Chapter Fifty: The Direct Disciple

What Zhang Xiao hadn’t anticipated was that even Di Miao and Shi An, the two personal disciples of his own master, stood by coldly, watching without any intention of speaking to him. Yet Zhang Xiao was resilient by nature; he paid it no mind and simply sat alone beneath a distant tree. As soon as he had settled down, a young man in a green robe appeared soundlessly at his side and said, “Senior Brother Zhang, I greet you.”

Startled, Zhang Xiao realized this man had come to his side without making a sound—his cultivation was clearly on par with his own. Turning to look, Zhang Xiao found the youth utterly unfamiliar. Though he was at odds with most of the inner disciples, he could at least recognize their faces, yet this disciple was someone he had never seen or even heard of. How could a disciple of such cultivation have no reputation at all?

Zhang Xiao’s face was unreadable, but his mind was already racing as he replied, “This junior brother has a strange face. What business do you have with me?” His voice was cold and distant, lacking any warmth. It was hardly Zhang Xiao’s fault; given his conflicts with the inner disciples, none who spoke to him ever had a good word to say, so why should he be courteous to them?

Unexpectedly, the young man was unfazed by Zhang Xiao’s tone. He smiled and said, “It’s only natural that you don’t recognize me, but I have long admired Senior Brother Zhang from afar. My name is—” The rest of his words were transmitted directly to Zhang Xiao’s mind, preventing others from overhearing. Zhang Xiao’s expression darkened and brightened in turn, his eyes betraying disbelief as he glanced at Wang Yanbo in the distance. The waves of emotion in his heart would not subside.

It turned out the youth’s name was Zhou Yuan, and he was the personal disciple of Master Kongxuan, the sect leader. Zhang Xiao thought to himself, “How careless of me. When my master announced Di Miao and Shi An as his personal disciples, I should have realized that Master Kongxuan would have his own as well. Yet I failed to consider it at the time.”

As the sect leader’s personal disciple, after the Nine Sects Competition, Zhou Yuan would become the new head of Mount Mao. Looking again at Wang Yanbo, who was basking in self-satisfaction, Zhang Xiao thought that he must still be dreaming of supreme authority. But now that Zhou Yuan had approached him and revealed his identity, did he intend to win him over?

Zhang Xiao’s expression remained unchanged as he said, “So that’s how it is. Junior Brother Zhou’s cultivation is profound, and I am deeply impressed.” The two began to converse, discussing everything from Daoist arts to artifact refinement, from the strengths of the Mount Mao Sect to those of other schools, each seeking to outshine the other in their words. As the personal disciple of Master Kongxuan, Zhou Yuan’s vision was naturally broad and his insights into cultivation profound. Yet Zhang Xiao, who practiced both Buddhist and Daoist arts and had passed the heart-forging trials of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect and the tests of the Sword Pool, spoke little but struck directly at the crux of the matters.

While their conversation was in full swing, the sky suddenly darkened with clouds. A massive shadow descended, and as the disciples looked up, they saw an enormous bronze warship slowly lowering from the heavens. The vessel hovered above them like a floating island, dwarfing even the aircraft carriers of the world before the cataclysm—a difference as vast as heaven and earth.

Master Kongxuan appeared atop the warship, smiling as he announced, “Those capable, board on your own. If not, take a seat on the auspicious clouds.” As his words fell, colorful clouds appeared around the warship and drifted down from the sky.

Zhou Yuan laughed and said, “Let’s go. Don’t mind Master’s words; we’ll take the clouds up.” Zhang Xiao grinned and strode over with Zhou Yuan to sit upon one of the clouds. The other disciples also ascended in an orderly fashion, the stronger ones taking the lead. Despite the cloud being large enough for more than ten, the others clearly had no desire to share it with Zhang Xiao and Zhou Yuan.

Thus, only the two of them sat upon that cloud. Zhou Yuan teased, “Senior Brother Zhang, you truly aren’t very popular in the sect.” Zhang Xiao could only give a wry smile and think, “Isn’t it all because Master Kongxuan has been eliminating threats for you, plotting against me time and again and ruining my reputation?” Hearing Zhou Yuan’s jest, Zhang Xiao shot back with a laugh, “Easy for you to say from your position.”

Zhou Yuan’s grin only widened. Suddenly, streaks of treasure light cut through the sky as many disciples of the Golden Core stage soared aloft on their magical treasures, creating ribbons of color overhead. Most striking was Jin Wulei, riding the newly acquired Heavenly Thunder Sword, which left a trail of lightning arcs in its wake. In contrast, Wang Yanbo sat atop a pitch-black ancient banner, surrounded by dark clouds and making an impressive display, though it could not match the splendor of Jin Wulei’s sword.

