Qingcheng Mountain is largely developed into a tourist area, but the location of the Heavenly Master Tao remains deep in the mountain and is not open to the public.
Ordinary tourists cannot set foot there.
On usual days, the Heavenly Master Tao is sparsely populated, most Taoists live very disciplined lives, and by eight in the evening, there is seldom anyone active.
However, today the Heavenly Master Tao is extrely lively.
People in various Taoist robes, who are clearly not from the Heavenly Master Tao, continuously visited.
The Taoists within were busy beyond asure, constantly receiving and sending off guests.
By the ti Ye Guichen and his companions arrived at the Heavenly Master Tao, it was already past nine in the evening.
In the reception hall of the Heavenly Master Tao, a group of Taoists was seated around.
At the main seat sat a Taoist who appeared to be over a hundred years old but whose hair and beard were entirely black, showing not a trace of age.
This was Zhang Chonglou, who was sitting sternly, not speaking, rely listening to the discussions around him.
A number of other Taoists sat all around the reception hall, from different sects.
Zhang Chonglou, upon learning of the appearance of the Eternal Life Hall, imdiately notified other sects.
Realizing the urgency, these sects quickly dispatched their people to the Heavenly Master Tao on Qingcheng Mountain to rendezvous with Zhang Chonglou and discuss counterasures.
The crowd was heatedly debating, yet they couldn’t reach any conclusion for the mont.
Zhang Chongchen quietly approached Zhang Chonglou and whispered: "Master, Ye Guichen has arrived."
"That young man is here?" Zhang Chonglou, who had been resting with eyes closed, suddenly stood up, visibly excited, and quickly cupped his hands to the surrounding sect mbers, "Everyone, I need to step out for a mont to et soone. Please continue your discussion. I’ve already explained the situation to you, if there’s anything unclear, ask Lao Qi, he was the first to co in contact with people from the Eternal Life Hall."
Saying this, he patted Zhang Chongchen on the shoulder, "Lao Qi, stay here and discuss with the fellow sect mbers. I will be back soon. If they have any questions, feel free to address them."
Zhang Chongchen accepted the task.
Zhang Chonglou wasted no more words and hurriedly dashed out.
However, as soon as Zhang Chonglou left, the sect mbers were all puzzled.
Zhang Chonglou held great prestige within the sects and was one of the top figures among them, almost comparable to Zhang Daoling of old.
Such a person seed to have transcended worldly concerns, and probably wouldn’t beco so excited unless the sky fell.
And even a clan leader from a prominent family in the Capital City would need to book an appointnt to see him.
But now, on Zhang Chongchen’s re word, Zhang Chonglou eagerly rushed out to greet soone, and appeared extrely thrilled.
"Junior Brother Zhang, who is Master Zhang going to et?" Finally, soone couldn’t contain their curiosity and asked Zhang Chongchen.
Zhang Chongchen knew Zhang Chonglou held Ye Guichen in high regard, but he didn’t expect it to this extent.
That absurd notion from before surfaced again uncontrollably.
If Ye Guichen wasn’t Zhang Chonglou’s illegitimate son, not seen for years, would Zhang Chonglou be this excited?
However, this thought remained only in his mind, and Zhang Chongchen wouldn’t dare voice it, even under threat.
He hastily replied: "Oh, it’s a friend of mine with a great talent for cultivation, perhaps Master cherishes talent?"
"What?"
"Junior Brother Zhang, we are all family, why be so secretive with us, isn’t it pointless?"
"Exactly, even if he has outstanding talent in cultivation, is it worth having Master Zhang personally greet him in such a manner? Many in our sects have high talent in cultivation, yet I’ve never seen Master Zhang this off-balance."
The other sect mbers didn’t believe Zhang Chongchen’s words.
There must be so important figure arriving.
Moreover, for Zhang Chonglou to personally greet, could it be those high masters from hidden noble families?
Contemplating this possibility, the sect mbers exchanged glances.
Another asked, "Junior Brother Zhang, is the Eternal Life Hall really this terrifying? Could it be that Master Zhang personally invited experts from hidden noble families?"
Zhang Chongchen was utterly confused: "Senior Brother Bai, what do you an? What experts from hidden noble families?"
Senior Brother Bai chuckled: "Junior Brother Zhang, at this stage, is there any need to hide the truth from us? The Eternal Life Hall took so many of our sect’s lives back then, this hatred is irreconcilable. Otherwise, our Baiyun Temple wouldn’t have been commanded the mont we received the news, to dispatch here as quickly as possible. Now our sects must unite against the Eternal Life Hall, and if indeed hidden noble family experts were invited, we could finally breathe easier, right?"
Soone chid in: "Yes, Junior Brother Zhang, there’s no outsider here, speak freely. If you’re afraid the Eternal Life Hall might find out and ruin plans, you can rest assured. Our words won’t leave this room nor be known to anyone beyond here."
"Yes, Yes, Junior Brother Zhang, we’re also uncertain right now, hurry up and tell us!"
The sect mbers looked eagerly at Zhang Chongchen.
Zhang Chongchen was at a loss whether to cry or laugh, not expecting this misunderstanding from them, just when he intended to clarify, footsteps sounded from outside.
A young Taoist entered dragging soone, dropped the person on the ground, cupped his hands to the surrounding sect mbers, and quickly retreated.
Then, several more figures walked in.
Among them was Zhang Chonglou.
And now by Zhang Chonglou’s side was a young man in his twenties.
That young man was naturally Ye Guichen.
Nevertheless, Ye Guichen wore an awkward smile, a smile more uncomfortable than tears.
Zhang Chonglou tightly grasped Ye Guichen’s hands as if fearing he might suddenly run away, and his eyes were fixed on Ye Guichen, not leaving for an instant.
"Master!"
"Master Zhang!"
Zhang Chongchen and others saw Zhang Chonglou returned quickly, rose to greet him.
Soon, their eyes landed on Ye Guichen.
Seeing soone so young, they frowned and looked puzzled.
Soone even secretly remarked: Hidden noble family experts are truly formidable; he looks like he’s only in his twenties, could he have a way to preserve his youth?
Yes, yes, that’s surely it, ah, hidden noble family experts truly defy understanding.
Indeed Master Zhang is incredible, able to invite experts from hidden noble families; this ti we benefit too, getting a glimpse of true master prowess.
The crowd had varied thoughts.
Ye Guichen had no idea what they were thinking, unable to bear being grabbed by an old man in front of so many people, blurted out, "Old Man Zhang, I’m not a woman, is this necessary?"
Suddenly he withdrew his hand from Zhang Chonglou’s grip.
The rest, hearing this, almost stumbled to the ground.
"Old, Old Man Zhang?"
"Impressive, indeed a master from the hidden noble families, dares to call Zhang Chonglou old man, and from the looks of it, Zhang Chonglou isn’t even annoyed."
"Tsk tsk, I must have guessed right, that young man likely isn’t younger than Zhang Chonglou himself."
The sect mbers nodded, increasingly convinced of their assumptions.
They then hurriedly approached and greeted Ye Guichen, "Greetings, senior."
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