Chapter 663: A Visit from Old Acquaintances (Part 2)

Yang Shu acted nonchalant in front of his disciples, but inwardly he felt quite ashamed. The first time he met Wang Ping, Wang Ping’s cultivation was merely at the Entry-level.

Back then, Yang Shu owed Wang Ping a huge favor because his son, Liu Chang, had gotten into some trouble. He had planned to repay this favor when Wang Ping encountered problems in his cultivation. He never expected that in the blink of an eye, the other man would become a Fourth Realm Cultivator, while he himself was still stuck in the same place.

Yang Shu walked along a small path in the garden. It was just as it had been over a hundred years ago. Back then, they would gather here to discuss the trivial matters after the establishment of the Daoist Palace and share insights on cultivation. He especially loved the yellow wine they served back then. As he passed a Spirit Wood Tree, he seemed to see a vision of himself playing a game of Go with Wang Ping under this very tree.

But he quickly suppressed these thoughts when he saw Wang Ping’s figure under the locust tree. He subconsciously lowered his head, retracting his wandering gaze. He didn’t even dare to move his Primordial Spirit Consciousness.

“Greetings, Changqing Zhenren. I wish you peace and well-being!”

Yang Shu took the initiative to bow.

Having brought the man, Liu Shuang gave a silent bow, then transformed into a streak of light and returned to the front courtyard.

Before Wang Ping could reply, Yu Lian, who was lounging on a branch of the locust tree, asked, “Is Liu Chang doing well? Has his Go skill improved? Or is he still losing more than he wins, just like before?”

Yang Shu looked at Yu Lian and smiled. “He is currently in seclusion, preparing to advance to the Second Realm.”

“That slow?”

“He could have advanced two hundred years ago, but he waited until now to be more certain of his success!”

“I’d forgotten that Liu Chang has the blood of the Dragon Race. He doesn’t have to worry about his lifespan like ordinary Cultivators.”

Yang Shu smiled but did not continue the conversation on this topic.

At this point, Wang Ping pointed to the seat in front of him and said, “Fellow Daoist, please have a seat and speak.”

Yang Shu did not sit. He performed a cupped fist salute and said, “I have come this time because a member of my sect may have offended you, True Man. I am here specifically to apologize!”

“Oh?”

Wang Ping was a little curious, so he asked, “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

Yu Lian also descended from the branch on a cloud. With a flick of her tail, she tapped the Calico Cat on a nearby branch. The sleeping Calico Cat opened one eye, let out a “MEOW~,” then buried its head under its little paws and went back to sleep.

“Over two hundred years ago, a Water Cultivator from my sect was traveling through Hu Mountain Country when he discovered a Qi Cultivator with excellent potential. He brought him back to the Dao Field and accepted him as a Direct Disciple. That disciple is named Song Qu, and he was your registered disciple from over two hundred years ago!”

As he spoke, his words involuntarily quickened, as if he wanted to explain everything more quickly:

“My sect member tried to request an audience with you several times, but you were in seclusion on every occasion. Later, when you were competing with Chengxi for a spot in the Fourth Realm, he was afraid of causing unnecessary misunderstandings and didn’t disturb you. And shortly after that conflict ended, you went into seclusion again!”

“Now, his lifespan is nearing its end, and he plans to transfer his Spirit Vein to that disciple. Before entering seclusion for this, he entrusted me to come and beg for your forgiveness…”

After saying all this, Yang Shu performed a very solemn, deep bow.

Wang Ping was at a loss for words. Song Qu was just one of his puppets. He had been wondering whether to reveal the truth when Yang Shu was halfway through his explanation, but Yang Shu simply hadn’t given him a chance to speak.

But now, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

After a moment of silence, Wang Ping raised his hand and said, “Fellow Daoist, there is no need for such ceremony. Song Qu was a good prospect I discovered at Zhonghui Academy. I later found that his temperament was not suited for my Qianmu Temple’s Cultivation Technique, so I let him go out and travel on his own. I was hoping he might find his own opportunities, which would also be good.”

