The screen went black.
The audience at the scene looked puzzled.
Immediately afterward, the picture brightened again.
Longteng Mountain.
The location of the Nine Gates.
Zhang Tian and Hu Bayi stood at the entrance of Yi Mei Daoist's courtyard.
Five or six large courtyards had been built on Longteng Mountain.
All the courtyard layouts were constructed according to Zhang Tian's plan.
However, after seeing the Wang family's Bagua formation, Zhang Tian felt it was necessary to create a large formation similar to theirs.
"Creak."
Before Zhang Tian could speak, the wooden door opened.
Inside the courtyard, Yi Mei Daoist looked at Zhang Tian strangely.
"My good disciples, I sensed your presence a long time ago. Why didn't you come in directly? Have you forgotten your master?"
Yi Mei Daoist spoke oddly.
His small eyes seemed to bore into Zhang Tian and the other man.
"Master, we brought you something."
Hu Bayi obediently took out some small toys he had brought.
"My third disciple is still the most considerate."
"Good disciple, tell me, are you here to bring me something again?"
"As a person of such high caliber, the most talented disciple of Maoshan, I don't accept handouts..."
Yi Mei Daoist showed a proud expression.
Zhang Tian was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face.
He then spoke.
"No master, I just missed you and came to see you."
"Also, I figured you wouldn't have any spiritual water here, so I brought some for you."
Zhang Tian chuckled. Yi Mei Daoist was delighted to hear this.
"As expected of my eldest disciple, you're so thoughtful. Come in quickly!"
Yi Mei Daoist smiled and then invited Zhang Tian and Hu Bayi inside.
Soon, at the table.
The three of them were drinking spiritual tea.
Listening to the faint sounds around them.
There was the sound of the wind and birdsong, creating a leisurely atmosphere.
"If you ask me how much sorrow I have, it's like spiritual water flowing into my mouth. This feeling is wonderful."
Yi Mei Daoist even uttered some cheesy lines.
"Master, where is Maoshan?"
Zhang Tian asked directly.
Hu Bayi was surprised by Zhang Tian's directness and almost choked on his spiritual tea.
"Maoshan is in Xiangxi, it's a hidden sect, that's where my dream began..."
Yi Mei Daoist drank his spiritual tea, reminiscing about the past, appearing quite pleased.
"Xiangxi."
Zhang Tian's heart trembled. Wasn't that the origin of zombies?
But it made sense; that place was quite strange, and it seemed like many demons and monsters appeared from there.
"By the way, Master, let me ask you a question. Aren't you known as the most talented disciple of Maoshan?"
Zhang Tian continued to speak, subtly trying to extract information.
"You foolish disciple, are you stupid? Of course, I am the most powerful and the strongest. Why do you ask such pointless questions?"
Yi Mei Daoist shot Zhang Tian a look, appearing frustrated with his slow progress.
"Then... is there no one stronger than Master?"
Zhang Tian suddenly feigned ignorance.
"Tch, how is that possible? I am the strongest, even my senior brother isn't."
Yi Mei Daoist puffed up with a little pride, but the next moment he realized something was wrong.
"You brat, you're trying to trick me, aren't you?"
Yi Mei Daoist widened his eyes and stared at Zhang Tian.
"Alright, Master, the truth is, it's like this."
Seeing that Yi Mei Daoist was a bit annoyed, Zhang Tian explained the situation.
After hearing the truth, Yi Mei Daoist sighed.
"Indeed, I do have a senior brother named Dan He Daoist. We joined the sect at the same time, and we've always been competitive."
"Since everyone knows, I won't hide it anymore."
Yi Mei Daoist said, and then continued.
"As everyone knows, I am the strongest in the sect, known as the most talented disciple of Maoshan."
"It is precisely because of this title that my junior sister has always favored me. As for my senior brother, his talent was always a step behind mine. Later, I even won the affection of my junior sister..."
"And he could never surpass me."
Yi Mei Daoist said, boasting significantly about himself.
Zhang Tian felt increasingly that something was amiss the more he listened.
As the saying goes, the more you need something, the more you boast about it. Could this guy be like that?
"Get to the point."
Zhang Tian said speechlessly.
"Finally, I heard that there was war and turmoil in the lands below the mountain. We Daoists are all about saving the world, and with a nation, there is a home. We care deeply about the fate of Xia Guo."
"My senior brother and I didn't hesitate to go down the mountain. To better help Xia Guo unify, we split into two paths."
"As you know what happened afterward, I established a Daoist temple on Qingfeng Mountain, hoping to help the common people."
"As for him, I haven't contacted him for decades."
Yi Mei Daoist said, pouring out his entire story.
Zhang Tian nodded.
This way, the reason why Yi Mei Daoist was on Qingfeng Mountain, and why a Maoshan disciple was there, was explained.
As for Dan He Daoist, Zhang Tian didn't know if it was the same four-eyed guy he was familiar with.
If it was him, the story would be quite interesting.
"What? Have you heard about my senior brother, who was always one level below me?"
Yi Mei Daoist looked at Zhang Tian.
Although his words were harsh, there was a hint of warmth in his eyes.
Clearly, this guy still cared about Dan He Daoist.
"I don't know about that. I don't have much information, only this much."
"I heard he went to fight in the war, but whether it's true or not is debatable."
Zhang Tian waved his hand and stood up.
Since there was nothing else to ask, Zhang Tian had no intention of lingering and arguing with Yi Mei Daoist.
He still had many things to do, especially with the upcoming trip to Fuji Country. Zhang Tian needed to learn some foreign languages for his cultivation.
At least, he needed to be able to communicate.
"War, is that so."
"Huh? My good disciples, why are you standing up?"
Yi Mei Daoist's eyes widened when he saw Zhang Tian and Hu Bayi stand up.
It was rare for someone to visit, and they were leaving after only a few words. Who could stand this?
Indeed, he should go find that female ghost sister.
"Master, you enjoy yourself here. We'll be leaving now. We're going to Fuji Country in a few days to reclaim what those people stole from us."
"We won't disturb you any longer."
Zhang Tian said. Upon hearing that they were doing something significant, Yi Mei Daoist immediately agreed.
"Alright, since it's a matter of bringing glory to your ancestors, I won't stop you. Be ambitious, and extract the dragon veins."
Yi Mei Daoist was very clear about these matters.
"Okay, if we can extract them, we won't give up."
Zhang Tian made an English gesture.
Then he walked out.
"Okay?"
Yi Mei Daoist looked at his hand, completely bewildered.
"Boss, why are you asking all this?"
Hu Bayi was still a little confused.
"It's nothing, it's just that it might be useful if we go to Maoshan in the future."
Zhang Tian waved his hand, and Hu Bayi nodded as if he understood.
Then, the two of them quickly returned to the Siheyuan.
Upon returning, Zhang Tian immediately went into seclusion.
Hu Bayi also began to study.
Time quietly passed. More than a month later, a strange noise came from Fatty's room.