Chapter 4, We are all lost souls in this vast world, why must we have known each other before meeting

The unperturbed master stepped forward and said in a very cordial tone: "I would like to inquire about a person from Divine Doctor Duanmu."

Yang Heng angrily scolded, "Foolish girl, this is not the time for loyalty!"

The Moonlight Divine Nun faithfully fulfills the responsibilities of a master. However, rather than viewing the nurturing of Yang Heng as a responsibility, it is more accurate to say that she is wholeheartedly honoring the promise made to her junior sister, Ming Tan.

Yang Heng also exerted himself, holding his neck high and saying: "What kind of master are you if you keep obstructing me and refuse to teach me your swordsmanship?"

Whenever Yang Heng mentioned the reason for descending the mountain, he would become furious, both angry and sorrowful, saying: "I want to find my mother and save my father! But my master absolutely refuses to teach me the ultimate skills of Yunyan Sect, so I had no choice but to descend the mountain myself"

Yang Heng angrily said, "You should stop slandering!" He bent down to pick up a stone and threw it at the other party, shouting, "Leave!"

The Moon Goddess turned around and asked, "Is there anything you do not understand about the Buddhist scripture I just taught?"

Yang Heng's eyes lit up, but he said, "If you truly pass on your skills to me, I will naturally study diligently and not entertain other thoughts. However, if you are as perfunctory with me as my master, I will still leave!"

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he was blown back several feet by the wind. His legs went weak, and he collapsed into the thicket. At that moment, filled with both hatred and fear, he no longer dared to rush forward to seek death. He glared fiercely at the opponent and said, "Just wait, I will not rest until this grudge is avenged"

The woman completely ignored him, taking hold of Divine Doctor Duanmu, and her figure quickly vanished into the night

The disheveled monk shook his head and said, "Is that what you call a '霸王叉'? It looks so shabby that it could barely be used for fishing"

Yang Heng keenly noticed that Master Mingdeng's brow bore a hint of concern, clearly indicating a lack of optimism regarding the rescue of Divine Doctor Duanmu. Meanwhile, Xiao Ye, having lost her parents, now found her only remaining kin, her grandfather, also missing, with his life and death uncertain. This situation inevitably stirred a thread of sympathy and compassion deep within her heart

The woman shook her head and said, "You are a clever person, why do you speak such foolish words?" Suddenly, she loosened her left hand, and unexpectedly, Yang Heng broke free from her control and bit down on her right hand.

The woman laughed and said, "Doctor Duanmu, I apologize for the offense!" She seized his belt, soared into the air, and flew out of the temple on the wind

Qiu Baisheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gasped, "Alright, I will certainly convey your words!" He turned and left in a disheveled manner

Xiao Ye Yi Xi said: "So you have joined the Emei Yunyan Sect. I heard from Grandpa that the Yunyan Sect is reputed to be the foremost sect of the Immortal Forest, quite impressive!"

Qiu Baisheng only felt a numbness in his arm, and all his strength dissipated. Before he could react, the disheveled monk stepped forward and gave him a sharp slap on the backside with a fan, saying: "Get lost, don't embarrass yourself!"

"Ah Heng, are you awake?" Xiao Ye exclaimed with joy, "Does your body still hurt?"

Yang Heng was momentarily taken aback, then nonchalantly remarked: "Perhaps I've walked too much these past few days, and it's just worn me down."

Master Mingdeng shook his head and said: "After several days, this poor monk has no way to investigate further. However, according to Xiaoye's account, among the four men in black, one wielded a cross-shaped weapon, and another used a fishing rod. These are both rare and extraordinary weapons, and the number of masters renowned in the Immortal Forest for such skills is quite limited, which indeed provides a clue."

Master Mingdeng chuckled and said, "You rascal, your temper is both foul and stubborn, just like I was in my younger days. Hmm, if you want to save your father, how can you do it without learning some good skills? You should understand this principle."

