Chapter 169 Strange Old Ancestor Fang's Contrast Old Ancestor Fang
Upon arriving at the forbidden area, Song Yin and Shi Heming saw cranes waiting for them. Following the cranes, they arrived at a place they had never set foot in before.
Large swaths of lotus flowers were in full bloom, and as I passed by, koi carp leaped out of the water before falling back in, creating ripples.
In the pavilion in the middle of the lake, the elders, who were rarely seen all year round, were all there, about twenty or thirty people. Some were brewing tea, some were drinking wine, some were playing chess, and some were playing music on the zither. Everyone was doing what they liked, and there were two empty seats next to each other in the middle.
"You've arrived! Please have a seat. The middle seats are reserved especially for the two of you."
"This junior greets all the venerable ancestors. Greetings, venerable ancestors." Song Yin and Shi Heming bowed in unison.
As for the seats, they didn't dare to sit down immediately.
As they bowed in greeting, the two exchanged glances.
Song Yin: There are many people. My master said there are good things, but he didn't say it was in this kind of scene.
They were the last two to arrive! Could it be that all these patriarchs were waiting for them? That's terrifying!
Shi Heming: There shouldn't be anything serious.
"Don't bother with the formalities, get up quickly." A kind-looking old patriarch beckoned, "Sit down, sit down."
Lou Shuhe spoke up, "You two can sit down without worry. Nobody means anything by this."
"Yes, thank you, esteemed ancestors."
Since her master had spoken, Song Yin had no choice but to sit down.
After the two were seated, neither of them spoke, waiting for these ancestors to speak.
An old man in red robes looked at the two with admiration: "Oh my, both of you are quite handsome. Do you have someone you admire? If not, I..."
Lou Shuhe: "The two of you grew up together as childhood sweethearts, so you should give up on the idea of a romantic relationship."
Song Yin and Shi Heming: Smile.
The two of them were like children caught in the middle of a group of elders, one asking about their studies, the other about their relationships.
"Ahem, don't forget our purpose today," the cold-faced Old Ancestor Fang reminded the others.
The old woman in red said, "Yes, yes, yes." She took off the bracelet from her wrist, and the next second the bracelet appeared on Song Yin's other hand. "I just love looking at beautiful people. This bracelet is for you. Don't be shy with the old woman. There are more good things to come later."
Lou Shuhe, who knew Song Yin and Shi Heming best, said, "I called you two here today to reward you, especially you, Song Yin, for your invaluable contribution in bringing back the spiritual vein."
Tao Laozu: "We don't ask how you brought back the spiritual vein; we are simply thanking you today."
With a flick of his finger, Old Ancestor Fang placed two storage rings in front of Song Yin and Shi Heming. "These contain the rewards that everyone gave to you two. For convenience, we have put them all into the storage rings."
"Thank you, esteemed ancestors. We have only done what we should do." Song Yin and Shi Heming raised their hands to accept the storage rings and expressed their gratitude to everyone.
"You brought back the spiritual vein at just the right time, which will be a great help to us old folks." Old Ancestor Fang remained expressionless, his tone flat and unreadable.
The spiritual energy is becoming increasingly abundant, and the Immortal Cloud Sect no longer has any worries. This is of great benefit to every cultivator in the forbidden area, allowing them to accelerate their ascension without any concerns.
Song Yin: "Being able to help everyone is the most important thing."
Old Ancestor Tao: "You had a way to take the spiritual vein away but didn't keep it for yourself, that's excellent, I admire you very much." He leaned forward and said with great interest, "How about this, you become my disciple and take me as your master?"
Song Yin: "Haha, hahaha, Old Ancestor Tao, you're joking." She didn't embezzle the spiritual vein because she already possessed a medium-sized spiritual vein, which was enough for her to use alone.
Miao Laozu covered her mouth and chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Tao, be careful of Fellow Daoist Lou chasing after you." Looking at Fellow Daoist Lou, her face instantly darkened. If she didn't stop Fellow Daoist Tao's suicidal act of poaching her right in front of her, she was afraid that Fellow Daoist Lou would blow up the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
"Fellow Daoist Miao is right. Be careful, the people from Danque Peak might come and beat you up together."
"Hahaha! Tao Youqing, you're really something!"
"You're really asking for trouble."
The others echoed with laughter.
Tao Laozu: "Hey, let's just make a joke to lighten the mood. Tell me if everyone laughed."
"Yes, yes, you're right."
At this moment, Old Ancestor Fang suddenly said, "How funny."
The word "funny" was read aloud as if it were a prop. Upon hearing this, the two people who had been laughing along with the others froze, and Song Yin and Shi Heming's eyes clashed in a flash.
Song Yin: Did Old Master Fang genuinely find it funny, or was he deliberately being sarcastic?
Shi Heming: This Old Ancestor Fang is a bit strange. We should avoid things and topics related to him if possible.
Everyone tacitly skipped the topic, but near Song Yin and Shi Heming, an old ancestor reminded the two: "Fellow Daoist Fang meant no harm; that's just how he always speaks."
