Dugu Changkong’s disciple was Wu Junyan.

A man who valued promises more than his own life.

When Wu Junyan was young, Dugu Changkong took a liking to him. An immortal crane invited him, and the sky was filled with a rosy glow.

In a very secret place, Dugu Changkong took Wu Junyan as his personal disciple, imparting all his skills. It wasn’t the Dao techniques of the Linghe Sect, but the core techniques of the Mystic Azure Sect.

To this day, Wu Junyan has never displayed the techniques of the Mystic Azure Sect, always hiding his true combat strength. Even when he was besieged by numerous Heaven’s Pride of the Star-Plucking Tower and severely injured, he did not reveal it.

Because Dugu Changkong had warned him, until the right time, he must never use the techniques of the Mystic Azure Sect.

Wu Junyan never dared to forget his master’s words and always kept them in mind.

Wu Junyan actually didn’t know that the Dao techniques and supernatural powers he had been practicing since childhood were related to the Mystic Azure Sect, nor did he know that his master came from the Linghe Sect in the Imperial Province.

Over the years, Wu Junyan had been diligently cultivating, just to see his master again.

His master had said that only when Wu Junyan reached a certain height could they meet again.

Wu Junyan was silent and withdrawn by nature.

When he first met Chen Qingyuan, they felt a mutual admiration for each other. One cup of wine, one glance, and they became friends.

Fate is truly inexplicable.

As the youngest hopes of the Mystic Azure Sect, they had an inseparable bond.

“Back then, he gave up guarding the demon abyss. Why is he secretly training a disciple now?”

In an ancient pavilion at the Academy, Yu Chenran and Lin Wenyou were puzzled by this question.

“The Solitary Old Man’s actions are indeed confusing. Since he didn’t want to be involved in the karma of the Mystic Azure Sect, he should have remained hidden for life, without revealing a trace.”

Lin Wenyou had spent considerable effort to uncover this past, frowning slightly.

If Dugu Changkong had always concealed his true origins, even the Academy wouldn’t have found any trace. This time, by taking in a disciple and training him, Dugu Changkong had undoubtedly put himself in a dangerous position.

If the Academy could find out, other top forces with the intention to investigate could also discover it.

“What is he trying to do?”

Yu Chenran looked into the distance, worrying about Chen Qingyuan’s safety. He hoped his foolish disciple would encounter fewer troubles!

In the Imperial Province, in the Luozhe Star Domain, a massive star surrounded by a colorful glow.

The Linghe Sect was located here, a renowned top force in the Imperial Province with unfathomable heritage.

Countless immortal mountains floated in the air, shrouded in clouds and mist.

Occasionally, an immortal crane would break through the clouds, poking its head out; sometimes, cultivators would walk on the clouds, moving gracefully and freely like the wind.

On an icy mountain, everything was white with snow.

At the top stood a simple thatched hut, with a well in the yard and dozens of small vegetables planted.

Some green vines grew on the fence, full of vitality. The bamboo gate of the yard was not tightly closed, swaying back and forth with the cold wind, making a “creak creak” sound.

An old man pushed open the door, wearing light-colored cloth clothes with a furry collar, and cloth shoes with a few spots of mud, giving off a strong sense of everyday life.

The old man’s hair was sparse and all white, his face stern, his skin dark and somewhat wrinkled.

He slowly walked to the door and fastened the swaying bamboo gate, smiling self-deprecatingly, “Getting old, even forgot to close the door.”

Despite his faltering steps, the old man was a Supreme Ancestor of the Linghe Sect, named Dugu Changkong.

Dugu Changkong was already twenty-eight thousand years old this year, nearing the end of his life, with little time left.

“Will I see Senior Brother after I die?”

Dugu Changkong looked into the distance, muttering to himself in a hoarse voice.

Twenty thousand years ago, Dugu Changkong feared death and dared not go to the demon abyss, a common human sentiment.

At that time, he couldn’t understand his senior brother and the ancestors’ actions. The matter of the demon abyss was not the fault of the Mystic Azure Sect, so why should the descendants of the Mystic Azure Sect bear this responsibility?

Wasn’t it foolish?

Many in the Mystic Azure Sect had thought about this question.

Even so, they still went to the demon abyss, without regret.

Only now did Dugu Changkong get a clear answer, but it was too late for regret: “Everyone dies eventually. To give one’s life for one’s beliefs is worth it.”

Future generations, even if they don’t remember the kindness of the Mystic Azure Sect’s ancestors, should at least have some respect!

Seeing through life, he truly understood the will of the Mystic Azure Sect’s ancestors.

Hundreds of years ago, Dugu Changkong secretly left the Linghe Sect and went to the Northern Wilderness. After carefully selecting, he chose a disciple. At the same time, he took a distant look at the Mystic Azure Sect, feeling deep sorrow.

Having a home but unable to return, fearing to disturb the peace of his homeland, and feeling unworthy to return.

“I have taught that child all my skills. With his talent and disposition, his future achievements will surely be limitless. At least, better than mine.”

Dugu Changkong had high hopes for Wu Junyan, gazing into the distance with deep eyes.

What he wanted to do now was to pave the way for the great revival of the Mystic Azure Sect. No matter the cost, it was worth it. Even if it meant losing his life, it didn’t matter.

“Senior Brother, I’m sorry…”

Looking towards the direction of the demon abyss, Dugu Changkong felt heavy-hearted. Whenever he closed his eyes, he would recall the look and back of his senior brother when he left that day.

When Senior Brother went alone back then, he must have been very scared! And very lonely!

If I had accompanied him, at least we could have comforted each other, faced it together, and even in death, there would be company on the road to the underworld, not loneliness.

Only when one gets old does one realize what is truly precious.

Although it’s late, at least something can still be done to make up for past mistakes.

As Dugu Changkong was lost in sorrow, an invisible Dao Mark drifted between his fingers, disrupting his thoughts. His gaze suddenly changed, and he whispered, “Finally here.”

Saying this, Dugu Changkong looked towards the gate of the Linghe Sect.

All these years, he had been waiting for someone.

That person had recently caused a great stir, becoming famous in the Imperial Province, challenging many top forces with immense strength.

Lin Changsheng of the Mystic Azure Sect, calling himself Daoist Changsheng.

Just a mere Daoist title wasn’t enough for the powerful figures of the Imperial Province to deduce the Mystic Azure Sect in the Northern Wilderness Flow Star Domain.

The world is vast, with countless sects, and since Lin Changsheng had severed the karmic ties with the Mystic Azure Sect, the Mystic Azure Sect wouldn’t be affected in the short term.

Although Lin Changsheng had decided to suppress the demon abyss, the situation there was relatively stable for now, so there was no rush. He wanted to collect interest from various sects first and then go after finishing these matters.

“Let me handle it!”

The high-level members of the Linghe Sect were shocked to discover Daoist Changsheng outside the gate and prepared for defense. At this moment, Dugu Changkong stepped forward, volunteering.