“Dry Grandpa?”
Hearing Zhang Shantong’s voice, Yan Shouyi froze on the spot. He racked his brain but could never have imagined that the person he would meet in the Heavenly Master’s Hall would be his dry grandpa, Zhang Shantong!
With his dry grandpa here, there shouldn’t be any danger!
Yan Shouyi happily walked to the Heavenly Master’s chair, craned his neck, and saw that it was indeed the mischievous old man Zhang Shantong.
Zhang Shantong shifted his bottom, turned the Heavenly Master’s chair in a different direction, reached out, and pinched Yan Shouyi’s face. “Such soft, tender skin. You clearly haven’t suffered enough in the past few months.”
Yan Shouyi forced a smile, feeling both amused and exasperated. “You have no idea how I’ve spent these past few months. I was just assassinated at the foot of the mountain by Ma Hong, a grandmaster of Xingyi Men.”
Zhang Shantong shot Yan Shouyi a glare. “You’re reporting the other party’s identity so clearly. Do you want your dry grandpa to avenge you?”
“Not at all. I always believe in avenging myself,” Yan Shouyi said with a dry laugh.
Zhang Shantong grunted a few times, clearly having Yan Shouyi completely under his thumb.
Regardless, meeting a familiar elder in an unfamiliar place made Yan Shouyi feel both happy and secure. He asked curiously, “How did you get here, Dry Grandpa?”
“What kind of question is that?” Zhang Shantong replied. “Your dry grandpa is from Longhu Mountain. Now that my soul has returned to its homeland, is there a problem?”
“I thought you were kicked out of Longhu Mountain…”
“How could that be!” Zhang Shantong laughed. “Ever since I left Rongcheng, I’ve settled some personal grievances along the way. I happened to wander to Longhu Mountain recently, heard that the Luotian Grand Ceremony was about to begin, so I came up the mountain to visit relatives and watch the ceremony.”
Yan Shouyi asked in surprise, “You knew I was coming long ago?”
“Your old man is a brilliant strategist. I calculated that you would come, so I waited here,” Zhang Shantong said, putting on airs.
Yan Shouyi said with a wry smile, “Stop pretending. You definitely knew I was coming to Longhu Mountain long ago.”
“On what grounds?” Zhang Shantong asked, shaking his leg.
“You and my grandfather are good friends, and the Soul Severing Blade was once your weapon. Later, the Soul Severing Blade was left in Chen Family Village. When I went to retrieve it, I encountered the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text of Longhu Mountain. It looks like a trap you and my grandfather concocted together… Ah, no, ‘trap’ might not be the right word.”
“Furthermore, not many people should know about the relationship between our grandfather and grandson. But when I first arrived in Yingtan, Zhang Shanli, the head of the Disciplinary Hall, openly helped me. Midway up the mountain, the Old Heavenly Master also protected me. Neither my father nor I could ask the Old Heavenly Master for such a favor. The only possibility is you, old man!”
“Tell me, what is your purpose in tricking me into coming to Longhu Mountain?”
Yan Shouyi’s analysis left Zhang Shantong speechless. The old man stopped shaking his leg, his brows furrowed in thought, as if he were about to say, “Wait a moment, I’ll make up an excuse.”
Yan Shouyi said helplessly, “You know my personality. Once I find clues, I’ll want to get to the bottom of it. So you don’t need to find excuses. I’ll find out sooner or later.”
“You brat! If it weren’t for the blood of your grandmother flowing through you, I would have spanked you!” Zhang Shantong said angrily. “Your temper is exactly like that old fossil, your grandfather!”
Despite his scolding, Zhang Shantong eventually revealed the truth:
“The Spirit Observation Platform of Longhu Mountain is where the first Heavenly Master, Zhang Daoling, refined the Nine Heavens Divine Elixir. The saying ‘Elixir achieved, Dragon and Tiger appear’ refers to that place. The current Spirit Observation Platform gathers the spiritual energy of the world, forming a pool, a paradise on earth. It is said that one can glimpse the Heavenly Dao by reaching that place. So, your grandfather and I thought that perhaps you could find a way to break through your death tribulation there.”
Zhang Shantong’s explanation not only allowed Yan Shouyi to understand his purpose in coming to Longhu Mountain this time but also helped him guess some other stories.
For example, the reason his grandfather chose to settle in Chen Family Village was not because it was on a dragon脉, nor because of the tomb of King Jian, but because they accidentally discovered the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text in Chen Family Village during their travels.