No ill intent? Is this how you talk?
Your filters are way too thick.
"Take a look at this, you two." Another sturdy elder handed a jade token to Song Yin and the others.
"This is a map of the forbidden area. It will appear when you inject spiritual energy. Red dots indicate that the area is already inhabited. You can choose any area without red dots."
Shi Heming: "Let us choose?"
The minimum cultivation level for cultivators to enter the forbidden area is the Tribulation Transcending stage. They are only at the Nascent Soul stage. Even if they advance another major realm, they still cannot enter the forbidden area.
Old Master Fang: "Heh, pick."
The two of them were caught in a dilemma: whether to take it or not.
“Just speak, why are you babbling?” Miao Patriarch said to Fang Patriarch with dissatisfaction. “Don’t you have any idea of your own situation? This will only lead to misunderstandings.”
Old Master Fang's expression twisted into a strange shape: "How funny."
Miao Laozu: ...She was truly convinced.
Turning to Song Yin and the others, he said, "You can choose whatever you like. Although you are both at the Nascent Soul stage, we all agree that you both have the ability to enter the forbidden area for cultivation. Once you've chosen a place and built a house, you can come to the forbidden area whenever you want."
“Fellow Daoist Miao is right, we all feel the same way,” the others chimed in.
"Your bringing back of the spiritual vein not only solved the sect's biggest problem, but also helped everyone in the forbidden area. It is because of you that we can cultivate with peace of mind and sever our obsessions to cultivate and ascend."
Lou Shuhe smiled and said, "Let's choose. This is what all of us think."
Song Yin and the others cultivate quickly, and the forbidden area has the best cultivation resources. The others suggested that they enter the forbidden area in advance so that they could improve their cultivation level faster and ascend to immortality as soon as possible.
Song Yin and the others looked at each other again, then stood up and bowed.
"We are deeply grateful for the kindness of our esteemed ancestors. We dare not accept such a gift, but we cannot refuse such a generous offer. We thank you for your care and concern."
Miao Laozu clapped his hands and laughed, "That's right!"
Call the two to the forbidden area; choosing a location is the real important part.
Afterwards, Song Yin and Shi Heming chose adjacent seats and, amidst the kind or teasing glances of the elders, returned the jade token.
This move signifies that the two have moved into the forbidden area and are now considered part of it. Furthermore, should the sect face another crisis in the future, the two will be required to stand up for the sect.
"It's rare to have everyone here; the forbidden area hasn't been this lively in a long time," Miao Patriarch remarked.
Lou Shuhe: "It won't be long before someone ascends to heaven again."
Ancestor Fang: "Indeed, but for every person we ascend to immortality, the Immortal Firmament Sect will lose one unit of combat power."
“Aren’t there still young people here? You should all relax,” Old Master Tao advised them.
During this time, Old Ancestor Fang would occasionally glance at Song Yin and Shi Heming. Finally, he said to the two of them, "You two come with me."
What's going on? Song Yin was confused, but she could only follow along.
Instead of taking the two to a secluded place, Old Master Fang found a quiet spot where they could see the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
After the three left, someone asked Lou Shuhe, "Did you tell Song Yin and the others about Fellow Daoist Fang? They seemed very uncomfortable in front of him."
Lou Shuhe: "I didn't say. It's not too late to talk about it when I get back."
The three people on the other side weren't hiding their conversation from others; anyone who wanted to listen could simply concentrate.
Shi Heming: "Does Elder Fang have something important to discuss with us alone?"
Old Master Fang: "I want to make a deal with you."
Making a transaction?
Old Ancestor Fang said, "I can give you half of my wealth, and all you need to do is show me your ability to release spiritual veins in the underwater palace." He said to Song Yin, "Especially you, from what I've observed, your ability is the most obvious."
The chatter in the pavilion in the middle of the lake stopped, and at that moment, the sound of water droplets falling from the lotus leaves onto the lake surface could be clearly heard.
The ability that caught the attention of Old Ancestor Fang was also noticed by others.
"Do we have special abilities?" Song Yin asked with a smile after a moment. "We dare not agree to your deal."
What could those two possibly have that would warrant Fang Laozu's attention? He just used his abilities to take away half of their fortune... Song Yin labeled Fang Laozu a fraud.
Either Old Ancestor Fang was deliberately deceiving them, or they possessed something far more valuable than half the worth of a Mahayana cultivator. Song Yin leaned towards the latter; her mind raced, trying to figure out what she had that could attract their attention.
Could it be the Langhuan Grotto-heaven? Song Yin's eyebrows twitched.
No, perhaps not. What he just said meant that both he and Shi Heming possessed special abilities, but his was more powerful. As long as she wanted to, no one would discover the matter of Langhuan Cave Heaven.
“You have it,” Elder Fang affirmed. “It’s not a common ability among cultivators, but the power of the Great Dao Laws.”
Song Yin and Shi Heming were dumbfounded. "The power of the Great Dao Laws?"
