A flurry of activity erupted around them, but Nan Yangjun's gaze remained fixed on Shen Gurong.
At first, when Nan Yangjun appeared, Shen Gurong looked at him with childlike curiosity, as if he were both a stranger and a familiar face.
Then, unconsciously, he revealed the intense repulsion and killing intent that Nan Yangjun had seen countless times before.
But when Shen Gurong realized what was happening, he was utterly astonished by the sword in his hand. And now…
Shen Gurong seemed to be completely ignoring Nan Yangjun, hurriedly sheathing his sword, his head spinning: “You… Sect Leader, don’t get involved, put your sword away first.”
Xi Guxing roared: “I didn’t draw my sword first!”
Shen Gurong: “…”
Shen Gurong was both embarrassed and helpless, yet he showed a rare familiarity and complete trust towards his fellow disciple.
Nan Yangjun’s eyes darkened slightly.
How long had it been since his little disciple had shown this expression?
In Shen Feng Xue's past world, there was only cultivation and a heart filled with revenge. Even Xi Guxing, who treated him best, couldn't earn a single glance from him.
Just as everyone was in the midst of their commotion, Nan Yangjun finally spoke: "Enough."
These two simple words stunned everyone. Immediately, some sheathed their swords, others transformed, instantly reverting to their previous obedient and gentle disciple demeanor, as if the tense standoff had never occurred.
Shen Gurong was astonished.
Nan Yangjun said, "Disperse."
Everyone, like animals whose necks had been squeezed, bowed respectfully and said, "Yes."
Shen Gurong was about to leave with his senior brothers when he heard Nan Yangjun say, "Eleven, stay."
Shen Gurong was taken aback, and even Xi Guxing and the others were somewhat surprised.
Just as Shen Gurong was about to move, Xi Guxing suddenly grabbed his wrist, forcing a smile, "Master, Eleven..."
Nan Yangjun glanced at him indifferently, "If you're worried, you can stay and keep him company."
Xi Guxing blushed, awkwardly replying, "I'm not worried at all."
Despite saying that, he stayed.
Nan Yangjun led the two to a cave dwelling on Yurong Mountain. Shen Gurong glanced around and noticed that this cave dwelling was surprisingly close to where he had been in seclusion.
Nan Yangjun's cave dwelling was very simple, containing only a small table and nothing else.
Shen Gurong sat opposite Nan Yangjun with Xi Guxing, both heads bowed. This scene inexplicably gave Shen Gurong the feeling of being checked on his homework by his teacher when he was a child.
Nan Yangjun raised his hand and summoned water to brew a pot of tea before asking, "Where is your yuandan?"
Shen Gurong was startled, looking up in astonishment.
After speaking, Nan Yangjun's eyes turned icy, colder than the wind and snow outside. He then asked, "With whom did you form a Daoist partnership?"
Shen Gurong: "..."
Before he could answer, Nan Yangjun asked the final question: "For whom did you shield from the tribulation lightning, thus forming a karmic bond?"
These three questions left not only Shen Gurong speechless, but even Xi Guxing was trembling with fear, not daring to utter a sound.
Without receiving an answer, Nan Yangjun remained calm, his tone even, yet inexplicably exuding a powerful sense of oppression.
"Today, you can only return after answering these three questions."
Shen Gurong had no idea how to answer, so he could only look to Xi Guxing for help.
Xi Guxing picked up his tea, took a sip, and exclaimed, "This tea is delicious!"
Shen Gurong: "..."
I knew you couldn't be relied on!
Shen Gurong glanced at Nan Yangjun, whose crystal-clear eyes met his indifferent gaze.
The warmth he had shown moments before seemed fleeting, like a brief bloom, long gone.
But for some reason, Shen Gurong felt a sense of relief.
That gentle expression felt strange. Nan Yangjun was best suited to his current domineering aura, the one that said, "Whether you're a Holy Lord or a Sect Leader, you must respectfully call me Master."
Shen Gurong carefully chose his words, answering the first question: "Half of my yuandan... is with my disciple." Nan Yangjun remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Unable to discern his meaning, Shen Gurong continued with the next question: "The Daoist partnership... is with my disciple."
