Here, the old sect master of Shenxiao Sect fell into memories.
The successor beside him did not know what he was thinking and continued speaking.
"Master, why didn't you tell the 749 Bureau that you know the King of the Night? Master? Hello? Master, say something. What are you dazing out for? Master, why are you hiding the King of the Night?"
Seeing that the old sect master did not respond, he couldn't help but reach out. Just as the successor was about to wave his hand in front of the old sect master's face to get his attention, suddenly, a voice, cold and abrupt, came from beside the successor of Shenxiao Sect.
"Because I didn't let him say it."
The successor of Shenxiao Sect was startled, momentarily forgetting everything else, and quickly turned to look, and saw, at some unknown time, beside him, on the green stone steps of the back mountain, stood an old man.
The old man had white hair and a youthful face, resembling the legendary immortals described in folklore—detached from the mundane and ethereal. No matter how restless or anxious a person was, as long as they saw this old man, they would feel an inexplicable peace of mind.
The old man's voice also awakened the old sect master of Shenxiao Sect.
"Ancestor!"
The old sect master, seeing this, did not hesitate. He quickly pulled his successor and bowed deeply to the old man.
With Wang Wenqing's appearance, the old sect master finally realized that, unknowingly, during their conversation, they had arrived at the back mountain, not far from the hidden residence of the ancestor.
"Hurry and pay respects to the ancestor. This is the ancestor I just told you about, the founder of Shenxiao Sect, the first-generation grandmaster—Ancestor Wang Wenqing."
The successor of Shenxiao Sect felt his heart tremble violently. Even though he had mentally prepared himself beforehand, now that he was truly meeting the ancestor, he was still extremely nervous—especially after hearing the old sect master state the ancestor's full title.
"Gr— cough, greetings to the ancestor." The successor hurriedly performed a salute.
The old sect master of Shenxiao Sect couldn't help but find it both amusing and exasperating.
"Ancestor, this foolish boy is always a bit reckless. Please don't take offense."
"It's fine." Wang Wenqing smiled gently and raised his hand slightly in a gesture of acknowledgment.
"He is still young. This is perfectly normal."
"Ancestor, you are right."
"What is his name?"
"Ancestor, this foolish boy's surname is Xu, and his name is Zhengqing."
"Not a bad name. So he is the successor you have chosen?"
"Yes."
"The Taiji Noble Physique—not a bad seedling."
"Ancestor, you flatter him. The main reason is that among the younger generation, there is no one capable of taking on a great responsibility, so I had no choice but to choose this disciple."
The successor of Shenxiao Sect listened to the two of them conversing. Since this was his first time meeting the ancestor Wang Wenqing, even though he was usually talkative, he didn't dare to interrupt now. At most, he would occasionally steal glances at Wang Wenqing, observing this legendary founder of Shenxiao Sect.
Inside, the successor felt both excitement and deep reverence.
Wang Wenqing listened to the old sect master and spoke softly. "A Taiji Noble Physique as the successor—it's better than I expected. I thought in this era, my Shenxiao Sect wouldn't even have a single disciple with a true mystical root. After all, he once told me that in this era, the Shenxiao Sect is not very well-known."
The successor's eyes revealed confusion—he didn't know who Wang Wenqing was referring to.
But the old sect master of Shenxiao Sect did. When "he" was mentioned, the old sect master quickly responded.
"That's right, Ancestor. This time, besides bringing my disciple to meet you, I also have something else to report."
"He has awakened?"
"Yes."
The old sect master of Shenxiao Sect immediately recounted everything—how the 749 Bureau called to inquire about the King of the Night, and the events in the Hengduan Mountains and Changbai Mountains.
During this, when the mysterious black mist man was mentioned, the successor of Shenxiao Sect stole a glance and saw Wang Wenqing stroking his beard with a smile, completely unsurprised.
"As expected, Brother Hei is still following this era."
"Ancestor, you know that black mist senior?" The old sect master was surprised. He only knew that Wang Wenqing was acquainted with the King of the Night but was unaware that he also knew the King of the Night's servant—the Black Mist. And from his tone, it seemed like Wang Wenqing had an unusual relationship with the Black Mist.
———
At the stone table in the hidden residence's courtyard, Wang Wenqing was brewing tea. He did not hide anything from the current sect master's inquiry.
"I naturally know Brother Hei. The two of us, along with Xiaogu, were childhood playmates. But let's not talk about that now. Tell me in detail about the Hengduan Mountains and Changbai Mountains."
"With his personality, he wouldn't intervene in worldly matters without a reason." As he spoke, he finished brewing the tea. With a slight flick of his finger, teacups floated toward the old sect master and his successor.
The successor cautiously caught the cup, but had no interest in drinking it. Because everything happening before him was an enormous secret. If this were to be spread, it would shake the entire Great Xia.
Compared to drinking tea, he was more eager to hear every detail.
"It's like this, Ancestor." The old sect master of Shenxiao Sect did not hide anything. He recounted everything in full detail—including why the ancient great demons of the Hengduan Mountains were stirring, how it involved the disappearance of the mountain god, and even suspicions that something had gone wrong in the Celestial Court.
"Hmm?"
Wang Wenqing turned his head slightly, his aged eyelids lifting to reveal his old eyes. The mention of the Celestial Court, even Wang Wenqing frowned. After listening to everything, he couldn't help but stand up.
"…So this is what he meant by an era that isn't boring? This seems excessively not boring."
"Ancestor, are you planning to leave?" The old sect master of Shenxiao Sect was just about to say something, but saw Wang Wenqing walk out of the courtyard.
"I'm going out for a bit. If anything happens, just ask those kids in the back mountain for help."
Without giving the old sect master a chance to ask further, Wang Wenqing left those words and took a step forward. Runes circled around him, heavenly thunder surged, and in an instant, he vanished into the sky.
At the same time, several ancient voices echoed from the back mountain.
"We obey the ancestor's command."
Even though only their voices were heard and their figures unseen, the successor of Shenxiao Sect could already guess, the "kids" the ancestor mentioned were probably the owners of these voices—former Shenxiao Sect grandmasters who still lived in seclusion.
But the successor didn't dwell on it. He immediately asked, "Master, is the ancestor going to find the King of the Night? And Master, was what you said really true? …That the mountain god is missing and something went wrong in the Celestial Court?"
"Could it be that the 'things you want me to know' refer to these matters?"
The old sect master of Shenxiao Sect did not respond, he just glanced at his successor and ruffled his hair.
"It's enough that you know about these things. Don't ask too much. With your current strength, knowing more won't help. Focus on your cultivation."
The successor fell silent. Though often called a fool, he was not actually foolish. Being chosen as the successor of Shenxiao Sect, how could he truly lack intelligence?
With a brief moment of thought, he quickly understood the situation. And why his master had suddenly spoken of stepping down. And why he had been brought to meet the ancestor so early.
It was all preparation for the potential challenges that Shenxiao Sect might face in the future.
If the Celestial Court truly had a problem, it would likely affect the mortal realm and threaten Great Xia.
Shenxiao Sect, as an ancient sect, had already resisted past threats—how could it now stand by idly? It was bound to be drawn into the storm.
Unconsciously, the successor of Shenxiao Sect seemed to mature in an instant, no longer just a fifteen-year-old boy.
"Master, I will work hard in my cultivation."
The old sect master ruffled his hair again, his face showing a satisfied smile.
"Good child."
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