"Hahahaā¦" Everyone was looking at Cheng Dao like he was an idiot.
Cheng Dao curled his lip in disdain and muttered under his breath, "Wudang is my home to begin with, I don't need a ticket to go in and out."
Qian Xiaosheng, standing to the side, heard this and laughed. "Brother Cheng, relax, I'll buy your ticket for you."
"The hell is that supposed to mean? So you don't believe I'm from Wudang?" Cheng Dao glared wideāeyed at Qian Xiaosheng.
Qian Xiaosheng really didn't believe he was from Wudang. Wudang did have experts, sure, but what part of Cheng Dao looked like a Daoist? He looked more like some street punk hooligan.
Seeing this, Ye Hao explained, "Qian, he really is a Disciple of Wudang."
Hearing that, Qian Xiaosheng asked doubtfully, "For real? Then doesn't that make you kind of like Wudang's grandāteacher level figure?"
"Hehe, strictly speaking, yeah. My masters are Zhang Ruochen and Zhang Ruowu." Ye Hao smiled as he told Qian Xiaosheng who his masters were.
"No way? Your honored masters are actually Seniors Zhang Ruochen and Zhang Ruowu?" Qian Xiaosheng's face showed clear surprise as he asked.
"Exactly." Ye Hao nodded, then, with Cheng Dao leading the way, headed straight for Celestial Pillar Peak.
Although Qian Xiaosheng was puzzled, once he remembered the Tai Chi Ye Hao had used earlier, he relaxed. If Ye Hao wasn't from Wudang, how could he display such pure, orthodox Tai Chi?
Cheng Dao and Ye Hao's group quickly weaved through the stream of tourists, heading up Celestial Pillar Peak.
Celestial Pillar Peak was over sixteen hundred meters high. Under normal circumstances, hardly anyone could persist in climbing all the way up. On top of that, the natural barriers along the way made each step difficult. Even with proper mountain paths, not many people were willing to climb too high.
Plus, tourists were forbidden from going up to the summit of Celestial Pillar Peak. From up there, bursts of sparring and fighting sounds would occasionally drift down.
Anyone who heard those sounds could guess that Wudang's real Disciples were up there training.
They had no intention of pursuing martial arts, so they didn't disturb those practicing on Wudang Mountain.
It had to be said, Cheng Dao was extremely familiar with Wudang's terrain. Climbing this thousandāplusāmeter Celestial Pillar Peak was like playing around for himāhis face wasn't red and he wasn't out of breath.
Of course, everyone present had strength on their side, so climbing Celestial Pillar Peak was still within their limits.
What puzzled Ye Hao, though, was that after reaching over a thousand meters up, there were still people continuing to climb higher. Ye Hao lightly sensed their strength and realized they were only around fifth or sixth stage in the National Martial Arts Realm.
So Ye Hao asked Cheng Dao doubtfully, "Cheng Dao, what are those people doing? Are they here to learn martial arts?"
"Nope, they're here to watch the show. Every year, people from other countries come challenge the major sects of Huaxia. Like, this year they challenge Shaolin, next year maybe Emei or Wudang or whatever. They're all a bunch of fameāhungry lunatics planning to defeat Huaxia's top sects in one go and make a name for themselves worldwide. Of course, you also need an audienceāotherwise who's going to hype their 'glorious victory' for them?" Cheng Dao explained.
"You mean people from all over the place come to watch?" Ye Hao asked.
"Yeah. Some come to cheer for our Wudang, some come just to ride the hype. Anyway, whenever foreigners come challenge Huaxia's sects, tons of people who've entered the National Martial Arts Realm show up to watch the drama."
Ye Hao nodded at that.
Then he followed Cheng Dao toward Yuxu Palace.
Yuxu Palace sat right in the middle of Celestial Pillar Peak. Normally, outsiders weren't allowed inside, but since Ye Hao was returning to acknowledge his ancestors and clan today, he had to come back and pay his respects.
After entering Yuxu Palace, Cheng Dao shouted at the top of his lungs, "Master, Master, I'm back!"
