Chapter 155: Not Going

"Could it be that... First Sequence?"

The elder's deep eyes flickered as he pondered continuously in his heart. He was gambling.

He was gambling that this Immortal Cloud Daoist Child was not a native of Yun Prefecture!

The Daoist techniques and principles the Daoist Child had imparted to his disciple were truly profound. The results of his own meticulous research over several days were awe-inspiring!

That Daoist technique actually carried the aura of a Supreme Dao!

Clearly, the two Supremes of the Immortal Realm would not manifest before others without reason to impart Daoist techniques.

Therefore, the only one who could impart such a technique was none other than that Quasi-Supreme walking the mortal world!

The Qilin Son of the Central Prefecture's Meng Family, Meng Fan!

It was rumored that on the day that Qilin Son was born, a Supreme descended in person and bestowed upon him the title of the First Sequence!

Innate Dao Body, continuous miraculous manifestations, monstrous aptitude, and a terrifyingly close-to-immortal talent!

Forming the Dan core at age three, reaching the Nascent Soul at four, refining the spirit at five, penetrating the Dao at seven, and questioning the Dao at nine!

Although the Meng Family later used mystical methods to obscure news of Meng Fan, deliberately letting him fade from the sight of all living beings in the Immortal Realm, it was impossible to withstand the prying eyes of the masses.

Occasionally, news leaked out that a Supreme had descended upon the Meng Family, actually engaging in a discourse on the Dao with Meng Fan!

Gradually, the world became convinced that Meng Fan would inevitably become the third Supreme of the Immortal Realm!

Such a person, why would he come to a remote place like Yun Prefecture?

Jian Jingxian did not know the answer to this question, but the Daoist techniques mastered by his own disciple indeed possessed the aura of a Supreme Dao!

Therefore, based solely on these points, Jian Jingxian concluded that the Immortal Forest's Daoist Child, Meng Fan, was nine times out of ten that very Qilin Son of the Central Prefecture's Meng Family who shook the Immortal Realm!

Meng Fan!

Today, no matter what it takes, he must pay his respects to this young Daoist Child!

At this moment, within the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace, the void at the peak of the Inquiring Mountain suddenly trembled. An elder with white hair, a long beard, and plain white robes stepped out.

The elder's expression was serene, and he looked like an otherworldly immortal. However, upon closer inspection, a trace of deep worry was hidden within the depths of his eyes...

This person was none other than the master of the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace, Yun Cang.

"The one outside the gate is the master of Yun Prefecture's foremost Dao Palace... Are you truly not going to leave him even a shred of face..."

Looking at the unrestrained and free-spirited youth under the locust tree not far from the mountain peak, a bitter flash crossed Yun Cang's eyes, his voice somewhat helpless.

"Correct."

Meng Fan glanced faintly at Yun Cang, his voice slightly chilly.

When he had concealed his name and run away from home, he had run into this old fogey. Unexpectedly, this old man claimed he could see through destiny's designs and insisted that Meng Fan was his noble benefactor!

He claimed Meng Fan was the hope of the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace. Meng Fan had repeatedly stated his dislike for worldly desires and contention, yearning instead for the life of a crane drifting among idle clouds.

Yet this old fogey had unhesitatingly sworn a barrage of toxic oaths—about being struck by five heavenly thunders, pierced by ten thousand arrows, and other such nonsense—guaranteeing it to him for several full hours!

He claimed the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace was exceptionally tranquil, an optimal place for serene cultivation... He had bragged to the heavens, promising that absolutely no one would come to disturb his cultivation!

As a result, less than three days after his arrival here, the ancestral founder of the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace from generations past had crawled out from the subterranean depths of a hundred-year death-seclusion, begging for guidance with a fawning expression.

If it were merely that, it would have been fine.

But for the disciples of his sect to carry the second- and third-generation ancestors before him and beg him to point out a path of survival, that was simply going too far.

They were all skin and bones with not much life left in them; wouldn't it be better to spend their remaining days in peace?

