Teng Qingshan’s return as an Emptiness Realm expert was indeed a timely blessing to the Gui Yuan Sect. While Zhuge Yuanhong was deliberating over the proper method to maximize the resources Teng Qingshan had brought over, the latter had already arrived in Longgang, where the disciples of Gui Yuan Sect often took walks. 

  In Longgang, there were many pathways and flowerbeds, forming an exquisite scenery of nature. The families, including the elderly as well as young men and women, who dwelled in Gui Yuan Sect would often go for a stroll in Longgang. 

  “Father, Mother.” Teng Qingshan gazed into the distance. 

  Yuan Lan, who was wearing a simple scarlet red cotton robe, was currently pushing a special custom made wheelchair. Teng Yongfan was sitting in the wheelchair as he looked around at the surroundings with a smile. He seemed less energetic than before, and wrinkles could be seen at the corners of his eyes. With just a glance, Teng Qingshan could even see the grey hairs on his father’s head. 

  His father looked much older than he had appeared four years ago! 

  “Ah Lan, how about we head to the clan base after lunch?” Teng Yongfan said with a chuckle. 

  “The clan is several miles away from here. Why would you want to travel that far for no particular reason? Just rest well,” Yuan Luan advised. 

  Teng Yongfan scowled and said, “No. Teacher is already elderly. Moreover, his hands were injured because of those Qing Hu Island bastards who came to Yi City, our hometown. Teacher can’t teach those three brats the art of forging weapons. If I am not there, those three little brats will just laze around. I may not be able to stand up, but I can still teach those three young brats a lesson with ease.” 

  “Yes, yes, yes.” Yuan Luan started laughing. 

  As Teng Qingshan watched his parents from afar, a smile crept up onto his face. 

  If his mother and father were able to live a good life, then that was good enough. 

  “Ah, run slower,” a melodiously sweet voice transmitted over. 

  Teng Qingshan turned around, and he saw a beautiful young married woman and a young girl playing with two staggering toddlers. 

  Looking at that young married woman, Teng Qingshan showed an amiable smile. “Qingyu…… In the blink of an eye, four years have gone past. Now, Qingyu has become much more mature.” 

  The young married lady was Teng Qingshan’s sister, Teng Qingyu. 

  “Little Shan, Ting Ting, come here. Come over to Mother,” Qingyu stooped down and called out to the two kids. 

  Walking on the grassland, the two kids wobbled over to Qingyu, crying out like babies, “Mother, Mother……” 

  “Qingyu has two kids?” Teng Qingshan was surprised and elated at the same time. “When I left the Land of the Nine Prefectures, Qingyu and Zhuge Yun had just gotten married. I didn’t expect them to have two children by now. ‘Little Shan and Ting Ting’ seem to be a boy and a girl. However, these two kids really look alike. They’re probably twins.” 

  As a mother, Qingyu was now looking at her children lovingly. The maid at the side was also caring for these two kids. 

  “Eh? Little Shan, Ting Ting, look! Grandfather and Grandmother are there! Shall we go see Grandfather and Grandmother?” Qingyu said as she stared into the distance. 

  Although the one of the kids had a soft and weak voice, the kid still called out anyway, “Grandfather, Grandmother!” 

  “They are too far. Grandfather and Grandmother can’t hear you. Let’s go over.” Qingyu carried one child in her arms, while the maid carried the other. The two women then headed toward Teng Yongfan and Yuan Lan. 

  Teng Qingshan stood in between his sister and his parents. 

  “Eh?” As Qingyu walked over while carrying the child in her arms, she immediately saw a friendly-looking young man. Normally, Qingyu would never talk to strangers. However, when she saw the young man, she somehow felt a sense of familiarity. 

  “Qingyu is coming.” Teng Qingshan couldn’t help but hold his breath. He couldn’t stop his heart from palpitating. 

  Teng Qingshan had never felt this nervous before, not even when he faced thousands of soldiers and horses nor when he fought the Tianfeng Martial Immortal. However, when he saw his sister looking in his direction, his heart thumped really hard. 

  “Hello, I don’t seem to have met you before, ” Qingyu said as she looked at Teng Qingshan with a smile. 

  “It is my first time coming here to the Gui Yuan Sect,” Teng Qingshan responded. 

