Starting Cultivation During a Trip

"The greater the accomplishment, the greater the tribulation, so South Zhang is gone." Zhang Tianyang didn’t turn his head, speaking softly.

"Chen Dragon!"

Zhang Fan’s face changed slightly. He didn’t know when Chen Dragon appeared in the small courtyard.

"Father, as long as you’re alive, I’m alive, South Zhang still exists." Chen Dragon spoke firmly.

"Nanfeng, you’ve done well."

Zhang Tianyang turned around to face Chen Dragon, his previously calm eyes now showed a ripple.

Once, Zhang Nanfeng was a man, but meeting again, she was now a woman of elegance.

The Nine Great Inner Elixirs and Five Elements Mistaken King truly transcend human understanding and fall beyond ordinary destiny.

However, to Zhang Tianyang, there is no difference; for a cultivator, life or death can be the same, let alone gender?

The ripple in his eyes stems from rebirth after tribulation and a long-awaited father-son reunion.

"Father, I guessed you were not dead." Chen Dragon said firmly.

"So you set up this scheme to draw me out?"

Zhang Tianyang’s gaze focused, settled on Chen Dragon’s chest, the wound opened by the Kanglong Horn had long healed, and the treasure forged by Beizhang was already in her hands.

"Second uncle’s study of [Kanglong Horn] is indeed remarkable, but the [True Dragon Horn] fell into my hands long ago; why would I fear the fake?" Chen Dragon said indifferently.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan’s brow furrowed deeply.

"So, you entered the scheme to lure Beizhang’s people to bring this treasure?" Zhang Tianyang said softly.

"They knew I’d come, and certainly would bring [Kanglong Horn]. With this, maybe I can comprehend the use of [True Dragon Horn]." Chen Dragon spoke firmly and softly.

"At the same time, I killed the three Celestial Masters, drawing you out."

As the words fell, Zhang Fan couldn’t help but gasp, realizing from the day the news of Chen Dragon’s impending appearance at Qin Ancient Town leaked, everything was within Chen Dragon’s calculations.

He used himself as bait, entered the game, attracted the three Celestial Masters, devised the Kanglong Horn, and drew out Zhang Tianyang—truly hitting three targets with one arrow.

"You’ve grown." Zhang Tianyang sighed.

"Father, come with me, let’s join forces..." Chen Dragon said gravely.

"Just leave..." Zhang Tianyang waved his hand.

"Father..."

Chen Dragon paused, then frowned, unable to resist saying, "You blame me for ambushing Zhang Lingzong’s family years ago?"

Upon hearing this, a coldness surged in Zhang Fan’s eyes.

In truth, Chen Dragon is his extraordinary nemesis; it was this woman that caused his family to break apart, plunging into ten years of unawakened Great Night.

"Even among the same clan, it’s impossible for hearts to truly unite, minds to align..." Zhang Tianyang murmured softly.

The lesson of history lies right before our eyes; otherwise, how could Zhang San and Zhang Kongming betray Dragon Tiger Mountain, achieving later fame as the world’s top master?

Otherwise, how would Dragon Tiger Zhang Family have North-South disputes, fraternal strife, endless slaughter?

"You’ve all grown up, each with your beliefs, I won’t say much." Zhang Tianyang shook his head.

"Father, didn’t many people die in South Zhang back then just to seize the position of Master of the School of Non-action, achieving unity, winning everyone’s hearts?" Chen Dragon said firmly.

"Zhang Lingzong forgot his mission, so he deserved death."

"Now, that position is already very close to us..." Chen Dragon’s voice grew heavier.

Zhang Fan’s expression sank; he sensed Chen Dragon’s gaze drifting on him.

"Nanfeng, with your cultivation, your vision shouldn’t be limited to just one sect or family..." Zhang Tianyang suddenly said.

Chen Dragon stopped, her gaze focused, coldly saying, "Without one sect or family, how can there be unity, winning hearts of all schools? How can there be Pure Yang Wuji, gazing towards longevity?"

"Father, you should know, any great achiever emerges from those endless ordinary individuals."

"Without one sect or family, what Daoist Sect, what Non-action... would no longer exist."

Zhang Tianyang, hearing this, remained silent. After a long while, he said, "Perhaps you’re right."

