A heart like white clouds, ever free; a will like flowing water, roaming east or west

After returning to their lodgings from the Heaven-in-a-Gourd Palace, numerous factions took an interest in Chang'anzi and the Truth-Seeking Abbey and swiftly sent people to gather information.

The Truth-Seeking Abbey producing someone like Xuan Ye could be called a coincidence. But with Chang'anzi as well—and the runner-up, no less—there was something intriguing about it, something worth investigating.

Many people from Floating Cloud County had come to Commandery City to enjoy the bustle of the Dao Origin Assembly. The major factions also had their own sources of information, so they soon uncovered quite a few details.

Upon learning that Chang'anzi was Xuan Ye's disciple, some were astonished, some envious, some regretful, some admiring, and some furious.

No wall in the world could keep the wind from slipping through. With someone behind the scenes fanning the flames, Xuanming soon became famous as well. The various factions learned about him, and the waves he stirred were no smaller than Chang'anzi's.

His life story and battle record startled quite a few people, even drawing clicks of wonder from them.

An old fool of fifty-five years.

The very model of a late bloomer.

A devout seeker of the Dao.

A man who, once he finally took flight, soared straight into the heavens.

The two most important points, which also stirred the greatest waves, were these:

This old Daoist had entered the Dao only two years ago, yet he had rocketed from an ordinary mortal to essence refining perfection and even glimpsed the qi refining threshold. Even allowing for his five preceding years of preparation, this still left cultivators who had practiced for ten years, a dozen years, or even decades feeling ashamed, abashed, and jealous.

More terrifying still, he had actually earned the title of the strongest man below the qi refining realm in Fengyang Commandery. Just over three months ago, he had slain Old Master Chen, who stood half a step from qi refining, with a single stroke of his sword. Yesterday, he had even defeated Chu Yunfei of One-Punch Invincibility. This sent towering waves crashing through the hearts of essence refining realm cultivators.

No one had expected this old man to be so terrifying!

Some disbelieved it, some were shocked, some curious, some jealous, some felt their fighting spirit rise, and some felt fear.

Some thought the claims exaggerated; some thought them sheer fantasy. Some resented being overshadowed by an obscure old man, while others felt an old Daoist with one foot in the grave had no business holding on to such a title.

The Daoist Tradition valued peace and quiet.

This old Daoist was far too lacking in either.

Tonight, Xuanming and Chang'anzi rose to fame together.

When the news reached the Immortal Grove Inn, the various Daoist lineages were surprised, but their reactions were more subdued than those of the outside world. Such things were common within the Daoist Tradition. Daoists who swept courtyards, chopped wood, farmed fields, or dressed like slovenly vagabonds—many appeared ordinary, even insignificant, but actually concealed profound abilities.

Daoists who tended the Scripture Pavilion were among them.

Though Daoist Xuanming's strength earned him a measure of respect, the pattern was already an old one.

When the people of the Truth-Seeking Abbey learned about this, their shock was mingled with both joy and worry.

They rejoiced in the strength of their senior brother—or martial uncle—Xuanming.

They worried that he might have been injured. After all, Chu Yunfei was no ordinary opponent, and defeating him had probably cost their senior brother—or martial uncle—Xuanming considerable effort.

Xuan Yang and Xuanxu, of course, were exceptions.

They knew Senior Brother Xuanming's true cultivation. Compared with the others, the two of them were more worried about something else.

People feared fame as pigs feared growing fat. Both Senior Brother Xuanming and Chang'anzi had become famous overnight, making them easy targets for jealousy and challenges.

Chang'anzi would be all right.

While he was in Commandery City, the Heaven and Earth Academy would protect him for the time being.

After he returned to their abbey, their senior brother would protect him.

But what about Senior Brother Xuanming?

He loved peace and quiet and dreaded trouble above all.

He might well lose patience with all those challengers and simply reveal his hand, exposing his qi refining realm strength. Though that would resolve the immediate trouble, another problem would follow close on its heels.

Why had he become a True Person in just two short years?

That would cause an even greater stir.

The curious, the inquisitive, and those given to speculation would emerge in endless succession. There might even be qi refining experts willing to take the risk of exploring Floating Cloud Mountain by night.

At that point, the Truth-Seeking Abbey would very likely be unable to conceal its possession of a superior Foundation Establishment method.

The higher the quality of one's Dao Foundation, the further one's dao path could lead.

A superior Dao Foundation even had a bearing on Divine refinement.

Quite a few qi refining experts would probably be unable to sit still.

The Truth-Seeking Abbey would face even greater trouble.

Moreover, Xuanxu kept feeling that matters were escalating too quickly. Something was off, as though an unseen hand were manipulating events.

