Chapter 334: Cross-server Communication

Initially, no one paid attention to the source of the news...

"Friend, have you heard? Grandmaster Xuandu of the Human School has a descendant! We must be careful when we travel; we shouldn't offend such a highly influential figure."

Gradually, it became a major topic across the Five Continents...

"Friend, do you know Grandmaster Xuandu of the Human School? That's right, the Daoist sect's chief disciple! He had a child at some unknown point, and it's said that this descendant is the offspring of the Grandmaster and the ancient demoness, Ice Maiden! They are born with three heads and eight arms, capable of wielding wind, fire, thunder, and lightning! Their cultivation progresses at an incredible speed; they are rumored to reach the Great Luo realm in just a thousand years!"

Finally, it evolved to a point where it was almost indistinguishable from the truth...

"Martial Uncle, have you come out of secluded cultivation? What is everyone talking about? Martial Uncle, you don't know, but our Daoist sect's Senior Disciple, Grandmaster Xuandu, while cultivating the Great Dao of Yin-Yang, sat upon the Taiji Diagram, and heaven and earth resonated... and he had a child!"

"Sect Master! Sect Master! We have joyful news for the Human School!"

***

A month and a half after the founding ceremony, the various peaks of the Immortal Ascension Sect gradually quieted down. A total of 1,200 new disciples were distributed among dozens of peaks, beginning their two-hundred-year period of cultivation.

Because a young man of profound destiny had joined the sect and was directly taken as a registered disciple by the sect's founder, True Immortal Du'e, to cultivate in the Skybreaking Peak lineage, the other peaks also began to compare themselves, eager to see which peak would claim this year's chief disciple.

Meanwhile, Ji Wuyou, the Sect Master of the Immortal Ascension Sect, had not gone into secluded cultivation during this past month and a half, instead busying himself in secret for dozens of days and nights.

Finally at leisure today, Ji Wuyou stood by the window of a side hall in the Immortal Ascension Palace, gazing out at the sea of clouds. His eyes held a peaceful serenity, and he murmured with emotion: "Changshou was right."

As Sect Master, one of the most crucial tasks when new disciples joined was to thoroughly investigate their backgrounds and aptitudes. The main focus was to check for situations such as possession by external demons, hidden internal demons, or reincarnation of evil spirits. Doing so indeed made him feel much more secure and at ease.

*The Grandmaster's bloodline is truly extraordinary.*

As he was thinking this, he suddenly heard an elder hastily flying towards the Immortal Ascension Palace from outside, shouting, "There's joyful news for the Human School!" Puzzled, Ji Wuyou walked to the main hall with his hands behind his back to greet the elder.

"Greetings, Sect Master!"

"Elder Wen, as an elder, you should act with composure. Why are you so flustered?" Ji Wuyou asked calmly. "Tell me slowly, what joyous news does our Human School have?"

"Sect Master, it's great news!" The elder pulled up his wide sleeves, eyes wide with excitement, and said, "A few deacons heard a piece of news when they were out earlier. I couldn't rest easy, so I went out to investigate. Guess what, Sect Master?"

Ji Wuyou frowned, suddenly having a bad feeling. "What is it?"

"The Grandmaster has a descendant! Our Human School's Grandmaster has a descendant! It's said that the Primordial Taiji Diagram, the Human School's treasured artifact, resonated with the Grandmaster, and the Grandmaster gave birth to a daughter! She is now cultivating and gaining experience in the Primordial World!"

"Gr—*pfft*—" Ji Wuyou's eyes widened, and suddenly his Qi surged backward, causing him to spurt out a mouthful of blood mist. The esteemed Golden Immortal master, now swaying unsteadily, almost collapsed.

Elder Wen was stunned for a moment, then quickly stepped forward to support Ji Wuyou. Ji Wuyou gripped the elder's arm, feeling dizzy, with a constant buzzing in his ears.

"Sect Master! Sect Master, what's wrong?!"

"N-nothing," Ji Wuyou gritted out. "This matter... has it spread everywhere?"

"Yes, it has spread everywhere. And I heard that the Carefree Immortal Sect has already released news, inviting the Grandmaster's descendant to cultivate in their sect, offering the treatment of a Grand Elder, and pledging the full power of their sect to protect them."

