Chapter 153

Cooking, if you don't know how, just learn. By the way, you can give me those insight jade slips, let me take a look; perhaps I can give you some pointers.

Upon hearing that, Chen Zhangsheng hesitated a moment, but still handed over all his insight jade slips to Lu Xuan.

Now that he has taken Lu Xuan as his master, although it's only a "half-formal" acceptance, he feels that Lu Xuan's realm and understanding of the Dao are far superior to his.

If Lu Xuan can give him guidance, he will benefit greatly.

Lu Xuan took over dozens of jade slips and gave a faint smile.

Actually, he can already guide Chen Zhangsheng in the ways of formations, puppetry, and medicine...

After all, whatever Chen Zhangsheng knows, he also knows, and he is even stronger.

But doing so would be too shocking to the world!

Still, let Chen Zhangsheng take a few days to adjust to the identity of "disciple".

Given Chen Zhangsheng's personality, naturally shifting to the disciple role will be harder for him than for Ji Fuyao and Ye Chen.

But he will wait.

Wait until Chen Zhangsheng says he's ready, then bring him back to the Great Dao Sect.

A moment later.

Lu Xuan went to the adjacent cave dwelling and began to rest.

After fighting Chen Zhangsheng for three days, he felt a bit tired.

Lu Xuan lay on the bed, preparing to sleep.

A system voice came into his ears.

"Ding! Third disciple Chen Zhangsheng is contemplating the Scripture of Non-Action; synchronization begins!"

The voice fell!

An incredibly profound insight surged into Lu Xuan's mind.

Lu Xuan smiled faintly.

He cultivated so quickly!

It must be said, his three disciples are all extremely diligent in cultivation.

Next, he will rest for a few days, entirely depending on whether Chen Zhangsheng can emerge from his state of mind after taking a few days off.

On the contrary, Lu Xuan is not in a hurry.

Supreme Profound Sect.

In the main hall of Supreme Peak.

Elder Nan Chenzi and Sect Master Wei Qianhan, etc., had just returned to the sect from Yan Prefecture.

This time they failed.

Only because the Great Dao Sect acted with excessive speed, they hadn't arrived yet when the ancient Qin clan was already annihilated.

Nan Chenzi fought a battle with the Heavenly Origin Elder of the Great Dao Sect, ending without a clear victor.

The matter ended inconclusively.

Sect Master Wei Qianhan's face flushed with anger: "Elder, will this matter just pass like that?"

You should know they had originally been cooperating with the ancient Qin clan!

Now the ancient Qin clan has been exterminated, and the Qin clan's cultivation foundations have all been taken away by the Great Dao Sect.

Mainly, they didn't expect the Great Dao Sect to be so resolute; after returning from Yun Prefecture, they went straight to exterminate the ancient Qin clan.

Nan Chenzi's face was grim: "This debt, our Supreme Profound Sect has already recorded. This matter will not just end like that!"

Sect Master Wei Qianhan felt bitter inside.

Over the past few months, the Supreme Profound Sect has already suffered two setbacks before the Great Dao Sect.

The first was the Alchemy Exchange Conference, where over a dozen genius alchemists were killed by Ye Chen; Elder Yuan Qingzi entered the Great Dao Sect personally to seek Elder Cangxuan, but the matter was then shelved.

This time, the ancient Qin clan under their protection was wiped out by the Great Dao Sect; Nan Chenzi Elder and the Heavenly Origin Elder fought a battle, which also ended hastily.

Moreover, even under these circumstances, that Heavenly Origin Elder actually proclaimed he would slay the Yunyang Dan Saint!

The Supreme Profound Sect is simply too passive!

Nan Chenzi's face turned solemn: "This time, in the Martial Emperor's Secret Realm, the Great Dao Sect obtained a thread of Dao Resonance from the Bronze Ancient Hall; the Heavenly Origin Elder wishes to invite many hegemonic powers of Nan Huang to jointly study this thread of Dao Resonance and unravel the secret of the Bronze Ancient Hall. The Heavenly Origin Elder also invited our Supreme Profound Sect; when the time comes, we will still have to go to the Great Dao Sect."

