White Jade Island.
At the harbor.
Chen Jichuan disembarked from the ship with Wun Shouyang, Zhong Dahai, and eleven other disciples.
"Finally arrived."
"Is this White Jade Island? So beautiful."
"Looks like a town. I thought all overseas places were immortal palaces built atop clouds."
Among the disciples, the lively ones found everything novel, darting their gazes left and right, unable to get enough, chattering away ceaselessly.
The introverted and reserved ones, after drifting for half a year and traversing tens of thousands of miles at sea, finally reached their destination. Even they wore smiles of anticipation, looking forward to the days ahead.
"You all will settle here for now, familiarize yourselves with the surroundings. Once I return, I will arrange further accommodations."
Chen Jichuan instructed Wun Shouyang and the others.
He didn’t plan to bring these disciples back to Jade Spring Mountain and integrate them into the mountain’s ranks.
Not to ntion Jade Spring Mountain is overseen by Wuk Yuan Immortal Master, always casting an oppressive shadow.
Even if Wuk Yuan Immortal Master were gone, there were plenty of uncles and senior elders on the mountain, including experts at the Innate Extre. Although vying for authority might not be impossible for Chen Jichuan, it would inevitably involve so open and covert clashes.
Chen Jichuan disliked such conflicts.
Furthermore.
Once Wuk Yuan Immortal Master passed away, if Jade Spring Mountain failed to produce another Qi Refining Immortal Master, the mountain’s survival itself would be in jeopardy.
There was nothing worth vying for.
Chen Jichuan had poured considerable effort and energy into nurturing his disciples at Three Realms Pass. He didn’t want to hand them over to others or be drawn into inner struggles.
Instead, he decided to find an island elsewhere, rebuild "Echo Valley," separate it from Jade Spring Mountain, and establish his own lineage.
As the founding patriarch, his status would be suprely exalted, free from petty complications, leaving him with peace and clarity.
As for the specific location to settle these disciples, Chen Jichuan hadn’t yet made a decision or set a clear goal.
White Jade Island bustled with visitors and many shops, making it an ideal place for Wun Shouyang and the others to quickly acquaint themselves with the Mysterious Nether Sea.
They would stay here for now.
After Chen Jichuan visited Jade Spring Island, finding a proper place for his disciples could wait.
"Understood."
Wun Shouyang and the others had no objections, responding affirmatively.
They too were eager to familiarize themselves with the Mysterious Nether Sea and weren’t in a rush to settle permanently.
Once they adapted.
Perhaps then they might yearn for a steady base that provides them with a sense of belonging and security.
No one was hurrying for now.
They followed Chen Jichuan to stay at a spacious mansion with three courtyards, hired a few servants and young attendants to handle mundane tasks and act as guides.
After taking care of these arrangents.
Chen Jichuan separated from his disciples and headed straight for the Jade Spring Pill Pavilion.
...
Thirty-odd years had passed.
The Jade Spring Pill Pavilion remained unchanged, with scattered visitors coming and going.
Outside the pavilion stood two rows of maple trees.
Autumn was nearing its end; the maple leaves had turned crimson with frost, carpeting the ground. A gray-haired middle-aged man limped as he swept fallen leaves, an aura of decline emanating from him.
At first, Chen Jichuan gazed at the Pill Pavilion, then at the maple trees and leaves. It was only after his gaze fell on the sweeping middle-aged man that he habitually used "Insight Skill" to observe.
Upon seeing clearly.
"It’s—"
Chen Jichuan’s spirit trembled, hesitant.
He froze on the spot.
Only when the middle-aged man, seeming tired from his hunched posture, straightened up and stretched slightly did their eyes et. The man raised his head and saw the youth standing not far away, looking right at him.
Thirty-three years.
Chen Jichuan’s appearance had not changed, save for a streak of white hair.
The middle-aged man, upon seeing him, froze for a mont.
Their gazes locked.
Chen Jichuan finally snapped back to reality, stepping forward and calling out, "Senior Brother."
mories surged like tidal waves—
...
"Who are you?"
"I’m Chen Jichuan, the new water-carrying boy under Wuk Yuan Immortal Master. The Immortal Master instructed to report to the dicine garden."
"Wait here, I’ll call Master."
...
"From now on, Senior Brother, please take good care of ."
"Haha, alright, alright!"
...
"So of the uncles and senior brothers on the mountain ca from far inland and also started as ’water-carrying boys.’ Work hard, Junior Brother; soon you’ll beco a registered disciple."
