"How much do you know about those past events, Lei?"

Lei Jun was lost in thought when Ji Chuan, who was leading the way, suddenly spoke up.

Upon hearing the question, Lei Jun answered somewhat vaguely, "I know a little."

"I was rash and rude just now; I hope you can forgive me, Lei. If you are free later, allow me to play host and take you on a tour of Bashu as an apology," Ji Chuan said.

Lei Jun looked at Ji Chuan again with slight surprise.

However, they did not talk much more, as they could already see a great commotion among the mountains in the distance.

Streaks of treasure lights soared into the sky, seemingly forming arrays that encompassed a vast area nearby.

Among them were not only piercing sword lights but also the glows of other Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures.

Lei Jun made a rough count and feared there were no less than a hundred Magic Artifacts scattered around, encircling the mountain ranges for hundreds of miles.

"A Great Demon, the Nine-Clawed Stone Lion, is causing trouble here. My master brought some of us disciples to attempt to encircle and kill this demon," Ji Chuan briefly explained.

Perhaps considering Yuan Mobai's sensitive identity, the Shu Mountain disciple didn't say much more, merely taking Lei Jun to meet his master.

Shushan Elder He Dongxing.

At the summit of a solitary peak sat a Taoist who appeared somewhat advanced in years.

Judging by Ji Chuan's cultivation path, this elder was most likely also a Shu Mountain Sword Cultivator.

However, his demeanor was affable, and he often smiled, showing no air of sharpness about him.

When Lei Jun and Ji Chuan arrived at the foot of the solitary peak, Shushan Elder He looked over and said with a chuckle, "Lei, distinguished disciple of Dragon Tiger Mountain, your reputation has recently become as resounding as your surname—truly thunderous to the ear."

Lei Jun paid his respects. "Lei Chongyun of Dragon Tiger Mountain, a junior, greets Elder He of Mount Shu. My master instructed me to convey his regards to you, Elder."

He handed Yuan Mobai's Jade Slip to Ji Chuan, who then presented it to He Dongxing.

At the same time, Ji Chuan whispered, "Master, I was thoughtless and rude to Lei earlier."

He Dongxing admonished him, "You, always speaking without restraint. There are things that I can say, and your father can say, but it's not for you to speak so recklessly."

He Dongxing then took the Jade Slip but did not open it. Looking at Lei Jun, he asked, "Your master didn't tell you much before you came?"

Lei Jun answered honestly, "My master said that he unintentionally offended an elder of your sect in the past, but the grudges between both sides were mostly resolved later. He did not elaborate on the details but instructed me, his junior, to convey his regards to several elders of Mount Shu upon arriving in Bashu."

Elder He nodded. "Regarding those past events, your master indeed did not act intentionally, and the related matters have indeed come to a close. A few years ago, Junior Brother Ji had another sparring match with your master, but it was no longer about any grudge—merely an exchange to see how much each had advanced over the years. Although Junior Brother Ji doesn't say it, I know he has always held Taoist Yuan's cultivation and skills in high regard. As for some of the inner details, knowledge within Our Sect is limited to a very few, and it will never be leaked. As for my disciple here…"

He glanced at Ji Chuan, who stood respectfully with his hands clasped. "…he is the son of Junior Brother Ji and later learned a bit unintentionally. He has a loose tongue, so I'll make sure he learns his lesson later."

Ji Chuan bowed his head. "Your lesson is well-received, Master; I admit my mistake."

However, He Dongxing looked at Lei Jun and suddenly smiled. "But since you already know, there's no harm in listening in. Although the grudges have been resolved, I'm still happy to cause some trouble for Taoist Yuan, heh heh!"

This elder's somewhat childish act left Lei Jun not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "Elder, this might be a bit inappropriate…"

That said, I'm dying of curiosity inside…

"What Taoist Yuan said is true," Elder He said leisurely. "Back then, the mishap was indeed unintentional because, at that time, he was barely even conscious of himself. The Mountain Pi is gluttonous. After being nourished by Spiritual Energy, its saliva could dissolve gold and corrode iron. It dared to eat anything and could chew through anything. One day, it ended up eating the Spirit Flower raised by Junior Brother Ji."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Junior Brother Ji had been cultivating that Spirit Flower for nearly sixty years, just waiting for the sixty-year cycle to complete so he could harvest it."