Really? How come they don't know that themselves?
Ancestor Fang: "I am just one step away from ascension, so I would like to refer to the power of the Great Dao Laws that you possess to ascend."
It's not about seizing, but merely using it as a reference. The main point is that they can't take it away; it's their power.
The people in the lakeside pavilion breathed softly, all wanting to witness the power of the Great Dao Laws once more. They were also curious as to why the two young men possessed such power, but then they realized that everyone's opportunities were different, and it was useless to force it if their fate hadn't arrived yet.
Shi Heming: "The matter of ascension is serious. What if we demonstrate the abilities you mentioned, but the results do not meet our expectations?"
Old Ancestor Fang: ...
Are you cursing me?
Shi Heming: "This disciple dares not."
Song Yin's smile vanished as she looked directly at the other person. "Do you mean you want to use half your wealth to guarantee your ascension?" Song Yin emphasized the word "guarantee." "So, according to you, whoever gives us spirit stones, we can make them ascend?"
She had initially thought that he was like the other elders of the forbidden area—even with his eccentric personality and unpleasant attitude, he was still worthy of respect. But now, his unreasonable behavior forced her to reconsider: should she really respect such a person?
Song Yin glanced in the direction of the pavilion in the middle of the lake, mainly looking at Lou Shuhe, while simultaneously stroking her left wrist with the pad of her right finger.
Old Ancestor Fang's face twitched: "Heh, it's just a transaction. I'll take full responsibility for the outcome of my ascension."
Song Yin: "But we do not possess the power of the Great Dao Laws that you speak of."
"have."
"No."
"have!"
"No!"
"have!!"
Song Yin: "...Okay, I have it." Song Yin looked up at the sky, who knows if she really had it or not. "But I really don't know what kind of power you're talking about. I can only cast the spell and you can judge for yourself. Also, the deal is not valid."
High-level cultivators are indeed strange; if you take their things, you might end up in trouble.
“Okay.” Old Ancestor Fang spoke quickly.
Song Yin scanned her surroundings, then released her sword intent towards the lake, severing a lotus flower and retrieving it from a distance before it fell into the water.
Old Master Fang remained silent.
Song Yin shrugged and casually stuffed the flower into Shi Heming's hand: "I told you there wasn't any after the demonstration, right?"
Shi Heming held a flower in one hand and cast a spell with the other, picking a blooming lotus flower as well. He didn't say anything, but his meaning was clear.
Old Ancestor Fang: ...
Others at the Lakeside Pavilion: ...
Lou Shuhe appeared beside Song Yin at this moment, "Fellow Daoist Fang may have sensed it wrong that day. How could the two of them have power that you, at the Mahayana stage, did not possess? It could also be the power of the spiritual vein at that time. After all, it is not surprising that spiritual veins are born in the world and carry the power of the Great Dao Laws."
Old Ancestor Fang nodded slightly, then said to Song Yin and the others, "The transaction is complete. Once the items are inventoried, send them over."
Song Yin: "As I just said, the deal is off."
Old Ancestor Fang said, "The deal is done. I owe no karma." After saying that, he disappeared from everyone's sight.
Song Yin frowned, then looked at Lou Shuhe: "Grandmaster..."
Lou Shuhe: "If he's willing to give you things, just take them. There's one more thing I forgot to tell you: Fellow Daoist Fang may seem strange, but he's actually the easiest one to get along with among us."
Is she easy to get along with?
Perhaps because Song Yin and Shi Heming's expressions were too straightforward, Lou Shuhe continued, "He had a problem with his cultivation back then, so he can't make expressions, and his tone of voice doesn't change much either."
Song Yin: "Huh?"
I thought she had a strange personality and was difficult to get along with, but it turned out to be the opposite.
Lou Shuhe: "Just like now, when he said it was funny, he meant it was really funny. The contortion on his face was because he was trying to laugh out loud."
silence……
...
After Song Yin left the forbidden area, on her way back to Danque Peak, she was still contemplating the power of the Great Dao Laws.
On the way, Song Yin asked Shi Heming, "Do you have any clues about the power of the Great Dao Laws?"
Shi Heming stopped mid-flight. "Actually, I've been thinking about this too. If we really have this power, then we will definitely be together the moment we gain it, and that moment will definitely be a special moment."
"Looking back on everything we've been through, there really are things that are related to the laws of the Great Dao."
Song Yin: "What is it?"
Shi Heming: "In the Nine Spirit Realms, a cloud-patterned magic artifact similar to a bronze mirror was used for a breakthrough beyond one's level."
-----------------------
Author's note: Old Master Fang: Ha, that's funny.
Everyone: Got it, we hit his funny bone.
Old Master Fang's expression twisted.
Everyone: We get it. He, still not believing in superstitions, is trying his best to make expressions.
Old Master Fang: Are you cursing me? (Just kidding)
Song Yin: I understand, he's angry and provoking me.
Old Master Fang: I'm tired. [melted]
-
[Empty bowl]
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