Sect Master Wei Qianhan gritted his teeth: "Since ancient times, our Supreme Profound Sect has been under the control of the Great Dao Sect; as a result, our sect's founder entered the Supreme and left countless opportunities! Why is our Supreme Profound Sect still under the control of the Great Dao Sect?"

Nan Chenzi said in a deep voice: "Rest assured, this debt, our Supreme Profound Sect will eventually repay it. However, the path to supremacy has not yet opened, so there's no need to engage in a decisive battle with the Great Dao Sect now."

Sect Master Wei Qianhan suppressed his inner anger, nodded, and said, "Good."

A moment later.

Nan Chenzi sent someone to summon Qin Wang and Nangong Bai Xue.

Nangong Bai Xue wore a simple, elegant long dress, a faint smile on her face, and entered the hall ahead of and behind Qin Wang.

Their gazes kept shifting, like unbreakable silk threads intertwining.

The sect master slightly furrowed his brows, secretly sighing; he had already noticed some flirtatiousness between Nangong Bai Xue and Qin Wang.

But this is normal, because Nangong Bai Xue is a Yin Yang Primordial Body.

The Yin Yang Primordial Body attracts men, so Qin Xiao and Qin Wang undoubtedly have fallen into the same abyss.

In the arena, Nangong Bai Xue and Qin Wang bowed respectfully to Nan Chenzi and the sect master, smiles on their faces.

Sect Master Wei Qianhan sighed: "Qin Wang, Bai Xue, there is bad news."

Qin Wang smiled: "Sect Master, please speak."

Now he has obtained what he long dreamed of; although he hasn't yet set foot in that land of termination, he has personally witnessed it and gathered some.

His mood is very good.

Sect Master slowly said, "The Qin Clan has already been exterminated by the Great Dao Sect."

The voice fell!

Qin Wang and Nangong Bai Xue were stunned.

What?

The Qin Clan was exterminated!

How is that possible?

The Ancient Qin Clan has been passed down for tens of thousands of years; although it is far inferior to its peak, it is still the strongest hegemonic power in Yan Prefecture!

Moreover, hasn't the Supreme Profound Sect already promised to protect the Ancient Qin Clan?

Qin Wang's voice trembled as he looked at Sect Master Wei Qianhan, "Sect Master, is this... really true?"

The Sect Master nodded.

Nangong Bai Xue's face turned deathly pale instantly, her mind went blank.

Shock!

Besides shock, there was also immense fear.

You must know that back then, he left Ye Chen because he valued the strength of the Ancient Qin Clan, which was a hegemonic power possessing an Eight-Star Great Emperor!

How could it possibly collapse so suddenly?

She didn't believe it.

This is impossible!

If the Ancient Qin Clan is exterminated, she will be rootless duckweed, baseless wood.

Moreover, Qin Wang had just become the heir of the Ancient Qin Clan and had not yet announced their engagement.

Nangong Bai Xue knew she possessed a rare Taiyin Yuan Ti, but her Nangong Clan was too weak to help her.

She suddenly felt hatred toward the Nangong Clan.

If the Nangong Clan also had a Nine-Star Great Emperor, would she have to waver between Qin Xiao and Qin Wang like this?

The Taiyin Yuan Ti is indeed powerful, but it must rely on others to exist!

Nangong Bai Xue looked at Qin Wang and suddenly felt utterly disappointed.

This man before her was still the heir of the Ancient Qin Clan last night, but now he is just an ordinary person.

Qin Wang's talent is inferior to Qin Xiao's; now that the Qin Clan has fallen, Qin Wang is nothing.

She well knew that Qin Wang's future was at an end.

In an instant, a feeling of intense loathing for Qin Wang surged in Nangong Bai Xue's heart.

Just a worthless waste!

Moreover, she basically doesn't like Qin Wang.

She needs to find another way out.

Moments later.

Qin Wang only just emerged from the great shock, he placed his hand on Nangong Bai Xue's jade hand, "Bai Xue, now I only have you left."