Xiao Ye nodded gratefully and said softly: "Thank you, Master, for your compassion"

Yang Heng expressed his surprise: "Haven't you seen that Wei Wuzhi? My mother said that these six individuals were originally beasts and plants that had cultivated into spirits. Due to their inherently cruel nature and shared foulness, they banded together to occupy the Heisha Valley in the Qilian Mountains for many years, committing numerous heinous acts"

Qiu Baisheng was furious and said in a low voice: "Master, I apologize for the offense!" The move "Yasha Explores the Sea" of the Overlord's Fork was thrust towards the scruffy monk's throat

Yang Heng bowed his head and said: "My mother sent me to Emei, and then had me take Master Mingyue of the Xuedou Temple of the Yunyan Sect as my teacher, after which she left alone."

The young man, perhaps due to excessive indulgence in wine and pleasure, had a pale face with a hint of dark circles, and replied, "Little monk, just come with me."

Every day, he eagerly awaited the sight of his mother, hoping that she would suddenly appear before him and, together with his father, take him away from Yunyan Sect back to their former hometown

Xiao Ye shook her head and said, "I don't know. About a month ago, my grandfather suddenly went on a long trip, and he didn't return until more than ten days later. Then he packed his things and took me away, heading west. We didn't dare to stay at inns, instead choosing to walk along deserted paths where no one could be seen. Unexpectedly, we were still found by those villains."

The "Diamond Sutra" has been completed, followed by the "Lotus Sutra". After the "Lotus Sutra", there are still the "Shurangama Sutra", the "Dhammapada", and the "Treasury of Zen Teachings". In any case, the Buddhist scriptures are vast and numerous, and there is no fear that Yang Heng will finish studying them all

Master Mingdeng Youyou said: "Buddhist scriptures cannot kill evil people or save your parents, but they can help you comprehend the life and death of heaven and earth, and save yourself"

Suddenly, someone by the bedside replied: "You are in an inn; that little thief has already escaped without a trace."

Thinking of this, he gradually calmed down and pondered: "It has been so long since my mother returned to the mountain to fetch me; she must have encountered some trouble. Yes, I will go to the Eastern Kunlun to find my mother and rescue my father! At worst, I will let my uncle cut me down with a single blow; it is better than lingering here half-alive!"

Xiao Ye found it strange and quietly asked Yang Heng beside her, "Ah Heng, who are the Six Demons of Qilian?"

Indeed, a scholarly old man dressed in plain clothes, leaning on a green bamboo cane, slowly walked in from outside the door. His eyes were rolled back, rendering him unable to see, yet his face was handsome and refined. He carried a medicine box slung over his shoulder. Beside him, a little girl of similar age to a young boy carefully guided him by the arm, her pair of bright, sparkling eyes also surveying the situation inside the temple

Yang Heng angrily said: "Why do you refuse to agree every time? Are you afraid that if I master the sword technique, I will return to destroy the Zhaomogong to rescue my mother and save my father, thus endangering my life and causing trouble for the Yunyan Sect? Is that it? But even if you do not teach me, I will definitely go to the Eastern Kunlun in the future, and no one will be able to stop me!"

Looking back at the Faron Temple hidden among the peach trees, Yang Heng suddenly made up his mind, and without returning to the temple to pack his belongings or bid farewell to others, he directly sought the path down the mountain

She removed the hairpin from her hair, held it over the flame to roast and sterilize it, then placed Yang Heng's left foot on her lap and said, "It might hurt a little, but it will be fine soon."

Master Mingdeng said: "There must be a reason for Master Mingyue's actions. It is rather reckless of you to run down the mountain alone, and it truly causes concern."

The disheveled monk stood still, merely using the fan to gently push outward. Strangely enough, that tattered fan was able to effectively block the fierce advance of the formidable spear, preventing any further progress.

Master Mingdeng chuckled and said, "That's settled! Once you recover, I will teach you a set of sword techniques. But we must agree on this: only when you can defeat me will you be allowed to rescue your father. Otherwise, you will obediently stay on Mount Emei and master the sword techniques."

With clenched fists and full vigilance, he said: "Who are you? Why speak so maliciously!"

Doctor Duanmu said: "The true sage's golden words, I, an old man, will remember deeply. Unfortunately, I truly do not know the whereabouts of Wei Wuzhi"

The untidy monk chuckled and said, "You, truly, will not give up until you reach the Yellow River—" As he spoke, he tapped the tip of his fan, producing a pleasant ringing sound.

