Chapter 512

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Protagonist:

Yu Zhangsheng

On the vast coastline, the dock was bustling with voices yet orderly; countless cultivators came and went, and no matter their cultivation base or race, they all chose to restrain themselves the moment they stepped onto the island.

Around the edges of the harbor, at regular intervals, cultivators clad in military armor stood guard with spears; though each one's cultivation was not outstanding, no one dared look down on them, much less act arrogantly toward them — everyone obediently followed the rules and queued to board the island.

Because this is the Sea Beast Heaven Island; even the Lower Sea Beast Heaven Island falls under the direct jurisdiction of the Holy Land, and compared to the surrounding sea regions, the public order is doubtlessly much better.

Yu Zhangsheng's group did not pause; after paying a certain island-entry fee, they stowed their spirit boat and arrived on the Sea Beast Heaven Island.

"Huu..."

The feeling of solid ground beneath his feet returned once more, and Yu Zhangsheng could not help but let out a long breath; a trace of trance involuntarily appeared on his face. He sensed the surrounding environment, and his brows twitched slightly.

"Only by truly coming up can one feel how astonishing the Holy Land is; the density of spiritual qi on just a lower island is almost comparable to the spiritual qi level in the Fallen Cliff Abyss back then."

"No wonder so many people flock eagerly to become Outer Sect Disciples."

Yu Zhangsheng muttered, lost in thought, and looked up at Wei Lao beside him.

"Master, where are we going now? Do we follow the crowd to take the Sea Beast Heaven Island's disciple-recruitment test?"

Wei Lao pondered, lowered his eyes, and took out a Communication Jade Tube; after operating it for a moment, he smiled faintly and said in a deep voice:

"No need. While on the boat, I already contacted this old friend of mine in advance; we'll wait here a bit, and he'll come fetch us shortly."

"It's also been many years since we last met; quite nostalgic, hehe."

"Oh, alright."

Yu Zhangsheng nodded, looking perfectly obedient.

Seeing this, the three — Shi Huishan among them — sighed inwardly. After a moment's thought, Shi Huishan cupped his fists, stepped forward, and bowed slightly to Yu Zhangsheng and Wei Lao, saying softly: "Since that's the case, we three brothers won't disturb you any longer; we'll part ways here. Barring accidents, we three should smoothly become Outer Sect Disciples. Dao Friend Yu, if you need anything, just let us know; we'll go through fire and water without hesitation."

"Mm. Take care."

Yu Zhangsheng nodded, his heart utterly calm, and watched Shi Huishan's trio leave under the guidance of the guards stationed here to take the recruitment test. Then he and Wei Lao found a shady spot and waited quietly.

"Master, what position does your old friend hold in this Sea Beast Heaven Island? After so many years without meeting, can you still recognize him?"

While waiting, Yu Zhangsheng asked curiously.

"As for position, he's just an ordinary Elder in this Sea Beast Heaven Island; as for specifically what aspect he's in charge of, Teacher isn't too clear either."

Wei Lao stroked his beard, pondered a moment, and smiled faintly.

"Although we haven't met in many years, this old friend of mine has a gentle temperament, values loyalty above all, and is quite reliable. Teacher and he had a deep friendship back then; since we've just arrived, having him introduce us is naturally better, and there's no need to worry he'll harbor any ill intentions — Teacher still believes in his character."

"Oh oh," Yu Zhangsheng pondered slightly, hesitated a moment, and asked tentatively, "Then is your friend on the Lower Sea Beast Heaven Island, or the Upper Sea Beast Heaven Island?"

Wei Lao frowned, glared at him at those words, and said irritably: "My old friend — how could he be an ordinary cultivator? He's definitely on the Upper Sea Beast Heaven Island; otherwise I wouldn't have gone to such trouble to come find him."

"An ordinary Elder of the Lower Sea Beast Heaven Island has no say whatsoever."

"Then his cultivation?"

Yu Zhangsheng asked again.

"Spirit Transformation True Venerate," Wei Lao glanced at Yu Zhangsheng and said lightly, "To serve as an Elder on the Upper Sea Beast Heaven Island, the minimum cultivation is Spirit Transformation True Venerate; and that's just for an ordinary Elder."

Yu Zhangsheng's heart jumped; he clicked his tongue inwardly and muttered: "An ordinary Elder is already at Spirit Transformation cultivation; looking across the whole of Wuzhou, there aren't many Spirit Transformation True Venerates, right? Worthy of a Holy Land, famous throughout a domain — its foundation is indeed not simple."

"Naturally."

Wei Lao was filled with emotion and exclaimed: "Looking at the many Holy Lands of the Xuan Tian Realm, although the Sea Beast Heaven Island isn't among the absolute peaks, even the most ordinary Holy Land possesses strength beyond imagination."