"You’ve all grown, you have your path, Lingzong has his road; I’m old, and can only guard here."

Zhang Tianyang seemed out of place with this world, he’s a remnant of the old era, not meant to live until today.

"Father, if you don’t wish, I won’t force you..."

Saying that, Chen Dragon looked up at the small building in front of him.

"However, I must take second uncle’s [Coffin Lifter’s Manual]."

"Leave, that thing has long been gone from here." Zhang Tianyang waved his hand.

"Not here? Who took it? Zhang Lingzong?" Chen Dragon frowned.

Zhang Tianyang remained silent as Chen Dragon looked at his father, knowing he wasn’t lying.

"Second uncle should have also left clues to the Ninth Method." Chen Dragon’s voice grew heavy.

"That is not left for you."

Saying this, Zhang Tianyang looked towards Zhang Fan.

"Child, go inside."

"Father, after killing the three Celestial Masters, is your body alright?" Chen Dragon shifted the topic, suddenly asking.

The way of the great Dao is natural, balanced, and harmonious; killing the three Celestial Masters can’t be done without paying a price, almost impossible.

The implication in Chen Dragon’s words was clear.

"Do you want to try?" Zhang Tianyang said indifferently.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the tranquil courtyard became tense, like a silver vessel breaking, like a fast string flying.

Zhang Fan stood in place, feeling his breath pause, as if an invisible force compressed all his blood into his heart.

"Zhang Fan..."

At this moment, Chen Dragon spoke, looking at Zhang Fan, breaking the silence, and the atmosphere instantly melted like ice and snow.

"What I said to you by Pearl Lake still stands; as long as you’re willing, I can help you rise to power..."

"The next time we meet will be your time to make a choice, otherwise, I’ve spared you twice, I won’t spare you a third time..."

"After all, you’re not my only choice."

At this point, Chen Dragon’s gaze sank, coldly saying, "Human Xiao, I can kill one, I can kill another."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan’s pupils constricted suddenly, as if touched a reverse scale, his fists clenching tightly.

"You dare!"

Each word squeezed out between Zhang Fan’s teeth, exuding a chilly menace.

"Empty threats can only showcase foolishness." Chen Dragon sneered, as if pinching Zhang Fan’s weak point.

"Child, go inside."

At this moment, Zhang Tianyang gently interrupted their words, blocking the way between Zhang Fan and Zhang Tianyang.

"Grandfather..." Zhang Fan looked at Zhang Tianyang.

"This farewell might be the last time we meet..." Zhang Tianyang sighed softly.

Zhang Fan’s face changed slightly at these words, wanting to say more, but Zhang Tianyang waved his hand.

"Go!"

Zhang Fan gritted his teeth, glancing deeply at Chen Dragon, then turned and entered the ancient quiet building.

Chen Dragon watched Zhang Fan walk into the small building, then looked again at Zhang Tianyang.

"Father, staying here, what can you do?" Chen Dragon pursued.

"Wait."

"Wait? Wait for what?"

"Nanfeng, the path you take will be difficult."

"However difficult, I must continue." Chen Dragon said indifferently.

"Foolish child, foolish child." Zhang Tianyang sighed, waved his hand: "Go, we will not meet again in this life."

At these words, Chen Dragon’s gaze lightly quivered, he looked at this aging old man, his hands clenched, and a decisive glance flashed in his eyes.

"Take care!"

He turned to leave, stepping out into the long night, following that, a long lament sounded, resonating through the dark night, falling upon the long lake, as if tinged with endless sorrow, yet in a flash, feeling relieved.

At this moment, Chen Dragon seemed to completely sever the chains, without father, without mother, without kin, without friends, yet without worry or care.

Zhang Tianyang looked in the direction of Chen Dragon’s departure, his gaze lowered.

"Sound after sound, night after night, outside the window the red dust, inside the window the lamp, see the bright lights, but hard to illuminate destiny in the red dust." Zhang Tianyang murmured softly.

Every era has its imprint, each person has their mission.

Some mix within the red dust a lifetime, yet unable to see where their destiny lies.

Zhang Tianyang’s era is long gone, his destiny lies here, his final mission being endless waiting...

"I’m waiting... for the master of South Zhang!"

Zhang Tianyang spoke softly, looking back at the old small building.