Chapter 78

Zhang Tongyuan laughed, "How dare I, Old Ancestor, you have already become my sect leader's godson, haven't you?"

Lieu Huo Old Ancestor said seriously, "My godfather is benevolent and virtuous, a dragon among men, with awe-inspiring dignity and youthful talent, and profound Daoist cultivation. Although I am older than my godfather, I am also moved by his demeanor, which is why I am willing to disband the Liehuo Sect and join under my godfather. Whether as a sect leader or a vanguard, I will do whatever my godfather needs, ready to brave boiling water and scorching fire, without hesitation."

Zhang Tongyuan asked, "Have you forgotten that seven hundred years ago, the Zixiao Hall joined forces with the righteous path to attack your headquarters, driving you to the desolate land of Cangmang, and you even engraved a monument at your headquarters, fearing that your disciples would forget this enmity?"

"The light of a firefly cannot compete with the sun and moon. This was due to the shortsightedness of the previous generation of Liehuo Sect leaders. Those who understand the times are the wise. Within a hundred years, the Zixiao Hall led by my godfather will surely dominate the Twelve Continents." Dominance does not mean occupation; during the Spring and Autumn period, dominance meant becoming a powerful state that made other countries tremble and submit. Liehuo Old Ancestor's subtext was that the Zixiao Hall led by Ziyun Zhenren would inevitably become the largest sect in the Twelve Continents, the leader of many cultivation sects. Liehuo Old Ancestor said, "Zhang Lie still has unruly disciples to discipline, I dare not delay the Guardian's duties, I will take my leave."

As Liehuo Old Ancestor left, Zhang Tongyuan frowned, "Strange, what could the Zixiao Hall have that he is plotting for?"

This question also puzzled Lin Fan. Looking at Liehuo Old Ancestor, he was clearly the type who would not be content to be subordinate to others. According to novels or historical records, such a person would not stoop to becoming Ziyun Zhenren's godson without tenfold benefits. But what could Liehuo Old Ancestor be plotting? Most of his disciples had scattered, leaving only twenty or so. Ziyun Zhenren was narrow-minded and ambitious, not stupid or foolish, and would certainly be wary of Liehuo Old Ancestor to some extent.

Well, perhaps Ziyun Zhenren did not foresee Liehuo Old Ancestor's intentions, so he thought he had subdued him. Another explanation was that Liehuo Old Ancestor, having occupied Flame Mountain and offended the Wanxie Sect and the Blood Shadow Sect, could no longer stay in the desolate land of Cangmang. The Twelve Continents had also listed his sect as a heretical sect, so he had to humble himself. Lin Fan originally leaned towards the latter, but after hearing the conversation between Liehuo Old Ancestor and Zhang Tongyuan, even if Liehuo Old Ancestor had humbled himself, there was no need to lose his integrity. Moreover, the current Demon Lord was enlightened; if he explained the situation to the Demon Sect, they would not make things difficult for them, as the Liehuo Sect's heretical reputation was due to one of their leaders waging war and using cultivation powers to slaughter ordinary soldiers.

To counterattack the Zixiao Hall? This was impossible. At most, Ziyun Zhenren could be assassinated, but the Zixiao Hall would still have nine sects. Even if Liehuo Old Ancestor eliminated the Ziyang Sect, the other eight sects could easily crush the twenty or so disciples of the Liehuo Sect. Besides, the Central Continent was the heart of the Twelve Continents, and the righteous and demonic paths would not stand idly by.

"Zhang Tongyuan." A furious shout came.

Zhang Tongyuan turned and saw a man in a gray Daoist robe, wearing Daoist shoes, and bound feet. He was no more than twenty, with dark skin but a rugged beauty. Zhang Tongyuan was taken aback, then laughed, "Zhang Tongyuan... I am not Zhang Tongyuan, Zhang Tongyuan, someone is looking for you."

Ye Wushuang, Bai Mu, and Lin Fan pointed at Zhang Tongyuan, "He is Zhang Tongyuan." Zhang Tongyuan, considering himself a hero, was also hiding his identity, which made Lin Fan and the others curious.

Zhang Tongyuan smiled bitterly, "It's purely a misunderstanding, I have already apologized."

"Phew, you actually took advantage of my sister while she was bathing..."

