Chapter 156: Deliberation-Starting Out with a River of the Underworld(Baili Little Crow)

Immortal Cloud Dao Palace, Council Hall.

Four aged figures sat quietly within the hall. Not a single person spoke, rendering the atmosphere somewhat peculiar.

The expressions on all four faces differed, their minds drifting into unknown thoughts.

"Has Jian Jingxian left...?"

Suddenly, the frail, skeletal elder seated at the head of the chamber saw a dim, ghostly light spark within his eyes. As an unimaginably terrifying aura faintly rippled around him, a hoarse voice, akin to the grinding of metal against iron, slowly emerged.

This person was none other than the First Ancestor of Immortal Cloud Dao Palace.

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

At this moment, an elder with an immortal, transcendent air, possessing white hair and a long beard, spoke in a respectful tone, a flash of hesitation passing through his eyes.

"I only know that he left in the middle of the night..."

"It seemed he had attained some form of enlightenment..."

Yun Cang spoke with some uncertainty, his voice tinged with hesitation.

"This Dao Child is not simple."

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

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

At that moment, another elder, similarly slumped in a wooden wheelchair, wore a bitter expression as he slowly spoke.

These two were the Second and Third Ancestors, who were nearing the end of their lifespans and had been pulled back from the gates of death by Meng Fan with a single breath.

"No."

At this, the First Ancestor at the head spoke up. A profound, deep light flowed within his eyes as he fell silent for a long time.

"This Dao Child's actions certainly carry a deeper meaning."

The First Ancestor's voice was hoarse and slow, yet it seemed to carry a strange, rhythmic cadence. For a moment, the entire hall fell silent once more.

Days prior, they had attempted to draw others in using the Dao Child's methods, but the Dao Child had closed his doors to them. Yet this time, he had suddenly agreed to see someone. That there was no deeper meaning in this was something none of the people present could believe.

Then, the question arose.

What was that Dao Child thinking...?

Although Meng Fan was currently the Dao Child of Immortal Cloud Dao Palace, based solely on his talent and attainments, the several ancestors had already secretly decided to bestow the position of the next Sect Master upon him.

On the other hand, Meng Fan's unfathomable nature also filled their hearts with a faint sense of awe.

Could someone who could effortlessly modify a Dao Lord's supreme cultivation technique possibly be an ordinary person?

Against such an individual, the ancestors dared not investigate, nor did they dare to defy him.

It could be said that although Meng Fan was merely a Dao Child, calling his word absolute within Immortal Cloud Dao Palace was no exaggeration.

"I've figured it out!"

Suddenly, a bright flash crossed the depths of Yun Cang's eyes. His breathing grew slightly hurried as he hurriedly let out a loud exclamation!

"Oh?"

"Let's hear it."

Upon seeing this, the three ancestors cast inquiring gazes toward him.

"Meng Fan previously refused to see us, but his attitude this time has changed drastically. Combined with his expression yesterday, I am certain he was undoubtedly expressing his dissatisfaction with our previous unauthorized transmission of his techniques!"

A contemplative look appeared in Yun Cang's eyes, and his aged voice was resolute and forceful.

The three ancestors all nodded in agreement.

"And Jian Jingxian's reaction after departing with his newfound enlightenment yesterday proves that the Dao Child does not resent us for passing down the techniques. The deeper meaning must be that we were too selfish and failed to truly treat Meng Fan as one of our own!"

"This was our fault, and we ought to reproach ourselves."

"Furthermore, what we did offered no substantial help to young Meng whatsoever!"

Yun Cang's voice carried a hint of shame, and a look of self-reproach surfaced in his eyes.

Seeing this, the Second and Third Ancestors both sighed softly, guilt evident in their gazes.

Hearing this, a sharp gleam flashed deep within the First Ancestor's eyes, as if he had captured a piece of extremely vital information. He stared fixedly at Yun Cang, his hoarse voice tinged with solemnity.

"You mean... the Dao Child wishes to ascend the high platform and lecture on the Dao?"

