In the hall of Qingyun Dao Sect.

Su Changyu was a little confused.

‘Illegitimate son?’

‘What does that mean?’

Looking at the dumbfounded Su Changyu, Daoist Tai Hua nodded.

“Yes, illegitimate son.”

Daoist Tai Hua nodded solemnly with a look of determination.

“Master, how did you tell?”

Su Changyu asked curiously.

“You can’t tell?”

“Changyu, think about it. If Old Xuan is really your biological father, it proves that he’s quite well-off.”

“If that’s the case, why would he abandon you?”

“There is only one possibility, and that is you’re his illegitimate son, but he didn’t dare to reveal it so he abandoned you. Now that he’s doing well, he found you by chance and feels extremely guilty.”

“So, he buys you whatever you want, right?”

Daoist Tai Hua’s words made a lot of sense to Su Changyu.

“But, Master, what if he was poor when he was young? You can’t rule out this possibility either.”‘

Su Changyu retorted, unable to accept the fact that he was an illegitimate child.

“That would be even worse.”

Daoist Tai Hua said seriously.

“If he really was poor in his younger days, that just proves that he fell in love with your mother back then, but he caved in to reality and married a rich man’s daughter, thus abandoning your mother.”

“It would also prove the reason he didn’t acknowledge you when you’re his biological son.”

“He feels guilty towards you but he’s also scared that you’d affect his life.”

Daoist Tai Hua’s logic and thought process was already extremely terrifying.

He actually managed to string together things that were completely unrelated in any way.

It was no wonder that he could become the Sect Leader of Qingyun Dao Sect with such abilities.

“Well then… Master, what should I do?”

Su Changyu frowned and asked Daoist Tai Hua.

“Actually, whether there’s a solution or not depends on you.”

Daoist Tai Hua’s words made Su Changyu curious.

‘Depends on me?’

‘What does that mean?’

“It depends on whether you want to acknowledge your father or not.”

“If you want to acknowledge him, just make a trip there and visit him to make things clear. Don’t leave things in such an ambiguous state.”

“If you don’t want to acknowledge him, just accept it quietly. After all, your father feels guilty towards you and the gifts that he has given you is a form of compensation.”

“I can tell that your father is feeling very guilty towards you but maybe he has his reasons.”

Daoist Tai Hua seemed to find it a pity.

Su Changyu remained silent.

He really did not expect that Old Xuan would be his biological father.

‘No wonder he bought so many things for me and kept asking me about my parents every now and then.’

‘So that’s the truth.’

‘I’m his illegitimate son!’

‘It turns out that I, Su Changyu, am someone else’s illegitimate son.’

At this moment, Su Changyu somehow felt uncomfortable.

He had always felt that his parents might have died in a mishap or that they had accidentally lost him.

However, he didn’t expect that he was actually an illegitimate child.

“Master!”

Su Changyu felt like he had somehow suffered a blow.

On the other hand, Daoist Tai Hua could also tell that Su Changyu was rather upset. He immediately stood up and patted Su Changyu on his shoulder.

“Changyu, I’m actually just making guesses, I didn’t want to tell you about it at first.”

“However, I can’t hide the truth about your background, don’t blame me.”

Daoist Tai Hua said.

In fact, he did not want to tell Su Changyu about this matter, but he had been thinking about it recently.

He didn’t know whether he should say it or not, but he eventually did.

He understood that Su Changyu had the right to learn of this matter.

If Su Changyu’s biological parents had already died, he would not say anything, but since there was a possibility that they were still alive, there was nothing he could do.

“Master, how can I blame you for this?”

“I just can’t accept this fact all of a sudden.”

Su Changyu naturally couldn’t blame Daoist Tai Hua.

However, the information was too much for him to digest and accept for now.

“Okay, go get some rest. Go think about it carefully, you’ll come to a decision on your own.”

Daoist Tai Hua patted Su Changyu’s shoulder and told him to go rest and think about it.

“Yes, Master, I’ll get going first.”

Su Changyu nodded and then turned around to leave.

Just as Su Changyu walked out of the main hall, Daoist Tai Hua suddenly spoke up.

“Changyu.”

Hearing his voice, Su Changyu couldn’t help but stop in his tracks and immediately afterwards, he continued to speak to Daoist Tai Hua.

“No matter what your choice is, I will support you forever.”