When all was said and done, they were your own family members, plotting for mutual benefit—that much was understandable.

However, why on earth did your first-generation ancestor have to put on airs?

Using the techniques he had taught him to guide Jian Jingxian's disciple? Attempting to rope in Jian Jingxian?

And dressing it up under the fine-sounding banner of "the Daoist Child imparts the Dao"?

Presumably, those previous people who had come to pay their respects must have also accepted some benefits from your Immortal Cloud Dao Palace, guessed something, and thus insisted on dragging themselves here to pay homage!

Though Meng Fan looked calm, he was extremely displeased inside.

At this rate, it wouldn't be long before the news that the Immortal Cloud Daoist Child was Meng Fan of the Central Prefecture's Meng Family was verified by others.

When that time came, where could he run?

There were only so many prefectures in the entire Immortal Realm; once he left Yun Prefecture, would he still have a place to settle down?

Concealing his identity and running away once was enough; did they really think he would fall for a second time once discovered?

The mere thought of his time in the Meng Family—where celestial maidens and Daoist children came in flocks to pay respects to him, staying for days on end, women rubbing against him and men dropping to their knees demanding guidance—made his head spin.

Even some low-tier sects had wanted to pay a hefty price just for a glance at his handsome face.

Not to mention the countless plump and greedy women holding up large banners and shouting that they wanted to be his Daoist partners...

Just thinking about those terrifying scenes of the past made Meng Fan feel like he was losing his mind...

Wasn't it wonderful to peacefully be a second-generation immortal?

Every path in this world, including cultivation, had to rely on oneself rather than the guidance of others.

Could those people who came bowing and scraping really be so completely oblivious?

"Truly refusing to see him?"

Yun Cang looked at Meng Fan, whose gaze was deep and fixed on the distant horizon, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes as he asked once more.

"Not seeing him."

Meng Fan's expression was bland, his words as precious as gold.

To speak even one extra word to this old fogey was a sin.

Furthermore, Jian Jingxian was at the Dao Venerable realm. If he were to perceive even a trace of the Supreme Dao intent within him, and connect it with his Innate Dao Body, any fool would know that he was that Meng Fan from Central Prefecture!

When that time came, those plump, greedy madwomen trying to crawl into his bed would undoubtedly brave all dangers and hardships to rush to Yun Prefecture!

By then, he wouldn't even have a place to cry!

Thinking of this, the gaze Meng Fan directed toward Yun Cang grew increasingly unkind.

Old fogey, you were the one who started all this!

Wait...

Suddenly, a brilliant flash pierced the depths of Meng Fan's eyes, and inspiration struck his mind like a lightning bolt!

What if Jian Jingxian saw a Meng Fan who was merely a cultivator not even reaching the Immortal Realm...

And furthermore, what if this person was nothing more than an empty facade putting on pretentious airs?

Then his recently rising reputation would instantly shatter into pieces!

By then, he would surely be able to live the ordinary life of his dreams! No longer troubled by worldly admiration!

Yes, exactly like that!

Thinking of this, a sudden burst of brightness flashed within Meng Fan's profound pupils, and even his breathing quickened imperceptibly!

Seeing that Yun Cang was about to turn and leave, Meng Fan hurriedly reached out and called out:

"Wait!"

"Kid Meng, what else is the matter?"

Yun Cang turned sideways, looking slightly puzzled as he asked.

Usually, this brat treated everyone with an indifferent attitude. Calling him back now—could it be that he had changed his mind?

It was a bit strange...

Yun Cang pondered inwardly.

"I will see this person."

Without explaining, Meng Fan took a light sip of the wine in his cup and spoke indifferently.

"I'll go welcome him in right away." Yun Cang nodded and turned to leave, only for Meng Fan's unhurried voice to ring out once more:

"Tell him to suppress his spiritual energy himself, walk up the mountain on foot, and come see me."

"But... won't this..."

"Rest assured."

Instigated by Meng Fan, Yun Cang nodded with a helpless expression and turned to leave.

"From now on, the two of you shall remain by this Daoist Child's side."

