Chapter 70: The Patriarch’s Zither and Brush

“Our Void Sanctuary will avenge the two Supremes!”
“Our sanctuary’s two Supremes cannot suffer such injustice! Whoever harmed our Supremes, show yourself at once!”
A Supreme from the Void Sanctuary stood at the forefront, his voice booming across the land above the Southern Ridge Mountains.
His words echoed throughout the entire Southern Ridge.
The Void Sanctuary had brought the holy war to the outermost edges of the Southern Ridge Mountains.
They positioned themselves at the boundary, gazing upon the collapsed ranges nearby, their faces unable to conceal their delight.
This was their true purpose in coming here!
“Our ancestor’s treasures lie just ahead!”
“Once we obtain these two treasures, our Void Sanctuary will shine brilliantly. No one in the Heavenly Martial Realm will be our match!”
“I imagine everyone is eager to move forward!”
At the head of the Void Sanctuary’s forces, seven Supremes stood side by side.
The Holy Master, Ouyang Lianfeng, stood in front of these seven, his face aglow with the smile of impending victory.
“I recall that the Southern Ridge once possessed a terrifying aura. Perhaps that aura is the immortal artifact of our Void Sanctuary’s forebear!”
“Our ancestor long ago attained the immortal path. Such an aura could only arise from reaching that realm!”
He spoke slowly, his words stirring the Supremes even more, barely able to restrain their desire to seize the treasures of the Void Immortal for themselves.
“I say, let us announce to all that the Void Sanctuary has arrived!”
Ouyang Lianfeng spoke confidently.
The Supreme who had shouted earlier drew a deep breath and prepared to speak once more!
“Our Void Sanctuary will avenge the two Supremes!”
“Our sanctuary’s two Supremes cannot suffer such injustice! Whoever harmed our Supremes, show yourself at once!”
He shouted these two proclamations loudly, declaring to all why they had come, hoping to mask their true ambition.
“Forward!” Ouyang Lianfeng waved his hand grandly.
The vast army behind him surged forward in unison.
Soon, they would press upon Zhu Xiaoyuan’s small mountain village.

…

At that moment—
“All of us owe our lives to Senior Zhu. We sincerely wish to thank him in person. Could you please inform him of our request?”
The Supreme of the Spirit Era, together with An Yue’er, walked out from the Southern Ridge Mountains.

On the verge of departure, he could not help but speak.
All eyes were filled with reverence and anticipation.
That senior possessed such profound strength that even True Immortals were nothing before him. If they could meet him, it would be an honor beyond compare!
“We know that the senior is currently cultivating in solitude. We promise not to disturb him; just let a few of us enter.”
The Supreme of Purple Sun spoke to supplement the request.
Ye Qingchen involuntarily looked to Leng Qianxue and the others.
Leng Qianxue was deeply hesitant, unsure what to say.
“I think we should take them to see him. Perhaps the senior has use for them; if he refuses, they can leave on their own.” Yu Qiushui suggested.
Leng Qianxue nodded. “Let’s do that. Please, follow me!”
The other Supremes led their people to stand outside the small mountain village, not daring to approach and disturb.
Leng Qianxue and her companions led Ye Qingchen, the Supreme of Purple Sun, and the Supreme of the Spirit Era into the village.
“The Southern Ridge Mountains have collapsed, yet this small village remains unchanged. Truly, this is a place protected by a great power!”
The Supreme of the Spirit Era was awed by the scene before him.
“It seems as though the air here is filled with countless strands of Dao at every moment…” The Supreme of Purple Sun spoke, his expression grave.
Ye Qingchen glanced around, sensing that every corner of the village brimmed with spiritual energy, her eyes revealing a longing.
Villagers worked.
Children played.
Elders rested in leisure.
This was a rare haven of tranquility in the Heavenly Martial Realm!
“To think that these people are mere mortals, yet their lives are something even immortals cannot attain.”
She spoke softly.

…

Soon, they arrived before Zhu Xiaoyuan’s courtyard.
“The Solitary Leisure Courtyard!”
The characters written by Zhu Xiaoyuan still hung at the entrance. Everyone looked closely, their faces showing astonishment!
“These… these characters carry sword intent!”
The Supreme of the Spirit Era exclaimed in admiration.
Unlike the previous inscription, ‘A single sword sweeps the Heavenly Pass,’
Those earlier characters evoked awe, but here, the script was serene and carefree.

The mystery within was profound!
“Amazing! For Senior Zhu, this is merely a leisurely courtyard, but for us, it is a place of awe!”
Ye Qingchen said.
She rejoiced at her decision to come here; it was truly worthwhile—the wisest choice she’d ever made!
The blood of the True Immortal and the other treasures meant nothing to her.
This was the place she truly belonged!
Leng Qianxue knocked on the door and called out, “Senior Zhu, Qianxue is here. Are you home?”
Within the courtyard,
Huanyue was carefully observing the eggs before her, her canvas covered with sketches of eggs. In recent days, she seemed to have grasped their secret.
She felt exhilarated, ever more eager to paint eggs.
Ruofeng stood in the courtyard, gently stroking his zither strings, the melody drifting, more beautiful with each note.
Zhu Xiaoyuan tossed the chopped meat to the ground, where the little white cat, Red Moon, promptly snatched it up.
As Leng Qianxue’s voice sounded, Zhu Xiaoyuan replied, “I’m here, come in!”
Hearing this, Leng Qianxue led the group inside.
“How did it go? Was everything smooth?”
Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled. He’d given a piece of calligraphy and a painting; surely there would be no trouble at the exhibition or auction!
An Yue’er bowed respectfully to Zhu Xiaoyuan. “Thanks to the calligraphy and painting you bestowed upon us, senior!”
“We also found two unexpected items to bring to you. Please take a look!”
Leng Qianxue produced a zither and a brush.
Huanyue and Ruofeng cried out in surprise!
“The ancestor’s zither and brush?”
Ruofeng spoke in amazement, “The Void Sanctuary searched for years and never found them, and now they’ve turned up!”
Huanyue stared blankly at the zither and brush.
Both hailed from the Void Sanctuary and recognized their appearance instantly.
Though the Sanctuary had no originals, they had imitated countless similar items.
Upon seeing them, they could easily tell.
“You recognize them?” Zhu Xiaoyuan noticed Huanyue and Ruofeng’s varied expressions.