"Spirit Transformation only counts as an ordinary Elder there, while the Holy Master is even more unfathomable, possessing the ability to pierce heaven..."

As the two conversed, not long after, a voice carrying a hint of laughter quietly rang out from the side, abruptly entering their ears:

"Brother Wei, long time no see."

Yu Zhangsheng and Wei Lao both froze simultaneously, hearts startled, and turned their heads.

But at some unknown time, a figure walked toward them; this person approached without sound or ripple, not a trace of fluctuation, his entire aura fully converged, so that neither Yu Zhangsheng nor Wei Lao had detected him beforehand.

He wore a plain, clean long robe, his sleeves fluttering, as if carrying the quiet fragrance of books. His figure was tall and straight, like a gnarled green pine, naturally exuding an extraordinary, transcendent temperament. His face was lean, features regular; between brows and eyes showed gentleness and wisdom. That pair of eyes, deep and bright, like stars twinkling in the night sky, spirited and piercing. Nose bridge straight, lips slightly pursed, always wearing a faint smile, giving one a feeling like bathing in a spring breeze.

"Brother Chen!"

Wei Lao instantly grew excited; his slightly aged face quickly flushed with a hint of red, and he replied with a beaming smile.

The newcomer was precisely Wei Lao's old friend, and also an Elder of the Upper Sea Beast Heaven Island — Chen Wencai.

"Long time no see; rare that Brother Wei still remembers me, not bad."

Chen Wencai chuckled, walked over in a few steps, his bearing composed; he pursed his lips and smiled. In his every gesture one could not discern the bearing of a Spirit Transformation expert; his whole body emitted a tranquil, peaceful aura — neither proud nor rash, neither angry nor resentful — fully displaying a refined, scholarly elegance, like a teacher giving lessons in the mortal world.

Therefore, his appearance did not attract much attention from the surrounding people; otherwise, at this critical juncture, a Holy Land Elder descending the island would surely have caused a temporary sensation.

This drew Yu Zhangsheng's sidelong glance; he hurriedly suppressed the shock and doubt in his heart, lowered his eyes, cupped his fists, a respectful look emerging in his brows, and greeted respectfully with a bow to Chen Wencai: "Junior Yu Zhangsheng greets Senior Chen."

Chen Wencai's gaze shifted, landing on Yu Zhangsheng; a trace of surprise flashed in the depths of his eyes, but his face remained composed as he said gently: "Worthy of being Brother Wei's disciple — handsome, outstanding natural talent; at such a young age already at Violet Mansion cultivation. Even placed in my Sea Beast Heaven Island, he would be a brilliant talent and heaven's pride."

"For Brother Wei to accept such a disciple is his good fortune."

Chen Wencai chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of teasing. Wei Lao immediately frowned, but only smiled and shook his head, lifted his head, and a trace of pride naturally appeared on his face as he snorted: "You're just envious that I took such a disciple; don't even think about poaching him — he's my disciple, no one can snatch him away."

"Hahaha, yes yes yes," Chen Wencai laughed heartily, suppressing the strangeness in his eyes, and said, "If I didn't know he was Brother Wei's disciple, even I might not be able to restrain the urge to cherish talent and take him as my own disciple."

"Senior overpraises; it's all due to Master's proper guidance. This disciple is dull-witted; only by receiving Master's care have I achieved anything."

Yu Zhangsheng replied respectfully.

"Mm, not bad; counts as me not having doted on you in vain all this time."

Wei Lao nodded with a smile, satisfaction showing in his eyes.

"My worthy nephew, don't be too modest. Even Wei Brother couldn't have taught someone as heaven-defying as you. Enough, let's stop walking and talking. We two brothers haven't seen each other in several hundred years. I've prepared fine wine and dishes. You two have traveled ten thousand li through dust and toil, so I must give you a proper welcome."

Chen Wencai laughed heartily. Glancing at Wei Lao, his tone was mournful, his gaze somewhat dazed. Walking in front to lead the way for the two, the three exchanged words, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

"Indeed, it's been a long time since we last met. Mainly because the two domains are far apart; ordinarily, without necessity, it's hard to make a trip."

Wei Lao nodded, saying, and exhaled a heavy breath.

"It's rare to meet this time, yet I've come to trouble Brother Chen again. Thinking about it, I truly feel ashamed."

Wei Lao sighed lightly.

"Saying these things between you and me brothers, doesn't it make us seem distant?"

Chen Wencai slightly furrowed his brow, his tone carrying a hint of warm anger, and said: "What small matters are these? There's no trouble or no trouble. Rather, after so long, you still remember having me as a brother; that alone is enough to make me grateful."

