Chapter 5: A Shocking Encounter with the Ancestor (Part 1)

  Rushing out of the room, Hailong was surprised to find that his several masters had come out before him. And on Moyunping, there were two more people he hadn't seen before, but from their attire, they were also disciples of Lianyun Sect.

  Under the leadership of Ling Yunzi, the eight masters of the Sea Dragon simultaneously saluted: "Greetings to Senior Brother and Second Brother." The arrivals were indeed Ling Xiuzi, the eldest disciple under Dao Ming Zhenren, and Ling Zhiziz, the second disciple.

  Ling Xiuzi smiled and said, "There's no need for formalities, brothers." Although Ling Xiuzi wasn't as handsome as Ling Zhizhi, he had an even stronger aura of elegance between his eyebrows. His pale skin was surrounded by a halo of light, clearly indicating that his cultivation had reached a considerable level.

  Ling Zhi smiled and said, "From now on, everyone will have to change their address. Eldest Senior Brother has successfully reached the peak of his cultivation and passed the test of our Ancestor Tian Shi Dao Zun. He has officially become the third generation disciple of our sect and has been given the name Dao Xiuzhen Ren. He will personally take charge of Feng Yu Shan. Today, he came to bid farewell to all of you junior brothers."

  Upon hearing Ling Zhizi's words, the crowd was suddenly greatly stirred up. Among their generation of disciples, someone had finally advanced to the third generation realm. Almost simultaneously, everyone bowed and said: "Congratulations, Daoxiu Shifu."

  Dao Xiu smiled and said, "You can't call me Shifu, I'm not worthy of it! Let's just address each other as brothers, otherwise it would be too awkward." His gaze fell on Hailong like a solid object, and he smiled, saying: "I heard from Er Shifu that last year you took in a fifth-generation disciple, is that you?"

  Not seeing the Ling Fei he had imagined, Hai Long couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He nodded and said, "So you two are Master and Second Master. Now Master has become Uncle Master."

  Dao Xiu smiled and said, "You've been here for a year, but Master is seeing you for the first time. Last time, Second Brother gave you a Pei Yuan Dan, I won't be stingy either, so I'll give this to you to use." As he spoke, his right hand's two fingers beckoned, and the flying sword behind him floated over in a green light, its scabbard suspended in front of Hai Long. Dao Xiu explained, "This is my Seven Refinements Sword. Now that I've reached the Peak Realm, it's also time for me to refine a new magical artifact. I'll give this to you instead. When you reach the Ascending Clouds Realm later on, you'll naturally be able to use it."

  Hailong curiously took the Seven Repair Sword, looking at the envious eyes of the other masters, he knew that this sword must be a good thing. After taking Master Dao's sword, his goodwill towards this master who had become his uncle suddenly increased greatly. He hurriedly saluted and said: "Thank you, Master, for giving me the sword."

  Dao Xiu smiled slightly and said, "Everyone, I'll go receive Fengyu Peak first. Second Brother, you stay behind and gather with everyone." After finishing speaking, without flying sword, he flew up into the air, his body floating away on a wisp of cloud that seemed to appear and disappear at will.

  Hailong's attention was focused on the Seven Refine Sword in his hand, its scabbard was simple and unadorned, with only a few simple patterns carved on it. The hilt had a pale blue gemstone that continuously emitted intense spiritual energy. Compared to the small iron rod he got during the day, this Seven Refine Sword was like heaven and earth. With a joyful heart, he subconsciously gripped the hilt, wanting to draw the sword out of its scabbard.

  A large hand appeared on the hilt of the sword, "You foolish kid, the Seven Repairs Sword isn't used that way."

  Hailong looked up and saw that Second Master Ling Zhi had already appeared in front of him at some unknown time.

  Ling Zhizi explained: "Among the artifacts used by us cultivators, there are four levels: Xian, Bao, Ling, and Zhen. This Seven-Refinement Sword belongs to the top grade of Ling artifacts, a rare treasure. The most precious part is this Qingling Stone on the hilt, which contains immense spiritual energy. From now on, as long as you keep it with you at all times, under its subtle influence, your cultivation will receive tremendous benefits. Before you reach the Cloud-Soaring Realm and can control flying artifacts, never draw it out of its scabbard, or you might end up hurting yourself."

  Ling Yu approached Hai Long's side and smiled, "Big Brother is really generous! In fact, he himself can also use the Seven Refining Sword. It seems that Master must have given him something good again."

  Ling Zhīzi glared at Ling Yùzi and said, "You little scamp, stop being so envious. The other day, I found some pretty good gems, and when the time comes, I'll help you inlay them on your flying swords, which will definitely upgrade your flying swords to a spiritual artifact level."