After he'd yelled twice, a small stone suddenly shot out and smacked Cheng Dao on the leg.
His legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees on the meditation cushion.
Cheng Dao didn't say anything. He respectfully bowed to the Dao Ancestor enshrined before Yuxu Palace, then turned around and called out, "Sect Leader Master, why'd you hit me again?"
"Back on Wudang, you must obey Wudang's rules." At this moment, an old man with white hair and a white beard walked in from outside the door.
Ye Hao couldn't see through the old man's strength, but he figured it definitely surpassed the Innate Realm.
Ye Hao also respectfully greeted him alongside Cheng Dao. "Ye Hao pays respects to the Sect Leader."
"I, Guang Daozi, thirtyāthird generation Wudang Sect Leader, one hundred and tenth generation Disciple, pay respects to Martial Uncle Ye Hao." When Ye Hao saluted him, Guang Daozi also returned the salute respectfully.
"Sect Leader, my respects." Ye Hao wasn't used to talking so formally, but when in Rome, do as the Romans doāhe could only put up with it for now.
"Hehe, I didn't expect Martial Uncle to have reached tenth stage of the National Martial Arts Realm at such a young age. Truly a talent worth molding!" Guang Daozi praised with a laugh.
"My little bit of strength isn't even worthy to carry Sect Leader's shoes. How could I dare call myself a talent worth molding?" Ye Hao replied with a modest smile.
"Modesty is good, but when necessary, this Nephew feels it's better to admit your strength openly." Guang Daozi said with a smile.
Ye Hao nodded at that, and then Guang Daozi asked, "Martial Uncle, some time ago Master had someone bring back a message with instructions for me. He ordered me, Guang Daozi, Grand Elder He Daozi, Second Elder Qing Daozi, and Third Elder Cheng Daozi to jointly test the results of your Tai Chi. I wonder, Martial Uncle, are you ready?"
"I'm ready. By the way, when are my masters coming back?" Ye Hao asked.
"In the next couple of days. Very soon. Ever since the two Masters entered the realm beyond the Innate Realm, they've become even more indifferent to mundane affairs. So they ordered us to properly test your Tai Chi achievements." Guang Daozi laughed.
"Please enlighten me, Sect Leader." After Ye Hao spoke, he signaled Shangguan Longyi and Qian Xiaosheng to back off. He himself opened his stance, planning to run through a few sets for Guang Daozi to see.
Just then, several old Daoists walked out from the side hall. When Cheng Dao saw a Daoist who looked relatively young, he hurried over, calling out, "Master, Master, haha, finally I see you again."
"Cheng Dao, don't be rude. Straighten up." Cheng Dao's personal master, Cheng Daozi, shot him a glare.
"I'm just used to acting like this outside. Disciple will change, I'll change, okay?" Cheng Dao said, face scrunched up miserably.
But Cheng Daozi didn't have time to bother with him; he still had to test how Ye Hao's Tai Chi was.
When Guang Daozi saw Grand Elder He Daozi, Second Elder Qing Daozi, and Third Elder Cheng Daozi all step up like dragons, he asked, "Martial Uncle Ye Hao, are you ready?"
"Ready." Ye Hao set his stance, waiting for the three to launch their attack on him.
Since Zhang Ruochen and Zhang Ruowu had asked them to test him, how could Ye Hao possibly let Zhang Ruochen and Zhang Ruowu down?
"Then we four Nephews will be offending you." As soon as Guang Daozi finished speaking, he began circulating the power of Tai Chi, using softness to overcome speed and force.
Seeing this, Ye Hao also calmly began to spin a Tai Chi circle.
As everyone started circulating their Tai Chi circles, the first clash was about to begin.
They saw the Tai Chi circle in Ye Hao's hands spin as if at extreme speed. The moment it touched Guang Daozi's Tai Chi circle, it instantly shattered Guang Daozi's circle to piecesā¦ (To be continued. If you like this work, you're welcome to go to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)