Chapter 696: Reunion with an Old Acquaintance

Chapter 696: Chapter 696: Reunion with an Old Acquaintance

Suddenly, a respectful report from a Mountain Guard Disciple echoed from outside the palace.

"Reporting to the True Monarch, a Cultivator named Chu Chengnan is at the mountain gate requesting an audience. He claims to be an old acquaintance of yours."

"Chu Chengnan?"

Within the grand hall of the Divine Sky Palace, the high-vaulted ceiling shimmered like a river of stars. Faint, purple-gold Thunder Patterns flowed between the Jade Pillars and the floor, suffusing the air with Dao Rhyme.

Xu Yunfan, clad in a Daoist robe adorned with Purple Gold Thunder Patterns, sat upon the Cloud Platform. His aura was as deep and still as an abyssal sea, and his gaze was tranquil.

He had just concluded his contemplation on the intricacies of the Sea of Suffering Reincarnation. With a slight stir of his Divine Thought, he sensed a familiar, yet somewhat apprehensive, aura at the mountain gate.

Before long, respectfully guided by the Mountain Guard Disciple, a figure stepped into the magnificent and solemn hall.

The visitor wore a simple black robe. While the contours of his youth were still faintly visible in his face, the weathered gravity in his expression far surpassed that of the past. It was none other than Chu Chengnan, who had weathered calamity to once again walk the path of cultivation.

His gait was steady, but his eyes betrayed a complex mix of emotions. His gaze swept quickly over the hall’s spartan yet thunder-infused decor, every detail permeated with Dao Rhyme, before finally landing on the figure with the abyssal aura seated upon the Cloud Platform.

’The Junior Brother Xu of the past was now a distant memory, someone utterly unreachable. The man before him had attained the rank of True Monarch, a position he himself had dreamed of day and night.’

Chu Chengnan took a deep breath. Without hesitation, he stopped ten zhang from the Cloud Platform, fell to his knees, and touched his forehead to the ground. He performed the great rite of a Primordial Sect disciple greeting a Peak Master True Monarch, his voice laced with suppressed excitement and absolute reverence.

"Disciple Chu Chengnan greets the Divine Sky True Monarch! May the True Monarch enjoy eternal immortal fortune, and may your Great Dao flourish forever!"

His voice echoed through the vast, empty hall, lending it an even greater sense of solemnity.

’He’s quite the smooth talker.’

’Primordial Sect disciples are the best at that sort of thing.’

’Every last one of them is an expert flatterer.’

Despite his cynical inner commentary, Xu Yunfan’s gaze fell calmly on the reverent figure below as his Divine Thought swept over him.

The Realm of Foundation Establishment Perfection. His foundation was solid and profound, even more condensed than it had been before his fall while seeking the Immovable Profound Mountain Dao Fruit. Clearly, he hadn’t given up over the past century. Instead, he had used his trials to reach an even greater height.

But the aura of twilight about him was already apparent.

Chu Chengnan’s lifespan was nearly exhausted. After five turns of the wheel of reincarnation, he was fast approaching the end of his life.

"Rise and speak."

As Xu Yunfan spoke, his voice calm, a gentle yet immense force lifted Chu Chengnan steadily to his feet.

Chu Chengnan rose as commanded, standing respectfully with his hands clasped and his head bowed, not daring to look directly at the Cloud Platform.

He gathered his thoughts before speaking, his voice filled with gratitude and nostalgia.

"Your Majesty, I have dared to seek an audience today out of gratitude for the grace you showed me in the past, which was nothing short of a rebirth.

In my youth, I was arrogant and ignorant. I suffered a calamity that caused my Cultivation to plummet, and my path forward was all but severed.

If not for Your Majesty’s intervention back then, and for giving me hope when I was in the depths of despair, I would have never been able to return to the Realm of Foundation Establishment Perfection!"

He paused, his tone growing even more earnest. "Long ago, this disciple presumptuously aided Your Majesty’s Cultivation with my own meager resources. Compared to Your Majesty’s achievements today, those resources are but a drop in the ocean, entirely unworthy of mention.

And yet, Your Majesty remembers old ties, protecting the former members of Divine Sky Peak and spreading your grace far and wide.

This junior has returned now, and though my Cultivation is meager, my heart is sincere, as heaven and earth can attest. I implore Your Majesty to take me in and allow me to return to Divine Sky Peak to serve you with all my strength!

Even if I must serve in the Outer Sect, sweeping the mountain gates, I would do so gladly and without a word of complaint!"

His words were earnest and heartfelt, fully conveying Chu Chengnan’s desire to pledge his allegiance.