Lin Fan and the others looked at Zhang Tongyuan. This was the most severe punishment for lechery. You could marry and have children, and even go to a brothel to subdue demons, but peeping at a virtuous woman bathing was a serious offense. Zhang Tongyuan was in a hurry, shouting, "Unjust!"

The man asked, "Did you see or not?"

"Would you believe me if I said I didn't see anything?" Zhang Tongyuan asked.

"Of course not."

Zhang Tongyuan played the tough guy, puffing out his chest, "I weigh 140 pounds, do what you will."

"You..." The man was furious, "I will report this to Ziyun Zhenren. If he does not handle it fairly, my Leishan Sect will be enemies with your Zixiao Hall, hmpf."

He turned to leave, but Zhang Tongyuan hurriedly stopped him, bowing and scraping, "Leizhenzi, it's really a misunderstanding, a small matter, no need to make it so big." If this got out, his reputation would be ruined.

Misunderstanding?

Among the eight great experts, Xiefengzi ranked first, Ximen Shuai second, Zhang Tongyuan third, Jueshe sixth, Guyan seventh, and Leizhenzi eighth. Leizhenzi was the son of the Leishan Sect's leader in the Southern Continent and also the inspector of the Yunzong, responsible for restraining the illegal behavior of Yunzong disciples. This time, he represented the Leishan Sect and came to the Zixiao Hall with his sister. On the way, Leizhenzi had some business to attend to, so his sister Leitongtong went ahead. Seeing a clear lake with no one around, she went in to play. Unexpectedly, Zhang Tongyuan intruded...

Zhang Tongyuan explained that there had been a rat demon attack nearby, so he chased it to the lake and intruded. Seeing a woman bathing, he mistakenly thought it was the rat demon in human form, which required five hundred years of cultivation. Shocked, he launched a white rainbow to attack. The woman, startled, emerged from the water naked and fought Zhang Tongyuan for a few rounds. Realizing his mistake, Zhang Tongyuan covered his face and ran. Although it was like stealing a bell while covering one's ears, Zhang Tongyuan hoped for the best. Later, he found out that the woman was Leitongtong, the daughter of the Leishan Sect's leader, and the good news was that Leitongtong had returned to the Southern Continent in tears. Originally, he thought she hadn't recognized him, but seeing Leizhenzi's attitude, he knew he was in trouble.

Leizhenzi said, "There is only one solution."

Zhang Tongyuan was delighted, "Please tell me."

Leizhenzi said, "Marry my sister."

"Ha ha ha ha, you really know how to joke." Zhang Tongyuan laughed, thinking it was like watching a pig run; there was no need to eat the pork.

"My sister came to the Zixiao Hall on behalf of the Leishan Sect but was molested by a Zixiao Hall disciple."

"..." This charge could be big or small, but the most troublesome part was that the rat demon was dead, and with no one to testify, Zhang Tongyuan had no way to defend himself.

Leizhenzi said, "It's settled. You can explain to your sect leader, and then the Zixiao Hall can propose to my Leishan Sect. We will naturally refuse many times, and you must persist, using your sincerity to move us."

Bai Mu smiled inwardly. The Leishan Sect had this custom; women were very reserved, even if a man they liked proposed, they would refuse several times before finally agreeing shyly. Leizhenzi's personality, to put it nicely, was straightforward, but to put it bluntly, he was a bit naive.

Refuse many times? Zhang Tongyuan smiled inwardly. He could propose, but if they refused, he would leave. If they brought up the incident again, it would be their fault, not his. Zhang Tongyuan nodded, "Understood."

"You're lucky to be able to cultivate with my sister." Leizhenzi, seeing the matter settled, said nothing more. Bai Mu took the initiative to greet him, and they exchanged pleasantries. Leizhenzi paid particular attention to Guyan, a young expert who did not want to be second to anyone.

Zhang Tongyuan did not want to discuss the matter of peeping at a woman with Lin Fan. After leading the four to their quarters, he hurriedly took his leave. At night, a Zixiao Hall disciple brought fruit, and upon inspection, it was all high-quality fruit, including specialties from the Central Continent, the Southern Continent, and the Little Eastern Continent. Although cultivators did not need to eat, they still enjoyed fruit, and banquets were mainly centered around fruit, with fine wine as a supplement. Lin Fan and the others praised the Zixiao Hall's hospitality as having the air of a king.

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