The child of destiny, the chosen one!
This was the first time that Master Hengxu clearly said these eight words in front of so many people!
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
There are many rumors about the disciple Kunwu in Kunwu Yashan and the top five sects of Zuo Sanqian.
Among them, the theory of "fate" is particularly popular.
Everyone said that his excellent gift and amazing talent were a gift from heaven.
But the leaders of these major sects who can sit in the Palace of the Heavens today have heard more and guessed more.
Thank you, Buchen...
He is not just an ordinary disciple with outstanding talents, he will be the savior of Kunwu.
These are all things that happen under the surface and in private.
No one dared to say such stupid and confusing things as "Kunwu will suffer a catastrophe a hundred years later", and Kunwu himself would not spread it everywhere.
But today, Master Hengxu actually said these eight words...
God knows how extraordinary these eight words are.
Everyone looked at Master Hengxu's unquestionable appearance and rare posture, and their hearts were shaken. No one spoke for a long time.
Jianchou, who was watching from below, felt something was wrong.
Not only is something wrong, but it's very wrong, extremely wrong. Everything about it is wrong!
One is Pang Dian’s opposition, and his attitude is very strange;
Secondly, it was strange that Master Hengxu decided to let Xie Buchen explore the hidden world alone, which made people feel that there was something hidden behind it.
Three is the last sentence.
Whether it was how he looked or how he sounded, that was the strength and confidence of the number one person in the Central Region today, as if nothing in this world could stop him from marching forward, and nothing could destroy the eight words he said: "Son of Destiny, Chosen One."
But...
Deep in this sentence, Jianchou actually felt a sense of anxiety.
Yes, anxiety.
This kind of emotion should not appear in a giant and leader like Hengxu. It is hidden very deeply, hidden under these words full of confidence, and also hidden in the depths of those eyes that seem to know everything...
She looked at Master Hengxu, then turned her gaze back to Longmen Elder Pang Dian. At this time Pang Dian was also shocked by Master Hengxu's unquestionable words, and looked at him speechless.
As for her master who didn't say a word from beginning to end...
Jianchou turned his head to look.
Fudaoshanren was also looking at Hengxu, but there was something in his gaze that was hard to explain, a hint of mockery, fear, and...
mercy.
But in the end, all these emotions subsided. He gave Jianchou a reassuring look, then stood up and put that nonchalant smile on his face again.
"Hey, I think you are the same. We have known Hengxu for so many years. Don't you know that he is a man who never hesitates to suffer any loss? Since he is going to send his disciples, we just have to wait for good news."
These words were not actually nice things to say, but they miraculously resolved the awkwardness in the hall at the moment.
Master Ranshuang of Baiyue Valley also showed a rare generous smile, and even echoed Fudao Shanren's words: "Elder Fudao is right. Junior Brother Xie is a genius, and we are definitely not able to measure it. If we can find out something this time, it will be a great thing for our Central Region."
At this moment, the previously tense atmosphere was completely relaxed.
The others also spoke up, expressing their expectations for Xie Buchen while reminding him to be careful and to ask for help as soon as possible if he needed any.
During the whole process, Xie Buchen stood under the stairs.
Because he was facing sideways to Jianchou and standing a little in front of him, Jianchou could not see his expression, let alone guess his mood at the moment.
But based on her understanding of Xie Buchen...
It would be interesting if Hengxu had never discussed this matter with him before, and only made the decision for him at this moment to send him to investigate the Snow Region.
Even if he turned out to be Xie Buchen's master, Xie Buchen might not be happy.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Jianchou's lips.
In the main hall, several sect leaders and elders exchanged greetings and finalized some details of matters concerning the Snow Region. After that, they said goodbye and went to arrange the small meeting.
Jianchou was naturally waiting for Fudaoshanren and Zheng Yao.
The true disciples of Kunwu were prepared to stay and see if Master Hengxu had any other instructions, but unexpectedly, Master Hengxu said calmly: "I will stay for a while. I have something to tell you."
"… yes."
