Starting Cultivation During a Trip

The small courtyard was tranquil, the bright moon like autumn sorrow, illuminating the three people, their shadows lingering.

The Zhang Family Ancestral Mansion had not been so lively as it was that night for many years.

The three stood in the courtyard, each with different emotions, each lost in their own thoughts.

Zhang Tianyang, calm as ever, was like the endless waters of Pearl Lake, a placid stretch of thousands of miles, impenetrable in its depth. This elder of the Southern Zhangs had just slain three Celestial Masters, shaking heaven and earth, defying all prohibitions. Yet in the blink of an eye, he had reverted to being a nondescript old man painting by the lakeside, untouched by even a trace of worldly dust.

Zhang Fan’s eyes changed, filled with mixed emotions; he knew that the old man before him was one of the few close kin he had in this world.

After all, nearly all the Southern Zhangs were dead.

Standing on his homeland, how many were left?

At this moment, Lou Hechuan’s emotions were the most tumultuous as he looked at Zhang Tianyang, his thoughts drifting back to more than forty years ago, to the day he first set foot on the Southern Zhang Ancient Land.

"Kid, are you the new brat my second brother took in? You seem loose and unremarkable, get yourself in order!"

That was the first time he had seen Zhang Tianyang. The words from back then echoed in his ears, as if that day more than forty years ago was right before him.

Only, they had all grown old, black hair turned to white, and time was hard to find again.

"Little Lou, you’re old now too." Zhang Tianyang murmured softly.

"Back then, when you followed second brother, you hadn’t started a family yet, you were green enough to squeeze water out of."

"Third Boss." Lou Hechuan’s voice trembled; for some reason, as the light flickered before his eyes, a faint moisture arose in his gaze.

Perhaps it was for the time long lost, or perhaps for the deep emotions buried in his heart.

"I’ve failed the Zhang Family, failed the Second Boss..." Lou Hechuan muttered softly, at such an age, the clouded eyes brimmed with a mist.

Speaking of Zhang Tian Sheng, his voice choked once.

That man had been like a father and brother to him, but on that night, blood flowed like a river staining Pearl Lake, fear overtook him, cowardice gripped him, he couldn’t take that step, couldn’t stand firmly by that man’s side.

Years ago Zhang Tian Sheng had said, his talent was as great as simplicity itself, if he worked hard and seized the opportunity, perhaps he could glimpse the Celestial Master Realm in this lifetime.

For the unremarkable Lou Hechuan of the past, this was a remarkably high praise. It was shocking not only to him but to the bystanders of that day.

Yet after so many years, he had only cultivated to the Sect Leader Realm, perhaps it was that night’s decision that became his Heart Demon, becoming the greatest barrier in his years of cultivation.

Perhaps that night, had he taken that step, even if it meant death, at least his heart would be at ease...

There would be no more Demon Tribulation on the path of cultivation.

But alas, a single misguided thought turned his life upside down, never again as Zhang Tian Sheng had spoken.

The Celestial Master Realm, ultimately became an illusion.

Over the years, meeting old friends again, Lou Hechuan ultimately couldn’t suppress the emotions hidden in his heart.

"Youth does not linger for the young, regret unending, when will it cease, white hair turns back to view, life is but a leisurely journey."

Zhang Tianyang murmured softly, walking over to Lou Hechuan’s side, patting his shoulder.

"Little Lou, you really have aged, bearing such emotions."

"Back then, risking your life, you saved Lingzong and... considered it repaid his kindness, there’s no need to be like this."

"Third Boss..."

Lou Hechuan’s expression wavered, he had countless words, but when they were about to come out, he didn’t know where to begin.

"Little Lou, I wish to speak with my family." Zhang Tianyang suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Lou Hechuan glanced at Zhang Fan, immediately understanding, nodding respectfully as he withdrew.

The quiet courtyard was then left with only Zhang Tianyang and Zhang Fan.

The old man stood with his hands behind his back, turning to look at Zhang Fan.

"You are Lingzong’s son!"

"Third... Third Granduncle!" Zhang Fan respectfully performed a bow.

"Time flies so quickly, you’ve grown so much, it’s good to see my second brother’s lineage continues." Zhang Tianyang looked at Zhang Fan, a rare gentle light in his usually calm eyes.

"Third Granduncle, my father..." Zhang Fan began to speak.

Now with Zhang Lingzong trapped in Ailao Mountain, Zhang Fan had witnessed his third granduncle’s strength just now; if this granduncle of his was willing to intervene, perhaps the current predicament could be reversed.

"Everyone has their own destiny."

Zhang Tianyang interrupted Zhang Fan before he could finish.

"Third Granduncle..."

"People always see adversity as calamity but do not realize that within tribulation is also fate, and within fate is tribulation..." Zhang Tianyang spoke calmly.

Breaking someone else’s fate might save their life, blocking their tribulation might ruin it.

The great path always hides blessings and misfortune, yin embraces yang within you, people do not understand the change in fate, living their lives in vain.

"Cultivation is about seeking opportunity within tribulation, stealing life amidst peril..." Zhang Tianyang sighed softly.

Being in the Red Dust is the greatest tribulation, also the greatest fate.

Heaven sends tribulations, so too opportunities, only after surviving countless trials can one become enlightened and Immortal.

"If one cannot endure..."

"Then it is the end of life; everything turns to emptiness..." Zhang Tianyang stated solemnly.

"Throughout history, only two or three can walk to the end of this path."

"Immortals were once mere mortals, but I fear mortals lack steadfast will..."

Zhang Fan murmured, today he had a new understanding of these words.

"If greater tribulation leads to greater achievement, then the Southern Zhangs would have long united the world and commanded all sects."

At that moment, a detached voice resonated in the tranquil courtyard, as a figure slowly emerged from the shadows, stepping into the moonlit area.