Chapter 264.3: Bright Moon Between the Clouds, Vibrant Flowers Amidst Green Leaves - Part 3
Yun Jianyue stood for some time. Suddenly, a figure appeared next to him, it was a very good-looking middle-aged daoist.
"Temple Master."
Yun Jianyue hurriedly bowed and was very serious.
No one dared to slight this Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple.
After all, in the entire Dao society, countless cultivators had to address him respectfully as 'Temple Master' when facing him.
The Temple Master glanced at him and asked with a grin, "Are you planning to wait here to see that girl?"
Yun Jianyue shook his head and said, "Not just to see her."
The Temple Master was somewhat surprised and clicked his tongue, "So you've really figured it out? You're not afraid of disappointment?"
Yun Jianyue smiled bitterly, "Since there are expectations, naturally, I'm afraid of disappointment. But if I don't try, how will I know the result?"
The Temple Master looked appreciatively at Yun Jianyue and said, "Since you have this idea, then the Great Beyond isn't your final destination. It won't be long before the Infatuation Daoist Temple gains another Nepenthe cultivator."
Yun Jianyue nodded. As a genius, if he lacked this bit of confidence, he would not deserve the title of a genius.
"Chief Enforcer..."
Although he had already sent a message back through Daoist Ning Gui, Yun Jianyue was still concerned and wanted to say something.
The Temple Master glanced at him and shook his head, saying, "I can't possibly know everything in the world, but I naturally know the matters within the temple. He didn't hide anything either, how could I not know?"
Yun Jianyue furrowed his brow slightly as he said rather worriedly. "What is Martial Uncle Chief Enforcer really doing?"
The Temple Master shook his head, indicating to stop bringing this matter up. He changed the subject, "This time, stay on the mountain for some time. You just entered the Great Beyond, your cultivation needs to be consolidated. Don't leave the mountain unless necessary."
Yun Jianyue spoke softly, "Regarding the matter of venturing out to sea, Temple Master, do you already have a candidate in mind?"
The Temple Master chuckled and said, "I've made a decision on that matter. You don't need to worry. The Infatuation Daoist Temple won't lose. But not every matter requires your involvement. That would be too lame."
When the topic of winning and losing came up, Yun Jianyue felt a bit embarrassed, but he quickly talked about his battle with Chen Chao in a calm manner. In their encounter, they had reached a stalemate, but given the difference in their realms, this was essentially a defeat for him.
The Temple Master paid it no mind and said, "The Great Liang Dynasty has been lying low for many years, so there are naturally areas where they excel. Even I can't guarantee a sure victory over that Emperor in the divine capital."
Hearing this, Yun Jianyue was genuinely shocked. He had always regarded Temple Master as the most powerful figure in his heart. Out of all the cultivators in the world, he had never thought that anyone could surpass him.
The Temple Master looked at Yun Jianyue and understood his thoughts. He said calmly, "There's no such thing as being invincible in the world. Putting aside that Great Liang Emperor, even the elusive master of the Sword Sect, who knows how easy it is to deal with him? A great sword immortal who has reached the end of Nepenthe... do you really know how terrifying that is?"
There were two sword cultivation lineages in the world, the Sword Sect being the lineage that was gradually dwindling away. Not many people knew how many terrifying sword cultivators were in that sect, and they naturally did not know what cultivation realm that master of the Sword Sect was either.
"I had a battle with him when I was young. It ended in a draw, same as with you. Now, I no longer know his current realm. But if a great sword immortal goes crazy and wants to kill someone, I might not be able to stop him."
The Temple Master lamented, "In this world, once rules are established, they're established for a reason. Everyone continues to adhere to the rules because the consequences of breaking them are too severe. But if there comes a day when everyone no longer cares about these so-called rules, or they simply go mad, what can you do? Restraining him is no easy task."
Yun Jianyue remained silent for a moment before speaking softly, "But that Great Liang Emperor is merely a martial artist. Why is Temple Master not confident?"
The Temple Master looked at him and said crossly, "You guys always casually call them uncouth martial artists. Do you really think martial artists are all uncivilized? Didn't you see that Lord Warden Commander's terror during that battle on the Sublime Bright Mountain?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Jianyue immediately recalled the events from the Sublime Bright Mountain. The Lord Warden Commander had killed Daoist Master Ironcloud with little effort.
"Why do we hold so much animosity toward these martial artists? If it weren't for them on the northern three-thousand-mile-long Great Wall, would our lives be as peaceful and comfortable as they are now? The might of the Great Liang Dynasty worries many foreign cultivators, but if they weren't strong enough, it would only bring us more trouble."
