Chapter 589: The Decline and Changes of Yun Manor

When Chen Changsheng came to Qingyuan again, he found it was no longer as bustling as before. Fewer cultivators came and went, and many shops had closed down.

Seeing this scene, Chen Changsheng frowned slightly. “Did something happen to Yun Manor?”

Chen Changsheng left the market and headed straight for Yun Manor.

When he arrived at Yun Manor, he noticed that the aura around the manor’s Back Mountain was not as strong as before. It seemed to be because there were fewer cultivators.

Chen Changsheng reached the front gate of Yun Manor and knocked.

“Bang, bang…”

There was no response for a long time. Chen Changsheng knocked again.

After another while, a sound came.

“Creak…”

The gate was pulled open from the inside. It was the steward of Yun Manor. Chen Changsheng had met this steward once before, but they hadn’t spoken much.

“You are…”

The steward was stunned, thinking for a long time before remembering.

“Mr. Chen from Flowing Cloud Temple?”

Chen Changsheng cupped his hands respectfully. “Steward Yun, it’s been a while.”

The steward said hurriedly, “Please come in quickly, Mr. Chen!”

After leading Chen Changsheng inside, the steward invited him to rest in the Main Hall and went to find the Master.

Chen Changsheng glanced around Yun Manor and noticed that there were far fewer servants on the outer grounds compared to before. The numerous attendants and maids once seen everywhere were now much fewer.

After a short while, Patriarch Yun arrived.

Seeing Mr. Chen again, Yun Ze felt mixed emotions inside. Back then, Yun Manor was a grand Immortal Manor. Now, it had declined. Disciples had all left, many servants had scattered, and the once-feared manor could now be disrespected by anyone within the Cultivation World.

In just a few years, the name of Yun Manor had gradually faded from the Cultivation World.

“Yun Ze greets Mr. Chen.”

“Patriarch Yun, you are too polite.”

After Yun Ze sat down, Chen Changsheng asked, “On my way here, I noticed great changes in both Qingyuan and Yun Manor. Has some misfortune occurred?”

Yun Ze sighed softly. “That’s a long story…”

In the Cultivation World, what mattered most was strength.

The rise of Qingyuan Yun Manor lay in their ancestor’s unparalleled cultivation. For centuries, the Manor thrived. But throughout, none among the later generations had emerged as a pillar figure. The ancestor’s passing left Yun Manor without support, leading to its decline.

Taking advantage, the Qingyuan shops pressured Yun Manor to lower its rents. Many other Immortal Sects also began to ridicule Yun Manor. Gradually, the disciples and retainers started to leave, causing Yun Manor to fall completely into neglect.

Now, apart from family disciples, only some loyal servants remained within Yun Manor.

Yun Ze said helplessly, “The ancestor probably foresaw this day. That’s why, back then, he sought to extend his life with the Chenghuang Strategy, hoping to shelter Yun Manor for a few more years until someone talented enough could bear its burden. You, Mr. Chen, know what happened next. The ancestor felt this might be his Destiny and ceased any further schemes. The pity is that he deeply wished to see you, Mr. Chen, one last time before he passed away, but it never came to be.”

Chen Changsheng said, “I was genuinely unable to come in those years.”

“I don’t blame you, Mr. Chen. It was the ancestor’s Destiny.”

Yun Ze exhaled and said, “Everyone at Yun Manor has long accepted the changes of these years.”

Chen Changsheng paused and asked, “In these few hundred years, has Yun Manor truly not produced a single extraordinary disciple?”

“There naturally was one.”

Yun Ze said, “There was indeed one disciple back then with unmatchable talent. After less than a hundred years of Cultivation, he reached the Dongxu Realm, even ranking highly among the young prodigies of his time. Sadly, he was too reckless. For a foolish matter of romance, he attacked an Immortal Mountain alone. Overwhelmed by numbers, his Spiritual Root was crippled, his cultivation plummeted, and he has never recovered since.”

His gaze turned distant as he looked outside.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng asked, “Could this person…”

“…be Patriarch Yun himself?”

Yun Ze shook his head with a wry smile. “It was a friend of mine.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng looked at him and said, “Then I will assume you have such a friend, Patriarch Yun.”

“He is just a friend. He really exists.”

“I understand.”

“…” Patriarch Yun offered no further rebuttal. He had merely mentioned it. The glory years were long gone.

He coughed and continued, “Apart from him, among the later disciples, only Yun Li still shows some promise. Though, he’s still too young and inexperienced.”

Mr. Chen said, “Yun Li is indeed promising material. It’s just the path he has to walk is still rather long.”

Patriarch Yun nodded. “True. It’s just… Yun Manor may not last until that time.”

“Why do you say that, Patriarch Yun?” Chen Changsheng asked, puzzled.

Patriarch Yun replied, “Over the centuries, Yun Manor accumulated countless Magical Artifacts and treasures. It was inevitable some would scheme for them. Otherwise, with Yun Manor’s wealth, why would it be hard to retain these disciples? The true difficulty lies in the fact that… too many people died that one time…”

“What Immortal Sect dared launch such a large attack?”

“The one from the neighboring Immortal Island.”

Patriarch Yun explained, “It was the cultivators from Qinle Palace. In their early years, they suffered a blow from Zhao Yuqing of Yunfu Mountain. Since then, they moved their palace here. That island originally belonged to our Yun Manor. Without a word, Qinle Palace tried to seize it for themselves. Our disciples were furious, ready to ride their swords and fight. I stopped the conflict by negotiating, offering to let Qinle Palace rebuild their sect on the island provided they paid tribute to Yun Manor yearly.”

“I thought it best to leave a way out for others. But Qinle Palace seems ungrateful. Now they even covet Yun Manor itself, seeking to swallow it whole to strengthen their Qinle Palace.”

Patriarch Yun snorted coldly. “How hateful!”

Patriarch Yun then proceeded to speak vividly about Yun Manor’s sorrowful plight.

How their disciples were mistreated. How Qinle Palace acted arrogantly and overbearing in its oppression.

His eyes even reddened at the heart of the performance.

This display of acting was truly stunning.

Chen Changsheng was momentarily so stunned he couldn’t react.

Simply put, Patriarch Yun wasn’t hiding his intentions at all. He was blatantly seeking Chen Changsheng’s help.

He had tossed aside all face.

“Qinle Palace…”

Chen Changsheng murmured the name.

Patriarch Yun clenched his fist. “This behavior demands everyone condemns it! We of Yun Manor hate that we are not what we once were. Now we can only accept the bullying.”

Chen Changsheng mostly grasped Patriarch Yun’s meaning. “Patriarch Yun, there’s no need for this. You treated me well in past years. Accompanying you for a visit is the least I can do now.”

“Do you mean that, sir?!”

“I do not lie.”

Chen Changsheng chuckled. It must be said, Patriarch Yun was quite an actor.

But what was wrong with that?

This completely unveiled request showed Patriarch Yun was truly at his wits’ end, with no other solutions.

Mr. Chen added, “But this matter needn’t be rushed. I also came here seeking advice from you, Patriarch Yun.”

“Please speak, sir.”

“I wish to know which famous Immortal Mountains in the Cultivation World of today still inherit ancient traditions of both Formation Arrays and Talismans. I have some matters for which I hope to seek their guidance.”

Patriarch Yun was startled. “Is that all?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “I’ve spent so many years in the Mortal World, so my knowledge of the Cultivation World is limited.”

Patriarch Yun understood. “With Yun Manor in decline, I’m afraid I can no longer introduce you to these places. I hope you do not blame me.”

“That is of no consequence.”