Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 127 The Immortal Fate Banquet (Part 2) (Combined Chapter)

This wasn't just Zhang Chengdao making things up; aside from the fact that martial arts had indeed been declining for over a thousand years, spiritual energy had indeed been gradually increasing.

In other words, the world is truly experiencing a spiritual revival!

At first, Zhang Chengdao thought it was because of the spiritual herbs, plants and saplings with spiritual power that he had planted. But soon, when he secretly went hundreds of miles away from Baishi Mountain to investigate, he found that the spiritual energy in the whole world was much richer than when he first transmigrated here!

Of course, this difference is not very obvious when viewed in the overall context, but for Zhang Chengdao, who has already reached the Core Formation stage, he can still perceive this subtle difference.

On his way back, he even discovered an old pine tree that was clearly not quite right. It could consciously absorb the surrounding spiritual energy and then "exhale" it out. This process not only did not consume the spiritual energy, but also made the concentration of spiritual energy even higher. The process of the tree being "tempered" by the spiritual energy was itself cultivation.

The old pine tree has become a spirit!

However, although the old pine tree had become a spirit, it could not run, move, or speak. If Zhang Chengdao had not accidentally discovered that it could consciously "breathe," he probably would not have noticed its existence!

Even so, from this glimpse, we can infer that there are probably other places in the world where spirits and monsters, like the old pine tree, the little fox, and Sandy, are naturally born from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

If these spirits nurtured by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth are just flowers, trees, squirrels, and rabbits, that's fine. But what if they are ferocious beasts like black bears and tigers?
This is not as simple as Sandy's initial actions, where she simply stole some things and beat up the little fox!

Zhang Chengdao had never experienced the spiritual energy revival, so of course he had no experience. However, the upheaval brought about by this kind of world-shaking change was no less than the opening of new sea routes and the social class transformation after the Industrial Revolution!
It is both an opportunity and a disaster.

It is an opportunity for the player, but a disaster for ordinary people.

The highest moral principle for Zhang Chengdao as a transmigrator is to ensure a smooth transition during the spiritual energy revival and to consider how to bring about change while maintaining social stability as much as possible.

The meaning of the phrase "spiritual energy revival" is immediately apparent from the words themselves. Murong Zhen understood the meaning behind Zhang Chengdao's words instantly and said, "What Immortal Baishi said is absolutely right. I intend to establish a 'Civilization Administration' in Daxiao and invite Immortal Baishi to serve as the 'Envoy of the Civilization Administration' to manage all matters related to immortality in the world, so as to prevent chaos from arising and harming the country and its people. I wonder what Immortal Baishi thinks?"

Zhang Chengdao declined, saying, "I am not good at worldly affairs. If Your Majesty is willing, you may allow my second disciple to be listed as a disciple."

What a joke! He's perfectly content being the head of a celestial sect that transcends all national power. Only a madman would want to become the head of a subordinate department established by the emperor!
Murong Zhen seemed taken aback for a moment, but quickly nodded and laughed, "Haha, that makes sense. Ruyan is, after all, my imperial sister, and she is indeed suitable to work in the court!"

Upon hearing the mention of Murong Ruyan, Murong Zhencai looked at his younger sister, whom he had only met a few times.

Murong Ruyan was very beautiful. At only fifteen years old, she already had stunning features.

Before leaving, Murong Zhen specifically looked up information about his younger sister. Her mother was a princess from the Bohai Kingdom who came to marry a foreign ruler—a princess who almost became empress. The marriage was actually a "demotion" imposed on her by the Bohai emperor. Compared with the Xiao Kingdom, the Bohai Kingdom was far weaker, so the late emperor did not take this Bohai princess seriously at all. He only favored her a few times. Until her death, her title was only Zhaoyi, which never changed. It was only recently that he issued an edict to posthumously confer her the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

Such low-profile concubines in the harem were probably of average appearance. However, no one knew why Murong Ruyan was so exceptionally beautiful. It is no exaggeration to say that all of Murong Zhen's concubines combined were not as beautiful as Murong Ruyan.

Could cultivating immortality possibly lead to beauty and skin rejuvenation?

In an instant, Murong Zhen began to suspect this.

However, after thinking it over, Murong Zhen put on a caring expression and said to Murong Ruyan, "Ruyan, in the past, your brother has been busy with state affairs and hasn't paid much attention to you. I really feel guilty. Now that you're not young anymore, is there any talented young man you like? You can come back to the palace and stay with the Empress when you have time. Your brother will help you find some. You can take a look at them and accept any you like!"

