Chapter 131 Recovery

Jiang Chen saw the person approaching and hurriedly bowed.

"Disciple pays respects to Revered Master."

"Rise," Grand Master Sima Chengzhen said with a nod.

The person who arrived was none other than the current head of Maoshan, the Great Immortal Master Sima Chengzhen.

However, when the phantom of Zhang Daoling saw Jiang Chen's respectful demeanor, and the way this little fellow accepted it so matter-of-factly, he immediately felt displeased.

"Hmm, ahem, this junior is actually not bad." As he spoke, he deliberately and 'accidentally' unleashed a magnificent Talisman, which landed above his head, unreservedly displaying the glorious aura of an Ancestral Master.

Grand Master Sima Chengzhen offered a slight, bitter smile, cupped his hands, and bowed: "Junior Sima Chengzhen greets the Ancestral Master."

"Rise!" Zhang Daoling tried his best to compose his expression, forcibly restraining himself from laughing out loud.

"In the current Daoist sects, to have a figure like you, one can consider the legacy to be in good hands."

Grand Master Sima Chengzhen did not refute him, only saying: "The Ancestral Master speaks truly."

While at Maoshan, he had sensed a manifestation of spiritual intent in the Xu Prefecture region that was in no way weaker than his own, probing the heavenly secrets and Karma without any concealment.

It had even stirred his own sea of spiritual intent, so, feeling the resonance, he had come out of seclusion.

With a quick calculation, he knew what kind of figure's lingering will had manifested in the world, and that it had become entangled in Karma with his Disciple, which was why he had come here.

"You certainly have a good Disciple; it makes this old Daoist quite envious. Unlike me, who is just a solitary man."

Jiang Chen felt embarrassed. This old Daoist had only held his composure for a moment before starting to reveal his true colors; he couldn't even maintain the image of an Ancestral Master for three seconds.

Grand Master Sima Chengzhen didn't mind, simply flicking his wide sleeve. Jiang Chen didn't notice anything.

But in the eyes of Zhang Huaiyi, Jianzhen, and the Imperial Agents in the distance, the world was instantly plunged into pitch-black darkness, unable to sense anything of the outside world.

The Imperial Agents inwardly cursed their luck, but having no choice, they could only sit down where they were and wait for Grand Master Sima Chengzhen to withdraw his Divine Ability.

Only then did Grand Master Sima Chengzhen ask: "The Ancestral Master's spiritual intent is clearly manifested in the world, so why could I not trace the Ancestral Master's whereabouts in the past?"

Upon hearing this, the phantom of Zhang Daoling instantly turned solemn, his expression becoming grave.

He looked down at the ground, his expression one of contemplation.

"I also do not know how to explain it. There are many memories I cannot recall for the moment. My ability to manifest in the world with spiritual intent now is likely a contingency left by my past self."

There was a hint of confusion in the eyes of Zhang Daoling's phantom; he felt there was something very important he should say, but he had forgotten what it was.

Jiang Chen recalled the words Zhang Daoling's phantom had spoken when he first appeared and wanted to speak up to remind him.

But before the words could reach his lips, a heavy sense of impending death suddenly enveloped his entire body, leaving his hands and feet cold, and cold sweat flowed uncontrollably.

It was as if he had been watched by a terrifying, indescribable existence.

"How dare you!"

Grand Master Sima Chengzhen sensed something, suddenly shouted in anger, and looked up at the sky.

Zhang Daoling also looked grave, gazing up at that vast, unknown place in the firmament.

In an instant, the feeling of being watched vanished from Jiang Chen without a trace.

Grand Master Sima Chengzhen raised his hand to check Jiang Chen's pulse, and a cool, comfortable Qi was transmitted into Jiang Chen's body, dispelling some residual spiritual intent.

As time passed, the terrifying feeling of being enveloped by death that Jiang Chen felt on his body slowly began to disappear.

Grand Master Sima Chengzhen looked deeply at Jiang Chen and said: "Some things are better kept in your heart. Do not even think about them in your daily life, otherwise, to speak of them is to err, and to think of them is to be mistaken."

