Heaven’s Shadow

Chapter 176: The Old Dog A-Tu

Dongfang Tao, having achieved the grand accomplishment of Nascent Soul True Immortality, is now a prominent figure in the Kunlun Sect, a person of great interest to everyone in the sect. After all, it has been eleven years since the last Nascent Soul True Immortal emerged from Kunlun.

With the ceremonies and formalities concluded, and his position and power within the sect reestablished, Dongfang Tao now has the qualification to practice on the four most precious peaks in the Kunlun Sect’s core, known as the Celestial Abyss Peaks. Additionally, his own residence on the mountain will be preserved.

After these matters were settled, Dongfang Tao formally held a ceremony to accept Yi Xin as his disciple, marking his first direct disciple in his lifetime.

Once the news spread, it caused a stir throughout Kunlun Mountain, especially among the many families in Kunwu City, where the reaction was even greater.

Although the news was already known to well-informed people, Dongfang Tao was once just an old Golden Core cultivator. Later, after being injured and retreating into seclusion for a long time, his influence waned and he was nearly forgotten. No one expected that this old man, after staying hidden for so long, would suddenly emerge as a Nascent Soul True Immortal, catching everyone off guard.

Overnight, the status of the Yi family in Kunwu City soared. After all, Yi Xin is now Dongfang Tao’s only disciple, and if nothing goes wrong, she will likely inherit Dongfang Tao’s legacy. With a powerful Nascent Soul True Immortal backing her, she has become a formidable presence capable of intimidating many influential families in the city.

After officially becoming his disciple, Yi Xin’s status in the Kunlun Sect skyrocketed. She quickly moved out of the Flowery Fragrance Courtyard and took residence on San Zhang Peak.

When Dongfang Tao later went to cultivate on the Celestial Abyss Peaks, the peak residence on San Zhang Peak would essentially belong to Yi Xin.

The subsequent days were filled with countless visits and congratulations from all directions. From sect members to major families in Kunwu City, from various shops to the numerous cultivation sects around Kunlun, everyone sent representatives to offer greetings and cultivate relationships.

Yi Xin truly opened her eyes wide, feeling as though the world of cultivation had suddenly opened a new, even broader door to her. However, amidst all this, the master and disciple on San Zhang Peak received a special visitor.

When the young man handed over his visiting card with a calm and gentle smile, and patiently waited, Yi Xin felt a strange sensation in her heart.

The name on the card read: He Yi.

※※※

Dongfang Tao was also a bit surprised when he received the visiting card from Yi Xin. Although he had been out of seclusion for a while, he was aware of the significant events involving Yi Xin.

Naturally, Dongfang Tao was unhappy about his beloved disciple almost being humiliated and nearly disfigured. He was indeed very angry and upset. However, since He Gang, the main culprit, had been dealt with and expelled from the Kunlun Sect—a severe punishment in the cultivation world—Dongfang Tao could not say much more.

Though He Yi was He Gang’s elder brother, he was not responsible for the incident. On the other hand, He Yi’s status and identity were far beyond those of the ordinary disciple He Gang.

He Yi was a highly valued prodigious disciple of the sect, already at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage at a young age, with a strong potential to become a Golden Core cultivator in the near future. Once he reached that stage, he would rival the current prominent figure, Su Qingjun, and become a true prodigy with the potential to glimpse the Nascent Soul stage or even become a True Immortal.

Moreover, He Yi was not a solitary figure; he was backed by the powerful Nascent Soul True Immortal, Dugu Kong, and the Celestial Armament Hall, which had significant influence within the sect.

Had Dongfang Tao still been a Golden Core cultivator with his quirky and irritable temperament, he might have lost his temper and sent He Yi away. However, after becoming a Nascent Soul True Immortal, he seemed to have grown somewhat timid. Thus, he instructed Yi Xin to invite He Yi in for a meeting.

The atmosphere during their meeting was somewhat awkward. There was no warm reunion or polite pleasantries; Dongfang Tao, indeed an eccentric old man, held back his anger but scrutinized He Yi with piercing eyes, which was not a good sign.

Fortunately, He Yi seemed unaffected by this, maintaining a calm smile throughout. He answered Dongfang Tao’s questions one by one and was always respectful and polite, even showing great courtesy towards Yi Xin.

Such a demeanor made it hard not to have a favorable impression of him, and Yi Xin was no exception.

During the meeting, He Yi spoke a lot, including some messages from his master, Dugu Kong. In essence, Dugu Kong would personally visit in a few days to guide Dongfang Tao to the Celestial Abyss Peaks and inform him of some special aspects of the peaks.

This was clearly a gesture of goodwill and a significant favor that was hard to refuse.

Dongfang Tao’s demeanor softened as he looked at He Yi, even praising him a few times.

Before leaving, He Yi took the opportunity, while Yi Xin was tidying up the tea set, to whisper a few words to Dongfang Tao. Dongfang Tao’s expression changed slightly, and he pondered in silence, but his gaze towards He Yi became notably different.

