That handsome, bearded old man was none other than Dao Master Xuan Hong, once known as Xuan Hongzi. He was also a member of the pure-blooded Other Shore Saint Clan.
Dao Master Xuan Hong's gaze fell upon Dao Master Hua as he slowly said, "Daoist Brother Hua's bearing has not diminished since those days. Standing beneath the cherry blossom tree has reminded me of the dashing sight of you chopping it down."
Dao Master Hua's expression remained unchanged as he smiled. "I have never chopped down a cherry blossom tree. That was merely a falsehood repeated until it became truth. In fact, I comprehended the Dao beneath the cherry blossom tree. Seeing the blossoms drift in profusion, I therefore comprehended a set of axe techniques. As time passed, people turned it into a tale of me chopping down a cherry blossom tree."
Dao Master Xuan Hong said, "The common people need myths and faith, so we of the Other Shore created myths and faith for them. Daoist Brother Hua, where is your Falling Blossom Divine Axe?"
Dao Master Hua had nothing in his hands. "I was wounded by a Dao Venerable, and the divine axe remains with him."
Dao Master Xuan Hong sighed. "Just as I thought. When Xu Ying revived me, you had a chance to activate the Lingxing Gate and kill Xu Ying, but you delayed and never made a move. I could not understand it at the time, but after thinking it over carefully, I realized that you must have suffered severe injuries."
Dao Master Hua smiled. "Xuan Hong, you are still as self-righteous as ever. I did not kill Xu Ying and allowed him to revive you. Could it not be that I needed someone to bear the infamy of slaughtering cultivators from the Other Shore?"