Chapter 85: Long Time, No See

"That's enough for today!"

Feng Liudao struck down a strongman from the Li family and burst into laughter. "Ha ha ha, Li Muyi, you'd better pray we don't meet alone, or I'll surely take your head with my blade!"

As he spoke, Feng Liudao's figure transformed into a streak of white light and vanished from everyone's sight. His speed was so astonishing that none could react in time.

Li Muyi watched Feng Liudao disappear and chose not to pursue him, but his expression grew heavy.

At that moment, Zhong Shan also came to his senses, dissipating the aura that had enveloped him. The armor conjured by the War God secret art gradually faded as he walked over to Li Muyi.

"Old Li, you owe us an explanation, don't you?" Zhong Shan spoke in a deep voice. "Feng Liudao was clearly targeting your family!"

"And I suspect that every cultivator in the Jin Dan realm of Shentian Boundary knows about your feud with Feng Liudao!"

Li Muyi replied gravely, "The Li family will take responsibility for this matter. We will help rebuild Wushi City."

With that, Li Muyi's figure too became a streak of white light and vanished.

Feng Liudao lingered for a moment, then also departed from Wushi City.

"It's finally over," Wang Changsheng murmured. "The true cultivators who've attained the Dao in the Golden Core realm are truly terrifying!"

Wang Changsheng had always known cultivators were powerful, and that their abilities grew more dreadful as their cultivation advanced. But that had only been a notion for him. Today, witnessing true Dao-attained cultivators of the Golden Core realm in action, he realized that their mere aura could wipe an entire city from existence. For the first time, Wang Changsheng felt the terror of the cultivation world in his bones.

"Let's go," Chen Shangyi said. "It's a blessing we encountered such an opportunity."

The other disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect nodded in agreement.

Wang Changsheng shook his head helplessly. Though several Corpse Refining Sect disciples looked pale, their eyes betrayed a sense of satisfaction; he knew that everyone had gained something, more or less.

Only Wang Changsheng himself remained bewildered from start to finish, utterly clueless about what had transpired.

"My cultivation is still too low," he sighed.

Without the protection of the Corpse Refining Sect disciples, Wang Changsheng would have perished long ago. The aftershocks from the clash of three Golden Core Dao cultivators were enough to obliterate him.

Five days later, Wang Changsheng and his companions arrived in another city in the Southern Domain. This time, nothing unexpected happened. They used the teleportation array directly to travel to the Sanren Pavilion.

"I wonder if Second Uncle is at the Sanren Pavilion..." Wang Changsheng muttered to himself. "And since he’s switched to another cultivation method, if he doesn’t know the marvels of the Longevity Art’s breakthrough, it could be difficult..."

It was natural for Wang Changsheng to worry. Second Uncle had long said he'd switched to another method and hadn’t cultivated the Longevity Art. Wang Changsheng didn’t know if Second Uncle could provide any answers.

After the events at Wushi City, Wang Changsheng craved power more than ever.

It's good to have others protect you, but in the world of cultivation, one's own strength is the foundation. Besides, Wang Changsheng had an even greater goal in mind since entering this world.

He sought longevity!

"Finally, I've arrived!"

Relieved, Wang Changsheng gazed at familiar surroundings.

He'd left the Corpse Refining Sect months ago; journeying from the Black Desire Plains to the Southern Domain, then to the Sanren Pavilion, he'd experienced much along the way. Now he had finally reached the Sanren Pavilion.

The cultivators passing by all wore black robes, the attire of Corpse Refining Sect disciples. Here, it didn’t seem out of place.

"Come, let's go straight to the pavilion master," Wang Changsheng said in a deep voice.

The Sanren Pavilion was quite large; its remote location made it even bigger than most cities. Wang Changsheng had no idea where Second Uncle was, but the pavilion master would certainly know.

Following the path Second Uncle had once led him along, Wang Changsheng soon arrived before a tower.

At the entrance stood two cultivators guarding the way, blocking Wang Changsheng and his companions.

"Gentlemen, this is the Sanren Pavilion’s restricted area. No entry!"

One of the guards spoke directly.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Please, could you inform the pavilion master that the Corpse Refining Sect seeks an audience?"

"The Corpse Refining Sect?" The guard looked puzzled, evidently unfamiliar with the name.

Still, since Wang Changsheng and his party appeared courteous, the guard went inside to report.

"Wait here and don’t wander about. The Sanren Pavilion isn’t one of those small sects," the guard warned. "If you’re killed, we won’t be held responsible."

"Understood," Wang Changsheng replied.

The guard, unaware of the Corpse Refining Sect, assumed it was some newly-established sect from a remote corner, so he showed no respect.

Wang Changsheng didn’t make trouble, focusing on meeting Second Uncle first.

"Friends from the Corpse Refining Sect, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner!"

As Wang Changsheng pondered, a voice reached his ears.

Immediately, a robed cultivator appeared from within the pavilion, followed by the guard who had reported their arrival.

The guard’s face was pale and he trembled, clearly frightened.