Yang Heng understood that there was no hope for a good outcome. He had also heard his mother say that many demons and monsters from the Xianlin often favored using items such as purple river carts and virgin essence to cultivate demonic skills and refine magical treasures. If such items fell into the hands of this person, it would truly be worse than death

Yang Heng was taken aback and looked outside, where a Daoist priest with white hair and a youthful face, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe and holding a whisk, walked in

Xiao Ye cried out urgently, "Grandfather!" as she desperately pursued behind with her not-so-refined skills.

On his way to Mount Emei, he had heard his mother recount many tales of the Immortal Forest and knew that the Kunlun Snow Peak Sect was one of the righteous sects known as the "Four Pillars of the Immortal Forest" alongside the Yunyan Sect; however, it was the first time he had heard of the name of the Immovable True Person.

Yang Heng inquired about the route to the Eastern Kunlun while proceeding on his way. That evening, weary and hungry, he took shelter in an abandoned land temple that had long fallen into disrepair.

Faintly, he harbored the thought of returning to Emei, but this thought flashed through his mind and was immediately dismissed: "If I return like this, all disheveled, wouldn't the old nun laugh at me? No matter how far Kunlun is, there will always be a day when I can reach it; how can I give up halfway! Father, Mother, Ah Heng will do whatever it takes to find you!"

Yang Heng is evidently uninterested in these Buddhist classics; he either yawns while daydreaming or poses some bizarre and irrelevant questions, deliberately making things difficult for Master Mingyue. When he sees his master getting angry, he not only does not feel afraid but instead finds it amusing.

Before he could turn around to flee, a chilling wind suddenly swept over him. The young man lightly leaped over the flying stones, extending his arm to grab at Yang Heng's back, and said with a smile: "Little monk, do you also understand the hero saving the beauty?"

Seeing both sides engaged in a fierce battle, Doctor Duanmu quietly retreated and said: "Xiao Ye, A Heng, let's go!"

Master Mingdeng pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I will teach you! You should be satisfied with this, right?"

Xiao Ye said with concern: "Get up quickly, I will help you burst the blister and then clean and bandage it."

He asked again, "Xiao Ye, why are those people looking for your grandfather to inquire about Wei Wuzhi's whereabouts"

By the time he reached the foot of the mountain, the sky had darkened, and his stomach began to rumble. Yang Heng noticed a sesame cake stall by the roadside and felt an overwhelming hunger and thirst. It was only then that he remembered, in his haste, he had not brought a single coin with him.

The disheveled monk turned his head to glance at Yang Heng, then picked up the piece of lamb leg and the - illustration - book that Qiu Baisheng had thrown down from the ground. He wiped it with his dirty robe sleeve, sighed, and said: "You little rascal, you've made it so that I can't even enjoy my lamb leg properly"

At this moment, Master Mingdeng changed the subject and said, "Xiao Ye, could you go to the kitchen and see if the medicinal soup for Zhenyuan is ready?"

"Who are you?" The little girl looked at Yang Heng with some confusion, unable to recall where she had seen him before

Suddenly, he remembered: more than two months ago, when his mother brought him to seek refuge at the Emei Yunyan Sect, she fell ill on the way. Fortunately, they encountered a divine physician from the Immortal Forest who provided treatment, allowing her to recover. The girl speaking outside the temple was none other than the granddaughter of this divine physician, Xiao Ye!

The four masked individuals ceased their conversation, and with a unified shout, they launched an attack, surrounding the motionless figure in the center and engaging in fierce combat.

The unmoved master, seeing the other party's words were disrespectful, could not help but feel anger in his heart, and coldly said: "Are the four of you also here for Divine Doctor Duanmu?"

Little did he know, Yang Heng shook his head and said angrily, "No, I will not go back! Even if you capture me and take me back, I will still seize any opportunity to escape in the future!"

After walking for two days, he was gradually moving away from Mount Emei. Since he was dressed as a monk and was quite young, many kind-hearted men and women along the way generously offered him a meal of porridge and vegetables.

The unmoved master was about to ask again when he suddenly raised his eyes and shouted, "Who is it?"

The young man resembled a cat catching a mouse, completely unconcerned that these two eight or nine-year-old children could escape from his grasp. With great interest, he crossed his arms and said, "Ha, I didn't expect this little monk to have developed worldly feelings. So, it seems you are planning to elope with this girl and abandon your monastic life, aren't you?"

