Yun Shan's Solemnity

While the group drank and chatted, Jiang Cheng and Yun Yun almost simultaneously turned their gazes toward the entrance of the main hall.

Yun Yun rose from her seat, surprise on her face. "That's Teacher's aura... Why has he awakened?"

Yun Leng First Elder curled his lips into a faint smile. Anyone who threatened the Old Sect Master's plans had to be investigated.

Yun Shan stood with his hands behind his back. He did not summon Dou Qi Wings, yet he stepped through the void.

With every step he took, ripples spread through the empty air. Once the ripples vanished, he had already appeared a hundred meters away, an extremely mysterious sight.

After several such strides, his figure flashed into the center of the Square in mere moments.

The breeze stirred his long robes, giving him an ethereal, unrestrained air.

"Yun'er, come out and explain yourself."

Though Yun Shan's voice was not loud, every word rang sharply. Everyone in the main hall felt as though their ears were thundered upon, their Dou Qi boiling.

Yun Yun hurried out of the main hall and respectfully cupped her hands in salute. "Teacher, why have you awakened?"

"Your teacher has already advanced to Dou Zong. There is no need to keep hiding." Yun Shan's expression remained calm as he glanced at Jiang Cheng, who was still drinking in the main hall. His expression was much like Yun Leng's, both filled with a trace of doubt.

There was not the slightest Dou Qi fluctuation on this man's body. He seemed like an ordinary person, and Yun Shan could not see through his cultivation at all.

Either this man possessed no Dou Qi and was merely a cripple, or his strength surpassed Yun Shan's, placing him at the Dou Venerate realm.

Yun Shan landed on the ground hesitantly. When he saw Yun Yun dressed like this, he could not help but frown and say in a low voice, "Yun'er, why did you come out dressed like this? This isn't like you."

Yun Yun lightly bit her lower lip. She knew that she looked improper like this and answered, "This disciple will change back immediately."

As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Yun turned and left the Misty Cloud Sect Main Hall without looking back, leaving everyone staring in confusion.

But after quickly recovering their senses, they hurriedly knelt and paid their respects. They had not seen the Old Sect Master for several years, and they were deeply shocked to discover that he had broken through to Dou Zong.

Yun Shan's face remained placid. Most of those present were high-ranking members of the Misty Cloud Sect; disciples and Elders rarely sat alongside them.

Yet Yun Shan paid no attention to the others. He walked straight over to Jiang Cheng and carefully examined the unfamiliar Expert.

"Are you from the Central Continent?"

Jiang Cheng slowly set down the wine cup in his hand and said calmly, "What does that have to do with you? Besides, the Old Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, who has been in seclusion for years, suddenly emerges just to ask me this. Isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?"

Yun Shan smiled. "Your identity is unusual, sir. I feared that Yun'er might be young and reckless and offend you, so I came out personally."

Jiang Cheng sneered. What an old fox. He had pushed everything onto Yun Yun to make his own attitude and resolve clear.

But since Yun Shan wanted to put on a show, Jiang Cheng would play along.

Yun Shan slightly moved his fingers. "All of you, go back and rest. Pretend nothing happened tonight. Inform the disciples that they did not see me. Whoever speaks of this will be punished according to sect rules!"

"Yes!"

Yun Lei and the others had sobered up as well. They immediately drove everyone from the area and warned the disciples to forget today's events. If even half a word leaked out, they would bear the consequences themselves!

Once everyone had left, only Young Sect Master Nalan Yanran, First Elder Yun Leng, and the former Sect Master Yun Shan remained.

Yun Leng First Elder stepped forward and said, "Old Sect Master, this man is highly suspicious. He may very well be a spy from another nation!"

"First Elder, how can you speak of sir like that? How could he possibly be a spy?"

Although she had not known him for long, Nalan Yanran knew that sir was definitely not that sort of person.

"Yanran, it is not your place to point fingers here!" Yun Leng First Elder snapped, his eyes wide with fury. "Go back at once, or do not blame this Old Man for being discourteous!"

"First Elder!"

Yun Shan raised a hand to stop them both, then said in a low voice, "Your name is Jiang Cheng, correct? I have traveled the continent for many years, yet I have never heard your name. Could it be that your name is false?"

"Since you are unwilling to reveal your identity, sir, I will not press the matter."

Jiang Cheng smiled. "What is there to hide? I do not change my name while walking or sitting. My surname is Jiang, and my given name is Cheng."

"Jiang Cheng..." Yun Shan continued searching his memories for Experts from the Central Continent, but he had never heard the name Jiang Cheng.

Could he merely be an unknown nobody?!

Yun Shan shrugged. In that case, he could speak plainly. So long as Jiang Cheng was not from those few factions, he could rest easy.

"Since your name is Jiang Cheng, sir, may I ask what brings you to my Misty Cloud Sect?"

"Drinking and making merry. Must I have some purpose?"

Jiang Cheng asked in return.

"Though you may have no purpose, the Misty Cloud Sect has no intention of dealing too closely with Experts from the Outside world for the time being. Let today's banquet end here. Another day, I will certainly visit you in person. Would that be acceptable, sir?"

Upon hearing Yun Shan's words, Jiang Cheng slowly rose to his feet. As he passed Yun Shan, he stopped.

Turning his head slightly, he smiled. "Then I will not disturb you further. However, Sect Master Yun Shan, before I leave, I must offer you a word of advice: what should not be done should not be done, and what should not be crossed should not be crossed. Stop in time, and you may yet remain safe."

Yun Shan frowned, unable to understand what he meant. But just as he was about to ask further, Jiang Cheng had already vanished. Even he had no idea how the other man had left.

Could he truly be a Dou Venerate Expert?!

At that thought, Yun Shan felt a trace of horror rise in his heart. If the other party truly was a Dou Venerate Expert, why had he appeared near the Jia Ma Empire?

Did he have some other objective?

Yun Leng First Elder spat in anger. "He actually just left like that. He truly has no respect for the Old Sect Master!"

Slap...

Yun Leng's face instantly swelled red.

"Ah?" Yun Leng widened his eyes and covered the cheek marked with a palm print, looking at the Old Sect Master in confusion. Why had he hit him for no reason?

"You idiot, didn't you see how he disappeared?!"

Yun Leng foolishly shook his head. If he could have seen it, he would not still be stuck at the Dou King peak.

"His strength surpasses mine. He should have already advanced to that realm... No, I must see Yun'er and ask about his identity. If he truly is, then you have caused a great disaster!"

Yun Shan flung his embroidered sleeve in fury, disappointed beyond words, then turned and vanished from the spot, leaving Yun Leng First Elder standing there in utter confusion.

At that moment, Yun Leng First Elder looked like the third meme in your phone, standing there stupidly without knowing what had just happened.

Nalan Yanran covered her mouth and secretly laughed. That saying was right after all: if you do not court death, you will not die. Those who bring calamity upon themselves cannot live.

PS: Sorry, I forgot to update. (doge)