Nangong Bai Xue violently shook off Qin Wang's hand, her face solemn, ice-cold she said, "Qin Wang, please show some respect; although the Qin Clan has been exterminated, we have no relation anymore, but I am your nominal sister-in-law."

The voice fell!

Qin Wang was stunned on the spot.

What?

Bai Xue, what's wrong with her?

Last night.

Weren't they just recently skin-to-skin, candidly seeing each other, exploring the Land of Terminus, even exchanging vows to be paired birds in heaven and intertwined branches on earth?

Thinking this, Qin Wang said with an astonished expression, "Bai Xue, but we already... yesterday in the cave abode..."

Before he could finish, Nangong Bai Xue directly slapped Qin Wang's face.

Smack!

The finger marks on Qin Wang's face were clearly visible, he froze stiff on the spot.

Nangong Bai Xue suddenly choked up, burst into tears, looking at the Sect Master, "Sect Master, please grant me justice; I only wanted to go to Qin Xiao's cave abode yesterday to fetch some old items, I never expected Qin Wang to molest me, I am no match for Qin Xiao, I suffered humiliation... please, Sect Master, grant me justice!"

Hearing this, Qin Wang stared dumbfounded.

How could this happen?

The Sect Master slightly shook his head, looking at Elder Ancestor Nan Chenzi.

Nan Chenzi's expression remained normal, as if he paid no heed to the matter before him.

The Sect Master immediately felt a headache, took out a sound-transmitting jade slip, and sent a message to Yunyang Dan Sheng.

He also never expected that Nangong Bai Xue's first reaction would actually be to sever ties with Qin Wang!

As expected of a Taiyin Yuan Ti!

Severing affection, done swiftly!

Sect Master Wei Qianhan secretly thought, Nangong Bai Xue leaving Qin Wang is, for the reputation of the Supreme Profound Sect, a good thing.

If the Ancient Qin Clan still existed, Qin Wuyang intended to let Qin Wang and Nangong Bai Xue reunite; that would be a matter of the Qin Clan.

But now the Ancient Qin Clan has been exterminated; both are disciples of the Supreme Profound Sect!

Nominally, Nangong Bai Xue is indeed Qin Wang's sister-in-law.

If they were to marry, the Supreme Profound Sect would lose all face!

Soon.

Yunyang Dan Sheng, in a gray robe, hurriedly stepped into the main hall.

Nangong Bai Xue sobbed as she stumbled toward Yunyang Dan Sheng, flinging herself into his arms.

"Master, please vindicate me..."

Nangong Bai Xue wept bitterly, tears streaming like pear blossoms in rain.

Yunyang Dan Sheng lightly patted her on the back with one palm, knocking her unconscious.

The scene grew much quieter.

Qin Wang gazed dazedly at Nangong Bai Xue's delicate, fair body—so close last night, now worlds apart.

Why did this happen?

At that moment.

Sect Master Wei Qianhan said, "Yunyang, take Bai Xue back."

Yunyang Dan Sheng nodded, lifted Nangong Bai Xue, and a divine rainbow burst beneath his feet as he flew straight toward Yunyang Peak.

The sect master looked at Qin Wang and said slowly, "Qin Wang, I will retain your place as a divine son candidate; how high you rise will depend on your fortune."

Qin Wang felt desolate, his mind blank; he slowly rose, bowed respectfully to the sect master and Elder Nan Chenzi, then staggered out of the hall.

His heart bled.

Returning to his cave dwelling, Qin Wang felt lost, gazing at the memory image of Qin Xiao, he murmured blankly, "Brother, what should we do now?"

…

The Great Dao Sect, a hidden place.

Elder Tian Yuan gazed at the thread of Dao Resonance emanating from the Bronze Ancient Hall before him, secretly marveling.

This thread of Dao Resonance shimmered with resplendent divine light like a celestial river, constantly evolving visions—mountains and rivers of Nan Huang, ancient palaces, and intricate markings he could not decipher—giving a sense of profound mystery.

Although only a thread, it still allowed one to glimpse the leopard through a tube, revealing the secrets of the Bronze Ancient Hall.

