"Old Celestial Master..."
Zhao Yiwu, Zhang Wanfu, Lu Xiu, and another female celestial master, Zhang Bixia, arrived. The Old Celestial Master had already passed away, and the entire Heavenly Master Mansion was steeped in sorrow.
"Wan Yunting?"
However, Celestial Master Zhang Wanfu, upon seeing Wan Yunting emerge from the bamboo house, was enraged. "Guards, seize him!"
Immediately, a group of young disciples from Longhu Mountain surged out, surrounding Wan Yunting...
"Junior Brother, what are you doing?" Zhao Yiwu quickly asked his disciples to step aside upon seeing this.
Wan Yunting also frowned, his gaze falling upon the unfamiliar Celestial Master Zhang Wanfu, unsure of his intentions.
"Senior Brother, don't you understand yet?"
Zhang Wanfu pointed at Wan Yunting and said angrily to Zhao Yiwu, Lu Xiu, and the others, "As soon as he arrived at our Longhu Mountain, our Old Celestial Master passed away. Wasn't it his doing?"
Zhao Yiwu and Lu Xiu's expressions turned suspicious as they looked at Wan Yunting upon hearing this.
Indeed, with his arrival coinciding with the Old Celestial Master's passing, it was bound to raise suspicions.
"Speak, did you kill our Old Celestial Master?" Zhang Wanfu pointed at Wan Yunting and questioned him sternly.
Wan Yunting remained expressionless and said to Zhao Yiwu, "Celestial Master Zhao, I'm just asking, why would I harm your Old Celestial Master?"
This statement made Zhao Yiwu nod, as Wan Yunting indeed had no reason to harm their Old Celestial Master.
"Wanfu Junior Brother, what are you trying to do?"
At this moment, Zhang Xuanliang emerged. Having received the Old Celestial Master's inheritance, his aura had completely changed. Zhao Yiwu, Lu Xiu, and Zhang Bixia could clearly sense it and looked questioningly at their Sect Leader Senior Brother.
Zhang Xuanliang rebuked Zhang Wanfu, "Our Old Celestial Master suffered from latent injuries sustained from his previous battle with the Main God, and passed away naturally. It has nothing to do with Chairman Wan."
Zhang Wanfu's expression shifted slightly. He immediately stepped forward, grabbed Zhang Xuanliang, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Zhang Xuanliang shot him a glare and reprimanded him, "I've said it before, our Longhu Mountain will not be involved in this matter. Do you intend to defy my words?"
"Or perhaps you want my position as Sect Leader? Is that it?"
"It's not that, Sect Leader Senior Brother, I didn't mean that, I just..." These words terrified Zhang Wanfu, causing his face to pale. He repeatedly lowered his head, daring not to act presumptuously.
"Then put away your petty thoughts."
Zhang Xuanliang gave him a stern look before saying anything further. He then turned to Zhao Yiwu, Lu Xiu, and the others, sighing, "The Old Celestial Master has passed away, let's not alarm the major sects for now."
"The Old Celestial Master always preferred peace and quiet. His funeral arrangements will be handled grandly by our Heavenly Master Mansion ourselves; there's no need to invite representatives from the major sects."
Zhang Bixia, Lu Xiu, and the other celestial masters nodded, seemingly understanding Zhang Xuanliang's intentions.
After all, the Old Celestial Master was the greatest reliance of the Longhu Mountain Heavenly Master Mansion. With his passing, it was natural for the major sects to pay attention, which was not a good thing.
Of course, this news could not be kept secret forever, and the major sects would eventually find out.
"Junior Brother Zhao, Junior Brother Lu, you few, come with me to carry the Old Celestial Master's body back to our Heavenly Master Mansion." Zhang Xuanliang then said to the celestial masters.
"Yes..."
They nodded. After the disciples brought over a fine coffin, Zhang Xuanliang carefully placed the Old Celestial Master's body inside. Once the lid was closed, Zhao Yiwu and the others came forward, and four of them lifted the coffin, heading back to the Heavenly Master Mansion...