He had not expected the pavilion master, who usually refused to see visitors, to personally greet them upon hearing the name Corpse Refining Sect!

It was obvious that the Corpse Refining Sect was far from ordinary.

The guard worried that his earlier attitude might bring disaster upon himself.

"My name is Zhang Mingyuan, and I am the master of the Sanren Pavilion. Greetings to friends from the Corpse Refining Sect!"

"No need for such formality, Pavilion Master Zhang," Wang Changsheng replied with a smile.

Now, Wang Changsheng took a good look at Pavilion Master Zhang. Last time, he hadn’t seen him clearly, but now he could. What surprised Wang Changsheng was that the pavilion master seemed barely eighteen or nineteen years old!

But Wang Changsheng did not underestimate Zhang Mingyuan. To establish the Sanren Pavilion single-handedly was no simple feat.

If not for the Corpse Refining Sect, Wang Changsheng doubted he’d even be granted an audience.

Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Mingyuan was also scrutinizing Wang Changsheng. He had not yet assessed Wang Changsheng’s cultivation, but the more he looked, the more familiar Wang Changsheng seemed.

"Is it you?!"

Suddenly, Zhang Mingyuan stared at Wang Changsheng in surprise.

Wang Changsheng realized Zhang Mingyuan had recognized him and quickly said, "Pavilion Master Zhang, I hope you’ve been well!"

"So it really is Friend Wang?!" Zhang Mingyuan said, a little incredulously.

Wang Changsheng nodded.

Zhang Mingyuan stood frozen, clearly unable to comprehend how Wang Changsheng had become a disciple of the Corpse Refining Sect.

"Pavilion Master Zhang, are you going to let us stand outside?" Wang Changsheng joked.

Zhang Mingyuan quickly collected himself, cupped his hands, and said, "Forgive me! Please, friends, come inside!"

He then led Wang Changsheng and his companions into the pavilion.

As Wang Changsheng looked at the familiar interior, he felt a surge of emotion. The first time he’d come here, he had begged the Sanren Pavilion to take him in, and had even been pressured to the point of coughing blood by the pavilion master’s aura!

Now, unexpectedly, he returned as an honored guest.

"Friend Wang, it’s been many years since we last met. To think you’ve joined the Corpse Refining Sect—how wonderful!" Zhang Mingyuan said with feeling.

Wang Changsheng smiled. "I was lucky, that’s all."

"In the cultivation world, there is no such thing as luck. It seems Friend Wang is quite extraordinary," Zhang Mingyuan replied with a smile.

"To establish the Sanren Pavilion alone, Pavilion Master Zhang is no less remarkable," Wang Changsheng replied with equal warmth.

It was no wonder Wang Changsheng said so. He had provided no evidence that he and his companions were disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect, yet Zhang Mingyuan had already accepted it and was so courteous. The only explanation was that Zhang Mingyuan had seen through the disguise of Chen Shangyi and the others.

Wang Changsheng couldn’t discern Zhang Mingyuan’s cultivation, but he knew it must far surpass Chen Shangyi’s.

"Friend Wang, you are too modest. I missed the Corpse Refining Sect’s coming-out ceremony, but today I am fortunate to meet you here in the Sanren Pavilion." Zhang Mingyuan smiled and asked, "May I inquire what brings friends from the Corpse Refining Sect here today?"

"I am not here on behalf of the Sect," Wang Changsheng explained. "Thanks to Second Uncle’s help in the past, I once visited the Sanren Pavilion. Today, I have come for myself, mainly to see Second Uncle."

As soon as he spoke, Wang Changsheng saw Zhang Mingyuan’s expression turn grave.

"About that day, I hope Friend Wang will not hold it against me," Zhang Mingyuan said, cupping his hands.

"No worries, Pavilion Master Zhang. I have long forgotten it. Today, I just want to ask Second Uncle something," Wang Changsheng said with a smile.

Indeed, Wang Changsheng no longer minded what had happened that day. As someone in power, Zhang Mingyuan surely had his own considerations.

Moreover, had Zhang Mingyuan not refused to take him in, Wang Changsheng wouldn’t have had the opportunities that followed; he would probably still be competing for scraps of cultivation resources.

"Glad to hear it," Zhang Mingyuan said, relieved. "Since that’s the case, please believe what I am about to tell you."

"What is it?" Wang Changsheng furrowed his brow.

Seeing Zhang Mingyuan's uneasy expression, Wang Changsheng feared that something might have happened to his Second Uncle.

Zhang Mingyuan composed himself and spoke in a deep voice, "One day, I was cultivating when a man suddenly appeared. He said he wanted me to play a role in a simple drama: to refuse entry to the person he brought."

"I was reluctant, but his strength was unmatched—greater than anyone I had ever seen."

"I had no power to resist."

"In the end, I gave in and did exactly as he instructed. He repeatedly emphasized that if I did not act convincingly enough, he would destroy the Sanren Pavilion."

"With his strength, wiping out the Pavilion would have been effortless..."

At this, Zhang Mingyuan looked at Wang Changsheng and said, "I believe, with your intelligence, you know whom I’m talking about..."