CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 356 OLD GUY_3

It wasn’t that their reactions were too exaggerated, but rather that the Nine Phoenix Creek Tutelages inherently possessed supreme authority.

In an era when the Martial Saint Supreme Elder was in seclusion, these Nine Phoenix Creek Tutelages were virtually equivalent to holy sons.

And Hong Yuan, due to his previous dominant performance in crushing Liu Mantang, stood even higher, like the holy son among holy sons.

With but a command from Hong Yuan, the fate and path of an ordinary disciple could change within minutes.

Which disciple didn’t dream of becoming one of the Phoenix Creek Tutelages?

Up in the Cloud Soar, Hong Yuan felt Mo Yue’er’s intentions.

After brief contemplation, he took a step forward, and his figure disappeared.

BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ.

The peculiar sound of the Bee Beast Worms vibrating their wings spread like ripples across the field.

The disciples were first puzzled, then their faces lit up with ecstasy as they looked towards the arena with great anticipation.

As expected, a deep and dark passage suddenly appeared on the arena, with countless Bee Beast Worms screeching out from it.

A vast number of Bee Beast Worms fluttered like a rain of light or scattered like falling peach blossom petals, as a figure as timeless as ancient frost slowly stepped out from the passage.

The arrival was none other than Hong Yuan!

"Uncle, you’ve finally arrived—"

Yue’er was overjoyed, excitedly sharing her happiness with Hong Yuan while gripping his large hand with her two small ones.

Hong Yuan smiled warmly, gazing at Yue’er with the tenderness of an old father.

In fact, ever since he had taken on the orphaned charge of Nine Nether and his wife, Hong Yuan had become half a father to Mo Yue’er.

With Hong Yuan’s appearance, the atmosphere instantly ignited, cheers resounding nonstop.

Even some audacious individuals surged towards the arena, seeking to establish a connection with Hong Yuan.

"Elder Zhang, we’ll be leaving now," Hong Yuan said to the Inner Gate Elder.

"Yuan, your ability to rally people is unparalleled, even among all the historic Phoenix Creek Tutelages. Are you leaving? Go on, then," Elder Zhang said with a chuckle, waving his hand for Hong Yuan to hurry off.

Elder Zhang was an incredibly old member of the Phoenix Creek Sect. While he had not lived as long as Hong Yuan’s master, Lin Daoyan, he was still very experienced and knowledgeable.

Scenes of such popularity as Hong Yuan commanded were rare, even among the historic Phoenix Creek Tutelages.

Generally, they would only occur for those Phoenix Creek Tutelages who were almost certainly destined to become Martial Saints.

In other words, in the eyes of the Phoenix Creek Sect disciples, Hong Yuan was absolutely capable of becoming a Martial Saint.

Therefore, Hong Yuan was ardently sought after, like a living legend.

A Martial Saint—the legend of legends!

BANG.

A cloud of black mist rose.

Hong Yuan and Mo Yue’er’s figures disappeared from the arena, leaving no trace.

Seeing Hong Yuan’s disappearance, the ordinary disciples on the Martial Arts Field were greatly disappointed.

"Aunt, it seems we were too naive," Huang Shanshan said, her brows furrowed as she clutched the letter to her chest.

Liu Yun also sighed. "We want to connect with Peak Master Hong, but so does everyone else. All we can say is that nobody’s foolish; everyone recognizes Peak Master Hong’s potential to achieve the status of Martial Saint. Even if he doesn’t, he’s still a powerhouse within the Sect."

Looking at the bustling Martial Arts Field, a surge of ambition welled up in Huang Shanshan’s heart. She secretly wished that her own actions could also captivate thousands of Phoenix Creek disciples.

Consequently, she grew even more eager to meet Hong Yuan.

"Auntie, let’s go find Uncle Le Congsheng. Back then, Uncle Le received help from my father."

"And I’ve heard that Uncle Le intends to open a branch of the Hundred Joy Tavern in the outer city, but he doesn’t have enough Energy Stones," Huang Shanshan said resolutely.

Liu Yun looked at Huang Shanshan’s determined expression and was momentarily lost in thought; she seemed to see the shadow of Huang Sanyi.

Her senior brother, Huang Sanyi, had also been decisive and possessed far-reaching vision.

"Heh, you really are like your father," Liu Yun said, gently touching Huang Shanshan’s forehead.

...

「Two days later.」

Atop Rainbow Fire Peak, in the Peak Master’s residence.

Huang Shanshan and Liu Yun, accompanied by Le Congsheng, visited Hong Yuan.

Hong Yuan was looking down at a letter and immediately understood the purpose of Huang Shanshan’s visit.

Hong Yuan wasn’t averse to such social courtesies, let alone doing someone a simple favor.

Still, it all depended on whether it was worth it!

Hong Yuan put down the letter, picked up his teacup, and lowered his gaze, his eyes gently sweeping over the three of them.

Instantly, the three of them felt a violent tremor in body and mind, unable to move, as if they were statues—especially Le Congsheng!

Damn it, Huang Shanshan’s request doesn’t even need Yuan to personally intervene, yet I still brought her here. Yuan must understand what I’m thinking, why I’m doing this—

Le Congsheng’s heart sank. This is bad, he thought, his gaze somewhat panicked.

He understood that he was leveraging his personal relationship with Hong Yuan to help Huang Shanshan build this connection.

But he had no choice. Unlike Hong Yuan, he wasn’t blessed with longevity.

He didn’t even know if he would live another ten years. Being short-lived, he had to seize every opportunity.

Hong Yuan didn’t reprimand Le Congsheng but merely looked at him with some disappointment.

It’s not good for people to be too greedy!

"Shanshan, how is your practice of the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword going?" Hong Yuan asked softly.

Suppressing the fear in her heart, Huang Shanshan lifted her lovely face. "Uncle Hong, I haven’t practiced that. I’ve been cultivating the ’Phoenix Tail Skill’ because the introductory cultivation technique for servant disciples is no longer the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword."

"Oh? So the Five Tiger Breaking Gate Sword has been phased out..." Hong Yuan murmured, his eyes downcast.

His thoughts drifted back to the past.

The corner of the servant disciples’ backyard...

The outskirts of the Phoenix Creek Mountain Range, the Black Bear Cave, reeking like a garbage dump...

Within Phoenix Fire Peak of the Phoenix Creek Sect, in the small, private courtyard of a disciple’s residence...

That lean young boy waving a wooden sword, a Miao Blade, an entry-level Tang Sword, his physique growing stronger with each swing.

Hong Yuan’s eyes were filled with memories.

Unknowingly, that tender youth had grown into an Extraterrestrial Demon capable of influencing the fate of the Human Race and the Demon Clan.

So, it turns out I, Hong Yuan, am already an old man...

With Hong Yuan’s silence, the room also fell quiet.

A quarter of an hour later, Hong Yuan suddenly laughed, slapping his thigh. "Haha! A good change, a good change! One should always look forward..."

The others, not understanding, merely laughed along, agreeing fervently, fearful of contradicting Hong Yuan’s will and incurring his displeasure.