Chapter 296: A Casual Glance Through the Millennia
Far away in Mount Qingcheng, a thousand miles away.
A certain Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor suddenly opened his eyes.
He gazed in the direction of the capital, his expression filled with undisguised horror.
As cultivators, they were naturally most sensitive to such celestial phenomena.
But could such a vast and terrifying aura really be achieved by someone from their era?
He couldn’t help but fall into deep self-doubt.
After much deliberation, and recalling the spiritual energy fluctuation that occurred in Qing City earlier, the old man could no longer hold back and decided to descend the mountain to investigate.
However, just as he took his first step out, he suddenly thought of something. He took out a smartphone from his Taoist robe, found a number, and dialed it.
“Xiao Wang, help me book the fastest flight to the capital!”
In these tumultuous times, every bit of spiritual energy was precious…
…
…
At the same time, at the Celestial Master’s Mansion on Mount Longhu.
Figures flashed by one after another, everyone looking up at the sky with unconcealed shock.
They were utterly dumbfounded.
They were veteran cultivators of the older generation of Mount Longhu, including top-tier experts at the peak of Qi Refining. Wherever they went, they were revered by the world.
They could truly be considered among the strongest combat forces in this world.
Yet, even they could not muster any thought of resistance when faced with such a celestial phenomenon.
Merely observing from afar, the storm in the rain made them feel as if they were suffocating.
It was hard to imagine what it would be like at the center of the storm.
Finally, someone snapped back to reality and shouted.
“Quick, invite the Old Ancestor to come out of seclusion!”
But his words received no response.
Everyone lowered their heads, silent, unwilling to speak.
Instead, a young voice was heard.
“Uncle-Master, do not worry. For such a small matter, why trouble him?”
When the person addressed as Uncle-Master heard this voice, his face twitched involuntarily.
Then he turned around and, as expected, saw a junior.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his profound purple Taoist robe, symbolizing Mount Longhu’s Senior Brother, fluttering in the wind. His posture was perfectly straight.
Unlike the elders who were all looking down, he alone stood fearless, gazing up at the sky.
He quickly said, “I observe that the phenomenon is nothing special…”
However, his words were soon interrupted by a scolding from his Uncle-Master.
“Bao Ying, stop spouting nonsense here and speak plainly!”
“Or I’ll hit you!”
Hearing this, the young man’s face turned red. He hurriedly retorted, “Uncle-Master, we agreed not to use that name anymore!”
That’s right.
As the Senior Brother of a dignified sacred site of Taoism, his real name was so childish.
He once considered it the greatest shame of his life.
His Uncle-Master knew he had made a slip of the tongue, but he couldn’t possibly apologize now, so he cleared his throat and changed the subject. “What are the Old Ancestor’s instructions? Speak up.”
He knew Bao Ying’s personality. Although this child was a bit too strong-willed, he was definitely capable of being meticulous.
Since he was here, he must have already gone to see the Old Ancestor.
As expected, the next moment, the young man looked up at the sky again, his expression returning to one of detached indifference.
“The Old Ancestor said…”
“Do not worry, everyone. Let’s just watch for now.”
His Uncle-Master walked forward and gave him a slap on the back of his head.
“Speak properly.”
“Can’t do anything about it. Whatever happens, happens.”
…
…
The storm in the back mountain came violently but vanished as silently as it arrived.
The moment the fierce winds tore at the young man’s clothes and skin, the two people at the center of the storm, as if in unspoken agreement, stopped fighting.
And so, the world suddenly became exceptionally quiet.
The ferocious winds that threatened to swallow everything dispersed in an instant, leaving only countless silver threads hanging upside down, falling to the ground with a crisp sound.
*Swish—*
Time seemed to stand still at this moment.
Then, it was quickly broken by the sound of faint footsteps.
The young man lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping over the battlefield in ruins.
His expression was cold, as if he were lamenting the suffering of all things in the world.
The terrifying storm disappeared, revealing two slender figures within.
Luo Cong’an’s green Taoist robe now had several tears, revealing glimpses of her fair, delicate skin beneath.
Her long hair, which had been tied up at the back of her head, had come undone and was now loosely draped over her shoulders.
Opposite her, Mu Sanniang stood with her saber.
The white dress the girl had meticulously prepared and worn to see her younger brother was now stained with dirt, no longer pure white and a bit faded.
On the surface, it seemed Mu Sanniang had gained the upper hand.
But only the girl herself knew how difficult it was to defend against that profound sword intent.
She had to admit that this woman who was holding her younger brother hostage was indeed the strongest enemy she had ever encountered.
Although she hadn’t used her full strength, who knew if the other party had held back?
The young man’s calm voice broke the reverie of the two women.
“Are you done playing?”
He asked.
Though he was the weakest of the three present, his words were incredibly arrogant.
Yet, upon seeing the blood seeping through his clothes, the two women slightly parted their lips, a flicker of heartache in their eyes, and they felt too ashamed to retort.
Even their initial bickering was gone. They simply looked at the young man, their eyes filled with a mixture of pity and guilt.
“Not speaking?”
Chen An looked up, his gaze falling on the two ‘main culprits.’
He pondered, “Then you are done playing?”
As the young man spoke, his demeanor and tone did not betray much emotion.
But Mu Sanniang and Luo Cong’an, knowing him well, could easily sense that he was angry.
It was rare for Chen An to get angry, whether it was with Luo Cong’an in her first life or with Mu Sanniang.
Such emotions were seldom seen on Chen An.
After a moment, Luo Cong’an was the first to break the silence.
She pursed her lips, sheathed her three-foot green sword, and timidly called out in a soft voice.
“Mister…”
Chen An looked over and met her gaze.
She lowered her head and mumbled an apology.
“I’m sorry…”
Her palm brushed over her head, a slightly ticklish sensation.
Luo Cong’an looked up and saw the young man walking towards her, gently stroking her disheveled hair.
“Did you forget our old promise?”
He asked casually.
Luo Cong’an’s expression faltered, and she couldn’t help but recall their conversation that day in the private school.
Time seemed to rewind at that moment.
Warm light streamed into the private school, illuminating the girl’s teary eyes.
“I was wrong, I was wrong, Cong’an knows she was wrong…”
“Then, what did you do wrong?”
“I shouldn’t have hit him…”
The young man’s hand caressed the girl’s long hair. His voice was gentle, his expression earnest.
“No.”
“You were wrong to apologize to me.”
“I told you long ago that in front of me, no matter what you do, there’s no need to apologize.”
The girl threw herself into the man’s embrace, tears flowing like a broken dam, soaking his clothes.
Her voice, broken by sobs, was intermittent.
“Wuwu… He insisted I wanted to harm Mister…”
“I’m not unlucky, and I won’t harm Mister.”
…
Her thoughts slowly returned, every detail replaying in her mind.
The woman gazed at the young man in front of her, who was tidying her hair, and lowered her eyes.
That evening was brief, so brief that it was merely a casual glance through the millennia.
But for Luo Cong’an, it was something she could remember for a lifetime.