"Disciple will keep this in mind." Jiang Chen also felt some lingering fear; if he had been quick to speak just now and said it directly, the consequences of provoking that entity would likely have been even more severe.

"When matters here are concluded, return to Maoshan. I will test whether your cultivation lessons have fallen behind."

"Disciple accepts the order."

Zhang Daoling watched from the side, feeling quite uncomfortable, his heart turning sour.

"If this were the Way of the Celestial Masters, I would never be so harsh with my own Disciples."

Grand Master Sima Chengzhen did not speak, only turning his head to glance indifferently at Zhang Huaiyi and Zhang Gaoxian.

Although he didn't speak, everything was already in his gaze.

Zhang Daoling's face stiffened, and he pretended not to see Grand Master Sima Chengzhen's meaningful look.

"This old Daoist's spiritual intent cannot be maintained for long. Since I have returned to the human world for a moment, I must do something. Why don't I test the foundation of you juniors?"

"I would desire nothing more," Grand Master Sima Chengzhen said.

After saying this, Grand Master Sima Chengzhen looked at Jiang Chen: "Go attend to your own affairs. Ancestral Master Zhang and I still have some matters to discuss."

Without waiting for Jiang Chen to answer, Grand Master Sima Chengzhen wrapped himself in a stream of light and shot straight into the sky.

The phantom of Zhang Daoling followed closely behind, and as he flew up, he even erupted with a magnificent golden light, as if an Immortal were pointing the way.

Once the two left, everyone present regained their vision.

Jiang Chen glanced at the two men, Zhang Huaiyi and Zhang Gaoxian, who were lying on the ground, but did not pay them much attention.

He had already punished the two of them; how they fared in the future would depend on their own fortune.

In the end, one of the Imperial Agents in the distance hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

He cupped his hands to Jiang Chen and said: "Daoist Priest Jiang, these two have had their cultivation completely destroyed and are severely injured. If no one takes care of them, they will likely die in this wilderness. I implore you to allow me to take them back to Mount Longhu."

Jiang Chen had no objections and said: "Please feel free to do so."

The man nodded, went over to help the two up, placed them on horseback, and then cracked his whip, heading in the direction of Mount Longhu.

Jiang Chen looked at the only person still watching the scene, Yang Shu.

"If Your Excellency wishes to pray for rain and obtain merit, please feel free to do so."

Yang Shu shook his head and brushed the dust and weeds from his knees.

"Fellow Daoist's cultivation is superb; I, Yang, admit I am no match. As for this matter of praying for rain, the top spot is already in your pocket."

"Since that is the case, why does Your Excellency still refuse to leave?"

Yang Shu said: "This poor Daoist only came down the mountain for training. Upon first meeting you, Fellow Daoist, I have already seen so many figures that ordinary people would struggle to see in a lifetime. Therefore, I wish to continue following you to broaden my horizons."

Jiang Chen finally understood. To translate that: he is a magnet for trouble, and things always happen around him.

But this person was quite honest; he probably had common ground with Jianzhen.

Jiang Chen looked at Jianzhen, who was greeting Yang Shu from the side, but Yang Shu ignored him completely, only nodding indifferently.

Well, it seems there wasn't much common ground after all.

"Since that is the case, then do as you please, Your Excellency."

Jiang Chen swallowed the lotus seed that Jianzhen had given him and began to meditate to circulate his Qi.

Having aborted the rain prayer halfway through and then fought a battle against Zhang Huaiyi and the other, he was now exhausted in both body and mind.

Seeing this, Yang Shu also sat down leisurely to the side, which made Jianzhen somewhat anxious.

He didn't care who could pray for rain here; he only hoped that it would rain as soon as possible so that the common people would suffer less from the disaster.

"Daoist Priest Yang, why do you not pray for rain here?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Shu honestly said: "If I were to pray for rain, it would likely take at least three to five hours, or perhaps a whole day, far inferior to Fellow Daoist Jiang. It is better to wait here for Fellow Daoist Jiang to recover his strength."

Only then did Jianzhen understand, so he simply sat down to the side as well, waiting for Jiang Chen to recover.