Chapter 24: Footsteps Towards the Unknown

The sun was just beginning to cast its golden hue over the horizon as Xue Wujian and his daughter Xiaowu made their way up the mountain path. The cool morning air carried with it the faint fragrance of dew-kissed leaves, while the occasional chirping of birds harmonized with the rustling of the forest canopy.

Their journey was not a hurried one. Each step held weight. Each breath seemed to remind them they were approaching the unknown—a realm beyond their comprehension.

“Father, be careful,” Xiaowu whispered, stepping over a protruding root. “The path gets steeper here.”

Xue Wujian nodded, though his mind was elsewhere.

Yesterday his daughter after came back , her cultivation had skyrocketed to the peak of Martial Spirit Realm in a single day. Such progress was beyond belief thanks to that the hundred beast sects plan failed but—even monstrous geniuses of ancient times could not achieve such a feat. When he pressed her for answers, her response left him speechless.

“I met a senior… who runs a tavern here.”

A tavern?

On this remote mountain?

And that senior saved her and gave her a opportunity , which resulted in a breakthrough that defied the heavens?

The thought made Xue Wujian’s scalp tingle.

He knew what this meant.

Experts who transcend the mundane often hide among mortals. They walk the earth in humble forms, testing the hearts of men. To offend such an individual would not simply bring death—it would bring extinction to one’s entire lineage.

He glanced at his daughter, who was leading the way with a rare humility.

This was the same girl who yesterday had cut down tens of evil cultivators of hundred beast sect. Now, her pride had melted into reverence.

He sighed inwardly. The young must stumble upon the profound to understand their insignificance.

“Father,” Xiaowu spoke hesitantly, “I… I was rude to the senior last time. I overestimated myself.”

Xue Wujian’s footsteps paused.

He turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “What did you do?”

Her face flushed with guilt.

“I… had refused seniors treat , he offered me that evil bird from hundred beast sect's cooked meat.”

For a moment, the forest seemed to freeze. Even the leaves stopped rustling—as if nature itself held its breath.

Xue Wujian’s eyes widened.

“You… refused such a opportunity ?”

His voice lowered, but it carried the weight of a thunderclap.

“Do you know what that means? You dared to test the depths of an ocean while standing on the shore? Are you tired of living so many people crave for it and not just refused ?”

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Xiaowu bowed her head. “I was wrong, Father. I realized it now.”

Xue Wujian let out a long breath, his tone softening.

“It’s good that you realized. But remember this—experts do not kill because they must… they spare because they choose. That is the difference between ants like us and beings like them.”

Silence fell between them as they continued climbing.

Xiaowu, after some time, asked curiously, “Father, why aren’t we flying? Wouldn’t it be faster?”

Her father stopped dead in his tracks. He turned and smacked her lightly on the back of her head.

“You foolish girl!” He scolded. “Flying to meet an expert? Do you want us to die before we arrive?”

Xiaowu rubbed her head, her face contorting with embarrassment. “I was just asking…”

Xue Wujian shook his head, his voice taking a philosophical tone.

“When approaching a divine being, we walk—not because our legs cannot fly, but because our hearts must bow.”

Xiaowu raised an eyebrow. “That sounds profound, Father.”

He coughed lightly. “I read it in a scroll somewhere.”

They shared a brief laugh, the tension easing for a moment. But as they neared their destination, the light-heartedness faded, replaced by a growing sense of awe.

Finally, Xiaowu halted before a humble wooden courtyard.

“Father, we’ve arrived.”

Xue Wujian wiped his brow, adjusting his robes. This was it.

He raised his hand and knocked gently on the wooden door.

A voice, casual yet filled with a strange power, came from within.

“Wait, wait… I’m coming!”

Xue Wujian stiffened.

His hand was already damp with sweat. Even the senior’s voice carried an undercurrent of Dao.

When the door creaked open, Xue Wujian’s heart nearly stopped.

The man before him looked ordinary—too ordinary.

But that ordinariness was the most terrifying part.

“Huh? Xiaowu? It’s not been long since the last time.”

The man smiled. His eyes were clear, like reflecting pools of eternity.

Xiaowu quickly bowed deeply.

“Senior, I apologize for my previous offense. I was ignorant.”

She gestured to her father. “This is my father, Xue Wujian, Sect Leader of Flying Cloud Sect.”

Xue Wujian followed her example, bowing so low his spine ached.

“This humble one greets Senior.”

Great! Again this senior drama, and even a old man calling me senior..." Am I looked old to them ?"

I simply chuckled. “No need for formalities. Come in.”

As they stepped into the courtyard, Xue Wujian’s breath caught in his throat.

The lake shimmered with spiritual water, exuding pure qi so dense it was almost tangible.

The trees seemed alive—no, more than alive. They pulsed with ancient vitality, their leaves whispering Dao secrets.

The wooden furniture—each piece radiated a unique aura. He was certain that even a fragment of this table could serve as a top-tier artifact.

But what truly overwhelmed him were the Dao lines.

They drifted like silk through the air, weaving an ethereal pattern that enveloped the entire courtyard. The fragrance of divinity hung heavy, each breath feeling like an elixir nourishing his soul.

Xue Wujian nearly knelt on the spot.

“Terrifying… Absolutely terrifying…” he screamed in his mind. “This is no mortal… This is a hidden god!”

His instincts told him to kneel and beg for mercy, but he forced himself to stand upright, face composed.

Experts liked to pretend like mortal,

I must also play with him like a mortal.

If I boast to much , it might offend expart…

He gulped, stealing a glance at his daughter.

Xiaowu seemed relaxed, sipping tea like this was her second home.

“What…?” he thought in horror. “She’s already accustomed to this divine realm?”

He felt like a peasant invited to dine in the Emperor’s palace—terrified of picking the wrong spoon.

He looked around and make a posture of admireing " Ah! This courtyard design beautiful..to bea"

"This lake... it's position is beautiful -to beautiful "

"This tree ...it's planted perfectly beautiful "

Xiaowu Seeing her father doing such foolish behaviour quickly bowed to me " senior please don't be offended my father head not good "

I smiled awkwardly" It's must be hard for you "

The senior, unaware of the turmoil in Xue Wujian’s heart, casually started talking with xiaowu.

He cut the word and asked , “So, what brings you two here?”

Xue Wujian forced a smile.

“I merely wished to thank Senior for his guidance to my daughter. Her breakthrough has saved our sect.”

The man waved his hand dismissively. “It was nothing. She was injured I just parfomed a basic first aid , nothing more”

Xue Wujian’s heart lurched.

Basic what? But it made her broke through bottlenecks which cultivators struggle with for centuries?

“This is not something we can comprehend... As expected of expart!”

He dared not say it aloud.

Instead, he nodded respectfully, suppressing his awe.

And thus, the conversation continued—each word simple, yet every breath carrying the weight of enlightenment.

In this humble courtyard, beneath the guise of ordinariness—

Xue Wujian knew they stood at the threshold of the most unordinary being.

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