Their cultivation had risen far too quickly. Among their peers, anyone who reached Foundation Establishment was already considered a cultivation genius.
Gu Wufang stroked his fine beard and thought it over. Oh, whatever. If the sky fell, the Dragon Venerable would hold it up. All he needed to know was that he no longer had to worry about the Five Sects Assembly's matches. At most, he would have to keep an eye on those Buddhist Cultivators from the Bitter Crossing Temple, lest those scheming monks try to poach disciples from Yonglu Mountain.
And so, in this atmosphere of perfect harmony, Wen Xu, Bian Chunchou, and Chen Zui returned to the sect.
"Disciple greets Little Grand-Master Uncle and both Martial Uncles."
Back at the mountain gate, Wen Xu covered his eyes again. After all... his master had said that if he wanted to keep up the act, he could. There was no need to think too much about it.
The disciple guarding the gate happened to know Bian Chunchou. He looked up and winked at him, his face alight with joy. Delighted, Bian Chunchou threw an arm around his shoulders. "Senior Brother, it's been ages! Has anything big happened in the sect?"
"Please, don't call me Senior Brother anymore. All is well in the sect, of course. I'll have someone notify the sect master at once."
The three first went to see the sect master. Gu Wufang knew how impatient a certain Empty-Nest Old Dragon must be, so he dared not keep them long. After a couple of words of praise, he waved them off. They were back now; passing along a message later would be easy. There was no rush.
Wen Xu parted from his two friends and flew by sword toward Springless Peak.
After a year away, he felt