Initially, no one paid attention to the source of this news…

“Have you heard, friend? Grand Master Xuandu of the Human Teachings has an heir!

We must be careful when traveling about, lest we offend someone of such distinguished background.”

Gradually, it became major news across the Five Continents…

“Friend, you know about Grand Master Xuandu of the Human Teachings?

Yes, yes, the first disciple of the Dao Path! He somehow has offspring now. They say the child is of mixed bloodline between the Grand Master and the ancient goddess Ice Heaven Woman! Born with three heads and eight arms, able to control wind, fire, thunder, and lightning! Advancing in cultivation a thousand miles per day, they say they’ll reach the Great Luo realm in just a thousand years!”

Finally, it evolved to an almost indistinguishable degree from truth…

“Uncle Master, you’ve emerged from seclusion?

What’s everyone talking about…

Uncle Master, you don’t know, our Dao Path’s Elder Brother, Grand Master Xuandu, while cultivating the Yin-Yang Great Dao, sat upon the Taiji Diagram, resonating with Heaven and Earth…

He had a child!”

…

“Sect Master! Sect Master! Our Human Teachings has joyous news!”

A month and a half after the grand ceremony, the various peaks of the Crossing Immortal Gate gradually quieted down, with thousand two hundred new disciples distributed across dozens of peaks, beginning their two-hundred-year cultivation period…

Because a youth with profound fate had joined the sect and was directly accepted as a registered disciple by Founding Master True Immortal Du’e, joining the Breaking Sky Peak lineage for cultivation, the various peaks had developed a competitive spirit, wanting to see which peak would claim this term’s top disciple.

Speaking of Sect Master Ji Wuyou of the Crossing Immortal Gate, he hadn’t gone into seclusion these past one and a half months but had been busy in secret for dozens of days and nights.

Today, finally finding some leisure, Ji Wuyou stood before the window in the side hall of the Crossing Immortal Hall, gazing at the sea of clouds outside, his eyes peaceful and content, sighing:

“Changshou was right.”

As Sect Master, when new disciples enter the sect, the most important task is to investigate these disciples’ backgrounds and aptitudes.

The focus is on finding whether there are cases of external demons possessing bodies, internal demons hiding, or evil spirits reincarnating.

Indeed, this made him feel much more settled and at ease.

‘The Grand Master’s bloodline is truly extraordinary.’

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard outside the Crossing Immortal Hall, an elder hurriedly flying over, shouting about ‘Human Teachings’ joyous news’;

Ji Wuyou was somewhat puzzled, clasped his hands behind his back, and went to the main hall to meet the elder.

“Greetings, Sect Master!”

“Elder Wen, being an elder means maintaining an elder’s composure. Why are you in such a fluster?”

Ji Wuyou calmly asked, “Speak slowly, what joyous news does our Human Teachings have?”

“Sect Master, great joy indeed!”

This elder rolled up his wide sleeves, eyes wide, saying happily: “Several stewards heard a piece of news while out, and I was concerned, so I went outside to investigate.

Guess what, Sect Master?”

Ji Wuyou’s brows furrowed, suddenly having a bad premonition, “What is it?”

“The Grand Master has an heir!

Our Human Teachings’ Grand Master has an heir!

They say our Human Teachings’ sect-protecting treasure, the Primordial Taiji Diagram, resonated with the Grand Master, and the Grand Master gave birth to a daughter! She’s now training and cultivating in the Primordial World!”

“Gre- Puh—”

Ji Wuyou’s eyes bulged, suddenly his qi reversed course, and he spat out a mist of blood.

This mighty Golden Immortal’s figure now swayed unsteadily, nearly collapsing.

Elder Wen was stunned, quickly moving forward to support Ji Wuyou;

Ji Wuyou grabbed the elder’s arm, his head dizzy, ears buzzing incessantly.

“Sect Master! Sect Master, what’s wrong!”

“It’s… it’s nothing,” Ji Wuyou gritted out, “This matter… has it spread everywhere?”

“Indeed it has spread everywhere, and I hear the Carefree Immortal Sect has already announced they want to invite the Grand Master’s descendant to cultivate in their sect, offering treatment befitting a Supreme Elder, promising to protect them with the entire sect’s strength.”