"Your ancestor is wise and discerning!"

Yun Cang smiled, cupping his fists in acknowledgment.

"In that case..."

"Send down the word: Our Palace's Dao Child, taking pity on the arduous nature of all living beings' cultivation, will lecture on the Dao at the summit of Asking Mountain three days from now!"

Pausing slightly, a brilliant light flashed deep within the First Ancestor's eyes as his voice slowly rang out:

"Dao Child Meng has resolved such a massive tribulation for us; it is only right that we do something for him in return."

"Go ahead and handle it."

"This junior understands."

Yun Cang cupped his fists and bowed once more, responding respectfully. Amidst the boundless, approving gazes of the three ancestors, he turned and departed proudly...

Meanwhile, at the summit of Asking Mountain, beside the locust tree.

"You're saying that yesterday, that Jian Jingxian came here, watched me sleep for an hour, and then left?"

Dressed in white and holding a gourd as he leisurely took a sip of wine, Meng Fan stared intently at the exquisitely crafted storage bag before him, his expression rather unsightly.

"Precisely so."

"At first, Senior Jian was somewhat annoyed as well, but when he saw the profoundness of the Young Master's slumber and such an ordinary, unpretentious posture, his expression turned solemn, as though he were pondering something."

"For a long time, Senior Jian seemed to have a sudden realization, let out three bursts of laughter toward the skies, and departed through the air."

Standing respectfully beside Meng Fan, Zhuang Wen recounted the events of yesterday in detail, undisguised admiration shining in his eyes.

"Just like that?"

Doubt flickered in Meng Fan's eyes, making it somewhat difficult for him to accept.

Was that Jian Jingxian truly such an absolute moron??

"Uh..."

"Ah, right!"

Noticing the hesitation in Meng Fan's eyes, Zhuang Wen was slightly stunned. After a brief pause, a bright light suddenly lit up in his eyes. He bowed deeply toward Meng Fan and spoke once more:

"Senior Jian said before leaving that the Young Master is a true divine being. Though he appears plain and unassuming on the surface, looking across the entire Yun Prefecture, there are few indeed who can compare with the Young Master."

"The Young Master possesses divine calculation; though he did not utter a single word, he successfully guided Senior Jian, dispelling the lingering obsession in Senior Jian's heart and allowing him to wholeheartedly pursue the Great Dao!"

"To be able to follow by the Young Master's side is truly the greatest honor of Zhuang Wen's life!"

The reverence in Zhuang Wen's eyes gradually turned into fanaticism, and his voice trembled slightly with indescribable agitation.

"Indeed, indeed! The Young Master's calculations are divine!"

"In the future, he will definitely be able to compare with that Qilin son of the Meng family in the Central Prefecture!"

"No! Surpassing that entity in the Central Prefecture is merely a matter of time!"

At that moment, Qing Li and Xue Lan had just stepped onto the mountain peak. Hearing Zhuang Wen's words, they hurried over to Meng Fan's side with expressions of utter adoration, praising him one after another.

Meng Fan's mood was somewhat complicated. Jian Jingxian's brain truly left him feeling utterly powerless.

How could someone who managed to cultivate to the Dao Lord realm possibly be this mentally deficient?

Did he genuinely possess not a single shred of spiritual intelligence???

If Jian Jingxian went back and praised him lavishly, within a few days his reputation would skyrocket once more. And should word of this reach the Central Prefecture...

The mere thought of those madwomen in the Central Prefecture who were driving themselves crazy trying to climb into his bed, alongside those immortal second-generation heirs who would risk their lives to follow him, gave Meng Fan a scalp-tingling sensation!

No!

He could not let things continue this way!

"You two, where did you go?"

Only then did Meng Fan notice that the two women had just come up from the foot of the mountain, a flash of suspicion crossing his eyes.

Could something have happened within the sect...?

Or had that blockhead Jian Jingxian already begun wildly broadcasting his name...

