Chapter 416: Old Acquaintance (2)

Upon hearing this, Feng Yuanliu’s expression turned solemn, and Xu Zhuang’s gaze hardened.

There were all sorts of wondrous Divine Communication Techniques in the world. However, for a technique to display power far beyond its user’s realm, the cultivator themselves had to be exceptionally talented in addition to the technique being superior. That Ye Xuanzhang possessed such a Divine Technique meant his mastery of Taoist techniques absolutely could not be underestimated.

“Ye Xuanzhang was probably in a rush to break through the Divine Wind, which is why he revealed such a powerful Dao skill to injure me. It’s a pity I wasn’t skilled enough, or I might have been able to test more of his abilities,” Zhang Tingxian sighed softly.

Feng Yuanliu said coldly, “Never mind Ye Xuanzhang’s abilities for now. What’s to be done about your injury?”

Zhang Tingxian smiled. “You needn’t worry. The Sect Leader has already sent me his decree, ordering me to see him upon my return to the sect. I’m sure he has a plan.”

Feng Yuanliu’s expression eased slightly, but Xu Zhuang sensed the optimism on Zhang Tingxian’s face didn’t reach his eyes. Having no way to help, however, Xu Zhuang could only remain silent.

For Cultivators like them, who were on the verge of perfecting their Nascent Soul or facing a critical bottleneck, any discussion of their cultivation path was a sensitive topic. As such, the conversation stalled, and none of the three were eager to continue.

After exchanging a few more words, Zhang Tingxian left, using the excuse that he needed to help an elder organize the disciples. Just as Feng Yuanliu was about to find an excuse of his own, Xu Zhuang suddenly spoke. “Senior Brother Feng.”

Seeing the questioning look on Feng Yuanliu’s face, Xu Zhuang said slowly, “I’ve just had an insight. I believe my cultivation may be at a critical juncture, so I want to return to the sect ahead of schedule. I’ll have to trouble you to oversee the arrangements here, Senior Brother.”

“Very well. Your cultivation is what’s most important, after all.” Feng Yuanliu considered this for a moment before replying, “I’m not the only one here. All our senior and junior brothers are present, so things won’t fall into chaos. You go on ahead.”

After this whole affair, Xu Zhuang felt a bit closer to his proud senior brother. Smiling, he cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Senior Brother. I’ll take my leave now.”

Feng Yuanliu nodded slightly. “Then I congratulate you in advance on reaching the third stage and perfecting your Nascent Soul.”

Xu Zhuang laughed heartily. Without any more ceremony, his body flickered and transformed into a plume of smoky qi that shot into the heavens.

“The Ten Thousand Transformations Escape Technique?” Feng Yuanliu raised an eyebrow. He had heard this junior brother was a master of the Five Elements Escape Skill, having cultivated a common Escape Technique to a level comparable to a Superior Dao Skill. But he had never expected him to suddenly display a Tai Su Escape Technique.

Feng Yuanliu gazed into the distance, watching the plume of smoky qi quickly disappear over the horizon. ‘And his cultivation of it is anything but shallow… A true cultivation prodigy, indeed.’

…

Feng Yuanliu wasn’t mistaken. While Xu Zhuang was stationed at the Gate of Life, he had no time to advance his cultivation level. Instead, he spent his leisure time contemplating Dao skills.

Though he had many Taoist techniques to practice and many Divine Techniques to refine, nothing stopped him from taking on more studies to deepen his foundational mastery of Taoist techniques. This was especially true after he learned the Supreme Profound Celestial Opening Scripture.

With his current level of attainment, cultivating Dao skills was effortless. Furthermore, given his profound mastery of the Tai Su Taoist Technique, he had taken the Tai Su’s Ten Thousand Transformations Escape Technique and, in just a few dozen days, progressed from a complete novice to the Sixth and Seventh Realms of mastery.

With this Escape Technique, Xu Zhuang transformed into Smoke Mist, flying among the clouds—now gathering, now scattering, now visible, now hidden. As he casually practiced, he unexpectedly gained another insight. Before he knew it, he was above Yunmeng Marsh. He flew on for a little while longer when he suddenly heard a clear, resounding voice that seemed powerful enough to halt the clouds in the sky.

Intrigued, Xu Zhuang looked down. On a small island near the Land Continent, he saw a training ground where a group of young disciples, led by an elder with a familiar face, were reciting a Tao Scripture, shaking their heads as they chanted.

‘So this is the next generation of outer sect disciples.’ A moment’s thought was all it took for Xu Zhuang to grasp the situation.

The Tai Su Sect didn’t recruit disciples casually. No matter their background—even children from the great families within the sect—all had to study at the Void Form Temple for two years and pass numerous assessments before they could be accepted into the outer sect.

Even so, every generation of outer sect disciples was enormous. With so many young children, they had to be separated for instruction. The Tai Su Sect had many such islands, Spirit Peaks, and Daoist Schools, each home to nearly a thousand young disciples in training.