After breaking the blisters, Xiaoye found a half-broken bowl on the offering table and went outside the temple to fill it with clean water. Yang Heng washed his feet thoroughly, and Xiaoye took out the ointment from the medical box of the divine physician Duanmu to apply it for him. Then, she carefully wrapped the wound with a bandage and finally revealed a slight smile, saying: "All done!"

Suddenly, he felt a slight stir in his heart, as if he had sensed something, and he called out loudly towards the outside of the temple: "May I ask which esteemed person has arrived at the door?"

He originally had a piercing gaze, able to discern at a glance that the techniques of these four individuals were vastly different, clearly not originating from the same sect. In the realm of immortals, the only sect capable of gathering such a diverse array of skilled practitioners is the Demon Cult and the Miezhao Palace. Ironically, these two factions are sworn enemies of the righteous path, having stood as the four pillars of the immortal realm alongside the Xuefeng Sect for over a century, establishing countless grudges and blood feuds.

The expression of the Moonlight Divine Nun suddenly turned pale, and she said in a deep voice: "The more you act recklessly, the less I will pass on the sword!"

Yang Heng's long-standing grievances, frustrations, confusion, and helplessness finally erupted all at once, as he shouted: "What kind of reasoning is that? Intentionally withholding the sword technique from me, yet expecting me to keep reciting scriptures. No matter how well I recite, can it save my parents?"

He resisted the temptation of the enticing aroma wafting from the sesame cake stall and discerned the direction to head west. That night, he took shelter in the wilderness and picked some sour wild fruits to stave off hunger

The unmoved master shouted, "Demonic woman, leave Doctor Duanmu behind!" He attempted to intercept her, but under the assault of four masked individuals, he found it impossible to move an inch and could only watch helplessly as she took the person away

He was unaware that this Immortal of Indifference was one of the "Five True Ones of Snow Peak," who has enjoyed a stellar reputation in the realm of immortals for nearly a century, truly a distinguished elder of the righteous path.

Yang Heng asked: "Where are your parents?"

The young man's face changed color, realizing he had encountered a formidable opponent. He drew the霸王叉 from behind and said: "Monk, where do you come from to dare meddle in my affairs?"

For some reason, upon hearing the voice of the Real Person Wudong, Divine Doctor Duanmu felt a bit nervous. He stood up and returned the greeting, saying, "You are too kind, Real Person."

The woman restrained Yang Heng and Xiao Ye with both hands, her face adorned with the same silver mask, and said: "Our master sincerely invites Divine Doctor Duanmu to visit, and we hope you will honor us with your presence"

Yang Heng nodded, dividing the roasted potatoes between the two, and said: "Grandfather, Xiao Ye, you must be hungry too"

Xiao Ye cried even more sorrowfully and said: "I am an orphan, raised by my grandfather since childhood. Although he is not my biological grandfather, he has treated me better than other people's parents..."

The disheveled monk pointed at Yang Heng and Xiao Ye, saying: "I will take them with me, you have no objections, right?"

Yang Heng stood up and said: "Of course I am willing. But your cultivation is so high, how can I possibly defeat you? If I cannot win, then I will never be able to descend the mountain to save my father in this lifetime"

The untidy monk nonchalantly said: "If you seek revenge, you might not have the opportunity in this lifetime. Remember to convey to your master that an old friend with the surname Yan sends his regards, urging him to do more good deeds and avoid foolishness, lest he faces a bad end"

The woman let out a sound of pain, and Xiaoye seized the opportunity to escape. Doctor Duanmu, hearing the commotion, shouted loudly and swung his staff down.

He turned around in shock and saw a scruffy monk standing beside him, shaking a tattered fan and smiling. The monk said, "Amitabha, well done, well done—though the benefactor may not like this leg of lamb, it should not be crushed to pieces. How can I, as a monk, eat it again?"

He couldn't help but feel a bit regretful: "If Master finds out that I am missing, he will surely be very anxious and might be searching for me everywhere. Everyone on the road is unclear about where Kunlun Mountain is; they only know it is far to the west. If I keep going like this, I don't know when I will be able to find it!"