After the two Daoists discussed it, Xuan Yang decided to return to the Truth-Seeking Abbey first thing the next morning to take a look.

Xuanxu also feared that Chang'anzi's concern for Senior Brother Xuanming would affect his subsequent performance, so he went specifically to put his mind at ease.

Fortunately, Chang'anzi had a good outlook. He understood that worrying was useless. Only by distinguishing himself at the Dao Origin Assembly and performing so well that the Heaven and Earth Academy valued him could he live up to Senior Brother Xuanming's teachings and avoid becoming a burden to him. He might even repay his abbey by securing the Heaven and Earth Academy's protection for it.

Influenced by Chang'anzi's drive and open-mindedness, Xuanxu felt much of his worry ease. He stepped out of the room and gazed up at the Bright Moon, his heart gradually settling.

A heart like white clouds, ever free; a will like flowing water, roaming east or west. Matters have come this far. Fretting and worrying will do no good.

Rather than that, I should let things take their course and accept them with an open heart. Perhaps this is an opportunity, too.

Besides, Senior Brother Xuanming is a shrewd old hand.

Xuanxu believed that he could handle this matter properly. All he himself needed to do was cooperate fully.

He also believed that Xuan Yang would bring back good news.

In the northern part of Fengyang Commandery's seat.

Inside an ordinary residence.

Two figures were present, one seated and one standing.

One was obscured by mist that shrouded the figure's entire body; the other was a stooped Old Man dressed in hemp robes.

With a respectful expression, the latter reported:

"My lord, I have spread the news as you instructed. Presumably, that old Daoist Xuanming is now as well known throughout Commandery City as Chang'anzi. It likely won't be long before people come to challenge him."

The Old Man sighed. "Unfortunately, Chu Dong was too powerful. He killed both assassins from the Draped Robe Tower single-handedly, and Chu Yunfei is still alive. This was my oversight. Please punish me, my lord."

The Old Man knelt and asked for instructions:

"The Draped Robe Tower never stops until its target is dead. If you still wish to take Chu Yunfei's life, my lord, I will contact the Draped Robe Tower at once. They will surely act soon and fulfill your wish."

The figure in the mist remained silent.

The longer the silence lasted, the more frightened the Old Man became. He prostrated himself, his body trembling faintly.

After an indeterminate length of time, a voice came from within the mist. Its tone was level, neither sinister nor hoarse, utterly unremarkable and devoid of any distinguishing quality. Yet it made the Old Man tremble.

"Forget it! After this incident, the Chu clan will certainly keep Chu Yunfei well protected. Since he returned alive, killing him now would serve little purpose. It would only risk rustling the grass and startling the snake."

"Tomorrow, erase all traces, move to the south of the city, and establish a new residence. We must keep them from following the vine to the melon and finding this place."

The Old Man bowed and assented.

"I will contact the Draped Robe Tower shortly and cancel the order to hunt down Chu Yunfei."

At that moment, the figure in the mist spoke again.

"There is no need to cancel it. Simply change the targets. Kill the Truth-Seeking Abbey's old Daoist Xuanming and Chang'anzi."

"Since he could defeat Chu Yunfei, I suspect the Truth-Seeking Abbey possesses another legacy. That old fellow Xuanming may very well have established a superior Dao Foundation, while Chang'anzi is Xuan Ye's disciple. Until both are dead, I cannot rest easy."

"If the events of the past are exposed, the odds will be against us both, and we will be in grave danger."

"Have the Draped Robe Tower kill that old fellow Xuanming as soon as possible. I hope to hear news of his death at the earliest opportunity."

The Old Man accepted the order and asked:

"Do we still need to praise him to death?"

The figure in the mist replied, "Of course."

"Praise him to death in public and assassinate him in secret. Only then can we leave nothing to chance and send this old Daoist to keep Xuan Ye company as soon as possible."

The Old Man understood.

"I will assuredly ease your burdens, my lord."

"Pah!"

Once the figure in the mist had departed, the Old Man spat a thick glob of phlegm onto the wooden chair where the figure had sat. Then he swept his sleeve, conjuring fire to burn the chair, his disgust plain.

Afterward, he left the courtyard and soon made his way to another residence, where he bowed to a woman in plain cloth clothes who was weaving.

"Reporting to the Guardian: both fish have taken the bait completely."

I have revised the ending of Chapter 39, Chapter 40, and Chapter 42. The renovation noise upstairs over the past two days kept me from writing well. Much of it didn't feel the way I wanted, and I rushed to post it, which is how it ended up like this. I'll focus more on the quality of the writing in the future.