  Simultaneously, he observed his sister attentively. The time of several years had taken away his sister’s childish looks, and she now emanated a gentle aura instead. 

  “Somehow, I feel that I have met you somewhere before. However, I just can’t remember wherel.” Qingyu held her child and said with a smile, “It’s really strange.” 

  There was one thing Qingyu did not disclose…… which was that the strangest thing was how this stranger gave her a sense of familiarity 

  “Maybe you saw someone who resembled me.” Teng Qingshan smiled as he looked at the child in Qingyu’s arms. “Is this your child?” 

  “Yes, my son,” Qingyu said proudly with a grin. 

  The child stared at the stranger before him with his round black eyes wide open. Then the child smile radiantly and laughed, “Haha……” While he laughed, he stretched out his chubby little hands. 

  “Little Shan seems to like you very much,” Qingyu said with a surprised smile. 

  “I like this little fellow too.” Teng Qingshan smiled and gently held his nephew’s little hand. 

  The child’s eyes twinkled as he chuckled and laughed out loud, appearing to be very happy. Yet, Qingyu still didn’t know that the person before their eyes was her brother, the uncle of this child. 

  “Qingyu!” A gentle and familiar voice called out. 

  Teng Qingshan turned and saw his mother, Yuan Lan, pushing the wheelchair over. 

  “Little Shan, Ting Ting!” Teng Yongfan, sitting in the wheelchair, called out as soon as he saw his grandchildren. He was very happy to see them. 

  “Father, Mother.” Qingyu walked over while carrying the child in her arms. Then she passed the little boy over to her parents. The maid, who was at the side, also handed the little girl over to Teng Yongfan. 

  Yuan Lan and Teng Yongfan looked extremely happy as they carried their grandchildren. 

  “Father and Mother are living peacefully and comfortably.” Teng Qingshan felt a lot more at ease. 

  At this moment, Yuan Lan directed her gaze to Teng Qingshan. When she saw Teng Qingshan, she froze for a second. Mothers and sons had connected hearts. So, even though Teng Qingshan had a completely different appearance as well as a changed aura, Yuan Lan still felt that the person before her was familiar. 

  “Qingyu, this is?” Yuan Lan was obviously slightly nervous. 

  Qingyu smiled and said, “I just met him. I still don’t know his name.” 

  “My surname is Li. It’s my first time coming here to the Gui Yuan Sect. I have come to visit the clan chief, Zhuge,” Teng Qingshan said as he suppressed his emotions. 

  “Oh.” Yuan Lan nodded benevolently. As she looked at him, her eyes showed a hints of concern and kindness. 

  Teng Yongfan also looked at Teng Qingshan keenly. 

  At this moment, they heard conversational sounds coming from the side. 

  “Commander Zangfeng is now an innate expert. I heard that the sect will soon appoint Commander Zangfeng as the Elder Guardian. It’s really impressive. He actually became an innate expert at such a young age. Commander Zangfeng is the strongest among the younger generations of the sect.” 

  “Yes. Although Commander Zhuge’s sword art is impressive, Commander Zhuge still hasn’t reached the Innate Realm.” 

  “Look at you two! Commander Zhuge and Commander Zangfeng are nothing. When Commander Teng was still present, he defeated Commander Zangfeng with one move. He became an innate expert at the age of seventeen. It’s rumored that several Golden Dan Innate Expert couldn’t even do anything to Commander Teng at Wu City in Yuzhou.” 

  “Commander Teng? Who doesn’t know that Teng Qingshan betrayed and left our Gui Yuan Sect. What Commander Teng? Hilarious.” 

  “Lower your voice.” 

  The discussing voices quickly grew quiet, and the three disciples cast glances at Yuan Lan, Qingyu, and the others. Then they hastened their steps, no longer daring to make any more comments. 

  Hearing the discussion, the facial expressions of Teng Yongfan, Yuan Lan, and Qingyu, who were originally in a good mood, changed slightly. 

  “Those three bastards actually dared to speak of my brother this way.” Qingyu glared at the three disciples with animosity. 

  “Alright. Let’s just let it go,” Teng Yongfan sighed. 

  Currently, in the Gui Yuan Sect, there were people who admired Teng Qingshan and thought he’d done the right thing. However, there were also people who viewed his past actions as acts of foolishness and believed he was the one who had caused the deaths of many Black Armored Soldiers! However, no one dared to discuss about Teng Qingshan in the presence of Teng Qingshan’s parents. 