Yang Heng felt a surge of anger and suddenly recalled something, saying: "Master Mingdeng, this young lady Xiaoye is the granddaughter of Divine Doctor Duanmu, and her background is quite pitiable. Could you possibly..."

Qiu Baisheng set his mind at ease and said: "Since that is the case, please feel free, Master. I apologize that I have no time to accompany you!"

Yang Heng waved his hand and walked out, exclaiming, "If it won't be passed on, then so be it; I will no longer seek your help!"

He was astonished and hurriedly looked under the moonlight, only to discover that what he was holding was actually a piece of a lamb leg that had been bitten off by someone, leaving more than half of it missing

He gathered some dry branches to start a fire, then skewered seven or eight potatoes he had stealthily dug up from the field during the day onto twigs and placed them over the flames to roast. He felt an unbearable soreness and numbness in his legs, so he took off his shoes and gazed out at the ominous darkness beyond the temple door

"Hey!" The Master of the Bright Lamp gave him a sharp rap on the head and scolded, "I’m going to hit you, the stubborn and unconfident fool. You must understand that a master is not someone to be coddled and catered to, but someone to be surpassed with dedication! If you don’t even have the confidence to defeat me, then there’s no need to think about coming down the mountain to save others."

The divine physician Duanmu quickly reached out to catch it, but suddenly felt a numbness in his chest at the zhongxue point, as his meridians were restrained by the opponent. His hands immediately went limp, and the little night he had just embraced fell to the ground.

Yang Hengyue felt increasingly sorrowful, gripping the hard, dry bark of the tree tightly, rubbing his face against it with force, using this pain to alleviate the anguish in his heart. Suddenly, he noticed the purple-red prayer beads on his wrist that his mother had left for him. The sight of the object evoked memories of her, deepening his sorrow. An impulse surged from the depths of his heart: "Since I can't learn anything by staying here, I might as well go down the mountain immediately to find my mother"

Yang Heng put on the shoes and praised, "Xiao Ye, you are skillful and have excellent medical skills. In the future, you will surely become a renowned female doctor like Grandpa Duanmu."

The young man brushed past Yang Heng and reached out to Xiao Ye, saying, "Little sister, Uncle is here to take care of you!"

I am Aheng..." Yang Heng said, "More than two months ago, at an inn in Xiangxi, my mother fell ill, and it was thanks to Grandpa Duanmu's treatment that she recovered.

This strike penetrated the meridians directly into the dantian, completely dismantling the demonic skills that Qiu Baisheng had painstakingly cultivated for over twenty years. If he wishes to practice them again, it would take at least another ten years of effort

Yang Hengyi hurriedly removed the potatoes from the fire, not bothering to peel them. He blew on them vigorously a few times and stuffed them into his mouth, only to let out a loud "ah" as they were scalding hot

Yang Heng asked, "Master, in your opinion, who might those black-clad individuals who abducted Grandpa Duanmu be?"

Although Yang Heng had practiced the Buddhist supreme skill of the Sarva-Prajna Heart Method for several years and had a certain foundation of power, how could he possibly be a match for this fierce opponent? Upon hearing a crisp "crack," his wrist bone was shattered, and he involuntarily spat out a mouthful of hot blood, his body flying out and rolling to the ground, where he fell unconscious.

It is said that Wei Wuzhi once intervened to save the divine physician Duanmu. It is understandable that you, in gratitude, are unwilling to disclose his whereabouts. However, since ancient times, there has been a clear distinction between righteousness and evil. I hope that the divine physician Duanmu will not be swayed by the small favors of demonic individuals.

Master Mingdeng! Yang Heng was filled with surprise and joy, feeling as if he had encountered a family member. With a sense of relief, he said: "What brings you here?"

Yang Heng was both shocked and angry upon hearing this. He turned around and saw a young man with a sinister expression, carrying a golden magic fork on his back. He thought to himself: "This guy is definitely not a good person; I cannot let him harm Xiao Ye"

Master Mingdeng praised, "Good, you have spirit! Come back to the mountain with me tomorrow"

Yang Heng touched his smooth bald head and smiled, saying: "I am not a mountain dweller; I am a lay disciple of the Yunyan Sect."

