Chapter 1279: Old Dao, Old Dao The Water Ghost Is About to Become an Immortal!

Heavy snow, biting cold wind, one elder, and two youths.

"Young man, though you're just an ordinary mortal, your spirit and intent are extraordinary. You're a promising seedling for ancient sword arts. Do you have any interest in learning the sword?"

"Who are you?"

"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is, do you wish to learn the sword?"

"Are you trying to take me as your disciple?"

"Yes."

"I do have thoughts of learning the sword, but I don't want to become your disciple, or anyone's disciple for that matter."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Do you have to take a master to learn the sword? If everyone needs a master, then who was the first master's teacher?"

"Hmm... perhaps the Dao?"

"Let's call it 'Dao' for now! Since the first person who wielded a sword could learn from the Dao, why can't I become like him? Or are you more powerful than the Dao?"

"You! You cheeky boy, where did you get such ideas? Who is your teacher?"

"I said... ah, forget it. Can't I learn on my own? I'll walk my own Jian Dao!"

"You..."

"I've read books, observed countless realms. Jian Dao is like that, and so are all laws... No need to persuade me further. If you want a disciple, ask him. He's quite impressive too."

"Ah... wow, this young man, you not only have extraordinary spirit, but your sword body is astonishing as well. Do you have any interest in learning the sword?"

"Heh, you're the second one to notice me. I'm sick of this kind of life. Old sir, you look like a fraud."

"No, I'm not..."

"You're Mei Yi Ren, right?"

"You know?"

"Same as before, I'll walk my own Jian Dao."

With a flicker of thought, Mei Yi Ren emerged from the memory of that snowy day when he had encountered Ba Zun An and Wen Ting by chance, chuckling to himself.

Now, looking at Si Tu Yong Ren, he saw a reflection of his younger self.

Both were utterly crushed on a intellectual level, left speechless after just a few words.

But there was a fundamental difference from Si Tu Yong Ren...

Back then, Mei Yi Ren had indeed felt that the two youths, Ba Zun An and Wen Ting, were full of vigor and might achieve something great in the future.

Yet, more than that, he had seen them as "arrogant" and "reckless," with a tough road ahead. Si Tu Yong Ren was different.

Standing from the perspective of later generations, he had already witnessed Ba Zun An's outstanding achievements. So, that so-called "arrogance" and "recklessness" might deserve a fresh interpretation... perhaps confidence, or something else.

Regardless, just by living normally, Ba Zun An had crushed other geniuses. Mei Yi Ren knew all too well the sting of that defeat.

Watching the young man before him sink into despair, seemingly losing even his drive to strive, Mei Yi Ren couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, tapping Ba Zun An with his paper fan.

"Let me put it another way."

Ba Zun An turned his head, his gaze full of confusion.

In his world, he couldn't fathom why anyone would bother with "putting it another way."

If a young person lacked talent, and couldn't even handle a bit of setback, what chance did they have to turn from a humble chick into a phoenix soaring high?

Mei Yi Ren rolled his eyes dramatically and let out a long sigh.

As a teacher, he couldn't stand seeing someone strike down a young person's spirit like this.

But it was only later that he came to understand the mindset of a prodigy like Ba Zun An, and right now, there was no way to make him change his words.

Thinking it over, since Ba Zun An wasn't speaking, he could say:

"Si Tu Yong Ren, right?"

"Actually, if you think about it from another angle, you might feel better."

"Ba Zun An didn't strike at you, just as he wouldn't want your master to strike at Xu Xiao Shou too early. It's an unspoken rule of the game."

Ba Zun An's lips twitched, almost letting out a "heh," but he held it back.

Would this way of speaking make the young man feel any better?

In this lifetime, he only practiced the sword and didn't bother explaining many things.

Whether the world misunderstood or not, Ba Zun An didn't care.

Unless those people could catch up and face him directly, he might say a word or two then. But there were so many left in the dust! They were only falling further behind, not even able to stab him in the back, let alone get ahead.

Clearly, as Ba Zun An had expected, Mei Yi Ren's words didn't ease Si Tu Yong Ren's pain much.

Me? On the same level as Xu Xiao Shou? And compare myself to him?

Am I even worthy?

Thinking of how Xu Xiao Shou could stir up storms in the holy war situation and bask in endless glory, while he himself had been cut down the moment he entered, losing even his semi-saint shell and nearly his life, Si Tu Yong Ren felt utterly dejected.

"Let's go." Ba Zun An stepped forward to leave; he had no time to waste on some passerby.

"Wait... um, you go ahead first. I'll follow later." Mei Yi Ren had intended to stay a bit, but realizing Ba Zun An couldn't fly, he figured it was fine to let him go on ahead.

"Quickly." Ba Zun An walked off without looking back, not even asking why, as if the people around him were mere air.

Watching that figure depart like a proud winter plum in the cold, full of unyielding backbone, Mei Yi Ren withdrew his gaze and turned to the despondent Si Tu Yong Ren.

