Beyond the bamboo forest stood a Taoist temple. Its scale was not particularly large, but with its upturned eaves, red tiles, and white walls, it possessed an extraordinary aura.
On such a snowy mountain, a secluded place, the very existence of this Taoist temple was astonishing.
Faint human voices could be heard.
Chen Fan's expression brightened, and he strode towards the temple.
Soon, he arrived before it. Looking up, he saw four large characters on the temple's plaque: Kunlun Detachment!
Kunlun Detachment again?
The temple gate was wide open. Inside the main hall, statues of the Three Pure Ones were enshrined, and wisps of incense smoke curled upwards.
In terms of scale and appearance, this Kunlun Detachment was far superior to the previous one.
In a side hall next to the main hall, several Taoist priests were conversing. A young Taoist, about thirteen or fourteen years old, turned his head and saw Chen Fan, his expression startled.
He quickly stood up and shouted, "Master, someone has intruded!"
"Who could intrude? Qinglian, are you too bored and hallucinating..."
Another young Taoist priest did not believe him and said, peeking his head out. He also saw Chen Fan and was momentarily stunned.
Following this, all the Taoist priests in the side hall came to the doorway and looked at Chen Fan.
There were a total of five people. Besides the young Taoist priest and the younger Taoist priest just mentioned, there were three elders.
Among the three elders, two were Taoist priests.
The only one who was not a Taoist priest wore a gray robe, was about fifty years old, had a long beard, and a simple, ancient face.
The two Taoist priests were in their forties, one tall and one short.
"This person has passed through the Misty Bamboo Formation!"
The younger Taoist priest said.
"Are you a friend from the martial arts world?"
The tall middle-aged Taoist priest appraised Chen Fan and said loudly, "May I ask your distinguished name and purpose?"
Chen Fan's gaze was calm, and he said, "I am here to enter the Kunlun Secret Realm to see a friend. May I ask what your relationship is with the Kunlun Secret Realm?"
The two younger Taoist priests looked at the tall middle-aged Taoist priest.
"Since my friend knows of the Kunlun Secret Realm, you must have come prepared."
The tall Taoist priest said, "May I know your esteemed name?"
"Chen Fan."
Chen Fan replied.
Hearing this name, the tall Taoist priest's expression remained unchanged. However, the man in the gray robe's expression shifted, and he seemed to be in thought.
"I have not heard of your esteemed name."
The tall Taoist priest said, "My humble name is Kongqingzi. Since you have passed through the Misty Bamboo Formation, why not come in for a seat and have some tea to discuss further?"
His tone was gentle, without any aggression.
"Senior Brother Kongqing, this person's intentions are not good. Why waste words? We should just expel him."
Another Taoist priest, shorter and somewhat stout, frowned and spoke.
Kongqingzi waved his hand and smiled, "Guests are welcome. Since you can find Kunlun Detachment, you are no ordinary person. Junior Brother Yunyazi, we should not be impolite."
He then said to Chen Fan, "Daoist Chen, please!"
Chen Fan's mind raced, and he felt no need to rush. He strode into the side hall.
Inside, several tables were set up. Kongqingzi gestured to an empty table, saying, "Daoist Chen, please be seated."
Chen Fan sat down on a cushion behind an empty table, placing his sword horizontally on the table, and said, "Thank you, Daoist Kongqing. However, you have not yet answered my question. Are you from the Kunlun Secret Realm?"
"In a manner of speaking."
Kongqingzi looked at the Tiancong Cloud Sword on the table, deep in thought, and nodded. "Daoist Chen, you said you wish to see a friend in the Kunlun Secret Realm. May I know your friend's name?"
"Su Yingxue!"
Chen Fan said.
Hearing this name, Kongqingzi's expression showed a hint of confusion. He seemed unfamiliar with the name and turned to Yunyazi.
Yunyazi also shook his head.
"He means Xue Qingzi!"
The gray-robed man suddenly interjected, "The Chosen One from a few months ago!"
Hearing the gray-robed man's words, Kongqingzi's expression became enlightened.
Chen Fan observed this, a shadow of gloom and worry flashing in his eyes, and said, "Is she well in the secret realm?"
"She is indeed doing very well. The Chosen Divine Academy is carefully nurturing her, providing her with all the necessary cultivation methods, pills, and resources. Xue Qingzi's cultivation is said to be advancing by leaps and bounds, making her a standout among her peers!"
Kongqingzi replied with a smile.
"I want to see her!"
Chen Fan said, disbelieving, and spoke sternly to Kongqingzi.
Kongqingzi replied, "I'm afraid that is not possible."
"Xue Qingzi was selected through the Heavenly Selection. Before her cultivation is complete, outsiders, even blood relatives, are not allowed to disturb her, lest it disrupt her state of mind."
Chen Fan's expression was calm, and he said, "I mean, I want to see her!"
"This is not a request, but a command."
Kongqingzi was taken aback.
Yunyazi narrowed his eyes at Chen Fan and said, "Your tone is a bit too arrogant!"
Chen Fan's voice was indifferent, but his will was unyielding, "No one can stop me!"
The two young Taoist priests looked at Chen Fan with astonishment.
They had followed Kongqingzi and Yunyazi in their cultivation and had never encountered an outsider who spoke to them so arrogantly and brazenly.
"What do you think this place is, and what is the Kunlun Secret Realm?"
Yunyazi could no longer restrain himself and slammed his palm on the table, saying, "With such a big mouth, do you know your own capabilities?"
Chen Fan ignored him and stared at Kongqingzi, repeating, "I want to see her. If I cannot, the consequences will be severe!"
Yunyazi sneered, "How severe? You, a mere martial arts Grandmaster, dare to cause trouble in Kunlun. Let alone you, even Shaolin, Wudang, and even Longhu Mountain would have to be polite, or they would be kicked out."
"Junior Brother Yunyazi, please remain seated."
Kongqingzi seemed to have a good temper and waved his hand, signaling Yunyazi to be more composed. He said, "Daoist Chen, this is truly impossible."
"I have already said that Xue Qingzi is doing very well in the secret realm, and she is being specially trained due to her innate Dao Body."
"What else are you worried about?"
Chen Fan said in a deep voice, "If I don't see her in person, I cannot be at ease!"
Kongqingzi shook his head and said, "Since you are a guest, I am explaining this to you in detail. Even if you cause a scene here, it will be of no use. Xue Qingzi, who is in the secret realm, will not know that you have arrived here."
"Moreover, causing trouble like this will not benefit you."
"Seeing that you have found this place shows you are determined. I have told you so much because of this. You would be wise to heed my advice and not cause trouble here, have a cup of tea, and then descend the mountain."
Chen Fan said coldly, "What if I do not leave?"
"What if?"
Yunyazi sneered and said, "Senior Brother Kongqing has a good temper. If you ask me, since you are ungrateful, we should just kill you."
"Junior Brother Yun, do not act rashly."
Kongqingzi quickly said, "Setting aside other matters, since Xue Qingzi is a disciple of the Divine Academy, we should give her some consideration."
Yunyazi frowned, "Xue Qingzi is currently very renowned in the Divine Academy, so we must give her some consideration. In that case, let's break her legs and throw her down the mountain!"
The gray-robed man suddenly said, "Daoist Chen, Su Yingxue is indeed doing very well in the secret realm. She is a rare innate Dao Body, rarely seen in a century. The Lord of the Secret Realm is personally teaching her as a direct disciple, placing great hopes on her."
"If you must see her, why not wait for a few years? By then, Su Yingxue will have achieved cultivation and should enter the world to travel, and you will meet then."