The Supreme Wild Young Master Chapter 657: The Method of Starting_1

A woman garbed in a long black dress arrived, her white hair neatly gathered into a bun. Her oval face, marred by numerous wrinkles, bore the undeniable marks of time.

Were it not for the passage of years, her features would have spoken of remarkable beauty. The symmetry of her face hinted at a past loveliness, now tragically diminished by time's relentless touch.

Alas, time, akin to a cruel blade, had unsparingly stolen her youth.

"Master, what brings you here?"

Zi Yu’s usual petulant air vanished upon seeing the newcomer. This was not born of fear, but of deep reverence for the master who had raised her with unwavering love, despite her strict upbringing.

"I have come to see Zhang Xian."

ZiZhu approached Zhang Xian, her gaze scrutinizing him. After a thorough examination, she nodded with approval. "Excellent, a worthy disciple of my eldest fellow apprentice. Accomplished indeed at such a young age."

"Haha..."

Boss Gui chuckled heartily. "Junior sister-apprentice, it has been a long while. You appear to have undergone quite a transformation."

"Everyone changes, both in appearance and in heart," ZiZhu replied, her eyes fixed on Boss Gui. "Elder brother, you have also changed significantly, though you may not realize it. You are no longer as sharp as you once were."

"What is the point of being sharp when one grows old?" Boss Gui sheepishly scratched his head, a rare display of boyish shyness. "The world now belongs to the young."

"Such matters..."

Zhang Xian’s interjection, voiced unexpectedly, caught both ZiZhu and Boss Gui off guard, causing them a moment of embarrassment.

To everyone's surprise, Boss Gui did not reprimand Zhang Xian as he normally would have.

"Master, were you and senior uncle..." Zi Yu began, then chuckled. "But I am curious, how is it that you two never met over the years? If you hadn't mentioned it, I would never have known I had a senior uncle."

ZiZhu turned her gaze to Zi Yu. "You should not meddle in our affairs. Instead, what about you? Zhang Xian is right here. You owe me an explanation regarding the two of you."

"Master, I..." Zi Yu stammered, unsure how to respond.

Understanding Zi Yu’s predicament and knowing she couldn't evade the question, Zhang Xian stepped forward with a laugh. "Well, aunt, there's no need to pressure us about our personal matters. As a girl, my senior sister might feel a bit shy discussing such things. It would be best if we settled this privately."

Zi Yu cast a thankful glance at Zhang Xian.

"That is reasonable."

After a brief look at Zi Yu, ZiZhu approached the stone tablet. "Do these two characters signify the 'Immortal Path'?"

"Yes..." Zhang Xian confirmed with a nod. "However, we recently discovered a teleportation array within an ancient Sect. If this monument signifies the 'Immortal Path', then that teleportation array seems rather superfluous."

"Who told you there must be a teleportation array here? Or do you even know if that array can traverse time and space?" ZiZhu countered.

"Instead of speculating from the outside, why don't we go in and take a look? Zhang Xian, do you believe you can breach this formation?"

"That shouldn't be a problem," Zhang Xian replied confidently.

He advanced, extending his divine consciousness. Swiftly locating the formation's weak point, he effortlessly dismantled the entire structure, revealing a cave entrance.

The formation protecting the cave was already crumbling, its former might long gone, now barely distinguishable from a basic defensive measure.

Any cultivator with a modicum of knowledge could have broken it, rendering the expertise of a formation master unnecessary.

"Let's go!"

Boss Gui glanced at the dark cave entrance and strode in without hesitation. Zhang Xian, Zi Yu, and ZiZhu followed closely behind.

"Another formation?"

From the depths of a nearby forest, two figures emerged, their gazes fixed upon the suddenly revealed cave.

These individuals were Bai Yu and Feng Xinzi.

Having narrowly escaped death previously, they had been recuperating and then lurking near Lingxiao Island, awaiting an opportunity to exact revenge on Zhang Xian and seize his treasures.

"Why have so many strange formations appeared recently? Where are they all coming from?" Bai Yu's face turned a sickly green as he touched his suddenly empty sleeve, his voice filled with rage. "Zhang Xian knows a multitude of secrets. Damn it, we've been kept in the dark this entire time!"

"It's a shame we can't follow too closely, otherwise, we could have overheard their conversation," Feng Xinzi lamented, equally frustrated. "I've always harbored suspicions about the connection between Big Buddha Temple and Zhang Xian, but I can't decipher the reason for their alliance."

"Shall we venture closer to investigate?" Bai Yu inquired.

Feng Xinzi knitted his brows, stating, "That elder is a formidable cultivator within the Legendary Realm, and the young woman isn't weak either. With Zhang Xian also present, do we possess any fighting chance? At this moment, your strength is not what it once was. Having lost your right arm, your might has diminished by at least thirty percent. We stand no hope of victory against two cultivators from the Legendary Realm."

"So what if my strength has dropped by thirty percent?"

The very mention of this caused Bai Yu to grind his teeth in fury, exclaiming, "If we both launch a surprise attack in unison, Zhang Xian is as good as dead. Once that fellow is eliminated, what can the young woman do against me?"

"Do you truly wish to engage in battle?" Feng Xinzi remained dubious of their prospects.

It would hardly be a contest if two legendary powerhouses were to ambush a grandmaster. Bai Yu, despite his missing arm, might not necessarily be outmatched by the young woman from the Legendary Realm.

