Meng Zhang had no time for unnecessary words and formalities. As a closed-door disciple of the former Taiyi Sect Master, Daoist Profound Spirit, and one of the sect's highly cultivated rising stars, in the eyes of disciples like Li Baofu, even disregarding Meng Zhang's identity as the current Taiyi Sect Master, they wouldn't dare to be the slightest bit disrespectful.
Li Baofu got straight to the point. The awakened individual was a ten-year-old boy named Tian Li, who happened to be a distant nephew of Tian Zhen. Tian Li's father had already passed away, leaving only his mother. His mother was the sister of Fang Meng, the senior disciple of Taiyi Sect, who had joined the Zhao Family.
This kind of situation wasn't uncommon, as most Taiyi Sect disciples hailed from Sweetwater Oasis. They not only had family members there but also had various connections with each other. When Fang Meng left Taiyi Sect to join the Zhao Family, many people in Sweetwater Oasis disapproved of his actions, but his relatives didn't shut him out.
Interestingly, when Fang Meng was visiting his sister's home, Tian Li, his nephew, happened to awaken his spiritual root. Typically, when one's spiritual root awakened, some peculiar phenomena would manifest in the surroundings. Common signs included automatically absorbing spiritual energy from the surroundings or creating gusts of wind around the body. Different individuals would exhibit various unique phenomena based on their physical attributes.
In Sweetwater Oasis, there were also several retired Taiyi Sect disciples who quickly arrived at Tian Li's home to help him control his spiritual root and contain the anomalies. It was at this moment that Fang Meng, identifying himself as the boy's uncle, attempted to take Tian Li away.
However, the Sweetwater Oasis residents, especially the old Taiyi Sect disciples, wouldn't allow Fang Meng to take the boy without a fight. Both sides refused to back down, but due to mutual apprehension, they hadn't made a move yet and were engaged in a heated verbal confrontation.
Li Baofu, as the appointed stationed disciple of Taiyi Sect, was relatively clever. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly used a communication talisman to inform Tian Zhen, who was currently in charge of the sect's general affairs.
Upon hearing Li Baofu's account, Meng Zhang and Tian Zhen were both enraged. Tian Zhen even volunteered for the task.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, Fang Meng betrayed the sect and deserves death. I request permission to apprehend him and await your orders."
"Fang Meng is not the only concern; we must be cautious with Zhao Family's involvement."
"Both of you can come with me to see what Fang Meng, now under the patronage of a new master, intends to do."
Meng Zhang didn't allow Tian Zhen to act alone but took him along as they walked towards Fang Meng's sister's home. Meng Zhang had spent some time in Sweetwater Oasis during his childhood and had visited several times after joining Taiyi Sect. He had some understanding of the sect disciples' relatives in the area.
As Meng Zhang led the way without the need for Li Baofu's guidance, they quickly arrived at their destination. Before they got close, the chaotic clamor of arguing reached their ears. One voice, particularly powerful, dominated all others: "Fang Meng, you traitorous scoundrel! You think you can come here and act recklessly, just because you've climbed up a high branch?"
"If you want to take Tian Li away, you'll have to step over my dead body first."
Hearing this voice, Meng Zhang chuckled. "Old Man Tian still possesses such spiritedness at his age."
Meng Zhang and the others arrived outside a small courtyard. The surrounding area was already filled with people from all around.
At the entrance of the courtyard, an elderly man with white hair and age spots on his face led a group of old men, surrounding Fang Meng and a middle-aged man, berating them non-stop.
When the people around recognized Meng Zhang riding over, someone shouted, "The Sect Master is here, everyone, make way!"
The previously crowded crowd split into two, making way for a clear path.
Even those who were arguing became quiet.
Meng Zhang instructed Li Baofu behind him, "Disperse the crowd."
As the ruler of Sweetwater Oasis, Taiyi Sect held sufficient authority there. Li Baofu didn't need to exert much effort, and the surrounding people quickly dispersed. The street that was once packed with people became empty.
Meng Zhang cast a glance at Fang Meng without paying much attention to him and instead focused on the middle-aged man by his side.
"I wonder who the esteemed guest is, visiting the territory of my Taiyi Sect without informing the host."
The middle-aged man appeared to be around the same age as Fang Meng, and his face looked amiable.
He clasped his hands towards Meng Zhang. "You must be Taiyi Sect's Sect Master Meng. I am Zhao Dong, a neighbor of Taiyi Sect."
"I am just visiting as a guest with my good friend Brother Fang to pay a visit to his family. I apologize for not giving advance notice; it's my fault."
Meng Zhang dismounted from his horse and first approached the white-haired old man.
"Old Man Tian, we younger generation has failed you, causing you trouble."
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. Please rest with Old Man Tian. I will handle the rest."
Meng Zhang then bowed to the other elderly men.
Old Man Tian was also a Taiyi Sect disciple, but he had left Taiyi Sect and returned to live in Sweetwater Oasis several decades ago. In theory, Refining Qi stage cultivators could live up to two jiazi, or 120 years, at most. However, that was the ideal scenario. In reality, very few Refining Qi cultivators could live past a hundred years, due to various factors such as personal cultivation progress and individual physical conditions.
Old Man Tian had already lived past a hundred years, and his body remained robust till now, truly an anomaly.
Over ninety years ago, when Taiyi Sect was rebuilt for the third time in this area, Old Man Tian, not yet ten years old, was among the first batch of disciples recruited by Taiyi Sect. Having experienced nearly all of Taiyi Sect's history since its third rebuilding, he could be considered a living relic and auspicious presence within the sect.
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