Xiao Ye vividly recounted how she mocked Master Ming Deng and rendered Qiu Bai Sheng's cultivation abilities useless

Yang Hengxin felt a surge of sympathy as he gazed at the pitch-black wilderness around him, hesitating and pondering: "Grandpa Duanmu has been captured by that wicked woman, leaving only Xiaoye all alone and without any support. Yet I must go in search of my mother, and the journey ahead is fraught with peril. What should I do?"

His right hand had been properly bandaged, yet he still felt a piercing pain that was unbearable, accompanied by waves of nausea in his chest.

Outside the temple, someone spoke loudly: "Doctor Duanmu, this humble Taoist from Kunlun greets you with respect!"

Suddenly, Qiu Baisheng shouted loudly: "Kill!" His figure soared into the air, and the golden light of the霸王叉 (Overlord Fork) shimmered as it descended towards the top of the disheveled monk's head.

No matter how busy she is, unless she goes out of the mountain, she comes every afternoon to give lessons to Yang Heng

Before the words had left his mouth, a loud "bang" echoed overhead, and amidst the swirling dust, four black-clad figures wearing silver masks leaped down from the openings that had been smashed into the corners of the hall's ceiling

As he glanced at the website https://www.hetushu.com, he suddenly felt something greasy fall onto his shoulder, and the young man was taken aback, realizing that he had inexplicably acquired a handful of something oily.

Yang Heng was taken aback, fell into a moment of thoughtful silence, and then nodded firmly, saying: "Alright, I will return to the mountain with you"

Yang Heng hurriedly said: "No, no—my feet are both dirty and smelly, I will do it myself."

He strode out of the Faron Temple, and as he ran, he couldn't help but kick fiercely at an ancient tree by the roadside, venting the frustration in his heart

The Moon Goddess shouted: "How dare you! Is this how you speak to your master?"

The Unmoved Master hurriedly defended himself and shouted, "Are you the minions of the Miezhao Palace or the Demon Sect?"

It has been two months, and there has been no news from my mother, while my father's fate remains uncertain. Yet he lingers in the Yunyan Sect on Mount Emei, claiming to be a leader of righteousness in the world, spending his days accompanied only by Buddhist scriptures and wooden fish

Doctor Duanmu turned around with a stern expression, and upon listening closely, he realized that Xiaoye and Yang Heng had actually been captured by that woman. He was secretly alarmed and angrily asked, "What do you intend to do?"

The Moon Goddess was most afraid of him asking this, so she diverted the conversation by saying: "Remember to copy the scriptures after dinner."

"Steamed, but I was referring to boiled!" Master Mingdeng smiled and said, "Are you willing?"

Xiao Ye, both frightened and anxious, cried out in despair: "Grandfather, Grandfather—"

Little Night sobbed, "Grandfather is gone, and I am left all alone. Where can I go to find him?"

Time flies and the years pass swiftly; in the blink of an eye, Yang Heng has spent more than two months on Mount Emei

He stepped forward and stood in front of Xiao Ye, whispering, "You must escape quickly"

After finishing the lesson that day, the Moon Goddess stood up to leave, when she suddenly heard Yang Heng calling from behind: "Master!"

Yang Heng was taken aback and said, "I am not afraid of death; I only want to find my mother and rescue my father"

Yang Heng dully recalled the circumstances before his unconsciousness and asked, "Where am I, and what about that villain?"

As he pondered, a faint smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth, yet he caught a whiff of a burnt smell in his nose

He is also youthful in temperament, and this thought makes it impossible for him to suppress the strong urge to head towards the Eastern Kunlun for the rest of his life. He feels his blood surging throughout his body, wishing he could sprout wings from his ribs and fly straight to the Demon Palace of Extinguishing Light.

The woman raised her arm and hurled Xiaoye like a concealed weapon into the embrace of Divine Doctor Duanmu

Yang Heng was also at a loss for what to do, and advised her, "Do not worry. Those villains who captured Grandpa Duanmu are merely inquiring about Wei Wuzhi's whereabouts. I believe they would never harm Grandpa."

Little did he know, a woman behind him chuckled and said: "Duanmu Yuan, you cannot escape!"

No," Yang Heng shook his head and said: "You spend all day reciting Buddhist scriptures, when will you be willing to teach me swordsmanship?"

