LRAB Page 31
Page 31
The note contained only one line of text, written in a messy and illegible hand.
"Three days later, at the Laozi Temple in the Qinling Mountains, we await the one with the right destiny."
Deep in the Qinling Mountains, clouds and mist swirl around.
A dilapidated Taoist temple stands quietly atop the mountain; this is Lao Jun Temple.
On the bluestone platform in front of the temple, a man in a gray long robe stood with his hands behind his back, leisurely watching the clouds drift by at his feet.
Zhang Yunyuan's figure quietly appeared behind him.
Wugensheng slowly turned around, saw him, and once again showed that heartfelt, joyful smile on his face.
"Haha! You actually managed to come all by yourself with just a note."
"I'm getting happier and happier."
Zhang Yunyuan remained calm, seemingly puzzled by his enthusiasm.
He asked knowingly:
"The acting leader of Quanxing Sect is actually so interested in a mere Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain?"
"What brings you here?"
Wugensheng smiled and shook his head, but his eyes were so sharp they seemed to pierce through people's hearts.
"Little Taoist priest?"
"You're not some little Taoist priest."
He walked step by step to Zhang Yunyuan, staring intently at him.
"You are the last disciple of the Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing!"
Zhang Yunyuan's face showed a perfectly timed expression of surprise.
"Your Daoist name is Yunyuan. When you made your move at Yinghe Tower, it seemed effortless, but in reality, you could easily separate four top-tier superhumans with a wave of your hand. Such precise control over 'energy' is something that ordinary disciples cannot possess."
Wu Gensheng spoke eloquently, as if he had everything under control.
"On Mount Longhu, I really can't think of anyone else who could possess such strength at this age."
"It can only be you, the legendary Zhang Yunyuan, the old Celestial Master's closed-door disciple, whose talent is said to be even more terrifying than Zhang Zhiwei's!"
Although it was Zhang Yunyuan who wanted to befriend Wugensheng, he was still quite surprised and even a little impressed by Wugensheng's precise analysis in just a few words.
This rootless person's thinking is indeed meticulous.
Seeing that Zhang Yunyuan remained silent, Wugensheng changed the subject, his smile fading and replaced with a serious expression.
"Also, there is one more thing."
He bowed deeply to Zhang Yunyuan, his expression solemn.
"Regarding the attack on Longhu Mountain by Quanxing several years ago, which injured your senior brother, and the attack on you by Quanxing members at the Lu family's birthday banquet..."
Although I had not yet joined Quanxing at that time, I am now the acting leader of Quanxing. On behalf of Quanxing, I apologize to you.
The Quanxing sect should never be synonymous with evil and heretical sects! I, Wugensheng, am already striving to achieve this.
Zhang Yunyuan looked at him, a slight ripple stirring in his heart.
This Wugensheng certainly has a certain charisma! No wonder he later managed to make those thirty-five unruly and extraordinary people willing to become sworn brothers with him.
To befriend someone he valued, he was willing to set aside his position as the acting leader of the Quanxing Sect and voluntarily bow his head for the sect's mistakes. Such magnanimity and courage are truly rare.
As a fan of the original work, he naturally understood Wugensheng's ambitions and also understood that his current gesture of goodwill was more due to the "fate" brought about by that name card and his appreciation of his own potential.
"One yard owned by a yard."
Zhang Yunyuan spoke calmly, which was considered an acceptance of his apology.
"The Quanxing sect attacked the mountain, and my sect will handle the matter. That evil man from Quanxing tried to attack me, but was severely injured and later executed by the Lu family."
However, I appreciate your apology today.
Seeing his decisiveness and lack of resentment towards him due to sectarian differences, Wugensheng's admiration deepened. He laughed heartily, and the previous serious atmosphere vanished.
"Yun Yuan, I've decided to be your friend!"
The two sat down on the stone steps in front of the temple and started chatting about all sorts of things.
They talked about the chaotic world down the mountain, the various schools of martial arts, and their understanding of "Tao".
With his knowledge far beyond that of his time and his understanding of the plot, Zhang Yunyuan spoke every word perfectly, neither abrupt nor jarring, and always resonated with Wu Gengsheng.
The two hit it off as they talked, and a feeling of missing out on meeting a kindred spirit arose between them.
Finally, Wugensheng changed the subject and got to the main point.
"Yun Yuan, to tell you the truth, I recently found an extremely mysterious place for enlightenment."
