Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

After giving his instructions, he specifically looked at Zeng Shuchang, the head of Feng Hui Peak:

"Junior Brother Zeng, with the world in turmoil, intelligence gathering is of utmost importance."

Please keep a close eye on any news from various parties going forward.

Zeng Shuchang solemnly replied, "Sect Leader, rest assured, I have already dispatched more disciples to guard various locations, and they will report back immediately if there is any unusual activity."

After everyone had left, Dao Xuan went alone to the Ancestral Temple on the back mountain.

Wan Jianyi continued to sweep the fallen leaves at a leisurely pace, as if all the disturbances in the outside world were irrelevant to him.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the ancient trees, casting dappled patterns of light on his gray hair.

Dao Xuan respectfully offered incense before the ancestral tablet, the smoke rising and swirling within the ancestral hall.

"I have a promising talent, do you want him?" Dao Xuan turned around and got straight to the point.

Wan Jianyi's sweeping hand paused slightly: "What kind of promising talent can't even be taught by you?"

"The Dragon-Slaying Sword is now in his hands."

Wan Jianyi stopped moving completely, a complex expression on his face: "Did Cangsong give it to him?"

That must be Cangsong's disciple.

"Indeed." Dao Xuan nodded. "This boy is exceptionally talented and kind-hearted; he's a promising talent. What's even more remarkable is that when he wielded the Dragon-Slaying Sword, he displayed a style reminiscent of yours back then."

Wan Jianyi remained silent for a moment, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes: "With my current status..."

Dao Xuan did not answer, but instead recounted the important matters he had discussed with the leaders of various sects a few days ago.

Upon hearing this, Wan Jian sighed deeply, "It seems the world is about to descend into turmoil."

"Therefore, I'm entrusting this disciple to you."

After Dao Xuan finished speaking, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

The reason he arranged for Lin Jingyu to follow Wan Jianyi in cultivation was to give Cangsong an opportunity to meet Wan Jianyi.

He has been setting up this scheme for over twenty years, and now it's finally time to close the net.

The next morning, Daoxuan summoned Cangsong to the Yuqing Palace.

Morning light streamed through the carved wooden windows, casting dappled shadows inside the hall.

"Why did you summon me, Senior Brother Sect Leader?" Cangsong bowed respectfully, but his brows furrowed with a hint of confusion.

Dao Xuan gazed at him calmly: "How has Lin Jingyu's cultivation been lately?"

"Jingyu is diligent and hardworking, and has made rapid progress. He has already broken through to the sixth level of the Jade Purity Realm," Cangsong replied.

His brow furrowed unconsciously. "Why did my senior brother suddenly ask about him? Is there some kind of plan?"

"I've found him an opportunity. Tomorrow, have him go to the ancestral temple; someone will be waiting for him there."

When Cangsong met Daoxuan's gaze, he instinctively looked away: "Who is this...?"

Dao Xuan raised his hand to interrupt his question: "You will understand in time."

Jingyu should treat that person with utmost respect; this is a rare stroke of good fortune.

Sensing the unquestionable authority in Dao Xuan's words, Cang Song dared not ask any more questions.

In recent days, he has clearly felt the changes in his senior brother, the sect leader.

Not only was his cultivation level unfathomable, but his aura also carried an awe-inspiring pressure.

"I will obey my senior brother's orders." Cangsong bowed and took his leave, but he had already made up his mind to go and see for himself.

Dao Xuan watched the departing figure of Cangsong, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He was curious to see how Cangsong would react when he discovered that Wan Jianyi was still alive.

Should we continue to be stubbornly deluded, or should we realize our mistakes and turn back from the wrong path?

The next morning, Lin Jingyu arrived at the back of Tongtian Peak with great curiosity.

Dew dampened the hem of his clothes, and the birdsong in the woods sounded especially clear and melodious.

In front of the ancestral hall, an elderly man with white hair was sweeping the floor attentively.

The rustling sound of the broom scraping against the bluestone was particularly clear in the quiet mountain forest.

Just as he approached, the Dragon Slayer Sword at his waist suddenly emitted a clear, ringing sound.

The sword trembled violently and then flew out of its sheath on its own, like a fledgling returning to its nest, joyfully flying towards the old man.

The old man reached out and caught the Dragon-Slaying Sword, his fingertips gently brushing across the blade.

A deep sense of nostalgia was evident in his eyes.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked up and gazed behind Lin Jingyu.

"Since we're here, why hide?"

Lin Jingyu turned around upon hearing the sound and saw his master, Cangsong, standing frozen in place as if struck by lightning, dozens of feet away, his face deathly pale and his eyes bloodshot.

His lips trembled as he struggled to utter three words:

"Brother Wan... Brother Wan..."

Before he could finish speaking, the usually stern chief of Dragon Head Peak was already in tears, sobbing uncontrollably like a child.

He rushed to the old man, knelt down, and grabbed the old man's clothes tightly with both hands.

It was as if they were afraid this was all just a dream.

Lin Jingyu stared in disbelief, his mind filled with questions: Who exactly is this old man sweeping the floor?

Why did his master lose his composure when he saw him?

Inside the ancestral hall, Cangsong knelt before the memorial tablets of past ancestral masters, his emotions complex and difficult to express.

The flickering candlelight on the altar reflected the undried tear stains on his face.

There are too many questions, too much resentment, and even more regret.

Looking at the excited Cangsong, Wan Jianyi's eyes revealed relief and warmth.

I haven't felt this way in so long.

"Back then, it was Senior Brother Daoxuan who saved me and entrusted me with guarding the Ancestral Temple and the Illusion Moon Cave."

Wan Jianyi spoke slowly, his voice as calm as still water.

"I thought I would live out my days here, but I never expected that Senior Brother Daoxuan would ask me to teach the children outside, and I never expected... that you would come too."

Cangsong raised his head, tears welling up again: "Senior Brother Wan, all these years... I... I always thought you..."

"No need to say more." Wan Jianyi waved his hand gently. "We should both understand Senior Brother Daoxuan's good intentions."

Wan Jianyi stared at Cangsong's face, which was twisted with regret.

Those eyes, once as sharp as an eagle's, were now stained red with tears.

He keenly sensed that his junior brother's inner pain was far deeper than he had shown.

"Junior Brother Cangsong, what exactly happened?" Wan Jianyi's voice unconsciously carried a hint of solemnity.

Cang Song slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and determination.

He took a deep breath, as if to sweep away the gloom that had been building up in his heart for many years.

"Senior Brother Wan, over the years... I have done too many wrong things."

Cangsong's voice was terribly hoarse, each word sounding as if squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

"I have hated my senior brother, the sect leader, for so many years, and even... I have even secretly colluded with the Demonic Sect."

Wan Jianyi's pupils suddenly contracted, and his hand gripping the broom tightened involuntarily.

"But now I realize that the one who did the most for his senior brother was actually Senior Brother Daoxuan."

The pine tree's voice began to tremble.

He was willing to break the sect rules he regarded as his life just to secretly save his senior brother.

Over the years, he has endured all the criticism and misunderstanding alone, but has never uttered a word in defense...

At this point, Cangsong could no longer suppress his grief, and tears welled up in his eyes once more:

"And I... I almost destroyed the Qingyun Sect's thousand-year-old foundation because of my own obsession!"

Wan Jianyi listened in silence, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

He never imagined that there would be such a deep grudge between Daoxuan and Cangsong over the years.