"Child, don't underestimate yourself—you're already very impressive!"

Am I impressive?

I couldn't even withstand a single sword from Xu Xiao Shou, and he's younger than me, yet he can battle Rao Jian Sheng and Yan Lao...

Far from cheering up, Si Tu Yong Ren's face grew even more ashen.

Mei Yi Ren sighed, looking at Si Tu Yong Ren's figure as if seeing his own younger self, and after a long while, he said with a sigh:

"Child, was Wen Ting weak? Was Gou Wu Yue weak?"

"No, they weren't weak at all. It's just that when people compare them, it's to Ba Zun An, so they seem dim in comparison."

Mei Yi Ren's gaze turned complex, and as he spoke, it felt more like he was counseling his past self: "By the same token, you're not weak—or rather, among your peers, you're already strong."

"Who on Sheng Shen Continent dares to casually join the holy war situation?"

"So many Dao Choppers and Tai Xu experts came to Xu Kong Island—did they dare to step onto the field?"

"They didn't! But at least, you tried once."

"You're not weak; it's just that standing against you this time was Xu Xiao Shou, this era's Ba Zun An..."

Mei Yi Ren paused, his gaze slightly distant:

"There are always some people who transcend the era."

Is this meant to comfort me?

Si Tu Yong Ren finally lifted his head, his face even paler, thinking that Mei Yi Ren might as well have said nothing. But he could hear the goodwill in the old man's words.

The name "Yi Ren Mister" was something Si Tu Yong Ren had heard before, though he hadn't paid much attention to it. In the Sin One Hall, they had even been enemies at times.

And now, this mister not only spared his life but set aside their differences to offer advice...

No matter what, Si Tu Yong Ren felt a slight warmth in his heart.

He finally understood why, even when positions differed, Rao Jian Sheng had refused to strike at this old mister and instead let him go, shouldering the consequences alone.

If Rao Jian Sheng had just pretended to attack Mei Yi Ren, she probably wouldn't have faced any punishment.

But some people are so genuine that even fake enmity feels like an insult.

Unlike Ba Zun An!

Si Tu Yong Ren shot a fierce glare at the distant figure.

"Yi Ren Mister..."

He opened his mouth, seeing the nostalgic expression on the old sword saint's face, and asked: "Have you ever had similar troubles?"

"Of course."

Mei Yi Ren faced the rain, lifting his eyes to the sky, looking at the sparse specks of light in the dark heavens, and laughed softly:

"I understand you because I was once just like you, a pursuer of the light. In my era, that light was called You Tu."

Tap, tap, tap!

In the downpour outside the Sin One Hall ruins, on the outskirts of the Giant Kingdom.

At the end of a massive chasm that scarred the earth, now filled with gray-black rainwater, a surge of Tian Ji fluctuations suddenly outlined a human figure.

It was a middle-aged man, dressed in a white robe like an immortal, embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, an inner layer of green clothing adorned with clouds and colors, a jade crown on his head, a golden bead at his waist, and a Si Nan in his hand, guiding the Dao mechanisms.

His features were extremely refined, with a forehead as vast as Tai Yu, full and square, brows and eyes holding the depth of a Xing He, profound and insightful.

His nose was high and straight, his features sharp, and in his glances, he carried the air of a saint overlooking the world, filled with pity for humanity.

"Sigh, I never thought I'd end up reduced to moving stones on this desolate land of Xu Kong Island. What is this supposed to be?"

"The taste of losing a game, though I expected it, is still unpleasant..."

Dao Qiong Cang bent down, placing the Zhen Xu Bei back in its original position, and washed his hands in the rainwater of the gully plowed open by Xu Xiao Shou's punch that had sent Yan Wu Se flying.

Then, he raised his head and stared into the distance.

The storm poured down, droplets passing through him as if he didn't belong to this world, like the intangible Tian Ji itself.

"Old Dao, old Dao, I've collected all the battle data!"

On Dao Qiong Cang's shoulder, Tian Ji Dao principles suddenly outlined, summoning a Tian Ji Jing Ling no larger than a normal human head.

Though small, the Tian Ji Jing Ling was fully formed.

Its limbs were short and plump, with two pairs of translucent green wings on its back, pointed ears, eyes like large green gems, and rosy cheeks, making it adorable and compact.

"Old Dao, old Dao, don't be sad!"

"This isn't your fault. If you want to blame someone, blame Yan Lao and Number Two for being useless, falling for the enemy's schemes. Hmph!"

The Tian Ji Jing Ling's voice was crisp and grievance-filled as it tugged at Dao Qiong Cang's ear to comfort him.

"Little Seven, I'm not sad; I just feel a bit regretful..."

"Old Dao, old Dao, why are you regretful?"

"After all, Yan Lao was someone I sent out. His journey to this point can be said to be something I orchestrated..."

"Old Dao, old Dao, you're overthinking it. This is his own fault for underestimating the enemy!"

"It's not the same..."