“Regardless of whether it’s right or not.”

Daoist Tai Hua’s voice was relatively calm.

However, his words made Su Changyu freeze in shock.

It also made him feel a warm and fuzzy feeling within him. He wanted to cry but unfortunately, he couldn’t.

The crux was the last four words that Daoist Tai Hua said.

That made Su Changyu feel extremely touched.

“Master, once a teacher, always a father. No matter what happens, you’ll always be my master and like a father to me.”

After saying that, Su Changyu bowed to Daoist Tai Hua. He then turned around and left.

After Su Changyu left, Daoist Tai Hua took a deep breath and stared at Su Changyu’s back with some heartache.

Although he did not know the truth about Su Changyu’s past, he understood that Su Changyu was very pitiful because he had been separated from his biological parents since he was a child.

He was not the only one. All the disciples of the Qingyun Dao Sect were also pitiful people.

Just like that, in the blink of an eye, it was late at night.

Below Changyun Pavilion.

Ye Ping and Xu Luochen were bidding goodbye to Chen Lingrou and the others.

“Lingrou, you must remember what I said.”

“When you go out, don’t be greedy and take advantage of minor things.”

“One more thing, protect yourself well and don’t let other male cultivators take advantage of you.”

“Don’t get into a romantic relationship either. I’m not scaring you. If you go down the mountain and bring a Dao companion back with you, regardless of whether Master will spare you or not, your Senior Brothers and I will not spare you. Do you understand?”

Xu Luochen said with a solemn expression as he looked at Chen Lingrou.

He looked extremely serious and did not look like he was joking.

“I know, I know. Senior Brother, what nonsense are you talking about? What Dao companion?”

Chen Lingrou frowned and said with some displeasure, thinking that Xu Luochen was spouting nonsense again.

“Anyway, remember what I said.”

After repeating himself, Xu Luochen looked at Xue Zhuan and Lin Bei again.

“Xue Zhuan, Lin Bei, take good care of Lingrou during this journey. After I pass the alchemy assessment, I’ll celebrate with you guys.”

Xu Luochen said and patted their shoulders.

“Rest assured, Second Senior Brother.”

“Yes, Senior Brother, don’t worry.”

Both of them nodded and escorted Chen Lingrou away without saying much.

However, before leaving, Chen Lingrou walked towards Ye Ping and patted him on the shoulder.

“Ye Ping, I’m leaving. Stay in the sect and learn sword techniques well. After I return, I’ll teach you another supreme sword technique.”

Ye Ping was the only person Chen Lingrou could boast to.

“Bon voyage, Senior Sister. I’ll stay in the sect and wait for you to return.”

Ye Ping said with a smile.

“Okay, I’m going to go now, wait for me to come back.”

Chen Lingrou waved her hand and then left.

After Chen Lingrou left, Xu Luochen looked at Ye Ping.

“Ye Ping, I’m going to go get some medicinal herbs for tomorrow’s alchemy assessment. Just stay in the restaurant and get some good rest. If you’re feeling bored, just have some wine and listen to the music.”

Seeing that Chen Lingrou had left, Xu Luochen planned not to delay his journey any further.

It was the day of the alchemy assessment tomorrow.

He hadn’t had time to buy medicinal herbs yet so he had to hurry up and go now.

“Second Senior Brother, do you want me to go with you?”

Ye Ping asked with some curiosity.

“No, no, just stay at the restaurant.”

Xu Luochen shook his head and turned down Ye Ping’s offer.

He didn’t want to let Ye Ping see him bargaining for some medicinal herbs.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you in the restaurant then.”

Ye Ping nodded and Xu Luochen soon left the place.

Soon, Ye Ping turned around, walked into the restaurant, and casually ordered a pot of wine while waiting for Xu Luochen to return.

Five minutes later, several footsteps sounded and various people arrived at the restaurant.

It seemed extremely lively at the crowded restaurant. A group of people walked into the restaurant, most of whom were old and had white hair. However, they all looked strong and energetic.

“Fellow Daoist Chen, I don’t think anyone will dare to act brazenly and break the rules since you’re supervising the alchemy assessment in Baiyun Ancient City this time.”

“Yes, yes, after all, Daoist Chen is also an alchemy master from the Jin Nation Academy. Besides, he’s under the tutelage of Elder Xu Chang, who would dare to break the rules?”

