As they were talking, a figure came racing over from within Cloudsky Peak.
The man reached Xu Qingtong, dropped to his knees with a thud, and bowed his head to the ground.
"Disciple Zhu Hua pays his respects to Senior Martial Uncle Xu!"
"Zhu Hua? Are you... Junior Brother Zhuang's disciple?"
"Yes, your martial nephew!"
Xu Qingtong was delighted to hear this and hurriedly said, "There's no need for such ceremony, Martial Nephew Zhu. Please, get up!"
At his words, Zhu Hua rose, bowed, and stepped aside. Cupping his fists, he said, "Senior Martial Uncle, if you have any arrangements to make during this visit, just tell me what to do!"
Xu Qingtong smiled faintly. "There's no need to trouble you! Go about your business. We're just taking a look around and revisiting old haunts!"
"Then I'll take my leave and stop disturbing you two seniors!"
Zhu Hua did not know Dongfang Hui, but he did know Du Siwen. Seeing Xu Qingtong now with someone other than Du Siwen beside him, he did not dare ask further. He could only withdraw and pass word of Xu Qingtong's arrival to Sect Leader Qu Tianyi.
Xu Qingtong led Dongfang Hui to the cave abode where he had once lived. It remained just as it had been, and no one else was living there. The only addition was a spirit shrine inside the room, with Xu Qingtong's ancestral tablet placed within.
Understanding dawned on Xu Qingtong. No wonder he had suddenly felt a considerable increase in the power of faith within him after arriving in Bingzhou!
"Qingtong, it seems you're still highly respected here on Cloudsky Peak!"
Xu Qingtong smiled faintly. "I built Cloudsky Peak from nothing with my own hands! Back then, this place was called Worryfree Valley. It was..."
He told