Sitting and forgetting longevity

Chapter 1999 The Root

Wanhu Realm, Yunmeng Marsh, Wenshi School.

The morning light was faint, and the morning dew had not yet dried.

The mist, like a light veil, drifted over the gate of the Wenshi Sect. Several vigorous pine trees grew along the roadside, their sharp needles adorned with glistening morning dew. A gust of wind would cause the dew to tumble down and fall onto the bluestone slabs, shattering into a pool of cool, spiritual energy.

This place, traditionally known for its tranquility and serenity, has broken its usual peace and quiet today, with an uncontrollable commotion and restlessness floating in the air.

The young Taoist priests sweeping and cleaning frequently looked towards the direction of Undying Peak. The disciples on guard stood with their hands on their swords, but couldn't help but whisper to their fellow disciples. Even the elders of each peak, who usually stayed in seclusion all year round, came out of seclusion early and changed into formal robes.

The disciples coming and going, regardless of age, all wore undisguised joy on their faces, their steps hurried, yet all heading in the same direction—the Tai Chi Square in front of the Undying Peak.

Today marks the return of the Wen Shi Sect's delegation from the Nine Heavens Summit Sect Conference.

Today, the square has long been sprinkled with cleansing spring water, the incense tables are neatly arranged, and people are lined up on both sides according to seniority.

The current sect leader, Yan Zhengfeng, dressed in a purple-gold sect leader's robe, stood at the head of the Qian position on the Taiji diagram, with the peak masters and supreme elders behind him. Further behind were the inner and outer disciples.

Everyone stood solemnly, yet could not hide the anticipation and excitement in their eyes, their gazes frequently drifting towards the open space reserved in the center of the square.

At the very back of the line, in the most inconspicuous corner, was a group of new disciples who had been with the school for less than a year.

The oldest among them was only twelve or thirteen years old, and the youngest was only six or seven. They wore uniform blue Taoist robes, and each of them was still innocent and childish, but like bamboo shoots sprouting in early spring, they were full of vigor and vitality.

At this moment, the junior disciples had long forgotten the rules taught by their sect. They craned their necks, stood on tiptoe, and stared intently at a tall senior brother with slightly dark skin, who was gesturing wildly and vividly recounting the thrilling battle of the Nine Heavens that day.

"...That old man Xuan Yin was so treacherous and cunning that he shamelessly announced his victory in front of the cultivators of the Three Thousand Realms and hurriedly ordered the barrier to be opened."

"Thankfully, you didn't see what happened. That old man Xuan Yin was shouting wildly on the stage, while our Grand Master's fate was unknown. Many of our senior uncles and aunts cried on the spot, completely disoriented."

At this point, the tall, thin senior brother looked at the junior disciples surrounding him. They were all extremely nervous, and two of them were so frightened that their faces turned pale and tears were welling up in their eyes.

He quickly continued, "It was Uncle Zhang and Uncle Xia who reacted the fastest—you know Uncle Zhang and Uncle Xia, right? They were both disciples personally accepted by the Grand Master. They immediately sent a cross-realm communication talisman to contact the sect and asked them to go and check on the Grand Master's Longevity Lamp in the sect."

Guess what? Hahaha, the Venerable One's Longevity Lamp is perfectly fine, it didn't go out at all!

At this point, the Wen Shi Sect disciples around him all laughed, and the tense atmosphere vanished.

"Our Supreme Master is so powerful, he would never be defeated by Xuan Yin!"

"Indeed, that old scoundrel Xuan Yin is far too cunning. He actually pulled off a fake victory, but thankfully he was exposed quickly. Serves him right!"

"Just how strong do you think the Supreme Venerable is? Even Xuan Yin couldn't defeat him..."

"Hmph, our Supreme Master is of course the strongest! The number one cultivator in the cultivation world, Dao Kui, invincible!"

This last sentence resonated with all the younger disciples, who puffed out their chests like a flock of little ducks, their eyes sparkling and their faces beaming with pride.

