Huo Wuya shook his head and said, "Perhaps, but this matter is not recorded in the sect annals, passed down only through the words of sect leaders from generation to generation, unknown to others... because there were no remains, no tomb could be built, so only a cenotaph was set up in the shrine for future generations to worship."

Chen Mo tried to calm down, then turned to look at the Qilin.

It seemed that the only one who knew the inside story of that year was it.

"Huh?"

But when Chen Mo tried to communicate with the Qilin, it tilted its head, its eyes full of bewilderment, seemingly not understanding what he was saying.

Staring into those clear eyes, Chen Mo frowned even more, it seemed like the Qilin remembered nothing.

Recalling how in the Illusory World, Pei Fengmian once said, "If there is a next life, I do not seek immortality," could it be that he found a chance for 'immortality' but perished because of it?

But who could kill the Ultimate Venerable of the time?

Chen Mo couldn't figure it out for a moment, so he let it go and said, "In that case, may I trouble the Sect Leader to take me to the shrine to pay my respects."

"Alright, Mr. Chen, follow me." Huo Wuya nodded, turned around, and flew away.

Chen Mo's mind moved, and the Dragon Marrow Sword suddenly turned into a stream of water, merging into his body.

Even though it had just acknowledged him as its master, it felt as if it had been refined for many years, as easy to control as a part of his own body.

This long sword, made of unknown material, was extremely attuned to the power of the five elements, capable of freely changing its internal structure, and could amplify the power of the "Archaic Spirit Constitution," far exceeding the top tier of the tribulation realm in grade.

After putting away the weapon, he followed Huo Wuya in the direction of the back mountain, with the sacred beast Qilin closely following behind.

The elders glanced at each other and then followed suit, leaving Yu Youhan and Ji Hongxiu alone in the courtyard.

"I didn't expect Chen Mo could meet the founding master of Martial Saint Mountain?" Ji Hongxiu slightly furrowed her brows, calculated with her fingers, and muttered uncertainly, "I can't figure it out, but I feel this matter isn't that simple, and the aura that sword emits seems a bit familiar..."

Yu Youhan watched the crowd depart, her eyes narrowing, and said coldly, "If I'm not mistaken, that Dragon Marrow Sword should share the same origin as Zhu Wujiang."

"Zhu Wujiang?" Ji Hongxiu was startled, soon reacting, "That's right, back then when I dueled her, she demonstrated an extraordinary affinity with the five elements, ordinary Daoist skills were completely ineffective against her, and she could easily unleash powerful spells, which I suppose was due to her bloodline."

She turned to look at Yu Youhan and asked, "Wouldn't that pose some hidden dangers? Should we do something?"

Yu Youhan shook her head, "This is Chen Mo's opportunity, it's unnecessary to interfere recklessly, besides, Zhu Wujiang is already dead, and those minor soldiers of the Desolate Domain can't stir up any trouble."

"Furthermore..."

Yu Youhan glanced sideways at Ji Hongxiu, her tone as cold as a biting wind, "Don't try to get close with me, Chen Mo's affairs are not your concern, the words I've said will not change, you will eventually die at my hands!"

"..."

Ji Hongxiu knew the other party was still upset.

Thinking of last night's events, her cheeks flushed with heat, she awkwardly lowered her head.

"Master."

At this moment, a cold voice came through.

Ji Hongxiu turned her head, seeing Ling Ningzhi in a moon-white Daoist robe walking over.

"Qingxuan? Do you need something from me?"

Ling Ningzhi, with a complex expression, clutched her robes tightly, softly asked, "Could I talk to you?"

?

Ji Hongxiu felt a bit restless, an inexplicable uneasy premonition stirred.

...

...

On the other side.

At the back of Lingxiao Peak, a shrine with a blue-tiled roof was hidden deep in the dense forest.

In front of the gate, two ancient cypresses stretched towards the sky, shading everything. The vermilion doors, though weathered, still exuded an air of solemnity. A black plaque hung above the lintel, inscribed with the characters "Ancestor Virtue Hall" in a powerful, radiant script.

Chen Mo followed Huo Wuya to the entrance.

