Chapter 1215: The Leftover Disciple

A few months later, early morning.

The morning sun had yet to crest the city walls, but Jiuyuan City was already buzzing with activity, streets filled with pedestrians.

Unlike the usual hustle and bustle of hurried passersby, today everyone in the city appeared leisurely, either gathering in small groups to chat or idling by the roadside.

Expectant expressions hung on their faces as they frequently looked up toward the sky, as if waiting for something.

Among the crowd, a handsome white-robed youth weaved through the throng, walking slowly into the city while listening to the discussions around him.

He was none other than Han Li, who had used the Reincarnation Palace's black mask to alter his appearance and aura.

"I heard the celestial envoy from the Middle Earth Immortal Domain this time has a huge entourage, not only surrounded by countless attendants but even accompanied by the lord of our Gold Origin Immortal Palace. They've certainly drawn a lot of attention along the way," said an old man in brown robes.

"After all, he's a decree envoy from the Heavenly Court, of no ordinary status. Otherwise, why would Pure Unity True Man, the master of our Nine Yuan Temple, personally welcome him? Besides, he's here to deliver the 'Bodhi Order'—a treasure that many Da Luo cultivators covet. Who wouldn't cherish it? Who wouldn't treat him like an ancestor?" added a middle-aged man in splendid attire.

"That's the token to attend the Bodhi Banquet! Who wouldn't want it?" another person exclaimed with envy.

Han Li merely listened, neither speaking nor stopping, as he made his way toward the end of the street.

"Oh... they're here!" Just then, a cry of surprise rang out.

The street immediately stirred with commotion; everyone stopped talking and looked up toward the sky.

The white-robed youth also halted at a corner at the street's end, raising his head to gaze at the sky above the city walls.

There, it seemed like a blazing sun had just risen, or like heavenly light had burst forth, illuminating a dazzling golden radiance.

The light spread outward like Buddhist aura, surrounded by a ring of colorful rainbows, and higher up in the sky, a myriad of rays shone, gathering large patches of five-colored clouds.

After waiting for a while, people's necks grew stiff and their eyes dry, yet no figure appeared.

Just as someone was about to complain, a celestial melody and Buddhist chanting suddenly sounded from the sky, followed by a layer of colorful light that spread from outside the city, crossing the city walls and extending inward.

The city's defensive formation actively opened a passage a hundred zhang wide, allowing that colorful light to shine through.

Han Li's gaze sharpened, and he saw on the path formed by the colorful light, faint images of five-colored lotuses emerging, exuding a fragrant aroma that enveloped the entire city.

"Rumble, rumble"

Amidst thunderous sounds, on the flowery five-colored path in the sky, eight golden-armored qilins galloped forward, their bodies gleaming with golden light, their hooves striking like thunder.

Behind them trailed an extravagantly styled large carriage, adorned with carved beams, painted rafters, inlaid pearls, and embedded jade, looking like a magnificent golden pavilion.

Behind the carriage followed a long procession, including rows of golden-armored cavalry and immortal cultivators holding various treasures. Though not as exaggerated as rumored, it was still impressive.

In front of the carriage was a white jade railing, behind which stood a tall man wearing a golden high crown and celestial official robes. His face was square, with slender eyes and brows, a high nose bridge, thin lips, and an expression full of arrogance.

Han Li glanced at him and found his demeanor displeasing. He was about to turn and leave when his eyes fell on the two people behind the man, and his expression changed slightly.

One of them was a man of medium build with ordinary features and a peaceful expression, looking quite unremarkable. If not for his position and the immortal palace attire, it would be hard to associate him with Lu Chuanfeng, the lord of the Great Gold Origin Immortal Palace.

The woman in a red dress standing beside him was far more dazzling. With her stunning beauty and graceful figure, she instantly drew the attention of most people in the city.

"Chi Meng? Why is she here?" Han Li frowned, somewhat surprised.

While he was astonished, light also shone above the city, and over a dozen figures, wrapped in rosy clouds, landed on the five-colored flower path.

Compared to the celestial envoy's grand display, these people seemed far more plain. Yet as soon as they appeared, the entire Jiuyuan City nearly erupted, with cheers resounding like a tidal wave.

Han Li focused his gaze and saw the leading figure, wearing a dark green Daoist robe and a lotus flower crown, with a standard square face and unremarkable features but a radiant complexion, standing tall and dignified.

Without much guesswork, Han Li knew this was likely Pure Unity True Man, the master of Nine Yuan Temple.

Close behind stood two Daoists. One was thin, with prominent cheekbones and a goatee, but his eyes were exceptionally clear. He wore an old gray-white Daoist robe and exuded an indescribable, special aura, giving the appearance of a transcendent hermit.

