Chapter 60: Two More Gifts

"Why?"
"I heard it's because two Supremes from the Void Absolute Sacred Land came here a few days ago. They were hunting the traitors Ruofeng and Huanyue, but one was killed and the other driven mad by someone in the Southern Ridge Mountains. The Void Absolute Sacred Land flew into a rage after that."

The ones leading Ziyan Sacred Land and Jixing Sacred Land were precisely Xieming and Hongxi.
The two of them had been chosen as leaders after obtaining the Dao Diagram.
Hearing the scout’s report, they exchanged a cautious glance.
"Could this have something to do with Senior Zhu?"
Hongxi was the first to speak.
"I'm certain of it," Xieming affirmed. "Those two traitors they mentioned are most likely the two women who follow Senior Zhu."
"Besides, you and I have been in the Southern Ridge Mountains all this time, and we've never encountered anyone capable of driving a Supreme to death or madness..."
Hongxi's expression turned grim.
"I wonder if they set foot in Senior Zhu’s courtyard."
Hearing this, Xieming couldn't help but recall seeing two Yaksha bones at Senior Zhu’s gate last time. Even after exhausting all his strength, he hadn’t even come close to entering the courtyard.
How did the Void Absolute Sacred Land people dare?
Were they not afraid of coming to utter ruin?
"I think those people from the Void Absolute Sacred Land are just too used to having their own way! They simply want to use their reputation to rally all their forces to the Southern Ridge, making it easier to seize the treasures hidden in the mountains."
"But they're mistaken—this is Senior Zhu! By doing this, they're courting disaster!"
"Should we intervene?" Hongxi asked after careful consideration.
"No need. With those petty schemes, there’s no way they can escape Senior Zhu's grasp," Xieming replied. "For all we know, the move by the Void Absolute Sacred Land is just one more step in Senior Zhu's grand plan. It's laughable: our Ziyan and Jixing Sacred Lands might still be of some use, but as for them? Not a chance!"
Hongxi smacked his lips. "Then let's hold our hand and focus. Let's head for the Southern Ridge Mountains now!"
With Hongxi’s shout, the entire group surged forward towards the mountains.

...

At that moment, in a small mountain village, Leng Qianxue and An Yue'er stepped quietly into the village.
They were about to explore the Southern Ridge, and before entering the mountains, they had purposely come to seek advice from Senior Zhu.
"The Solitary Leisure Courtyard... Impressive! Senior Zhu’s place truly exudes an air of supreme dominance!"
As soon as they entered the village, from afar they could see the sign above Zhu Xiaoyuan’s door.

Yu Qiushui couldn't help but marvel, exclaiming repeatedly, "Just a glance, and I already feel an overwhelming aura engulfing me. If a sword cultivator saw this, they would surely shower it with praise!"
An Yue’er and the others echoed her admiration.
"Is Senior inside?" Leng Qianxue asked cautiously.
"Enter."
Zhu Xiaoyuan’s voice called out, and everyone respectfully opened the gate and walked in.
Inside the courtyard, they saw Zhu Xiaoyuan reclining contentedly beneath the peach tree.
Around him, beautiful women played the zither and painted.
The scene was the very picture of ease and leisure!
The little white cat, Hong Xiaoyue, lay curled in Zhu Xiaoyuan’s arms, her eyes blissfully narrowed.
"Tsk, tsk, no wonder he’s the Senior. Look—while the world outside, the Southern Ridge Mountains, are in utter chaos, Senior Zhu is here enjoying life as always!"
At that moment, all their faces showed complicated emotions.
Senior Zhu’s place was like another world—so peaceful, so tranquil.
Yet, that was only natural; after all, there seemed to be nothing in this world that could ruffle Senior Zhu.
His strength was clear for all to see!
"You’ve all arrived? Come, take a seat," Zhu Xiaoyuan said with a smile.
He gestured to the stools beside him, inviting them to sit.
These people were old friends, and he wondered how they had been lately—if their calligraphy and painting business was still running smoothly.
"So, how have things been? Life treating you well?" Zhu Xiaoyuan asked kindly.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior. Everything is well," Yu Qiushui replied promptly.
"Then, is your purpose here the same as Xieming’s group?"
Last time, he had given Xieming and his companion a painting, and Yu Qiushui and the others had mentioned they would be making some plans as well.
Most likely, Xieming had taken the painting to an auction or an exhibition.
It seemed An Yue’er and the others wanted to join—that exhibition was probably about to begin.
Indeed, An Yue’er, Yu Qiushui, and the rest all nodded repeatedly.
"Senior, we've come to seek your advice for the journey ahead," An Yue’er said.
"Advice?" Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled. "Is that all? Relax—just keep a calm and steady heart."

Zhu Xiaoyuan thought to himself, perhaps these young people had only just opened their shop and hadn’t yet participated in such matters; it was natural for them to be a bit nervous.
So he tried to soothe them, not wanting them to be so anxious.
But instead, his words made them even more nervous.
After all, this involved the Southern Ridge Mountains and immortals! Yet Senior Zhu remained so unruffled, counseling them to treat it with equanimity...
Such composure! Truly the bearing of a great master!
"Since you’re here, let me give you two gifts," Zhu Xiaoyuan said with a smile.
An Yue’er and the others became instantly excited.
If they could receive treasures from Senior Zhu, there would be nothing to fear on their journey!
Zhu Xiaoyuan called Huanyue to prepare ink and brushes.
He lifted the brush, and with a few strokes—one could say his brush moved as if guided by divine inspiration!
In the span of a few breaths, a line of words leapt onto the paper:
"One sword sweeps through Heaven’s Pass!"
Each character surged with fighting spirit, as if warriors poised to break through the page!
An Yue’er and the others were shaken.
Just a few words? Yet within them lay the profound principles of the Dao.
Zhu Xiaoyuan did not put down the brush. He continued, and from his hand flowed a painting.
Blue sky, white clouds—layer upon layer, complementing one another. Roof beams and eaves appeared in harmony.
An immortal palace loomed faintly atop the clouds.
What a magnificent depiction of a celestial palace!
As Zhu Xiaoyuan finished his last stroke, all eyes fixed upon the painting.
It was as if the immortal palace truly materialized before them—ancient, majestic, gazing down upon the mortal world!