However, the nearby elder exuded an aura that made him uneasy; he appeared to be a person of considerable danger.

While others might perceive the Legendary Realm as the zenith of martial arts, those who have stepped into it understand that the higher one ascends, the greater the disparity becomes. When their cultivation realm can no longer advance, they strive to enhance their power through every conceivable means, thus widening the chasm between them.

Bai Yu turned towards Feng Xinzi, retorting, "Are you intimidated? If we do not eliminate Zhang Xian now, our demise will be sealed once he becomes more powerful."

"Let us proceed to investigate."

Feng Xinzi, after a moment of hesitation, gestured with his hand, commencing the advance towards the cave's entrance.

Bai Yu let out a cold smirk, following closely in his wake.

...

The cave was enveloped in darkness, extending deep into the earth.

Approximately ten meters within, a vast cavern unfolded. A faint luminescence emanated from a fist-sized, milky-white stone affixed to the ceiling.

The cavern's stone walls were remarkably smooth, as though burnished by the passage of time, and were adorned with peculiar, etched symbols.

"Zhang Xian, come and examine the inscriptions here."

After a thorough inspection of the stone wall, Old Man Gui let out a curse, grumbling, "This forsaken place is teeming with ancient writings. I cannot decipher any of the characters; it's giving me a splitting headache."

Zhang Xian offered a nod and commenced his perusal of the symbols etched upon the wall.

Before long, he let out a wry chuckle, commenting, "This cavern only contains instructions pertaining to the activation of a teleportation array."

"Merely a few sentences?" Old Man Gui inquired with evident surprise.

Zhang Xian affirmed with a nod, stating, "Indeed, just these few lines, nothing more. However, it clearly elucidates that the inheritance, the teleportation array, and the path to immortality were deliberately segregated to identify the Heaven Bearer. Should only one of these elements be acquired, it would prove insufficient to reach their designated space-time. Without first obtaining the inheritance, one cannot gain access to the immortal path nor the teleportation array."

"No wonder..."

Zizhu chuckled, adding, "So, you are the Heaven Bearer they sought. Now, you have obtained all that they left behind."

"It would appear so!"

Zhang Xian flashed a smile and continued, "I am already aware of the teleportation array's location and the method for its activation. Now, the sole remaining requirement is power, which is indeed the most formidable obstacle."

Old Man Gui let out a chuckle, remarking, "But surely, it cannot present an insurmountable challenge for Zi Yu and Yao Rao to break through to the Spiritual Origin realm, can it?"

"It is quite arduous..."

Zhang Xian explained, "However, the truth is, I have no intention of journeying to that realm. Therefore, the teleportation array holds little significance for me. If I were to proceed there with my current level of power, it would undoubtedly be a suicidal endeavor."

"Then let us depart from this place!"

Zizhu proposed, "If you have no desire to go, you can pass down the inheritance from generation to generation. Even if you do not make the journey, it does not preclude your descendants from doing so. Cultivators relentlessly pursue ultimate power."

"Hmm..."

Zhang Xian nodded in agreement, affirming, "I shall pass down the inheritance through successive generations."

Old Man Gui cast a glance at Zhang Xian but refrained from uttering further words. He took the lead, initiating his departure from the area.

Zhang Xian, being an orphan, had Old Man Gui fill the roles of both his master and father figure. Nevertheless, he did not wish to intrude upon Zhang Xian's personal decision regarding such a pivotal matter.

"Wait, someone approaches."

Abruptly, Zhang Xian halted his movement, a smile playing on his lips as he remarked, "It is an old acquaintance of mine."

"Who might that be?"

Aware that Zhang Xian possessed mental extrasensory abilities that aided his perception, Old Man Gui exhibited no trace of disbelief.

"Who is approaching?"

Zizhu inquired with surprise, "Why do I sense nothing? Has my perception somehow diminished? Yet, that should not be the case! Perception ought not to regress concurrently with a loss of power."

"Haha, younger martial sister, while you may have lost your cultivation, your perception remains intact, albeit within a limited range,"

Old Man Gui declared with a laugh, "Zhang Xian is not merely an Ancient Martial Arts Practitioner but a Cultivator. He benefits from mental psychic abilities and can sense distant presences, a feat beyond our current capabilities."

"I see!"

Zizhu, after casting a glance of surprise at Zhang Xian, gave a nod of comprehension.

The affairs concerning cultivators were topics she had only recently become acquainted with through her martial brother, and her knowledge remained limited. At that juncture, she found herself intrigued by Zhang Xian and desired to glean more insights into the world of cultivation.

"Let us depart."

Old Man Gui let out a hearty chuckle, stating, "It has been an age since I last engaged in battle; my limbs are practically trembling with anticipation. I am eager to discover who harbors the audacity to target this young brat."

"Heh..."

Zizhu playfully remarked, "Brother, there are likely no more than three individuals on this earth capable of compelling you to turn your back and depart, am I correct?"

"Well... I have never truly tested my limits in such a manner, so I cannot say for certain."

Old Man Gui guffawed once more, adding, "Nevertheless, any who wish to end my life had best be thoroughly prepared."

Zhang Xian absorbed their exchange with keen interest.

Though Old Man Gui was unquestionably the master who had raised him, the true extent of his power remained an enigma. Zhang Xian had yet to witness Old Man Gui in a genuine combat scenario.

Yet, he harbored a profound intuition that the seemingly uncouth old man possessed formidable strength, undoubtedly surpassing that of an ordinary legendary powerhouse.