Dao Qiong Cang shook his head, pulling away the Number Seven that had tugged his ear red, and tossed it into the distance with mild annoyance.

"Ahh!"

The Tian Ji Jing Ling tumbled through the air several times before steadying itself, then huffed and placed its hands on its hips: "Old Dao, old Dao, don't throw me, or I'll run away from home!"

"Go ahead."

Dao Qiong Cang watched it with amusement.

"If I leave, no one will help you analyze the battles—you'll have to rack your brain yourself!"

The Tian Ji Jing Ling threatened in a childish voice.

"If you go, I still have Number Eight, Number Nine, Number Ten, and many others..."

"You're so mean, you want to make me mad!"

Number Seven stamped its feet fiercely in the air, deciding to forget this nine hundred twenty-fifth failed confrontation and fight another day.

"Old Dao, old Dao, you just said you 'orchestrated' it, so are you also a trump card of the Sheng Nu?"

The Tian Ji Jing Ling's big eyes darted cunningly, launching its nine hundred twenty-sixth assault on the spot.

"Say what you like; that's how it looks, and others will say it too. I've already prepared my apology."

"Mm..."

The Tian Ji Jing Ling hadn't expected the old Dao to admit it, and for a moment, it was at a loss, asking suspiciously: "Why?"

"When Yan Lao took the mission and left, he didn't even bother to calculate, showing such casual disdain for Ba Zun An. I guessed his end right then."

"Ah? Then why didn't you warn him?"

"Would a warning help? Years of peace in the Sheng Shen Hall have made some people forget the pains of the past... A simple warning won't work; they need an external shock to make them feel the pain and wake from their complacency."

"You didn't prepare for this? That's not like you, old Dao!"

"I did; I even sent Number Two. But if even he learned to underestimate the enemy, imagine how deep the rot is in the Sheng Shen Hall. If we don't root it out now, the future crisis will be enormous."

"Mm, mm, mm..."

The Tian Ji Jing Ling covered its head, squeezed its eyes shut, and spiraled in the air for a few circles, getting dizzy but still unable to deduce anything.

It stuck out its tongue, troubled: "Little Seven is so useless; I can't think anymore!"

"You're not Number Two..."

Dao Qiong Cang smiled, catching it and patting its head. He had long guessed this game would be lost!

Under his rule, years of smooth development in the Sheng Shen Hall had made some forget the agony of the previous hall master being beheaded by the Seven Swords.

Of course, there was a subjective element of not wanting to remember.

But for other matters, he, Dao Qiong Cang, could handle them.

Not for Ba Zun An, though! In the Ten Zun Seats war, he had faced Ba Zun An's prowess more than once—this was a foe worth taking seriously.

Looking back...

After the Ba Gong incident, even though they captured Sang Qi Ye, Gou Wu Yue still faced judgment—under Dao Qiong Cang's watch, he was severed of an arm and imprisoned in the Sheng Mountain Prison.

Treating an outsider like that, how chilling was that?

Yet, Dao Qiong Cang couldn't say a word. The Sheng Shen Hall wasn't his alone. As the brain organizing the continent's threads, he was just a brain, without full limbs.

The council hall wasn't his to command; he could interject to cut through some outdated thoughts.

So, for issues internal force couldn't solve, he'd have to rely on external force.

Bai Ku and Ba Gong were just the beginning; Xu Kong Island was Ba Zun An's home and main battlefield.

For this battle, Dao Qiong Cang had already explained and cautioned extensively, but no one paid attention.

He had even dispatched Number Two.

But everything else was left to Yan Wu Se to handle.

Win or lose, he wouldn't claim credit or shirk blame.

His approach was to use this doomed defeat to eliminate some arrogant elements and help others grow, turning the unusable into the usable.

Additionally, if it could alert the Sheng Shen Hall, that would be ideal.

These two points were the greatest gains he, Dao Qiong Cang, could secure from this loss.

But now, it seemed sitting back was no longer feasible.

He had to take responsibility for the total collapse on Xu Kong Island. He thought Yan Wu Se was arrogant but not foolish, so he let him lead...

But this guy underestimated the enemy so badly that he charged straight into their setup, ruining everything and himself.

That was Ba Zun An!

"Words alone won't work, and you can't control it—some people just need to hit a wall to feel the pain of bleeding."

"It's this pain..."

Dao Qiong Cang sighed deeply; this was what he regretted most.

It hurt too much!

So much that even he could barely breathe!

Once they seized the flaw, Ba Zun An wouldn't let go, climbing up the pole to not only take down Yan Wu Se but also devour Rao Yao Yao.

This forced him to no longer turn a blind eye.

"Old Dao, old Dao..."

In the storm, the Tian Ji Jing Ling Little Seven swept away the black rain that couldn't touch its tiny form, pointing a plump finger toward the horizon in alarm:

"Rao Xian Zi's semi-saint status is being stripped away too!"

"Shui Gui is so sinister—silent until he strikes, and what a strike! He's taking three semi-saint statuses at once; he's aiming to become an immortal!"