The earth-shattering battle between Liu Qinghuan and Xuan Yin has spread throughout the entire cultivation world in the past two days, and the disciples of the Wen Shi Sect naturally know about it as well.

Their Supreme Lord not only survived, but also turned the tables and killed the Old Man Xuan Yin, thus winning the final victory.

Just as the noise in the square was growing louder, a majestic voice suddenly resounded throughout the entire square:

"The time is almost up, silence!"

It was the voice of the sect leader, Yan Zhengfeng.

The Wen Shi Sect disciples, who had been chattering away, immediately stopped talking, straightened their clothes, and stood up straight.

Even the young disciples in the corner quickly shut their mouths, standing properly with their hands behind their backs, their eyes all fixed on the center of the square. It was 3:45 AM.

On the empty plaza, ripples suddenly spread across the space like water, and a star gate, taller than a person and inlaid with jewels and crystals, gradually appeared.

Once the Star Gate was fully stabilized, the Wen Shi Sect disciples who were going to attend the sect conference filed out, each with their backs ramrod straight, their eyes and brows radiating the sharpness and vigor gained from experience, full of high spirits.

Only after all the disciples had left the Star Gate did a figure in a moon-white Daoist robe slowly step out from the Star Gate.

Liu Qinghuan was the last one to come out.

He was tall and straight, his dark hair was tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, his eyebrows and eyes were clear and gentle, and there was no trace of external pressure around him.

But the moment he appeared, the entire square fell silent.

The next instant, a thunderous roar of cheers erupted throughout the entire Wenshi faction.

"Welcome back to the mountain, Venerable Master!"

"Congratulations, Your Excellency, on your great victory!"

"The Supreme One is invincible!"

The cheers rose higher and higher, making the surrounding bamboo rustle, and even startling the spirit birds that roosted on the Immortal Peak, which circled around the mountain and cried out.

Liu Qinghuan smiled helplessly. These past two days, his ears had almost gone deaf from all the noise; wherever he went, he was met with screams and cheers from crowds.

He raised his hand and gently pressed down, and the cheers gradually subsided.

Yan Zhengfeng had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Liu Qinghuan looking over, he immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said loudly:

"Disciple Yan Zhengfeng, leading the disciples of all peaks of the Wen Shi Sect, respectfully welcomes the Grand Venerable back to the mountain! Congratulations to the Grand Venerable for slaying the Demon Lord in the Nine Heavens Battle, your might shaking the Three Thousand Realms!"

The elders, peak masters, and core disciples behind him also bowed in unison, their voices resounding through the sky.

"Greetings, Your Excellency! Congratulations, Your Excellency!"

Before me were faces, some familiar, some unfamiliar, filled with joy and reverence. Among them were fellow disciples who had journeyed from Yunmengze to Wanhu Realm and then to Qingmingzhu Sea, as well as younger disciples who had joined the sect later.

Looking ahead, Da Yan stood not far away with a smile and said softly, "Junior brother, welcome back."

The coldness in Liu Qinghuan's eyes transformed into a gentle smile: "Senior brother, when did you emerge from seclusion?"

“Just a few days ago,” Da Yan said, “we haven’t seen each other for a long time. Since you went into seclusion, many years have passed in the blink of an eye.”

Liu Qinghuan laughed and said, "Senior brother, why are you suddenly feeling sentimental? Could it be that you miss your junior brother because we haven't seen each other for so long?"

Da Yan looked at him, his eyes seeming to have seen countless days and nights pass by.

"Yes, I still remember the first time I met you. You were just a newbie who had joined the sect not long ago, barely taller than Jian. Who would have thought that one day you would grow into such a towering tree, protecting the entire sect."

He patted Liu Qinghuan on the shoulder, his face full of emotion and satisfaction: "Junior brother, you've worked hard all these years!"

"It's not hard work," Liu Qinghuan said.

He was abandoned at birth and became a homeless beggar, and the Wenshi School became his home.

There's no need to look back on the past, because its roots have always been there, right here.