Murong Ruyan smiled slightly and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. However, I follow my master to cultivate immortality, and the path I cultivate is the 'Path of No Emotion,' which means I am not interested in men. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Murong Zhen was somewhat bewildered: "No... the Path of Heartlessness?"

Murong Ruyan still remembered Zhang Chengdao's initial instructions to her, so she explained with a tiger skin flag: "That's right, my master said that my fate is special. Only by cultivating the Path of No Emotion and severing all feelings and love can I attain the Dao and become an immortal."

"Well, since that's the case, then I won't force you. But please come back to the capital for a short stay whenever you have time."

Murong Zhen sighed, not pressuring him further, but earnestly said, "Your Royal Brother has had a palace prepared for you on Qionghua Island. You can stay there for now. The location of the Princess's residence has also been chosen. We'll see whichever place you like and build your residence there. You have to be comfortable living there!"

"Thank you very much, my Royal Brother."

Murong Ruyan was still a child at heart. She had lived like a ghost in the palace before, but now, just because of her identity as a "disciple of the White Stone Immortal," her elder brother, who had never paid her any attention, was fawning over her. While she felt ironic, she also felt a faint sense of satisfaction.

While enjoying the banquet, the people in the front row also chatted and made connections with each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Meanwhile, the newly initiated disciples in the back row spontaneously formed a small "social circle," exchanging greetings and discussing their backgrounds.

Among this group of newly initiated disciples, right next to Chang Ping'an, Murong Ruyan, and Ye Shuyun were two personal disciples, Tang Xiaoyu and Huang Wu.

"The Tang family girl... wait, no, Grandma Tang?"

Huang Wu scratched his head, feeling somewhat helpless as he faced Tang Xiaoyu's wrinkled face.

Where is his sweet and innocent Tang girl?! How did such a young and sweet Tang girl suddenly become an old lady?!
She even became my...senior sister!?

Huang Wu was finding it hard to accept this fact.

Tang Xiaoyu smiled kindly and said, "I remember that Brother Huang Wu is also a disciple of Immortal Baishi. Why don't you just call me Fourth Senior Sister? That way, I can call you Junior Brother!"

Although she had transformed from a young and lovely girl into an old lady, Huang Wu found her thick Sichuan accent strangely familiar.

He grinned, showing his big yellow teeth, and said, "It's quite interesting. At my age, no one ever calls me 'Junior Brother.' I never thought that after entering the White Stone Immortal Sect, not only would I be called 'Junior Brother,' but also by many young people!"

Huang Wu was referring to Chang Ping'an and Murong Ruyan. Although they were Zhang Chengdao's eldest and second disciples in terms of seniority, they were the youngest of the five disciples, one 17 years old and the other 15 years old. They hadn't even grown up yet, so in Huang Wu's eyes, this middle-aged man, they were just "little kids"!
Hearing the conversation between the two newly initiated junior brothers and sisters, Ye Shuyun kindly turned around, partly to comfort them and partly to introduce them in advance: "There is a sequence to learning the Dao. Junior Brother Huang Wu, don't underestimate Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister just because they are young. They are both exceptionally talented. Senior Brother has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and Second Senior Sister has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining. They are the two with the highest cultivation levels in our White Stone Immortal Sect, besides Master! So even if we count from before and after they began their Dao Inquiry, Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister are our 'seniors'."

“That makes sense. If you don’t like it, I’ll talk to you like this!” Tang Xiaoyu raised her voice again, using the same clear voice she had when she first met Huang Wu. She pulled out a mask from somewhere and put it on her face.

In the blink of an eye, the old lady transformed back into the young and lively Tang girl she once was!

Ye Shuyun praised, "Junior Sister's disguise skills are truly amazing. If I hadn't been blind since childhood and had more acute hearing than others, and hadn't been able to tell that Junior Sister's breathing was different, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell anything from her appearance."

Tang Xiaoyu chuckled: "Third Senior Brother, you flatter me. It's just a trivial skill, not worth mentioning."

On the other side, two tables away, a newly initiated female outer disciple, blushing, excitedly said to Chang Ping'an, "Senior Brother, you may not recognize me, but I recognize you! A few months ago at the White Stone Martial Arts Tournament, my former senior sister Yan Wuqi sparred with you. You used a tree branch, and in one move, you shattered her natal sword, the Silver Dragon Sword, which she had nurtured for over ten years! Senior Sister Wuqi was furious afterward and went into seclusion to cultivate several times, saying she wanted to become a Grandmaster so she could spar with you again!"

