Chapter 1054: Sect Reunion

Upon receiving the sand sculpture of the Western Heaven Temple, Yun Mengmeng found it so enchanting she could hardly bear to put it down. The sculpture was exquisitely crafted, flawlessly recreating the temple's pre-war grandeur.

"Did something happen to the Western Heaven Temple? Why is it incomplete now?"

Lu Yang struck his thigh fiercely, speaking with righteous indignation: "It is all the fault of the Dagan Empire's Star Lord Sichen. Out of sheer self-interest, he launched a sneak attack on the temple, reducing it to ruins."

"How could anyone be like that? That is truly detestable." Yun Mengmeng took up the cause for the Western Heaven Temple, deeming Star Lord Sichen a thoroughly rotten peach.

"Exactly, I think so too," Lu Yang echoed.

Just then, Gan Tian approached. Overhearing the conversation between Lu Yang and Yun Mengmeng, her expression turned peculiar, yet she said nothing of it.

"Eldest Senior Sister mentioned that this is the first time the four of us from the sect are together, so everyone is having dinner together tonight. She asks if you, Junior Brother, are free for a barbecue?"

"Of course I have time. Why would Eldest Senior Sister think I wouldn't?"

"She said you might be parading around everywhere, flaunting how you attained immortality in the Buddhist Kingdom, and might not necessarily have the time."

Lu Yang's eyelid twitched violently. Eldest Senior Sister truly knew him inside out.

"Second Chief, you've become an immortal?" Yun Mengmeng looked at Lu Yang with adoration. As expected of the Second Chief, he was truly capable!

The corners of Lu Yang's mouth could not help but curl upward: "Speaking of which, it was all forced by circumstances. Let's head down the mountain to buy some ingredients, and I'll tell you along the way..."

By the time the Second Chief and Third Chief returned from their shopping, the sky was growing dark. In Lu Yang's hands were ingredients procured for free from the 'One More Time' barbecue shop, while Yun Mengmeng carried dishes from the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion.

Ye Zijin set up a long table, upon which the dishes from the Hundred Fragrances Pavilion were laid out. Lu Yang cast forth the Samadhi True Fire, and soon, the scent of the long-awaited skewers wafted through the air, filling the entire mountain with fragrance.

Gan Tian adjusted her ancient zither, infusing it with spiritual energy. Even without anyone plucking the strings, a gentle, slow melody flowed forth. Though it lacked the full nuance of Gan Tian playing it herself, it possessed seventy to eighty percent of its charm. This piece possessed the power to aid cultivators in breaking through bottlenecks, making a single rendition highly sought after in the outside world.

"Third Senior Sister, speaking of a sect gathering, wouldn't it be rather inappropriate if our Master is missing?"

Gan Tian continued to adjust her zither, replying without turning her head: "We don't even know where the old man is right now. It's likely too late to call him back, isn't it?"

"Senior Brother has a solution."

At the far end of the table, Ye Zijin set up a portrait of the Unspoken Daoist, placing wine and dishes before it to fully display his filial piety.

"This is much better."

"Skewers are ready!" Lu Yang gave a highly professional shout, bringing over two large platters of grilled skewers. He kindly picked out a few and placed them before the portrait as well.

Eldest Senior Sister arrived fashionably late, her appearance signifying the official commencement of the dinner.

Eldest Senior Sister, Lu Yang, and Yun Mengmeng sat in one row, while Ye Zijin and Gan Tian sat opposite them. The five of us raised our cups to celebrate the sect's reunion.

"A toast to Master, who is far away at the edge of the sky."

"Master, do you see this? Your four disciples have all returned."

"Master, your four disciples have all achieved great things."

Ye Zijin took a bite of a skewer, his eyes widening: "Junior Brother, your grilling skills are quite something. Had I known you possessed this level of skill, Senior Brother wouldn't have treated you to that mushy hotpot in Western Heaven City back then; wouldn't it have been better if you treated Senior Brother to skewers instead?"

Ye Zijin's sense of taste had been ravaged in the Buddhist Kingdom for centuries. Now, tasting the skewers that took the Great Xia by storm, his sense of taste actually showed signs of gradual recovery.

Dammit, what on earth was I eating back in the Buddhist Kingdom!

