Chapter Twenty: The Arrival of the Elder

After the Great Change, because all the nine major sects’ branches gathered in Gui City, and communication between other cities became inconvenient, Gui City was renamed G City, forming the administrative center of G Prefecture. The other cities and districts fell under the control of smaller branches.

Zhang Hu gently caressed the throne beneath him, unable to believe the reality—the throne was crafted from pure gold. Before the Great Change, he wouldn’t have dared even to dream of such a thing. Yet, after the upheaval, thanks to his basic attributes being higher than others, he seized monsters, killed them, and forced his way into the inner sect of Maoshan. Although he was expelled after the competition, his treatment was far superior to that of the outer disciples. He cultivated the Supreme Yin Mysterious Essence Scripture, a technique reserved for inner disciples, and wielded a mid-grade spiritual treasure. As for the outer disciples—he scoffed—not only were their techniques trash, they didn’t even know what a spiritual treasure was.

Though he was no longer an inner disciple, he now served as an outer steward, the head of the G Prefecture branch. All the outer disciples in G Prefecture were under his command; his power was unrivaled. Zhang Hu knew that if he walked outside and beckoned with a finger, a swarm of people would vie to curry his favor. The thought filled him with such delight it felt like a dream—no, not even his dreams had ever been this sweet. Now, even if he were invited back to the inner sect, Zhang Hu would refuse.

Just as he was lost in the pleasure of his golden throne, a disciple in a blue robe hurried forward, cupped his fists, and reported, “Reporting! A sudden flash of light has appeared at the teleportation array—someone may have arrived through it.”

Annoyed at having his reverie interrupted, Zhang Hu’s displeasure was evident. But news of the teleportation array made his heart skip a beat. Though he was the head of the G Prefecture branch, he was still worlds apart from the true sect members. Without hesitation, he rushed towards the array.

Despite being expelled from the inner sect, Zhang Hu was at least at the Qi Induction stage. At full speed, he was just a black blur, soon arriving at the teleportation array. At that moment, the array blazed with brilliant light, and Zhang Xiao strode forth from its center.

Upon seeing who had arrived, Zhang Hu gasped. Zhang Xiao!

Although Zhang Xiao had only made one move before the competition, that single act had made his name resound throughout Maoshan. He had subdued the crowd with sheer presence alone, making it impossible for anyone to lift their heads. Although Zhang Xiao hadn’t participated in the competition, Zhang Hu dared not offend him. He hastily bowed and greeted, “I never imagined it would be Senior Brother Zhang gracing us with his presence. What a great honor!”

Zhang Xiao glanced at Zhang Hu, recalling the face from the recent competition. While he couldn’t recall the name, the face was at least familiar. Saying nothing, Zhang Xiao flicked his fingers and drew a gold-threaded sealed scroll from his bone ring, handing it to Zhang Hu. Because he had attended the Maoshan Grand Ceremony, Zhang Hu was unaware of Zhang Xiao’s current status.

Puzzled, Zhang Hu broke the seal and opened the scroll. Instantly, cold sweat beaded on his brow. Without a word, he knelt before Zhang Xiao, lifting the scroll above his head and stammering in terror, “Elder, forgive me! I did not know your status, and mistook you for a senior brother. Please pardon my ignorance!”

Kneeling, Zhang Hu’s face was ashen, as if gravely ill. The surrounding disciples, unsure of what had transpired, were stunned. They all knew the severity of Zhang Hu’s methods, yet here he was, bowing abjectly before the newcomer.

Zhang Xiao reclaimed the golden scroll into his bone ring and, with a wave of his hand, sent a surge of spiritual energy to lift Zhang Hu from the ground. Though not as effortless as the ethereal Daoist, it left Zhang Hu in awe of his depth.

“That’s enough. In front of me, there’s no need for kneeling. As for your earlier slip, ignorance is no crime. Come, lead me to the main hall,” Zhang Xiao said in a voice devoid of emotion, making it impossible for Zhang Hu to gauge his mood.

Zhang Hu hurried to personally lead the way, bringing Zhang Xiao into the hall. Zhang Xiao, without ceremony, took the principal seat.

“You’re the disciple who was recently expelled from the inner sect—I watched your match during the competition. Your spiritual treasure isn’t bad, but your cultivation isn’t yet sufficient; otherwise, you might have had a chance to stay. But I don’t know your name,” Zhang Xiao said. He had intended to ask about the state of the G Prefecture branch but realized he didn’t know the steward’s name.

“Elder, I am deeply honored by your attention. My name is Zhang Hu,” he replied, hurriedly making up for his earlier omission, his manner as respectful as if facing the sect leader Kongxuan himself. He had no choice—Zhang Xiao’s title was clear on the gold-threaded scroll: as an Outer Sect Elder, Zhang Xiao had the authority of life and death over all outer disciples. If Zhang Hu was the local tyrant of G Prefecture, then Zhang Xiao was the Grand Sovereign—sovereign over all Maoshan branches. Local officials could not match those with real authority; no matter how powerful Kongxuan was, he would never trouble a minor character like Zhang Hu. But Zhang Xiao, who oversaw the outer sect, could cast him from heaven to hell with a single word.