The Temple Master rubbed his forehead. He had spoken a lot today and was starting to feel a little tired. However, there were certain things that he had to impart to these youngsters. When they were gone someday, whether was it this daoist temple, or the Dao society, or this world, it would have to be handed to them.
Yun Jianyue seriously, "Thank you for your teachings, Temple Master."
The Temple Master nodded thoughtfully and continued, "The people from the Myriad Heaven Palace have already established a connection with the Great Liang Dynasty. The Great Peace Dao has also shown signs of resurgence in recent years. Although that young girl is still young, it doesn't mean she won't become remarkable in the future. It's troublesome. You have to keep an eye on these troubles and resolve them all in the future. As for that young martial artist, he's very interesting."
Yun Jianyue remained silent. But after a moment, he was about to speak when he noticed a woman walking out from the other side of the cliff.
The Temple Master smiled and dissipated into thin air.
Yun Jianyue stood under the green tree, looking up.
The woman did not look at him, she just looked at the receding afterglow. At this moment, the sky was about to turn dark.
Yun Jianyue watched for a long time, a smile on his face.
He was naturally not smiling at something else, he just felt happy looking at that girl.
In the ancient ruin, by the lakeside, he looked at that woman and felt truly happy.
Those girls were all her.
After pondering for a long time, Yun Jianyue suddenly walked forward.
From a distance, several young disciples had been watching. Many years ago, Yun Jianyue had been standing under that green tree, looking at Ye Zhihua. But many years have passed, Ye Zhihua had known that Yun Jianyue was always there, yet she never reacted. Yun Jianyue had never taken a step forward as well.
But who could have foreseen that now, Yun Jianyue had left that green tree.
"What is Senior Brother Yun going to do today?"
"Senior Brother Yun moved!
"Senior Brother Yun really moved!"
Following a few exclamations, several figures left the area, spreading the news throughout the entire Infatuation Daoist Temple.
Before long, more figures arrived and stood here watching.
"Did Senior Brother Yun have an epiphany during his journey?"
"What epiphany? Everyone knows his thoughts, right? Maybe he just wants closure now?"
"I don't think so. Maybe he just wants to put an end to it."
"Senior Brother Yun might be disappointed!"
A crowd gathered below the cliff and many people were talking here. Although it was far away, the voices still transmitted over, drifting into Yun Jianyue's ears.
Yun Jianyue paid no attention to these remarks. He just continued up the mountain path. Before long, he arrived at the edge of the cliff; only a few meters away from Ye Zhihua.
Then, Yun Jianyue stopped and watched the remnant dusk.
Countless people below were now looking up at them.
Ye Zhihua did not turn around; she simply watched the distant afterglow, her thoughts a mystery.
These two individuals were the Twin Pillars of Daoism, they were already renowned young geniuses in the Dao society many years ago. Countless people had viewed them as a match made in heaven. Even the elders in the Infatuation Daoist Temple believed that if these two became Dao companions, their offspring would be remarkable geniuses too.
Hence, many people had hoped for their union, but things were never that simple.
After so many years, nothing else had occurred between them. She remained the senior sister, and he remained the junior brother.
No matter what Yun Jianyue thought, facing such a Ye Zhihua, he could not say anything.
But today seemed different.
Yun Jianyue probably felt that living each day without any progress like this was meaningless, and it was time to do something else.
But would Ye Zhihua accept?
Would there be a good outcome?
Nobody knew.
Everyone was waiting for the result.
The Temple Master stood at a distance, accompanied by several aged daoists with weathered faces. They were from the current or previous generation of the Infatuation Daoist Temple. The Temple Master even had to address some of them as 'Martial Uncle'.
"It seems this young lad is going to be like a moth flying into the flames. Then, will his Dao heart shatter?"
An elderly daoist with a weathered face and white hair said worriedly, "This lad, because of his affection for that girl, has appeared to have a firm Dao heart normally. But unfortunately, that girlie is the most vulnerable and delicate part of his heart. If he really addresses the elephant in the room and there is no good result, he might not be able to accept it. A shattered Dao heart is also a possibility. A genius of our daoist temple will be lost. You're not doing a good job, Temple Master."
The old daoist was somewhat angry, his voice trembling slightly. Although he was reprimanding, his tone was still tepid.
The Temple Master felt somewhat helpless and said, "Martial Uncle, let the young ones solve their own issues. What can we do about it?"
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