  Ling Yu Zi was overjoyed, "Then I'll thank Second Master first."

  "Alright, everyone go back to cultivate. Tang Yu, now is the time for you to lay your foundation. The cultivation of Tian Xin Decree cannot be interrupted for even a day, understand?"

  As soon as he heard the two words "Tang Yu", Hai Long felt a wave of discomfort in his heart, and perfunctorily responded with a sentence before returning to his own room. For a child, there's nothing more exciting than getting a new toy. He was eager to go back and study the treasure he had just obtained carefully.

  It wasn't until more than an hour later that Hailong, holding the Seven Repairs Sword, entered a state of cultivation. The Seven Repairs Sword was indeed a treasure, and the Blue Spirit Stone was most suitable for Hailong's current state. After a night of cultivation, his magical powers had accelerated once again.

  The next morning, Hailong came to the monkey group again with Xiaojingling. The strange person didn't appear, but left a large stone basin for Hailong. After Xiaojingling's gestures and explanations, Hailong finally understood that it was a bathtub, specifically used for bathing.

  The green liquid was indistinguishable from water, colorless and odorless, resembling a large block of green water. Under the repeated urging and persuasion of Xiao Jingling, Hailong soaked into the basin. The temperature of the green liquid was just right, and as he soaked in it, Hailong felt his whole body relax comfortably. Holding the Qixiu sword he had obtained yesterday, which hung outside the basin, he unknowingly fell asleep.

  In his dream, the sea dragon felt as if a hot air current was constantly flowing into his body, and wherever the heat flowed, it became extremely comfortable. He didn't know how long he had slept, but after Xiaojing pulled out more than ten of his hairs, he finally woke up from his dream.

  He crawled out of the stone basin, shook off the water droplets on his body, and put on his coat. The Sea Dragon felt that his body seemed to have undergone some changes, but as for what had changed, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "Little Smart One, do you know what this thing is?" The Sea Dragon pointed at the now transparent ** in the stone basin.

  The little guy scratched his head and looked bewildered.

  "Hai Long smiled and said: 'I'm really stupid! Even if you knew, it's impossible to tell me, you can't speak anyway. Oh dear, it's already noon, I have to hurry back. You see me off, the road we came on is not very clear in my memory.'"

  The little creature chirped a few times and then unfolded its body, carrying the sea dragon along the original path.

  Two months have passed. Since he got the Seven Repair Sword, Haicheng's cultivation progress has accelerated a lot, and it seems that he can feel the improvement of his spiritual power every day. However, what is strange is that although he has absorbed a lot of spiritual power, he still maintains the initial level of the Early Stage of the Initial Realm, and the volume of the hot flow in his body has not increased. Generally, every three days, there will be a basin of green ** prepared, although I don't know what it is, Haicheng treats that green ** as the best place to sleep, and each time he sleeps for half a day. When he wakes up, that green ** has become transparent. At first, Haicheng was afraid of staining his skin green, but after several times, this fear naturally disappeared in the face of reality. The mysterious stranger appears very rarely, and in the past three months, Haicheng has only seen him three or four times. He rarely speaks, and Haicheng has never been able to see his true face. In Haicheng's heart, he is a completely mysterious figure.

  "Little Ling, you don't have to work so hard every day to pick me up. I've told you before, I already know the way." Hai Long said, looking at Little Ling who had grown to his knee height.

  The little monkey chirped a few times, it naturally couldn't answer the sea dragon's words, and only gestured twice towards the sea dragon, jumping high and borrowing force from a thick tree branch to dash forward like a shooting star chasing the moon in the direction of the monkey group. The sea dragon let out a long sigh, his feet touching the ground, the heat flowing naturally into his legs, his entire body seemingly weightless, lightly floating as he chased after the little monkey. One person and one monkey advanced at incredible speed, and within less than half an hour's time, they had already arrived at the forest outside the monkey group with ease.

  He floated down to the ground, and Hailong wrapped his arms around the little machine that had rushed into his embrace. He took big strides towards the forest. The monkey group was still frolicking as usual, but today wasn't the time for that green stuff. After waving at the monkeys, Hailong brought Little Machine to the lake shore. The mysterious stranger was also sitting by the lake shore today, dressed in the same attire and with his back still turned towards him.

  "Senior, I'm here." Hailong said, looking at the stranger's back. Although he had never seen his true face, the stranger had unknowingly become the person he respected the most.

  "Ah, how's your cultivation progress recently?"

  Hai Long's face turned red as he said, "I've hardly made any progress and I'm still stuck at the initial stage. My Second Master also said that the Seven Repairs Sword given by Master contains a lot of spiritual energy, but my cultivation doesn't reflect that at all. Although I can clearly feel the spiritual energy gathering in my body like the ocean absorbing hundreds of rivers, my magical powers and cultivation just won't improve."

