劍問蒼天 - 第143章 不願 - 翰墨軒

In the Canglan Sect, from the sect master Dao Yan Zhenren down, the peak lords of every branch had gathered in the hall, and many elders stood behind the peak lords as well. Seldom seen was it for them to stand about the very doorway of the Yuheng Hall, and from their bearing, it looked as though they were waiting for someone.

Whoever it was, to receive such courtesy from the Canglan Sect marked him already as a figure of the first rank in the world.

Apart from the men of Canglan, Li Xun stood among those below as well, standing quietly and respectfully, though a flicker of excitement showed faintly in his eyes, and from time to time his gaze drifted toward the other side.

There, Lu Xueling, robed all in white, stood behind Master Shui Jing, whose face was cold and impassive.

Before long, from the distant peaks of Canglan came the melodious chime of bells and cauldrons, ringing five times in succession. All those seated looked toward the hall's entrance, and from afar a voice came drifting in:

"The valley master of the Fenxia Valley, Elder Yun Yi Feng, pays his respects upon the mountain..."

Almost at the very instant that voice fell, a figure like a leaping flame appeared at the doorway of the Yuheng Hall.

"Ha ha, where is my senior brother Dao Yan? He's had me missing him to death!"

Yun Yi Feng, robed all in red and his face wreathed in smiles, strode in, followed by Shang Guan Lue, Lü Shun, and a whole company of Fenxia Valley elders and disciples behind them. Counting them over, there were close to several dozen in all.

A low murmur of startled doubt ran through the ranks of the Canglan Sect, but after a moment all eyes fixed upon Yun Yi Feng's countenance. This figure, renowned throughout the orthodox path for many years, had in his day been a man who made the winds and clouds obey him, and most of the older Canglan elders present had likely seen him before. Yet now their eyes held nothing but astonishment.

Could this man, whose features were vaguely familiar yet who clearly bore the appearance of a man in his prime, truly be that same Yun Yi Feng whose beard and hair had already turned white several decades ago?

Dao Yan Zhenren studied Yun Yi Feng carefully for several glances, then stepped forward and said with a smile, "Benefactor Yun, it has been many years since you and I last met. I did not expect that your cultivation of the Dao has advanced so greatly—that you should have comprehended the 'Jade Yang Realm' from the 'Jade Register of Burning Incense,' opening a precedent eight hundred years in the making for the Fenxia Valley. This is a matter for rejoicing and congratulation!"

The smile on Yun Yi Feng's face, which had been all amiability, suddenly stiffened. After a moment a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes, but his expression had already returned to its natural ease as he said, "Senior brother Dao Yan truly has a keen eye. I am in admiration, in admiration!"

Dao Yan Zhenren laughed. "Not at all, not at all. It is I who ought to be admiring you."

Yun Yi Feng met his gaze, and Dao Yan Zhenren looked back at him with a smile. After a moment the two looked at each other and laughed aloud. Then Li Xun stepped forward from the side, knelt, and paid his respects, saying, "Master, your disciple has been waiting here a long while."

Yun Yi Feng nodded and said with a smile, "Rise. You have stayed here these several days—have you come to appreciate the wonders of this earthly paradise that is Canglan Mountain?"

Li Xun rose to his feet and said respectfully, "Canglan Mountain truly lives up to its name. Your disciple's eyes have been greatly opened. Moreover, I must thank Uncle-Master Dao Yan and..." He paused a moment, then said clearly, "...and Junior Sister Lu Xueling of Xiaozhu Peak, for showing me the sights of this immortal realm."