Grandmaster Uncle

After entering this bamboo grove, Chen Fengyun immediately noticed that the spiritual energy here seemed denser than elsewhere. Although it wasn’t sufficient for direct cultivation, living here long-term would be greatly beneficial to one's health. Perhaps this was the reason Uncle Thirteen chose to retire in this place.

If Chen Fengyun were to set up a spirit-gathering array here, it would basically allow him to maintain daily cultivation. The speed would be slow, but compared to other locations, this was already a blessed land.

However, such thoughts weren’t very practical. Not only was this land already owned, but even if its owner agreed, Chen Fengyun was reluctant to expose too many of his secrets.

Everyone present possessed martial arts skills, so their pace was brisk. About seven or eight minutes after entering the bamboo grove, Feng Tianbao led them to a secluded courtyard.

To Chen Fengyun, the courtyard before him was simple, more refined than a typical farmhouse yet still far from luxurious. It reminded him of Zhuge Liang’s humble dwelling on Wolong Ridge, as seen in television dramas.

A modest courtyard hidden among a sea of bamboo, unadorned yet accompanied by the breeze and moonlight—perhaps this was where true masters of the world dwelled.

“Second Master, Sixth Master, Uncle Thirteen is waiting for you in the back garden.”

At that moment, the gate opened, revealing a young man of about thirty, broad-shouldered and sharp-eyed, exuding a powerful aura—clearly a master of ancient martial arts.

“Wangshu, you’ve worked hard taking care of Uncle Thirteen all these years,” Feng Tianbao said, patting him on the shoulder.

“Second Master, it’s my fortune to listen to Uncle Thirteen’s teachings here. It’s also my duty,” Wangshu replied sincerely.

“Wangshu, let me introduce you. This is young brother Chen Fengyun, whom Uncle Thirteen wishes to meet,” Feng Tianbao said, formally presenting Chen Fengyun.

“Greetings, Master Chen. My name is Chu Wangshu,” the young man said respectfully.

“Hello, Brother Chu,” Chen Fengyun replied with equal courtesy, sensing that Chu Wangshu’s respect was genuine and not merely polite. He guessed Uncle Thirteen might have mentioned his identity as a cultivator, indicating that Chu Wangshu was an important figure in the Southern Sect.

Chen Fengyun himself was easygoing by nature. Even as a cultivator, capable of earth-shattering feats, he still appeared as a carefree and courteous young man.

After some friendly exchanges, Chu Wangshu led the group toward the back garden. Feng Tianbao and Ye Mingfu walked ahead, quietly asking Chu Wangshu a few things, while Chen Fengyun lagged behind, walking alongside Ye Linchuan.

“Brother Ye, what’s Brother Chu’s background? Why is he by Uncle Thirteen’s side? You’re Uncle Thirteen’s descendant—why weren’t you chosen to be here with him?” Chen Fengyun asked softly.

“Brother Chu is the son of Uncle Chu. Uncle Chu’s name is Chu Tianxiong. He used to be the eldest among my father’s generation, but he disappeared years ago after leaving home.

Uncle Thirteen personally chose Brother Wangshu to accompany him, both to care for him and to receive his guidance. So Brother Wangshu is the leader of our generation, and will likely succeed Second Master in the future.”

Ye Linchuan did not hide anything, giving Chen Fengyun a straightforward answer. Chen Fengyun suddenly understood—no wonder Second Master was now the head of the Southern Sect; their eldest had vanished.

Chen Fengyun nodded thoughtfully, then slowly expanded his spiritual sense, soon enveloping the entire courtyard. He detected a strong presence in the back garden, along with a fluctuation of spiritual energy, but within it was a faint trace of sinister energy.

Immediately, Chen Fengyun grew puzzled. The old man in the back garden, white-haired and youthful in spirit, must be Uncle Thirteen—Wu Xie. Yet why did he possess a hint of sinister energy?

Suddenly, he recalled what Feng Tianbao had said earlier: Uncle Thirteen once had the cultivation of the fifth layer of Qi Refining, but suffered injuries while suppressing the evil behind Jinshan Temple, greatly diminishing his strength.

Could it be that the faint sinister energy within Uncle Thirteen was leftover from the evil at Jinshan Temple’s rear mountain, as Feng Tianbao described? What exactly was that evil presence—was it still there? And was Uncle Thirteen seeking him out because of it?

With these questions in mind, Chen Fengyun followed the group into the back garden. His gaze was immediately drawn to the old man standing beneath the flower trellis, whose body radiated a vast spiritual energy. He was indeed a cultivator, or as he considered himself, a Qi Refiner.

A clear, resonant sound rang out.

As Chen Fengyun’s gaze settled upon the old man, an invisible force pushed the others to the corners of the garden, leaving only Chen Fengyun standing firm. At the same moment, a sharp cry echoed as a flying sword shot out from behind the old man, circling him in readiness.

A crisp clang followed.

Chen Fengyun sensed no killing intent from the old man, but his own heart stirred. With a sharp sound, his own flying sword rose into the air, transforming into a streak of light that circled him, his aura matching the old man’s in intensity.

“Hahaha! Young brother, you are indeed a Qi Refiner—my path is not lonely!” the old man exclaimed, eyes brightening as he saw Chen Fengyun release his flying sword. His spirits lifted, and he laughed heartily, retracting his sword and calming his aura.

“Junior Chen Fengyun, pays respect to Senior Wu,” Chen Fengyun said, likewise withdrawing his sword and suppressing his aura, saluting respectfully.

“In this world today, perhaps only we are fellow cultivators. As kindred spirits, there’s no need for seniority. If you don’t mind, you may call me elder brother from now on,” Uncle Thirteen said without any airs, inviting Chen Fengyun to sit and speaking warmly.

“That I dare not. Your great name is renowned, and you have rendered countless services to the nation and the people. I am unworthy,” Chen Fengyun glanced at Feng Tianbao, Ye Mingfu, and the others, quickly shaking his head.

“Don’t mind them. We speak of our path; in the future, they’ll rely on you and cannot stand as your equal. Tianbao, Mingfu, you should address young brother as Grandmaster Uncle from now on,” Uncle Thirteen said, calling the others forward and pointing to Chen Fengyun.

“Yes, greetings, Grandmaster Uncle,” Feng Tianbao, Ye Mingfu, Chu Wangshu, and Ye Linchuan all paused, but quickly obeyed, bowing respectfully to Chen Fengyun.

“There’s no need for this. Let’s all just address each other as we have,” Chen Fengyun said helplessly, waving his hand. A surge of spiritual energy gently lifted everyone to their feet, as he spoke to them.