Several days later.
Outside Wuchang City.
A figure stood between the slopes of a hill.
Clothed in white robes, with long hair draped over the shoulders, the presence was ethereal and unreal, beyond the mundane world's sustenance.
He appeared as a peerless exiled immortal walking the dusty world.
It was Chu Yuan.
Behind Chu Yuan, Zhang Han followed closely.
Clearly, over the past few days.
Zhang Han had formally taken Chu Yuan as his master and voluntarily followed him back to the sect for cultivation.
After freeloading—ahem, after resting for a few days at the Zhang Family, Chu Yuan planned to return to the sect and first trick Zhang Han into going with him.
However, before returning to the sect.
Chu Yuan intended to take a detour to a nearby mountain range.
From the information he gathered in Wuchang City, he learned that the world of cultivators was exceptionally dangerous, with countless cases of murder and plunder.
Well, someone named Chu was precisely planning to engage in that murder and plunder.
There was no helping it; he was too poor.
As a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, he was utterly impoverished and did not even possess a decent cultivation technique.
He had no choice but to resort to killing and pillaging!
"Disciple, the Xuantian Mountain Range is in that direction, right? Come, let your master take you there. The first lesson I'm going to teach you is to let you experience the world of cultivators."
Chu Yuan's hand emerged from his wide sleeves, pointing in a direction, excitement flickering in his eyes.
Murder and pillage, ah.
This was indeed murder and pillage.
It was his first time attempting such deeds.
He was a bit excited.
"Yes, Respected Master," Zhang Han replied calmly, with a placid gaze as if nothing could perturb his mental state.
He hadn't cultivated for over ten years.
Perhaps compared to his peers, his cultivation level was the weakest.
But the mental state honed over the past decade made him as tranquil as still water.
Upon hearing the words, Chu Yuan no longer spoke. He enveloped Zhang Han with mana, clouds formed under their feet, and like a gust of wind, they headed toward the Xuantian Mountain Range.
...
At the same time.
Inside the grand hall of the Qiandi Dao Sect.
A piece of news came in, drawing intense attention from the Qiandi Dao Sect's high ranks.
Someone had discovered the whereabouts of a Hidden Sect Master.
This news, once received, created an uproar among the Qiandi Dao Sect's top echelons, causing them all to gather and discuss.
The Great Elder, holding a scroll, addressed the many Elders and the Sect Master.
"According to the information, it was discovered by a wandering disciple of our sect. Three days ago, near the mundane Great Zhou Wuchang City, someone resembling the person in this scroll was seen."
"However, this person is only at the Nascent Soul Realm and doesn't seem as domineering as depicted in the scroll. He appears as an ordinary Nascent Soul realm cultivator with no remarkable qualities!" the Great Elder elaborated.
The many Elders then voiced their opinions.
"Could it be just a look-alike? Not actually the same person?"
"It's unlikely. I think this is exactly how a Hidden Sect strong practitioner would act. Remaining hidden—not revealing oneself to the public. Pretending to be at the Nascent Soul Realm and walking among the common folk fits the persona of a Hidden Sect practitioner!"
"I also think that the Nascent Soul Realm is just a disguise. This Sect Master of the Hidden Sect clearly doesn't want to be disturbed."
They discussed among themselves.
Eventually, they came to a conclusion.
This Sect Master of the Hidden Sect didn't want to be discovered by others, so he deliberately disguised himself as a Nascent Soul Realm practitioner and hid among the mortal world.
Having reached this conclusion.
The multitude of Elders found themselves at an impasse.
It was clear that this Sect Master of the Hidden Sect did not want others to disturb him.
But they had finally found a message from the other party.
Not to disturb would mean leaving them to "unrequited love," wouldn't it?
So the question was, to disturb or not to disturb.
After much deliberation, they couldn't come to a decision.
In the end, they all turned their eyes toward the Qian Yuan Sect Master, hoping he would make a decision.
The Qian Yuan Sect Master also frowned deeply, puzzled, thinking hard about a strategy. To be honest, he was not willing to give up, and as he pondered, suddenly, an idea struck him.
"I've got it!"
"Since this Hidden Sect Master likes to stay hidden in the secular world, it's not appropriate for us to disturb him, but we can arrange an 'accidental encounter'!"
The Qian Yuan Sect Master squinted his eyes and spoke slowly.
An accidental encounter!!
Once these words were spoken.
All the Elders' eyes lit up.
Yes.
They couldn't disturb the Hidden Sect Master, but that didn't mean they couldn't have an accidental encounter!
An accidental encounter is a matter of fate.
The Hidden Sect Master surely couldn't refuse that.
And if they were to encounter the Hidden Sect Master by chance, who knows? Perhaps the Hidden Sect Master would be in a good mood and teach them a thing or two.
One must know that a sect with ten thousand years of heritage is terrifying, and even a single feather from its legacy could bring them great benefits!
Thinking this way, the Elders became excited.
"Sect Master, Sect Master, let me be the one to encounter him!!"
"Nonsense, let me go. Sect Master, don't be fooled by my shiny exterior; in truth, I'm a bootlicker behind closed doors. Allow me to have the encounter! I'll definitely make the Hidden Sect Master feel extremely comfortable..."
"Sect Master, it would be best if this old man went!"
Listening to the many Elders vying for the opportunity.
The Qian Yuan Sect Master fell silent again.
He didn't know whom to choose.
But in fact, he wanted to go himself.
Truly, this wasn't about seeking any gains, but mostly he longed to be a bootlicker for once.
However, he was tied down with the affairs of the entire Qiandi Dao Sect and couldn't get away.
He simply couldn't go for an "accidental encounter."
After discussing among themselves.
They finally decided to send the Great Elder.
The Qian Yuan Sect Master clearly harbored the thought that if he couldn't go, he wouldn't let these bootlickers go either.
Therefore, he chose the Great Elder, who appeared distinguished and respectable on the surface.
He believed that someone as solemn as the Great Elder would not stoop to bootlicking.
Yes, the Qian Yuan Sect Master guaranteed it would not happen.
If someone as serious as the Great Elder could be a bootlicker, then he, the Qian Yuan Sect Master, would gobble up the pillars of the grand hall on the spot.
Devour them raw!
If he chewed, he wouldn't be human!
Upon being given the opportunity, the Great Elder's expressionless face revealed a hint of excitement as he said, "Sect Master, I will certainly complete the mission. The Wayless Sect and the Qiandi Dao Sect will surely establish friendly relations!"
The Qian Yuan Sect Master had no intention to say much, but seeing the Great Elder's demeanor, a bad feeling inexplicably flashed through his heart.
Had he been careless?
He shook his head, dispelling the negative thoughts.
"Great Elder, on this trip, take some disciples with you and pretend it's a training expedition. If it's to be an accidental encounter, it must look genuine, remember not to expose yourself. If this matter leads to a feud with the Wayless Sect, I won't let you off!"
The Qian Yuan Sect Master said indifferently.
The Great Elder hurriedly nodded in agreement and then said, "It is said that the Hidden Sect Master has already left Wu Chang City and headed to the Xuantian Mountain Range. I will depart immediately to encounter the Hidden Sect Master in the Xuantian Mountain Range!"
The Qian Yuan Sect Master nodded, saying nothing, filled with silent regret.
What a pity.
This opportunity wasn't his, all because of this damned Sect Master status. If it weren't for this position, he would definitely be the one licking...