Fantasy/Heroic: Heaven-Burning Divine Fire, Earthly Sovereign!

"Tomorrow we will arrive at Mount Qiyun, where your grandmaster resides. You must make a good impression and let your grandmaster know your abilities."

Dan Yuwu gave her instructions.

"Don't worry, Mother, I have my own plans."

Yuwen Tuo understood perfectly what Shan Yuwu meant.

Back then, his mother never told his master that he had married into the Northern Zhou royal family, so there must have been some conflict between them.

That means it's up to him, the younger generation, to resolve this.

It's not easy for adults to speak, but it's much easier for children to speak.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, and Yuwentuo felt a little tired.

Shan Yuwu told him to go to the carriage to sleep, while she stayed behind to keep watch and maintain order on the outside.

The next morning, the three of them drove for half a day and arrived at a mountain ridge.

The mountains and rivers are connected, and under the sunlight, they reflect a golden light, as if a golden cloud is covering the mountain peaks, so dazzling that people can hardly open their eyes.

"I haven't been back for many years, but this place still looks the same as it did back then."

As Shan Yuwu gazed at this mountain range, a deep sense of nostalgia filled her eyes.

Han Teng shaded his eyes with his hand, looking up at the mountain with a slight frown.

The vital energy of this blessed land has begun to weaken.

If someone is truly a highly accomplished master, the terrain and the surrounding landscape should be connected to the energy and fortune of heaven and earth; the stronger their cultivation, the stronger their aura.

Although the golden light was dazzling, it was somewhat obscure inside, seemingly indicating a strong exterior but weak interior.

But seeing that the Empress Dowager was in high spirits, he didn't dare to interrupt.

Yuwen Tuo looked at the mountain with a calm expression.

The three abandoned the carriage and headed up the mountain.

Dan Yuwu recalled the roads she had traveled before and arrived at a mountain pass.

At the foot of the mountain, on a blue stone, a child was playing.

Upon seeing someone approaching, the boy immediately called out and looked in their direction.

"But our distinguished guest has arrived!"

The boy bowed.

Who are you?

Dan Yuwu was slightly surprised to see that the boy was only on par with Yuwen Tuo.

"My lord had a sudden whim today, and since we had guests coming, he specially sent me here to greet them."

"I see."

Dan Yuwu felt a sense of relief.

Thinking to himself that his master's methods were becoming increasingly sophisticated, but as an honored guest, did his master no longer recognize him?

"Little boy, I am Shan Yuwu, do you know me?"

Shan Yuwu looked at the boy and told him her name.

"So it's Senior Sister. Master once mentioned Senior Sister's name, saying that Senior Sister has exceptional talent, but her worldly ties are not yet severed."

The child imitated the adults' mannerisms, which delighted Shan Yuwu.

Since the master said so, then he shouldn't blame me.

"Junior brother, please lead me to see Master!"

"Yes, Senior Sister."

The boy responded, took out a jade pendant, and cast a spell behind him.

The jade pendant emitted light, and suddenly the scene changed; a door appeared out of thin air.

The magic of immortals is not simple.

They hadn't seen this change before.

"Senior sister, please."

The boy gestured for them to proceed.

Shan Yuwu led the way, holding Yuwen Tuo's hand, while Han Teng followed behind.

The boy waited until they went in before he went in himself.

The door suddenly closed, and before me were the same mountains and the same scenery again, without any change or abnormality.

The mountain path was winding and the air was slightly chilly, indicating that it wasn't regularly maintained.

Some weeds have even grown onto the mountain path.

Dan Yuwu subtly inquired about her master's situation.

The boy was really just an eight or nine-year-old child, speaking unclearly and unable to articulate his thoughts clearly.

After walking for about half an hour, we finally arrived at a flat, open area on the mountain.

Golden rays of light flowed and swirled, creating a misty atmosphere that seemed almost within reach.

Not far ahead was a cave.

The doors were tightly shut.

"Please wait a moment, senior sister, I'll go and inform them."

"Thank you for your trouble, junior brother."

Dan Yuwu thanked her.

The boy stepped forward, pushed open the somewhat heavy door, and went inside.

He left shortly afterward.

"Master, please come in."

Dan Yuwu and the other person stepped forward.

Han Teng cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"The Empress Dowager and His Highness the Prince may proceed on their own; I will remain outside to keep watch."

"Alright."

Seeing that he was unwilling to go in, Shan Yuwu did not force him.

The mother and son, along with the boy, entered the cave together.

The cave was filled with a golden glow, yet it also showed signs of decay, its light flickering and uncertain.

A Taoist priest sat atop an octagonal cloud platform directly in front of him.

He wore a golden robe, radiant with the glow of the sunset, yet his face showed a hint of suffering.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that he was faintly exuding an aura of death.

"Your unfilial disciple, Shan Yuwu, pays respects to your master!"

"Tuo'er, this is your grandmaster. Come and greet him."

Shan Yuwu bowed once, then pulled Yuwen Tuo forward.

Yuwen Tuo also bowed and paid his respects.

Get up!

"It's been many years, and you've become a mother; you're no longer the little girl you once were."

Jinxia Zhenren waved her hand, and Yuwen Tuo and the other man immediately felt a strong force lift them up.

However, his words caused Shan Yuwu to feel deeply wronged, and she actually started to cry.

"Master, it's all my fault for being unfilial. I acted on my own initiative. You must be angry with me!"

Dan Yuwu knelt down again.

"Silly child, how could a master be angry with his apprentice?"

"Your son is still here; don't let him see this and make a fool of himself."

After Jinxia Zhenren offered a few words of comfort, Shan Yuwu finally stopped crying.

But she had been crying so hard just now that she had to sniffle hard to stop.

"I observed the world at night and saw the Purple Star move, and evil energy invaded, which is a sign of the dynasty's demise. I guessed you would come here."

Upon hearing this, Shan Yuwu's eyes reddened again.

She recounted her recent experiences and encounters.

"The Northern Zhou Dynasty is about to fall, and the country is in chaos. This disciple should not have come to disturb Master."

"However, in this vast world, there is no place for a disciple to hide. I can only shamelessly ask my master for protection and to teach my son Yuwen Tuo cultivation, so that I may protect myself in the future and one day restore our country."

Dan Yuwu spoke earnestly.

Her request wasn't for her own master to teach her son; she simply wanted someone to tutor him.

Master Jinxia stroked his beard and looked Yuwen Tuo up and down.

"When I broke through to a higher realm ten years ago, I failed and suffered a backlash. Now my lifespan is only thirty years."

"Therefore, he dismissed his disciples, leaving only a child he had found during the war to accompany him, and waited for his time to come."

Upon hearing Jinxia Zhenren's words, Shan Yuwu's expression changed drastically.

"Master, how could this be?"

"With your extraordinary cultivation, how could this be?"

Dan Yuwu looked flustered and felt guilty.

I regret not coming down the mountain back then.

If we can stay on the mountain and take care of our master, why should we make him suffer like this?

"All living beings in this world are ultimately destined to die."

"I have cultivated myself to this point, and I can say that I have been blessed by the heavens."

"I had no desire to concern myself with worldly affairs, but since you have asked, I will certainly help you."

Jinxia Zhenren had a very calm view of life and death.

After saying that, he beckoned to Yuwen Tuo, "Child, come up here and let me take a look."

Yuwentuo stepped forward.