"Hmph! They're certainly quick to jump on this!" Ji Wuyou frowned deeply, couldn't help but sigh, already roughly understanding what had happened. His own master, truly... a trap. If this matter angered the Grandmaster, what would become of their Immortal Ascension Sect? How could he and his master bear the Grandmaster's thunderous wrath?

Immediately, Ji Wuyou glared at the elder and strictly ordered that such rumors were not to be spread haphazardly within the sect. "The Taiji Diagram is a Primordial Supreme Treasure, used by our Patriarch, the Saintly Master, to suppress the Human School's destiny. This is clearly a fabrication by others to slander the good name of our Human School's Grandmaster. Have the elders discuss and draft a statement to declare to the outside world that the Grandmaster, in all his cultivation, has never had any Dao companions! He is truly a pure Yang body!"

"This... I obey the Sect Master's command!" At once, the elder carefully considered this and also felt that his Sect Master was right. He bowed his head and hurried to the Hall of Myriad Affairs.

Ji Wuyou wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his face even paler, and let out a faint sigh. Is this your 'keeping secrets,' Master? Your bottle has too many cracks! What to do? What else can be done? Ji Wuyou rode a cloud towards Little Qiong Peak. At this point, he could only seek out Li Changshou for discussion, to see if Li Changshou could help appease the Grandmaster's wrath...

***

When the Sect Master set off for Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou was teaching Ling'e the method for crafting the old version of paper effigies, which made Ling'e's eyes glaze over as she repeatedly said it was too difficult. Li Changshou's immortal sense detected the Sect Master approaching. With a flick of his hand, he put away the jade slip and paper effigies, then told Ling'e: "Go prepare some tea. The Sect Master is coming; he might have something to discuss."

"Oh," Ling'e blinked, obediently agreeing. Things were different now; her immortal sense had also caught the Sect Master's figure, and at this moment, she felt even more strongly that what her Senior Brother had said earlier was mostly true. As for the matter of Fairy Yunxiao, it was probably the same... *Sigh*, the pressure increased greatly again.

When Ji Wuyou arrived by the lake, Li Changshou quickly went out to greet him, bowing respectfully to the Sect Master and saying: "Disciple greets the Sect Master!"

"Ah," Ji Wuyou forced a smile, setting up a barrier around them before speaking, "No need for greetings. If we're being honest, we're actually peers."

Li Changshou couldn't help but blink. *What did the Sect Master know?* However, if the Sect Master had figured out his active identity outside the sect, and knew about the Lord Laozi appearing in the Heavenly Court to support him, then... As a registered disciple of a registered disciple of the Saintly Master, Li Changshou should actually be a generation... higher than the Sect Master. *Why 'peers'?* Li Changshou quickly caught the 'point of discrepancy,' immediately analyzing it carefully in his mind, though his expression remained unchanged.

"Sect Master, please come in and rest."

"Hmm," Ji Wuyou, unsure how to begin, nodded in agreement and went with Li Changshou into the thatched hut.

The Sect Master sat down. Li Changshou stood respectfully at his side, observing the disciple's etiquette, and only reluctantly sat down after Ji Wuyou urged him twice. Just then, Ling'e brought in the tea, bowed to the Sect Master, and offered the tea. As she was about to turn and leave, Li Changshou called out to her.

"Junior Sister, stay and listen to the Sect Master's instructions with me."

"Yes, Senior Brother." Ling'e obediently stood to the side.

Ji Wuyou didn't pay much mind, after all, seeing the display during Ling'e's tribulation, he already knew Ling'e's identity. *One of the Grandmaster's own people!*

"Changshou," Ji Wuyou began, "You... um..."

Li Changshou cupped his hands and smiled, "Sect Master, please just speak plainly."

Ling'e subtly furrowed her brows, thinking to herself, *Could it be that the Sect Master found out about Senior Brother and me planning to secretly move Little Qiong Peak?*

Ji Wuyou, after all, was a sect master who had cultivated for many years and weathered countless storms. At this moment, he knew best what he should do. After a moment's hesitation, Ji Wuyou smiled again: "Changshou, there are some things that, even if you didn't say them, I already knew."