It’s known that obtaining the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text is an important condition for becoming a Heavenly Master, and it is scattered all over the world, with the destined ones obtaining it.
After discovering the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text, they thought of the Spirit Observation Platform. In the end, Yan Baixiang decided to settle in Chen Family Village and sealed the Soul Severing Blade next to the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text. All of this was paving the way for the future Yan Shouyi.
“Spirit Observation Platform… Is it only those who become Heavenly Masters that are qualified to enter the Spirit Observation Platform?” Yan Shouyi asked.
Zhang Shantong shook his head. “Actually, winning second place in the Luotian Grand Ceremony also grants entry to the Spirit Observation Platform. However, if you have the ability to fight for second place, why not fight for first place and get the position of Heavenly Master for free? Isn’t that better?”
Yan Shouyi said with a wry smile, “What do you mean, ‘get the Heavenly Master position for free’…”
The Heavenly Master is the head of the Daoist tradition in the world. This position is no different from the emperor in the Xuanmen. Yan Shouyi felt that he was just a blade of grass in the martial world and could not contend for such a position.
Even if he won, would the elders in the Xuanmen be willing to accept him as the Heavenly Master?
Clearly, becoming a Heavenly Master would only bring Yan Shouyi a lot of trouble, with no benefits whatsoever.
He thought for a moment and said, “Since my goal is the Spirit Observation Platform, not the position of Heavenly Master, why don’t I just compete for second place and take a look at the Spirit Observation Platform?”
“That won’t do!”
A voice suddenly came from a corner, startling Yan Shouyi.
Was there someone else in the Heavenly Master’s Hall?
Wait, who else could be in the Heavenly Master’s Hall?
Yan Shouyi looked back and saw the Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin walking in with a stern face.
Even Zhang Shantong, such a unrestrained and mischievous old man, showed some respect on his face and voluntarily offered his seat to the Old Heavenly Master.
The Old Heavenly Master snorted and sat on the Heavenly Master’s chair. “Zhang Shantong, you want to be the Heavenly Master too?”
“Heh, Senior Martial Brother, what are you talking about? I knew you were coming, so I specifically warmed the chair for you. Sitting on a cold chair will give you diarrhea.”
Zhang Shantong, this mischievous old man, was so respectful to the Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin, which truly surprised Yan Shouyi.
But it made sense. Zhang Yin was an old monster who had lived for over a hundred years. When Zhang Shantong was born, Zhang Yin was already over thirty. At that time, Zhang Shantong had to call him Uncle when he saw Zhang Yin. That respect was cultivated from childhood. Even though Zhang Shantong was now old, he still regarded the Old Heavenly Master as an elder.
The Old Heavenly Master ignored Zhang Shantong’s flattery and stared at Yan Shouyi, saying word by word:
“Yan Shouyi, you have the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text, which means you have the qualification to become a Heavenly Master. This is something many people cannot obtain. You should cherish it.”
Although the Old Heavenly Master was highly respected, Yan Shouyi still expressed his thoughts. “Old Heavenly Master, the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text would be the supreme honor if it were in the hands of a disciple of Longhu Mountain. But in my hands, it is a burden. Becoming a Heavenly Master will bring me no benefits. Therefore, if my mission is to enter the Spirit Observation Platform, then I will not compete for the position of Heavenly Master, and second place will suffice.”
“Hmph, you look down on my position as Heavenly Master?!” The Old Heavenly Master’s face immediately changed, and his beard bristled.
Yan Shouyi suddenly felt a bit timid, unsure whether to provoke the Old Heavenly Master further or to back down temporarily.
Zhang Shantong said with a smile, “Senior Martial Brother, don’t scare my dry grandson. Even if he wanted to be the Heavenly Master, he would need the strength, wouldn’t he? Besides, haven’t you already taken in a disciple who possesses the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text? Why are you still forcing Yan Shouyi?”
The Old Heavenly Master lightly snorted. “Yu Lumin is not qualified. I, however, am optimistic about Yan Shouyi. If he becomes the Heavenly Master, it will be beneficial to the Xuanmen.”
But it’s no benefit to me!
Yan Shouyi grumbled inwardly. Not only did the Old Heavenly Master train a disciple with the Dragon-Tiger Secret Text, but the fact that this old man created the chat group also made Yan Shouyi feel strange.
Why would he want to support the child of an enemy to become the Heavenly Master?
Strange, too strange!
So Yan Shouyi said with a forced smile, “What will happen if I don’t compete for the Heavenly Master position?”
