Chapter 385 - 209: A Summons from the True Monarch

Fleecy clouds drifted like catkins, and mist coiled around the Immortal Mountain.

By now, Lieyun dared not make the slightest move, obediently carrying Xuzhuang along the rainbow path in a Flying Escape. Xuan Cheng Taoist was also silent, just following ahead.

The rainbow path led from high in the sky down to the Taixuan Sect's mountain gate. As their altitude dropped, the detailed landscape of the Taixuan Continent finally came into full view.

Two green mountains stood like screens, flanking a long flight of bluestone stairs. Xuzhuang looked up and saw a boundless light shining down from the top of the steps. He realized the two mountains were actually one; a massive opening had been carved through it. The lower part was still the mountain's body, while the upper part formed a suspended arch, like a bridge, creating a magnificent, gate-like structure. Upon that bridge-gate, two large characters were engraved:

Supreme Profound!

Seeing where Xuzhuang's gaze fell, Xuan Cheng Taoist smiled faintly. "Venerable," he said, "this is Celestial Gate Mountain, the gate to our Taixuan Orthodox Sect."

He pointed toward the bluestone stairs. "Ordinarily, when visitors from outside the mountain arrive, they must personally climb this path to reach the sect gate. Only then are they received as guests and their arrival announced."

Naturally, a distinguished guest such as Xuzhuang, welcomed according to the sect's highest rites, was exempt from this. However, the rainbow bridge didn't descend all the way, but lowered to the level of the Celestial Gate before extending into the Taixuan mountain gate.

Passing through the Taixuan Celestial Gate felt like crossing a curtain of light. Once inside the mountain gate, he saw majestic mountain terrain dotted with pavilions, suspended palaces, and floating isles zipping to and fro—the very picture of an Immortal Family's dojo, a classic Blessed Land. Still, there was nothing else particularly out of the ordinary.

After all, to a cultivator, such wondrous sights were merely seasoning.

Upon entering, Xuzhuang dismounted from Lieyun as a show of courtesy. He ordered it to transform into a small snake, which he put away, and proceeded under his own power. Following Xuan Cheng Taoist's guidance, he arrived before a palace.

Before he could enter the palace doors, he suddenly heard footsteps from within. A man with his hair tied in a taiji topknot, dressed in ceremonial robes and a Feather Robe, ambled out. He smiled and clasped his hands. "Fellow Daoist Xu, it's been a few years. Long time no see."

The newcomer was, of course, Jiang Han. Seeing him, Xuzhuang couldn't help a stir of surprise.

Jiang Han's cultivation was higher than he had anticipated. 'Then again,' he thought, 'if he weren't so extraordinary, how could he possibly have become the first True Disciple since the Taixuan Sect's founding?'

Xuzhuang dared not be disrespectful. He raised his hands in a return salute and said, "Greetings, Brother Daoist."

Jiang Han smiled and nodded, then gestured inside with a sweep of his wide sleeve. "Please."

Xuzhuang readily complied, following Jiang Han into the hall and taking a seat. Immortal Maiden Daoist Children were already prepared within the hall; seeing the guest of honor sit down, they immediately served tea. Only after Xuzhuang had taken a sip did Jiang Han speak:

"After we parted ways at the Meteor Dojo, I may have remained secluded within my sect, but I still heard tales of how you, Fellow Daoist, have been stirring up storms out in the world. I must admit my admiration."

"I never thought our next meeting would also be here, within my Taixuan Sect. May I ask, Fellow Daoist, what brings you here for a visit?"

In truth, Jiang Han and Xuzhuang had only met once before. And while it was often simple for cultivators to form a bond, the two had never truly interacted much. Jiang Han certainly didn't believe that Xuzhuang would come all this way just to discuss the Dao.

Xuzhuang paused in thought for a moment, then got straight to the point. "I have come for two reasons. First, to witness the splendor of West Su after its reformation, and second, for the sake of an unworthy disciple of mine."

"Oh? A prized disciple of yours, Fellow Daoist?" Jiang Han thought for a moment and couldn't help but smile. "Ten years ago, when my honored Master was giving a lecture, I met Young Friend Li… Haven't he and my junior sister already received our Master's tacit approval?"