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun's mouth twitched. A Spirit Flower growing for sixty years isn't particularly long. But for a cultivator to personally spend sixty years carefully cultivating it… compared to the lifespan of cultivators in this world, that's quite a significant amount of time. Although I don't know what Elder Ji intended to do with that Spirit Flower or what loss he would suffer from its absence, seeing his son, Ji Chuan, still seething with emotion after so many years, I can roughly estimate. Especially since Ji Chuan usually appears comparatively composed and self-possessed…

A certain Gungun, having mistakenly eaten the Spirit Flower, was chased by disciples of Mount Shu and fled outside Bashu.

Fortunately, a Celestial Master of a previous generation intervened just in time to protect Gungun, compensating the Mount Shu elder and resolving the grudge.

Apart from Elder Ji himself, only a very few individuals like He Dongxing knew the full details of the incident.

Those who knew a little less were vaguely aware of some old grievances between their sect's elder and Elder Yuan from Dragon Tiger Mountain. However, they were unclear about the specifics and, naturally, didn't know Yuan Mobai's background.

And at the Celestial Master Mansion, even fewer were aware of this dark chapter in the history of Elder Yuan, who was otherwise always held in high esteem for his virtue, warmth, and proper conduct…

"It's a shame your master hasn't returned to Shu since leaving all those years ago. I, this old Taoist, would warmly welcome his return to his homeland," Elder He said cheerfully.

Lei Jun smiled as well. I wonder if Master will silence me when I get back?

Shushan Elder He Dongxing didn't inquire about Lei Jun's specific business in Bashu or his exact destination, simply saying, "I still have matters to attend to here. If you are not in a hurry, Lei, wait a few days, and later I'll have my disciple guide you. Nowadays, the earth veins are changing frequently. The situation in Shu is more complex than outside Sichuan, and since this is your first time here, do not be careless."

These were words of genuine concern, and Lei Jun did not decline, thanking both He Dongxing and Ji Chuan.

The people of Mount Shu were hunting a Great Demon named the Nine-Clawed Stone Lion in this area. Through various means, they had successfully trapped the demon underground within a certain perimeter.

Next, He Dongxing would personally cast a spell to force the Nine-Clawed Stone Lion out from underground and then slay it.

Ji Chuan and the other Shu Mountain disciples were arranging Magic Artifacts on the periphery to assist.

When preparations were nearly complete, other disciples of Mount Shu gradually gathered at He Dongxing's location.

"Master He," a handsome young Taoist, with a jade flute at his waist, arrived near the solitary peak riding on clouds and mist to report to He Dongxing.

Ji Chuan, standing beside Lei Jun, introduced him. "Lei, this is Lin Xinran, a disciple of Master Gao from our sect."

He didn't go into too much detail, only saying a few words. But I'm somewhat sensitive towards several surnames now. What's more, before my arrival, Yuan Mobai mentioned that within the Mount Shu Sect, there were more than just one or two disciples from the Jiangzhou Lin Clan. Indeed, there were also those from the Jinzhou Ye Clan, the Jingxiang Fang Clan, and the Xiao Clan from outside Long (region)…

Lin Xinran's demeanor was much more composed than Ji Chuan's, showing no particular emotional fluctuations as he greeted Lei Jun normally.

However, another Mount Shu disciple who arrived later reacted similarly to Ji Chuan's initial response, perhaps even more strongly. Ji Chuan, at least, had only lost his composure momentarily and when he was by himself. This Mount Shu disciple, named Zhao Gang, glared at Lei Jun with wide eyes, his anger apparent even with He Dongxing present.

"This is Zhao, a disciple under Master Ji," Ji Chuan said to Lei Jun, referring to his father by his sect title.

Zhao Gang, as a direct disciple of Elder Ji, stared intently at Lei Jun.

But with Elder He nearby, he dared not act rashly and suppressed his anger.

However, when He Dongxing left to make the final preparations for capturing the Nine-Clawed Stone Lion, leaving only Zhao Gang and Lei Jun, Zhao Gang lowered his voice.

"Disciple of Yuan Mobai, I'll remember you."

Hearing this, Lei Jun calmly turned to look at him.

Zhao Gang snorted. "We'll have plenty of time!"

"Hmm, you've remembered, but it's useless. Just like you," Lei Jun said. "You seem to have some skills, true, but like a brush with no bristles, they're ultimately useless."

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