Meng Fan felt somewhat alarmed and jittery. His current reputation was of paramount importance; it absolutely could not rise any higher...

If it went any higher, something terrible was bound to happen...

"Reporting to the Young Master, we were just summoned by the Palace Master."

Dressed in green brocade with a gentle smile on her face, Qing Li cupped her fists and replied.

"The Palace Master said that the Dao Child takes pity on the arduous cultivation of all living beings, and under your instruction, three days from now, he wants us to help prepare for you to lecture on the Dao for the cultivators of the Eastern Region of Yun Prefecture."

Xue Lan was dressed in plain white attire. A playful smile danced in her eyes as she gazed at Meng Fan with boundless adoration, her crisp voice slowly echoing:

"The Young Master holds all living beings in the world within his heart. For this single act alone, he towers vastly higher than ordinary mortals..."

"The Young Master's grand ambitions are truly beyond our reach..."

"Indeed, the Young Master's immense talent fills us with awe."

"Young Master..."

As Xue Lan's voice trailed off, Zhuang Wen and Qing Li also wore looks of deep reverence, echoing their agreement one after another.

Only Meng Fan felt a buzzing in his head upon hearing this news, the scenery before his eyes spinning in a dizzying blur, threatening to fade into utter darkness.

Had anyone else possessed a slightly less resolute mind, they would surely have vomited three buckets of blood on the spot and died of suppressed fury!

Yun Cang, oh Yun Cang, you truly are a scoundrel!

Meng Fan had treated him quite fairly...

The mere thought of being tricked time and time again by that scoundrel Yun Cang filled Meng Fan with the fierce urge to slap him to death on the spot!

Gritting his teeth, Meng Fan plotted how best to torture that old geezer Yun Cang while keeping his expression entirely neutral.

As profound depths flickered within his eyes, he stared fixedly at the rolling clouds in the distant horizon. A faint, elusive aura of the Dao rippled around him, giving him the appearance of someone in deep comprehension of the Dao!

"We must prepare well for this lecture. Without world-shaking maxims of warning, I fear the Young Master's reputation might suffer some damage."

Watching Meng Fan, who appeared as though he were enlightened by the Dao, Zhuang Wen's reverence did not diminish in the slightest. Murmuring thoughtfully to himself, he turned his gaze to Qing Li:

"Qing Li, go to the Scripture Pavilion later and select some famous maxims of the supreme figures of the Immortal Realm for the Young Master to peruse."

"Understood..."

Qing Li nodded in deep agreement, just about to cup her fists in assent when Meng Fan's expression stirred. A flash of unprecedented brilliance abruptly surged from the depths of his eyes!

A failed Dao lecture—what a brilliant idea!

"There's no need to go."

Meng Fan slowly stood up, patted Zhuang Wen's shoulder with a look of profound gratification, swept his gaze across the two young women, and then turned to gaze at the flowing sea of clouds beyond the mountain peak, speaking with nonchalant indifference:

"For this lecture, this Meng has his own settled plans."

"You needn't stay on Asking Mountain these next few days either. Take the storage bag and go to Ancient Immortal Town to buy whatever items you fancy."

"The heavens and earth are vast; naturally, you should wander about and enjoy yourselves."

Having meticulously arranged the trio's itinerary for the next three days, this second-generation immortal waved his hand grandly, tossing the million top-tier spirit stones Jian Jingxian had delivered the previous night straight into Zhuang Wen's hands, before turning and striding back toward the main hall.

Three days from now, when the Dao lecture ended in failure, his reputation would plummet to the absolute bottom. Everyone across the entire Eastern Region would know that this person named Meng was nothing more than an empty shell reliant on wine and idle chatter!

Even the matter of him supposedly guiding Jian Jingxian beforehand would be treated as a joke!

At that time, he could take these two fair-skinned, beautiful little handmaidens and live a wonderfully ordinary, peaceful life!

Hahahaha...

"As expected of the Young Master, everything is within his calculations..."