The young man paused and said: "I am Qiu Baisheng, the fifth disciple under the Mountain Lord. May I ask for your esteemed title, Master?"

A Heng! Little Night cried out as she rushed towards Yang Heng, completely oblivious to the young man reaching out with his sinister grasp.

Fortunately, this young man was determined to use Yang Heng to refine his Overlord Fork, so he only used 20% of his strength; otherwise, no matter how resilient and fortunate he was, how could he possibly pass through this ghostly gate?

Doctor Duanmu sat quietly to the side, smiling without speaking, thinking to himself: "For these years, Xiaoye has traveled with me across the south and north, encountering either the people of the immortal forest or the impoverished common folk. It is rare for her to have a playmate of similar age, which is why she is so happy."

The disheveled monk casually took two steps forward, completely blocking the path of the opponent towards Xiaoye and Yang Heng, and replied: "You are a disciple of the Lord of Qionglai Mountain, right? We are all old acquaintances."

Master Mingdeng said: "What Zhenyuan said is indeed true. Xiaoye, you should first accompany me back to Emei. Doctor Duanmu has saved many disciples of the Yunyan Sect and is also a long-time friend of mine. This matter cannot be overlooked, as I must take some responsibility as a monk."

The disheveled monk took a bite of lamb and mumbled, "Hmm, I am this lad's master uncle, with the Dharma name Mingdeng"

Upon thinking of his estranged parents, Yang Heng felt an overwhelming warmth and strength rise within him, as if the fatigue of the entire day had vanished without a trace. His eyes sparkled with hopeful light, and he silently vowed: "When I see my mother and father, they will surely be very surprised. At that time, I will tell them that Ah Heng has grown up, unafraid of mountains and rivers, unafraid of the Demon Palace of Extinction; nothing can hinder my determination to find my parents"

Master Mingdeng revealed his face from behind Xiaoye, smiling and saying: "How can you still ask! You slipped down the mountain without a word, almost causing chaos in the entire Xuedou Monastery and Farong Temple. Your master and I searched everywhere, fearing you might act foolishly in a moment of impulse"

Doctor Duanmu said: "Indeed, a month ago, Wei Wuzhi was gravely injured and on the brink of death. It was I who treated him. However, after his injuries began to heal, Wei Wuzhi took his leave, and I do not know where he went thereafter"

Over there, Xiao Ye took a few steps and saw Yang Heng being entangled by the opponent, then stopped and called out: "Ah Heng!"

When Yang Heng groggily woke up, he saw Xiao Ye Lei and the book marks still wet, standing by the bedside

The divine physician Duanmu felt a jolt in his heart and, maintaining his composure, said: "I wonder who the esteemed person wishes to inquire about"

The divine physician Duanmu, cautious of the consequences, leaned on his green bamboo staff and said: "You first release the two children."

Xiao Ye was already so frightened that her little face turned pale, but upon hearing Yang Heng's words, she shook her head repeatedly and said: "No, I won't leave"

Qiu Baisheng shouted repeatedly, changing his seven styles of fork techniques in one breath, all of which were effortlessly blocked by the scruffy monk with a tattered fan, who did not move from his spot at all.

Xiao Ye comforted Yang Heng, saying: "Ah Heng, don't worry, your mother will definitely be fine"

The youngest of the Six Demons of Qilian, Wei Wuzhi. The Daoist Master Wu Dong's eyes sparkled like lightning as he fixed his gaze on Duanmu Yuan's face and slowly said: "As far as I know, Divine Doctor Duanmu met this person not long ago."

Xiao Ye looked at the scruffy monk in surprise, hesitatingly saying: "Master, you are ... ... "

Yang Heng ignored his foul language and pointed his right hand with two fingers towards the opponent's palm. The young man let out a slight sound of surprise and withdrew his hand, changing his stance: "The Flower Picking Finger? So you are a disciple of the Yunyan Sect!"

Yang Heng grasped Xiao Ye's delicate hand and, employing the pure and tranquil technique taught by his mother, soared into the air, exclaiming: "Hey, you shameless one, if you have the ability, put down Grandpa Duanmu and engage in a real fight with him for three hundred rounds!"

