Ask for the Sky, Settle on the Spot

The Old Celestial Master and Wang Chuan stood facing each other without speaking for a long while. The few people watching the fight were so stunned that they said nothing either.

The silence was broken only when the Mount Longhu disciples heard the commotion and came to investigate.

"It's nothing. I used too much force. Clean this up."

The Old Celestial Master settled the matter with that, then led the group back to the reception hall.

Everyone sat down again, and someone brought fresh tea.

"Kid, are you sure you want Qi-State Origin-Flow?"

"It'd be best if I could get it."

Zhang Zhiwei did not pursue the subject. He would protect his own grand-disciple; at worst, they could fight another round.

"Mount Longhu will hold a Luotian Grand Ceremony next month."

"What would you like me to do, Old Celestial Master?"

"Be a referee."

"???"

Seeing the bewildered look on Wang Chuan's face, Zhang Zhiwei wanted to plant the kid in the ground again.

"You're strong enough. There's no need for you to join in the commotion."

"That won't do. My grandmaster told me to reacquaint the world with Wudang Mountain."

"Your Taiji Force has reached the point where it can seamlessly form a domain. Nothing would be better for keeping those juniors from accidentally going too far."

"My grandmaster gave me an order. I wouldn't dare disobey."

"Would you be interested in learning a thing or two of Mount Longhu's Golden Light Mantra?"

"More than the Golden Light Mantra, I'd like to see Threefold Reversal."

"???"

"Believe it or not, I can keep you from competing altogether."

Zhang Zhiwei knew the kid understood his plans and was taking the chance to squeeze him for all he could.

Hearing that, Wang Chuan rubbed his chin and spoke.

"I have a healing method. Broken bones and severed tendons are nothing to it."

Hearing Wang Chuan's words, Zhang Zhiwei bristled and glared.

The kid had the measure of how far he could go. Zhang Zhiwei knew perfectly well he could not kill him, and even leaving him missing an arm or a leg would cause trouble. The kid was clearly the apple of Wudang Mountain's eye; if anything happened to him, someone would go mad.

But if broken bones and severed tendons were truly nothing, as he said, then there was no point in attacking him either.

As for using a crippling drug, Wudang Mountain was no small, ignorant sect.

Zhang Lingyu, who was standing nearby, spoke up.

"Daoist Wang Chuan, no matter how you look at it, the Luotian Grand Ceremony is a grand event held by Mount Longhu. If you insist on having your way, I fear it will damage the friendship between Mount Longhu and Wudang Mountain."

"Reverend Lingyu, that's not right. The Luotian Grand Ceremony is a grand event for the younger generation of the Outcast world. Everyone should be able to take part."

For a time, neither Wang Ye nor Zhang Lingyu would yield, and the two argued back and forth.

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhiwei and Wang Chuan, at the center of the whirlpool, stared at each other in silence.

Only after Wang Ye and Zhang Lingyu had argued until their mouths were dry and stopped did Wang Chuan speak.

"Old Celestial Master, Threefold Reversal. That's my only demand."

"You're a representative of Wudang Mountain. Why do you keep fixating on other people's inheritances?"

"I merely wish to survey the myriad arts and find my true Dao."

"In your eyes, is Threefold Reversal more important than the Daoist Golden Light Mantra?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Threefold Reversal can save my life."

Zhang Zhiwei looked as though he had seen a ghost.

"With that method of yours that makes your Qi and spirit erupt? And you tell me it can save your life? The backlash can't feel good right now."

"It's all right. I can bear it."

"Pick something else."

"Thunder Method."

Zhang Zhiwei's face darkened at once. Even Wang Ye looked at Wang Chuan in surprise.

"Daoist Wang Chuan, the Thunder Method is a secret Mount Longhu does not pass to outsiders. That demand goes too far."

"To me, the only thing that can compare with Threefold Reversal is Mount Longhu's Thunder Method."

"Pick something else."

"Six Treasury Immortal Thief."

Zhang Zhiwei slammed his palm on the table, startling everyone.

