Painting of the Nine Immortals

Translator: _Tat_ Editor: Rundi

Inside a bright cave.

After a short period of rebuttals, Dao Wu Ji and Ling Xian sat down peacefully. They discussed all the interesting things they've encountered as they drank tea.

Then, the leader of the Wan Jian House's expression turned serious. "Ling Xian, I am so glad you were able to return. I don't want to lie to you, the Wan Jian House is in the middle of a crisis right now."

"I somehow sensed that."

Ling Xian nodded softly. From Dao Wu Ji's guilty and self-blaming expression, Ling Xian had sensed that the Wan Jian House was in trouble. He merely didn't know what it was related to.

"Aye, ever since you were forced to leave Yunzhou, the three foreign kinds have been suppressing and striking back at the Wan Jian House."

Dao Wu Ji softly nodded and continued, "Whether it's the land below our feet or the descendants we send out, they all had to go through the three foreign kinds' attacks. If it weren't for the alliance between the different Sects and Houses, we would've been invaded by them."

"The three foreign kinds?"

Ling Xian was a little startled, then his expression turned cold. "I have already chased them out and they still do not leave you alone."

"This was the reason why I was unable to go to Yuezhou back then. It wasn't that I didn't want to, it was that I couldn't."

Dao Wu Ji remained looking embarrassed and sighed. "The position the House was in back then meant the three foreign kinds would've attacked the Wan Jian House the moment I left. Therefore, I hope you can forgive me."

"There is no need. At the root of it all, it is me who caused you trouble. I should be the one apologizing." Ling Xian blamed himself somewhat and at the same time, felt a desire to kill.

He already hated the three foreign kinds. Listening to what Dao Wu Ji was saying made his anger boil and his killing desire flare.

"There is no need to say sorry. The foreign kinds have detested the humankind for many many years. Even if you didn't say anything, they would've found an excuse to make a move."

Dao Wu Ji shook his head, "Plus, I should be the one thanking you. If you didn't admit Yu Xun Zhen into the Wan Jian House, I would not have been able to sustain until now."

"The mentioning of her reminds me, she truly is walking 1000 miles a day," Ling Xian exclaimed. He didn't think after a short 10 something years, Yu Xun Zhen would already have broken through to the original level.

But when he remembered how she was a sage body, he understood.

That was one of the special physical bodies for the humankind!

"Naturally. It would be stranger if the legendary sage body does not offer her such speed." Dao Wu Ji softly smiled. Looking at the handsome young man, his expression was happy.

"With you and Xun Zhen here, my Wan Jian House can truly stand forever and enjoy endless glory."

"You are flattering us."

Ling Xian smiled but quickly wiped off his smile, "Do not worry, Headmaster, now that I have returned, I will repay this debt."

"Haha, that is why I said it is great that you are back."

Dao Wu Ji laughed brightly. There was shock in his eyes. "Plus, you are far more powerful than what I had imagined. Originally, I thought you were at most at the beginning stage of the original level. I did not think you would advance to the advanced stage."

"This level of cultivation is something not many people can compare to in Yunzhou."

Pausing, Dao Wu Ji smiled. "With you here, I believe the Wan Jian House can safely overcome its current crisis."

"After I am done with what I came for, I will find the three foreign kinds and settle our debt."

Ling Xian's expression turned cold. His eyes were full of killer's intent.

"But you need to be careful. Though you are already at the advanced stage of the original level, they are the foreign kinds after all with many original leveled powerhouses." Dao Wu Ji reminded.

"As long as they are not of the fifth level, we will be fine." Ling Xian grinned, his confidence brightening the universe.

Today, he can walk all over Yunzhou without worries!

"I need to find Xun Zhen first to catch up. After I take care of my business, I will settle this." Ling Xian smiled and decided to first go find the woman who once came to help him.

However, Dao Wu Ji shook his head, "When she heard about your death, Xun Zhen left. Even I don't know where she went."

"Did she go travelling…"

Ling Xian frowned then sighed, "Oh well, then I will go check on the young girl."

"Go."

Dao Wu Ji brandished his hand, "That young girl sure is lucky to be able to be your apprentice. Just how many people dream of that."

Ling Xian gently smiled. He waved goodbye to Dao Wu Ji before leaving the palace.

…

Despite his absence of a few decades, Ling Xian's old palace remained the same. Other than a thick layer of dust, nothing else changed.

This made him exclaim in appreciation.

Back then, though he was still powerful and was considered to be the leader of the younger generation in Yunzhou, he was only a cultivator of the completion level. He couldn't fight against all three foreign kinds and had to leave his home to seek safety.

Today, he was an original leveled cultivator. A powerful one at that.

To put it bluntly, in the entire Yunzhou, very few cultivators can be compared to him. Even the Supreme Headmasters of the Nine Houses and 10 Dynasties are no opponents of him.

The only way to describe Ling Xian today is that he can easily dominate Yunzhou!

With his capability, if careful, he can go anywhere in Yunzhou. Even the three foreign kinds' land was no problem.

"Aye, in the blink of an eye, more than 20 years have passed."

Ling Xian sighed and flapped his sleeve, removing the dust. Then, he slowly turned around to look at the young girl, who had a complex expression on her face.

"What is your name?"

Hearing this, the young girl's face reddened. She answered in a low voice, "I… I only know my last name is An. As for my name… everyone in my village called me Xiao Ya."

"Xiao Ya?"

Ling Xian chuckled. "Your parents never gave you a name?"

"I have no parents. I was raised by my village." The young girl answered in a soft voice. Her little hand held tightly onto the edges of her clothes, looking anxious.

After the series of events, no matter how dumb she was, she knew that Ling Xian was no ordinary being. At the very least, he was an important figure with influence in the Wan Jian House.

Therefore, she had to hide the spikes on her body in case she angers Ling Xian.

"I see."

Ling Xian was silent for a while. After seeing how anxious the young girl was, he couldn't help but laugh, "This doesn't seem to be the you I know. Where is your eye rolling and cold shoulder?"

Hearing this, the young girl's face reddened even more. Remembering how she gave Ling Xian the cold shoulder, she felt ashamed.

Ling Xian did not continue to tease her after that. He stopped smiling and asked in a low voice, "I am willing to take you in as my apprentice. You have to think clearly. This is a big life decision. If you accept, then you must follow my rules. Or else I will kick you out from under my wing and you will have to start from a clean slate."

"If you are unwilling, then I will not force you. I will take you to the 12 peak leaders and you can choose one of your choice."

Ling Xian's expression turned serious. His sharp eyes shot through the young girl.

At this, the young girl turned even more nervous. However, she knew this was a rare opportunity that most people cannot get. How could she decline?

Plus, Ling Xian changed the course of her fate. That was something she was very thankful for.

Therefore, the young girl kneeled slowly and katow'ed three times towards Ling Xian.

"I am willing to be your apprentice. I will follow your rules, if I disobey, I will let heaven and earth destroy me."