Watching Yun Cang's receding figure and imagining the arrival of his dreamed-of ordinary life after today, Meng Fan felt immensely refreshed in his heart.

However, ordinary was ordinary; his daily life still needed people to take care of it.

That was the kind of life an unpretentious second-generation immortal ought to have!

"We kowtow in gratitude to the Young Master!"

Hearing this, Qingli and Xuelan hurriedly knelt and bowed respectfully.

"Young Master, this subordinate has a question." At this moment, Zhuang Wen, who looked rather gentle, flashed a puzzled look in his eyes and bowed deeply with cupped hands toward Meng Fan.

"You want to ask why this Young Master never sees anyone, yet suddenly agreed today, is that it?"

Meng Fan took a light sip of clear wine from his gourd, a smile swirling in his eyes as he gazed into the endless distance. A teasing smile slightly curled the corners of his mouth as he muttered to himself like an incantation:

"Mortal trivialities are the most disturbing to the human heart. Sometimes, confronting troubles head-on is the way to eliminate them."

"Do you... understand?"

A mouthful of clear wine slipped down his throat into his stomach, instantly transforming into a terrifyingly powerful restriction that tightly sealed away the aura of his Innate Dao Body.

"Is this... questioning the Dao with a mortal heart..."

Gazing at the youth whose surrounding aura had instantly become utterly ordinary, a thoughtful gleam flashed in Zhuang Wen's eyes. As he murmured to himself, it was as if he had grasped a crucial causal thread in the ethereal void!

The cultivation barrier within his body even showed faint signs of loosening! Immortal essence drifted around his body as if he were on the verge of a breakthrough!

Yet, it also felt as though he were trapped in a fog, making it hard to truly discern that elusive thread!

"A single word from the Young Master has actually brought Senior Brother Zhuang immense benefit!"

Yun Cang's disciple—no, wait—"The Young Master possesses such boundless might!!"

Noticing Zhuang Wen's anomaly, Qingli and Xuelan were also filled with extreme shock. The seemingly ordinary words spoken by the Young Master actually contained boundless philosophy!

Following this Young Master, their future path would surely be boundlessly bright!

Thinking thus, the gazes the two directed toward Meng Fan grew increasingly pious...

"The same goes for the two of you. Even when cultivators transcend mortal trivialities, they must still approach the Dao with a mortal heart."

"With your cultivations at merely the Dao-Penetrating realm, you must have reached the verge of questioning the Dao. During this period, you might as well suppress your realms and properly comprehend mortal obsessions, using that to question the Dao."

Meng Fan naturally perceived the subtle changes in their expressions. As an air of free-spirited detachment swirled in his eyes, his clear voice drifted out indifferently.

Though Meng Fan looked like a carefree wanderer of the ends of the earth, no one knew that inside, he was laughing so hard he sounded like a squealing pig.

Comprehend, comprehend to your heart's content!

Waste all your abundant time on comprehending mortal obsessions!

In a few months, or even years, when the two of you achieve nothing in your cultivation, the world will realize that the Immortal Cloud Daoist Child is nothing more than a fraud with an undeserved reputation! That he doesn't understand any methods of enlightening the world at all!

By then, I'll be able to peacefully live an ordinary life!

Hahahaha...

With that thought, looking at the two who had gradually fallen into deep contemplation, Meng Fan wore an enigmatic smile in his eyes and slowly raised his hand to pour wine from his gourd.

It entered his mouth and rolled down into his stomach.

Several terrifying array restrictions materialized, tightly sealing away the natal Dao artifact at his Dantian. Then, he forged a replica of ordinary superior-tier aptitude, masked his innate talent, and reinforced his cultivation seals.

Ensuring that his entire person looked no different from an ordinary prodigy, Meng Fan still felt a bit uneasy.

A mouthful of clear wine swallowed down instantly transformed into a pressure comparable to the early Genesis realm, hidden deep within his body, before he finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Half-immortal cultivation, a Genesis-realm trump card for self-preservation, and superior-tier aptitude—let's see who dares to say I am the Qilin Son of the Central Prefecture's Meng Family!

