339: Zhang Wei's nightmare

Within the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven, Jiang Hongyue was leading an ordinary-looking young man toward Holy Son Peak.

"Brother Jiang, who exactly is this important figure you mentioned?"

The young man asked nervously.

He was none other than the current Chief Helmsman of the Heaven and Earth Society, Zhang Wei.

Originally, the Alliance established by this group of second-generation descendants and Loose Cultivators with decent talent only operated within a small circle.

Although they could travel far and wide in the escort business by relying on their respective connections and strength—delivering goods and escorts at low prices for everyone, which could be considered doing some good deeds.

However, during one escort mission, a brother met a Daoist priest from the Kurong Temple. That Daoist had an extraordinary background, said to be one of the Temple Master's Personal Disciples.

From then on, their luck turned for the better.

Because of their usual charitable acts and their friendship with the Daoist, they soon took on a business: being responsible for transporting the now-thriving pre-prepared meals.

Nowadays, pre-prepared meals are already quite famous in the Eastern Domain, Northern Border, and Southern Desert. After the Three Sects Martial Competition, there were even rumors that they were trending toward expanding into West River.

Although pre-prepared meals were initially only famous in the Taiyi City and Kurong Temple area, they were certainly not something a group of idle people like them could have touched.

Thus, Zhang Wei was very grateful for the Daoist's appreciation and for taking on this business.

Now, the Heaven and Earth Society not only participated in the process of pushing pre-prepared meals across the entire continent step by step but also completely revitalized the originally half-dead society, causing even the Elders of the second-generation members' families to look at them in a new light.

Just as he was envisioning a grand future, Jiang Hongyue, who was responsible for coordinating with him in the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven, suddenly sent a message asking him to come over.

This made him both excited and apprehensive.

Within the four domains, the circulation of many resources was restricted; most that could circulate publicly were backed by major powers.

Although pre-prepared meals were a level lower than Medicinal Pills, the fact that they could circulate so widely without being blocked—even being accepted by both the righteous and demonic paths—already showed their profound background.

The status of a Personal Disciple of the Kurong Temple was certainly not enough; the root must lie within the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven.

Combined with the fact that he had coordinated with Jiang Hongyue shortly after taking over the pre-prepared meals business, the answer was already very clear.

At this moment, Jiang Hongyue caught sight of Holy Son Peak and lowered his Flying Sword with Zhang Wei.

"We've arrived."

"Don't ask what shouldn't be asked. You're not stupid; you can probably guess."

Hearing this, the heavy stone in Zhang Wei's heart finally fell. A drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead.

As expected!

It seemed the important figure behind the pre-prepared meals must be a certain Personal Disciple of the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven!

To be able to mobilize Inner Sect Disciples for errands and work alongside a Personal Disciple of another major power, they must undoubtedly be a Personal Disciple, perhaps even an heir handpicked by an Inner Sect Elder!

Jiang Hongyue hadn't expected Zhang Wei's vision to be so limited.

He thought the other party knew that his Senior Brother was behind the pre-prepared meals business, but he hadn't expected that even with his imagination running wild, Zhang Wei only dared to guess it was a True Disciple.

However, this was a case of Jiang Hongyue's "why not eat meat porridge" perspective.

Many things well-known in upper-class circles were completely closed off to the middle and lower classes.

They could often only catch a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg, something he, who lived in the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven for a long time, often overlooked.

Although many people knew of Zhou Yan's identity as the Saint and his deeds were recorded on the Heaven Ranking, those "many people" were quite insignificant when looking at the entire world.

Even that old man in the former Zombie City was only barely able to learn this information at the Foundation Establishment Stage because he belonged to the Dao Sect system.

Different circles; no matter how great the power, it was difficult to integrate.

Next, Zhang Wei deeply experienced the shock of "not knowing what year it is in the celestial palaces."

