Daoist Cangsong said coldly to Tian Buyyi, "A disciple at the fourth level of Yuqing nearly crippled Qi Hao, who's at the ninth, with that staff. Your disciple has had remarkable luck indeed."
Tian Buyyi's face darkened. "If Zhang Xiaofan came across such an opportunity, that was his good fortune."
"Enough. It was Zhang Xiaofan's good fortune."
Shi Yongheng had spoken, settling the matter. No one said another word. Though he kept out of worldly affairs, his seniority gave him authority. And the cultivation arts he had created had raised his standing, in some respects, even above Daoxuan's. Shi Yongheng walked out of Yuqing Hall, leaving the others staring at one another.
Founder Ancestral Hall
Shi Yongheng approached slowly, then frowned. Someone unexpected was here.
He had seen that outfit a hundred years ago in Changhe City by the East Sea. Its wearer had only grown stronger.
The woman wore no black veil now. Hearing his footsteps, she turned and saw him.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, no less so than Su Ru or Shui Yue.
"You? How is that possible? A hundred years have passed, yet you haven't aged. You look even younger!"
You Ji's expression changed. He had clearly stirred a distant memory.
"Martial Uncle!"
Wan Jianyi, who had regained his middle-aged appearance after breaking through to Taiqing, called out with a hint of worry.
"Oh, it's you, girl. Welcome to Qingyun Sect. There's nothing here in the Founder Ancestral Hall, though. Forgive the poor hospitality!"
Shi Yongheng smiled. His face looked young, but his eyes held age and serenity, the indifference of someone who had seen through everything.
Hearing Wan Jianyi call him Martial Uncle left You Ji even more astonished.
"Oh? That's interesting. When you people of the Orthodox Dao meet members of the Demonic Cult,