Yun Mengmeng fell to with both hands, wishing she could manifest three heads and six arms. The corners of her mouth were smeared with barbecue seasoning, yet even so, she did not forget her dear sister: "Xiao Zhi, let's clink cups."

Yun Zhi picked up her teacup and lightly clinked it.

Yun Mengmeng drained her peach juice in a single gulp, remarking with emotion: "I never expected that you could get to know so many people out here, Xiao Zhi. Back in our hometown, you would just bury your head in books all by yourself, never speaking to anyone. I was quite worried about you when you left our home with that rotten peach."

"To know so many people, it's truly wonderful, truly wonderful."

Yun Mengmeng was sincerely happy for her dear sister.

"Eldest Senior Sister, I toast you as well. That I could achieve what I have today is all thanks to your guidance, Eldest Senior Sister." Lu Yang took the opportunity to clink cups with Eldest Senior Sister, using the occasion to express his gratitude toward her.

Gan Tian also followed with a cup: "Eldest Senior Sister, when Master was absent, it was you who guided my cultivation. Whatever difficulties I encountered in the Demon Realm were also resolved by you on my behalf. Thank you."

"It is only right between fellow disciples, there is no need for thanks."

The two clinked cups.

"Eldest Senior Sister, I toast you. If you hadn't sent me to the Buddhist Kingdom to temper myself, my cultivation wouldn't have progressed so rapidly. I only truly understand your profound intentions today."

"Second Junior Brother speaks too heavily. The Buddhist Kingdom is desolate. Over these years, you tempered yourself while searching for clues regarding the Immortal of Time; it has not been easy. Now that you are back, remain in the sect and cultivate in peace."

Ye Zijin possessed a meticulous mind, knowing that Eldest Senior Sister was most sensitive about age—otherwise, he wouldn't have fled to the Buddhist Kingdom. This time, he had to praise her precisely according to her wishes.

"What are you saying, Eldest Senior Sister? Managing the sect on Master's behalf at such a tender age, you are the one for whom it has been most difficult."

With a clatter, Lu Yang's teacup fell onto the table without his realizing it. He stared blankly at Ye Zijin with his mouth wide open.

Second Senior Brother, it turns out there was a very good reason for your exile to the Buddhist Kingdom.

Lu Yang quietly nudged himself toward the right, getting closer to Yun Mengmeng and farther from Eldest Senior Sister.

If Eldest Senior Sister truly resorted to violence, he would quickly hide behind Yun Mengmeng.

...

Second Senior Brother was a man who could not sit still. Unwilling to remain within the sect, he proactively proposed to go out and temper himself. By the time Lu Yang emerged from seclusion, Second Senior Brother had already departed, leaving behind only a letter, granting no opportunity for a proper farewell.

"Oh right, Second Chief, I forgot to give these to you yesterday. These storage rings are yours." Yun Mengmeng produced several storage rings.

Puzzled, Lu Yang accepted the storage rings, only to find them packed to the brim with spirit stones.

"So many spirit stones, where did they come from?!"

"They were sent over from the Qiongqi clan's side. They said the business of manufacturing recording orbs is doing quite well, so they are giving you a ten percent share of the profits."

"Since you were away all this time, Xiao Zhi told me to keep them for you, to be returned once you came back."

"So that's how it is. It seems Senior Jin Caiwei's business is thriving." Had Yun Mengmeng not mentioned it, Lu Yang would have almost forgotten that he had advised Jin Caiwei to manufacture three-dimensional recording orbs.

"Had I known there were three-dimensional recording orbs, I should have used one to record the battle against Star Lord Sichen back then!" Lu Yang felt immense regret. Were it not for the need to keep his identity as the Tofu Heavenly Venerable a secret, he would surely have copied the recording orb thousands of times to distribute them for free on the streets.

"The Qiongqi clan has finally turned their fortunes around. Little Yangzi, since you gave counsel to the Qiongqi clan, their business shares a piece of karma with you." The Immortal of Eternity popped up, remarking with considerable emotion. To think the little tiger would have a day where she engaged in commerce to earn money.

"It must be that your destiny is exceptionally resilient, Little Yangzi, suppressing the impoverished fate of the Qiongqi clan."

Yun Mengmeng asked curiously: "If the Second Chief's destiny is so resilient, why does trouble occur wherever he goes?"

The Immortal of Eternity waved her hand: "That is simply because their destinies are not resilient enough."