Chapter 1048: Unbroken Past Seventeen

Hu Yun naturally reported his encounter with the Wei family disciple to Ji Yuan. This incident incidentally led Ji Yuan and the Old Dragon to discuss the various schools and paths currently existing in the human realm.

The flourishing of a hundred schools of thought in the human world was undoubtedly brilliant and splendid. However, it also had its limitations. Each school essentially pioneered a new path of cultivation, or even a new 'Dao'. While this brought forth an abundance of new developments, these paths were entirely novel, and many lacked the benefit of previous generations' experience to guide them.

Consequently, the first-generation founders of these diverse schools and paths, despite their exceptional talent and brilliance, found it difficult to achieve longevity. Many reached their life's limit at two hundred years, or even a little over one hundred. With their intellect and wisdom, they could have simultaneously cultivated immortal or Buddhist paths, but they harbored grand ambitions to carve out new roads for future generations.

It was as if even the Heavenly Dao would not permit these great scholars, sages, master craftsmen, and masters to live longer. Nearly all founders of the hundred schools struggled to surpass the two-hundred-year mark; some lived for only a hundred and several decades.

Apart from a small number who became Celestial Deities for various reasons, the vast majority chose not to become ghost immortals or cultivate divine paths, resolutely opting for reincarnation instead.

As Ji Yuan and the Old Dragon reached this point in their conversation, Lu Shanjun, who had been quietly listening for most of the time, finally spoke.

"It's a pity," he said. "Many who had connections with Master also couldn't escape this fate, even a prodigy like Yin Qing!"

Hu Yun, standing nearby, felt a pang of sadness. Even Ji Yuan seemed momentarily lost in thought, the vivid memories of Yin Qing playing and studying in that very courtyard still fresh in his mind.

Hu Yun suddenly smiled.

"But Yin Qing was different," he continued. "He didn't complain much. He felt his life had been splendid enough, with no regrets. He saw his scholarship as simply helping future generations, and he wasn't bothered if he couldn't finish everything. He used to say, 'How can any knowledge in this world ever be truly completed?' I offered to help him continue his studies since I live a long time, but he just called me dull…"

"Hahahaha..."

Ji Yuan burst into laughter. This was indeed Yin Qing's style.

"Sir," Hu Yun asked, "guess who lived the longest?"

Hu Yun steered the conversation, and Ji Yuan, without resorting to divination, answered casually.

"I'd guess Wei Wuwei."

"As expected of you, Sir! It was him. He was exceptionally attached to the human world…"

Hu Yun, adopting the tone of the family, recounted Wei Wuwei's story.

Wei Wuwei was extremely skilled at managing affairs and maintained good relations with various powerful figures. He exhausted all elixirs and miraculous longevity techniques, even consuming a Fire Date, a spirit-root fruit that was not yet fully mature. However, he ultimately lived for only three hundred years. Before his death, he was even planning to celebrate his three hundredth birthday.

Before Wei Wuwei's death, he yearned intensely to see Ji Yuan again, to step into Jü'an Xiaoge once more, and for Master Ji to intervene and save him. Regrettably, he never found Ji Yuan before his passing, only managing to meet Bai Ruo.

Bai Ruo frankly stated that she possessed no miraculous art to save him, and that she had not heard from her master for many years. Jü'an Xiaoge was still there, but only Zao Niang was guarding it and disliked being disturbed. Bai Ruo even took Wei Wuwei to Boundless Mountain.

The mountain where the Azure Vine Sword had descended was majestic and perilous, like a celestial sword piercing the sky. The faint sword intent emanating from it was so familiar that as Wei Wuwei approached, he immediately understood that Ji Yuan's immortal sword was sealed within. Learning that the sword had buried itself there, Wei Wuwei finally gave up in poignant disappointment, resigning himself to the fact that he could not find Ji Yuan.

Indeed, if Master Ji didn't wish to appear, who could possibly find him?

From that point on, the grandeur of Lady Bai's peak battle "inadvertently" spread throughout the world, accompanied by legends of the Boundless Sword Mound.

Yet, even with all this, Wei Wuwei remained steadfast in his belief until his death: Master Ji could never have perished in this world. Until his last breath, he harbored the hope that Master Ji would suddenly appear before him. He had even prepared many excuses and suitable gifts for such an occasion.

Therefore, the significance of Jü'an Xiaoge for the Wei clan, or rather for Wei Wuwei, was an obsession. Even after a long time, traces of this obsession remained embedded in the Wei family's heritage.

"Patriarch Wei Wuwei was incredibly intelligent, but he still wasn't as carefree as Yin Qing," Hu Yun remarked, concluding his story.

He looked at Ji Yuan, who remained silent, then at the Old Dragon, who also said nothing.

Lu Shanjun, at his side, shook his head slightly.