This was expected. Xie Buchen guessed it and bowed calmly in response.
Prince Wu Duan and the others looked at each other and understood what Master Hengxu meant, so they said goodbye one by one and left.
This time, he collided with Jianchou who had taken two steps ahead.
"You guys came out too."
Jianchou turned around and saw them, but did not see Xie Buchen, so he guessed that they were left behind by Master Hengxu, so he did not ask any more questions.
Wu Duan looked at him strangely: "I thought Elder Fudao and Sect Leader Zheng came out, why didn't they come with you?"
"Over there, he's talking to Elder Pang and the others."
Jianchou nodded towards the other end of Yunhai Square, motioning them to look over there.
Then in a blink of an eye, everyone saw four people standing over there.
What was surprising was that, apart from Fudaoshan and Zheng Yao from Yashan and Longmen elder Pang Dian, the remaining person was actually Master Ran Shuang from Baiyue Valley.
Even from a distance, they could see Pang Dian's flushed face, and he seemed to be saying something loudly with anger still lingering.
Master Ran Shuang and Zheng Yao tried to comfort them with gentle words.
However, there must have been a soundproofing formation set up around them, so Wu Duan and the others couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Is it probably about the things that happened in the palace earlier?"
Wu Duan looked at it and muttered to himself, then looked back at the Great Hall of the Heavens. Thinking of that out-of-place Junior Brother Xie who was left behind to talk alone, he pulled the corners of his lips into a smile.
"Junior Brother Xie has always been the most favored disciple by our master. Elder Pang really doesn't need to worry about him."
"Okay, it's all decided, it doesn't matter. I think Elder Fudao and the others will talk for a while, let's go down and wait."
However, Wang had no feelings towards Xie Buchen, and he said that only because he felt that Wu Duan's words were not very nice.
"This year's meeting is small, but there are many differences from previous years. Daoist Fellow Jianchou, do you want to go and take a look?"
When Jianchou glanced at the hermit Fudao, he knew that what Wang Que said was true.
That kind of thing really can't be finished in a short time.
So she smiled and said, "Thank you very much. I haven't been back for sixty years. I really want to take a look."
So Wang Que and Wu Duan played the role of hosts and left Yunhai Square with Jianchou. As for Zhao Zhuo, Yue He, and Situ Xing, they either had things to deal with or said they wanted to go back to practice, so they left first.
Kunwu sixty years later is no different from sixty years ago.
However, the rooftop terraces that had been there during the small gathering had all disappeared. Instead, on the Jiutou River in the distance, which half-circled Kunwu, there were actually many small boats lined up.
From a distance, standing on the mountain path, you can see that there are already quite a few people watching by the river.
"This should be arranged for the small meeting, right?"
Jianchou walked down the mountain path, took a look over there, and easily made a judgment.
Wang nodded, "Indeed, but it is said that because Elder Fudao has just come out of retreat and encountered the incident in the Snow Region, the arrangement is not complicated. But it is a small meeting, and the rules are still the same, the strong ones go on the stage, so there is no difference."
"Yes, the strong are on the stage, the strong are listed on the nine-layer monument, but I am a little surprised." Wu Duan was also walking beside him. He looked at Wang Que and laughed, "Junior brother Wang Que, since you lost to fellow Daoist Jianchou, you have returned to Kunwu for so long, but I have never seen you practice once."
Jianchou was a little surprised.
Wang Que glanced at Wu Duan. He was very close to Wu Duan and knew that he had no ill intentions when he said this. It was just...
"It is true that I haven't practiced. There are always some confusions that have not been solved. I can continue only after I figure them out."
Confusion remains unsolved...
What Jianchou recalled was the conversation they had had when they sat on the cliff drinking together after he defeated Wang Que in a battle.
The Hermit Sword, the Hermit Sword, uses the Hermit sword intent.
But if you are a true hermit, why do you need a sword? And why do you need to enter this world of mortals...
Wang Quexiu's path itself is somewhat contradictory.