“Hmph! Now they’re jumping with joy!”

Ji Wuyou frowned tightly, and couldn’t help but sigh, roughly understanding what had happened.

His master, truly…

What a pit he’d dug.

If this matter angered the Grand Master, what would become of their Crossing Immortal Gate? How could he and his master bear the Grand Master’s thunderous fury?

At once, Ji Wuyou glared at this elder, strictly ordering that the sect must not spread such rumors.

“The Taiji Diagram is a primordial treasure, used by our Patriarch Sacred One to anchor the Human Teachings’ fate. This is fabricated by others to damage our Human Teachings Grand Master’s pure reputation.

Have the elders discuss and draft regulations, publicly declaring that the Grand Master has never had any dao companions in all his years of cultivation!

He is truly and purely of the Pure Yang body!”

“This… Yes, Sect Master!”

At this, the elder carefully considered and felt the Sect Master’s words were correct, lowering his head and hurrying off to the Hundred Ordinary Hall.

Ji Wuyou wiped the blood from his mouth, his face even paler, letting out a long sigh.

Is this what you meant by keeping your lips sealed, Master?

Your vessel has too many cracks!

What to do? What else can be done?

Ji Wuyou rode a cloud toward Little Qiong Peak, at this point only able to seek Li Changshou’s counsel, to see if through Li Changshou they could quell the Grand Master’s fury…

When the Sect Master hurried to Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou was teaching Ling’e how to make the old version of paper avatars, leaving Ling’e’s eyes swimming, saying it was too difficult.

Li Changshou’s immortal consciousness detected the Sect Master heading this way, his hand flipped, putting away the jade talisman and paper figures, saying to Ling’e:

“Go prepare some tea, the Sect Master is coming, and probably has matters to discuss.”

“Oh,” Ling’e blinked, obediently agreeing.

Times were different now, her immortal consciousness had also detected the Sect Master’s figure, and at this moment she felt more certain that what her Senior Brother had said before was mostly true.

The matter with Immortal Lady Yunxiao was probably also…

Oh, the pressure doubled again.

Speaking of Ji Wuyou arriving at the lakeside, Li Changshou hurriedly went out to welcome him, making a Daoist salute to the Sect Master, saying:

“Disciple greets the Sect Master!”

“Ah,” Ji Wuyou forced a smile, setting up a barrier around them before speaking: “No need for greetings, truly speaking, we could be considered of the same generation.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but blink.

The Sect Master, what had he learned?

However, if the Sect Master had figured out his active identity outside the mountain gate, knowing about the Old Lord of Heaven appearing to support him, then…

As a registered disciple of a registered disciple of the Sacred One, he, Li Changshou, should be… one generation above the Sect Master.

Why the same generation?

Li Changshou quickly caught this ‘point of difference,’ immediately analyzing it carefully in his heart, though his surface remained unchanged.

“Please come in and rest, Sect Master.”

“Mm,” Ji Wuyou was unsure how to begin, nodding in agreement, entering the thatched cottage with Li Changshou.

The Sect Master sat down, Li Changshou standing beside him maintaining the disciple’s etiquette, until Ji Wuyou persuaded him twice, and he reluctantly sat to the side.

Just then, Ling’e brought in tea, paid respects to the Sect Master, offered the tea, and was about to turn and leave when Li Changshou called out to stop her.

“Junior Sister, stay and hear the Sect Master’s instructions.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

Ling’e obediently stood to the side.

Ji Wuyou didn’t mind, after all, seeing the spectacle when Ling’e underwent her tribulation, he knew Ling’e’s identity.

The Grand Master’s person!

“Changshou,” Ji Wuyou said, “You… um…”

Li Changshou cupped his hands and smiled: “Sect Master, please speak freely.”

Ling’e slightly furrowed her delicate brows, thinking to herself, could it be that her and Senior Brother’s plan to secretly move Little Qiong Peak had been discovered by the Sect Master?

Ji Wuyou was, after all, a sect leader, cultivated for many years, having seen countless major storms, and knew at this moment what he should do.

After hesitating briefly, Ji Wuyou smiled again:

“Changshou, some things, even if you don’t say them, this poor Daoist already knows.”

