CHAPTER 885: CHAPTER 881: THE OLD LOVER’S DISCIPLE

Shen Biancheng introduced Ye Fan to Elder Wu, and Ye Fan respectfully saluted.

Elder Wu had a somewhat relieved expression on his face and said with a smile, "Your master finding a successor with a Pure Yang physique is truly worthy of celebration. When I see him again, we must have a few drinks together."

Shen Biancheng looked worried and recounted the dramatic changes in Xuanyue Palace. Elder Wu cautiously said, "I’ve heard a bit about Xuanyue Palace’s destruction. It was likely done by some sects loyal to the Diyuan Sect, but I’ve heard nothing about your master."

Ye Fan asked, "Has my master communicated with Elder Wu in any way recently?"

Elder Wu slightly shook his head and said, "No, when the disciples of the mountain gate sent a visiting note, I thought it was your master visiting. To my surprise, it was you two, which truly piqued my curiosity. Let’s not stay here; we’ll talk more at the mountain gate."

Just after settling in, the three were to follow Elder Wu up the mountain. Although Elder Wu noticed something amiss with Bai He, he didn’t expose it. It was clear that Tianxuan Sect treated its allies with courtesy, especially given the disaster that befell the Lihuo Sect.

Ye Fan had initially thought that an elder like Elder Wu from the Tianxuan Sect would know the traps around Shuangfeng Mountain and could lead them by flying on a sword. However, even Elder Wu had to walk straightforwardly up the mountain.

Night fell, but for those cultivating immortality, there wasn’t much difference between day and night, as dangers could be sensed through the six senses.

Elder Wu said, "Since the Tianxuan Sect was ambushed by the Diyuan Sect, and our vitality was greatly harmed, we’ve set up no less than a hundred thousand traps around the mountain gate to prevent the Diyuan Sect from launching another attack. To prevent informants from leaking information to the Diyuan Sect, these traps frequently change positions based on the established Tianyuan Five Elements, so you’ll have to endure walking a few extra steps."

Shen Biancheng said, "Elder Wu, you’re too kind. We disciples have come to trouble you, and it’s our honor that you personally came down to meet us."

Though they were walking, with Elder Wu leading the way, they moved considerably faster.

Before the moon reached its zenith, the four had arrived at the Tianxuan Hall nestled between the peaks at Shuangfeng Mountain. The hall was quite empty, but Ye Fan could feel massive fluctuations of Spiritual Energy around. Ye Fan knew that this hall was where the Tianxuan Sect’s mountain-guarding formation, the Tianxuan Thunder Formation, had its Thunder Eye.

Elder Wu proudly said, "Back on the thirty-li staircase, many of our disciples were killed or injured. However, with the Tianxuan Thunder Formation, no matter how strong the Diyuan Sect is, they can’t cross this Thunder Pool."

Ye Fan had previously heard from Shen Biancheng some similarities between Tianxuan Sect’s cultivation and the Xuanyue Palace’s "********," both requiring the severance of emotional ties. But Elder Wu, with his carefree and bold demeanor, was unlike someone without joy or sorrow, giving people a very amiable feeling.

"I will take you to the back mountain to find Elder Wu Ding, to ask if she knows anything," Elder Wu said. "The Tianxuan Sect’s intelligence system is divided into two parts. I am responsible for monitoring the Diyuan Sect’s movements, while matters concerning other mountain gates are managed by Elder Wu Ding. She and your master have quite a history."

Shen Biancheng asked, "Why has my master never mentioned this?"

Elder Wu smiled without speaking.

Ye Fan also became somewhat curious about this "Elder Wu Ding."

When they reached the rear hall and met her in person, Ye Fan realized that this Elder Wu Ding looked very young, about thirty years old, appearing very composed. In front of her were countless Jade Talismans, able to receive messages from all directions of the Pan Gu Realm.

"Junior Sister Wu Ding, these are third disciple Shen Biancheng and fourth disciple Ye Fan from the Lihuo Sect," Elder Wu introduced with a smile.

"Oh?" Elder Wu Ding first glanced at Shen Biancheng, her eyes slightly raised, seemingly dissatisfied, but when her gaze fell on Ye Fan, her face showed a hint of joy, "If I’m not mistaken, his aptitude is extraordinarily good, unmatched even among several generations of mortals in the vast Mingjing Domain."

Elder Wu laughed heartily and said, "Junior Sister, you are right. This is a disciple whom Jun Wu found after more than a hundred years on Earth. He neglected his own cultivation just to find a disciple with a Pure Yang physique. Truly a dedicated person."

Speaking of Zhuo Junwu’s dedication, Elder Wu couldn’t help but sigh. He clearly felt that it was a pity for someone like Zhuo Junwu, who had potential among peer cultivators.

Upon hearing Zhuo Junwu’s name, Elder Wu Ding’s eyes brightened as she asked, "Where is he?"

Elder Wu shook his head helplessly and said, "After Junwu returned to the Pan Gu Realm, he went to Xuanyue Palace and encountered misfortune. His eldest disciple was killed unjustly, and he and his second disciple disappeared. So, I wanted to ask Junior Sister if she had any information."

Elder Wu Ding quickly reviewed records about the Dabeiyu and Jialuoyu, even checking the records of surrounding domains, but shook her head, "There is no information about him at all. Could he have been..."

She didn’t finish, but Ye Fan sensed the unspoken implication.

Elder Wu nodded slightly and said, "I fear so as well."

Shen Biancheng urgently asked, "Elder Wu, what on earth happened? Do you have any idea about my master’s whereabouts?"

Elder Wu sighed and said, "It’s still uncertain now. But in the more than a hundred years since your master left the Pan Gu Realm, a mysterious force has risen. This force is elusive and has destroyed many once-prominent ancient cultivation sects, even killing their disciples, leaving no trace afterward. However, your master had just returned, and this force shouldn’t have found him so soon..."

Ye Fan frowned and said, "But nothing happened to our mountain gate."

"That’s the strange part," Elder Wu said. "Your Heavenly Peak Mountain has the strongest network of Spiritual Energy in the entire Pan Gu Realm, and no outsiders can intrude. But why did your master leave Heavenly Peak Mountain so easily to go to Xuanyue Palace?"

Ye Fan showed a bit of self-blame on his face and said, "My master and the two senior brothers were helping me find someone, perhaps that’s why they encountered trouble."

Shen Biancheng quickly comforted him, "Junior brother, don’t blame yourself. When we first returned to the Pan Gu Realm, Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother sent messages saying that something happened at the mountain gate. If something happened, Master wouldn’t have taken the two senior brothers to Xuanyue Palace so soon; there are many suspicious points that need to be investigated slowly."

Elder Wu Ding’s eyes turned slightly, showing a bit of shrewdness, and said, "Since the two junior nephews have nowhere else to go, stay at Shuangfeng Mountain for now."

"That’s our intention," Shen Biancheng sighed and said, "To be honest, my junior brother, on Earth, had a wife who risked her life to save him. Later, under Qing Lian’s guidance, he trained in Xuanyue Palace’s ’********’..."

Elder Wu Ding laughed and said, "No wonder this young nephew crossed worlds to search; he is indeed a man of sentiment and righteousness, much better than your master..."

The tone had a hint of grievance, like a woman complaining that she didn’t get the attention of her lover.

Ye Fan wondered to himself if this Elder Wu Ding and Zhuo Junwu had a romantic entanglement. Could she be an old flame?