158: Two roads

"This... this place..."

Zhao Shanhe's heart shook violently, his eyes filled with disbelief: "Such a blessed land, the richness of the immortal charm and the completeness of the Laws are actually... actually dozens of times greater than the outside world!"

Stepping in felt like entering another world!

The majestic and pure Immortal Qi surged like a tide, containing clearly visible Great Dao Laws; even breathing felt like his cultivation was improving!

In the distance, verdant peaks, continuous palaces, spiritual springs and waterfalls, and cranes gathering... the grandeur far exceeded the ancestral land his Zhao Family had managed for ten thousand generations!

"Compared to this, my Zhao Family's ancestral land is like mud compared to clouds!"

"This Wending Sect... what exactly is its origin?"

"Could it really be a supreme Sect descended from the Upper Realm?"

"Fortunately, I had the foresight to take the initiative to come and apologize. Otherwise, if the Wending Sect came to the Zhao Family to demand accountability, my Zhao Family might..."

Thinking of this, Zhao Shanhe felt a wave of lingering fear.

"Hey, Old Zhao, what are you dazing for? Hurry up!"

Gouzi turned back to urge him with a look of disdain: "You're a True Immortal after all, why do you look like you've never seen the world!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Zhao Shanhe's face turned red, and he didn't argue, quickly catching up.

As they walked, they passed a quiet bamboo forest path, where an Old Monk in simple monastic robes was slowly sweeping fallen leaves with a bamboo broom. His movements were natural and perfectly fused with the surroundings.

Zhao Shanhe subconsciously scanned with his immortal sense, only to find in horror that his Divine Thought was like a clay ox entering the sea, unable to probe the Old Monk's depth at all!

Instead, he felt a Perfection of Dao rhythm as vast as the starry sky and as heavy as the earth. His Realm might be far above his own Early Stage True Immortal!

"I can't see through him, I can't see through him at all!"

"What Realm is this Old Monk?"

"Middle Stage, Late Stage True Immortal?! Or even higher?!"

Zhao Shanhe's pupils shrank, his footsteps stopped abruptly, and he almost cried out in alarm.

Gouzi followed his gaze and curled his lip: "Oh, that's just an Old Monk in our Sect responsible for sweeping. Don't make a fuss, let's go!"

"A... a sweeper?"

Zhao Shanhe's throat felt dry. A powerhouse suspected to be a Peak True Immortal was... sweeping in the Wending Sect?!"

How terrifying was the Foundation of this Wending Sect?

The awe in his heart was now beyond measure.

Just then, several high-spirited young Disciples came from a fork in the road ahead, namely Shi Tian, Xiao Bufan, Su Muhuang, Yang Hao, and others.

They had just come out of the Ascension Platform.

"Senior Black Immortal!"

Yang Hao and the others bowed to Gouzi with a respectful attitude.

But Shi Tian, Xiao Bufan, and Su Muhuang weren't as polite. Xiao Bufan teased, "Gouzi, where are you going?"

You're a dog, your whole Family are dogs!

Xiao Hei grumbled inwardly but still replied, "This guy is the Old Ancestor of the Zhao Family from Canglan Continent, named Shanhe or something. He's here to apologize to Senior Li Meng. This Immortal is taking him to see the Sect Master."

"I see. Please, Senior." Shi Tian and the others stepped aside.

Zhao Shanhe quickly returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping over the group of young Disciples, and he was secretly shocked again.

These Disciples all had solid Foundations, condensed auras, and the rhythm of the Dao flowing in their eyes. They were clearly all peerless geniuses, one in ten thousand!

He was about to leave, but when he caught a glimpse of a simple token hanging casually from Yang Hao's waist, his gaze suddenly froze!

"Little friend, please wait!"

Zhao Shanhe couldn't help but call out to Yang Hao, pointing at the token with a tone of uncertainty: "May I ask, little friend, are you from the Chen Family of the Shenhuang Celestial Domain?"

Shenhuang Celestial Domain?

Chen Family?

Yang Hao was stunned and shook his head: "Junior did not come from that place."

"Then... where did little friend's 'Nine Heavens Thunder Token' come from?"

Zhao Shanhe pressed: "This token is the symbol of the core direct line of the Chen Family, the overlord of the Shenhuang Celestial Domain. There is no possibility of it being leaked!"

Yang Hao was deeply shocked.

"This is a memento from my mother. Does Senior recognize this token? Do you know its specific origin?"