"Ah, this... I used too much spiritual power at the time, it was an accident. Sigh, I wanted to apologize to her, but I didn't have time!"

Chang Ping'an still remembered the female warrior he had sparred with back then, and felt a little embarrassed.

Chang Ping'an knew perfectly well how important a natal sword was to a martial artist, and he was quite in the wrong for breaking someone's natal sword during the martial arts tournament.

The purpose of a martial arts tournament is to exchange skills and techniques, not to fight to the death. Most people exchange martial arts moves or skills, and destroying one's own weapon directly does not reflect the true spirit of martial arts.

The female disciple waved her hand and said, "Hey, I saw it a long time ago. Senior Brother is so powerful, he must have been holding back. Senior Sister Wuqi also knows that you didn't do it on purpose, so she's especially angry!"

Chang Ping'an was dumbfounded: "Huh?"

I didn't do it on purpose, but the other person is still extremely angry!?

"Because we felt the gap between us was too big! Back then, we all thought you were a martial artist, and even said you might be some kind of third-grade Innate Venerable, but we never expected you to be a cultivator of immortality. How could we possibly beat you!"

The female disciple seemed quite talkative, constantly muttering, "Oh dear! Senior Sister Wuqi is doomed! I'm afraid she'll never be able to beat Senior Brother in this lifetime! Ugh! I'm so angry!"

As she spoke, she giggled, revealing two dimples on her cheeks, her expression smug.

Huang Wu, who happened to be sitting in the middle, overheard their conversation and asked curiously, "Who is Senior Sister Wuqi? Is she also a senior sister of our White Stone Immortal Sect?"

The female disciple shook her head and explained, "No, it's Peach Blossom Sword Yan Wuqi, a disciple of the Jade Void Sect!"

Huang Wu suddenly realized: "The Jade Void Sect? I've heard of it. I think there's a Jade Void Sect in Dongshan?"

The female disciple nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice: "That's it! I used to be from the Jade Void Sect too!"

Huang Wu felt increasingly confused: "Huh? You were from the Jade Void Sect before, but now you've joined the White Stone Immortal Sect. Doesn't that count as betraying your sect?"

"Of course not! Our sect leader sent me!"

The female disciple, hands on her hips, said confidently, "Look, the Sword Forging Manor and the Ye family of Jiangnan have both come, so of course our Jade Void Sect also sent disciples to try out the trial formation! It's just that I was lucky enough to make it through!"

Huang Wu scratched his head: "So, are you considered a disciple of the Jade Void Sect or the White Stone Immortal Sect?"

The female disciple hesitated for a moment, but then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she answered loudly, "Of course, I'm a disciple of the White Stone Immortal Sect! The Jade Void Sect is now like my 'home'! My mother is the sect leader of the Jade Void Sect!"

"How strange, I don't understand how you martial artists in the Jianghu (martial arts world) discuss things..."

Huang Wuyi shrugged and then turned to Tang Xiaoyu, asking, "Tang family... cough, Fourth Senior Sister, with such a high martial arts rank, were you a disciple of another sect before?"

Tang Xiaoyu paused for a moment, then replied, "You could say that, but there are only two people in my sect. My master died a long time ago, and I am the 'Sect Leader.' My disciple is the only successor of this sect, and he is currently guarding... guarding the sect!"

Huang Wu stared wide-eyed and pressed, "Then what will happen to your disciple if you join the White Stone Immortal Sect?"

Tang Xiaoyu replied, "We'll do whatever we need to do! If Immortal Baishi agrees, my disciple will still be my disciple. If he doesn't agree, I'll just let my disciple inherit my previous sect!"

Huang Wu continued, "If you agree, your disciple will also become a disciple of the White Stone Immortal Sect?"

Tang Xiaoyu shrugged indifferently: "I don't know if it counts or not. If she can't cultivate immortality, I'll just teach her martial arts. It's the same thing!"

"But if you do that, won't the lineage of your previous sect be broken?"

"So what if it's broken! I figured out this martial arts technique on my own, it has little to do with my master, I didn't really inherit anything from him!"

After listening to Tang Xiaoyu's words, Huang Wu actually nodded in agreement and said, "Those are all things you figured out on your own, so there's really no need to pass them on. Just like when I was a carpenter, there were some methods that I taught others but they couldn't learn. You have to figure out a lot of things on your own while you're working!"

Tang Xiaoyu nodded in agreement: "That's right!"

Ye Shuyun couldn't help but smile as she listened to their conversation.

For some reason, he always felt that his two new junior brothers and sisters were already close to being "immortals".

……

(End of this chapter)