Starting Cultivation During a Trip

"Meng, how did you get to know this Zhang Fan?"

At this moment, Wang Qian'an shifted the conversation, suddenly looking at Meng Qiwu, who stood behind Lin Kusong.

According to Wang Qingshan's account, Zhang Fan was invited by Meng Qiwu, which led him to stand up for Qin Ergou, and thus all that followed.

"Qiwu, just speak the truth," Lin Kusong said impartially, indicating his attitude.

"Not long ago, the incident at Toad Treasure Mountain—I'm sure all the elders here have heard. Zhang Fan and Laojun Mountain's Qi Delong and Qi Dongqiang, those two brothers, were there as well..." Meng Qiwu said in a low, steady voice.

Such a major event as the birth of the Innate Spirit Embryo, the Wang Family naturally knew, and afterward, they even sent experts to Toad Treasure Mountain to investigate.

"That kid was there too? He's actually connected to Laojun Mountain's heirs?" Wang Qian'an's face darkened slightly.

This young man named Zhang Fan was demanding increasingly serious attention in his mind.

Zhenwu Mountain disciple, favored by Liu Nanxu, also enjoys good relations with Sanqing Mountain's heir Yu Xuanji, and Laojun Mountain's Qi Brothers.

Yet such a young man—he himself had never even heard of him before. Extraordinary, yet with a hint of something uncanny.

"Afterwards, he stayed a few days on Zhongnan Mountain with the Qi Brothers from Laojun Mountain, was summoned by Celestial Master Ye, and that's how we met."

What Meng Qiwu said was a selective yet honest truth—impeccable.

"Ye Beichen!?" Wang Qian'an was stunned.

"Celestial Master Ye also knows this young man?"

Wang Qian'an's manner of referring to Zhang Fan had unconsciously changed from "kid" to "boy", and now to "young man".

"How did Celestial Master Ye come to recognize this rising star of the Daoist Sect?" Wang Qian'an couldn't help but press further.

Ye Beichen, the youngest Celestial Master of Zhongnan Mountain, is jointly held in esteem with Liu Nanxu as the "twin Celestial Masters." In Chang'an, and indeed all of Qinxi, he wields immense influence.

Thus, though both are Celestial Masters, Ye Beichen and Liu Nanxu have very different weight to Wang Qian'an.

"I truly don't know that—matters concerning the Celestial Master, I dare not ask," Meng Qiwu shook her head.

That was the honest truth; she herself was curious about Ye Beichen's connection to Zhang Fan.

"Zhang Fan…"

Wang Qian'an fell silent, but in his heart he chewed on that name; fortunately, his caution had kept him from rash action. Now, it was clear this unremarkable young man harbored immense power, his connections astonishingly complex.

"Taoist Brother Wang, I have a word to say—I'm not sure whether I should speak it,"

At this moment, Wu Qingnang spoke.

"Fellow Daoist, feel free to say what's on your mind," Wang Qian'an said.

"What I'm about to say is only my own humble opinion, pure conjecture. When we step out this door, let us act as though we never heard it," Wu Qingnang stated solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Qian'an's expression turned serious, and he replied in a deep voice, "You can rest assured, fellow Daoist. Not a single word of today's conversation will slip out."

Saying this, he cast a glance over at Wang Qingshan.

"This poor Daoist can vouch for that," Lin Kusong nodded.

"Next month is to be the disciple acceptance ceremony of Transcendent Zhenren, isn't it?" Wu Qingnang shifted the topic, referring to an unrelated matter.

"Mm!?"

Wang Qian'an started, then his expression grew solemn.

"There's much curiosity in the outside world about the background able to convince Transcendent Zhenren to make an exception, reopen the mountain gate, and take someone in. What kind of foundation must one have?" Wu Qingnang continued.

"This Zhang Fan may seem to have appeared out of nowhere, but if you look closer, there are traces to follow."

"Chairman Wu's meaning is, the disciple whom Transcendent Zhenren intends to accept as closed-door…" Wang Qian'an's brows rose, suddenly startled.

"I haven't said a word," Wu Qingnang laughed heartily.

"Could it be that Zhang Fan is actually…"

At that moment, Wang Qingshan, standing nearby, caught the implication and couldn't help speaking up.

Before he could finish, Wang Qian'an shot him a piercing look, making him instantly shut up.

"Zhang Fan!"

Lin Kusong's eyes narrowed slightly, and he too turned the name over in his mind.

"Fellow Daoist, you are most virtuous; this favor, the Wang Family will remember," Wang Qian'an nodded to Wu Qingnang.

This reminder was priceless.

No one emerges from nowhere. There is not a single master who appears without leaving some sign. Now, it seems likely this youth named Zhang Fan is actually the closed-door disciple whom Transcendent Zhenren will soon accept.

You have to realize—that is a Pure Yang Zhenren, secluded for so many years. To make such an exception for a young man and reopen the mountain gate—what a fortune! It speaks volumes of Zhang Fan's standing in Pure Yang Zhenren's heart.

"Luckily, I did not act recklessly," Wang Qian'an sighed inwardly, recalling with a faint sense of fear.

Had he made a rash decision and detained such a promising young man, he would have incurred the enmity of Zhenwu Mountain—and, unseen, even offended Transcendent Zhenren.

"Zhang Fan…"

Again, Wang Qian'an repeated the name, his feelings entirely changed.

"Younger generations are formidable, their futures boundless."

After a long silence, this expert from the Pure Yang Wang Family summed up with eight characters.

...

Wang Family's Heaven's Chosen's fall stirred up much commotion throughout Chang'an, but ultimately was attributed to chaos wrought by Wuwei Demon, reported to the Shangjing Daoist Alliance, and quietly shelved.

No one knows which Wuwei Sect expert cast Wang Qingyi down to the mortal realm.

Yet all are aware—the Wang Family's Heaven's Chosen has been crippled; on the path of cultivation, his figure would never again be seen.

Originally, he was most likely to inherit Chongyang Zhenren's mantle. Now, he can only blend in with the dust, fall to the ranks of the mundane, and spend the rest of his days in mediocrity.