  "The strange man said, 'When cultivating, one must be cautious of pride and impatience, and not rush into things. As long as you persist in your cultivation, you will definitely achieve something.' Hmm, someone's coming. Don't make a sound." In the midst of Hai Long's surprise, the strange man suddenly flung out a golden light with his hand, completely enveloping Hai Long's body within it. Hai Long felt that he was unable to move at all. Under the force of a powerful push, he had already been thrown into the nearby forest.

  Hailong smiled wryly in his heart, and also told me not to speak. Now I can't even move a finger, let alone say anything. It's been several months since I came here, but it's the first time I've met someone else. Who could it be?

  The monster's strength was just right, and he leaned the dragon's body against a large tree, allowing him to see through the bushes to the scene by the pond. A green light flashed, and a stout figure floated down beside the monster ten meters away. When the dragon saw this figure clearly, his eyes widened in surprise, and if his body hadn't been restrained by the monster, he would have shouted out loud. Because the person who suddenly appeared was his master, Dao Ming Zhenren, a third-generation disciple of Lianyun Sect.

  Dao Ming's expression was unusually respectful, and he put away his dark green flying sword, bowing to the strange man: "I've seen you, senior." The sea dragon's heart shook violently. If even his own master called this strange man a senior, then how high must his cultivation be?! However, Dao Ming did not address him as a fellow sect member, clearly indicating that this strange man was not from the Lianyun Sect.

  The strange man remained silent, still sitting facing the pond, as if there was some profound truth hidden in the slightly rippling clear water. Dao Ming seemed to have already gotten used to the strange man's attitude, not taking it to heart at all, and continued: "It's been a long time since we last met, senior's demeanor is still the same. I just finished my closed-door cultivation and came to pay respects to you first."

  The strange person finally spoke up and bluntly said: "You little brat came to see me, there's no good deed, just coveting my few good things."

  Dao Ming smiled awkwardly and said, "Senior, I'm also helpless! Please fulfill my request. This is a small token of respect, please accept it." As he spoke, his hand flashed with a green light, and a small jade bottle appeared in his palm. Hai Long recognized it as the same kind of jade bottle that Ling Yunzi had given to Ling Muzi, which contained the Condensed Dew Liquid.

  The strange man sneered and said, "You little brat, you're using the Condensed Dew Liquid again for exchange. Is my treasure not comparable to this hundred-year-old object?"

  Dào Míng hastily said: "Of course not, how can the treasure made by the senior be compared to the dew liquid? That's simply a difference between heaven and earth. However, the special effect of this dew liquid is very beneficial to you. Please consider the face of Lianyun Zushi and grant some to your disciple."

  A jade bottle fell with a crash, disappearing into the strange man's cloak. The strange man said: "Considering you're also a fellow practitioner, I'll give you a little something. From now on, try to come and disturb me less often. You should know what realm I've reached by now. Take it." A small wooden gourd flew out of the strange man's hand and gently landed in Dao Ming's hand.

  Dao Ming was overjoyed, carefully tucked the gourd into his bosom, and with a thud, he knelt down on the ground. He actually kowtowed to the strange man three times in a row, "Thank you, senior, for your kindness. Dao Ming will never forget your favor."

  "The strange man said faintly, 'Every time it's the same old routine, you should leave now. Our fate is about to come to an end, and I'm afraid we won't have many chances to meet again in the future. Over the years, I've also benefited a lot from you. If you're willing, come here on August 15th five years later to see me off. That might bring some benefits to you.'"

  Daming's whole body shook violently, and he lost his voice as he said: "Senior, could it be that you...you are already going to..."

  The stranger's cloak quivered slightly, as if to stop Dao Ming from continuing, "Six thousand years is enough punishment for me. Remember, August 15th, five years later."

  Two lines of tears suddenly flowed from Daoming's small eyes, and he kowtowed three times to the strange man again before standing up and flying away with his own flying sword.

  Hailong was completely bewildered, and he didn't even realize that the seal on his body had been lifted. He really couldn't understand what kind of relationship his master and this strange person by the water had. Especially the tears left behind by Daoming, what did they mean? Was it saying that this strange person was going to die?

  "Squeak, squeak." The sharp cry of the little creature awakened the sea dragon from his reverie. He then discovered that the seal had been lifted and he moved his limbs about, walking towards the strange person.

  "You must be curious about the relationship between me and Daoming." The stranger had already pointed out the doubts in Hailong's mind before he could even ask.

  Today is the last day of rest, nothing much happened, so I quickly sent it out first.