"That place seems to be a world of its own, containing the original principles of the beginning of heaven and earth, which is of great benefit to cultivation."
He looked at Zhang Yunyuan and extended a formal invitation.
"I'd like to go with you to uncover the mystery together, what do you say?"
Zhang Yunyuan was shocked.
The birthplace of the Eight Extraordinary Skills, the Twenty-Four Heavenly Valley!
He forcibly suppressed his inner elation, revealing just the right amount of doubt and curiosity on his face.
"Oh? Such a wondrous place exists?"
Wugensheng laughed and stood up.
"Words are no proof. I'll show you my skills, and you'll know that what I say is true."
He beckoned to Zhang Yunyuan with his finger.
"Come on, use your strongest move to attack me."
Zhang Yunyuan didn't hold back; he wanted to test just how strong this future leader of the Thirty-Six Thieves really was.
He took a deep breath, and the Yang Thunder Qi within his body was instantly activated.
"excuse me!"
He pointed his fingers like a sword, and a white lightning bolt, condensed to its extreme, carrying the magnificent power to ward off evil, pierced straight into Wugensheng's chest.
However, a strange scene happened.
The lightning bolt, powerful enough to pierce steel plates, disintegrated into primordial energy particles and vanished into the air when it was still three inches away from Wugensheng's body.
Silently, without causing a ripple.
Zhang Yunyuan's pupils shrank suddenly, his face filled with disbelief.
My Qi... has disappeared?
Even though he already knew Wugensheng's methods, the firsthand experience still gave him a huge shock!
Lu Jin once told Zhang Chulan that Wugensheng's own skills were in no way inferior to the Eight Extraordinary Techniques, and this was by no means an exaggeration!
"My skill is called 'Divine Spirit'."
Wugensheng spread his hands, a smug smile on his face.
"It is innate. It can make all tangible and material Qi return to its original state of nothingness."
"So, I guess I can be considered a naturally gifted person."
He smiled with satisfaction as he looked at Zhang Yunyuan's shocked expression.
"Most of these extraordinary places are protected by restrictions. Only those with extraordinary abilities can break through these restrictions and find the treasures."
"Now, would you like to come with me?"
Chapter 35 Stepping into Tongtian Valley, Heaven and Earth in Chaos
“I am willing to go with you,” Zhang Yunyuan replied firmly.
Wugensheng laughed heartily, and then set off with Zhang Yunyuan.
Wugensheng seemed to be extremely familiar with the route, deliberately choosing to travel through the deep mountains and dense forests where few people went, avoiding all official roads and villages.
Zhang Yunyuan followed behind him, his steps light and quick, but his mind was racing with calculations.
Throughout the journey, Wugensheng never mentioned the specifics of their destination, but instead chatted idly about all sorts of things. The topics seemed casual, but he always subtly probed Zhang Yunyuan's understanding of "Tao" and "Technique".
Zhang Yunyuan naturally handled the situation flawlessly.
With his knowledge far beyond that of his time, he often put forward some refreshing ideas that even Wugensheng found refreshing, which drew repeated praise from the other party, making him feel that making him a confidant was one of the greatest joys of his life.
After traveling for an unknown period of time, as the sun began to set, he and Wugensheng arrived at an extremely open and flat area.
There is nothing here.
Beneath my feet lay bare yellow earth, not a single weed in sight. There were no mountains, rocks, or trees to refer to, only an endless expanse of emptiness, which made me feel inexplicably uneasy.
Wugensheng stopped in his tracks, a mysterious smile on his face.
Zhang Yunyuan looked around, his brows furrowing slightly.
He didn't sense any powerful energy field, nor did he see any trace of any formation.
This place is like a dead land forgotten by the world.
Wugensheng smiled, offering no explanation. He simply walked to the center of the open space, stretched out his hand, and gently pushed against the air in front of him.
His movements were casual, as if he were pushing open a half-closed wooden door.
However, it was this gentle push.
The space ahead resembled a calm lake surface tossed with a pebble, creating visible ripples.
Immediately afterwards, it was as if a transparent door had truly opened in front of Zhang Yunyuan, and the scenery behind the door suddenly changed!
The previously empty flat ground vanished instantly.
Instead, there is a huge, bottomless valley teeming with life!
Ancient vines coiled around towering trees like dragons, and exotic flowers and herbs grew everywhere. Many of these plants had forms he had never heard of or seen before.