  “I wonder when Qingshan would return,” Yuan Lan said with a sigh. 

  “It’s alright. Don’t worry. Both of us can still live for a dozen more years until our child returns.” Teng Yongfan said, chuckling. 

  Seeing this, Teng Qingshan’s heart ached. 

  “Are you guys talking about Teng Qingshan?” Teng Qingshan said. 

  Teng Yongfan, Yuan Lan, and Qingyu all looked over. 

  “I believe that Teng Qingshan will return.” Teng Qingshan looked at his parents and said with a grin, “Maybe he’s hiding somewhere in the Land of the Nine Prefectures. Maybe he returns occasionally to see the two of you secretly, it’s just that you don’t realise it.” 

  “See us secretly?” 

  Stunned by the words, Teng Yongfan and Yuan Lan looked around hastily. 

  “I have an errand to run, so I will be leaving first.” Teng Qingshan could stay with them no longer, worried that he might not be able to conceal his emotions. He then turned and left at once. 

  At this moment, Teng Yongfan, Yuan Lan, and Qingyu still didn’t know that they had met their own flesh and blood…… that the person before their eyes was Teng Qingshan, the very person they were missing and was worrying about! 

  “Father, Mother, Qingyu, I will soon appear before you openly.” Teng Qingshan took a deep breath and returned to the study room where his teacher was. 

  In the study room, a streak of light appeared and soon transformed into a human figure. 

  “Qingshan.” When Zhuge Yuanhong saw Teng Qingshan, he immediately stood up and asked, “Did you see your parents?” 

  “Yes, I did.” Teng Qingshan nodded. 

  “You didn’t tell them your identity, did you?” Zhuge Yuanhong asked again hastily. 

  “No.” Teng Qingshan shook his head. 

  Zhuge Yuanhong nodded and lamented, “I know this doesn’t feel good. However, you must endure for now because your parents, Qingyu, and the others may let the cat out of the bag at anytime. It’s really dangerous. I thought about what you told me earlier, and I’ve come up with a rough plan for you.” 

  “Teacher, what should I do?” Teng Qingshan’s eyes lit up. 

  Zhuge Yuanhong’s eyes beamed as he said confidently, “Now that you have returned, the Gui Yuan Sect has two Emptiness Realm Experts, many Spiritual Treasures, and even Fiery Gilt Steel. We are now in an advantageous position, with the advantage being that the Qing Hu Island isn’t aware that you have attained the Emptiness Realm. Neither do they know that you have returned! We have to keep this advantage. If we go against them head on, we may be able to fight against them, but we won’t gain much from doing that.” 

  “Therefore, there are three things you need to do!” 

  Zhuge Yuanhong said with a very determined voice, “Firstly, Qingshan, use your ability to establish a gang of bandits in the southern areas of Yangzhou, and train them well. When the time comes, equip them with the Elixir of the North Sea and the Fiery Gilt Steel Armor. They will be a terrifyingly elite army. When the Gui Yuan Sect battles with the Qing Hu Island, the Gui Yuan Sect can attack from the north, and you can lead this army and attack the rear of the Qing Hu Island’s troops fiercely from the south. 

  “Secondly, you possess the Grass of Immortality…… There are many powerful experts in the 《Heavenly Ranking》 who are around 180 to 190 years old. They are one step away from the Emptiness Realm, however, they are limited by their lifespans. As they approach the end of their lifespan, the pressure gets too great and they are unable to reach the Emptiness Realm. With your Grass of Immortality, you may be able to help nurture one or two Emptiness Realm Experts. 

  “Thirdly, you must go against the Qing Hu Island in another appearance.” 

  “This third thing?” Teng Qingshan was startled. He didn’t understand what his teacher meant.

  Book 9 Chapter 7 The Man Who Has Nothing Will Fear Nothing 

  “Qingshan.” With a helpless expression, Zhuge Yuanhong smiled bitterly and said, “I want you to face the Qing Hu Island using a different appearance. This is the third thing you need to do. It can’t be helped.” 

  “Teacher?” Teng Qingshan listened attentively. 