“Yes, Daoist Chen became an alchemy master at such a young age. It probably won’t be long before he will reach the top of Jin Nation.”

The group of elders discussed, and even mentioned the Jin Nation Academy as well as Xu Chang.

In the corner, Ye Ping picked up his glass of wine quietly and looked over to see that everyone was surrounding a middle-aged man who was wearing a green shirt and grinning continuously. After all, he was being praised and flattered by them.

He was naturally smiling in joy.

“Seniors, don’t say that. I’m just here to invigilate the alchemy assessment in Baiyun Ancient City by order of Jin Nation.”

“Also, don’t call me the best alchemy master of Jin Nation.”

“Even my master won’t call himself the best alchemy master in Jin Nation.”

Although Chen Ning was modest, he was grinning non-stop.

His Master was Xu Chang, the best alchemy master in Jin Nation. He was naturally very famous too, but he usually stayed in the Jin Nation Academy to practice and learn alchemy.

Now, the Jin Nation imperial court wanted them to gather many alchemy masters of the Jin Nation to act as invigilators in the alchemy assessments of various areas, allegedly to prevent dishonorable practices.

As Elder Xu Chang’s disciple, he naturally also wanted to contribute to the nation.

Hence, he arrived in Baiyun Ancient City.

However, he was not the chief invigilator but the candidate chief invigilator.

It was because the higher ups wanted Ye Ping to be the chief examiner of the assessment in Baiyun Ancient City but Ye Ping was not around.

Hence, he came here to look for Ye Ping.

However, he hadn’t been able to find Ye Ping and the assessment was about to begin soon so he had no choice but to stand in for now.

However, after coming to Baiyun Ancient City, he was surrounded by a group of people who served him with all sorts of good food. In fact, two days ago, the City Lord of the Baiyun Ancient City had even come to see him.

That gave Chen Ning an inexplicable feeling.

Although the new disciples of Jin Nation Academy would usually be polite to him, the problem was that they would not be that polite.

They fed him well and praised him endlessly.

Chen Ning became obsessed with it.

In the eyes of the group of cultivators around Chen Ning, Chen Ning was just like the official of a capital who had come by the orders of the emperor, and most importantly, Chen Ning’s master was Xu Chang, the best alchemy master of Jin Nation.

How could they not suck up to Chen Ning?

“Fellow Daoist Chen, you are really modest. You managed to achieve such great attainments at such a young age. You might even become the best alchemy master in Jin Nation in a few hundred years, not to mention decades.”

“Yes, even if you are modest, Elder Xu Chang is really the number one alchemist in the Jin Nation.”

“Fellow Daoist Chen, don’t be modest.”

The crowd spoke up and kept praising Chen Ning.

However, Chen Ning waved his hand with a bitter smile and said, “In the past, I really wouldn’t say this.”

“However, there is indeed a better alchemy master than my master in Jin Nation.”

“My master admitted to it himself.”

Chen Ning said with a bitter smile.

He wanted to admit that his master was the best alchemy master in Jin Nation but the problem was that he didn’t have the cheek to do it.

“Did he admit it himself?”

“Who is it?”

“Fellow Daoist Chen, who is this person? How come we have never heard of such an alchemist in Jin Nation?”

“Which alchemy master is it?”

Everyone spoke up one after another, their eyes full of curiosity.

“This person is Ye Ping, the supreme elite of Jin Nation Academy. In terms of age, he should be addressing me as his Senior Brother, but in terms of abilities, I have to call him Senior Brother.”

“According to the rules of the academy, he is my Senior Brother and has just joined the Jin Nation Academy. Oh and his sect is in Qingzhou.”

Chen Ning revealed Ye Ping’s identity.

“Ye Ping?”

“Wait, this name seems a bit familiar.”

“Yeah, I also seem to remember that name.”

“I remember someone saying that his junior brother is called Ye Ping. However, I never saw him ever since I joined the Jin Nation Academy so I thought it was just fake news but I didn’t expect it to be real.”

Everyone was curious.

Some had heard of Ye Ping but some hadn’t.

When Ye Ping first joined the Jin Nation Academy, there was no official notice.

After all, Ye Ping was specially recruited to join the Jin Nation Academy and it was normal for the Baiyun Ancient City not to know of it. Later on, Xu Luochen left the mountain and when that matter was mentioned again, the vast majority of cultivators certainly didn’t believe it.