Wan Yunting, with a mournful Zhang Xian'er, followed them back to the Heavenly Master Mansion...
In the following two days, the Heavenly Master Mansion held a grand burial ceremony for the Old Celestial Master, but without inviting representatives from the major sects to offer condolences...
However, the news quickly spread among the major sects.
At the Wudang Sect, Sect Leader Zhong Yulong, upon hearing the news, lamented, "The proclaimed foremost Old Celestial Master could not withstand the passage of time in the end..."
Abbot Renxin of Shaolin Temple also expressed his sentiments...
Within the Shaolin Temple, an old monk with a pale white beard, upon hearing the news of the Old Celestial Master's passing, was filled with sorrow, sighing, "Old Ji, why did you leave before this humble monk, alas...!"
On the martial arts forums, people from various sects also posted their condolences for the Old Celestial Master's passing...
After all, throughout the martial arts world of Huaxia, the Old Celestial Master was the supreme existence.
Every martial artist admired and respected the Old Celestial Master, mourning him from the bottom of their hearts...
However, some people were also focused on Wan Yunting's visit to Longhu Mountain!
On the forums, people from various sects were discussing heatedly, puzzled as to why Wan Yunting went to Longhu Mountain!
"Why did Wan Yunting suddenly go to Longhu Mountain?"
In the pavilion where the Wudang Sect Leader resided, his eldest disciple, Xian Yun, was sitting to the side, preparing tea. He asked Zhong Yulong next to him curiously, "It is said that the Old Celestial Master passed away the day after he went to Longhu Mountain. Could there be something suspicious about it?"
Zhong Yulong placed his hands clasped on his dantian. He shook his head slightly and said, "I already called Zhang Xuanliang yesterday. He said the Old Celestial Master passed away due to latent injuries sustained during his last confrontation with the Main God of the Sky Eye Main God Cult."
Xian Yun, who had put down the teapot, said, "So, it has nothing to do with Wan Yunting."
Zhong Yulong slowly said, "If the Old Celestial Master's passing had anything to do with Wan Yunting, would Longhu Mountain let him go?"
Xian Yun nodded, but then raised an eyebrow, "However, why would Wan Yunting go to Longhu Mountain to see the Old Celestial Master? What is the reason for this?"
Zhong Yulong, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly remembered something. He opened his eyes abruptly, his brow furrowed in confusion, and he murmured, "Could it be...?"
"What?" Xian Yun quickly asked.
Zhong Yulong shook his head again, thinking he might have guessed wrong.
"By the way, have other sects called you?" he asked shortly after.
Xian Yun nodded and said, "Now, people from various sects suspect that Wan Yunting has already told us the whereabouts of the Demonic Pool, so the representatives from the major sects seem to distrust us!"
Zhong Yulong's old eyes deepened. "That Wan Yunting, when he plays dirty, he is also despicable. He used this move to sow discord between our Wudang Sect and the major sects."
"Yes."
Xian Yun nodded and said, "Those fellows from the major sects, for the sake of profit, are selfish. A little provocation and they believe it. Hmph, how foolish."
Zhong Yulong's old eyes narrowed. "The most important thing now is to know the whereabouts of the Demonic Pool of the Demonic Cult!"
Xian Yun then looked up at him and asked, "Master, will Mr. Cao help us obtain the whereabouts of the Demonic Cult's Demonic Pool?"
Zhong Yulong stood up and walked to the balcony, his old eyes gazing out at the scenery of Wudang Mountain. With his hands behind his back, he said in a deep voice, "Let him try."
...
At this time, in the Heavenly Master Mansion of Longhu Mountain.
The Old Celestial Master's body was interred today.
"Chairman Wan, please stay at our Heavenly Master Mansion for a few more days," Zhang Xuanliang said to Wan Yunting as they walked side by side.
