### Chapter 159: Surviving the Catastrophe, You Were Taken by the Strange Old Man! - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 159: Surviving the Catastrophe, You Were Taken by the Strange Old Man! Written by: Icy Winter --- As fate would have it, you miraculously survived the fall from the sky, landing on a treetop in the abyss. The branches and leaves cushioned most of your impact as you tumbled to the ground. Upon rising unsteadily to your feet, a delightful aroma filled your nostrils — the unmistakable scent of roasting. For three years on the mountains of Shu, you subsisted on bland fare, your taste buds craving flavor. In the past, you delighted in raiding bird nests for eggs and roasting birds. This tantalizing smell stirred every hunger pang within you. You followed the enticing scent and soon spotted an elderly man in a tattered Taoist robe. He sat on a large stone, tending a fire where a snake and wild chicken sizzled on the spit. The old Taoist appeared harmless, so you approached him without hesitation. "Grandpa, that smells incredible! May I have a bite?" you asked with all the candidness of youth. At your request, the old Taoist chuckled heartily. "Eat, eat to your heart's content." You didn't hesitate, believing that anyone in the realm of Shu was unlikely to be dangerous. Tearing off a drumstick, you began devouring it with gusto. Juicy and perfectly seasoned, the chicken leg was gone before you knew it. You then continued with a chicken wing. The old Taoist watched your hearty appetite with amusement. For most children, such an encounter would invoke fear and confusion, but your calm demeanor intrigued him, revealing the makings of a talented student. Unbeknownst to you, this old Taoist was none other than Baiyang Zhenren. In his youth, he had encountered fierce battles between a white ape and a divine eagle amidst the Infinite Seas, ending up stranded on a deserted island. On that island's cliffs, he discovered a celestial tome, from which he gleaned insights to create the profound "Baiyang True Understanding", an exquisite swordsmanship practice. After mastering it, Baiyang Zhenren achieved the rank of Earth Immortal, later unearthing a cave where he found seven superior flying swords, forged entirely from the rare Taiyi Gold Essence—a mystic essence born only in enigmatic corners of the universe, bestowing immense power to any sword alloyed with even a fragment, let alone fully constructed from it. Upon leaving the island, Zhenren sought out the once-fighting white ape and divine eagle and slew them with his swords, obtaining a spirit pearl from the ape. He used this pearl to forge a second primordial soul, becoming a formidable demon slayer without peer. Yet, word reached Baiyang's ears of the Shu Mountain's headmaster, Zi Hong Zhenren, hailed as peerless in sword arts, much to Baiyang's chagrin. Provoked, he sought a duel at Shu Mountain, proposing that if he won, Zi Hong must declare Baiyang's superiority publicly. If defeated, Baiyang Zhenren agreed to leave Shu with his seven Taiyi Gold Essence swords as penance. His challenge quickly vexed Shu Mountain's headmaster. A loss would spell disgrace and tarnish their legacy. In counter-proposal, if Baiyang lost, he'd forego not only his swords but must also imprison himself at the mountain's foot for a millennium, henceforth unseen. Enduring such a self-imposed exile bore less significance to an Earth Immortal like Baiyang, who'd surpassed mortal life yet was unable to ascend to the immortal realm due to worldly attachments and unfulfilled karma. Out of pride, Baiyang accepted. The contest was set by the East Sea, gathering many unaffiliated immortals, dark magus, and wayward cultivators, all aflame with anticipation. The duel comprised three trials: The first, a contest in slaying East Sea's demon jiaos, the victor being one who amassed the greater kills. In the second, a test of retrieving distant objects using flying swords, the fastest claiming victory. The final duel judged swordsmanship and magical prowess, the winner dictated by the wide audience of immortals and sinister entities, ensuring fairness. In the initial trial, Baiyang's seven Taiyi Gold Essence blades unleashed a devastating carnage, claiming 139 demon jiaos, while Zi Hong’s single demon-suppressing sword dispatched 64. Baiyang won the first trial. In