These days, it was common for one to brag about their friend or Junior Brother joining a certain force but everyone merely took it as a joke.

However, as Chen Ning spoke, everyone was stunned.

Joining the Jin Nation Academy was not a trivial matter.

Even the City Lord had to personally congratulate him and it was even grander than becoming the top scholar.

“Oh? You guys don’t know?”

“Well, that’s normal. After all, Senior Brother was recruited to enter the Jin Nation Academy, it’s only normal for the officials not to notify us about it.”

“Master told me that Senior Brother Ye Ping is not only the top alchemy master in Jin Nation, he might even be the best in the Ten Nations.”

“The more shocking thing is that he’s only 24 years old. No one can catch up to him.”

Chen Ning had a complicated tone.

After all, he was Xu Chang’s disciple and was naturally arrogant too. He wouldn’t be dejected to meet geniuses, but after meeting someone like Ye Ping, it would be hard to say.

After hearing Chen Ning’s words, everyone couldn’t help but sigh in amazement.

“Ah, I didn’t expect this. The new generation is outshining the old.”

“Yeah, there are bound to be outstanding talents in every generation.”

“I didn’t expect that such an elite would appear near Baiyun Ancient City without our knowledge. Let’s have the City Lord check it out properly later on, and go pay him a visit in person when the time comes.”

“Yes, but Fellow Daoist Chen, let’s go up to the private room to chat, it’s too noisy here on the first floor. Let’s go.”

Although everyone was surprised and discussed, they still understood what their purpose was.

Sucking up to Chen Ning was the way to go.

After all, they didn’t know Ye Ping and a person like him was too far away. However, Chen Ning was different. He was naturally more approachable.

If they really got close to him, there would only be benefits for them to enjoy.

“Okay, everyone, you’re being too kind.”

Chen Ning nodded and followed everyone into the private room.

However, when Chen Ning went upstairs, he suddenly saw a familiar figure.

The figure was clad in white and seated at the side of the stairs, drinking alone and looking extremely calm.

In terms of looks, he was peerless and arrogant, giving off an inexplicable vibe.

‘Ye Ping!’

It was Ye Ping!

Chen Ning had seen Ye Ping once when Huangfu Tianlong was challenging the Jin Nation Academy.

However, at that time, he was one of the onlookers outside the gate of the Jin Nation Academy, watching Ye Ping defeat Huangfu Tianlong.

However, Chen Ning did not expect to meet Ye Ping again in this small restaurant.

“Senior Brother Ye, is that you?”

Chen Ning stopped walking, then hurriedly walked down the stairs and came in front of Ye Ping, his expression filled with shock and confusion.

However, Ye Ping, who was in the corner, seemed to be thinking about some things.

Although he had met some junior brothers of the academy in the restaurant, Ye Ping didn’t want to disturb them.

After all, they were handling official matters and it naturally wouldn’t be appropriate for him to disturb them.

Besides, Ye Ping was not willing to reveal his true identity.

However, to his surprise, Chen Ning discovered him.

Ye Ping immediately smiled bitterly and then stood up.

“Junior Brother Chen, long time no see.”

Ye Ping stood up with a composed smile.

At this moment, not only was Chen Ning shocked by his response, the cultivators around Chen Ning were surprised too.

‘What a coincidence.’

In particular, Chen Ning felt upset because he had looked for Ye Ping for a long time and did not expect to meet him here.

At the same time, on West street of Baiyun Ancient City.

Xu Luochen was holding some medicinal herbs and walking out of the medicinal herb store.

A figure suddenly appeared in front of Xu Luochen.

“Brother Luochen, Brother Luochen, there’s a joyous event. Good news!”

The voice made Xu Luochen shocked.

‘What is it?’

‘Is there a discount at the medicinal herb store?’

‘Damn, wouldn’t I be at a huge loss?’

Xu Luochen was dumbfounded. if there was a discount, he would have incurred a huge loss.

“No, no, Luochen, the invigilator this time is a disciple of Jin Nation Academy. Isn’t your Junior Brother from Jin Nation? We can definitely pass the assessment this time.”

The other party seemed extremely agitated.

After hearing these words, Xu Luochen could not help but be excited too.

Soon, another group of figures appeared and surrounded Xu Luochen.