Junior sister, keep forbear for a while, I almost become invincible as soon!-Chapter 540 Taoist Sect Secret Technique

At this moment, the passageway was very quiet, very quiet, with only Daoyan’s soft murmur remaining as he recalled the past, then slowly narrated it.

Despite maintaining his composure throughout the process, no one knew the tumult and pain within his heart.

In truth, he didn’t wish to remember these things, but since Chen Pingping wanted to know, he had no choice but to tell.

Because Chen Pingping was the person Wen Yuqing could not let go of.

He knew what that meant.

"She was naive and innocent, her heart pure and unblemished, as if in her world, there was only ever joy; she had no worries...

"I was a disciple of the Taoist Sect, and I met her at a gathering. There, she clamored to learn Taoist Skills, and as the youngest genius of the Taoist Sect, I naturally became her teacher—the kind that was both mentor and friend.

"Later, we became friends who could talk about anything.

"Actually, she wasn’t as happy as one might imagine. As the sole heir to the Wen Dynasty, she bore a heavy responsibility, and all her smiles were merely what she wanted others to see.

"Her talent was exceptional, and she learned everything quickly, except for the secret techniques of our sect, which she could never seem to master. It was only later that I found out... she did it on purpose..." Daoyan said, his voice tinged with melancholy.

Huh? Chen Pingping asked curiously, "Why did she deliberately not learn them?"

Daoyan explained, "The secret techniques of the Taoist Sect are profound and extensive, representing the most powerful foundation of our sect. Her reluctance to learn them was also a form of respect for the Taoist Sect."

"What kind of secret techniques?" Chen Pingping was even more curious.

"Three Lifetimes Engender Myriad Things..." Daoyan’s eyes widened.

In an instant, within the depths of his eyes, a figure appeared.

It was a person wearing an ancient Taoist Robe, their face indistinct. They waved a grand hand, sleeves billowing, as they brought forth a new world.

From the Tao comes One, from One comes Two, from Two comes Three, and from Three come all things...

He walked towards that vast and empty world, continuously moving his hands, evolving the Tao and shaping the power of the Five Elements.

With sleeves and robes dancing in unison, the Tao evolved with innate perfection.

Before long, mountains rose from the ground, rivers began to appear, and vegetation sprung up like bamboo shoots after rain, visibly and rapidly spreading into the distance.

He was like a God, a creator deity, forging a new world.

Chen Pingping was moved, and the words "Tao Te Ching" involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

After a long while...

Such a soul-stirring scene finally faded, and Daoyan returned to calmness. When he looked at Chen Pingping, he saw that Chen Pingping was already lost in the world that had just been manifested.

Very good!

Daoyan smiled faintly and whispered, "Wen, you previously refused to learn the secret techniques of our sect. Now, I will pass them on to the person you can’t let go of. If one day, you reach the end of the Ancient City, Chen Pingping will become your most powerful aid."

He had established the Wind Cloud List and created this small world for two purposes.

One was to wait for someone.

The second was to find someone who could inherit the secret techniques of the Taoist Sect.

At last, his wait was over.

Chen Pingping’s appearance fulfilled both purposes, and he was very content.

The passageway returned to silence, with no further sounds.

Time passed, though it was hard to say how much. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Only then did Chen Pingping awaken from his meditative state. When he looked at Daoyan again, his eyes were filled with respect. "Elder..."

"No need for more words..." Daoyan shook his head, cutting him off, and then said, "You’ve already been drawn into this; there’s no avoiding it. So... this can also be considered my way of making amends to her."

Chen Pingping’s gaze was complex.

The most powerful foundation of the Taoist Sect had just been passed on to him.

Daoyan continued, "She didn’t want me to be involved; perhaps she had her own difficult reasons. Your arrival is an alternative way for us to meet. Maybe... after this, the Wind Cloud List will cease to exist, and I... can finally rest easy."

"Elder, you?" Chen Pingping was shocked. The Daoyan before him was clearly flesh and blood; how could this be?

