"From now on, you can cultivate peacefully in the sect. The sect will take care of your food, clothing, and lodging. If anyone bullies you, just mention my name, Huang Long."
True Person Huanglong took out a warm, white jade pendant from his sleeve, gently placed it in Luo Chuan's palm, and calmly said, "This is the Hengyue Heart-Protecting Pendant, which can ward off evil spirits and stabilize one's Dao heart. Consider it a gift from your senior brother, the sect leader."
The jade pendant was slightly cool to the touch and felt very comfortable in his palm. Luo Chuan thanked him softly and held the jade pendant tightly in his hand.
Yuqing True Person then stepped aside to introduce the sect elders inside the hall to Luo Chuan.
The first person on the left is a middle-aged cultivator with a square face and a calm demeanor. He is wearing a blue Daoist robe and has a long sword hanging at his waist. He is none other than Elder Liu Wenju, the personal disciple of True Person Huanglong.
Liu Wenju's cultivation had reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core Realm. He was in charge of the sect's punishments and outer sect affairs. He was usually stern and authoritative, but when facing three-year-old Luo Chuan, he deliberately softened his tone and took out a bag of exquisite spiritual fruits and pastries from his pocket.
"Junior Uncle, if you ever feel bored in the sect, come find me. I'll teach you swordsmanship and bring you delicious food."
Luo Chuan looked up and saw Liu Wenju, who had a serious expression but couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. He obediently accepted the pastries and whispered, "Thank you, Elder Liu."
As they emerged from the Ancestral Hall, the sun had already risen high in the sky. Yuqing True Person led Luo Chuan along the Hengyue Sect's mountain path, introducing him to various parts of the sect in detail.
"The tallest building ahead is the Deliberation Hall, where the sect leader and elders discuss important matters."
"The pavilions on the left are where the inner disciples cultivate. When you're older, you can go there to listen to the teachings. The back mountain is the Spirit Herb Garden, where Elder Su usually refines pills. You can go there to play in the future..."
While biting into a candied hawthorn, Luo Chuan looked around with wide eyes and listened attentively.
The mountain air was fresh and invigorating. Birds flew past the branches, and as the disciples passed by, they would respectfully bow to Yuqing True Person, then look at him, their junior brother, with curiosity and friendliness.
As I passed the Martial Arts Arena, I saw many disciples practicing their swordsmanship, their swords flashing and their figures displaying great skill and spirit.
Elder Liu Wenju happened to be instructing his disciples there. Seeing Luo Chuan approaching, he beckoned to him, "Junior Uncle, come and watch the sword practice."
Luo Chuan was carried by Yuqing True Person to sit on a blue stone. He quietly watched the disciples practice basic sword techniques, a strange emotion that was hard to detect flashing in his eyes.
"If Junior Uncle is willing, I will teach you breathing exercises when you are four years old, and basic swordsmanship when you are five."
Liu Wenju stroked his pale goatee and said with a smile, "From now on, you will be the patriarch of our sect. Strive to cultivate diligently and help our Zhao Kingdom advance to Level 4 Cultivation Country."
For the next two years, Luo Chuan, who had become the patriarch, lived in the Hengyue Sect, in the green mountains of the Zhao Kingdom.
Yuqing True Person treated him extremely well, regarding him as his own son. He not only personally taught him to read, but also secretly taught him basic breathing techniques.
The masters of the Hengyue Sect were exceptionally lenient with him, and his fellow disciples treated him like a younger brother.
There is no fighting, no intrigue, no pursuit by the Cultivation Alliance, and no danger lurking deep within the cave.
All that exists is the ordinary daily life, warm care, and carefree time.
Luo Chuan gradually got used to life here, getting used to practicing swordsmanship with Yuqing True Person every morning, getting used to playing with his fellow disciples on the grass in front of the mountain gate in the afternoon, and getting used to sitting next to Yuqing True Person in the evening, listening to him tell strange and wonderful stories about the martial arts world.
He almost forgot who he was, where he came from, and what his mission was.
However, a sense of unease lingered in my heart.
He had wanted countless times to leave the Hengyue Sect and see the world beyond the mountains.
But every time he reached the sect's gate, he would be stopped by Yuqing True Person.
"Junior brother, there are tigers outside the mountains that will eat people."
"Junior brother, you're still young. When you're older, your senior brother will take you out."
"Junior brother, it's windy outside, you might catch a cold. It's better to stay in the sect."
Yuqing True Person's repeated attempts to dissuade him and his reasons only deepened Luo Chuan's confusion.
He could sense that this world was shrouded in an invisible barrier.
No matter how he runs or flies, he cannot leave the green mountains of the Hengyue Sect.
The next day, Luo Chuan arrived at the gate of the Hengyue Sect as usual.
Yuqing True Person was already waiting there, still dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, with his usual gentle smile.
"Junior Brother, do you want to go out again?" Yuqing True Person asked.
Luo Chuan nodded, then shook his head. He looked at Yuqing True Person with a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Senior brother, is it really dangerous outside?"
Yuqing True Person's smile froze for a moment, then returned to its gentle tone. "Of course."
"If I become strong enough, will I no longer be afraid of danger?" Luo Chuan asked again.
Yuqing True Person fell silent, looking at the determination in Luo Chuan's eyes, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Just then, a sharp pain suddenly shot through Luo Chuan's mind, and the fog that had sealed his memories shattered in an instant!
The battles in Immortal Burial Valley, the pursuit by the Cultivation Alliance, the tragic death of Mo Ran, the help of Cloud Immortal Couple, the hordes of demonic beasts in the ancient forest, the remnant soul of the Guardian Spirit...
Countless images flooded his mind like a tidal wave.
At that moment, Luo Chuan finally remembered who he was.
He is Luo Chuan, the possessor of the Memory Inheritance the Ancient God Tusi, a powerful figure wielding the Cinie Treasure magic Jade Flute jade flute, a cultivator who defies the heavens for the inheritance of Immortal Emperor Qinglin and to revive his beloved!
All that is before our eyes is merely Illusion Trial set up by the Immortal Emperor Qinglin, an incredibly realistic illusion.
The Yuqing True Person is a manifestation of an illusion, the Hengyue Sect is a manifestation of an illusion, and the warm times of the past two years are also manifestations of an illusion.
Luo Chuan's eyes went from confused to clear, and from clear to firm. Looking at the Yuqing True Person before him, he felt no resentment, only a faint sense of reluctance.
He has been genuinely happy these past two years.
Yuqing True Person seemed to sense something; his body began to twist slightly, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared.
Luo Chuan exhaled a heavy breath of hot air, then bowed deeply to the Yuqing True Person before him, his tone respectful and sincere. "Senior Brother."
The word "Senior Brother" made Yuqing True Person tremble, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes, followed by a trace of loneliness.
"I know."
Luo Chuan straightened up, gazing at the distant green mountains, a hint of relief in his eyes, and said, "An illusion is ultimately just an illusion. I've had a very happy two years, but unfortunately, this isn't my world."
"My path lies outside, in the world of cultivation, filled with battles and dangers, on the road to the pinnacle, not in this world of simply enjoying life."