Chapter 334: Cross-Server Exchange

At first, no one paid attention to the source of this news...

"Fellow Daoist, have you heard? Ren Jiao's Xuan Du Da Fa Shi has a descendant now! We need to be careful when we go out, so we don't offend such a big figure with impressive origins."

Gradually, it became a major event in the Wu Bu Zhou...

"Fellow Daoist, do you know about Ren Jiao's Xuan Du Da Fa Shi? Yes, yes, the chief disciple of Daoism! He somehow had a child, and it's said that this child is from the union of the Great Mage and the ancient god and demon Bing Tian Nu! Born with three heads and eight arms, able to control wind, fire, thunder, and lightning! His cultivation advances by leaps and bounds, and it's said he can achieve Da Luo in a thousand years!"

Eventually, it evolved to the point where it seemed almost real...

"Shishu, you've come out of seclusion? What are people talking about... Shishu, you don't know? Our Daoism's senior brother, Xuan Du Da Fa Shi, when cultivating the Yin Yang Great Dao, sat on the Tai Ji Tu, and heaven and earth resonated...

And a child was born!"

"Zhangmen! Zhangmen! Our Ren Jiao has good news!"

After the mountain-opening ceremony, another month and a half passed, and the various peaks of Du Xian Men gradually quieted down. A total of 1,200 new disciples were distributed among dozens of peaks, beginning their two-hundred-year cultivation journey.

Because a youth with profound destiny had joined the sect, he was directly taken as a nominal disciple by the founding ancestor Du E Zhen Ren and assigned to the Po Tian Feng lineage for training. This sparked a sense of competition among the other peaks, as everyone wanted to see which peak would produce the top disciple.

As for Du Xian Men's zhangmen, Ji Wu You, he hadn't gone into seclusion during this month and a half. Instead, he had been secretly busy for dozens of nights.

Today, he finally had some free time. Ji Wu You stood by the window of the side hall in Du Xian Dian, gazing out at the sea of clouds, his eyes calm and serene, as he sighed,

"Chang Shou was right."

As the zhangmen, the most important task when new disciples entered the sect was to thoroughly investigate their origins and aptitudes, checking for any signs of external demons possessing bodies, internal demons hiding, or evil spirits reincarnated.

Doing so indeed made things feel more secure and stable.

"The bloodline of the Great Mage is truly extraordinary," he thought.

Just as this crossed his mind, he heard a shout from outside Du Xian Dian: an elder was hurrying over, yelling, "Ren Jiao has good news!"

Ji Wu You was puzzled and walked out with his hands behind his back to meet the elder.

"Greetings, Zhangmen!"

"Wen Elder, as an elder, you must maintain the dignity of your position. Why are you rushing around like this?"

Ji Wu You asked calmly, "Take your time and explain. What good news does our Ren Jiao have?"

"Zhangmen, it's wonderful news!"

The elder rolled up his sleeves, widened his eyes, and said excitedly, "Several stewards heard this rumor while they were out, and I was worried, so I went out to investigate myself. Zhangmen, guess what?"

Ji Wu You furrowed his brow, suddenly feeling a sense of unease. "What is it?"

"The Great Mage has a descendant! Our Ren Jiao's Great Mage has a descendant! It's said that the Xian Tian Tai Ji Tu, our sect's treasure, resonated with the Great Mage, and he fathered a daughter! She's out in the Hong Huang now, undergoing trials and cultivation!"

"Wha— Pfft—"

Ji Wu You's eyes bulged, and a rush of qi made him spit out a mouthful of blood mist. This dignified Jin Xian expert swayed unsteadily, nearly collapsing.

The Wen Elder was stunned and quickly stepped forward to support him.

Ji Wu You grabbed the elder's arm, his mind spinning and his ears ringing.

"Zhangmen! Zhangmen, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Ji Wu You gritted his teeth and said, "Has this matter spread everywhere?"