  At the side, Elder Wu said, “Qingshan, ever since what happened at the Great Yan Mountain, twelve Innate Experts have been killed. Now, out of Yangzhou’s thirteen counties, twelve of them are under the Qing Hu Island’s control. The Gui Yuan Sect is the only one left which has not been destroyed by the Qing Hu Island. Naturally, the Qing Hu Island views the Gui Yuan Sect as a thorn in their side. 

  Zhuge Yuanhong continued saying, “If it wasn’t because the Martial Ancestor became an Emptiness Realm Expert and affrighted the Qing Hu Island, the Qing Hu island would have already obliterated the Gui Yuan Sect.” 

  TLN: Martial Ancestor is Elder Wu 

  Teng Qingshan nodded. 

  In the past, the great army of the Qing Hu Island had almost attacked the Gui Yuan Sect, but they had retreated in fear because of the Emptiness Realm Expert, the Martial Ancestor. 

  “However, Qingshan…… the old Blind Swordmaster of the Qing Hu Island is reaching the end of his life. I reckon that he only has a life expectancy of twenty more years.” Zhuge Yuanhong said solemnly, “An Emptiness Realm Expert can only live for at most five hundred years. This is unchangeable! You should know what it means if he only has twenty years left to live!” 

  Teng Qingshan’s expression turned solemn. 

  “Before his death, the Blind Swordmaster will definitely try his best to eliminate all threats so that the future generations of the Qing Hu Island can keep their thousand-year-old base safe,” Zhuge Yuanhong said solemnly. “And Qing Hu Island’s biggest threat is undoubtedly the Gui Yuan Sect! Our sect and their sect are the only sects which exist in the region of Yangzhou, therefore, it will be either their destruction or ours!” 

  Teng Qingshan nodded. 

  “Teacher, I understand.” 

  “Therefore, during the four years of your absence, the Gui Yuan Sect has been laying low and enduring patiently. We just don’t want to fight a battle of life or death with the Qing Hu Island!” Zhuge Yuanhong said helplessly, “In terms of the strength of the Emptiness Realm Experts, if the Martial Ancestor is compared with that Blind Swordmaster……” 

  Elder Wu shook his head and smiled as he interjected, “I am not as powerful as him.” 

  “And as for the number of ordinary disciples and soldiers……” Zhuge Yuanhong said with a helpless smile, “The Gui Yuan Sect is no match for the Qing Hu Island. The Qing Hu Island has a foundation of twelve counties. Despite the fact that we possess the Elixir of the North Sea, if we battle forcefully against the millions of soldiers from the Qing Hu Island, all of the Gui Yuan Sect will be destroyed.” 

  “It took the Gui Yuan Sect a thousand years to establish this foundation.” 

  “I don’t want to fight a battle of survival with the Qing Hu Island.” A cold glint flashed in Zhuge Yuanhong’s eyes as he said, “I am not willing to let several ten thousand disciples die like this.” 

  “Therefore—” 

  Zhuge Yuanhong stared at Teng Qingshan and said, “Qingshan, I hope you can go against the Qing Hu Island using a different appearance. You should fight against the Qing Hu Island as an independent and carefree Emptiness Realm Expert who is not part of any sect! An Emptiness Realm Expert like that will give the Qing Hu Island a headache. It will even frighten the Qing Hu Island’s authoritative figures! By that time, they will be spending all their energy on guarding against you. Thus, they will not start a war with the Gui Yuan Sect so easily.” 

  “Haha……” Elder Wu laughed and said, “Presently, in the Land of the Nine Prefectures, the most frightening people aren’t the Emptiness Realm Experts of the Supreme Sects but those Emptiness Realm Experts who are carefree and not tied down to a sect. The so-called ‘Alcoholic Lunatic,’ Tan Cang, is an example. Back in the day, the Ying Family provoked him. Although the Alcoholic Lunatic had yet to attain the Emptiness Realm during that time, his speed was fast enough that even the ones who had attained the Emptiness Realm Culmination weren’t able to catch him. The Alcoholic Lunatic charged into the base of the Ying Family and killed nine Innate Experts before escaping speedily. However, the Ying Family weren’t able to do anything to him!” 

  “They couldn’t catch up with his speed.” 