“It seems now his opportunity was with your sect, Fellow Daoist. This can be considered his good fortune.”

Wang Ping put on a magnanimous expression, but then added in a warning tone, “However, this matter must remain between us.”

Yang Shu finally let out a sigh of relief. Only then did he realize that he had actually been nervous and afraid while explaining. Hearing Wang Ping’s warning, he immediately declared, “Of course!”

Just then, Wang Ping’s Wood Spirit Qi, which was spread throughout Qianmu Temple, sensed two familiar auras he hadn’t felt in a long time.

It was Tianshan Daoist and Elder Wu!

Thus, he looked at Yang Shu and said, “You may leave for now.”

Yang Shu was a little unused to Wang Ping’s tone, but he still subconsciously performed a cupped fist salute and said, “Yes!”

Then, he respectfully withdrew from the mountaintop garden.

…

Elder Wu and Tianshan Daoist had indeed come together specifically to seek an audience with Wang Ping.

Before Liu Shuang led the two of them into the Mountain Peak Dojo, Wang Ping had already prepared clear tea and fresh fruit.

Elder Wu looked at Wang Ping standing before the locust tree, still feeling a sense of disbelief. When he felt Wang Ping’s gaze on him, he wanted to let out a hearty laugh and call out Wang Ping’s name from his mortal days.

But the words wouldn’t come out. As he approached Wang Ping, he performed a cupped fist salute and said, “Greetings, Changqing Zhenren!”

Tianshan Daoist did the same.

Wang Ping immediately returned the salute with his own cupped fists. “Seniors, you honor me too much. Come, let’s sit and talk.”

He took a step forward and invited the two to sit. This time, his invitation was sincere.

Sensing Wang Ping’s sincerity, the two hesitated for a moment and didn’t move. Wang Ping had no choice but to personally step forward and pull them to their seats. After they sat down, Yu Lian immediately used the ‘Object Manipulation Technique’ to pour tea for them.

For the next Half an Hour, the three of them made small talk. Both Elder Wu and Tianshan Daoist were clever enough not to mention Yu Cheng.

After two pots of tea, Wang Ping took the initiative and said, “Seniors, if you have something on your minds, please speak freely. If it is within my power to help, I will not refuse.”

Hearing this, both Elder Wu and Tianshan Daoist’s faces lit up with joy. Elder Wu spoke first, “The Earth Cave Sect is about to begin its competition for the Fourth Realm. This conflict will surely free up some Third Realm positions, and I was hoping to secure one.”

Wang Ping was taken aback. He hadn’t expected this. For him now, securing a Third Realm slot from the Earth Cave Sect was a simple matter—he wouldn’t even have to wait for their Fourth Realm competition.

“What is it? Is there a problem?”

Seeing Wang Ping’s reaction, Elder Wu grew nervous and added, “Rest assured, True Man, I will provide an equivalent exchange based on the prices at the gatherings.”

But Wang Ping shook his head. After a moment’s thought, he spoke frankly, “If all you need is a Third Realm slot, you might not have to wait for the Fourth Realm competition. I’ll write a letter. You can go to Hai Zhou Road and find Daoist Liu Shibin. He might be able to arrange it for you right now.”

These two men before him had no conflicts of interest with him, so he wouldn’t be stingy with a favor he could grant easily. Besides, the debt incurred for a Third Realm slot was completely insignificant to him.

Elder Wu’s expression was a whirlwind of emotions. He straightened up, cupped his fists, and said, “Thank you!”

He seemed about to prostrate himself on the ground, but a current of Wood Spirit Qi held him up, preventing the bow. Afterward, the two sides exchanged another round of pleasantries.

Next was Tianshan Daoist’s matter. He didn’t speak directly but handed Wang Ping a pre-written letter. The content of the letter was, surprisingly, a request for a leave of absence!

It turned out that some members of the Star God Alliance were required to serve on the moon for ten years out of every thirty. Tianshan Daoist wanted to request a two-hundred-year leave of absence to find a successor for himself, as he had recently obtained a Star God Core.