"It's definitely spread everywhere, and I've heard that Xiao Yao Xian Zong has already announced that they're inviting the Great Mage's descendant to their sect for cultivation, offering the status of a Supreme Elder and using the full power of the sect to protect her."

"Hmph! Now they're jumping around eagerly!"

Ji Wu You frowned deeply and sighed, realizing roughly what had happened.

His own master had truly...

What a mess.

If this angered the Great Mage, would Du Xian Men even survive? How could he and his master bear the Great Mage's wrath?

Immediately, Ji Wu You glared at the elder and strictly ordered that no one in the sect should spread such rumors.

"The Tai Ji Tu is an innate treasure used by our Teacher Sheng Ren to suppress Ren Jiao's destiny. This sounds like nonsense fabricated by outsiders to slander our Great Mage's reputation. Have the elders discuss and draft a statement to declare publicly that the Great Mage has never had any Dao companions throughout his cultivation! He is truly in a state of pure yang!"

"This... As you command, Zhangmen!"

The elder pondered and realized his zhangmen was right. He bowed his head and hurried off to Bai Fan Dian.

Ji Wu You wiped the blood from his mouth, his face even paler, and sighed softly.

Is this your idea of keeping it secret, Master? Your "bottle" has way too many leaks!

What to do? What else could he do?

Ji Wu You summoned a cloud and headed toward Xiao Qiong Feng. At this point, he had no choice but to consult Li Chang Shou and see if he could help appease the Great Mage's anger...

When the zhangmen arrived at Xiao Qiong Feng, Li Chang Shou was teaching Lan Ling E the method for making the old version of the Paper Daoist. It left Lan Ling E dazzled, and she kept saying it was too difficult.

Li Chang Shou's immortal sense detected the zhangmen's approach. He flipped his hand to put away the jade talisman and paper figure, and said to Lan Ling E,

"Go prepare some tea. The zhangmen is coming, and he might have something to discuss."

"Oh," Lan Ling E blinked and replied obediently.

Things were different now; her immortal sense had also caught sight of the zhangmen, and she felt that what her senior brother had said before was probably true.

As for that Yun Xiao Xian Zi matter, it was likely...

Shh, the pressure was mounting again.

When Ji Wu You reached the lake's edge, Li Chang Shou quickly went out to greet him, bowing in salute.

"Disciple greets Zhangmen!"

"Ah," Ji Wu You forced a smile and set up a barrier around them before saying, "Don't bother with formalities. If we really count generations, you and I are of the same."

Li Chang Shou blinked in surprise.

Had the zhangmen found out something?

However, if the zhangmen had figured out his active identity outside the sect and knew about the incident where Lao Jun had publicly supported him in Tian Ting, then...

As the nominal disciple of the Sheng Ren's nominal disciple, Li Chang Shou should actually be a generation above the zhangmen.

Why were they the same generation?

Li Chang Shou quickly identified the inconsistency and began analyzing it internally, though his expression remained unchanged.

"Zhangmen, please come inside and rest."

"Very well," Ji Wu You said, a bit unsure how to start. He nodded and entered the thatched hut with Li Chang Shou.

Once the zhangmen was seated, Li Chang Shou stood respectfully beside him. After Ji Wu You urged him a couple of times, he reluctantly sat down.

At that moment, Lan Ling E brought in tea, bowed to the zhangmen, and served the tea. As she turned to leave, Li Chang Shou called her back.

"Shimei, stay here and listen to the zhangmen's instructions."

"Yes, senior brother."

Lan Ling E stood obediently to the side.

Ji Wu You didn't mind, as he had already figured out Lan Ling E's identity from the grand display during her tribulation.

She was family to the Great Mage!

"Chang Shou," Ji Wu You said, "you... um..."

Li Chang Shou cupped his hands and smiled. "Zhangmen, please speak freely."

Lan Ling E furrowed her brows slightly, wondering if this was about her and her senior brother's plan to secretly move Xiao Qiong Feng, and if the zhangmen had found out.

