Chapter 153 - 94: A Change of Heart, Searching for Traces (Part 2)

Chapter 153: Chapter 94: A Change of Heart, Searching for Traces (Part 2)

Of course, these were standard provisions at the True Form Temple. They weren’t particularly valuable, but it was a matter of courtesy.

Xuzhuang settled into the main seat and asked, "Has a message been sent summoning Nephew Zhang?"

Xue Yuren answered, "The message has already been sent."

Xuzhuang nodded and asked no more, waiting quietly for a moment. Just as expected, two streaks of light descended from outside the peak. Daoist Zhang, accompanied by a young Daoist whose hair was bound by a stellar crown, stepped into the grotto and bowed to Xuzhuang. "Junior Martial Uncle Xu."

Seeing this, the young Daoist also smiled, bowing slightly with clasped hands. "Greetings, Martial Grand-Uncle."

’Martial Grand-Uncle?’ Xuzhuang’s brow twitched as a hint of doubt rose in his mind. He asked, "Nephew Zhang, who is this?"

Daoist Zhang stroked his beard and introduced him. "Junior Martial Uncle, this is the last Middle-Grade Golden Core Cultivator in our sect, Fan Valley. Nephew Fan."

Xuzhuang was taken aback. "Then what about Nephew Meng?"

In fact, before his arrival, Xuzhuang already knew that Daochen Zhenren had accepted three disciples in the Celestial Waterfall Realm, all of whom were at the Middle Grade Golden Core realm. He had naturally assumed that the remaining Golden Core Cultivator in the sect was Meng Fusheng, the junior brother of Daoist Zhang and Zeng Quanfeng.

Daoist Zhang, on the other hand, had assumed Xuzhuang was unaware of Meng Fusheng’s existence. It wasn’t an intentional omission; it was just that after Xuzhuang resolved the Lianyun Mountain affair, he had entered secluded cultivation. Daoist Zhang, busy with sect matters and not wanting to disturb him, had not paid him many visits. The two naturally had no leisure for conversation and never brought the matter up, so it was unexpectedly overlooked by both of them.

Now, hearing Xuzhuang ask, Daoist Zhang was also startled for a moment. He subconsciously replied, "Ah, Junior Brother Meng has been missing for a long time."

Xuzhuang frowned. He realized he had made a mistaken assumption—a complete blunder. He quickly asked, "Nephew Meng is missing? Do you know when and where? Has his Life Lamp been extinguished?"

Daoist Zhang sighed and recounted the story of Meng Fusheng’s disappearance. Only then did Xuzhuang learn that while this junior nephew was also a Middle-Grade Golden Core, his aptitude was far better than that of Daoist Zhang and Zeng Quanfeng. He had already formed a Nascent Soul and was the true pillar of the True Form Temple.

However, Meng Fusheng had gone out six years ago and suddenly vanished without a trace. Although his Life Lamp had not been extinguished, they couldn’t find any sign of him no matter how they searched. This was why the True Form Temple had fallen into such a precarious state.

"So that’s how it is..." Xuzhuang said, feeling a headache coming on. "I understand. Let’s discuss this matter later."

He glanced at Fan Valley and said, "Let’s first finish the introductions for this young nephew of ours."

While the two spoke, Fan Valley stood waiting quietly with his hands at his sides. He was clearly aware of the sect’s situation. In fact, as the only Middle-Grade Golden Core Cultivator of the next generation, he had long been designated as the successor by Daoist Zhang and his peer.

Daoist Zhang had brought Fan Valley to be introduced to Xuzhuang precisely for this reason. He sent a voice transmission: "Junior Martial Uncle, Nephew Fan is the leader of the sect’s next generation. I brought him to meet you because I want him to know the truth about the True Form Temple. I wonder if you think that’s acceptable?"

Xuzhuang considered this for a moment. "You can decide this matter. I have no objection."

But he didn’t use a voice transmission. Hearing his words, Fan Valley was slightly taken aback and confused. Daoist Zhang, however, was delighted. "Yes, Junior Martial Uncle." He turned around and said solemnly, "Nephew Fan, today you will learn of our True Form Temple’s true heritage."

"True heritage?" Fan Valley was clearly stunned for a second, then his eyes lit up with joy. ’I’ve long suspected the sect had its mysteries, but they were always shrouded in mist. Now that I’ve formed a Middle Grade Golden Core, has the time for the unveiling finally arrived?’

’I wonder if it’s some Secret Technique or a powerful treasure?’

Daoist Zhang nodded and said in a heavy voice, "Our True Form Temple follows the orthodox lineage of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect! We were established under the will of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect as their Celestial Waterfall Realm Branch!"

"What?" Fan Valley asked. "The Tai Su Orthodox Sect?"

"That is correct." Daoist Zhang bowed toward the empty air with a look of reverence and longing. "The Tai Su Orthodox Sect’s lineage comes down from the patriarch, Tai Su Taoist, and was founded by the patriarch, Baoxuanzi. It has a heritage stretching back tens of thousands of years. Primordial Spirit True Men emerge in every generation, and Top-grade Golden Cores are innumerable... It is, without a doubt, a true Upper Realm Immortal Sect."

As Daoist Zhang slowly recounted what he knew of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect, Fan Valley felt his entire worldview being turned upside down. He stood there, his mouth slightly agape.

’What Upper Realm Immortal Sect? What is a Primordial Spirit, called a Zhenren? Is that comparable to the Grotto Heaven realm? And what does he mean, spreading the Dao to countless Celestial Stars?’

’What does he mean, generations of Nascent Soul Ancestor Grandmasters were all guided to the upper realm to continue their cultivation after their merits were complete?’

Amidst his shock, a boundless regret suddenly washed over Fan Valley. ’I actually looked down on the True Form Temple for being a small, struggling sect? How unbelievably foolish! Utterly, unbelievably foolish!’

’But... maybe it’s not too late!’ A ruthless glint flashed in Fan Valley’s eyes as a plan instantly formed in his mind. ’I just need to take care of Jiang Shicheng, and it will be as if nothing ever happened. I, Fan Valley, still have a great future in the True Form Temple, in the Tai Su Orthodox Sect!’

Xuzhuang’s brow furrowed slightly. He mulled it over for a moment but remained silent. He just listened as Daoist Zhang sighed and said, "We descendants have been incompetent, allowing the True Form Temple to decline. Fortunately, we have Junior Martial Uncle Xu, who has come from the Upper Realm to take charge of the sect. And among the younger generation, we still have fine talents like you, Nephew Fan."

"If we all work together, we should be able to revive the True Form Temple. Only then can we repay the grace of our main sect and perhaps have a chance to ascend to the Upper Realm in the future."

Fan Valley immediately prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowing as he spoke. "This disciple will certainly not fail the Sect Leader’s expectations! I will take it as my personal duty to revive the True Form Temple, and I will give it my all. I will never dare to slacken!"

"Excellent." Daoist Zhang was stroking his beard in satisfaction when he suddenly heard Xuzhuang call out, "Nephew Zhang." He turned, bowed slightly, and asked, "Does Junior Martial Uncle have any instructions?"

Xuzhuang smiled. "Since you intend for this young Nephew Fan to inherit the True Form Temple, you must take him to the Ancestral Hall to pay respects to the patriarchs of the orthodox sect."

The color drained slightly from Daoist Zhang’s face. He replied, "Yes... this nephew understands."