Nan Yangjun fell silent, but his face had clearly darkened.
Shen Gurong felt a chill creep down his spine and forced himself to answer the third question: "The lightning tribulation... was taken for my disciple."
After he finished speaking, he suddenly felt the entire cave dwelling grow even colder.
Shen Gurong lowered his head, not daring to utter another sound.
'It's too terrifying, too terrifying! Sure enough, masters and teachers everywhere are the most terrifying. They can make your legs tremble without saying a word.'
As he thought this, Shen Gurong also reflected on himself: "Why doesn't my disciple have such great fear of me? Is it because my cultivation isn't high enough?"
Recalling that Mu Zhe dared to harbor feelings of affection for his master, he felt even more distressed.
'I've spent so many years with my master, yet I've never dared to have any improper thoughts about him,' Shen Gurong thought. 'The moment I see him, I think of the books I was punished to copy; how could I possibly have the mind to indulge in fantasies or lust?'
Shen Gurong came to a conclusion.
—Mu Zhe didn't copy enough books when he was young.
He should have punished him severely back then, punished him so much that he would tremble at the sight of his wrist, and then see if he would dare to burrow that rebellious hand into his master's robes again.
But now it's too late to say anything.
Nan Yangjun remained silent for a long time before coldly speaking, "Your disciple, what's his name... Mu something..."
Shen Gurong whispered, "Mu Zhe."
Nan Yangjun said, "Hmm, have him come here."
Shen Gurong was startled and hurriedly said, "No..."
Nan Yangjun glanced at him, and Shen Gurong immediately fell silent, but still managed to say, with little confidence, "No, no, that's fine."
Every move Nan Yangjun made, even a single glance, was full of authority. He said, "Have him return your yuandan, and then dissolve the Daoist bond."
Shen Gurong was stunned. The feeling of having his yuandan forcibly removed would certainly not be pleasant. Since Shen Feng Xue had willingly given it away, there was no reason to take it back.
He didn't want his disciple to suffer even the slightest hardship.
Shen Gurong lowered his head, not daring to refuse, and could only express his attitude through actions.
Nan Yangjun glanced at him and coldly said, "You're unwilling?"
Shen Gurong remained silent.
The jade cup in Nan Yangjun's hand was suddenly crushed to pieces by his grip, dust falling between his fingers. His expression was indifferent: "You…"
Xi Guxing, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Master, he doesn't want to."
Nan Yangjun looked at him and said, "Shut up."
Xi Guxing had always feared Nan Yangjun, but now, rebuked, he remained unfazed. He grabbed Shen Gurong's hand, looked directly into Nan Yangjun's eyes, and said, "His things are his own; he can give them to whomever he wants. He can form a Daoist partnership with whomever he wants. No one can interfere."
Shen Gurong stared at Xi Guxing in astonishment. For a moment, his senior brother's image seemed taller than ever before.
But there was one thing…
Shen Gurong subtly tried to pull his wrist away, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Xi Guxing, holding his hand, confronted his master. This scene looked more like the two were deeply in love and were about to confront their master.
It was too strange, too strange.
Nan Yangjun coldly said, "I entrusted him to you, and this is how you take care of him? His yuandan is lost, and he's formed a Daoist partnership with some unknown man. Xi Guxing, do you want to ruin his life?"
Xi Guxing retorted sarcastically, "His life is already ruined."
Shen Gurong was completely bewildered, not understanding why the two had suddenly started arguing. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Xi Guxing suddenly clutch his chest, a trickle of blood slowly flowing from the corner of his lips.
Shen Gurong: "Senior Brother!"
Xi Guxing struggled to raise his hand to cover his mouth, wiping away the blood, seemingly unaffected, still looking at Nan Yangjun.
Nan Yangjun didn't look at him again, only saying to Shen Gurong, "Mu Zhe is not a good man, Eleven. You are easily deceived."
Shen Gurong frowned. Xi Guxing had only said one sentence for him; did he have to resort to such a harsh measure?