Xu Zhuang had intended to look away, but as his gaze swept over the crowd, he paused, a flicker of surprise in his heart.

Among the thousand young disciples, a small boy with a serious expression caught his eye. The child’s gaze was fixed on the Tao Scripture in his hands as he methodically chanted along with his peers. Tucked diagonally into his topknot was a piece of jade bamboo.

‘So, a descendant of the Xu Family with the talent and heart for cultivation has appeared. I just wonder why this little one didn’t seek me out. It seems he entered the outer sect through his own efforts.’

‘But this child’s… aptitude doesn’t seem to be the best. Even among these outer sect disciples, he appears utterly unremarkable.’

With that thought, Xu Zhuang reined in his flight and descended from the clouds.

Zhu Hall’s attention was on the young disciples reciting the Tao Scripture when a voice suddenly sounded from behind him. “Steward Zhu, it’s been a long time.”

Zhu Hall jumped in alarm before realizing the voice was very familiar. It had been a long time since he had heard anyone call him Steward Zhu.

Zhu Hall turned around, his eyes lighting up with delight. He immediately stood and bowed with cupped hands. “Senior Brother Xu… ah, Venerable Dao Miao, it has indeed been a long time.”

Xu Zhuang smiled. “You’re being too formal, Steward Zhu. Have we not always addressed each other as brothers?”

Zhu Hall paused for a moment, the delight on his face intensifying. He chuckled and said, “You’re right, you’re right, Senior Brother Xu. It is I who have been neglectful.”

Xu Zhuang nodded and asked, “I only knew you resigned your post at the Ministry of Affairs Hall for a sinecure. I never thought you’d become an Outer Elder.”

Zhu Hall chuckled. “Well, don’t laugh, Senior Brother, but my family has grown quite large over the years. I took this position as an Outer Elder to make it easier to teach my own descendants, but I ended up finding it rather enjoyable to cultivate disciples for the sect, so I just stayed on. It’s been several decades now.”

Zhu Hall didn’t wait for Xu Zhuang to respond and asked, “I heard that you had important matters to attend to, Senior Brother. What brings you here so suddenly?”

Xu Zhuang didn’t bother with pleasantries, simply pointing toward the young disciples. “What is that child’s name?”

Zhu Hall looked in the direction Xu Zhuang was pointing and answered, “That child is called Xu Zhi—”

He trailed off, then paused. A smile bloomed on his face as he continued, “The boy, though a bit taciturn, is quite diligent. He’s also very attentive during lectures. He should have a promising future.”

Xu Zhuang just smiled faintly at his words. “I see.”

An idea sparked in Zhu Hall’s mind. He asked, “Today is a lecture day. I’m scheduled to begin as soon as the children finish reciting the Tao Scripture. Since you are here, Senior Brother, perhaps you could grace them with a lesson on Taoist techniques?”

“Your mastery of Taoist techniques is renowned throughout the Divine Continent, Senior Brother. To be taught by you would be an immense stroke of luck for these children.”

“Oh?” Xu Zhuang gave Zhu Hall a surprised look. He knew this was just an excuse to have him personally instruct Xu Zhi—though it would certainly be a great benefit to all the young disciples present.

But Xu Zhuang had no such intention. In truth, regardless of whether Xu Zhi had sought him out with the jade bamboo, Xu Zhuang would not have ignored him completely. However, providing meticulous, hands-on instruction was neither in his nature nor in line with his philosophy for nurturing the next generation of cultivators.

Just revealing this small bit of information was already showing Xu Zhi more than enough favor.

Xu Zhuang smiled. “My visit was sudden, and I haven’t prepared anything. Let’s forgo the lecture.”

After a moment of contemplation, however, he added, “But I don’t mind leaving behind an opportunity.”

At that moment, the recitation of the Tao Scripture was drawing to a close. Many of the young disciples looked on with curiosity, having noticed an additional Xuanlang Taoist on the Preaching Platform.

Xu Zhuang smiled faintly. He suddenly brandished a sword and slashed at the stone cliff face behind the Preaching Platform, leaving a gash that seemed to yearn to soar into the heavens as Formless Sword Qi billowed out from it.

“This is a sword style I just created on the fly. I will register it with the sect. Any child who can gain insight from this sword mark will be permitted to study Superior Swordsmanship.” Xu Zhuang added, “Of course, this applies equally to all disciples of the Tai Su Outer Sect. I trust you don’t mind, Steward Zhu.”

Zhu Hall hurriedly replied, “Not at all, not at all! Senior Brother, your magnanimity leaves me utterly in awe…”

Xu Zhuang smiled and waved a hand dismissively. He then flicked a finger toward Zhu Hall’s pouch, sending something into it, before calling out, “I’m off!”

When Zhu Hall looked up, Xu Zhuang had already transformed back into Smoke Mist and vanished into the heavens.