“If you don’t become the Heavenly Master, I will kill you.”
Yan Shouyi: “……”
What game is this?
Is this how the head of the Daoist tradition behaves?
However, Yan Shouyi dared not speak out in anger. If it were someone else, he might have had the confidence to confront them, but facing the Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yin, Yan Shouyi had no confidence at all.
Yan Shouyi cautiously asked, “Then why did you call me here this time…?”
“It is to tell you that the position of Heavenly Master is yours. If you do not compete for it, I will not let you leave Longhu Mountain!”
“But isn’t killing forbidden on Longhu Mountain?”
“I will take you out of Longhu Mountain, and then kill you.”
“……”
Fine, might makes right.
Since the Old Heavenly Master had finished speaking, Yan Shouyi saw no need to stay in the Heavenly Master’s Hall any longer. He bowed slightly and said, “Then may I take my leave?”
“Scram!” The Old Heavenly Master waved his sleeve.
Zhang Shantong: “Then I…”
“Scram together.”
“Alright.”
Zhang Shantong grabbed Yan Shouyi and floated out of the Heavenly Master’s Hall.
After leaving the Heavenly Master’s Hall, Yan Shouyi couldn’t help but look back with a grievance. “Dry Grandpa, why is this Old Heavenly Master so moody? Is he going through menopause?”
“Pah, can your old man go through menopause? Besides, he’s over a hundred years old. Wouldn’t it be too late for menopause to start now?” Zhang Shantong cursed.
Yan Shouyi scratched the back of his head innocently. “But I can’t figure out the Old Heavenly Master’s behavior at all.”
“It’s normal if you can’t figure it out. How old are you compared to him? If you could figure out the Heavenly Master’s thoughts, then you would truly be the Heavenly Master!”
“The Old Heavenly Master just said that if I don’t compete for the Heavenly Master, he will kill me. Is that true?”
Zhang Shantong sighed and said, “Although I can’t figure out my Senior Martial Brother’s thoughts, one thing is certain: he does what he says.”
Hearing this, Yan Shouyi felt terrible.
Who did he offend? Why did he have to be this darn Heavenly Master?
Zhang Shantong said with a smile, “Regardless, with Senior Martial Brother’s support, you just need to perform well in the Luotian Grand Ceremony. He might even help you secretly a few times. The position of Heavenly Master is likely within your grasp.”
“You make it sound like I’m a favored insider…” Yan Shouyi thought, if he went onto the stage and just lay down and surrendered, the Old Heavenly Master couldn’t do anything to him, right?
For some reason, Yan Shouyi thought he understood his purpose for this trip. However, after arriving at Longhu Mountain, he felt more and more confused.
Zhang Shantong asked, “Where is that little girl Lin Zitong? And where is my grandson Xiaolong? Have they both gone up the mountain? Hurry and take me to see them!”
Yan Shouyi and Zhang Shantong walked out together. When they reached the alley previously covered with taxus chinensis leaves, they suddenly saw two people standing at the end of the alley.
One of them was the sweeping young Taoist priest Yan Shouyi had seen before, and the other was a tall old man. Like the Old Heavenly Master, the old man was also white-haired, but his beard was black, making him look a bit fierce.
If Yan Shouyi hadn’t seen Zhang Shanli before, he would have believed that this old man was the head of the Disciplinary Hall, because this old man looked too fierce, fiercer than Lü Jing.
The old man snatched the broom from the young Taoist priest’s hand, threw it heavily on the ground, and pointed at the young Taoist priest, scolding him about something.
Yan Shouyi remembered Zhu Feifeng’s reminder that the young Taoist priest would be reprimanded by the Grand Elder if he didn’t sweep away the fallen leaves quickly.
So, was that old man the Grand Elder of Longhu Mountain?
The one who took Liu Yiren away?
It seemed his name was… Zhang Sishui?
Zhang Shantong saw Zhang Sishui and frowned, muttering in a low voice, “Damn it, the face I least want to see when I return to the mountain is this stinky face! You rascal, let’s take a detour! I’m telling you, on Longhu Mountain, never pay attention to this walking plague. He curses everyone he sees! … Huh? Brat, I told you to go this way!”
Zhang Shantong wanted to lead Yan Shouyi on a detour, but he didn’t expect Yan Shouyi to have already walked towards Zhang Sishui.
The old man became helpless and could only follow Yan Shouyi reluctantly. Even if he didn’t want to deal with Zhang Sishui, he couldn’t let his dry grandson be bullied!