Wan Yunting shook his head slightly. "The Chinese Medicine Association has matters that require my attention back there. I will be leaving tomorrow."
Seeing this, Zhang Xuanliang nodded and asked, "Then what about Uncle-Master Xian'er? Do you want to take her with you?"
Zhang Xian'er had already returned to the back mountain.
Wan Yunting sighed. "I won't take her with me from Longhu Mountain this time. Perhaps next time."
"Mm, Uncle-Master Xian'er is not in good spirits right now. It's good for her to take some time to recover." Zhang Xuanliang nodded and continued to chat with Wan Yunting for a few more words before they parted ways...
Wan Yunting headed back to the back mountain to find Zhang Xian'er...
Although Zhang Xuanliang had indirectly asked about the Old Celestial Master's purpose in finding him that night, Wan Yunting had not mentioned the matter of the demon sword. He only told Zhang Xuanliang that the Old Celestial Master had found him to entrust Zhang Xian'er to his care!
Therefore, Zhang Xuanliang did not ask further, but he felt that the Old Celestial Master finding Wan Yunting might have been for more than just entrusting Zhang Xian'er to his care; there must have been other matters!
Returning to the bamboo house by the reservoir, Wan Yunting found Zhang Xian'er sitting alone on the simple wooden bridge. Her figure looked so mournful...
Wan Yunting sighed, walked towards her, and sat down slowly beside Zhang Xian'er. He watched the girl stare blankly at the water, small fish surfacing to feed, creating ripples upon ripples. Her mind was filled with images of the Old Celestial Master fishing in the past, plunging her into grief...
"Alright, Xian'er, don't be too sad."
Wan Yunting patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
Zhang Xian'er buried her head in her knees and couldn't help but sob again...
Seeing this, Wan Yunting could only sigh and sat with her in silence until the sun set, the evening glow reflecting beautifully on the water...
"I want to eat grilled fish!"
Zhang Xian'er, tired from crying, turned her head. Her peach blossom eyes, teary and alluring, looked at Wan Yunting, and she pouted, saying, "I want to eat grilled fish!"
Wan Yunting's expression froze. Thinking of this girl as a tiger demon, his heart suddenly trembled. He smiled unnaturally and nodded, "Okay, I'll get you some fish..."
So, he picked up the fishing rod that had been placed beside him, the Old Celestial Master's rod, and dug up a few earthworms to start fishing...
However, Wan Yunting didn't know how to fish at all. Zhang Xian'er called him stupid and snatched the fishing rod to fish herself. Soon, she caught several large fish. Wan Yunting quickly applauded and laughed, "As expected of a foodie! If I took you on a wilderness survival, you'd definitely be a super expert."
"That's right."
Zhang Xian'er gave him a smug side-eye and ran back with the fish basket, "Let's go roast fish..."
"I'll start the fire..."
Wan Yunting followed her. Beside the entrance, he lit a fire in a simple fire pit.
Zhang Xian'er silently prepared three fish, threaded them onto wooden sticks, and brought them over to roast by the fire...
"Not bad, quite efficient." Wan Yunting took the opportunity while she was in a good mood to praise her incessantly.
"Hehe, this is my own way of roasting fish," Zhang Xian'er said, sitting beside the fire, and she began to smile.
Wan Yunting looked at her in surprise and asked, "Then do you really not remember anything?"
"Remember what?" Zhang Xian'er glanced at him with her peach blossom eyes and continued to tend to the fire, roasting the fish...
"Nothing."
Wan Yunting quickly shook his head and smiled...
According to what the Old Celestial Master had said, Zhang Xian'er was a White Tiger demon with memories of her past. Currently, she had her demonic energy sealed by the Old Celestial Master using a secret method, maintaining her human form. He hadn't explained how to break the seal within Zhang Xian'er's body!
"This is quite good..."
Looking at Zhang Xian'er's cute and beautiful appearance, it seemed quite good to let her maintain her human form forever...