This concerned the mystery of his birth, and Yang Hao was desperate to know the truth.

Zhao Shanhe was about to explain in detail when Gouzi impatiently interrupted: "Woof...! Is there no end to this? The Sect Master is waiting! Kid Yang Hao, don't just stand there. Since it's about your birth, you come along too! Don't delay the important business!"

"Yes, Senior Black Immortal!"

Yang Hao was excited and quickly responded.

Zhao Shanhe also suppressed his curiosity and said to Yang Hao, "Little friend, it's a long story. I'll tell you in detail after I've seen Sect Master Lin."

So, Gouzi led the way, with Zhao Shanhe following closely.

Yang Hao followed at the back, full of excitement.

Shi Tian and the other two also followed.

Not long after, they arrived at the main hall.

Lin Chen sat on the main seat, his aura faintly connected to the Luck of the entire hall and even the entire Wending Sect, unfathomable.

Fairy Li Meng stood quietly by his side, her immortal posture peerless.

Gouzi walked into the hall with his head held high and a swaggering gait, pointed his paw at Zhao Shanhe behind him, and shouted, "Sect Master, the person is here! This old guy is that Old Ancestor from the Zhao Family, Zhao Shanhe!"

The moment Zhao Shanhe stepped into the hall, he saw Lin Chen.

But... he actually couldn't see through the other party's depth at all!

He only felt the Dao rhythm flowing around the other party, his aura ethereal and profound, as if he were not a person of this world.

What Realm is this Wending Sect Master exactly?!

Zhao Shanhe's heart was filled with waves of shock. All his previous unwillingness and Luck vanished at this moment, leaving only boundless awe.

He hurriedly bowed, keeping his posture extremely low, his voice carrying a hint of undetectable trembling: "I, Zhao Shanhe of the Zhao Family from Canglan Continent, pay my respects to Sect Master Lin! My respects to Senior Li Meng!"

Lin Chen's gaze was calm, and his tone was neutral: "Zhao Shanhe, I heard you came here for your Zhao Family's worthless Young Lord to apologize to Fairy Li Meng?"

"Exactly! Exactly!"

Zhao Shanhe quickly responded, presenting a glowing Storage Ring with both hands, "Sect Master, please be the judge! It is a Family misfortune to have such a rebellious son who offended the immortal countenance. Even ten thousand deaths cannot redeem his guilt!"

"This is a small token of my appreciation, one million High Grade Immortal Crystals and countless treasures, as a slight apology. I hope the Sect Master will accept it!"

He then turned to Fairy Li Meng, took out an immortal sword, and held it above his head with both hands, his expression resolute.

"Senior Li Meng! This sword is the guardian Immortal Treasure of my Zhao Family!"

"Junior failed in discipline, the guilt is inescapable!"

"If Senior is still angry, you may take this sword and punish Junior's body!"

"No matter how many strikes, Junior will have no complaints, only hoping that Senior will appease her anger!"

Lin Chen's heart stirred slightly.

A million High Grade Immortal Crystals?

This old guy was willing to pay a high price. Moreover, as the Old Ancestor of an immortal Family and a True Immortal Realm expert, he was actually so subservient and humble. It seemed he really came to apologize sincerely.

But he didn't state his position, instead looking at Li Meng.

Fairy Li Meng looked at the sword of an old friend that had once drunk the blood of enemies, then at the earnest and repentant Zhao Shanhe. A hint of recollection and complexity flashed in her eyes, and she sighed softly.

"Forget it. Zhao Shanhe, although this matter started with Zhao Qian, considering that tens of millions of years ago during the Great Celestial Domain War, your Zhao Family ancestor once fought alongside This Immortal and shed blood to protect the Qinggu Heaven Domain, paying a price."

"The old sentiment still remains. Let this matter... end here."

Zhao Shanhe's body shook, and in his cloudy eyes, gratitude and guilt appeared: "Senior... Senior's magnanimity is as vast as the sea. Junior... is extremely ashamed!"

At this time, Lin Chen slowly spoke: "Fairy Li Meng's decision to let bygones be bygones is her generosity! However... while the death penalty may be avoided, punishment is inescapable! Zhao Shanhe, this seat will give your Zhao Family two paths."

His gaze was like lightning, looking directly at Zhao Shanhe:

"First, from today onwards, the Zhao Family immortal clan shall submit as a whole, joining my Wending Sect as affiliated forces and obeying my Sect's orders!"

"Second, the Zhao Family... shall become history from now on!"

"Which path do you choose?"