Chapter 124 - Meeting The Ancestor Again
"From the reports, there were disturbances on the peak," Elder Wei replied. "The spiritual energy fluctuated for a while, then it vanished completely. My men could not see things in detail, but from the information they gathered, I suspect it wasn’t a mature pocket world. It can hardly be called a true Grotto-Heaven."
"So it is not complete?" Jun Tianya asked. "Apart from what is written in the ancient records, have you ever seen someone forge a Grotto-Heaven of their own, let alone in the Nascent Soul realm?"
"I have never heard of such a thing," Elder Wei replied. "If I had to guess, based on the reports and the ancient texts, it might be nothing more than a ’World Seed’, an embryonic state of the Grotto Heaven. Could it be that he is a spy of the Heavenly Dawn Academy?"
"By the Heavenly Dawn Academy, do you mean the skills of a Heavenly Artisan?" Jun Tianya asked. "Among the major powers of this world, only they hold that inheritance, and it is next to impossible for them to have taught it to Su Ming."
"You investigated him, right? It is next to impossible for him to have gotten in contact with the Dawn Academy. He barely leaves the sect." Jun Tianya truly believed that Su Ming was not a spy, even though he knew this young peak master had a good amount of secrets. ’But which genius doesn’t?’
"That is true... but did you try to probe it?" Elder Wei asked.
"I did," Jun Tianya said, frowning slightly. "But something obstructed my divine sense. I chose not to force it with my saintly authority. It would have been rather inappropriate for a Sect Master."
"A mysterious youth indeed," Wei murmured. "Even if it is just a World Seed... to achieve that in the Nascent Soul realm is unheard of."
"As long as he is not an enemy of the sect, it is fine. Leave him be," Jun Tianya said. "Either way, he is not my headache anymore. He will be staying close to uncle now. Let the old man handle him."
Elder Wei nodded in agreement.
"Now," Jun Tianya said, his gaze narrowing, turning serious. "What of the Western Border? Did you find any trace of those demonic bastards?" he asked, as lightning crackled between his fingers.
"No," Wei said, his voice dropping cold. "There is no sign of them. But we are hearing that people keep getting kidnapped. It is as if they simply vanished. My men are still searching the borderlands."
Jun Tianya’s eyes grew cold. "Let us hope I do not repeat the mistake of three hundred years ago. Keep searching. If they show themselves, eradicate them completely."
"Yes," Elder Wei bowed.
As Jun Tianya sipped his teacup, Elder Wei vanished within the shadows once again.
***
As they flew toward the back mountains, their robes fluttered in the morning wind. Jian Wushen’s straight, rigid posture relaxed, and he let out a short sigh as they left the Heavenly Dao Hall behind.
Su Ming flew beside him. "The Sect Master mentioned the Ancestor is departing soon. Is he leaving the sect?"
"Yes," Jian Wushen turned his head, his gaze direct. "The Ancestor is heading out for a mission. It will probably be decades before he returns, so he wants to pass down his insights before he goes."
"I see," Su Ming murmured.
After a short flight, they descended toward a deep, narrow valley. The air grew colder, and the mist thickened, obscuring the ground below.
Jian Wushen landed softly on a flat ledge at the valley’s edge. Su Ming landed a second later, his feet touching the stone without a sound.
Ahead of them lay a thick, glowing barrier of spiritual light, sealing the entrance to the valley. The fog inside was dense and swirling.
Jian Wushen halted at the barrier and turned to look at Su Ming. The cold, formal disciple from the hall was gone. He grinned, gesturing toward the fog-filled path.
"The Ancestor is waiting," Jian Wushen said, his eyes bright with a competitive spark. "Go on in, Peak Master Su. Let’s see what kind of sword path you’ve been hiding."
***
Su Ming nodded. He stepped forward, raising his hand. The wooden token he had received from Sect Master Jun Tianya radiated a faint light. As he raised it toward the barrier, the spiritual light fluctuated. The wall of light dissolved, revealing a path inside.
As he stepped through the opening, the thick fog immediately closed behind him, swallowing the light from behind.
Su Ming walked down the narrow path. The further he went, the quieter the surroundings became. The faint hum of the wind on the peaks and the distant sounds of the sect vanished entirely. The air grew still, heavy with a silent pressure.
He realized he had entered a place that was almost cut off from the rest of the sect. The connection to the other peaks was gone. He thought it must be due to the strong isolation barriers that surrounded the valley. It was not just a simple physical barrier. It even affected the surrounding space itself.
A soft rustle came from behind. Jian Wushen stepped through the mist, landing a few paces behind him. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his eyes were bright as he looked around.
"The Ancestor likes his peace and quiet," Jian Wushen said quietly. "There he is." He looked toward the sky.
From above the sky, someone descended.
It was Ancestor Sky Sovereign, the Cloud Sword Saint. He landed as lightly as a dried leaf, his robes fluttering in the silent air.
He wore grey robes, and his face carried a calm expression. His white hair was tied loosely behind his back.
He looked like an ordinary elder. But Su Ming knew better. He had already seen him after Wang Tian’s meridian reconstruction. This man was no stranger to him.
Su Ming cupped his hands and bowed deeply. "Disciple Su Ming greets the Ancestor."