Seeing the unfamiliar look in Shen Gurong's eyes, Nan Yangjun hesitated for a moment, about to extend his hand, when he heard Shen Gurong say coldly, "Whether he's a good match or not, only I can decide."
Seeing him finally speak, Nan Yangjun withdrew his hand, saying indifferently, "He only cares about your cultivation, appearance, and status. If those things were gone..."
Shen Gurong said directly, "I like him."
Nan Yangjun was stunned, his brows furrowing. "What? Say it again."
"The yuandan was given willingly, and the Daoist partnership contract was something I chose to form," Shen Gurong said expressionlessly. "Everything was my initiative, unrelated to his wishes. He won't deceive me, nor will he only care about my cultivation and appearance."
Xi Guxing hadn't expected him to say that. Clutching his chest, he couldn't hold back any longer and coughed violently.
Nan Yangjun looked at him with a complex expression, and only after Xi Guxing suppressed a cough did he speak, "Let me see him."
This time, Shen Gurong was firm: "No."
He couldn't guarantee that Nan Yangjun wouldn't forcibly take back the yuandan after seeing Mu Zhe, or shatter their Daoist bond.
Even Shen Feng Xue's Mahayana cultivation couldn't fathom the depth of Nan Yangjun's cultivation. Coupled with the peculiar aura emanating from Nan Yangjun, simply sitting there gave the impression of a self-contained world, as if…
He had already transcended the karma of the Three Realms.
Only those who ascend to sainthood truly sever karmic ties.
Shen Gurong was horrified. No wonder the protective barrier Nan Yangjun provided could block several Heavenly Daos; he had actually become a saint.
"Eleven," Nan Yangjun said in a deep voice, "If I want to see someone, no one can stop me. You should understand this principle."
Shen Gurong certainly understood, but he couldn't back down.
Nan Yangjun's icy gaze made Shen Gurong feel like he was being pricked by thorns. He took a deep breath, but he had no choice but to gamble.
He gambled that what Xi Guxing and the others said was true, that Nan Yangjun's doting on Shen Feng Xue had no limits.
Shen Gurong forced himself to remain calm and said, "Yes, but I just don't want you to see him."
These words were so arrogant that even Xi Guxing, standing beside him, held his breath, watching him with worry.
This was the first time in years that he had seen someone dare to provoke Nan Yangjun so brazenly.
Xi Guxing tried to look at Nan Yangjun.
Unexpectedly, Nan Yangjun's face showed no anger, but rather a kind of indulgent helplessness.
He sighed silently, finally giving in: "Fine."
Xi Guxing: "..."
Xi Guxing clutched his aching chest, his eyes stinging with tears.
This preferential treatment...
His chest hurt even more.
Nan Yangjun, having said he wouldn't look for them, simply said a few words to Shen Gurong, then stuffed a pile of spiritual herbs and artifacts into his hand, casually waving them away.
Shen Gurong had been defiant in front of his master for a moment, but quickly softened. Seeing this, he felt like he'd been granted a pardon, grabbed Xi Guxing, and ran off quickly.
As soon as they left Yurong Mountain, Xi Guxing immediately shook off Shen Gurong's grasp, turned around, and coldly snorted, saying, "I wasn't speaking up for you just now, don't misunderstand."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Even after being beaten like this, it's hard to believe Xi Guxing still had the mind to be hypocritical.
Shen Gurong could only say, "I didn't misunderstand. If my senior brother hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have even thought you were speaking up for me."
Xi Guxing: "..."
Xi Guxing was so angry he felt like vomiting blood again.
Shen Gurong rushed to help him, but Xi Guxing angrily slapped his hand away and turned to leave, huffing, "I'm never going to care about you again! Go to hell!"
Shen Gurong: "Senior brother? Senior brother!"
His senior brother ran even faster, disappearing in a flash.
Seeing that Xi Guxing was still alive and kicking, Shen Gurong was relieved, thinking that Nan Yangjun hadn't hit him too hard.
However, another problem needed to be solved.
He looked around, expressionless, and said, "How do I get back?"
That damned Xi Guxing, he'd left him stranded again.
Fortunately, he now knew how to use the Dao Companion Contract.
