Chapter 2307 — Backup Plan
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
But that was not what Old Ancestor Xuanchen wanted. What he wanted was to return to that tier—the tier his sect should rightfully have returned to long ago. And to return there, the only path was for him and his fellow disciples to set foot upon a higher realm!
To set foot upon a higher realm, they could not do without that plan!
Yet now—had it all come to nothing? A flower in the mirror, a moon in the water, an empty dream?
Looking at his master Old Ancestor Xuanchen's exceedingly grim expression, the sixth disciple gave a bitter smile and said, "It is all my fault and junior brother Twelve's—we bungled the affair and something went wrong. Please, Master, punish us!"
"Forget it. This matter is not on you." Old Ancestor Xuanchen waved a hand. "I never imagined that the old madman, after all these years, would not decline but advance in skill—that he could muster such a grand array and kill little Thirteen. Against him, your odds of victory were slim at best! That the two of you have returned safe and sound is a blessing in misfortune!"
Old Ancestor Xuanchen did not blame his disciples at random, for he knew well that in this affair they were in truth blameless. After all, the whole thing had been unforeseeable. Had he known beforehand that the Heaven-Rank old madman had grown so formidable, he would have sent little One and little Two and the others—he would never have entrusted the task to little Six and little Twelve.
"Thank you for your understanding, Master..." The sixth disciple let out a breath of relief. It seemed that though the master grieved, he could still tell right from wrong and would not lay blame about carelessly.
"That Zhang Naipao—have you found any word of him? Just who is this person, and whence does he come?" asked Old Ancestor Xuanchen.
"Eldest senior brother has already gone to investigate. Word should come soon, I think?" said the sixth disciple.
"Mm..." Old Ancestor Xuanchen nodded. Even as they spoke, a formidable figure walked in—a man of peak Heaven-Rank late-stage strength, infinitely close to Great Perfection. This was the eldest senior brother the sixth disciple had spoken of.
"Little One, you are back. Any news?" Old Ancestor Xuanchen asked mildly.
"Master, after investigation, that Zhang Naipao is a man of the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect, and moreover a personal disciple of the sect master. It is said he is the candidate their Old Ancestor designated to cultivate the Chrysanthemum Treasure Manual..." The eldest senior brother was clearly one of those privy to some of Old Ancestor Xuanchen's plans and secrets, and so his expression was now full of difficulty.
"What? A man of the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect, and a cultivator of the Chrysanthemum Treasure Manual at that?" Old Ancestor Xuanchen was struck dumb for a moment, his expression turning somewhat odd! The Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect—unless it was absolutely necessary, he had no wish whatsoever to offend them. And if the final great plan was to be carried out, the disciple of the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect who cultivated the Chrysanthemum Treasure Manual was a vital link: in the stage that opened that plan, there had to be someone who had cultivated the Bee-Devouring Divine Art of the Chrysanthemum Treasure Manual to fill the role... "Indeed. But whether it is that particular Zhang Naipao, for the moment I do not know. I have already sent word by swift bird, inquiring into Zhang Naipao's recent movements with the Tomorrow Upon Tomorrow Sect. If it is him, then..." The eldest senior brother paused there and said no more.
"If it is not him, well and good. If it is him, then this vengeance cannot be taken! Who told that boy Tagan Long to have no eyes in his head and offend Zhang Naipao?" Old Ancestor Xuanchen sighed and spoke with some helplessness.