"Understood, I’ll do my best."
...
"Junior Brother, the auspicious hour has arrived. Go and pay your respects to Master!"
...
"Junior Brother returned earlier than I anticipated."
...
"Just ca back and are leaving again? How long will this trip take?"
...
"A year? That’s too long!"
...
In a daze.
Chen Jichuan seed to see again the small boy from the dicine garden with half his head poked out, his face round and bright.
He seed also to see the cheerful Senior Brother who had joyously co to White Jade Island to visit him, and the ecstatic young lad who received the "Carefree Shuttle."
Ti shifted.
After so many years apart.
That forr boy, that cheerful youth, had now beco a crippled middle-aged man, bitterly sweeping leaves outside the Jade Spring Pill Pavilion?!
"Senior Brother!"
"This—this is—"
Chen Jichuan felt sorrow and anger welling up.
What kind of misfortune must have happened to make the once optimistic and open-hearted youth end up like this?
"Junior Brother—"
Pei Ze looked at Chen Jichuan, initially hesitant to acknowledge him.
It wasn’t until Chen Jichuan called out a second ti that Pei Ze snapped out of it. His eyes showed a complicated expression. He forced a smile and said, "Junior Brother has returned."
"Yes."
"I’m back."
Chen Jichuan gazed at Pei Ze, opening his mouth to speak but unsure of what to say.
Years ago, he had lied to Pei Ze, saying he was going ho to visit family and would return within half a year. Yet, this departure had lasted over three decades. He had assud that upon his return, Pei Ze’s talent would have made him at least reach the Second or Third Innate Realm.
But instead—
"Years ago, I was caught in a storm at sea and lost a leg. I’m lucky I survived at all."
Pei Ze’s tone was calm, tinged with detachnt.
Chen Jichuan recognized the distance in Pei Ze’s words but didn’t take it to heart.
After all, thirty years had passed. Moreover, he had returned this ti with his appearance unchanged, showing clear signs of cultivation success. Whereas Pei Ze had lost a leg and only attained Postnatal Sixth Layer cultivation.
With both estrangent and disparity in achievents.
It was natural for Pei Ze to treat him with polite aloofness, and Chen Jichuan understood.
"I was delayed inland due to certain matters and couldn’t extricate myself. Only now can I return. Senior Brother is injured—why not co with to Jade Spring Mountain for proper recovery and care?"
Despite their old bond, the relationship between Chen Jichuan and Pei Ze ran deeper than rely surface-level acquaintances, far surpassing the connections he had with the Qian Brothers. Seeing Pei Ze crippled and sweeping leaves outside the Pill Pavilion, Chen Jichuan couldn’t suppress his heartache and genuinely wanted to provide so assistance.
"No need."
"It’s fine here. Passing idle days sweeping leaves—I’ve grown used to it."
Pei Ze shook his head.
He pounded his waist with his hands before addressing Chen Jichuan: "Junior Brother’s return is indeed a joyous occasion. However, my elderly father and mother at ho mustn’t be left alone. I hope you’ll forgive for not hosting you properly. Junior Brother should return to the island soon and pay respects to our founder and Master."
"Master—"
Chen Jichuan paused, surprised.
He rembered that when he left the Mysterious Nether Sea years ago, his master, Yus Chengbo, was 91 years old.
Counting the years, if still alive now, Yus Chengbo should be 124. For an Innate Cultivator, this age was not truly old.
Yet unexpectedly, he had passed away.
"Has been gone for seven or eight years already."
Pei Ze replied.
Seven or eight years ago, at just slightly over 110 years old, it was far too short-lived.
Yet recalling the pervasive aura of decline around Yus Chengbo, Chen Jichuan couldn’t say he was entirely surprised.
As for this master, their interaction and connection had been sparse, far less than his bond with Pei Ze.
Now this Senior Brother was treating him with characteristic distance—Chen Jichuan naturally felt little emotional attachnt to a deceased ntor.
"In the end, I still couldn’t see him one last ti."
Chen Jichuan sighed, and seeing Pei Ze’s lack of interest in reminiscing, decided not to linger. Instead, he said, "I’ll return to Jade Spring Island first, and we’ll catch up another ti, Senior Brother."
"Alright."
Pei Ze nodded.
Chen Jichuan observed this and let out another quiet sigh, forgoing his plan to enter the Pill Pavilion. He turned and left.
After Chen Jichuan departed.
