A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Zhu He's eyes flickered, and he immediately prostrated himself on the ground again, causing a rustling sound of fallen leaves. He cried out, "Disciple Zhu He has offended the Ancestor. I hope the Ancestor will forgive me."

Zhu He was referring to his questioning of Duan Rong, which caused Duan Rong to reveal his natal nascent soul to him.

With a thought, Duan Rong's natal nascent soul returned to his dantian. He suppressed a smile, looked at Zhu He kneeling on the ground, and said, "It's just the two of us in this dense forest. Aren't you overdoing this act?"

Zhu He raised his head and said, "You are now the patriarch of the sect. Etiquette cannot be disregarded. This is not an act!"

Duan Rong walked over, helped Zhu He up, and said, "These kinds of formalities are fine as they are. Is there anything else you need from me?"

Zhu He said, "That's all. I just heard a lot of discussion about it at the Elders' Council, and the more I thought about it, the more confused I became, so I decided to come and see you to ask."

Duan Rong said, "I've shown you my natal nascent soul. So you can rest assured now. If there's nothing else, I'll head back to the Lü family residence."

"Disciple respectfully bids farewell to the Ancestor!" Zhu He said, about to kneel down to pay his respects, but found that he could not kneel down no matter what he did.

Duan Rong glanced at him and said, "I told you not to do that."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he turned into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared. "Master! If you need anything, you can come to the Lü family residence to find me at any time."

"Yes, Ancestor." Zhu He shouted at the top of his lungs in the dense forest.

Only then did he realize that the force binding his knees had dissipated.

Zhu He had been suppressing his overwhelming joy, but now that no one was around and Duan Rong had left, he finally couldn't help but burst into laughter. He was genuinely happy, and for a moment he laughed so hard he was doubled over.

"Hahaha!"

"I knew it……"

"I really have taken on a good disciple... Hahaha..."

"Zhu He, Zhu He, how did you have such good taste..."

Zhu He wiped away the tears that had welled up in his eyes from laughing, and suddenly thought of his junior brother, Gu Daoling.

“Junior brother, you have always been more talented than me since you were young. I know that I can’t catch up with you in cultivation. And that is indeed the case. Although I have achieved the Cave-Ming Realm, what I have condensed is a flawed Cave-Ming, and the power of the laws is difficult to deepen. Unlike you, junior brother, who has already achieved the late stage of the Cave-Ming Realm.”

"But Junior Brother... Hahaha..." Zhu He burst into laughter again at this thought, muttering to himself in the dense forest, "You're only at the late stage of the Cave-Penetrating Realm. Duan Rong, my disciple, has already condensed his Nascent Soul! Have you ever seen a Nascent Soul cultivator at thirty years old? My disciple!?"

"My apprentice!?"

Zhu He grew happier the more he thought about it, as if a pent-up feeling that had been building up in his heart for years was about to burst forth. However, this pent-up feeling could only be truly expressed in front of Gu Daoling, preferably by hitting him in the face, to make Zhu He truly happy.

He's finally redeemed himself and gotten his revenge!

Upon realizing this, Zhu He immediately transformed into a streak of black light, shooting out of the dense forest and heading southwest high in the sky—the direction of the Divine Cloud Palace.

Gu Daoling lived in seclusion for many years in the Star Gazing Pavilion of Shenyun Prefecture, observing the stars at night and comprehending the laws of nature, identifying himself as a Taoist priest. Within the government offices of Shenyun Prefecture, few knew his true identity.

On this day, Gu Daoling was at his desk in his study, holding a brush, intending to draw a star map based on his understanding of the celestial phenomena he had observed the previous night. However, his brush, laden with ink, remained suspended there for a long time, and he still did not put pen to paper.

Gu Daoling's face was solemn. The ink on his brush had already dripped onto the Xuan paper, like dots of ink plum blossoms, but he had not yet figured out how to make the first stroke.

Just then, a figure stepped into the hall and laughed, "Junior brother, what a fine hobby!? Painting all by yourself in the middle of the day."

The visitor was none other than Zhu He. Gu Daoling sighed, his thoughts just beginning to form when Zhu He arrived. He put down his pen, turned around, gave Zhu He a disgruntled look, and asked, "Why are you here?!"

Zhu He said, "What are you saying?! I'm still your senior brother. I've come all this way, and you haven't even offered me a cup of tea. How could you possibly ask me such a question?!"

The Star Gazing Pavilion is located in a secluded place and is rarely visited. Apart from Gu Daoling, there are only two young boys in the pavilion. Zhu He is a cultivator at the Cave-Ming Realm and never announces his presence when entering or leaving.

Gu Daoling chuckled at Zhu He's words and put aside the matter of his thoughts being interrupted.