Ji Wu You, as the zhangmen of a sect with years of experience and countless trials, knew exactly what needed to be done.

After a brief hesitation, he smiled and said,

"Chang Shou, some things, even if you don't say them, I already know."

Li Chang Shou's heart skipped a beat as he subconsciously reviewed where he might have slipped up.

"Zhangmen, this..."

Li Chang Shou pursed his lips, looking a bit embarrassed but keeping his gaze steady.

He had never done anything to harm Du Xian Men or Ren Jiao, so he had nothing to hide.

"It's not that I meant to conceal it; there were just many unavoidable reasons."

"I understand, I understand," Ji Wu You chuckled. "Sometimes, some things are just hard to say. I get it—you have your own difficulties. Sigh, in this world, whether it's ordinary beings muddling through without understanding the Dao, or those striving hard to pursue their own path, who doesn't have something they can't easily say?"

Li Chang Shou felt a surge of emotion. The zhangmen was truly...

So warm.

A fake warm person, like Yuan Qing, who pestered the poisonous shimei just for her body.

A real warm person was someone like the zhangmen—considerate of the sect's disciples, wise, understanding of hardships, and always ready to comfort and encourage them!

Li Chang Shou stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Zhangmen!"

Ji Wu You gave an awkward smile, coughed a few times, and said softly, "Have you heard any of the rumors spreading in the towns outside lately?"

"Recently, I've been occupied with various matters," Li Chang Shou replied with a smile. "Though the overall situation is settled, there are still some lingering issues, so I haven't had a chance to hear what's being said in the towns."

Ji Wu You felt a bit confused by this response but continued,

"This is partly my fault. When Master came to take Li Jing as a disciple, I got carried away and mentioned it to him. But I didn't tell Master the specifics; I just mentioned your existence."

Li Chang Shou frowned slightly.

Had Du E Zhen Ren found out about his identity as the Tian Ting Water God?

Why spread it around?

Considering that Du E Zhen Ren and the zhangmen were master and disciple, like father and son, it made sense not to hide it from him.

Li Chang Shou sighed inwardly. The plan to relocate Xiao Qiong Feng was becoming urgent!

Lan Ling E's brows furrowed deeper.

Why did it feel like her senior brother and the zhangmen were talking passionately, but about completely different things?

Li Chang Shou sighed. "Zhangmen, things like that don't need to be discussed. I was just fortunate, with a path full of twists and turns."

"It's good that you think that way," Ji Wu You said with a smile. "None of us can choose our origins. Whether our roots are high or low, we're all beings striving on the Dao."

Roots?

Li Chang Shou's confusion grew.

Lan Ling E suddenly asked,

"Zhangmen, what exactly are these rumors you're talking about?"

Ji Wu You's face turned awkward. He coughed and sighed. "Chang Shou, it was I who spoke too much to my master, mentioning that the Great Mage has a descendant cultivating in our Du Xian Men. Then, my master must have gotten drunk somewhere and spread the word about the 'Great Mage having a descendant.' Now, it's being twisted beyond recognition out there...

But don't worry, I absolutely didn't mention that you are the Great Mage's descendant!"

Lan Ling E couldn't help but cover her forehead with her hand.

Li Chang Shou stared wide-eyed, momentarily forgetting to breathe. He sat there looking at the zhangmen, his mind buzzing as if a hundred Wen Jing Dao Ren had invaded it.

It was out of control... completely out of control...

Even rumors slandering the Great Mage's pure yang reputation had started, and they traced back to Du E Zhen Ren!

He had always thought this was some dirty trick from Xi Fang Jiao and was planning to counter with a Western fairy tale!

For a moment, Li Chang Shou's mind was in turmoil, his Dao heart trembling.

He couldn't help but ask, "Zhangmen, how did you deduce that I would be the Great Mage's descendant?"

Ji Wu You laughed. "I have that much insight, at least."