Groan— 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Huo Wuya pushed open the heavy doors, a mixture of sandalwood and incense permeated the air.

The shrine was three rooms deep, flanked by several coiled dragon pillars carved with lifelike dragons.

In the central hall stood three sandalwood shrines, progressively deeper, the innermost dedicated to the gilded statue of the founding master.

The master, dressed in a dark martial robe, had a solemn face, deep eyes, with a sword gripped in reverse behind his back, looking exactly like the old man Chen Mo had seen in the Illusory World.

The plaque in front of the statue bore Pei Fengmian's name and the year of his passing into transcendence, next to it was a small wooden box and an eternal lamp, the flame flickering incessantly.

"Master Pei, your disciple pays respect."

Chen Mo lit three incense sticks and bowed respectfully.

Receiving a favor is to be remembered for a thousand years, although he only had a brief exchange of consciousness with Pei Fengmian, the help he received was immense, so paying this bow was only proper.

Huo Wuya, not daring to slack off, also bowed.

After the ceremony, Chen Mo placed the incense into the brazier, his gaze shifting to the small palm-sized wooden box.

"This is..."

Huo Wuya stepped forward and opened the box, revealing a jade pendant broken into two halves, with the faint engravings of the characters "Fuyun" on it.

"This is the Divine Soul Jade Token of the master, and the only relic he left behind." Huo Wuya took the jade token and handed it to Chen Mo, saying, "You are the only remaining direct disciple of the ancestor, let this serve as a remembrance for you."

"This..."

"Then I humbly accept."

Chen Mo took it and placed it into the Heavenly Profound Ring.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "By the way, Master Huo, the insights Master Pei imparted to me are too vast to comprehend all at once. Perhaps the disciples of Martial Saint Mountain should also contemplate them together, it might bring unexpected benefits..."

Huo Wuya was stunned for a moment, with his throat moving in disbelief, "Mr. Chen, are you certain? This is an immense opportunity!"

As the saying goes, the ultimate art is not shared with many, the inheritance of a supreme martial art is incredibly precious, even understanding a fraction could potentially attain the grandmaster level, and Chen Mo's action is akin to giving away a treasure mountain!

"Since I've received the sword intent and the inheritance, I should contribute something to Martial Saint Mountain."

Chen Mo, with a serene expression, smiled and said, "What others gain should not be seen as your loss, if you can't even have this breadth of mind, how can you discuss achieving enlightenment? Besides, Master Huo mentioned that everyone here is family."

Huo Wuya found himself momentarily lost.

Others' gains need not be seen as one's loss?

How many in this world could possess such magnanimity?

It was only now that he realized he never truly understood this young man before him.

Outside the shrine.

The elders waited silently, the atmosphere was devoid of sound.

Zi Wenzhong stood at the front of the crowd, in new clothes, with his wounds simply bandaged, looking much calmer, though his breath was still a bit unstable.

Reflecting on the day's events, he still felt a sense of unreality.

Who would've thought, the youngster who was challenging him a few days ago would inexplicably become the direct disciple of the deceased founder, and his nominal mentor grand-uncle.

Clearly, it was the other party who showed no respect, yet it turned into him committing betrayal.

This was just too ridiculous...

Yet, the facts were undeniable...

Just then, the shrine doors swung open and Huo Wuya stepped out, approaching them.

"Sect Leader."

Everyone bowed in greeting.

Huo Wuya, with a cheerful expression, said, "Go, inform the disciples of each peak to gather at the Martial Arts Arena on Lingxiao Peak in fifteen minutes."

Jiang Zhiyun curiously asked, "Is the Sect Leader going to announce something important?"

Huo Wuya, with his hands clasped behind his back, said, "Not me, it's Mr. Chen. He intends to impart all of the martial arts insights granted by the master to our disciples!"

"What?!"

The crowd gasped in shock, their faces full of astonishment.

...

...

Golden Sun State, outer perimeter of the Qingyan Mountain Range.

Wearing a scholar's robe, Zhu Wujiang furrowed her brow, her hand pressed against her heaving chest, her heart racing rapidly, as if something was calling out to her.

"What's going on, such a strange feeling..."