Daoyan smiled. "I went to the Ancient City and didn’t make it back alive. Even my bones are buried in that Scorched Earth. I was powerless. My Emperor Weapon carried my lingering will back here, where it has persisted for many years. Now, at last, I can be at peace."

Chen Pingping said mournfully, "Elder."

Aside from those two words, he didn’t know what else to say. They were the closest of friends. One was always in reincarnation, stubbornly moving forward, while the other was waiting... They could have met, with just a turn, but they never did. Now, his appearance might mean they would never meet again. His heart ached with sorrow, and for a moment, he could not voice the myriad thoughts within him. It was deeply saddening.

Daoyan shook his head, looking at him. "You need not be sad. The Taoist Sect speaks of following the natural Tao, the way of heaven and earth. Although we perish, we will live on in another form. If one day, you see someone who resembles me, do not be surprised."

He was very philosophical and free-spirited.

After waiting for endless years, one would expect his heart to be heavy with suppression, but now, he departed composedly, without sorrow or regret.

For he had completed his waiting. The person Wen Yuqing couldn’t relinquish from her heart had arrived. He had inherited the Taoist Sect’s secret technique and would now take Daoyan’s place in protecting Wen Yuqing.

Daoyan then spoke, "The ancient scroll within you can guide you to the Ancient City, but... don’t hold too much hope. Because you are different from others. If they don’t acknowledge the scroll’s existence, there’s nothing I can do."

"The Ancient City... what exactly is it?" Chen Pingping asked.

"A terrifying place. One that can drive people to despair, yet also offer them hope. You’ll understand when you get there." Daoyan looked at him. "My time is short. Do you have any more questions?"

"Is the Heaven Tao Stone real?"

"It is..." Daoyan nodded. "If you desire it, I can give it to you."

"I want it," Chen Pingping replied without hesitation.

The Heaven Tao Stone was very important to him; it was the key item needed to forge a Heaven Tao Divine Weapon.

Daoyan nodded again. "Good!" Immediately, he extended a finger, and a brilliant light burst forth, shooting into Chen Pingping’s sea of consciousness.

Chen Pingping was deeply moved, finding it hard to believe.

The Heaven Tao Stone was the Wind Cloud List? Such a large piece?

At this moment, his worldview collapsed.

That was the raw material for a Heaven Tao Divine Weapon! Even a piece the size of a fist was astonishingly valuable, enough to trigger terrible slaughters.

Chen Pingping took a deep breath, calmed himself, and asked his second question: "They all say that the geniuses who ranked first on the Wind Cloud List mysteriously disappeared. Is that true?"

Daoyan looked at him. "I gave them two choices. The first was to receive a piece of Heaven Tao Stone to comprehend the Great Tao. The second was that I could send them onto the path to the Ancient City, but they would have to walk the rest of the way themselves. They all chose the latter and never returned."

Chen Pingping was speechless.

"Never returned"—the words were chillingly apt.

"Now, control of the Heaven Tao Stone is in your hands. You can establish new rules, or you can let it disappear forever," Daoyan said. "I... must go."

"Elder, is everything you just said true?" Chen Pingping’s heart was in turmoil. "You’ll still be alive, right?"

"Perhaps..." With those two concise words, Daoyan spoke no more. His figure gradually faded, eventually vanishing like a gentle breeze.

The passageway fell silent once more.

But unlike before, this time only Chen Pingping remained.

He recalled the story Daoyan had told—everything about Wen Yuqing. Though brief and succinct, it conjured many scenes in his mind.

Wen Yuqing’s life had not been a happy one.

He slowly lowered his gaze, looking at the Paper Talisman on the ground. Daoyan hadn’t made a choice, nor had he taken the Paper Talisman. Chen Pingping didn’t know what this signified.

But he knew that at this moment, his heart felt heavy, almost suffocating.

Perhaps he should have forcefully summoned his mentor, allowing them one final meeting to make up for their regrets.

After a long, long while...

The voice of Blackhead Duck came from behind, "Young man?"