ng Zhang had no ti for unnecessary words and formalities. As a closed-door disciple of the forr Taiyi Sect Master, Daoist Profound Spirit, and one of the sect's highly cultivated rising stars, in the eyes of disciples like Li Baofu, even disregarding ng Zhang's identity as the current Taiyi Sect Master, they wouldn't dare to be the slightest bit disrespectful.
Li Baofu got straight to the point. The awakened individual was a ten-year-old boy nad Tian Li, who happened to be a distant nephew of Tian Zhen. Tian Li's father had already passed away, leaving only his mother. His mother was the sister of Fang ng, the senior disciple of Taiyi Sect, who had joined the Zhao Family.
This kind of situation wasn't uncommon, as most Taiyi Sect disciples hailed from Sweetwater Oasis. They not only had family mbers there but also had various connections with each other. When Fang ng left Taiyi Sect to join the Zhao Family, many people in Sweetwater Oasis disapproved of his actions, but his relatives didn't shut him out.
Interestingly, when Fang ng was visiting his sister's ho, Tian Li, his nephew, happened to awaken his spiritual root. Typically, when one's spiritual root awakened, so peculiar phenona would manifest in the surroundings. Common signs included automatically absorbing spiritual energy from the surroundings or creating gusts of wind around the body. Different individuals would exhibit various unique phenona based on their physical attributes.
In Sweetwater Oasis, there were also several retired Taiyi Sect disciples who quickly arrived at Tian Li's ho to help him control his spiritual root and contain the anomalies. It was at this mont that Fang ng, identifying himself as the boy's uncle, attempted to take Tian Li away.
However, the Sweetwater Oasis residents, especially the old Taiyi Sect disciples, wouldn't allow Fang ng to take the boy without a fight. Both sides refused to back down, but due to mutual apprehension, they hadn't made a move yet and were engaged in a heated verbal confrontation.
Li Baofu, as the appointed stationed disciple of Taiyi Sect, was relatively clever. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly used a communication talisman to inform Tian Zhen, who was currently in charge of the sect's general affairs.
Upon hearing Li Baofu's account, ng Zhang and Tian Zhen were both enraged. Tian Zhen even volunteered for the task.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, Fang ng betrayed the sect and deserves death. I request permission to apprehend him and await your orders."
"Fang ng is not the only concern; we must be cautious with Zhao Family's involvent."
"Both of you can co with to see what Fang ng, now under the patronage of a new master, intends to do."
ng Zhang didn't allow Tian Zhen to act alone but took him along as they walked towards Fang ng's sister's ho. ng Zhang had spent so ti in Sweetwater Oasis during his childhood and had visited several tis after joining Taiyi Sect. He had so understanding of the sect disciples' relatives in the area.
As ng Zhang led the way without the need for Li Baofu's guidance, they quickly arrived at their destination. Before they got close, the chaotic clamor of arguing reached their ears. One voice, particularly powerful, dominated all others: "Fang ng, you traitorous scoundrel! You think you can co here and act recklessly, just because you've climbed up a high branch?"
"If you want to take Tian Li away, you'll have to step over my dead body first."
Hearing this voice, ng Zhang chuckled. "Old Man Tian still possesses such spiritedness at his age."
ng Zhang and the others arrived outside a small courtyard. The surrounding area was already filled with people from all around.
At the entrance of the courtyard, an elderly man with white hair and age spots on his face led a group of old n, surrounding Fang ng and a middle-aged man, berating them non-stop.
When the people around recognized ng Zhang riding over, soone shouted, "The Sect Master is here, everyone, make way!"
The previously crowded crowd split into two, making way for a clear path.
Even those who were arguing beca quiet.
ng Zhang instructed Li Baofu behind him, "Disperse the crowd."
As the ruler of Sweetwater Oasis, Taiyi Sect held sufficient authority there. Li Baofu didn't need to exert much effort, and the surrounding people quickly dispersed. The street that was once packed with people beca empty.
ng Zhang cast a glance at Fang ng without paying much attention to him and instead focused on the middle-aged man by his side.
"I wonder who the esteed guest is, visiting the territory of my Taiyi Sect without informing the host."
The middle-aged man appeared to be around the sa age as Fang ng, and his face looked amiable.
He clasped his hands towards ng Zhang. "You must be Taiyi Sect's Sect Master ng. I am Zhao Dong, a neighbor of Taiyi Sect."
"I am just visiting as a guest with my good friend Brother Fang to pay a visit to his family. I apologize for not giving advance notice; it's my fault."
ng Zhang dismounted from his horse and first approached the white-haired old man.
"Old Man Tian, we younger generation has failed you, causing you trouble."
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. Please rest with Old Man Tian. I will handle the rest."
ng Zhang then bowed to the other elderly n.
Old Man Tian was also a Taiyi Sect disciple, but he had left Taiyi Sect and returned to live in Sweetwater Oasis several decades ago. In theory, Refining Qi stage cultivators could live up to two jiazi, or 120 years, at most. However, that was the ideal scenario. In reality, very few Refining Qi cultivators could live past a hundred years, due to various factors such as personal cultivation progress and individual physical conditions.
Old Man Tian had already lived past a hundred years, and his body remained robust till now, truly an anomaly.
Over ninety years ago, when Taiyi Sect was rebuilt for the third ti in this area, Old Man Tian, not yet ten years old, was among the first batch of disciples recruited by Taiyi Sect. Having experienced nearly all of Taiyi Sect's history since its third rebuilding, he could be considered a living relic and auspicious presence within the sect.
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