"Supreme Water is like water. Water benefits all things without contention, residing where most men despise, thus it is nearly identical to the Dao..." Facing Xuanfeng's incredulous gaze, Qing Yu slowly chanted.

"...to reside in a good location, to have a deep heart, to associate with kindness, to speak with trust, to govern efficiently, to handle matters capably, to move with the right timing. Only by not contending, so there is no blame." Unconsciously, Xuanfeng continued the passage.

This scripture was what Xuanfeng had repeatedly mentioned to Qing Yu during his house arrest.

What he wanted was for Qing Yu to achieve this water-like nature, not competing over time, not contending with others yet encompassing all things, bearing no grudge.

In general, at that time Xuanfeng wished for Qing Yu to peacefully be a normal little Daoist, not getting involved in the feud between Xuanfa and Xuan Chen, to preserve Qing Yu's life.

He treated Qing Yu as a real ten-year-old child, yet he did not know that within the body of this child dwelled a mature soul.

Just as a thousand people have a thousand different views of Hamlet, this scripture held different meanings in the eyes of Xuanfeng and Qing Yu.

Xuanfeng saw from this text the concept of non-contention, embracing tolerance.

Meanwhile, Qing Yu saw in it the malleability of water. Water was soft yet able to change form, taking the shape of the ocean in the ocean, the form of rivers in rivers, the shape of cups in cups, the form of bottles in bottles.

Water can only form seas by flowing downwards, and mountains reach naturally to the skies without pride.

No need to show off, waiting until the day he became great as the mountains and seas, then discussing the outcomes of success or failure.

Simply put, from here Qing Yu understood the true essence of sneaky growth.

Following events unfolded, naturally because Qing Yu maintained the guise of an ignorant child, which made Xuan Chen lower his guard and gave Xuanfeng and others a reason to protect him.

It could be said that Qing Yu standing here ten years later had a lot to do with his ability to bend and stretch.

"How... how could this be?!" Xuanfeng was simply in disbelief, unable to believe that the white-haired Daoist before him was that somewhat quiet child, nor could he believe that the disciple nephew who had been buried for years would appear before him again.

Moreover, his appearance alongside Xuan Shang indicated that certain events had transpired.

"Ten years have passed, Uncle Master, you have aged," Qing Yu said with a smile, bowing his head in a gesture of respect.

Regardless of this man's position, he had ultimately intended to help Qing Yu. Although his help was largely motivated by his own guilt, Qing Yu was still grateful for it.

If it were not for him, Qing Yu might not have had the initial accumulation of knowledge.

Like being under house arrest in the True Martial Sect reading certain books, and bringing scriptures with him when going to Qing Province, all were aided by Xuanfeng and others whom he had yet to meet.

However, thanks aside, what needed to be done still had to be done.

"Uncle Master, please hand over the Image Stone, so as not to make this difficult for us," Qing Yu said slowly, locking eyes with those still filled with shock.

Seeing Xuanfeng, Qing Yu was almost certain that the Image Stone was still intact, not yet destroyed by Xuanfeng.

Xuanfeng was a man of contradictions. On one hand, he did not want the existence of the Image Stone to cause a split within the True Martial Sect, tarnishing Xuan Chen the Sect Leader. On the other hand, he worried that Xuan Chen would go further astray and commit even more irredeemable acts, hence he kept the Image Stone.

With just one look, Qing Yu discerned the contradictions, hesitations, and pacing in his heart.

It was this inner turmoil that had impacted Xuanfeng's body, making him appear increasingly aged.

'Indeed, he is Qing Yu.' Beside him, Xuan Shang, with hands shrouded in his sleeves, gripped his cuffs tightly, forcibly suppressing the surprise and excitement within.

Seeing the other's true identity revealed was far more shocking than mere speculation. Despite finding it hard to believe that Qing Yu had survived and even become a high-ranking practitioner in the True Pill Realm, the truth was inalterable.

More shocked than Xuan Shang was Xuanfeng, who was by now so astounded that he was rendered speechless.

This disciple who had once been declared dead was now standing before him, alive and well, creating a meeting that could only be described as dreamlike. However, beneath this illusory dream was a harsh, unforgiving reality.

"Back then, I carried your body all the way back to the Daoism Sect..." Xuanfeng slowly lowered his head, his voice rough and somber.

"That was a substitute, a fake," Qing Yu replied, maintaining his smile.

"The blood writing on your clothes, the details written about Xuan Guang forcing you to learn the 'Exorcism Swordsmanship'..."

"How could I possibly resort to self-mutilation? That was fake as well."

"So, what else is real?"

"The fact that your disciple is alive, that is the undeniable truth," Qing Yu said, his face still smiling.

There were actually many more truths, such as where Qing Yu's martial arts came from, how he had attained the True Pill Realm, and what he had been doing these past years.

To be more specific, one could even mention the two Sect disciples who had been sent to supervise Qing Yu, and how exactly they had died.

However, Qing Yu would naturally not reveal any of this easily. As for Xuanfeng, he no longer wished to ask.

"Roar—"

The White Tiger roared, and Gang Wind surged. Xuanfeng, who had been paralyzed and lying on a deck chair as if disabled, suddenly merged his visible energy with the White Tiger spirit, and with palms carrying the fierce Geng Metal Gang Wind, he brutally struck at Qing Yu's lower abdomen.

Death.

Fierce, resolute killing intent filled Xuanfeng's dim old eyes. His heart had settled on his deadly intent, unwavering.

It was all for the True Martial Sect.

Whether deciding not to make public the Image Stone or not to destroy it, it was all done with one goal in mind – for the True Martial Sect.

Anyone who was detrimental to the True Martial Sect, whether it was the elder brother who had promoted him or the disciple he had once protected, all were enemies to Xuanfeng, and he was prepared to be ruthless.

The return of Qing Yu would definitely ignite the latent issues within the True Martial Sect, especially since he harbored ulterior motives and had come for revenge.

"Xuanfeng, how dare you?!"

Xuan Shang was shocked by Qing Yu's true identity, and considering Xuanfeng's long-standing state of decline, by the time he realized it, Xuanfeng's palms were upon him.

At such close range, even if Xuan Shang was stronger than Xuanfeng, he couldn't stop him in time.

Hence, the strike landed.

Xuanfeng's palms indeed hit Qing Yu's lower abdomen squarely, as the White Tiger's Geng Metal Energy instantly burst into Qing Yu's body, heading straight for the Dantian.

"Xuanfeng!!"

In Xuan Shang's eyes, filled with rage, Xuanfeng's sneaky attack had succeeded.

'It's done.' Xuanfeng felt a sense of relief.

Suddenly striking, nobody expected this seemingly decrepit old man to unleash such a thunderous move, his palm hitting the defenseless Qing Yu. Even if he survived, his True Pill would be destroyed, and at best, he would remain disabled.

Thus, the potential disaster was quashed at the bud.

"I'm sorry, Qing Yu, your uncle..."

Xuanfeng's eyes were heavy with guilt as they met a pair of eyes that seemed to smile yet not smile.

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