Li Changshou's heart sank, and he subconsciously began to wonder where he had revealed a flaw. "Sect Master, about this..." Li Changshou pursed his lips, showing a hint of awkwardness, but his gaze remained quite open. He had never done anything to harm the Immortal Ascension Sect or the Human School, so naturally, he conducted himself with integrity.

"It's not that this disciple intentionally concealed anything; there were simply many unavoidable circumstances."

"I understand, I understand completely," Ji Wuyou replied with a chuckle, a little color returning to his pale face. "Sometimes, some things are indeed difficult to speak aloud. I can also understand that you have your own difficulties. Alas, among the beings in this world, whether they live aimlessly, unaware of the Dao, or tirelessly pursue their own path, who doesn't have something difficult to say?"

Li Changshou couldn't help but feel touched. The Sect Master was simply... too kind. A false 'warm man' is like Yuan Qing, clinging to his "poisonous junior sister" simply because he covets her body. A true 'warm man' is genuinely like the Sect Master, considerate of his disciples, understanding, aware of difficulties, and always comforting and encouraging them! Li Changshou rose and bowed respectfully, praising, "Thank you, Sect Master, for your understanding!"

Ji Wuyou gave an awkward smile, coughed a few times, and whispered, "Have you heard any rumors circulating in the towns and markets recently?"

"This disciple has been busy with some matters recently," Li Changshou smiled. "Although the overall situation is settled, there are still some lingering effects, and I haven't had a chance to hear what's being spread in the towns."

A question mark popped up in Ji Wuyou's mind. *Why did he feel like he couldn't quite understand what Changshou was saying?* Despite this, Ji Wuyou continued: "This matter is also my fault. When my Master came to take Li Jing as a disciple that day, I was momentarily excited and told my Master about it. But I didn't tell my Master who it specifically was, only that you existed."

Li Changshou couldn't help but frown. *True Immortal Du'e also knew about his identity as the Heavenly Court's Water God? Why would this matter be spread?* However, considering True Immortal Du'e and the Sect Master were master and disciple, like father and son, it was reasonable that this matter wouldn't be hidden from each other. Li Changshou sighed inwardly, *the Little Qiong Peak Wandering Plan is truly imminent!*

Ling'e's brows furrowed deeper and deeper beside him. *Why did it feel like Senior Brother and the Sect Master were talking so earnestly, yet they seemed to be talking about... completely different things?*

Li Changshou sighed, "Sect Master, there's actually nothing much to say about such matters. I just had better luck, though my path has been quite winding."

"It's good that you think that way," Ji Wuyou smiled. "None of us can decide our birth. Whether our origins are noble or humble, we are all beings striving forward on the Great Dao."

*Origins?* Li Changshou's doubts deepened.

Ling'e, who was standing by, suddenly asked: "Sect Master, what exactly were those rumors you mentioned just now?"

Ji Wuyou's expression immediately became awkward. He lowered his head, coughed twice, and sighed, "Changshou, it was my fault for speaking too much to my Master, revealing that the Grandmaster had a descendant cultivating in our Immortal Ascension Sect. Afterward, my Master must have gotten drunk somewhere and spread the news that 'the Grandmaster has a descendant.' Now it's being spread everywhere in such a distorted way... But rest assured, I absolutely never mentioned that you are the Grandmaster's descendant!"

Ling'e, standing by, couldn't help but raise a hand to her forehead.

Li Changshou's eyes widened. He instantly forgot to breathe, sitting there staring at the bewildered Sect Master in front of him, his mind buzzing as if a hundred Daoist Wen Jing had entered it. *Just scatter it... just scatter it directly... They dared to fabricate rumors about the Grandmaster! And dragged him into it too! The source of the circulating rumors slandering the Grandmaster's pure Yang name was actually True Immortal Du'e! He had always thought this was a dirty trick by the Western Sect, and was planning to take some time to concoct a Western fairy tale to retaliate!*

For a moment, Li Changshou's heart churned like a stormy sea, and his Dao heart trembled inexplicably. He couldn't help but ask, "Sect Master, how did you deduce that I would be the Grandmaster's descendant?"

Ji Wuyou smiled, "I still have that much discernment."