He struck the bronze chime on the table, and after a short while, a boy entered.

Gu Daoling said, "Go and brew some tea."

The boy accepted the order and left.

Gu Daoling's attitude had softened considerably, and he said with a faint smile, "Didn't you become the sect leader? You're so busy with affairs of state, how come you have time to come to this desolate place of mine?"

Seeing Gu Daoling's reaction, Zhu He's anger subsided somewhat, and he said mysteriously, "I've come to tell you something important."

Gu Daoling smiled and asked, "What important matter?"

Zhu He said, "The Taiyi Sect has changed its sect patriarch."

"Nonsense." Gu Daoling looked at Zhu He with disbelief and said, "Our ancestor still has at least five hundred years of lifespan left. Why would we replace him? Besides, who would we replace him with? Has anyone else in the Taiyi Sect reached the Nascent Soul stage?"

"You were right!?" Zhu He chuckled and said, "Someone has indeed reached the Nascent Soul stage."

Gu Daoling stared at Zhu He as if he were a fool, remaining silent for a long time.

At this moment, the boy brought over tea, poured tea for Zhu He and Gu Daoling, and then withdrew.

After Zhu He and the other boys left, he said, "Don't you believe me? Three months ago, a massive amount of spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged into the valley where our ancestor lived in seclusion, causing a strange phenomenon in the Changliu Mountains that stretched for hundreds of miles. You must have heard about this, right?"

Gu Daoling took a sip of tea and said, "This matter was widely discussed in Shenyun Mansion a while ago. I was wondering about it and was just about to ask you about it."

Zhu He said, "That rumor is true. I was in the sect on the night of the strange phenomenon and saw it with my own eyes. That strange phenomenon was caused by someone condensing a Nascent Soul in the valley."

Gu Daoling initially thought Zhu He was talking nonsense, but seeing Zhu He's serious expression and the seemingly interconnected events in his speech, he began to have doubts and asked, "Then who exactly has formed a Nascent Soul? Chu Wushang? Chu Qiushan?"

Zhu He shook his head, his expression a half-smile, and said, "Neither."

Gu Daoling's eyes flashed, as if he had thought of something, and his expression changed. He said, "Could it be Fu Yi!?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu He's expression changed, and he asked, "Why did you think of this person?" He really hadn't expected Gu Daoling to mention this name.

Gu Daoling's expression turned solemn as he said, "If someone has truly reached the Nascent Soul stage, who else could it be but him?!"

Gu Daoling was quite certain that it was impossible for Chu Wushang and Chu Qiushan to condense their Nascent Souls in such a short time. However, Zhu He's words were quite detailed and convincing. The rumors about the strange phenomena of heaven and earth that day had been circulating in Shenyun Mansion for some time. If someone in the sect had indeed condensed their Nascent Souls, and at this time, the only person he could think of was Fu Yi.

Although Fu Yi betrayed the Taiyi Sect and founded the Filthy Blood Sect, remaining an enemy of the Taiyi Sect, his talent and temperament were far beyond that of ordinary people. To be honest, Gu Daoling actually admired Fu Yi quite a bit.

Moreover, it was only a little over a year ago that the Filthy Blood Cult was destroyed, and Fu Yi was captured by the patriarch and brought back to the sect. To this day, no one knows what happened to him, or whether he is dead or alive. And yet, at this very moment, someone is condensing a Nascent Soul within the sect, which coincides with the timing.

Therefore, he deduced that it was Fu Yi. Zhu He said with a strange expression, "It's not him."

Gu Daoling's eyes flickered, and he asked, "Who is it?"

Zhu He said, "It is Duan Rong."

Gu Daoling said, "Nonsense!"

Zhu He said, "Ancestor Lü has already retired. At the sect assembly in the Elder Council, he personally passed on the position of sect patriarch to Duan Rong. This information should reach Shenyun Mansion soon."

Gu Daoling stared at Zhu He for a while, and only after confirming that he wasn't joking did he ask, "Is that kid thirty years old?"

Zhu He said, "He seems to be in his early thirties."

“That’s right,” Gu Daoling said. “Have you ever seen a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator in their early thirties?”

Zhu He took a sip of tea and said, "I've met you."

Gu Daoling stared at Zhu He, seemingly waiting for his explanation.

Zhu He put down his teacup and said, "You're not the only one who's suspicious about this. After Elder Lu passed the sect's patriarchship to Duan Rong, there was a lot of discussion in the Elders' Council. I myself am also very uneasy and have no idea what to do."

Gu Daoling listened silently, waiting for Zhu He to continue.

Zhu He knew that Gu Daoling wanted to hear more, but he deliberately kept him hanging. He took another sip to moisten his throat before continuing, "So, I went to find Duan Rong."

