Chapter 308: Chapter 130: First Arrival at Fushan Island, Sun Yong’s Past
The dock was paved with smooth bluestone slabs. A dozen or so disciples in fitted blue attire were on patrol. Their auras were steady and their gazes sharp; they were clearly trained martial artists.
The two disembarked from the boat, stepping onto the docks of Fushan Island.
Yang Jing looked up. In the island’s interior, a cluster of peaks stood tall, arranged in a picturesque formation. Mist and clouds swirled between them, and pavilions and towers could be faintly seen dotting the landscape, creating a magnificent sight.
He thought to himself, ’Master once said the Xuanzhen Sect is divided into Seven Veins. These peaks must be their respective residences. Each vein occupies a single peak, forming its own system.’
The dozen or so disciples in blue patrolling the dock quickly noticed them.
These disciples stood with perfect posture, their uniforms identical. Though it was just a routine patrol, they exuded an oppressive pressure.
Two of the disciples exchanged a glance and strode toward Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang.
Yang Jing’s gaze narrowed. He discreetly sized up their auras—their Inner Strength was condensed and contained, yet ready to be unleashed. They were genuine Dark Energy Martial Artists!
He was inwardly astonished. ’Dark Energy Martial Artists are already exceedingly rare in Yuhe County—powerful enough to shake several city districts with a stomp of their foot. To think that in the Xuanzhen Sect, they’re just ordinary disciples assigned to patrol the docks. Such deep reserves of power are truly extraordinary.’
The two disciples approached, their gazes lingering briefly on Sun Ningxiang’s face.
Today, Sun Ningxiang was dressed in a light-green dress. Standing in the morning light and the lakeside breeze, her exceptionally beautiful and gentle face was indeed eye-catching.
But there was no frivolity in their eyes. They merely took note of her before quickly turning their attention to Yang Jing.
"What business brings you two here?" the disciple on the left asked. His tone was calm but carried a steady weight.
Yang Jing took a step forward, cupped his hands, and said, "We wish to join the Xuanzhen Sect. We ask for your guidance, Senior Brother."
Hearing this, the disciple raised an eyebrow. "Now is not the time for the sect’s public recruitment."
He looked Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang up and down, then asked, "Do you have a recommendation from a sect elder? If not, please leave and come back during the next recruitment period."
The Xuanzhen Sect had always been strict with its recruitment. Aside from the periodic public assessments, the only exception was for those recommended by someone from within the sect. Ordinary martial artists who came at the wrong time, drawn by the sect’s reputation, could only return in disappointment.
Yang Jing breathed a sigh of relief. He took a plain envelope from his robes and presented it with both hands. "Senior Brother, we have a letter of recommendation."
Seeing that he did indeed have a letter of recommendation, the aloof expression on the sect disciple’s face faded considerably. His brow relaxed, and he even offered a gentle smile.
He shot a look at his companion, then said politely to Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang, "In that case, please follow my junior brother here. He will take you to see a Steward to register. You just need to present the letter and await news."
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang said in unison.
The other sect disciple came forward and made a polite "this way" gesture. "Please, follow me."
The two quickly followed, heading deeper into Fushan Island with the disciple.
The bluestone path beneath their feet wound its way upward, flanked by ancient, towering trees. The crisp chirping of birds occasionally echoed from the forest, and the air was fresh with the scent of grass and wood.
Along the way, they frequently saw Xuanzhen Sect disciples in fitted blue attire, either walking in groups or practicing martial arts alone. Their auras were all steady and solid, a clear sign of their impressive Cultivation. Some disciples dressed in white robes even exuded a formidable aura that secretly alarmed Yang Jing.
After walking for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a spacious plaza appeared ahead.
The plaza was paved with white jade, polished as smooth as a mirror. In the center stood a massive stone stele inscribed with the two characters "Xuanzhen." The calligraphy was powerful and vigorous, and one could faintly sense a flow of Qi Force from it.
There were even more disciples coming and going in the plaza. They were in groups of two and three, some sparring, others talking in low voices, presenting a lively and vibrant scene.
The guiding disciple led them across the plaza to a neat row of wooden houses on the eastern side. He stopped at the one in the very middle and knocked gently on the door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
A moment later, a slightly aged voice came from within. "What is it?"
"Disciple pays his respects to Steward Chen." The guide bowed and said clearly, "There are two people here with a letter of recommendation who wish to join our Xuanzhen Sect. Please review their case, Steward."
The wooden door creaked open, and an old man with graying hair and a beard stepped out.
He wore a long gray robe with an unremarkable wooden plaque tied at his waist. His face was gaunt, but his eyes were sharp, carrying a scrutinizing look as they swept over Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang.
When his gaze fell on Sun Ningxiang’s face, it suddenly stopped. He frowned slightly as if remembering something. After studying her for a moment, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. He paused, stunned, then asked, "Little girl, your father... is his surname Sun?"
Hearing Steward Chen’s words, both Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang were taken aback. They exchanged a look, seeing the confusion in each other’s eyes.
Sun Ningxiang was certain she had never met this old man and didn’t know why he would suddenly ask about her father’s surname—and get it right.
Sun Ningxiang stepped forward, bowed slightly, and asked with a hint of confusion, "My father’s surname is indeed Sun. How did you know, Senior?"
Steward Chen gazed at her, a dazed look in his eyes, as if seeing the shadow of someone from long ago through her. After a long moment, he let out a heavy sigh. "Speaking of which, you could be considered the descendant of an old acquaintance."
"The descendant of an old acquaintance?" Sun Ningxiang was even more confused.
Although she had returned to the Xuanzhen Sect with her father a few times, their visits had always been brief. She had only met a few of her father’s old acquaintances and had never heard of this Steward Chen, let alone any connection he might have with her father.
She couldn’t help but ask, "Senior, you know my father?"
"I do. Of course I do." Steward Chen’s gaze drifted into the distance as if lost in memory, his tone tinged with melancholy. "Thirty years ago, many people in the Xuanzhen Sect knew your father. I suppose I knew him too, but time flows on. After thirty years, he might not remember me anymore."
He paused, looking at how Sun Ningxiang’s features resembled her father’s in his youth, and his tone grew more regretful. "If that battle back then hadn’t damaged his foundation..."
He stopped mid-sentence, shaking his head and swallowing the rest of his words, leaving only a deep, meaningful sigh hanging in the air.
Standing to the side, Yang Jing was shaken and inwardly surprised.
He had always thought his master, Sun Yong, was just an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple of the Xuanzhen Sect who had retired due to injury. He never expected that his master had been so famous in the sect thirty years ago that even this Steward remembered him so vividly.
The Xuanzhen Sect was a top-tier sect in Jintai Prefecture, with experts as numerous as the clouds. To have made such a name for himself among them, his master must have been quite something back in the day.
Yang Jing looked at Steward Chen, whose face was filled with reminiscence and regret, which only confirmed his suspicions. He grew even more curious about his master’s past.
’I’ll have to look into it when I have time later.’
Sun Ningxiang was equally stunned. She had never imagined that her seemingly ordinary father had such a glorious past in the Xuanzhen Sect.
For a moment, she stood rooted to the spot, staring at Steward Chen, completely at a loss for words.