"Kid, you want Threefold Reversal so badly. You must know about Old Lu's heart knot, right?"

"I can promise Elder Lu that I won't pass Threefold Reversal on to Wudang Mountain. If I find a suitable person in the future, I'll pass it down to them."

"I'll pass the message along. I can't promise it'll work."

"I'd also like to have a friendly match with Reverend Lingyu at the opening."

"Lingyu, what do you think?"

"I'd also like to experience firsthand the strength Master said could destroy half of Mount Longhu."

"All right, then. Lingyu, take them to rest, and stop by the pill room to get this kid a few bottles of pills."

"Yes, Master."

After Zhang Lingyu had helped them settle in, Wang Chuan sat down and took Mount Longhu's healing pills, then began treating his injuries with Life Return.

As for Liu Yanyan and Xia He, arrangements had been made for them. He had delivered their gifts, so he left it at that.

"Senior brother, are you sure the Old Celestial Master will agree?"

"I'm just asking for the sky and settling on the spot. If I don't drive up the price, how can I show what I'm worth? Besides, I'm not even asking for the Golden Light Mantra anymore. That's already a huge concession."

"Threefold Reversal is probably even more important to Elder Lu than the Eight Extraordinary Skills, isn't it?"

"It's precisely because it's difficult that the compensation will be greater if it can't be done."

"You weren't planning on getting Threefold Reversal?"

"Why wouldn't I want it? Getting it would be best. If I can't, I won't lose out on whatever else I get."

"Then, senior brother, what do you really want?"

"I really do want Threefold Reversal."

"What about besides that?"

"Qi-State Origin-Flow, Six Treasury Immortal Thief, Heaven-Reaching Talisman, Feng Hou Qimen. If I get the chance, I wouldn't mind taking the rest of them too."

Wang Ye looked at him strangely. He could tell Wang Chuan was speaking the truth, but his tone was very flat.

Besides, he did not believe Wang Chuan was really unaware that Feng Hou Qimen was on the back mountain.

"Oh, right, Little Ye, you should take part in this Luotian Grand Ceremony."

"All right, senior brother."

"Cut loose and don't hold back. Use everything you learned on the back mountain to your heart's content. I can still protect you to some extent, at least."

"???"

Ignoring Wang Ye's shocked expression, Wang Chuan continued speaking to himself.

"My comprehension is ordinary. Both Heaven-Reaching Talisman and Feng Hou Qimen require too much comprehension and time. Qi-State Origin-Flow and Six Treasury Immortal Thief suit me better."

Silence followed.

"Go ask when the meal will be ready. I'm a little hungry."

Wang Chuan cut off what Wang Ye was about to say. He really was a little hungry.

Elsewhere, Zhang Zhiwei was speaking with Zhang Lingyu alone.

"Lingyu, you've met Zhang Chulan too. What do you think of Wang Chuan compared with Chulan?"

"Wang Chuan's edge is more exposed. Zhang Chulan won't make a move unless he's pushed far enough."

"He only acts when he's pushed. He's just like his grandfather."

"What did you make of Wang Chuan's behavior today?"

"He has a strong sense of purpose and acts rather recklessly, but he seems to know how far he can go."

"You're mistaken. He wasn't deliberately keeping himself within any limits, because he doesn't care."

"He doesn't care?"

"That's right, he doesn't care. Not only does he not care about Threefold Reversal, he cares even less about the Eight Extraordinary Skills."

"Then why does he...?"

"Those are all external things. In his eyes, having them would be best, but he can do without them. He truly believes he can attain the Dao and become an immortal."

"Master, can one really attain the Dao and become an immortal?"

"Don't think so far ahead. I'm telling you this because I want you to learn from how little he cares."

Zhang Lingyu fell somewhat silent.

"Master, you knew all along."

"Foolish child, Yin Five Thunders is still thunder. The method depends on the person, not the person on the method."

"No matter what I was like back then, I am the Celestial Master now."

With that, he paid Zhang Lingyu no further attention. This was something he could only come to understand himself.