the second, Zi Hong, having cultivated the profound "Taiqing Zifu Immortal Canon", with unrivaled sword mastery, outpaced Baiyang by a heartbeat, securing victory in the second round. Their final challenge displayed their swordsmanship's zenith. Zi Hong’s attack began; the demon-suppressing sword unleashed, accompanied by celestial artistry. Instantly, celestial phenomena danced as daylight mingled with night, colors of the cosmos in flux, the Eastern Sea rising to meet the spectacle. All present, from scattered immortals to demonic lords, were left astounded, overtly humbled by such an extraordinary act. Witnessing this, Baiyang Zhenren conceded without further contest, surrendering his prized blades willingly. He secluded himself at Shu Mountain’s precipice, contemplating the "Baiyang True Understanding." Prior to ascending, Zi Hong Zhenren visited him, offering liberation from his self-banishment. Yet stubbornly, Baiyang refused. Zi Hong, with no choice, charged his disciples not to disturb Baiyang, before ascending herself. Now, with only five centuries of his thousand-year exile passed, Baiyang accidentally witnessed your descent while drifting Lakeside, caught by Bai Ningshuang's flight. Impressed by your potential, he whimsically used mystical arts to ferry you down. Now, sensing both your talent and pleasant nature, he harbored thoughts of mentorship. Were you already a Shu disciple, he would demur. Yet, discerning no foundational rites upon you, his curiosity piqued, and he inquired: "Are you a disciple of Shu?" To which you replied, cheeks slick from chicken fat, "I’m not sure. For three years, I’ve worked odd jobs in the outer quarters. My companions have both become disciples, so I suppose I'm still an outer disciple." Upon hearing your explanation, Baiyang’s delight deepened, internally condemning Shu for squandering such promise. "Would you take me as your master?" Surprised by the sudden offer, you instinctively rejected the notion. "No, I cannot," you hastily replied, "I’ve promised Yichen Zhenren to strive for successful trials." Baiyang interjected swiftly. "Talk about Yichen, that whelp? When I achieved my rank, Yichen hadn’t even been born!" "Study under me. Years alone refining the Baiyang True Understanding yielded profound insights, rivaling even Shu Mountain’s supreme foundations." With that, Baiyang demonstrated unparalleled mastery, extending his sword hand, filling the skies with pure radiant white that seared through the surrounding space, felling every tree within ten miles with razor precision. Witnessing his feat and calling Yichen a mere child, you judged him of legendary stature. Awed by his display, you found your resolve swayed, reverently kneeling in newfound devotion, "Master, I am your apprentice!" "Hahaha!" Baiyang bubbled with satisfaction, already plotting. "With Zi Hong's blessing, my leave is secure. Better to depart now, rather than entertain Shu's mediations and risk losing this precious prodigy." "Come, my dear student, let us depart!" Without forewarning, a blinding flash enveloped you, and the world transformed around you. Gazing intently, you found yourself at a shoreline, surrounded by sea turtles, palm trees, crabs, and myriad marine wonders unexplored by your once mountain-bound eyes. For you, the scene was as alien as it was exhilarating. ### Parting Perspectives Meanwhile, Bai Ningshuang swiftly searched for her master, Jing Yue, to report the recent events. Distracted by the urgency, Master Jing Yue rushed to the cliff’s bottom without scolding Bai Ningshuang. Upon finding Baiyang Zhenren gone, Master Jing Yue stamped his foot in frustration, immediately realizing that Baiyang had taken a profound interest in you and had spirited you away. Master Jing Yue proceeded to the Qiankun Hall to inform the Shu Mountain headmaster of this development. The Shu Mountain headmaster was equally taken aback by such a twist of fate. "This is quite the predicament. My junior brother's painstaking efforts have become a wedding dress for another!" Confused, Master Jing Yue queried further. "What do you mean, Headmaster?" The headmaster sighed mildly. "Three years ago, Junior Brother Yichen left for the southeastern tectonic rift to find materials needed for Su Mo’s swordcraft. A letter arrived recently stating he'd discovered a trove of ancient Azure Dragon