Zhu He paused again as he spoke.

Gu Daoling finally grew impatient and asked, "And then?"

Seeing that Gu Daoling could no longer hold back, Zhu He was secretly pleased, but then his expression turned serious as he said, "I went to find him and saw his natal nascent soul."

"A natal nascent soul!?" Gu Daoling suddenly stood up, staring intently at Zhu He's face, as if he could read words on it.

After a few breaths, Gu Daoling calmly and slowly sat down.

If this news is true, it would be a huge shock to him. Is it really possible for someone to condense a Nascent Soul in their early thirties?
How did Duan Rong manage to do that?

No. This doesn't make sense. Gu Daoling judged inwardly.

Throughout the vast land of Kyushu, for tens of thousands of years, apart from Spirit Foundation Masters, there has never been anyone who could condense a Nascent Soul in their early thirties.

Seeing Gu Daoling's shocked and dazed expression, Zhu He felt as if the weight in his heart had been lifted. He continued, "Junior brother, you know your senior brother. Although we sometimes get a little frivolous when we're together, I never joke about anything important."

Gu Daoling sighed, looked at Zhu He, and asked, "Have you really seen Duan's natal nascent soul?"

"What 'Duan boy'?!" Zhu He said, "Junior brother, you should call him Ancestor Duan!"

Gu Daoling pursed his lips, but at this moment, he was almost certain that what Zhu He said was true. Because even when Zhu He was joking, he knew his limits; he wouldn't still be bringing up the title of "Ancestor Duan" at this point.

Gu Daoling suddenly stood up again, staring intently, and said, "Where is he? I want to see him."

Zhu He was drinking tea and almost choked. Holding his teacup, he asked, "Who are you seeing?"

Gu Daoling said, "Ancestor Duan."

The Lü family residence.

Under a large locust tree in the courtyard, Duan Rong was playing chess with Shen'er and Qian'er.

Duan Rong had seen the calligraphy written by the two boys before, and seeing that they had both made great progress, he decided to play chess with them, which naturally made the two boys very happy.

After Duan Rong made his move, Shen'er was deep in thought as he looked at the chessboard, while Qian'er was gesturing wildly and giving instructions. However, Shen'er seemed not to notice and just kept thinking silently while looking at the chessboard.

Just then, Duan Rong's brows furrowed, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

Then, a figure landed in the courtyard, looking toward the big locust tree.

The visitor was none other than Gu Daoling.

Zhu He simply told Gu Daoling that Duan Rong lived in the courtyard next to Lü Zhongtang's in the Lü family mansion. Gu Daoling then came over on his own.

When Gu Daoling saw Duan Rong and the others playing chess under the big locust tree, he did not come forward to disturb them, but stood there silently waiting.

Shen'er and Qian'er were focused on the chessboard and didn't notice that there were suddenly more people in the courtyard.

Duan Rong pretended not to see it and continued playing chess with Shen'er.

Shen'er was cautious and played slowly; this game of chess took almost the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn.

Shen'er finally gave up, looked up and smiled, "Father, it's a draw again."

Duan Rong played chess with the two brothers, and every game ended in a draw.

After Shen'er and the Chess Queen, it's Qian'er's turn.

Qian'er was eager to go on stage, but Duan Rong stood up and said, "Father has something to do. You two play a game first."

Qian'er pouted in dissatisfaction. He had waited a long time for his turn, but when he turned his head, his gaze fell on a stranger standing at the other end of the courtyard as Duan Rong stood up... Qian'er was about to shout, but he immediately stopped.

Duan Rong walked over, looked at Gu Daoling, and said, "Uncle-Master, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"I wouldn't dare." Gu Daoling bowed to Duan Rong. He hesitated for a moment, seemingly considering how to address Duan Rong. After a brief pause, he asked, "I heard from Senior Brother Zhu He that you have condensed your Nascent Soul?"

The moment Duan Rong saw the ancient tomb, he knew it was Zhu He who had spoken of it, because the information hadn't reached Shenyun Mansion that quickly.

Duan Rong smiled and said, "You want to know?"

Gu Daoling said, "This news is quite shocking. I hope you can enlighten me." After speaking, Gu Daoling bowed again.

"it is good!"

As soon as he uttered the word "good," Duan Rong made a palm strike in the air, slowly guiding it downwards and gently patting Gu Daoling.

The palm strike was slow, like a spring breeze brushing willows, but the instant Duan Rong moved his palm, Gu Daoling felt as if his entire body was bound, completely unable to move. Then, a powerful force swept over him, and he watched helplessly as he was swept away, his whole body like a stone thrown by a catapult, flying into the depths of the mountains... (End of this chapter)