Suddenly, a beam of golden light shot from the warship, shattering the cloud beneath Zhang Xiao and Zhou Yuan. Caught off guard, Zhang Xiao swiftly unfurled his Bone Fan and stood upon it, while Zhou Yuan produced a most unusual treasure—an enormous golden brush. Standing atop it, Zhou Yuan pointed to Master Kongxuan on the warship and laughed, “Seems Master can’t stand us slacking off. Come, he must have fine wine stashed away—let’s go help ourselves.”

With that, Zhou Yuan sped off on his golden brush. Zhang Xiao, recalling the exquisite wine he’d tasted on the road to the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, could not resist. Though his Bone Fan was only a third-grade treasure, his cultivation far surpassed the other disciples. Though also at the Golden Core stage, the spiritual energy within him was three times greater than theirs.

Riding his Bone Fan, Zhang Xiao transformed into a swift black streak, overtaking the others in an instant and landing on the bronze warship. Putting away his fan, he saw Master Kongxuan had already set out a table of wine and delicacies at one end, with Zhou Yuan pouring wine and serving food at his side. Zhang Xiao laughed and strode forward. “Master, you seem quite at ease. I see my own master hasn’t placed any monitoring treasures on you this time?”

Kongxuan chuckled. “Indeed, I changed my robe this time—your master won’t know a thing. Come, sit and drink with me. You’re an elder of our sect now; there’s no need for formality.”

Zhang Xiao had been waiting for this invitation. He sat down without hesitation and poured himself a full cup. By now the other disciples had all boarded the warship. Seeing Master Kongxuan drinking with Zhang Xiao, they were greatly astonished. Though they knew the sect leader favored Zhang Xiao, none had imagined their relationship was so close as to share a table of wine.

When all were assembled, Master Kongxuan announced, “This journey will take about six days. There are cabins for rest, each marked with your names. The third deck is the dining hall—wine and delicacies abound, so eat and drink as you please. Now, go about your business.” With a wave of his sleeve, the entire warship rose into the sky in a flash of golden light, speeding northward. The landscape below streamed by, yet those standing on deck felt nothing; without looking outside, one would never know the warship was aloft. Clearly, it was itself a magical treasure.

Master Kongxuan returned to his seat and resumed drinking, while the other disciples exchanged glances. More astonishing than Zhang Xiao’s presence was Zhou Yuan, who, though unfamiliar to all, now sat beside the sect leader. Wang Yanbo, watching them drink and converse, clenched his fists in growing anxiety. He had believed that after the Nine Sects Competition, Master Kongxuan would retire and, with the support of the disciples, he would seize the position of sect leader. Though Zhang Xiao was strong, his falling out with the disciples meant they would never accept him as leader. Thus, Wang Yanbo had thought himself the most likely successor. Now, not only was Zhang Xiao still in the running, but a new youth had appeared out of nowhere, leaving Wang Yanbo ill at ease. Gloomy-faced, he retreated to his cabin, while the other disciples began speculating about Zhou Yuan’s identity. Zhang Xiao savored his wine, paying their gossip no heed.

Master Kongxuan waved his hand, casting a barrier over the three of them and shutting out the noise. He watched Zhang Xiao drain his cup and laughed. “I suppose you’ve guessed Zhou Yuan’s identity. We’ve shared wine before; you know my character. I won’t beat around the bush. It’s true I’ve schemed against you many times within the sect—my fault as sect leader. Here, let me apologize with this cup.” Zhang Xiao’s expression changed and he replied hastily, “I wouldn’t dare. Though you’ve plotted against me, I’ve benefitted much in the end. As for my reputation, let them say what they will.”

Master Kongxuan’s candid words surprised Zhang Xiao, but upon reflection, they made sense. After all, his notorious reputation was largely thanks to the sect leader, so it was only right to use this opportunity to let go of old grudges. Kongxuan drained his cup and smiled. “That’s true enough. The Ring of Deception and the Bell of Celestial Sound I gave you are fine treasures indeed.” Then his expression turned grave as he said, “This Nine Sects Competition may appear to unite the five major orthodox sects, but in truth, it’s a battlefield. Don’t hesitate if you see an opening. The stakes are higher than you can imagine.”

Zhang Xiao sensed the danger at once and began to wonder what exactly this competition would bring. Kongxuan continued, “When you passed the three trials in the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, that old demon Wan Mozi gave you the Buddhist relic on the condition I agree to a request. Do you remember?”

Zhang Xiao recalled it well and said, “Could it be connected to this competition? Are we to cooperate with the Ten Thousand Demons Sect?”

Kongxuan laughed. “You’re as sharp as ever. That’s right, but it’s not mere cooperation—it’s a union of strong allies, to eliminate the disciples of the other seven sects.”