Chapter 688 Summoning the Disciples

The moment Hu Qianqian sensed the aura of Liu Shuang and the others’ Tengyun, she bowed to Wang Ping and stepped out of the small courtyard. She first called over to Hu Lin, who was playing in the nearby gardens, before heading toward the main gate. As she reached it, she saw the disciples at the entrance bowing to Liu Shuang and her group.

“Is Master here?”

Liu Shuang asked.

Hu Qianqian nodded. “He is. He’s waiting in the courtyard.”

Liu Shuang visibly breathed a sigh of relief and led the disciples into the gardens. Before long, they saw the familiar small courtyard. Just as she was about to bow outside the courtyard, she heard Wang Ping say casually, “Come in. There are no outsiders here.”

As he spoke, a streak of light fell from the sky. It was Yu Lian, who landed on Wang Ping’s shoulder.

At this moment, Liu Shuang and the others bowed silently and filed into the courtyard.

“Mm, you all look to be in high spirits!”

Wang Ping looked at these disciples of his with satisfaction, then his gaze fell upon Liu Shuang.

Liu Shuang immediately cupped her fist and said, “Junior Brother Xuanling is at a critical juncture in his seclusion. Half a month ago, a disciple of Junior Brother Su Sea brought a message saying that Junior Brother Su Sea is also in seclusion. He will come to pay his respects to Master the moment he emerges.”

Wang Ping nodded in satisfaction.

Liu Shuang lowered her eyelids and continued, “Ling’Er is also at a critical point in her cultivation, so I thought it best not to disturb her. There is still no news from Yu’Er. However, there is news of Junior Brother Wang Yang. A letter came from the Wang Family Mansion last night, saying he passed away before the East Continent Ridge Mountain Waterfall.”

“Also, Junior Brother Song Qu still hasn’t been found.”

Liu Shuang’s words seemed to transport Wang Ping back to the scenes of his early cultivation. He remembered waking up early every day to cook for his master and senior brothers, and how Su Dun always looked like he could never get enough sleep. Later, his master had brought him into the Inner Sect for Qi Cultivation, Marrow Cleansing, and Foundation Establishment. He had slowly advanced through the realms, and the true face of the Cultivation Realm had gradually unfolded before his eyes.

But Wang Ping quickly awoke from his reminiscence. His gaze swept over Liu Shuang, Hu Qianqian, Shen Xiaozhu, and Xia Wen Yi. Times had changed. Of his dozen or so disciples, only these four now remained by his side.

Next, he looked over to Yang Rong, Zhao Mingming, Hu Lin, Mu Yun, and Xia Yang. Seeing their youthful vigor, he was suddenly reminded of the bustling scene of his own advancement to the Second Realm.

“How is Senior Brother Guangxuan?” he asked suddenly.

“Martial Uncle Guangxuan has entered Death Seclusion. I heard it’s at a Dao Field in the Northwest,” Liu Shuang replied, her head bowed.

“So that’s why I haven’t seen him!” Wang Ping said casually. “To go into seclusion without even sending a letter to let me know… he’s being a bit distant, isn’t he?”

He flicked his wide sleeves as he spoke. He never imagined that their casual parting back then in the underground cavern at Sanhe Temple could have been their final farewell!

Yu Lian flicked her forked tongue. She thought of the Spirit Bird that used to follow Guangxuan.

None of the disciples present could respond to that, so the small courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Fortunately, Wang Ping quickly composed himself. He looked intently at Liu Shuang and the others and said, “You must not be lax in your cultivation. The future lineage of Qianmu Temple depends on you.”

“Yes!”

The disciples answered in unison.

Looking at his disciples’ respectful and restrained expressions, the many things Wang Ping had prepared to say died on his lips. He was reminded of his previous advancements—of his disciples laughing joyfully at his knee and of him drinking and making merry with his friends.

‘Back then, life was truly carefree and unrestrained!’

But after this advancement, there was no such scene.

‘In the past, I always felt my master, Xiao Shan Lord, was a failure. But looking at myself now, it seems I’m not much better.’

Yu Lian’s vertical pupils also sized up the crowd. Normally, she would have piped up and told Liu Shuang to fetch a few jars of wine from the cellar. But she didn’t do so this time, because she sensed more fear than respect from them.

“What are all of your plans?”

Wang Ping maintained his benevolent smile.