“Very well, Zhang Hu. Tell me about the current situation in G Prefecture. I’ve just come from the inner sect and am not familiar with the changes outside,” Zhang Xiao said, narrowing his eyes.

“Elder, since you entered the inner sect, there has been a third Great Change. The land and mountains have expanded more than double, making G Prefecture three times larger than before. Many new, unheard-of places have appeared. Now, it's increasingly difficult to advance in level; many people stall at level 20, unable to progress, so they earn their keep from odd jobs in the branches. Many factories have resumed production, but all are contracted to the major branches. For example, Maoshan has taken over the tobacco and liquor factories, while other sects have their own. Many outer disciples work in these factories, but currency is chaotic; the branches can only pay them in goods, leaving them to barter as they see fit.”

Zhang Hu went on to describe the situation with neighboring sect branches. G Prefecture was close to the Myriad Demons Cult, so many demonic disciples were present, making the demon branches stronger than others.

Zhang Xiao listened for over half an hour, satisfied with what he heard. He waved for Zhang Hu to stop, then said, “Enough. I came this time to visit Bat Cave on Canglang Mountain. Find me a disciple to guide me. Also, as for my appointment as Outer Sect Elder, it’s your responsibility to inform the other branches.”

Zhang Hu replied at once, “Rest assured, Elder, I’ll see it done. Someone, summon Tang Chuan to the hall!” Soon a young man hurried in.

“Disciple Tang Chuan, greetings, Steward,” he said, cupping his hands.

“Quickly, greet the Elder,” Zhang Hu urged.

Elder? Tang Chuan looked at Zhang Xiao—so young, about his own age, yet already an Elder. Bitterness welled in his heart, but he still hurriedly saluted, “Greetings, Elder.”

Noting Tang Chuan’s lackluster manner, Zhang Hu was furious—this boy was usually clever, but now he was letting him down! He was about to speak when Zhang Xiao smiled and said, “Enough, I’m not that particular. Since everyone’s here, let’s go.”

“Elder, you’ve just arrived. Why not rest a while and let me host a banquet in your honor?” Zhang Hu quickly offered, seeing Zhang Xiao ready to leave.

Zhang Xiao shook his head with a smile. “No need, Zhang Hu. I’m here on urgent business and can’t stay. When I return, I’ll trouble you again.”

Zhang Hu nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes. Your disciple will await your good news.” Then, turning to Tang Chuan, he said earnestly, “This is a rare opportunity for you. Serve the Elder well on this journey. If he offers you even a word of guidance, you’ll benefit for life. But if you displease him, don’t bother coming back.”

Though Tang Chuan knew Zhang Xiao was an Elder, he hadn’t realized how exalted his status was. Clever by nature, he understood Zhang Hu’s warning. Though somewhat resentful, he quickly replied, “Rest assured, Steward, I won’t let the Elder down.”

“Enough, let’s go,” Zhang Xiao urged. He saw through their thoughts but didn’t want to waste time on pleasantries. Striding out, he led the way.

Tang Chuan hurried after him. He had to admit, G Prefecture was much improved since the initial chaos. Although the pedestrians on the street wore all kinds of attire and carried weapons, order had been restored. Gone were the days when gangs and brawls ruled the streets.

Seated in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Zhang Xiao watched the passing crowds, feeling as if he’d returned to the world before the Great Change. The broad streets were nearly empty of vehicles; though many now possessed basic skills, only the powerful could afford to drive.

Soon they left the city, and Zhang Xiao gazed at the ancient trees and mountain forests beyond, lost in memory. In his past life, he recalled the emergence of the Founding Mission, though he didn’t know its details—he’d only heard that only inner disciples could undertake it, and whether it was ever completed, he did not know. His previous life’s memories ended here; what came next, he could not recall. Now, with the third Great Change already passed, there should still be plenty of time.

“Tang Chuan, do you know anything about the current state of the military?” Zhang Xiao suddenly asked.

Tang Chuan, bored but mindful of his status, replied at once, “The military has changed a lot recently. It’s basically disbanded. You see, many soldiers have joined the sects—there’s no other choice. Without a sect, they have no cultivation methods and are essentially useless.”

“I see,” Zhang Xiao mused. So, there was no longer a nation; the army had scattered, and the government had no real authority. Now, the land was under the rule of the sects. But what, then, did the Founding Mission mean?

For those who are still unclear about the cultivation hierarchy, let me clarify: the Daoist methods are divided as follows—Spirit Nurturing, Qi Induction, Spirit Condensation, Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Refinement, Unity, Tribulation Crossing, Great Completion. As for levels, don’t pay too much attention; for the protagonist, they’re not especially important and only become relevant in the later stages. Thank you for your understanding, dear readers.