Longzang

Chapter 1138 Roots
Cui Zhengxing nodded, and the matter was largely settled. Bai Kaishui, however, remained mostly silent throughout, so Cui Zhengxing asked, "What does the White House think?"

Plain Water seemed somewhat absent-minded, and said, "It's as agreed."

Although Cui Zhengxing had some doubts, he didn't dare to ask too many questions out of respect for the Sword Palace Master's status. Instead, he asked Wei Yuan, "Where do you think would be a better place to meet?"

Wei Yuan pointed to the ground and said, "This is it. To be honest, I don't want to run into him after leaving Qingming."

After a moment's thought, Cui Zhengxing nodded and said, "That makes sense. Brother Changhe is showing great sincerity this time. You might as well take a look at the gift list first. I'll then arrange the time and place, which should be within seven days."

"Thank you for your trouble, senior." After Wei Yuan bowed, Cui Zhengxing and Bai Kaishui left.

Wei Yuan stood where he was, and with a thought, he appeared in Yan Shi's courtyard. Just as Wei Yuan appeared, Yan Shi had filled three cups of tea and invited Wei Yuan to sit down.

Also present was Zhu Yan, the abbot of Haotian Temple. At this moment, a three-colored halo of immortal light emanated from between Zhu Yan's brows, constantly rotating and causing the surrounding space to tremble slightly.

This is a sign that one's cultivation has reached its peak, and one's true spirit has sensed the resonating power of the Great Dao. As soon as the suppression is released, the Ascension Tribulation will arrive immediately.

Zhu Yan Zhenjun was in a very peculiar state at this moment, as if he was intentionally indulging himself and was constantly resonating with the Great Dao.

Just as Wei Yuan was about to speak, Yan Shi said, "Drink your tea first."

Wei Yuan was puzzled, but he still drank it all as instructed. He then felt an indescribable bitterness in the tea, followed by something inexplicable slowly spreading out like ripples in his breath. However, with Wei Yuan's current abilities, he couldn't sense what that inexplicable thing was. He only intuitively felt that something in the future or the past seemed to have been changed a little.

After Wei Yuan finished his tea, Yan Shi and Zhu Yan drank their tea as well.

Yan Shi held the empty teacup, momentarily lost in thought, before slowly putting it down as if he had made a decision, a decision that carried immense weight.

Yan Shi said solemnly, "The Tai Chu Palace is currently in turmoil, and the crisis of its collapse is imminent. We do not know how the Palace Master is making arrangements outside, and we can only do our best to do our own job. Abbot Zhu Yan just discussed with me that he may enter the state of ascending to immortality at any time. In this way, the immortals around will definitely be watching this side with all their attention, and the pressure and crisis on your side will be much less."

Wei Yuan felt a strange feeling. Zhu Yan Zhenjun originally had a ten-year buffer period, but he suddenly entered the state of near ascension to immortality ahead of schedule. The immortal light had already appeared, and this could not be reversed.

All of Taichu Palace's enemies are surely aware of this, so they will flock to it, waiting for the moment when True Lord Zhu Yan ascends to immortality to make their move. Zhu Yan has always been known for his conquests, and no one wants him to ascend to immortality; otherwise, he might become another Su Chan Demon Lord or the Lord of Qingkong Palace.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, Wei Yuan understood that Zhu Yan had entered a critical state prematurely for his own sake, drawing the enemy's attention. Knowing that Zhu Yan had ascended to immortality, the enemy, even without directly killing her, could prevent her from achieving a perfect ascension simply by interfering, ultimately leading to another period of delay.

Zhu Yan had already escaped the trap and cage, but now she has jumped back in, which means she is willing to sacrifice her immortal path to become a towering tree and shield Wei Yuan from some of the wind and rain.

Yan Shi was somewhat lost in thought, and after a long while he said, "Back then, when Senior Brother Tinghai resolutely went west, I was a little puzzled. Now that Junior Brother Zhu has stepped into the immortal realm, I deeply agree. I only regret that it wasn't me at this moment."

Zhu Yan smiled and said, "Senior brother, you are mistaken. I am the most relaxed one now. Even if I were to perish like Senior Brother Tinghai, I would have no regrets and feel completely at ease. It is you, senior brother, who has to live well for us. You are the one who is the most saddened."

