Dongyang instinctively looked at Wang Qingyang.

Wang Qingyang laughed:

“Dongyang, take it. Not everyone has the opportunity to receive Grandmaster Tang’s Fragrance Plaque.”

“Young lady, always making fun of me.”

The faint blue figure smiled wryly but suddenly froze in place, turning his head toward Song Dongyang:

“Your name is Dongyang?”

Both Wang Qingyang and Song Dongyang halted, confused.

Song Dongyang quickly bowed and replied:

“Yes, elder… My name is Dongyang, surname Song. Greetings, Grandmaster Tang.”

The faint blue figure’s expression shifted subtly, and his voice trembled slightly:

“Dongyang, surname Song… You’re also called Song Dongyang?”

Wang Qingyang caught on immediately, hurriedly explaining:

“Grandmaster Tang, this man is the reincarnation of Vice Master Song from years ago. Master discovered him and enlightened him, which is why he’s returned today.”

“Reincarnation… Reincarnation…”

The faint blue figure’s emotions became exceedingly complex.

He couldn’t help but glance at Song Dongyang, yet there wasn’t the slightest resemblance to the person in his memory.

Unable to suppress himself, he asked softly:

“Do you remember me?”

Song Dongyang hesitated for a moment and shook his head in confusion.

Seeing Song Dongyang devoid of any recollection, the faint blue figure’s expression grew even more complicated.

In a low voice, he muttered slowly:

“My name is Tang Ji… In the past, we ventured together into Sen State’s Musen Island. Each of us obtained a Dao Secret there, aiming to use it to break through to Immortal Ascension… Forget it, forget it.”

He shook his head slightly, sighed, and then floated away on his own.

Song Dongyang was left utterly bewildered.

Wang Qingyang seemed to understand the situation better, sighing softly as she explained:

“Grandmaster Tang and your past self shared quite the ordeal. However, due to insufficient foundations, he remained in seclusion for many years and only emerged not long ago. He’s recently been preparing for his tribulation. Seeing you now, it’s likely stirred complicated feelings and worries in his heart.”

Song Dongyang half-understood and cast a glance toward the distance, only to find that the faint blue figure was no longer visible.

At this moment, for reasons unknown, he suddenly felt the overwhelming fear that lingered deep within cultivators’ hearts.

A fear tied to life and death, gain and loss.

Then, there was little worth mentioning. After descending from the Ancestral Hall, Wang Qingyang led him straight toward Wanfa Peak.

“Our Wanfa Peak doesn’t have many people. Aside from Master, Mistress, and myself, there is only Yi An, who occasionally returns. I already mentioned him earlier; he’s Master’s only son. Most of his time nowadays is spent at Xinjian Peak or Chunyang Palace…”

“Chunyang Palace?”

Song Dongyang’s mind stirred, and images of ancient palaces and a bearded elderly man flashed through his memory.

A name slipped out of his mouth:

“Sect Master Shao!”

“It seems you’ve recalled something else. However, Sect Master Shao departed nearly two hundred years ago… Nowadays, the Sect Master is Yi An’s teacher, Martial Uncle Zhao.”

“Martial Uncle Zhao?”

Song Dongyang scoured his memory but found no recollection of this figure.

Wang Qingyang lowered her voice and explained:

“It’s understandable if you don’t remember. Martial Uncle Zhao only recently emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Originally, Sect Master Qu favored Grandmaster Ma, but Martial Uncle Zhao’s accomplishments in Sword Dao were simply unparalleled. Ruthless and decisive, coupled with Master’s backing…”

“What exactly is Master’s status that he can influence the position of a sect’s leader?”

Song Dongyang finally couldn’t resist asking softly.

Having spent years in Hailing Nation, he understood the weight of authority, akin to a monarch. Those who could sway a ruler’s position were equivalent to powerful ministers—he still harbored lingering caution about such situations, prompting him to voice his concerns.

Wang Qingyang, unaware of his thoughts, chuckled and replied:

“There’s no hiding it anymore—Master is the Deputy Sect Master of our Wanxiang Sect, second in rank only to the Sect Master. But within the sect, none dare question his authority.”

Song Dongyang frowned deeply:

“A powerful vassal under a weaker lord—this will surely invite calamity!”

Just as he said this, Wang Qingyang laughed and interjected:

“We’re here!”

Song Dongyang immediately looked ahead.

Among countless peaks, there was one unremarkable mountaintop standing before him.

On the summit, everything was plain and simple.

There were only a few houses, patches of farmland, and a newly sprouted gourd vine clinging to an old tree.

The occasional crow of a rooster could be heard.

But there were no signs of human activity, nor any voices to be heard.

“Is this where Master resides?”

As Song Dongyang gazed at the nearing mountaintop, he felt an inexplicable surge of anticipation in his heart. The thought of meeting this enigmatic and highly revered Master filled him with great expectation.