"Not so," he corrected. "Wei Wuwei and Yin Qing were actually alike, though their expressions differed. Sentimental people have too many attachments in the world, too many things they care about. Wei Wuwei simply made no effort to hide it; letting the world know he wished to live was part of his strategy. Yin Qing, having accepted his destiny and knowing there was no power to reverse it, chose to be more open-minded. Before you, he would certainly never have acted desperately."

The Old Dragon glanced at Lu Shanjun, then looked at Hu Yun and said,

"Indeed, considering both came from Jü'an Xiaoge, it makes sense there's a difference in their cultivation."

Hu Yun took a deep breath, not daring to argue with the Old Dragon.

"Hu Yun."

"Yes, Master!"

Ji Yuan suddenly called Hu Yun, who promptly responded.

"Go to Desheng Prefecture and tell the Wei family that unless there's something truly significant, they shouldn't disturb anyone. Also, take a look at Jiaoye Mountain while you're there."

"Yes, Master. Uh, what should I look for at Jiaoye Mountain?"

"Just take a look around."

"Oh…"

Hu Yun accepted the command and swiftly left Jü'an Xiaoge. With his current level of cultivation, he reached the Wei family's ancestral home in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

In the past few days, many high-ranking members of the Wei clan had been hurrying back to their ancestral home. Wei family members were spread throughout the land, and even the clan patriarch, who had only recently returned, was filled with excitement.

What did the reappearance of Jü'an Xiaoge signify? Was it another rare opportunity?

Just then, Hu Yun arrived to deliver Ji Yuan's message. The entire Wei family treated him with utmost reverence, but Hu Yun merely left a single sentence and then departed.

As soon as Hu Yun left, the Wei family became even more agitated.

"The Great Master has spoken," they thought. "If there's nothing significant, don't bother him? Does that mean if there *is* something significant, we can go to him?"

With that single statement from the Great Master, regardless of whether it was merely a wishful assurance for the Wei family, it was certainly enough to invoke his authority, wasn't it?

Some might say many in the Three Realms hadn't heard of the Great Master. That was fine. If someone didn't know the Great Master, the Wei family was confident they could resolve any issues with them.

However, if there was a problem the Wei family lacked the confidence or ability to resolve, then, well, the entity on the other side would almost certainly know the Great Master's name.

Inside the Wei Clan's Cloud Pavilion, the current patriarch, Wei Yi, was radiant, enjoying spiritual tea with several returning clan elders. The clan's ancestral records were spread open on the table beside them.

"Patriarch," one elder suggested, "since we've received a promise from the Great Master, perhaps we should tell those who are still on their way not to return?"

"Precisely," Wei Yi affirmed. "To avoid disturbing the Great Master, send word immediately for them not to return. As for those who are nearly here, they can visit the ancestral home for a brief memorial before leaving again."

"By the way, Patriarch," another elder chimed in, "should we choose an opportune moment to present the treasure our ancestor prepared for the Great Master?"

Wei Yi frowned, looking at the elder who had spoken.

"Given our ancestor's shrewd and worldly wisdom," Wei Yi mused, "anything he deemed capable of impressing the Great Master would certainly be no ordinary item. However, our ancestor also stated that this item was incomplete, with another part missing. Furthermore, since the destruction of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, even Yunshan Temple has maintained an extremely low profile. This item is sensitive; unsealing it rashly could invite trouble!"

"We wouldn't be parading it around, so whose taboo could we possibly violate?" another elder countered. "Even if we assume the worst, we'd be offering it to the Great Master. Who would dare object? The Celestial Deities of the Nine Heavens? The Lords of the Underworld? Or the immortal and Buddhist sanctuaries? The blessed lands and grotto-heavens?"

Wei Yi hesitated.

"Let me consider it," he said.

"Patriarch, keeping this item sealed within our Wei family brings us no real benefit, and we must still guard it carefully. If it can win the Great Master's favor, that would be a win-win situation."

"No, Patriarch, think twice before acting!" another advised. "Since the Great Master said not to disturb him, we shouldn't create more trouble."

"How can this be called trouble? Are you questioning our Wei ancestor's wisdom?"

"Can 'then' and 'now' be compared? Even if our ancestor were still alive, he would need to assess the situation carefully!"

"Are you implying the Great Master also needs to assess the situation carefully?"

"You're just being illogical and unreasonable!"

"How am I being illogical?"

"You..."

"Enough! Silence!"

Wei Yi frowned and rebuked them, and only then did the argument in the hall subside.

"I will consider this matter myself. Zhengming."

"Present!"

Wei Zhengming quickly stepped forward.

"Go to Yunshan Temple and report about the Great Master. As an outer disciple of Yunshan Temple, it is your duty to report matters concerning the Dao Ancestor to the sect."

Wei Zhengming promptly accepted the order. To be honest, he had just been hesitating about bringing this up to the patriarch himself. The Great Master held immense significance for the Wei family, but even more so for Yunshan Temple, which had always revered him as the Dao Ancestor.

Of course, Wei Yi had considered more. Although Yunshan Temple might already be aware of this matter, if by chance they weren't, then the Wei family informing them would be another gesture of goodwill.