Beside them, Elder Tian Xing and Elder Cang Xuan likewise clicked their tongues in amazement.

Elder Cang Xuan said, "In past openings of the Supreme Path, those who ultimately attained the Supreme Fruit all gained opportunity from the Bronze Ancient Hall. This time, for our Great Dao Sect to produce a supreme being, we must enter the Bronze Ancient Hall and obtain opportunity!"

Elder Tian Yuan nodded, "Excellent! This time on the Supreme Path, we must, according to the forefather's instruction, attain the Supreme Fruit!"

The three studied for several days.

Yet they still could not unravel the mystery of this thread of the Bronze Ancient Hall's Dao Resonance.

Elder Tian Yuan said, "I have already invited over a dozen hegemon-level forces to come to our Great Dao Sect to study together. This time we must pool everyone's strength to crack it!"

Elder Cang Xuan pondered briefly, then said, "Elder Tian Yuan, this serves two purposes. Not only can we harness collective power to unravel the Bronze Ancient Hall's mystery, but we can also ease tensions between our Great Dao Sect and the major human forces of Nan Huang."

Elder Tian Xing stroked his flowing beard and said, "Good, good."

…

Tengyue Prefecture.

Chen Zhangsheng had practiced the Wuwei Scripture for a few days, temporarily setting aside his lingering resentment.

Things have come to this; the initiation ceremony is already complete.

Continuing to address him as "Daoist Lu Xuan" would now be somewhat inappropriate.

Especially after he cultivated the Wuwei Scripture given by Lu Xuan, his reverence and awe for Lu Xuan surged even further.

Such a profound art, and Lu Xuan selflessly passed it on to him!

This was tailor-made for him!

It perfectly matches his way of survival and steady progress!

Moreover, he gained a deeper understanding of the "survival way" and the "steady path."

"Surviving" lies beyond causality, merely the first layer.

Someone like Lu Xuan, able to remain detached amidst the karmic vortex of the Great Dao Sect, truly embodies the "survival way."

There is still much he needs to learn from Lu Xuan!

That Wuwei Scripture is merely a fragment; the true complete chapters must be in Lu Xuan's hands.

Lu Xuan is still testing him!

"Daoist Lu Xuan, uh… the master once said he came from the river of time, and what stands before us is merely one of his incarnations."

Now thinking about it, being able to produce such a top-tier art as the Wuwei Scripture really is plausible.

The Wuwei Scripture is definitely not a cultivation art of this world!

Naturally, he still harbors a hint of indignation, but he has suppressed that thought deep within.

Since he has become Lu Xuan's disciple, he might as well return to the Great Dao Sect with Lu Xuan.

Chen Zhangsheng let out a sigh.

He knew that Lu Xuan's chief disciple, Ji Fuyao, and Chen Zhangsheng both held Lu Xuan in utmost reverence and admiration.

He is now not only Lu Xuan's disciple, but also the third disciple.

"If not in the position, do not meddle in its affairs."

Now that he is Lu Xuan's disciple, he must play the role of a disciple well, and play the role of "third junior brother" well.

One who practices non-action still has things to do and things not to do.

These past days, he has already adjusted his mindset.

From now on, he will be an immensely reverent and awestruck "third junior brother" of Lu Xuan.

Not only in conduct, but also in inner thoughts…

What if Lu Xuan has some way to discern his inner thoughts?

The ultimate means are unfathomable, transcending cognition!

After all, he claims to be a man who walked out of the river of time—one must guard against him!

"Master, master, master…"

Chen Zhangsheng silently recited it several times.

A moment later.

He felt that he was ready.

Upon thinking of this.

Chen Zhangsheng arrived at Lu Xuan's cave dwelling door and called out, "Master, I am ready."

"Oh?"

Lu Xuan gave a faint smile.

The next instant.

From the cave dwelling, ten Lu Xuans walked out!

All wore white robes, bore faint smiles on their faces, and emanated resplendent divine radiance, as if ten god kings had descended into the world.

Seeing this scene, Chen Zhangsheng was utterly stunned.

"Master, do you also know puppetry technique?"

……