Chapter 1330: Chapter 52: The Sword in the Locked Casket, Song Echoes in Yun Tian
After Han Wangke left Divine House Mountain, he did not immediately return to his sea residence, but went elsewhere to gather herbs. Half a month later, he leisurely returned to his Cave Mansion.
Just as he stepped into the main hall, he saw a Green-clothed Cultivator sitting there, seemingly waiting for him. Upon seeing Han Wangke enter, the cultivator stood up with a smile, cupped his hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist Han, I’ve been waiting for you for several days, almost thinking you wouldn’t return."
At this time, a gentle maid approached, looking somewhat anxious, and said, "Master, you’ve finally returned, Luo Daoist has brought many..."
Han Wangke, as if anticipating this, waved his hand and said with a smile, "It’s nothing, you may go."
Seeing no tension on his face, the gentle maid felt a bit more at ease, bowed deeply, and retreated outside the hall.
Han Wangke went to the main seat and sat down, saying calmly, "Luo Daoist is surely busy with important matters. Your visit must be for a significant reason, please speak plainly."
The Green-clothed Cultivator looked at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "I heard Shao Zhongxiang was about to fight Daoist Zhang, but before Luo Daoist even started, he admitted defeat. I wonder why?" Though he smiled amiably, his words carried a hint of accusation.
Han Wangke’s expression remained unchanged as he said, "This is something I need to ask you, fellow Daoist."
The Green-clothed Cultivator made an "oh" sound and spoke sincerely, "Please tell me, fellow Daoist. If it’s indeed my fault, I will surely apologize to you."
Han Wangke slightly turned his body and said, "Although I serve your tribe, I stated in advance that I should not trouble the disciples of the Mingcang Sect, and your Clan Leader agreed to this."
The Green-clothed Cultivator showed a hint of surprise and said, "This is the East Victory Continent, where do any..." His voice trailed off as if struck by a sudden realization. His expression hardened as he asked, "Are you saying that Daoist Zhang is a Mingcang Disciple? Can that be confirmed?"
Han Wangke spoke leisurely, "Han Yuan Sect was founded by my senior brother Shen Baishuang. It can be considered a branch of our Mingcang Sect. Daoist Zhang claims to be a disciple of Zhou Chongju, so isn’t he indeed a Mingcang Disciple?"
Upon hearing this, the Green-clothed Cultivator’s expression suddenly changed dramatically. He abruptly stood up and shouted, "Zhang Yan! Is that the person you’re referring to?"
Not expecting such a reaction, Han Wangke furrowed his brow and replied, "He did not mention his name, and I did not inquire further."
The Green-clothed Cultivator calmed down and gritted his teeth, saying, "Since he is a disciple of Zhou Chongju, it must be him!"
Han Wangke was puzzled, asking, "So what if it is?"
The Green-clothed Cultivator sighed, sat down again, and said with a bitter tone, "Fellow Daoist, you do not know. Years ago, the person who wielded the Beiming Dutian Sword and broke the Four Symbols God Slaying Formation, forcing our Python Clan to flee to the sea, was him."
This time, it was Han Wangke’s turn to display a shocked expression. He said in a startled voice, "Are you saying that he was the one who injured..." Realizing he had misspoke, he abruptly stopped and dared not continue.
The Green-clothed Cultivator shook his head, saying, "And there’s more. Over twenty years ago, during the Sixteen Sects Sword Competition, this person overcame disciples from all sects, slaying over ten Demon Sect Elders. Even the Wind Ocean of the Nether Spring Sect, who had reached the Nascent Soul Third Realm, was cut down by him. If we’re talking about fighting prowess, he was truly the number one among the Sixteen Sects of his generation."
Han Wangke was dumbfounded. Since being expelled from the Mountain Gate, he had been living reclusively in the East Sea, and was out of touch with his fellow cultivators, leaving him ignorant of these events. When he first met Zhang Yan, he assumed Zhang was a promising newcomer in his sect, never expecting him to be so exceptionally talented. Amidst his shock, he felt a hint of inexplicable pride.
The Green-clothed Cultivator was now thinking of many things, and he suddenly felt uneasy, standing up once again and pacing back and forth in the hall.
Although Zhang Yan was merely a Nascent Soul Cultivator, his status was not simple. He was one of the top ten disciples of the Mingcang Sect, and the number one in the Sixteen Sects Sword Competition. Why had he suddenly appeared in the East Victory Continent? Could it be a move against the Python Clan?
At this thought, he could wait no longer. "This won’t do, I must report this to the Clan Leader. Fellow Daoist Han, thank you for informing me. Otherwise, I’d still be in the dark. I’ll take my leave now."
He hurriedly cupped his hands and left. When Han Wangke wanted to get up to see him off, he saw that the cultivator had already transformed into a tunneling light and disappeared into the distance. Han Wangke couldn’t help but shake his head, stroked his long beard, and sat dazed in his chair, lost in thought.
Song Chuyuan and the other hurried day and night, returning to Cangzhu Peak in just two days and nights.
Upon entering the Mountain Gate, the Limping Daoist was greatly surprised at first glance.
All the way there, traces of flooding could be seen everywhere. However, within Han Yuan Sect, the trees were lush, the halls intact, the lakes expansive, and the mountains tall, majestic, and beautiful. It must have been the sect’s Forbidden Array that kept the floodwaters outside the Mountain Gate, resulting in such a scene.