Yan Shi sighed softly, but did not deny it.

Wei Yuan was at a loss for words, but from Yan Shi and Zhu Yan's conversation, he could guess that the tide was turning and would eventually crush him. In fact, all of this could be seen from his own spiritual tribulation. Multiple powerful figures had intervened, and if it weren't for Wei Yuan's incredible luck and numerous methods, he would have been annihilated in the Spring Smoke Illusionary Wind Tribulation long ago.

As the tides of Heaven turn, the next calamity will surely be even more severe. Yan Shi must have foreseen that Wei Yuan would not survive this calamity, which is why he discussed with Zhu Yan the possibility of Zhu Yan falling back into the trap in exchange for a sliver of hope for Wei Yuan.

In reality, Wei Yuan had barely seen Zhu Yan Zhenjun more than a few times.

Wei Yuan suddenly felt a stinging sensation in his nose, which was extremely difficult to bear.

Zhu Yan smiled at Wei Yuan and said, "Human desires are never satisfied. Since ancient times, ascending to immortality has been a matter of life and death, and there is no one who does not go through a tribulation. This is also a tribulation in disguise for me, and I must pass it. You don't need to worry about it. As long as you can successfully pass through this tribulation and ascend to immortality with ease, even if I perish because of it, it will be worth it."

Yan Shi sighed softly and said, "Give a bow to the True Lord."

Wei Yuan rose and knelt down, bowing three times to Zhu Yan as a master and disciple.

Zhu Yan accepted the offer without hesitation, and then said, "Your governance and the peace of the people are far superior to ours. Back then, our ancestor entrusted you with the boundary stone of your destiny, and he was right to choose you. You don't need to worry about anything from now on; just do what you want to do."

Yan Shi gestured for Wei Yuan to stand up and sit down, then asked, "Is there anything else you've come here for?"

Wei Yuan then recounted how, when they advanced on the ancestral land of the Lü family, Lü Changhe had successively asked Xu Youyi, Bai Kaishui, and Cui Zhengxing to intercede on his behalf.

Yan Shi nodded and said, "This is a long story. Now that your immortal light has appeared and the Great Dao is shaking, I can tell you some things from back then. How you deal with it after you hear it is up to you."

Wei Yuan immediately sat up straight and listened attentively.

Yan Shi then said, "Back then, the Martial Ancestor laid out a world-shaking scheme, trapping all the human immortals in this realm. Although the cause and effect of that time have been erased, according to my observation, there are roughly two consequences. First, after the scheme was completed, the upper limit of human immortals was sealed, and I have always suspected that there are realms above True Immortal; second, the lifespan of immortals has been greatly shortened. Ancient books record that if an immortal is free from illness and calamity, he should live for 100,000 years. But now, the ordinary lifespan of immortals has been reduced to 20,000 years, and if they are injured or suffer calamity, their lifespan will be greatly shortened."

In order to counter the suppression of the Martial Ancestor's plan, after the Martial Ancestor passed away, powerful figures secretly intervened and vigorously supported aristocratic families. Only when the Seven Clans and Thirteen Noble Families were formed were they able to resist the suppression of the Martial Ancestor's plan, giving the immortals of the world a chance to breathe.

These secrets circulate among the powerful clans, which is why True Immortals from these families, such as Cui Zhengxing and Xu Youyi, stepped forward to try and resolve the feud between you and Lü Changhe. Their relationship isn't based on any personal affection; it's purely to oppose the Martial Ancestor's scheme. Now that the Great Tang Dynasty is clearly in decline and on the verge of collapse, they are even more unwilling to see any further unforeseen events occur within the Seven Clans and Thirteen Families, lest the already crumbling Martial Ancestor's scheme be re-established.

Wei Yuan then understood the reason behind it all. No wonder the powerful families and clans had been infiltrating and gradually encroaching on the Nine Kingdoms. No matter how you looked at it, it was all a form of confrontation. The root of the problem was here.

Yan Shi finally asked, "How do you plan to deal with this?"

Wei Yuan said, "I will study that gift list carefully when I get back. Since we can't touch Lü Changhe himself, it would be good to make him spit blood."

Yan Shi nodded and then sent Wei Yuan back to Qingming.

(End of this chapter)