Pei Ze limped back, broom in hand, continuing to sweep fallen leaves. As he bent over, his lips curled into a faint smile that he couldn’t suppress. However, for so reason, his eyes grew red around the edges.
...
The eting with Pei Ze.
Left Chen Jichuan feeling downhearted.
Among his expectations upon returning to the Mysterious Nether Sea, the reunion with this Senior Brother had topped the list. But the reunion ca too quickly and too cruelly.
"The Dantian is damaged."
"In this lifeti, he’ll be confined to Postnatal cultivation."
Chen Jichuan sighed heavily in his heart.
If Pei Ze had been wronged by soone, Chen Jichuan could’ve investigated and sought vengeance.
But his injuries stemd from a sea storm, leaving him crippled. While Chen Jichuan could take lives, he had no ans to reverse nature or vent his frustrations on the ocean itself.
As for healing.
Chen Jichuan saw clearly: the injuries were to his Dantian, with further damage to his ridians. re Source Power wouldn’t suffice for treatnt—it would require spiritual pills capable of repairing the Dantian.
Additionally.
Pei Ze’s mindset had shifted; without restoring his inner resolve, even if both his Dantian and ridians were healed, his spirit wouldn’t return to cultivate within his core.
Thus, Innate cultivation was forever out of reach.
"I’ll support him in the future, ensuring he’s not bullied or mistreated."
Chen Jichuan resolved in his heart.
Suppressing this lancholic mood, he hired a ship to leave White Jade Island, heading toward Jade Spring Island.
...
Jade Spring Island remained much as it had before.
The west side bustled with activity, while the east side retained its tranquility.
Chen Jichuan disembarked at the eastern port and was promptly approached by a disciple in Jade Spring Mountain uniform who questioned him: "Who are you, and what is your business on Jade Spring Mountain?"
Na: Chen Yu
Age: 25
Level: 6
Cultivation Technique: "Herb and Tree Formulas" (Sixth Layer)
Magic: Small Cloud Rain Technique, Fire Bomb Technique, Expelling Technique
...
This was an ordinary Jade Spring Mountain disciple, possessing only Postnatal cultivation.
Such disciples were responsible for countless mundane tasks within both the mountain and island.
Tasks like guarding harbors and ports were among their duties. Back then, when Chen Jichuan worked as an assistant at the Jade Spring Pill Pavilion, it was one of many similar roles.
So, upon seeing this disciple nad "Chen Yu," Chen Jichuan felt a trace of fond familiarity.
Rather than being annoyed, he smiled at the youth and said, "I too am a Jade Spring Mountain disciple. My na is Chen Jichuan, disciple of Yus Chengbo. I used to work alongside Master Xu Tianfang at the Jade Spring Pill Pavilion on White Jade Island."
Concerned that Chen Yu might not believe him, Chen Jichuan not only revealed his na but deliberately ntioned Yus Chengbo and Xu Tianfang.
Expecting the disciple to ask for further clarification.
To his surprise, as soon as Chen Jichuan finished speaking, Chen Yu’s eyes widened: "Nonsense! Master Yus was known to have only one disciple, Master Pei Ze. I’ve never heard of any so-called ’Chen Jichuan’!"
Chen Yu’s expression was alert, tightening his grip on the magic sword he carried.
"I went inland years ago to visit family, got embroiled in complications, and only now could return. If you don’t believe , ask Master Xu Tianfang—you’ll find out soon enough."
Chen Jichuan explained to Chen Yu, keeping his tone asured.
Thirty-three years had passed.
It was entirely reasonable for Jade Spring Mountain disciples not to know of him. His identity was genuine—it rely required more explanation.
"Years ago went inland to visit family?"
Chen Yu frowned slightly, uncertain. Suddenly, his expression shifted as though recalling sothing. He abruptly asked, "Was it more than thirty years ago?"
"Thirty-three years, to be exact."
"Why do you ask?"
Chen Jichuan looked at Chen Yu, curious about his apparent agitation.
"So it’s you!"
Chen Yu looked at Chen Jichuan, slapped his forehead, and exclaid with a tone of realization, "I heard about you! A few years ago, while visiting the Jade Spring Pill Pavilion, Master Pei Ze ntioned you. I even asked my senior brothers about it. Turns out, years ago, Master Pei Ze secretly went to sea searching for a junior brother but encountered a storm, losing his leg and his cultivation foundation. Initially destined for Qi Refinent, now he’s sweeping leaves outside the Pill Pavilion—and it turns out *you’re* that junior brother..."
...
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