Over the years, he actually had some perception of it, but it was not until that defeat that it was pointed out so clearly by Jianchou, which made him ponder it for a long time.
But Wu Duan didn’t know all this.
When he heard Wang Que say this, his brows furrowed. "If you have any unanswered questions, why not go find Master for some advice? It's not a good idea for you to keep doing this."
The king smiled, shook his head, and said, "This is my way, my question, no one can help me."
Jianchou couldn't help but look at him.
There was still that noble and open air between his brows, without the slightest arrogance, and he was indifferent, as if what he encountered was not a difficulty in cultivation, but just a trivial matter.
When it comes to spiritual practice, especially when it comes to "Tao heart", other people really can't help at all.
So, in the end, Jianchou didn’t say anything.
She cleverly changed the subject and asked about things related to this small meeting. Wu Duan knew a lot and was happy to introduce them to her. Wang was just listening nearby, occasionally interjecting a few words.
The three men walked down from the top of the mountain, and when they reached the wide flat ground in front of the martial arts field, they saw the "old acquaintances".
"Tsk, look, we finally met a 'big shot'!"
Wearing a loose robe embroidered with gaudy and colorful flowers, the long-lost Ruhua Gongzi from the Wuyi Sect was holding a small paper fan in his slender fingers that were no less delicate than a woman's, and he was smiling with a pair of crescent eyes.
"I heard that Daoist Fellow Jianchou survived the catastrophe. I felt really sorry for a long time."
"… "
Hey, what do you mean by "secretly"? Didn't you say it all out loud
When Jianchou saw him and heard these words, he felt a vein pop up on his forehead instantly. He forced himself to suppress the twitch at the corner of his mouth and managed to smile calmly: "Mr. Ruhua, long time no see."
"uh-huh."
The flowery young man hummed the above, and turned the small paper fan with his fingers, and the fan unfolded like petals.
He walked up slowly, accompanied by the Baiyue Valley's medicine girl Lu Xiangleng and the Demon Sealing Sword Sect's Xiahou She.
No, maybe now we should say Xiahou She from Baiyue Valley.
After sixty years of separation, Lu Xiangleng's cultivation had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, but it was obvious that he had only just broken through and was not particularly outstanding.
But the temperament on that face was even more noble.
Her figure was like a clean, bright moon, her eyes were full of gentleness and kindness, and the arc of smile at the corner of her lips, which was curved because of seeing Jianchou, added a bit of warmth to her.
Xiahou She walked beside her.
Compared to the compassion and kindness of the medicine girl who saved the world, his red clothes were stained with blood. The boy's face had not changed at all, but the bloodstain on his forehead seemed to be much deeper than before.
The pair of eyes with a hint of dark red turned and their gaze fell on Jianchou, then stayed on the Ran Deng sword in her hand for a moment before slowly moving away.
Of course, there is also Xiao Jin who comes to join in the fun.
Previously, he had volunteered to help Zuo Liu, and finally escaped from the supervision of the old men at home, so of course he would not go back so honestly. So when Bai Yin took Zuo Liu back, he also followed him to the Central Region and wandered around.
As soon as the meeting started today, he came and happened to meet Lu Xiangleng and the others and they got together.
At this moment, he didn't know why he fell behind. He had already eaten half of the big watermelon in his arms. When he saw Jianchou from afar, he hurriedly ran up and jumped up and down like a monkey.
"Senior Sister Jianchou, Senior Sister Jianchou! I finally see you again! By the way, why don't I see Zuo Liu?"
"He is still practicing. He said he has some insights and wants to go into seclusion."
Zuo Liu was a freak, a genius. Others could hardly make any progress in their cultivation, but he made rapid progress. Sometimes, Jianchou thought that he was not much worse than Xie Buchen.
"But you guys actually got together. It's a big surprise to see you today."
"Yeah, it was quite frightening."
Ruhua Gongzi glanced at her coldly, and when he found that he couldn't see the details of her cultivation, he became more and more unhappy.
