"Senior Kang is too thoughtful."
Chen Yan smiled.
"We met by chance, and to receive such generous treatment makes me feel a bit immodest."
Upon hearing this, Kang Zongdan quickly waved his hand.
"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. Your visit to my humble abode today is a blessing for our household. If you could deign to stay in Jiangdu Prefecture, it would be an honor for the entire prefecture. Our Kang Family happens to have a detached villa in the southern part of the city, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, quiet and elegant, fully equipped with all necessities. If Fellow Daoist doesn't mind, you are welcome to move in at any time and use it as a quiet place for cultivation."
Chen Yan didn't refuse further.
"Senior Kang's hospitality is hard to decline. Then I'll impose on you for a few days. If there's anything you need my help with, Senior Kang, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Then this old man will thank Fellow Daoist in advance!"
Kang Zongdan chuckled.
The originally calm and composed Chen Yan was secretly startled when he heard the old man seated in the main seat utter the three words "Mirage Palace."
He was well aware that he was currently in the Western Region of Chenping Continent. Even if this was the border between the Western and Southern Regions, it was still the sphere of influence of the Mirage Palace, the most ancient immortal sect on the Chenping Continent and one of the Five Great Sects.
"The Mirage Palace's fame thunders in my ears."
Chen Yan only spoke softly.
"A great senior of the Mirage Palace once made an appointment with me, saying they would send someone to the Kang Mansion this year to select disciples. That should happen very soon."
Kang Zongdan said slowly.
"If Fellow Daoist would be willing to grace the occasion, I hope you can come and observe."
Chen Yan didn't speak, only nodding toward Kang Zongdan with a smile on his face.
"Keye!"
Kang Zongdan called out the name of his eldest son, the next successor of the Kang Family.
"Present!"
The seventy-two-year-old elder, still brimming with vitality, stepped forward.
"Personally lead the way. Escort this Fellow Daoist Chen, and this… little friend beside him, to the Listening to the Waves Pavilion in the southern part of the city."
"Yes!"
Kang Keye replied respectfully and bowed toward Kang Zongdan.
Then, he walked toward Chen Yan and the young Su Hongzhen, gesturing for them to follow.
"This way, please, both of you."
Among Kang Zongdan's six sons, Kang Keye's martial arts proficiency was second only to his fifth younger brother, placing him at the upper tier of Great Martial Masters.
Thus, by tradition, his succession as the head of the Kang Family as the eldest legitimate son was beyond dispute.
Having the next family head personally guide them was a great show of respect from Kang Zongdan to Chen Yan.
After all, the other party was a cultivator.
…
A few days later.
Jiangdu Prefecture, Southern City, Listening to the Waves Pavilion.
The reason this detached villa was named "Listening to the Waves" was entirely because of an artificial spring in its courtyard.
Beneath the crisp, babbling sound of the flowing water, the courtyard felt even more tranquil.
It was quite suitable for cultivation.
Spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged toward Chen Yan, and his bones and tendons underwent repeated quenching by that energy.
Then, he exhaled a mouthful of turbid air and opened his eyes.
Chen Yan recalled the events that had taken place in the Kang Mansion a few days ago.
He had, of course, understood all the implications behind Kang Zongdan's words.
Beneath the surface of overwhelming hospitality, Kang Zongdan was also wary of him.
This was especially apparent when he mentioned the Mirage Palace.
The hidden meaning in his words was to tell Chen Yan that he, too, had backing.
Of course, he couldn't bluff Chen Yan.
With just one glance, Chen Yan could see that Kang Zongdan's cultivation level was still at Body Forging. If he were at the Qi Circulation Realm, his blood energy wouldn't have declined to its current state.
And honestly, a cultivator at Body Forging like you? The Mirage Palace wouldn't even glance your way.
But Chen Yan could completely understand.
After all, he was a complete stranger, an unknown cultivator, to Kang Zongdan. This was only human nature.
Since the Kang Family was willing to take him in, Chen Yan naturally felt grateful to them.
As for the Mirage Palace Kang Zongdan mentioned…
Chen Yan had never expected that this small Kang Family would have ties to the Mirage Palace.
But…
Chen Yan turned his gaze toward Su Hongzhen, who was standing by the side of the courtyard.
"Little Su."
He spoke.
Chen Yan had grown used to addressing the future foremost Sword Immortal of Chenping Continent as "Little Su," because given the current situation, he couldn't find a better title.
Why worry about what the future holds? Right now, he was stronger than Su Hongzhen anyway.
"Yeah, what's up, bro!"
Su Hongzhen strode briskly toward Chen Yan.
Chen Yan reached into his pocket and pulled out a few pieces of silver, handing them to Su Hongzhen.
"Go buy some food for me from the street."
Chen Yan said.
"The same as before, bro?"
Su Hongzhen asked.
"Yeah."
Chen Yan nodded.
"Eight baskets of steamed buns, six roast chickens, five bowls of wonton, three pounds of spiced beef, two bowls of zhajiang noodles, and then just grab a few pounds of fruit."
Su Hongzhen repeated the instructions Chen Yan had given him before.
"…Yeah, and buy the wonton from a different shop. That last shop's wonton wasn't good."
Chen Yan continued nodding.
"Got it, bro!"
Su Hongzhen replied, then turned and quickly strode out of the Listening to the Waves Pavilion, heading toward the market.
It had to be said, the doctors found by the Yunxi Kang Family were indeed more skilled than the old doctor in that remote border town.
And the medicinal ingredients they selected were more effective.
Although a fracture takes a hundred days to heal, Su Hongzhen could now move around without any hindrance, as long as he didn't touch his ribs.
Back to the main point.
Chen Yan had never imagined that this small Kang Family would have ties to the Mirage Palace.
But when he thought of Su Hongzhen, it all made sense.
The history of Chenping Continent would form a perfect closed loop.
Only by forcibly altering cause and effect could one change the destiny decreed by Heaven’s Dao, but the price would be severe karmic backlash.
Even Ascending to Immortality couldn't touch it.
Just like when he had glimpsed the destruction of Heavenly Summit Mountain from over sixty thousand years ago through the Heavenly Summit Mirror. That was destined to happen.
Su Hongzhen had a very close relationship with a Daomen Xingzou of the Mirage Palace. According to Chen Yan's knowledge, that Daomen Xingzou's name was Zhou Jinyun.
So, if everything he was currently doing was also meant to happen in the original history…
Then perhaps, right here in Jiangdu Prefecture, Su Hongzhen would encounter that Daomen Xingzou of the Mirage Palace.
But…
If everything was predetermined, if it was all a closed loop…
Then what was the point of him returning to this Chenping Continent, eight thousand years in the past?