The wind blowing from Yurong Mountain still carried a chill. Shen Gurong, pulling his cloak tighter, casually chose a path and walked forward, the red butterfly on his shoulder fluttering its wings.
A moment later, Mu Zhe, following the Dao Companion Contract, hurried over from a nearby path.
"Master."
Shen Gurong let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief upon seeing him.
Before Mu Zhe even approached, he heard his master exclaim, "Wow!"
'Master is terrifying, so terrifying! Just as terrifying as Mr. Shen! I'm afraid he'll punish me by making me copy books!'
Mu Zhe: "?"
Master? Was he referring to Nan Yangjun?
Before Mu Zhe could finish his thought, he was already standing in front of Shen Gurong.
Shen Gurong looked at him with a deep gaze.
Mu Zhe hesitated for a moment before saying, "Master, I've come to take you back."
Mu Zhe thought his words were flawless, even bordering on sweet talk. Logically, his master should have liked hearing them, but why was Shen Gurong looking at him with such an indescribable expression?
Did he... say something wrong?
Just then, Mu Zhe heard Shen Gurong say, 'You little brat, can't you read your master's expression?'
Mu Zhe froze, staring blankly at Shen Gurong's face.
His exquisitely beautiful face revealed little emotion. Mu Zhe's gaze slowly traveled down from his slightly furrowed brows to his lips, which Shen Gurong had unintentionally bitten, making them slightly red.
Mu Zhe still couldn't decipher his master's expression, utterly bewildered.
Shen Gurong waited for a long time without getting a response, his face filled with suppressed anger: 'What are you standing there for? Hug me! Can't you see I'm scared?!'
Mu Zhe: "..."
If he couldn't read minds, Mu Zhe would never have guessed that his master's expression meant he wanted a hug.
Seeing Shen Gurong turn to leave in anger, Mu Zhe stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
Shen Gurong feigned reluctance, asking, "What are you doing?"
Mu Zhe nuzzled his white hair, softly saying, "I'm holding you."
Shen Gurong snorted, awkwardly reaching out to hug Mu Zhe's waist after a moment, muttering, "That's more like it."
The two cuddled for a while before Mu Zhe took his hand and led him back to Fanjiang Residence.
As soon as he pushed open the door, Shen Gurong clearly sensed that there were people in Fanjiang Residence, and it seemed there were more than one.
Shen Gurong frowned, "Has someone come?"
Mu Zhe had just returned and shook his head, indicating he didn't know.
Shen Gurong released Mu Zhe's hand, quickly stepping forward and pushing open the door.
Looking at the scene inside, he suddenly froze.
The large room was a mess, the floor covered in clear water, already ankle-deep, whether from rain or someone splashing water, he couldn't tell.
In a pool of water, several swords were entangled, clanging and clattering. The silk tassels on their hilts were intertwined, making it impossible to distinguish which belonged to which.
Shen Gurong: “?”
He examined them closely and realized the swords appeared to be Xi Guxing’s Duan Jing Sword and Chao Jiuxiao’s Azure Scale Sword.
Another sword looked strangely familiar, and for some reason, water was slowly seeping from its blade. It was being pushed around by the other two swords.
Shen Gurong couldn’t figure out what was going on, so he spread his divine sense outwards.
Soon, the movements of the swords were transmitted back to Shen Gurong’s mind through his divine sense.
Xi Guxing and Chao Jiuxiao, both possessing considerable cultivation, naturally had their swords imbued with sentience. They were currently tearing at Lin Xia Chun’s sword tassels, desperately pulling them towards the window.
Duan Jing Sword: "Hurry! Drag him out and destroy the evidence! We can't let the Holy Lord know he came out of the Burial Mound, otherwise, the fact that Li Genglan escaped from the Burial Mound won't be a secret anymore!"
Azure Scale Sword: "I know! Don't order me around! What is he made of? Why is he so heavy? My sword tassel is about to break, but I still can't bend him."
Duan Jing Sword: "Never mind, just kill him first."
Azure Scale Sword: "Mm."
Lin Xia Chun didn't say a word, silently shedding tears, silently struggling.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Mu Zhe: "..."
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