Li Chang Shou thought carefully, took out a jade talisman from his sleeve, and handed it to the zhangmen, whispering,

"Zhangmen, please look at this. It will explain everything. And please, never mention what you said earlier to anyone else. It could lead to disaster at best, or ruin Ren Jiao's plans at worst."

Ji Wu You looked down and was instantly shocked. In that moment, he seemed to understand something, his eyes filled with horror, and his Dao heart nearly lost control.

This Dao rhyme!

This handwriting!

Xuan Du, the Great Mage!

"Chang Shou, you!"

"Zhangmen, don't blame me," Li Chang Shou said seriously. "Please don't mention this to anyone outside. If you trust me, please make a Great Dao oath to keep yourself in check."

As he spoke, Li Chang Shou took out a jade pot from his sleeve and pushed it toward Ji Wu You.

"This nine-turn golden pill inside is a token of thanks for your discretion, Zhangmen."

Ji Wu You took a sharp breath, suddenly understanding the full context and clearing up his previous doubts.

This young disciple was far more than just the Great Mage's descendant!

Xuan Du, the junior Great Mage—was he already a Sheng Ren disciple, but keeping it secret?

Of course, Chang Shou was probably the reincarnation of some unrevealed master from Ren Jiao, with a grand scheme at play!

Now that he was involved, this Great Dao oath might seem to bind Ji Wu You, but in reality, it was Chang Shou protecting his life!

"Sigh!"

Ji Wu You sighed in frustration. "How could this happen!

Very well, I'll make the oath now. Please don't hold it against me."

"Zhangmen, about the ancestor, please keep it confidential as well," Li Chang Shou urged cautiously. "If Du E Zhen Ren misunderstands..."

"Don't call him that," Ji Wu You interjected. "Just say Zhen Ren."

"Alright, if Zhen Ren misunderstands, just let him. But you must remind him not to mention this again."

"Understood."

The power of the Heavenly Dao came and went, and the zhangmen rode his cloud back to Po Tian Feng.

"Whew—"

Li Chang Shou let out a long breath, sinking into his chair. He wanted to complain but had no words, so he just rubbed his forehead.

Ren Jiao's rough words.

No wonder the zhangmen had been so agreeable earlier—it turned out he had misunderstood from the start.

The Great Mage's bloodline indeed!

Did the zhangmen spend his days hiding in a dark corner of Du Xian Dian, coughing up blood while reading those trashy story collections?!

A light laugh sounded, and two cool, soft hands pressed on Li Chang Shou's shoulders, gently massaging them.

"Senior brother, how should we handle this?"

"Which matter?"

"The one where people are wildly spreading rumors about the Great Mage," Lan Ling E whispered.

"There's no way to control it," Li Chang Shou shook his head. "The Great Mage's identity is special—he's the only disciple of Ren Jiao and one of the top experts under the Sheng Ren. Topics like this about him are the most likely to spark creatures' curiosity and prying desires.

Even if the Six Immortal Sects of Ren Jiao all came out to deny it, people would just say it's an attempt to cover it up. Besides, those who started the rumor might have been afraid of the Great Mage's retribution at first, but now that it's spreading so widely, they're getting bolder."

Lan Ling E nodded thoughtfully.

Li Chang Shou sighed. "Such absurd matters are the most troublesome."

"Senior brother, are we just going to do nothing?"

"The Great Mage is carefree by nature, with an extremely high Dao realm, and humble in his ways, truly inheriting the essence of our Tai Qing Sheng Ren. He's also the role model I've always strived to emulate."

Li Chang Shou said seriously, "I'm sure the Great Mage won't get furious over something so trivial. This will blow over in a few months."

Lan Ling E was about to respond when a light laugh came from outside the door. Ripples appeared in the air, and a figure, not particularly imposing, stepped out.

"You sly one, your spiritual awareness has gotten sharper lately. When did you figure out I was here? You're praising me to the skies—I almost believed it myself."