Chen Wencai said, slightly raising his eyebrow, yet his demeanor was full of sincerity, moving to behold.

Even Wei Lao was slightly stunned, a trace of guilt appearing on his face. He shook his head and disappeared, smiling:

"Hearing Brother Chen say this, I'm relieved. After so many years, Brother Chen hasn't changed at all."

"I'm just muddling through. Might as well hold an idle post in this Holy Land and enjoy leisure. A day here is boring enough. Fortunately, you've come this time, and we can drink and chat again. Isn't that delightful?"

Chen Wencai laughed heartily. As the few proceeded, under Chen Wencai's lead, they approached a lavishly decorated restaurant.

Yu Zhangsheng looked up and glanced at the restaurant's name, called—Zui Xian Ju.

Soon, a shop attendant respectfully came to serve, bowing slightly, greeting Yu Zhangsheng and the other two to enter the restaurant, smiling: "Fellow Dao Friends, what would you like to eat or drink? All ingredients in our shop are specially processed spirit objects. Eating them aids cultivation base growth and produces no grain impurities. Please rest assured, Fellow Daoists."

"Mm, arrange a fine private room, bring two pots of good wine, and put out all the signature dishes of the shop."

Chen Wencai had clearly been here before. After giving a few familiar instructions, he was led by the shop attendant up to the second floor and sat in an elegant private room at the top.

"Fellow Daoists, please wait a moment. The food will be ready shortly. Please wait patiently?"

The shop attendant smiled, possibly, bent his body and withdrew from the private room, flicked his sleeve, and activated the formation inside the private room. Instantly, rich spiritual Qi surged, like a thin mist slowly seeping from the floor, filling the entire private room, refreshing the spirit.

Yu Zhangsheng looked at the shop attendant's back, his eyes flickered slightly, and he was secretly surprised in his heart.

"A mere shop attendant has Golden Core cultivation. It seems this Zui Xian Ju is no ordinary restaurant."

Yu Zhangsheng muttered in his heart, while Chen Wencai laughed heartily, picked up the tea on the table, poured a cup for Wei Lao and Yu Zhangsheng, and smiled:

"I've come to this Zui Xian Ju quite often ordinarily, but basically I come alone. Drinking alone is truly boring. Fortunately, today, Brother Wei's arrival allows me to drink a few cups with you and relieve my boredom."

Wei Lao stroked his beard and laughed directly: "You saying that makes it seem like my greatest honor. Fortunately, after so many years, Brother Chen is still the same character, not changed at all."

"What's this about? Does Brother Wei think I would rely on the name of a Holy Land Elder and become distant and estranged?"

Chen Wencai waved his hand, drank a mouthful of tea, and said while sipping his lips:

"They're just empty fame. In this Holy Land, it's rare to find someone to talk to. Cultivating all day without hope of breakthrough, sometimes I feel it's better to indulge in mountains and waters, like when we were young, roaming this continent together, seeing everything."

Chen Wencai chuckled. After speaking, a trace of nostalgia appeared on his face.

Wei Lao pondered, his expression changed slightly. He drank a mouthful of tea and swallowed it into his belly, his Adam's apple moving: "You are carefree, but after so many years, Brother Chen, you've already reached Spirit Transformation. As for me, I've wasted endless years and am still only a Purple Mansion, growing old."

Wei Lao gave a bitter smile, his gaze dimmed slightly.

Chen Wencai slightly frowned, was silent for a while, and said:

"Brother Wei, don't be discouraged. With your aptitude, you shouldn't stop here. I have some connections on this Hai Shou Tian Dao. Later, I'll go to the Lian Dan Feng side and see if I can get some pills to increase lifespan for Brother Wei. It might help."

"No need to trouble Brother Chen so much. Rest assured, I won't die in a short time."

Wei Lao laughed heartily, shook his head, and changed the subject.

Yu Zhangsheng listened quietly on the side, silent for a long time, saying nothing, but ripples stirred in his heart.

A normal Purple Mansion True Lord's lifespan is about three thousand years, fluctuating with constitution differences. As for Wei Lao, since the founding of Wanxiang Sect, he has already lived for several thousand years.

Although he had a special method to preserve his life force, after such a long time, he was indeed as Wei Lao himself said, growing old and entering his twilight years.

If he doesn't break through to Spirit Transformation, his lifespan will also come to an end.

These things, only now revealed by Chen Wencai's words, instead caused ripples in Yu Zhangsheng's heart, thoughtful.

"Pills to increase lifespan. Later, I must also get one for my master..."

Yu Zhangsheng thought secretly in his heart. (Chapter End)