Chapter 52

As the dragon's shadow swiftly approached, it was only a moment before it hovered above the carriage. It was about sixty zhang long, but upon closer inspection, it was not a true dragon but a giant python. It had a single white horn on its head and four claws on its belly. Its flesh and bones were not yet fully formed, and it lay limp beneath its belly. It had no scales or whiskers, and its skin was smooth. However, its form was imposing and fierce.

On the broad head of the python, a purple figure stood. He carried a peachwood sword on his back, and his clothes fluttered in the wind. His face was fair, but his expression was somewhat stern. He glanced down and then patted the single horn.

Then the massive python head suddenly descended, making the eighteen cloud-treading steeds and hundreds of marsh wolves even more uneasy. They all trembled, their eyes filled with fear.

At this moment, both Yin Yang and Chuxue's expressions became even more solemn.

Zongshou, however, let out a barely audible cold snort.

"Tch, this guy, it turns out he was already so fond of showing off and being cool back then—"

His voice was low, and others couldn't hear it. But Chuxue, who was right next to him, heard every word. She turned her head and said with a puzzled look, "Young Master, do you know this person? And what do you mean by 'showing off and being cool'?"

Zongshou immediately gave an awkward smile, remembering that these terms didn't exist in this era.

However, he did indeed know this person. He was one of the virtual historical figures in the Divine Emperor game. But it seemed the developers of this game had a rather twisted sense of humor. As advertised, they had done their best to make everything as realistic as possible, even the person's personality and preferences, which were spot on.

The person floated down from the python's head and clearly paused when he saw Zhao Yanran. He smiled friendly, but his eyes clearly showed a hint of caution. "It turns out to be Miss Yanran of the Seven Spirits Sect. What a coincidence. I am Long Ruo, the chief of the Heroic Hall of the Lingyun Sect. I greet you! Is this the Young Master Zongshou of the Qiantian Mountain Sect? I wonder if you have the leisure to speak with me?"

The last sentence was directed at the three people in the carriage. A faint blue light emanated from his brow, shining toward Zongshou.

Although Zongshou's words were full of disdain for this person, when he spoke to him, he stood straight and solemn, without a trace of laziness.

It wasn't that he was deliberately trying to please this person, but rather out of respect, a sign of respect for a formidable enemy.

"Of course I have the leisure, and I would be more than happy to!"

Smiling, he glanced sideways at Zhao Yanran, then stood up and stepped down from the carriage. "Mr. Long Ruo, are you here for the incident at Danling Mountain ten days ago?"

"Exactly for that reason!"

Long Ruo nodded, then suddenly extended his hand. "Young Master, may I check your pulse?"

Although he was asking, Long Ruo's hand was not at all polite, grabbing Zongshou's wrist directly. He closed his eyes and probed, first with surprise, then with deep disappointment.

When he released his hand, Long Ruo sighed and said earnestly, "To be honest, Young Master, I am here on a mission to apologize for the incident at Danling Mountain a few days ago. The chief of the Heroic Hall, Liang Miaozhi, was deceived, took bribes, and acted out of self-interest. He has now been punished and confined to the Ten Thousand Winds Tower for twenty-four years. The head of Danling Mountain, Ling Weizi, failed to investigate and has retired to seclusion. I am ashamed, as your father once helped our Lingyun Sect. Now that such an incident has occurred, it has brought shame to all thirty thousand disciples of our sect. It is a misfortune for our sect to have such an unworthy disciple. Please forgive us, Young Master!"

As he spoke, Long Ruo bowed deeply to the three people. Zongshou quickly stepped aside, indicating that he did not dare to accept such a grand gesture. No matter how much he disliked the Lingyun Sect, he could only smile generously at this moment.

He thought to himself that this person was indeed just like the character in the game, polite and composed, a model of integrity. However, his demeanor had a grandeur that was hard for others to match.

Then Long Ruo's tone changed. "Originally, I had another matter to ask, whether Young Master would be willing to join our Lingyun Sect. This is a commission from our sect's leader. If Young Master agrees, you can directly become a direct-line disciple and enter the leader's door—"

Zhao Yanran's eyebrows immediately furrowed. She was already puzzled by how Long Ruo, the chief of the Heroic Hall of the Lingyun Sect, would treat Zongshou with such importance and humility, as if he were truly very remorseful.

Now, hearing Long Ruo's words, she was even more curious. Being a direct-line disciple of the Lingyun Sect meant access to the sect's holy land, the ability to read all secret texts, a large monthly allowance, and the potential to compete for the position of sect leader.

To go to such lengths to recruit Zongshou was truly something that couldn't be ignored. What was the real reason behind the incident at Danling Mountain ten days ago?

Yin Yang and Chuxue, however, both showed signs of surprise and joy, hoping that their Young Master would immediately nod in agreement.

Zongshou, however, shook his head slightly. "Since you say 'originally,' does that mean you have already changed your mind, Mr. Long Ruo?"

Long Ruo sighed again, his face full of regret. "Exactly! My original intention was to bring you back to our sect by force, even if you didn't agree. Breaking our sect's Lesser Luo Tian Sword Array in 343 breaths and copying our sect's Twelve Heavenly Talismans in just two hours—such dual talent and insight in both martial arts and talismans are not just worthy of being a direct-line disciple, but even the next leader of our sect. However, when I checked your pulse just now, I found that your situation is far more complex than just having dual meridians. Even if our sect uses all its resources to obtain cultivation methods for dual meridians, it might not help. Your spirit techniques can still be cultivated to a higher level, but your qi techniques can only reach the Secret Martial Master realm. Even if you can't become a direct-line disciple, you can still be an inner sect disciple. Our sect can still use all its resources to find suitable methods for you—"

Zhao Yanran's pupils immediately constricted, and she was momentarily speechless.

Breaking the Lesser Luo Tian Sword Array in 343 breaths and copying the Twelve Heavenly Talismans in two hours. Could he be referring to the Mingjian Platform and the Heavenly Talisman Platform?

Is Long Ruo really not joking?

Zongshou's heart sank slightly. He hadn't expected that, besides his dual meridians, he had another hidden issue.

However, this feeling of gloom only lasted a moment before he returned to his usual state.

He had never been particularly fond of the Lingyun Sect and had never considered joining it. Hearing the last few words, he secretly sneered and didn't bother to respond. Would he, with his innate character, accept such charity?

Even if he really couldn't cultivate, so what? He, Zongshou, didn't need anyone's charity!

Long Ruo's words, though seemingly gentle, couldn't hide the coldness and condescension.

Ignoring Chuxue's anxiety behind him, Zongshou shook his head without much thought. "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Long Ruo. Since I have already determined that I cannot cultivate, I have also let go of that obsession. My wish in life is to travel the five continents and twelve islands of the Cloud Realm, to see its magnificent landscapes. I will not trouble your sect any further."

Long Ruo didn't seem surprised and nodded. "That's fine. However, regarding the incident that day, our sect cannot fail to make amends. Our ancestors once set a rule: anyone who can break the sword array and draw the heavenly talisman can choose three items from our sect's Xuan Treasure Vault! The vault is too large to bring, but I have specially brought some items that might be useful to you!"

As he spoke, Long Ruo casually waved his hand, and hundreds of items of various types appeared beside him, whether they were elixirs, weapons, or martial arts secret texts, all floating in front of him.

Zongshou was secretly puzzled. He didn't know that the Lingyun Sect had such a rule. In his previous life, he had completed the sword array and heavenly talisman on the Mingjian Platform and Heavenly Talisman Platform countless times. But apart from the status of a direct-line disciple of the Lingyun Sect, the characters he created never received any physical rewards.