Zhang Wei saw a mountain peak ahead that was not grand but exceptionally sacred and thought the person he was to meet was on it. Just as he was about to step forward, he was stopped and pushed back slightly by Jiang Hongyue.

Then Jiang Hongyue bowed with his hands cupped and used his mana to amplify his voice.

"Disciple Jiang Hongyue requests an audience with the Saint."

"Zhang Wei, the Chief Helmsman of the Heaven and Earth Society, has been brought here."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei's head suddenly buzzed, and he nearly lost his footing. His mind went blank, and his speech became clumsy; he wanted to ask something but couldn't speak, just standing there stiffly with his body leaning back in an awkward posture.

Jiang Hongyue stared in a daze, not knowing what the other was doing, and quickly tapped a finger on his forehead to wake him up.

Only then did Zhang Wei realize he had lost his composure. He was about to perform a grand salute when he was stopped by Jiang Hongyue again.

"What are you doing?"

"Just cupping your hands is enough. Why are you kneeling?"

Zhang Wei was still a bit dazed and could only answer blankly.

"The Qingxu Saint is... is... is our Great Yu's Imperial Preceptor. A... a grand salute is required."

Jiang Hongyue showed a puzzled expression.

Brother Zhou has this title too?

When did he get it? During his travels?

It seems I'll have to find some time to catch up on Brother Zhou's deeds, lest things get awkward later; it's not good for the things I don't know to keep piling up.

"Ahem, in the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven, just follow our rules."

Jiang Hongyue coughed twice and then used his mana to lift him up. Zhang Wei understood and quickly mimicked Jiang Hongyue's movements.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you may withdraw for now."

"Zhang Wei, you may come up the mountain alone. I will wait for you at the summit."

The voice echoed through the mountains, carrying a faint pressure that made Zhang Wei feel as if he were facing a Family Elder.

Seeing that he was no longer needed, Jiang Hongyue patted Zhang Wei's shoulder, signaled that he would wait outside the mountain, and flew off on his sword.

Zhang Wei originally wanted to pull him along, but seeing the other party depart, he could only grit his teeth and steel himself to walk up.

As he walked, a sense of absurdity inexplicably welled up within him.

For some reason, he felt that this important figure, who was on the same level as a Qingxu Grotto-Heaven Elder, sounded surprisingly similar to the voice in his nightmares. Because it was a nightmare, he could never forget that voice and that figure.

Because of this, he felt it was absurd; a voice he remembered so clearly was actually so similar to what he heard now. Should he believe he remembered incorrectly, or believe he had guessed right?

However, he quickly suppressed the thought.

How could he let his mind wander at a time like this?

He had to focus on dealing with the Saint; otherwise, not only would he be in trouble, but he would also implicate his brothers and Family.

Amidst his chaotic thoughts, he had unknowingly reached the summit. Since the mountain wasn't high, he could reach the top quickly with his Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation.

By the time he realized it, he became even more nervous; he had been so busy thinking about other things that he forgot to carefully consider his words in advance.

Just as he was at a loss, the doors of the hall ahead, which had an ancient Southern Desert style, slowly slid open to the left.

Such an ancient-looking door was actually sliding?

Before he could be surprised, a pair of bright, dark-gold eyes quietly emerged from the shadows within the door.

The moment he saw that flash of gold, Zhang Wei's whole body began to tremble violently.

Sure enough, after the golden eyes appeared, their owner also stepped out slowly.

Zhou Yan looked at the acquaintance before him, suppressed a smile, and gave a gentle greeting.

"Long time no..."

"Because we are one Family~, a loving Family."

As if a sealed memory had been awakened, Zhang Wei subconsciously burst into song and began to dance gracefully.

By now, his singing voice had improved a lot compared to when they first met in the Secret Realm, and he even remembered the dance Zhou Yan had taught him perfectly, performing it even more vividly.

But it was truly awkward.

Zhou Yan was deeply shocked by this thunderous dance and fell into a long silence.

You kid know a Thunder Control Divine Ability too?