Li Changshou’s heart skipped a beat, instinctively beginning to think about where he might have shown weaknesses.

“Sect Master, this…”

Li Changshou pursed his lips, showing some embarrassment, but his gaze remained rather frank.

He had never done anything to harm the Crossing Immortal Gate or Human Teachings, naturally standing righteous and sitting properly.

“It’s not that disciple intended to conceal things, there were truly many unavoidable circumstances.”

“I understand, this poor Daoist understands it all,” Ji Wuyou responded with a smile, his pale face gaining some color, “Sometimes there are things that are indeed difficult to speak of.

This poor Daoist can understand that you have your difficulties.

Ah, among the living beings of this world, whether they are ordinary folk ignorant of the Dao, or those who labor and strive to seek their path, who don’t have words they find difficult to speak?”

Li Changshou couldn’t help feeling moved, the Sect Master was simply…

Too warm-hearted.

False warm-heartedness, like Yuan Qing, entangling with the poisonous Junior Sister, was merely lusting after the poisonous Junior Sister’s body.

True warm-heartedness was exactly like the Sect Master, showing consideration for the sect’s disciples, understanding reason and hardship, and still comforting and encouraging the sect’s disciples!

Li Changshou stood and made a Daoist salute, praising: “Thank you for your understanding, Sect Master!”

Ji Wuyou smiled awkwardly, coughed several times, then said softly: “Have you heard recently… the rumors spreading in the marketplaces outside?”

“Disciple has been busy with various matters lately,” Li Changshou smiled, “Though the major situation is settled, there are still some lingering effects, and I haven’t had the chance to hear what’s being spread in the marketplaces.”

Ji Wuyou felt a question mark appear in his heart, feeling he couldn’t quite understand what Changshou was saying.

Nevertheless, Ji Wuyou continued:

“This matter is my fault. When Master came to accept Li Jing as a disciple that day, I was excited and told Master about this.

But I didn’t tell Master specifically who it was, only mentioned your existence.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but frown.

True Immortal Du’e knew about him being the Water God of the Heavenly Court?

Why did this need to spread further?

Though considering True Immortal Du’e and the Sect Master were master and disciple, like father and son, not concealing this from each other was understandable.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, the Little Qiong Peak wandering plan was truly urgent!

Beside them, Ling’e’s frown deepened.

Why did it feel like though Senior Brother and the Sect Master were talking enthusiastically, they seemed to be… talking about different things?

Li Changshou sighed: “Sect Master, there’s nothing to say about such matters, I just had some good fortune, though the path has been quite twisting.”

“It’s good that you can think this way,” Ji Wuyou smiled, “None of us can decide our birth, whether of high or low background, we’re all beings striving forward on the great Dao.”

Background?

Li Changshou’s confusion deepened.

Beside them, Ling’e suddenly asked:

“Sect Master, what exactly are these rumors you mentioned earlier?”

Ji Wuyou’s face immediately showed some embarrassment, he lowered his head and coughed twice, then sighed: “Changshou, it was this poor Daoist who spoke too much to my master, revealing that the Grand Master has offspring cultivating in our Crossing Immortal Gate.

Afterward, my master must have gotten drunk somewhere and spoke about ‘the Grand Master having offspring’ to others.

Now it’s spreading everywhere in an unrecognizable form…

But don’t worry, this poor Daoist never mentioned that you are the Grand Master’s offspring!”

Beside them, Ling’e couldn’t help raising her hand to her forehead.

Li Changshou stared with wide eyes, momentarily forgetting to breathe, sitting there looking at this empty Sect Master before him, his mind buzzing as a hundred Daoist Wenjing had entered it.

Just eliminate it… directly eliminate it…

Daring to spread rumors about the Grand Master! And dragging him into it!

The source of rumors circulating outside slandering the Grand Master’s Pure Yang reputation came from True Immortal Du’e!

He had wrongly believed this was a dirty trick by the Western Teachings, and was planning to counter-attack by composing some Western fairy tales!

For a moment, Li Changshou’s heart churned, his dao heart trembling inexplicably.

He couldn’t help but ask: “Sect Master, how did you deduce that I would be the Grand Master’s offspring?”