The other appeared around forty, tall and robust, dressed in an extremely splendid purple Daoist robe. His hair was simply tied in a bun without any Daoist crown. His face was angular and expressionless, like a statue of a heavenly king.

Given their position behind Pure Unity True Man, their identities were not hard to guess—most likely the two deputy masters of Nine Yuan Temple.

Han Li knew little about them, only that the old man in gray-white robes was called Yangjunzi, and the middle-aged man in purple robes was known as Lei Jun True Man.

Behind these two stood over a dozen people, all with respectful expressions.

Among them, Han Li immediately spotted another familiar face—the one who had once pursued him, the Venerable Miao Fa.

At that moment, Miao Fa's attention had already bypassed the celestial envoy and fixed directly on Chi Meng behind him. The latter glared back without backing down, and sparks seemed to fly where their gazes clashed.

Clearly, due to the previous incident of pursuing Han Li, the enmity between the two women had been thoroughly settled.

"The Celestial Envoy Fengtian honors us with your presence. Nine Yuan Temple has failed to welcome you from afar," Pure Unity True Man said cordially.

"You flatter me, Pure Unity True Man."

...

Seeing the two sides begin exchanging pleasantries, Han Li lost interest in watching. Amid the roaring cheers of the crowd, he pushed through and returned to the inn.

As soon as he reached his own courtyard, he saw a tall young man and a young woman in white attire with a bamboo hat standing at the gate, apparently waiting for him.

Seeing them, Han Li frowned slightly, looking at them without speaking.

"Fellow Daoist Long Wu, won't you invite us in for tea?" the woman in the bamboo hat suddenly said with a smile.

"Are you Fellow Daoist Jiao San?" Han Li asked tentatively.

"The celestial envoy from the Heavenly Court has arrived. It's time I told you the details of this mission," the woman said.

"Please, come in."

Without further hesitation, Han Li stepped forward, waved his hand to open the courtyard's禁制, and welcomed them inside.

The three entered the room and sat around a table.

Han Li noticed that the tall young man had been staring at him since he entered the courtyard, scrutinizing him without any pretense.

"Fellow Daoist Jiao San, may I ask who this is?" Han Li asked, puzzled.

"He is one of our Reincarnation Palace's deputy殿主, Fellow Daoist Wuyang," Jiao San explained.

Hearing this name, Han Li's expression changed slightly.

"It seems you do know of me," the silent young man finally spoke.

"I saw your portrait in the True Word Sect ruins and heard about you from Fellow Daoist Rehuo," Han Li said.

"Rehuo... that bastard's disciple?" Wuyang's face suddenly showed anger as he spoke.

"Please don't be agitated, Fellow Daoist. That Fellow Daoist Rehuo did not follow Qimozi in the rebellion back then, and he has already fallen in the Gray Realm," Han Li quickly said.

"I heard from Jiuzhen girl that Qimozi almost died at your hands?" Wuyang's expression then calmed as he said.

Han Li hadn't heard the name Gan Jiuzhen in a long time and didn't immediately connect it to Jiao San. After a moment's hesitation, he realized and nodded, saying, "I managed to defeat him, but unfortunately couldn't kill him."

"So, the 'Great Five Elements Illusory World Art' is really with you?" Wuyang suddenly asked.

This question immediately tensed the atmosphere in the room.

"Do you want it? I can give it to you," Han Li said after frowning and remaining silent for a long time.

Hearing this, Wuyang's expression changed slightly, clearly not expecting Han Li to be so straightforward, making him somewhat incredulous.

"This technique originally belonged to the True Word Sect. I am only half a disciple of Miroku Ancestor. You are the true inheritor of the True Word Sect. Passing it to you would repay the Ancestor's kindness in teaching me," Han Li said frankly.

Upon hearing this, a trace of guilt flashed in Wuyang's eyes. He was silent for a long time before finally speaking, "Keep the 'Great Five Elements Illusory World Art' safe. Just don't let it be lost."

"Why is that?" Han Li asked, puzzled.

"Back then, apart from the traitor, all the other fellow disciples sacrificed themselves. Only I survived, which is already a betrayal of the sect. Moreover, I have allowed that beast Qimozi to roam free all these years without cleansing the sect of its filth. What right do I have to inherit the Great Five Elements Illusory World Art?" Wuyang said with a bitter smile.

Han Li wanted to persuade him further, but Wuyang waved his hand and said, "My mind is made up. Say no more."

"In that case, I'll keep the technique for now. When you decide to rebuild the True Word Sect in the future, I will return it to you," Han Li had no choice but to concede.