Bone and would return soon. Alas, what a pity." Saying "pity" twice, the headmaster looked thoughtfully at Master Jing Yue. "How did they encounter each other when the cliff is so far away?" Compelled, Master Jing Yue relayed Bai Ningshuang's boastful adventure in showing off a newfound artifact to you. The headmaster slowly nodded. "If that's the case, then there's little to be done. Baiyang Zhenren's 'Baiyang True Understanding' is unparalleled for beginners to establish profound foundations, an exceptional method in its own right. The energies cultivated by it are neutral and can harmonize with most profound techniques. Should Su Mo master it, rejoining Shu Mountain might still be possible." Master Jing Yue was taken aback. "This would indeed break precedent." "So be it. We let our guard down. It's on us." ### A Necessary Detour Learning that you were whisked away by an eccentric old man filled Bai Ningshuang with guilt, and a vow to train hard and reunite with you silently kindled within her. But all this is a story for another time. In the meantime, Baiyang Zhenren temporarily settled you in a fishing village on the East Sea shore, routinely visiting to ensure you hadn't wandered off, though he remained otherwise occupied with unknown pursuits. Bored, you began mingling with the local children on the sandy shores, passing your days in their company until Baiyang returned after two weeks to take you away. You found yourself on an island rich in resources, home to a place called "Pure Yang Palace." Baiyang informed you this was where he had trained in his youth and where you were to reside. Leaving you with his second primordial spirit, Baiyang departed to call on old acquaintances. This second primordial spirit, identical in likeness to Baiyang, lacked the original's full power but had been nurtured from a pearl discovered in a white ape's stomach, making it more than sufficient to teach you. Thus began your daily regimen under Baiyang’s primordial spirit, delving into the 364 forms of the "Baiyang True Understanding," mimicking the movements of beasts, birds, and aquatic creatures. The primordial spirit's stoic nature took instruction seriously, leaving nothing untaught. It also enriched your understanding with astrology and medicine, complementing your study of Baiyang's technique. Observing your progression from afar, Su Mo resolved to commit every detail of the "Baiyang True Understanding" to memory, deciphering its essence given its high regard even by the Shu Mountain headmaster. The opportunity was too valuable to pass over. In time, those details crystallized within you. Over a decade elapsed, and you matured into a handsome young man. Little did you know that, once your training began, your appearance would remain unchanged, thanks to the sacred herbs you'd consumed early in your journey. This serendipity accelerated your cultivation, granting you over a millennia of Dao prowess unbeknownst to you. Yet, in all these years, Baiyang Zhenren never once visited, leaving you in the monotonous company of his unyielding spirit, periodically contemplating past choices. Musing over your stubborn decision to accept Baiyang as a master, you occasionally regretted missing out on the camaraderie of Shu Mountain and friends like Zhang Cangfeng and Bai Ningshuang. Particularly, Zhang ranked high in your esteem. As fellow boys, his company was more valued than Ningshuang’s, who you found less intriguing due to her tendency for tears over trivial matters. ### Winds of Change Suddenly, there was a shift. Baiyang Zhenren returned. To an immortal unbound by time, a decade passed in the blink of an eye, scarcely noteworthy. He had roamed blissfully through these years, almost forgetting about his disciple until the second spirit informed him of your progress in mastering the "Baiyang True Understanding." Stunned to find you with a millennium’s cultivation, Baiyang eagerly inquired of any early-life serendipities. You dutifully recounted the instance of consuming rare herbs and fruits such as the divine astragalus and thousand-year vermilion fruit to Baiyang’s amazement, recognizing your extraordinary fate and regretting your island confinement. Your destiny required worldly engagement to unlock its full potential. Thus concludes the chapter. --- **End of Chapter** Previous | Bookmark | Contents | Next ---