Watching Meng Fan's retreating figure with deep reverence, Zhuang Wen saw him off respectfully before turning to the two women:

"Since the Young Master has a chest full of well-laid plans, we need not worry unduly. We shall simply obey the Young Master's arrangements in all things."

"Senior brother speaks truly."

Admiration shone brightly in the eyes of the two women as they nodded in unison to show their agreement.

Without further delay, the three of them turned and walked down the mountain path.

Meanwhile, beside a massive lake roughly several thousand miles away from the Immortal Cloud Dao Palace, stood a cluster of towering, majestic immortal palaces and sacred halls.

This place was the Azure Woods Dao Palace.

At this moment, within the main hall of the Dao Palace, Jian Jingxian sat squarely at the head. Below him sat the sect masters and clan leaders of the major powers subordinate to the Azure Woods Dao Palace.

"Three days from now, Young Friend Meng will open the high platform to lecture on the Dao. What are your thoughts on this?"

Gazing at the variously expressioned crowd below, Jian Jingxian gave a light cough, his aged voice slowly echoing out.

Yet, long after Jian Jingxian's words fell, the people within the hall simply looked at each other in blank dismay, unsure of what to say.

Just last night, Jian Jingxian's cultivation had advanced further, and his Dao Lord foundation had grown even more stable. All of this was thanks to that Immortal Cloud Dao Child.

Not only had none of them ever met that Dao Child, but prior to this, they hadn't even known that such a figure existed within Immortal Cloud Dao Palace. How could they dare to speak recklessly?

"Palace Master, this subordinate believes that whatever you have in mind is precisely what we ought to do."

At that moment, a rat-faced, shifty-eyed middle-aged man smiled eagerly and chimed in.

In an instant, the gazes of everyone in the grand hall shifted toward the man. Their expressions varied—some bizarre, some disdainful, some mocking...

For a moment, the man felt the pressure multiply immensely. He let out two dry laughs and very prudently sat back down.

Slap!

However, to everyone's surprise, Jian Jingxian, seated at the head of the hall, suddenly slammed his palm down on the armrest and stood straight up!

"Well said!"

"In this palace's view, for this Dao Child's lecture, we shall all prepare generous gifts and attend together!"

After casting an appreciative glance at the shifty-eyed man, Jian Jingxian swept his gaze across the crowd in the hall, his aged voice echoing slowly.

"But... this Immortal Cloud Dao Child's lecture is meant for those who do not understand the path of cultivation..."

"If we go to listen in, wouldn't it..."

"Indeed, the lowest among us here are at the Initiation Realm..."

"According to what you said earlier, that Immortal Cloud Dao Child is merely at the mere half-step immortal realm..."

In an instant, the various sect masters in the hall wore hesitant expressions, full of puzzlement.

A gathering of masters at the Initiation Realm going to listen to a half-step immortal brat lecture on the Dao?

If word of this got out, wouldn't they become the laughingstock of others?

"Absurd!"

Yet, contrary to their expectations, a look of anger suddenly surfaced in Jian Jingxian's eyes as he smashed the desk before him to pieces with a single palm strike!

"Young Friend Meng was capable of guiding even old me! You lot are merely at the Initiation and Quasi-Dao realms; what on earth do you have to be arrogant about?!"

"Today, old me puts these words right here: Young Friend Meng is a rare divine being in this world! Whoever dares to show him the slightest disrespect shows disrespect to me!"

"If anyone dares to question this further, don't blame the sword in old me's hand for failing to recognize faces!"

Cold light flashed in Jian Jingxian's eyes, and a terrifying pressure instantly enveloped the entire hall. Everyone present hastily displayed looks of awe, not daring to utter another word.

"We will strictly obey the Palace Master's decree!"

Bowing respectfully in unison toward Jian Jingxian, the crowd felt as though they had just escaped death's door, offering bitter farewells as they retreated.

Having settled all this, Jian Jingxian cast a deeply disdainful glance at the departing figures, a trace of displeasure lingering in his heart.