  “The Alcoholic Lunatic is an old monster of over four hundred years in age. His relatives have all died. He has no family and no sect. Therefore, it’s impossible to threaten the Alcoholic Lunatic. In the end, the Ying Family chose to yield, and settle the hatred and revenge through a discussion.” 

  Elder Wu smiled and looked at Teng Qingshan. “If you have a sect, the sect would weigh you down, and it would also mean that you have a weakness.” 

  “If you have no relatives and no sect, you would have no weakness. None of the Supreme Sects would want to provoke such an Emptiness Realm Expert.” Elder Wu laughed and said, “Qingshan, this is the kind of person that your teacher wants you to be.” 

  “Haha……” Teng Qingshan guffawed and responded, “Teacher, this move of yours is fierce! 

  “A man who has nothing will fear nothing…… A sectless Emptiness Realm Expert would indeed 

  give a headache to other sects.” Teng Qingshan too understood his teacher’s intention. 

  “However, Qingshan!” 

  Zhuge Yuanhong added hastily, “If you fight against the Qing Hu Island, you must know there’s a limit! You must make thr Qing Hu Island feel threatened and fearful, but you mustn’t force the Qing Hu Island into a state of frenzy. If the Qing Hu Island goes mad, it might ask the Shooting Sun God Mountain, Snow Hawk Hall, and the other sects for help. The Shooting Sun God Mountain has a divine beast, a demonic wolf that runs faster than Emptiness Realm Experts on land and even faster underground.” 

  “Oh?” Teng Qingshan said in shock. 

  It was indeed true that a few sects in the Land of the Nine Prefectures understood the Language of Beasts. After all, these ancient sects had existed for an unknowingly great number of years. So, it was not weird for the Shooting Sun God Mountain and Emperor Yu’s Hall sects to possess Emptiness Realm Demonic Beasts. In the past, Teng Qingshan had heard that a Godly Thunderbolt Hawk had attacked Xiao Yao Palace. 

  “Teacher, don’t worry. I know the limits.” Teng Qingshan smiled. In actuality, he was thinking to himself, “I hope Little Blue can come sooner. With Little Blue here, the Qing Hu Island can only tolerate the torment.” 

  “However, Little Blue will only arrive after a year and a half. Hm…… The Six Legged Bladelike Chi is only one step away from attaining the Emptiness Realm. It appears to be cultivating the Metal Elemental Dao. I hope the Six Legged Bladelike Chi can attain the Emptiness Realm as soon as possible.” Teng Qingshan thought to himself. 

  Since humans did not know how to fly, even if they attained the Emptiness Realm Culmination, their flying speed wouldn’t be very fast. 

  However, if Teng Qingshan rode the Six Legged Bladelike Chi and assisted it with the Power of the Heavens and Earth, the Six Legged Bladelike Chi’s already shockingly fast speed would increase even more, surpassing the flying speed of an Emptiness Realm Expert. 

  Moreover— 

  The skill which the Six Legged Bladelike Chi was most adept at was digging underground. 

  After deciding on three plans, Teng Qingshan knew roughly the direction he would be heading. 

  “Teacher, about the second thing you said…… Amongst the experts listed in the 《Heavenly Ranking》, who are are reaching the end of their lifespan? I am not quite sure about this,” said Teng Qingshan. 

  Zhuge Yuanhong laughed and said, “Qingshan, in the top ten of the 《Heavenly Ranking》, there are only four aged under 100 years old as well as four aged above 150 years old. However, there are no experts aged over 190 years old. Do you know why?” 

  “There are no experts aged over 190 years old?” Teng Qingshan was somewhat puzzled. 

  Normally, after the attainment of the Innate Realm, one’s strength would increase as one’s age increased. 

  Between the 60-year-old Zhuge Yuanhong and the 190-year-old Zhuge Yuanhong, who was stronger? It was obviously the 190-year-old Zhuge Yuanhong! 

  “Why aren’t there any?” Teng Qingshan said bemusedly. 

  Zhuge Yuanhong laughed and answered, “Actually, the 《Heavenly Ranking》 has an unspoken rule…… Anyone who is over 190 years old will not be recorded in the 《Heavenly Ranking》.” 

  “Eh?” The answer stunned Teng Qingshan. 

  “The Golden Dan Innate Experts aged over 190 years old have two endings…… They either attain the Emptiness Realm before dying or die of old age! Of course, almost all the Golden Dan Innate Experts who are over the age of 190 will die of old age during the last ten years of their life because of the immense mental pressure. 