Suddenly, a clear voice of a girl came from outside the door, saying: "Grandfather, it seems that there is someone in this temple"

Qiu Baisheng coldly snorted: "I have no objections, but the overlord fork in my hand has quite a few objections!"

Grandpa Duanmu, Xiaoye! Yang Heng leaped up from the ground, barefoot, and greeted them with a joyful expression.

"What more is there to say?" Master Mingdeng's smile faded as he said, "During the two days you were unconscious, I have heard from Xiaoye about her encounters with Divine Doctor Duanmu."

Little did he know that the woman neither avoided nor dodged, but instead wrapped her long sleeves around the waist of the young girl and boldly faced the green bamboo staff.

Xiao Ye and Yang Heng rushed out of the temple together, and from a distance, they saw the woman carrying Doctor Duanmu flying towards the northeast.

Yang Heng and Xiao Ye chased for more than ten miles, but could no longer see the shadow of Divine Doctor Duanmu. Both of them, exhausted, fell back to the ground.

The untidy monk chuckled and said: "Why do you treat me with such deference now after having been so dismissive before? Do not worry, I have no enmity or friendship with the Lord of Qionglai Mountain; it seems we haven't seen each other for over ten years."

The young man revealed a murderous intent and sneered, "Looking for death!" He twisted his body and with a "bang" clashed palms with Yang Heng.

Yang Heng was momentarily taken aback, faintly sensing that this voice was quite familiar

Doctor Duanmu was taken aback, abruptly halting with his green bamboo staff. However, the force he exerted was too sudden, causing his arms to feel sore and numb, and a surge of blood rushed to his chest, forcing him to retreat several steps.

Xiao Ye agreed, wiped away her tears, and walked out of the guest room. Master Mingdeng sat down by the bed, lazily yawned, and asked: "Tell me, why did you run away?"

The old man in plain clothes asked, "Ah Heng, where is your mother? Why are you the only one here?"

Xiao Ye, however, was not in the mood to joke around and softly said: "I am afraid those people will harm grandfather"

Xiao Ye screamed in fright and instinctively stepped back to evade. Seeing this, Yang Heng rushed towards the young man without hesitation, shouting angrily, and with his right hand, he struck down towards the back of the opponent's head without caring about any techniques or moves.

Xiao Ye shook her head and said, "Boys are all clumsy and awkward. At least I have learned some medical skills from my grandfather for a few days."

Yet every day is filled with disappointment and sorrow. Song Yang has not returned, nor has there been any news of him. He has asked Mingyue Shennie countless times, but even his master does not know what has become of his mother

A masked figure holding a black fishing rod in his left hand said to the unmoving person, "You may leave now."

Xiao Ye shyly smiled and said, "How can my modest skills compare to those of my grandfather? You must not elevate me to such heights."

Sometimes, Yang Heng felt extremely sad and was afraid of being ridiculed, so he could only hide alone in his room, covering his head with a blanket and secretly crying for a while. Then, he would dry his tears and pretend to be indifferent as he walked out the door

Ah Heng! Xiao Ye's eyes lit up as she remembered, but she was surprised and asked, "How did you become a monk?"

Yang Heng could hardly believe his ears and exclaimed with great joy, "Master, are you speaking the truth?"

Yang Heng panted heavily, gazing in the direction where the woman had disappeared, and lamented, "How I wish I had my master's abilities! Xiao Ye, don't cry; I believe Grandpa Duanmu will be fine."

Xiao Ye took it and had just eaten a few bites when she inadvertently saw Yang Heng's bare soles. "Ah!" she exclaimed, "Ah Heng, why are your soles covered in blisters?"

Yang Heng looked at Xiao Ye with a shy expression, his heart filled with warmth and gratitude

Yang Heng gritted his teeth and said: "Who says I do not understand reason? But the old nun is unwilling to teach me; what use is it for me to stay on the mountain?"

He was in a state of distress and anxiety when he suddenly heard someone laughing and saying: "Wonderful, wonderful! I never expected to encounter a pair of exceptionally gifted young men and women in this desolate wilderness, just perfect for refining my 'Overlord Fork'!"

Yang Heng chuckled and changed the subject, saying: "Master, enough about me; how did you manage to drive away that villain?"