Let's see who dares to say I am bound to become the third Supreme of the Immortal Realm!

Let's see who would pass up those monstrous prodigies to bother a minor cultivator at the half-step Immortal Realm!

Humph, humph...

The jubilant Meng Fan drifted away on clouds of complacency and, on a whim, drank the remaining clear wine in his gourd down to the last drop.

However, shortly after finishing it, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over his vision, and his consciousness grew hazy and blurred.

"Even at the Half-Immortal realm, it is hard to resist the rich fragrance of immortal brew..."

Pondering slightly, Meng Fan understood the cause and effect, smiled free-spiritedly, and let the hazy feeling wash over his entire body. Before long, he fell into a deep sleep.

As for whether Jian Jingxian would feel disrespected and hack him to death in a fit of rage, Meng Fan wasn't worried in the slightest.

What he currently displayed to the world was merely a terrifyingly monstrous comprehension and creative power regarding Daoist techniques.

Moreover, under his expertise, the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace had benefited immensely.

Though the current Immortal Cloud Dao Palace had declined, it couldn't withstand the fact that those ancestral founders of past generations had practiced his techniques,煥發ing [rejuvenating] a second spring and showing faint signs of returning to their peak state.

Even Palace Master Yun Cang had reached a higher level of cultivation under his guidance, showing faint signs of reaching the late Genesis realm.

Given that old fogey's personality, he was currently the prized darling of the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace—held gently for fear of freezing, kept in the mouth for fear of melting.

How could he possibly allow a Dao Venerable to execute him?

Besides, was the Innate Dao Body—something rarely seen in the Supreme Immortal Realm for hundreds of thousands of years—something a mere Dao Venerable could execute just because he wanted to?

Today's event of Jian Jingxian ascending the mountain to meet the Immortal Cloud Daoist Child would inevitably end with him flicking his sleeves and leaving in anger.

His springtime was about to arrive as well...

Clutching his anticipation for the upcoming cozy life, Meng Fan slept very peacefully...

Time slowly trickled by, and in the blink of an eye, a night had passed...

The Immortal Cloud Dao Palace, Council Hall.

Four aged figures sat quietly inside the hall. Not a single person spoke, and the atmosphere was inevitably a bit eerie.

The expressions of all four were distinct, and no one knew what they were pondering inwardly.

"Jian Jingxian, has he left..."

Suddenly, the frail, skeleton-like elder sitting at the head of the table flashed a gloomy light in his eyes. A terrifying aura slowly flowed around his body, and a hoarse voice akin to grinding metal slowly rang out.

This person was none other than the first-generation ancestor of the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace.

"After ascending the mountain last night, he met with Meng Fan for an hour. It is unknown what they discussed."

At this moment, an elder with immortal demeanor, white hair, and a long beard flashed a look of hesitation in his eyes and spoke in a respectful tone.

"I only know that he left overnight..."

"It seems he gained some kind of comprehension..."

Yun Cang was somewhat uncertain, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation.

"This Daoist Child is not simple."

Beside Yun Cang, an elder slumped in a wooden wheelchair slowly opened his exhausted eyes, his weak voice ringing out.

"Is he... warning us..."

At this moment, another elder slumped in a wooden wheelchair also revealed a bitter expression in his eyes and slowly spoke.

These two were precisely the second- and third-generation ancestors who had been on the verge of death before being pulled back from the brink of life by Meng Fan.

"No."

At this point, the first-generation ancestor at the head spoke up, deep and profound radiance flowing in his eyes as he remained silent for a long time.

"This Daoist Child's action must have its profound meaning."

The first-generation ancestor's voice was hoarse and slow, yet it seemed to carry a certain strange rhythm. For a moment, the entire hall fell silent once again.

A few days ago, they had used the Daoist Child's techniques to rope in outsiders, and the Daoist Child had closed his doors and refused to see them. Yet this time, he had suddenly agreed to see someone. None of the people present believed that there was no profound meaning behind it.