Li Changshou pondered carefully, then took a jade slip from his robes and handed it to the Sect Master, whispering: "Sect Master, please look at this. All answers lie within. What the Sect Master said earlier, please, never mention it to anyone again. At best, it will bring trouble upon yourself; at worst, it could ruin many of our Human School's plans."

Ji Wuyou looked down, and his spirit immediately jolted. For a moment, it was as if he understood something, and a hint of shock appeared in his eyes, his Dao heart almost losing control. *This Dao charm! This handwriting! Xuandu, Junior Grandmaster!*

"Changshou, you!"

"Please don't be offended, Sect Master," Li Changshou said with a serious expression. "This matter must not be mentioned to outsiders. If the Sect Master trusts this disciple, please make a Great Dao oath to bind and warn yourself." As he spoke, Li Changshou took a jade pot from his sleeve and pushed it towards Ji Wuyou. Li Changshou said, "This Nine Revolutions Golden Elixir inside is a token of gratitude for the Sect Master's silence."

Ji Wuyou gasped, and at that moment, he suddenly understood the entire chain of events, clarifying all the points that had previously confused him. This young disciple before him was far from simply being the Grandmaster's descendant! *Junior Grandmaster Xuandu, could he already be a Saint's disciple, just secretly so? That's right, Changshou is likely not just a re-cultivated reincarnation of some previously unrevealed master of the Human School; there must be a grand scheme at play here! Today, he had been pulled into this, and this Great Dao oath, while seemingly binding him, Ji Wuyou, was actually Changshou protecting his life!*

"Alas!" Ji Wuyou sighed, full of regret, "How could I have...! Never mind, I will make the oath now. Please, Changshou, do not blame me."

"Sect Master, please also try your best to keep it confidential from the Ancestor," Li Changshou urged cautiously. "If Ancestor Du'e misunderstands..."

Ji Wuyou hastily said, "Don't call him that, just call him True Immortal!"

"Alright. If True Immortal misunderstands, then let him misunderstand. You must remind him never to mention this matter again."

"Good."

The might of the Heavenly Dao came and went, and the Sect Master rode his cloud back to Skybreaking Peak.

***

"Phew—" Li Changshou let out a long breath, slumping into his armchair. He wanted to complain, but no words came out, so he could only raise a hand and rub his forehead. *Human School profanity.* No wonder the Sect Master had been so agreeable before; it turned out that from 'that night,' he had already misunderstood. *And the Grandmaster's own flesh and blood! Does the Sect Master usually hide in a dark room in a corner of the Immortal Ascension Palace, coughing up blood while reading melodramatic story collections?!*

Just then, a soft chuckle was heard, and two cool, delicate hands pressed onto Li Changshou's shoulders, gently kneading them.

"Senior Brother, how should this matter be handled?"

"Which matter?"

"The matter of people crazily spreading rumors about the Grandmaster," Ling'e whispered.

"There's no way to control it," Li Changshou shook his head. "The Grandmaster's identity is unique. He is the Human School's only disciple and one of the few masters below the Saintly Master. Topics concerning the Grandmaster are most likely to ignite beings' desire for gossip and private information. Even if we made the six Immortal Sects of the Human School collectively step forward to debunk the rumors, people would only say it's an attempt to cover up the truth. Furthermore, those who initially spread such rumors might have feared the Grandmaster's retribution, but now that more and more people are talking, they are becoming increasingly brazen."

Ling'e immediately looked thoughtful.

Li Changshou sighed, "Such absurd matters are truly the most draining."

"Senior Brother, so we're just going to do nothing?"

"The Grandmaster is naturally uninhibited, his Dao realm is extraordinarily profound, and he is immensely humble, having deeply inherited the true teachings of our Grand Pure Saintly Master. He is also a role model that your Senior Brother has always learned from and strived to emulate." Li Changshou said earnestly, "I reckon the Grandmaster wouldn't get furious over such a small matter. This affair will resolve itself in a few months."

Ling'e was about to reply when she heard a soft chuckle from outside the door; gentle ripples spread through the air, and a not-so-imposing figure stepped forth.

"You scoundrel, your spiritual perception has become increasingly sharp lately. When did you know I was here? You spun such a tale, I almost believed it myself."