Xiahou She was not a talkative person. He was introverted and aloof most of the time. He only showed his fierceness when fighting with others, so he didn't say anything at this moment.
However, Lu Xiangleng beside him smiled slightly: "It's not that we got together for no reason. The whole Central Region knows that Daoist Fellow Jianchou has returned safely. We thought you would come for the meeting, so we all made this trip, and sure enough, we saw you."
"I see… "
These old friends who had gone through hardships together with her were all thinking of her in their hearts.
Jianchou felt warm in his heart for a moment and wanted to say something, but he felt that once he said it, the taste would fade.
Therefore, she didn't say anything sentimental in the end, but she smiled a little brighter unconsciously: "After all, I didn't practice enough and didn't have deep cultivation at the beginning, which made everyone worry about me."
"Worry?"
The flowery young man rolled his eyes ungracefully, not disguising his sarcasm at all.
"It's really unexpected. I haven't seen you for sixty years. It seems that you are even more shameless now."
"… "
If we talk about who is better at choking people to death with just one sentence, Wuyi Sect's Ruhua Gongzi would dare to claim second place, and no one in the world would dare to claim first place.
Jianchou was speechless after being rebuked.
Wang Que, who was behind her, had been traveling far away, so this was the first time he saw Lu Xiangleng and the others. He took a quick look at them before comparing them with what he had heard.
only…
"Friend Jianchou's friends are all very interesting."
Is it interesting
Jianchou looked back at Wang Que and guessed that he probably didn't know him, so he smiled bitterly and began to introduce them to each other.
Because they had a common acquaintance, Jianchou, and because Wang Que was indifferent, Lu Xiang was calm and peaceful, and Xiao Jin was outgoing, the group quickly became familiar with each other.
And because they were all well-informed people, they each had their own wonderful things to say and they got along very well.
When old friends meet, of course they talk more about what happened in the past sixty years.
Then Jianchou learned about the changes in Wuyi Sect in recent years, that Lu Xiangleng had been praised as "the most outstanding alchemist after Medicine King Yiming", that Xiahou She was hunted down by his master because of the inheritance of the Master of Weapons and was finally saved by Lu Xiangleng, and that Xiao Jin had suffered the so-called "inhumane abuse" at home in recent years...
Well, since he said it was abuse, then let it be abuse.
Finally, Lu Xiang asked coldly, "After going through so many difficulties, we finally managed to overcome the danger. Now that Daoist Jianchou has returned to Yashan, I wonder what plans he has for the future?"
"I don't have any long-term plans yet. If nothing else, I'll probably practice in seclusion in Yashan for a while."
Jianchou is not particularly sure either.
She had been through a lot, and cultivation was something that needed to be settled. If she could take some time off to retreat and adjust, it would be very beneficial.
But she also said that the premise is that nothing is wrong.
"It would be nice if I could practice in seclusion. When you see Daoist Fellow Chou again and have time, we can go to White Moon Valley. I brewed a few jars of New Snow Wine a few years ago, but I haven't opened them yet."
Lu Xiang's snow-white face had a more worldly air because of her intimate smile, but her moon-white dress still made her look like a fairy in the moon.
"Fellow Daoist Xiang Leng has an appointment. I will definitely attend it when I am free."
Seeing these friends, the bad things she had encountered in recent days seemed to be temporarily far away from her, and Jianchou couldn't help but smile with relaxation.
So Ruhua Gongzi was next to him and said sarcastically that Lu Xiangleng didn't invite anyone else, while Xiao Jin was seriously thinking about what his family said about children not being able to drink alcohol...
The atmosphere was extremely good for a while.
But not long after, a voice came from the mountain road behind them: "Jianchou—"
He is from Fudao Mountain.
When Jianchou turned around, he saw that Fudao Shanren had stood on the high mountain path without him knowing when. Zheng Yao, Pang Dian and Master Ran Shuang, who had spoken to him before, were nowhere to be seen.
She said to everyone, "Master wants me to leave. I have to excuse myself for a moment."
Everyone nodded and watched her walk back up the mountain path.