  “To be honest, whether they die of old age or attain the Emptiness Realm, it won’t be recorded in the 《Heavenly Ranking》!” 

  “It’s impossible for a Golden Dan Innate Expert to occupy a place on the 《Heavenly Ranking》 until they dies of old age. That would be too depressing…… Therefore, when the expert reaches 190 years old, their name and information is removed from the 《Heavenly Ranking》. Whether they die of old age or make a breakthrough and attain the Emptiness Realm is left to the imagination of the future generations.” 

  Teng Qingshan understood it then. 

  “Qingshan, I have a list of names here.” 

  Zhuge Yuanhong took out a sheet of paper from the desk at the side and expounded, “There are five people on this list. The youngest is 186 years old and is ranked second of the 《Heavenly Ranking》. The other four are over 190 old…… These five people are not far from attaining the Emptiness Realm.” 

  Teng Qingshan took the list. 

  “Unfortunately, out of the five people, only one is without a sect, while the other four are disciples of the eight Supreme Sects.” Zhuge Yuanhong said as he pointed at the third name on the list, “It’s this guy, Hu Yanshuo! If you want to recruit anyone, I am afraid you can only recruit this Hu Yanshuo. 

  Teng Qingshan too sighed inwardly. 

  The youngest of the other four people was 186 years old. He must be dreaming of possessing the ‘Grass of Immortality.’ It was a pity. If these people consumed the Grass of Immortality and their lifespan increased another two hundred years, they would definitely be able to attain the Emptiness Realm. However, these four people were part of the eight Supreme Sects. 

  Even if they were grateful toward Teng Qingshan, would they work for him? 

  They might instead be enemies in the future! 

  Therefore, Teng Qingshan’s only choice was Hu Yansuo, the one who did not belong to a sect. 

  “Teacher, you asked me to train a group of men in south of Yangzhou. Where should I get those men?” Teng Qingshan asked. 

  Zhuge Yuanhong picked out a scroll from the table and rolled it out. He smiled and said as he pointed on the scroll, “Qingshan, take a look here…… This is the entire map of Yangzhou. In the scope of Yangzhou, the place that has the most bandits is undoubtedly this Tai Ah Mountain Range, which runs through the land of three counties and has a ridgeline of almost six hundred Li.” 

  Teng Qingshan focused his eyes on the location Zhuge Yuanhong pointed at. 

  “In the Tai Ah Mountain Range, there are many gangs of bandits. There are eight great gangs, and countless minor robbers and bandits.” Zhuge Yuanhong smiled and said, “Qingshan, although these bandits are said to be very vicious, most of them are very loyal. Many of them are dauntless and have no fear of death. It is not difficult to train a group of men at this place.” 

  Teng Qingshan nodded. 

  “We don’t need these minor robbers to be very strong. We just need them to be dauntless and obedient!” 

  “When the Gui Yuan Sect and the Qing Hu Island go into battle, we can make this elite troop in the south consume the Elixir of the North Sea and wear Fiery Gilt Steel Armor. Even if we only train one thousand cavalrymen, they will be able to disperse the army of one hundred thousand,” Zhuge Yuanhong said with great confidence. “Of course, all of this is only possible if the Fiery Gilt Steel Armor is as powerful as you said.” 

  The Elixir of the North Sea could make an expert reach the peak of the Postliminary Realm. 

  So, even an army of one thousand First Rated Warriors would be horrifying. 

  If those soldiers were equipped with Fiery Gilt Steel Armor, also called Innate Realm Armor, as they attacked the ordinary armies, those ordinary armies would be annihilated. 

  “Of course.” Teng Qingshan nodded and said, “The Tai Ah Mountain Range has several hundred thousand bandits. It won’t be difficult to train a troop of elite cavalrymen from among those bandits. Teacher…… I will send the Fiery Gilt Steel here immediately. This Fiery Gilt Steel is used to forge war armors, therefore, we must be cautious. We cannot let the outside world know of this information. If the other sects come to know of this, it will be terrible for us.” 

  “Indeed.” Whenever Zhuge Yuanhong recalled the marvelous description of the Fiery Gilt Steel, his heart filled with anticipation.