He knew that in a place like the Primordial Sect, where the law of the jungle reigned, the patronage of a newly ascended True Monarch was an incredibly rare commodity.

’This was a time when the man would be in need of subordinates.’

Especially since Xu Yunfan had attained the Divine Sky Dao Fruit with astonishing speed and had recently joined forces with True Monarch Dong Ming to carve up the Aitira Realm. His reputation was at its zenith, and Divine Sky Mountain’s influence was soaring.

To align with such a power not only meant security but also offered a slim chance to once again glimpse the path of the Golden Core Dao.

Xu Yunfan looked down at the reverent Chu Chengnan, his thoughts stirring.

Back when Chu Chengnan was abandoned by True Monarch Qing Yuan, he had gifted Xu Yunfan a large cache of cultivation resources upon his departure.

Those Spirit Stones, Elixirs, and materials had indeed relieved a great deal of pressure back when his Cultivation was low and he was struggling to survive. They had saved him a great deal of time that would have been spent gathering resources, allowing him to focus entirely on improving his Cultivation.

It was a debt Xu Yunfan had not forgotten.

"Senior Brother Chu."

Xu Yunfan spoke again. His voice was still calm, but it now held an imperceptible trace of warmth.

"In the past, you did indeed help me. But your ability to climb out of that nadir and walk the path of cultivation once more is a credit to your own perseverance and your heart for the Dao.

It is good that you have returned."

Upon hearing these words, Chu Chengnan’s body trembled slightly. An immense look of surprise and elation erupted in his eyes, and he nearly fell to his knees to kowtow once more.

"Thank you for your great kindness, True Monarch! I will do my utmost to not disappoint your expectations!"

"Rise."

Xu Yunfan raised a hand, and the gentle force continued to support him.

"Divine Sky Mountain is currently in need of able hands, with a great deal yet to be built. Since you have returned to Foundation Establishment Perfection with a foundation even stronger than before, you will assist the other Outer Sect Stewards and Elders in managing the peak’s various affairs.

Cultivate diligently in your spare time to stabilize your foundation.

Within the Primordial Sect, Realm is what commands respect. Achieving Core Formation as soon as possible is the proper path."

After a moment’s thought, Xu Yunfan continued, "You cultivate the Yue Demon Suppression Scripture and practice the Thousand Mountains and Ten Thousand Peaks Technique, seeking the Immovable Profound Mountain Dao Fruit. Have you made any headway?"

Chu Chengnan replied solemnly, "I have now refined the Immortal Golden Nature. I am only waiting for the right opportunity."

Xu Yunfan nodded slightly.

’The fact that Chu Chengnan was being so forthright put Xu Yunfan at ease.’

’If Chu Chengnan had been evasive, Xu Yunfan would still have taken him in, but he certainly wouldn’t have paid him much mind.’

After all, Chu Chengnan had once failed in his attempt to reach the Golden Core Realm. His Dao Foundation had been shattered and reforged. While his potential might not be what it once was, his seasoned experience and his Cultivation at Foundation Establishment Perfection gave him a high chance of successfully attaining a Fruit Position.

"Good. When you are ready to make your attempt, you may come and speak with me. For now, you will remain on Divine Sky Mountain."

Such a promise, coming from the mouth of a True Monarch, was an immense boon. Chu Chengnan was, naturally, overjoyed.

"Yes! I will obey the True Monarch’s Decree! I shall be scrupulous in my duties and dare not slacken!"

Chu Chengnan’s voice trembled. A great weight had finally been lifted from his heart, and he was filled with relief and gratitude for being accepted.

He had taken a great risk by coming here. If Xu Yunfan had not remembered their old ties and had rejected him, Chu Chengnan feared that the moment he stepped outside Divine Sky Mountain’s gates, numerous enemies would have descended upon him.

"There will be a task for you later. Once it is done, you may attempt to seek the Golden Dao."

The Immovable Profound Mountain Dao Fruit was ranked in the lower-middle tier among the One Hundred and Eight Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends Dao Fruits. It belonged to the Earth attribute of the Five Elements.

Among the Earth-type Dao Fruits, it was neither high nor low.

But once attained, it was a Golden Core nonetheless.

"Yes!"

Xu Yunfan gave a slight nod, dismissing him.

Chu Chengnan bowed deeply once more, then respectfully took several steps back before turning to leave the Divine Sky Palace. There was a new lightness in his step.

Sunlight spilled in from outside the palace, illuminating the slight redness in his eyes—the look of a man who had endured countless hardships and finally seen the light of dawn.

Chu Chengnan’s return was but a minor interlude on Divine Sky Mountain.

*(There should be another Chapter later.)*