Xuzhuang hadn't expected to learn from Jiang Han that the union between Li Changfeng and You Jin'Er had been tacitly approved by the Taixuan Profound True Monarch. He raised an eyebrow, pondering for a moment before saying, "However, that unworthy disciple of mine has not been heard from since his visit to your esteemed sect ten years ago. His whereabouts are unknown."

"As his master, I couldn't help but worry, which is why I've made this trip."

"No word from him at all?" Jiang Han was somewhat surprised. Although he held the lofty position of the First True Disciple in the Taixuan Sect, a truly transcendent status, he was devoted to his cultivation and paid little attention to the sect's internal affairs. After a moment's thought, he said, "Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist."

Xuzhuang nodded slightly. Jiang Han then summoned Elder Xuan Cheng and asked, "Elder, do you know if Junior Sister You and her husband are still within the sect?"

Elder Xuan Cheng thought for a moment before replying, "If my memory serves, they are indeed still in the sect. They have not left at all in the past ten years."

"Oh?" Jiang Han's brows furrowed slightly. 'If they're both still in the sect,' he wondered, 'could some accident have befallen them?'

Noticing Xuzhuang's gaze upon him, Jiang Han said thoughtfully, "Fellow Daoist, please wait just a little longer." He then turned to Elder Xuan Cheng. "I must trouble you, Elder, to go and find out what Junior Sister You and her husband are doing. If they are at leisure, please invite them here."

Elder Xuan Cheng clasped his hands in agreement. He didn't leave the hall, but simply closed his eyes. His spiritual presence seemed to withdraw from his body, and he stood perfectly still.

Jiang Han picked up his teacup and gestured toward Xuzhuang. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist. Since they are here in the Taixuan Sect, I'm certain no accident has occurred. There is likely another reason for this, which we will understand shortly."

Xuzhuang nodded slightly. The two men were not well acquainted, and this was hardly the place for a philosophical debate, so they only spoke intermittently, spending most of the time sipping their tea in silence. After a full thirty minutes, Elder Xuan Cheng suddenly stirred and opened his eyes.

Jiang Han looked over at him, his expression questioning. Xuan Cheng Taoist, however, looked slightly embarrassed. He shot an apologetic glance at Xuzhuang, and his lips moved faintly as he began to communicate with Jiang Han via voice transmission.

Xuzhuang wasn't worried, and simply continued to sip his tea and wait. Jiang Han listened intently until Xuan Cheng Taoist finished, his own brow knitting slightly. He then uttered a single sentence: "Master Quan has handled this poorly."

For Jiang Han to dare criticize a Zhenren—at this, Xuzhuang finally raised an eyebrow. Elder Xuan Cheng's expression turned even more chagrined, and he didn't dare reply.

Jiang Han didn't press him further. After a moment's thought, he turned to Xuzhuang. "I won't hide it from you, Fellow Daoist. Li Changfeng has indeed met with a... mishap within our sect."

Xuzhuang knew there was more to the story and adopted an attentive posture, ready to listen. Jiang Han continued, "Within our Taixuan Sect, there is a certain Master Quan. He has followed my honored Master for a long time and has always doted on the junior disciples. This is especially true for Junior Sister You, who, as the youngest of our Master's personal disciples, has been particularly spoiled by Master Quan."

"When Master Quan heard that Junior Sister You had found a husband, he decided to test the couple. He summoned them both to his manor, and they have remained there ever since—for ten years now."

"There was such a thing?" Xuzhuang's brow furrowed. Before he could even process it, Jiang Han said, "Regardless, this matter involves a disciple of your honored sect—your own disciple, Fellow Daoist. Master Quan's actions were inappropriate."

"I will go to Master Quan's manor shortly to inquire about the details. For now, Fellow Daoist, you can rest at the Yi Hall that Elder Xuan Cheng has arranged. I will give you an answer tomorrow."

"Very well," Xuzhuang said. "Then I must trouble you, Fellow Daoist."

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist," Jiang Han said. "Besides that, there is one other matter."

Xuzhuang said, "Please speak freely, Brother Daoist."

Jiang Han said slowly, "At the same time your calling card arrived, my honored Master also issued a decree: he wishes to summon you for an audience, Fellow Daoist."

"What?" Xuzhuang was taken aback. Jiang Han had already risen to his feet. He smiled and said, "Please be prepared, Fellow Daoist. You will have an audience with my honored Master tomorrow at 7:00 AM."