Chapter 121: Chapter 10: The Fading Gu Heng

「In front of Sanhe Temple’s gates.」

After a perfunctory salute, Wenhai quickly departed with his injured disciple. Not far away, Zhang Liang of the Single Saber Sect and Gu Heng were whispering to each other. A moment later, Zhang Liang also led his disciple away, hurrying after Wenhai.

"I fear Nanlin Road won’t be peaceful for some time."

Huo Xing watched the disciples from the Single Saber Sect leave. "The True Yang Sect’s Dao Fields in the Southern Region will be closed to all visitors for a long time to come. We’ll be doing the same."

He directed this statement at Wang Ping, warning him to be wary of treacherous plots.

"So we’re just going to hide in our shells again?" Li Lin asked disdainfully.

"We cultivate for longevity, not to be the strongest in the world." Huo Xing was completely unfazed by Li Lin’s mockery. Given their personalities, anyone who didn’t know them would assume Li Lin was the Fire Cultivator, not Huo Xing.

"And that’s why you can never break through to the Second Realm. Generation after generation, you all just wait to die. Advancement resources must be seized, not waited for. A life of asceticism is nothing more than scraping by."

This time, Huo Xing didn’t reply, merely letting out a faint sigh. In the distance, their two masters had also fallen into a dispute. As expected, they rose into the air and flew off, apparently to settle things once and for all.

Seeing this, the two of them clasped their hands in a farewell salute to Wang Ping.

In the blink of an eye, only their own group remained before the temple gates. Wang Ping and Yu Cheng Taoist stayed behind. Wang Ping turned to give Liu Shuang a few instructions before flying off with Yu Cheng Taoist, Guangxuan, and Gu Heng toward the rolling mountains deeper in.

Before long, they landed on a set of steps before a grotto. The Sanhe Temple disciples stationed there immediately came forward to salute them.

Upon entering the grotto, Wang Ping realized it was the same place they had used for a previous gathering.

"The Single Saber Sect has officially broken our alliance."

Gu Heng relayed what Zhang Liang had told him upon his departure. He was calm as he spoke; after all, what came next no longer concerned him. His purpose for this walk through the mortal world was already fulfilled.

Yu Cheng Taoist’s expression turned to one of confusion. He couldn’t understand the Single Saber Sect’s reasoning. The benefits of the sects uniting clearly outweighed any other gain he could imagine.

Unless...

"Is Wenhai backed by the Six Heart Sect?" Wang Ping was the first to voice the question.

"If that were true, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. I’m just afraid it’s not that simple," Guangxuan replied softly.

"You’re all overthinking this." Gu Heng Taoist exchanged a glance with Yu Cheng Taoist, then took four chairs from his storage bag and set them down. He sat first and said, "In the future, if you ever fail to understand someone’s logic... there’s only one possible answer. It’s the ultimate goal of every cultivator!"

"Advancement?" Wang Ping realized.

"Exactly. Advancement. Whether it’s our alliance or any other, we’re all just fighting for the limited spots that lead to a higher realm."

Gu Heng turned his gaze to Wang Ping. "Those who have no chance on their own can only band together and support someone who does, hoping that once that person ascends, they’ll give the rest of us a hand up."

"Xuanhe Daoist..." The realization hit Wang Ping as he processed Gu Heng’s words. "Xuanhe Daoist wants to break through to the Third Realm?"

"That’s likely just one piece of the puzzle. There are many people in their network. Xiao Shan Lord wants to break through to the Fifth Realm, so someone else wants to ascend to the Fourth Realm, and even more are scheming for the Third Realm," Gu Heng Taoist replied with a smile, then stressed, "Xuanhe is just one of them. There are others, like that Second Realm cultivator from the Single Saber Sect."

"One more thing," Yu Cheng Taoist added. "The Earth Cave Sect has too many branches. Treat your grudge with Wenhai Daoist as a personal matter between you. Don’t go investigating who’s behind them. They don’t like people who dig too deep. Of course, they also won’t concern themselves with the trivial affairs of their juniors."

"Understood!" Wang Ping and Guangxuan nodded.

Just then, Gu Heng formed a series of hand seals, activating the array inside the grotto. An azure line of light flashed across the dry floor at their feet. Gu Heng Taoist then handed a blue, gem-like object to Guangxuan.

"From now on, this place is your responsibility. This is the array established by the founder of Qianmu Temple. It connects to the spiritual essence of this entire region of water. With this item, you can sense the presence of every cultivator within this region."

Guangxuan accepted it with a solemn expression and, at Gu Heng’s urging, put it away.

Just then, a man in a long, white robe emerged from an adjacent cavern. He landed before a clean, brightly lit pavilion and clasped his fists to the group. "I’m not late, am I?"

His voice was androgynous, as were his features. He carried a pure white paper fan, wore a simple, grayish-white cap, and his face was clean-shaven.

"You’re early," Gu Heng Taoist said, rising to his feet.

"You look to be in a terrible state."

"It was only a matter of time," Gu Heng said with an unconcerned smile.

The newcomer opened his paper fan and waved it gently a couple of times. He chuckled. "You certainly take it in stride." Then, he turned to Yu Cheng. "Daoist, I trust you’ve been well." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I am always well. And you are as refined as polished jade, just as I remember," Yu Cheng replied with a cupped-fist salute.

"Shangjing City is a wonderful place, so wonderful I find myself reluctant to leave," the man explained with a smile before turning to Wang Ping. His gaze flickered over the insignia on Wang Ping’s Daoist robes. Clasping his fists, he said, "You must be the renowned Daoist Changqing, I presume? I am Yue Ziyu, currently just trying to make my way in the secular world of Shangjing City."

Wang Ping returned the salute. He had no information on this man, but Yu Cheng Taoist prompted him from the side, "You may address him as ’Mr. Yue.’"

"Daoist, you flatter me..." Yue Ziyu said with a humble smile.

"Mr. Yue!" Wang Ping said, following his master’s instruction. Just then, Yu Lian’s voice echoed in his Spirit Sea. ’This person has almost no emotions. He feels like a corpse. I really want to get a closer look at him.’

Wang Ping quickly stopped her.

Just then, another figure emerged from a nearby cavern. It was an acquaintance of Wang Ping’s, Elder Wu. Before he could even greet the others, yet another person shot out from a cavern deeper inside.

Wang Ping recognized this person as well: Li Xingwen, with whom he had just recently parted ways.

"Well, look at you! Didn’t think you’d be willing to leave your hole, you old rascal," Elder Wu greeted Li Xingwen first. Both of their sects were branches of the Earth Cave Sect.

"Hmph!" Li Xingwen completely ignored Elder Wu. It was normal for the various Earth Vein branches to dislike one another.

"Mr. Yue! I thought after our last parting, we would never have the chance to meet again in this life." The cold expression on Li Xingwen’s face immediately blossomed into a smile upon seeing Yue Ziyu.

"Now that everyone’s here, let’s go inside and take a seat."

Gu Heng beckoned everyone toward the pavilion, where a table and chairs were already arranged. Once the others were seated, Gu Heng pulled Guangxuan over and pushed him down into his own seat. He then announced to the others, "From now on, my disciple will preside over these gatherings."

The others nodded in silent acknowledgment. Gu Heng then let out a heavy breath and smiled. "Well then, you all can talk. I’m going to take a walk." With that, he walked out of the pavilion. Everyone watched his back until he disappeared from sight.