"Master."
When he got close to Fudaoshanren, Jianchou stopped and shouted.
The cheerful expression on her face disappeared. She could sense that Fudao Shanren had something to say.
Sure enough, when Fudaoshan looked down, he naturally saw Lu Xiangleng and others, but he didn't show any intention of going over.
He just slightly frowned his two white eyebrows and sighed: "What did you feel in the Hall of the Heavens before?"
"Feel?"
Fudao Shanren did not continue to take the mountain path, but chose a small path that branched out slantingly from the side, so Jianchou followed him.
"Master, are you referring to the incident where Master Hengxu sent Xie Buchen?"
"Um."
Fudaoshanren nodded.
Jianchou glanced at the few red spots in the forest in the distance that were dyed red by the autumn atmosphere, and said thoughtfully, "I don't know if it was my illusion, but I felt that Master Hengxu's words were not right. He didn't sound calm, but rather... anxious."
When Fudao Shanren heard this, he laughed, but in the end he couldn't laugh anymore.
"How could he not be anxious? The hundred-year catastrophe he had calculated was only a few years away. For a cultivator, hundreds of years are just a blink of an eye. What can he do in these few remaining years?"
One hundred years of catastrophe...
Jianchou only felt that something was not right before he heard it, but he did not think about this point. But once Fudaoshan pointed it out, the words that sounded very strange actually became reasonable.
Just as Fudaoshan had said before, Zhenren Hengxu was a person who had planned everything out perfectly and without any mistakes. The fact that he could say such a strong word in front of everyone had already proved a lot.
That sentence...
Should I tell others, tell Xie Buchen, or tell myself
Thinking of this, Jianchou couldn't help but sneer, and said to Fudaoshanren: "Master, although I know the principle you said that 'a single move affects the whole body', and I know that if Kunwu really gets into trouble, our Yashan and even the entire Central Region Zuo Sanqian will be greatly affected, but in my heart, I can't feel the slightest bit of tension or sympathy."
Fudaoshanren looked back at her, understood what she was thinking, and said, "That's all for the future. I'm more worried about the present."
"Right now?" Jianchou said, "Are you referring to Xie Buchen's trip to the Snow Region?"
"good."
Fudaoshanren walked on the road with his hands behind his back, stepping on the thickly piled dead leaves under his feet.
"I know this old monster Hengxu very well. It is not like he would do such a thing as asking his true disciple, Xie Buchen in particular, to risk his life. I am afraid there is some secret behind this..."
This is also Jianchou's idea.
But she was not really familiar with this Zhenren Hengxu, so she had no way of guessing, and so she just listened to what Fudao Shanren said.
"As the saying goes, there is no early rise without benefit. If this trip is of no benefit to Xie Buchen, himself, and Kunwu, it will not be accomplished."
"Either some rare treasures have appeared over there, or..."
"It's just going to be related to the Jiyu."
When he said the last sentence, Fudaoshanren's voice was a little ethereal, and it was filled with a heavy haze.
When Jianchou heard this, his heart skipped a beat.
At this moment, what appeared in her mind was not what happened in the Extreme Domain, but the tragic event that the ancestor had described on the Mitian Mirror on Yashan not long ago, eleven generations ago...
"Master..."
She opened her mouth to say something.
Fudao Shanren sighed: "Once bitten by a snake, one will be afraid of ropes for ten years. I can no longer trust Kunwu..."
It’s not that I can’t, but that I dare not.
How many years of suppressed disappointment are contained in this one word difference
Jianchou couldn't respond to this, nor did he dare to respond. He walked with him for a while before saying, "Master, I want to go."
"… "
Fudao Shanren only thought of Yu Zhifei, whom he had not seen for nearly a hundred years but who died in the snowy area. After a long time, he turned around and looked at Jianchou, but still could not utter a word.
Jianchou seemed to know what he was thinking, and smiled at him slowly: "We must guard against Kunwu, and investigate the Snow Region. And, Master - I want to bring Junior Brother Yu back..."