After He Yi left, Dongfang Tao pondered for a long time. When Yi Xin passed by, he called her and said, “Xin’er, do you still hold any lingering feelings about the incident with He Gang?” 

Yi Xin was taken aback, not expecting her master to bring it up again. She replied, “That matter… It’s hard to say I’ve forgotten. When I saw Senior Brother He just now, I couldn’t help but feel a bit strange inside.”

Dongfang Tao nodded and, after a moment of silence, said to Yi Xin, “If they had deliberately harmed you, I would have stood up for you, so you needn’t be afraid. But since that incident is already in the past, you needn’t dwell on it or hold a grudge against He Yi.”

“Yes, I understand, Master,” Yi Xin replied, nodding. She then glanced at Dongfang Tao and asked, “Master, from your words, do you have some opinions about this Senior Brother He?”

“You’d best avoid provoking him,” Dongfang Tao said calmly.

※※※

“Are you saying I can stay here permanently?” Lu Chen asked, looking somewhat surprised.

Su Qingjun smiled and said, “Yes, the Flying Goose Platform is quite large, and I’ve been looking for someone to help cultivate some precious herbs and materials. Unfortunately, I’ve never found anyone both trustworthy and capable, who is also willing to work diligently. So, now that I’ve finally found someone, I can’t let you go easily.”

Lu Chen clicked his tongue and then said, “Is it really okay for me to stay on the Flying Goose Platform? Will others talk behind my back?”

Su Qingjun replied lightly, “Aren’t you my nominal disciple? Just consider it as me exploiting you for free labor.”

This situation was indeed not uncommon in the Kunlun Sect. Some high-level cultivators would often accept nominal disciples without passing on profound techniques, providing only some spiritual materials or basic methods as compensation, and let them focus on cultivating important materials.

Lu Chen had heard of such practices, but Su Qingjun was clearly joking. He chuckled and then extended two fingers, saying, “If I’m to move here, I have two conditions.”

Su Qingjun was taken aback, looking somewhat annoyed, and said, “Hey, do you know how many people in the entire Kunlun Sect are trying to get a spot here? Yet you’re the only one making demands! How dare you ask for conditions!”

“Yes, you have a point,” Lu Chen nodded repeatedly. “So, are you going to hear my two conditions?”

“Humph! Speak them.”

“First, I don’t want to live in this thatched hut anymore,” Lu Chen said.

Su Qingjun paused for a moment, then became vigilant, “Hey, don’t get too greedy. You definitely can’t move into my residence!”

Lu Chen laughed heartily and said, “What a joke, do I look like that kind of person?”

“Somewhat.”

“……You’ve misunderstood!” Lu Chen glared at Su Qingjun and pointed towards the forest behind. “I want to live in a wooden house. I’ll chop down some wood and build a house myself—bigger, sturdier, and not so easy to be knocked over or dismantled. Is that alright?”

Su Qingjun’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she mumbled, “Petty and stingy!”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Oh, nothing. You can build a wooden house. I can help you cut down a couple of big trees when I have time,” Su Qingjun said solemnly.

Lu Chen nodded and said, “Second, I want to keep a dog.”

“What?” Su Qingjun was momentarily stunned, almost thinking she had heard wrong.

Lu Chen whistled loudly, and soon, the sound of barking filled the air. A black shadow ran out from the forest and approached Lu Chen, affectionately rubbing against him—it was A-Tu.

“Ah, why does this dog have so many wounds?” Su Qingjun gasped when she saw A-Tu’s appearance.

Lu Chen sighed, looking sorrowful, and said to Su Qingjun, “This is an old dog I’ve kept for over ten years. It has been through thick and thin with me, covered in scars, and it’s clearly nearing the end of its life. I really don’t want to part with it. Could you please help me?”

Su Qingjun, initially moved by A-Tu’s appearance, was about to agree but suddenly felt something was off. She frowned and said, “But… this dog doesn’t seem old. It looks quite spirited.”

Lu Chen maintained his composure and said, “This is a rough dog that looks youthful.”

“Really?”

“Yes, don’t be fooled by its lively appearance. It might suddenly die in a few days.”

Su Qingjun was momentarily stunned, then quickly waved her hand, saying, “Alright, alright. It’s just a dog. Let it stay. No need to curse it.”

Lu Chen laughed heartily and said, “Thank you very much. A-Tu, quickly thank…”

Before he could finish, both Lu Chen and Su Qingjun turned to see A-Tu, who had been circling Lu Chen, sneakily run over to the mountain wall. After sniffing around, it lifted its leg and urinated on a rock not far from the cave’s stone door. Then, it trotted back happily, wagging its tail.

Su Qingjun’s expression darkened as she stared at Lu Chen.

Lu Chen looked embarrassed, gave a dry laugh, and said, “You see, even old dogs are like people—they urinate a lot…”

“How disgusting!”

“Uh…”