Nine Branches Guarding One

Master Azure Cloud Master and his disciples looked at Cang Song with surprise.

This duel is likely to be quite difficult.

Yun Song looked at Azure Cloud Master and said, "School Leader, the Abbot has chosen the sea where we last met as the location for the decisive battle. You can confirm the time!"

"In half a month!" Azure Cloud Master replied.

"Alright, see you in two weeks!" Yun Song said goodbye and left.

After Yun Song left, Azure Cloud Master and Zhang Yang both turned their attention to Cang Song.

Cang Song spoke first, "School Leader, we're sorry to have troubled you!"

"Cang Song, what you're saying is wrong!" Azure Cloud Master said in a deep voice, "This trouble is ours alone; we should face it together. Why distinguish between 'you' and 'me'?"

Besides, since we've kept you here, we should go and solve these problems."

After a pause, Azure Cloud Master smiled proudly, "It's time to give One-Guard Monastery an answer, so they won't keep bothering us."

Don't worry, we'll get your Daoist temple back for you."

Cang Song was stunned, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Compared to my time at One-Guard Monastery, and compared to life at the Azure Cloud Sect...

"School Leader, the Abbot has been in the Mid Tribulation Transcendence Realm for many years."

Although Cang Song was moved, he had to admit the truth.

Azure Cloud Master smiled faintly, "He has been Tribulation Transcendence Realm for many years, but cultivation is not something that can be accomplished by who takes a few steps ahead. You don't need to worry about the rest; leave it to us. I'll go and make some preparations first, and we'll talk again in half a month."

He then went into seclusion.

Although I have the confidence to face the master, more preparation will give me a greater chance of success.

Zhang Yang looked at Cang Song with a complicated expression, unsure of what to say.

Cang Song's challenge to a duel at his home in One-Guard Monastery was tantamount to severing ties with the One-Guard Monastery.

If he loses, according to the agreement, he will have to return to One-Guard Monastery. How will he fare then? Will he have the face to go back?

Only death remains!

Cang Song gave his life, so what could Zhang Yang say?

"Old Daoist, this matter is too hasty!" Zhang Yang said finally. "Actually, it didn't need to be like this."

If we had told him in advance so he could have made the arrangements, things would have been handled much better.

Cang Song was silent for a moment before asking, "Do you know the internal structure of One-Guard Monastery?"

"Have no idea!"

Zhang Yang never asked Cang Song these questions, because he felt it was disrespectful to the Cang Song.

The Cang Song was never mentioned.

"Within the One-Guard Monastery, there are nine lineages! These nine lineages are united as one, hence the name 'Shouyi' (meaning 'guarding one')," Cang Song said expressionlessly. "Our lineage is also among these nine lineages, but our lineage has declined."

The reason why my master and I are not respected within One-Guard Monastery is because our lineage lacks outstanding figures, thus failing to gain recognition from others.

My master died unexpectedly, leaving behind very little of his teachings.

My Dao Heart is clouded, and I am unable to display any outstanding talent.

He took in a disciple Qingxu, but because of his personality, he was not liked by his fellow disciples.

For this reason, our lineage holds the lowest status within the One-Guard Monastery.

Fortunately, our lineage exists independently. Although other lineages look down on us, our status and position are undeniable, and they dare not say anything.

Therefore, when we arrived at the Azure Cloud Sect, they didn't pay much attention to us.

You've been bragging a lot, making us both sound like we're on top of the world. You said I'm about to the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, and that Qingxu has invented all sorts of weapons... Under such circumstances, of course they won't let us go.

Perhaps in their eyes, we, as the leaders of our lineage, still have a chance to return to One-Guard Monastery.

Given our current situation, we will definitely gain the respect of the other factions when we return.

That's why they went to such lengths to ask us to go back.

Zhang Yang was speechless. If he had known earlier that Cang Song and Qingxu belonged to a separate lineage, he would have handled things differently.

He asked slowly, "So, by bringing up the Feather Insignia Hall now, are you demonstrating your resolve?"

"Sigh!" Cang Song sighed deeply. "You brat, to be honest, I wasn't happy during my time at One-Guard Monastery."

I can see that those people don't respect me, but there's nothing I can do about it.

But that's still my sect, my lineage, it's there, what can I do?

When you captured me, I thought I might as well just let things slide; there was no point in going back.

After you brought Qingxu to the Azure Cloud Sect, my desire to go back faded even further.

At least, I can tell myself that I was captured by the School Leader. Moreover, you've given us an excuse to the world to come and Demon Suppression. So, I can convince myself to settle down in the Azure Cloud Sect.

I have to admit, I'm running away.

But no matter how much you try to escape, you eventually have to face reality!

This time, it's time for me to face reality.

I will eventually have to make a decision, a decision that will take my life or my life.

I can't run away any longer!

"So?" Zhang Yang countered.

Cang Song stared at Zhang Yang and said seriously, "If the School Leader wins, then we will have nothing to do with One-Guard Monastery; if the School Leader loses, I will have to go back to One-Guard Monastery and continue to shoulder my responsibilities."

Of course, no matter what I decide, Qingxu and One-Guard Monastery have little to do with each other, so I will continue to stay in the Azure Cloud Sect from now on."

Because he's been running away from reality for too long, it's time to face it.

Cang Song looked at Zhang Yang sincerely and said, "You brat, I believe you won't mistreat Qingxu. I'm very relieved to let him stay in the Azure Cloud Sect!"

As for the rest, we'll leave it to the School Leader.

Whatever the outcome, I am willing to accept it.

Zhang Yang frowned deeply; he could already sense Cang Song's will to die.

Zhang Yang patted Cang Song on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Old Daoist, to be honest, I don't want to let you leave."

Although you are not strong in combat and are lazy.

However, you're a good cook, and we get along well.

Also, Qingxu regards you as his father. If you were gone, Qingxu would definitely lose a lot of fun.

So, for the sake of others and for your own sake, don't be discouraged.

Hope is the most precious thing!

Cang Song said irritably, "You've asked me to stay so I can be your cook?"

Zhang Yang retorted, "You clearly cultivate a terrifying Slaughter Great Dao, yet you can only be a chef. What can I expect from you? Don't blame others for looking down on you; blame yourself for being so unambitious."

"I..."

The Cang Song tree, which had initially been somewhat moved, was now so angry that it didn't know what to say.

"You're already in the Late Dao Integration Realm, hurry up and try to break through to the Dao Integration Peak, and then Tribulation Transcendence Realm as soon as possible," Zhang Yang instructed. "You've already delayed for too long, you can't delay any longer."

Reaching the Tribulation Realm is the responsibility you must now shoulder.

Didn't you just say you couldn't run away?

Now, there are no other excuses, are there?

Cang Song gave a bitter laugh and said fiercely, "I think I'd better go back to One-Guard Monastery, at least no one's forcing me to cultivate!"