Ji Wuyou smiled: “This poor Daoist at least has this much discernment.”

Li Changshou carefully considered then took out a jade talisman from his chest and handed it to the Sect Master, saying softly:

“Please look at this, Sect Master, all answers lie within.

What you spoke of earlier, you must never mention to anyone again.

At best it would bring disaster upon yourself, at worst it would ruin many of our Human Teachings’ calculations.”

Ji Wuyou looked down, his spirit suddenly shaking, seeming to understand something in an instant, his eyes showing traces of shock, his dao heart nearly losing control.

This dao rhyme!

This handwriting!

Xuandu, Little Law Master!

“Changshou, you!”

“Please don’t blame me, Sect Master,” Li Changshou’s face turned serious, “This matter must not be mentioned to outsiders. If Sect Master trusts this disciple, please make a Great Dao oath to constrain and warn yourself.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou took out a jade bottle from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Ji Wuyou.

Li Changshou said: “This Nine Revolutions Golden Pill inside is a thank-you gift for the Sect Master’s silence.”

Ji Wuyou sharply drew in a cold breath, suddenly understanding the cause and effect at this moment, explaining what had been unclear before.

This young disciple before him was far from being simply the Grand Master’s offspring!

Could the Little Law Master Xuandu already be a Sacred One’s disciple, just keeping it secret?

Yes, Changshou must be some originally unmanifested expert of the Human Teachings reincarnated to cultivate again, there must be great calculations involved!

Being drawn into this today, this Great Dao oath seemed to be constraining him, Ji Wuyou, but in reality, it was also Changshou protecting his life!

“Ai!”

Ji Wuyou sighed full of regret, “How could I!

Enough, this poor Daoist will make the oath now, please don’t blame me, don’t blame me.”

“Sect Master, please try to keep this secret from the Patriarch as well,” Li Changshou urged worriedly, “If Patriarch Du’e misunderstands…”

Ji Wuyou hurried: “Don’t address him so, just call him True Immortal!”

“Very well, if True Immortal misunderstands, let him misunderstand, but you must remind True Immortal not to mention this matter again.”

“Good.”

…

The might of the Heavenly Dao came and went, as the Sect Master rode his cloud back to Breaking Sky Peak.

“Whew—”

Li Changshou let out a long sigh, his body sinking into the round chair, wanting to complain but finding no words when he opened his mouth, only able to raise his hand to rub his brows.

Human Teachings profanity.

No wonder the Sect Master had been so agreeable before, it turned out that since ‘that night,’ his thoughts had already gone astray.

And the Grand Master’s bloodline!

Did the Sect Master hide in a dark room in the corner of the Crossing Immortal Hall, coughing blood while reading those melodramatic story collections?!

Just then came a light laugh, and two cool, delicate hands pressed on Li Changshou’s shoulders, gently massaging.

“Senior Brother, how should this matter be handled?”

“Which matter?”

“The matter of people wildly spreading rumors about the Grand Master,” Ling’e said softly.

“Nothing can be done,” Li Changshou shook his head, “The Grand Master’s identity is special, being both the Human Teachings’ only disciple and one of the top experts below the Sacred One.

Such topics about the Grand Master most easily provoke beings’ desire to peek into private matters.

Even if all six immortal sects of the Human Teachings stood out to deny the rumors, people would only say they’re trying to cover up the truth.

Moreover, those who first spread such rumors might fear the Grand Master’s investigation, but now with more and more people saying such things, these people become increasingly unrestrained.”

Ling’e immediately appeared thoughtful.

Li Changshou sighed: “Such absurd matters are most troublesome.”

“Senior Brother, are we going to do nothing?”

“The Grand Master is naturally unrestrained in nature, with extremely profound dao境, and is humble and open-minded, truly inheriting our Supreme Pure Sacred One’s true teachings, and has always been the role model that I study and chase after.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “I think the Grand Master won’t get greatly angry over such a small matter, this will naturally pass in a few months.”

Ling’e was about to answer when a light laugh came from outside the door;

The air rippled gently as a not particularly imposing figure stepped forth.

“You fellow, your spiritual perception has become increasingly sensitive lately. When did you know I was here?

You spoke so flowery, I almost believed it myself.”