69: Chapter 68: Unexpected Encounter [Please Bookmark and Recommend] 69: Chapter 68: Unexpected Encounter [Please Bookmark and Recommend] PS: On the eleventh it will be released, and after launch, Old Laziness will update more to meet everyone’s expectations.

The data during the new book period is very important, determining the success of a book; there’s only one week left in the new book period, so I ask friends, if you are reading on other websites, please come to QiDian to click and collect, as each piece of data is very important to an author.

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The manor is located on the edge of the southern part of Liuyang City, expansive in size and rich in scenic gardens;

This is a characteristic of this world, where hermits rarely live in isolation among the mountains and wilderness, places seldom visited by humans, because those are the domains of demons, who do not appreciate the human mood of reclusion and only know that you are there to encroach on their territory.

Therefore, they could only seek deep seclusion in plain sight, which was actually a last resort.

In the back garden of the manor, there is a pavilion, several meters high, with a view of the surrounding scenery from within; it was the place the Old Immortal used for divining the secrets of heaven.

However, now the Old Immortal was entertaining guests in the front hall, and there was a guest leisurely playing the guqin in the pavilion.

The Daoist, still covered in a light veil, did not show her brilliance, yet the sound of her guqin was ethereal, almost tangible, which somewhat conflicted with the celebratory atmosphere of the manor.

She had to come because the Old Immortal, as a prominent figure in Liuyang, still had considerable influence among the loose cultivators here.

As one of the leading figures of the Daoist Sect in Liuyang City, she had to maintain good relations with these loose cultivators, as they could be a significant support when needed.

The involvement of the Anhe Daoist Sect in mundane affairs was limited, especially in the inland cities of the country, where its presence was particularly subdued; but in border cities, especially those like Yang City facing the opposition of the True Demon Sect, it was still necessary to deploy a certain level of power.

Humans did not intend to harm tigers, but tigers had the intent to harm humans; it was probably like that.

The Daoist strength deployed in Liuyang City was strong, arranged to be on par with the strength of the True Demon Sect in Jin City, the only difference being that they held no specific mundane official positions, which the Daoists did not care much about.

In terms of cultivation realms, Liuyang City had dozens of cultivators at the Tongxuan Realm and above, slightly more than Jin City Quanzhen, because no one could surpass the Daoist Sect in terms of cultivation alone.

The Daoist was one of the main administrators in Liuyang City, responsible for the exchange affairs of cultivators throughout the Liuyang border region.

Her focus was on how to manage relations with the opposing side, which was why she was here today, not entirely for personal reasons but also for a bit of justice.

This situation had been the same for thousands of years, during which a few large-scale standoffs and small-scale battles had occurred between the two sides.

But for the most part, both sides were restrained, knowing that they could not completely overcome the other, so they could only watch each other from across the forest, each building up their strength.

Her visit today to celebrate a birthday represented the attitude of the Daoist Sect, needing a sufficiently influential person to show sincerity.

In the circle of loose cultivators in Liuyang, everyone knew that the Old Immortal had extensive connections, including many friends from the Demon Sect, such as those from the True Demon Sect across the way.

This is the freedom of cultivators; no one can interfere with their right to make friends, as long as they stand firm in their crucial choices.

This required cultivation, needing connection and sentiment.

Her ten fingers unconsciously strummed on the guqin, producing intermittent, unresolved melodies yet filled with deep meaning; managing local exchange affairs was not a simple matter, needing to consider not just the openly known True Demon Sect but also most of the loose cultivator community present today, and even the various internal factions within the Daoist Sect.

Those outside the circle were unaware of the details; competition with the Demon Sect was always there, already a norm.

Without actual warfare, everything was still controllable; but internal troubles within the Daoist Sect never ceased, which troubled her even more.

She was transferred here a few years ago, so she had to face many things—the local Daoist power, the parachuted Daoist power, the hardliners, the appeasers, which didn’t include the many disputes within the Daoist Sect about the Great Dao—all of which she needed to mediate and dissolution, to form a powerful coalition within the Daoist power of Liuyang City.

She did not particularly like such social gatherings; most true Daoists didn’t, but as the Daoist responsible for these matters, if she did not come, who would?

But after all, given her status and Realm, she did not need to face those endless social interactions in the main hall; she could relax in this tranquil place.

People came for face, and everyone understood that.

Looking out from the pavilion, the scenery of the courtyard was merely man-made and hardly worth mentioning, but the faint, misty peaks of Monkey Cry Mountain in the distance added a touch of imagination to the otherwise mundane landscape.

Anhe had few mountains but many rivers, while Shan Country was mostly plains, and there weren’t many impressive mountains, though Monkey Cry was one of the well-known ones.

Her gaze extended far, seeking her own peace amidst the noise, achieving a natural state of mind.

In such harmony, perception was infinitely magnified, and then, suddenly, she felt as if an old acquaintance had arrived?

Her eyes swept over the scene, and on the street outside Guan Mansion, a figure with an anachronistic bamboo basket on his back, in which a well-behaved little girl was licking a lollipop…

…People walked amidst the autumn colors, poetry blended into the paintings.

A lone shadow moved down the long street, mirrored by Monkey Cry Mountain.

Could it be him?

The Energy Induction junior cultivator who had left a good impression on her?

In the Yao water, they had met briefly—on her return journey from Divine City, this junior cultivator had drawn his sword to face the Yao River Jellyfish!

To someone of her standing, his Realm was inconsequential, but true cultivators looked at more than just Realm; they observed the person’s heart.

In Anhe Country, not many young cultivators possessed such a disposition; most were more accustomed to assessing the situation and measuring their abilities.

She had once thought, if there was a chance to meet him again in Liuyang City, she wouldn’t mind giving this junior cultivator a push to let him have the opportunity to study deeper in the Daoist Sect, adding a bit of vitality to the stifling Anhe Daoist Sect.

Unfortunately, though it seemed he was headed toward Liuyang at first, he then vanished without a trace, as if he had disappeared from the world.

It was just one of many coincidences.

Daoist Method taught to follow fate without demanding too forcefully; the thought had flickered by and then passed away.

But to her surprise, the impression this man gave her today was completely different from the last time!

Half a year had passed, and though he was still in the Energy Induction stage, the man seemed transformed…

his figure rigid as a spear, his momentum like a rainbow, each step measured precisely, not a hair more, not a hair less, advancing silently, with unmatched sharpness!

It was as if he were an unsheathed longsword!

A sword?

Yandan Daoist’s expression darkened, she realized something—a promising Anhe Cultivation Seed had simply been taken by the True Demon Sect?

This realization immediately soured her otherwise peaceful mood.

Why join the True Demon Sect?

Recollecting her journey in the Yao water, she instantly understood—it must have been his target all along; he had traveled thousands of miles to join the True Demon Sect, not by some fortunate mishap!

What was he doing here?

Listening to the noisy sounds in the banquet hall, these loose cultivators really had wide connections!

After some thought, unable to curb her curiosity, she put away her string instrument.

Hmm, perhaps it was also time to meet with everyone?

……

PS: I recently followed a book, Wang Zijun’s “I,” which is a profound, historically rich masterpiece, and I recommend it to those interested.