Liu Yan Yi was dressed in a lotus-white robe, her hair tied with a Jade Ring, her feet stepping on clear smoke, her bearing graceful and immortal-like as she stood in front of the Zhao You Cave Mansion.

Having learned that Zhang Yan was about to return, she and a group of people awaited at the top of the Heavenly Pool.

Among those present, aside from Tian Kun, the Wang Sisters, and Han Zuocheng, were also siblings Weng Zhiyuan and Yuan Yanhui standing in the lineup.

Standing further back were a young man and woman who were Liu Yan Yi’s pupils, Zuo Han Zhang and Lin Suxue.

Zuo Han Zhang leaned closer to Lin Suxue and whispered, "Junior Sister, do you know that our Grandmaster won the first place in the Eighteen Sects Swordfight this time?"

Lin Suxue widened her beautiful eyes, "Where did Senior Brother hear this from?"

Although the swordfight’s result had been announced throughout the world three years ago, they had been in seclusion within the mansion for years, not hearing of outside matters. It was only half a day ago, upon hearing that Grandmaster Zhang Yan was returning to the mansion, that they emerged from seclusion. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Zuo Han Zhang boasted, "I just received a Flying Book from the Xie Family brothers, that’s how I found out."

Lin Suxue exclaimed, "Can Senior Brother tell me in detail?"

In the Mingcang Sect, the status of disciples on various mansions and islands depends on the masters within the mansion.

Though Zhao You Mansion is outside the Mountain Gate, when disciples travel, regardless of their peers or juniors within the Mingcang Sect, they are treated with respect, all due to Zhang Yan’s esteemed reputation within the sect, especially after achieving Nascent Soul, which is vastly different from the past.

Now that the Grandmaster has become first in the swordfight, it’s understood without much thought that Zhao You Heavenly Pond’s status within the sect will ascend further.

Zuo Han Zhang winked, "Junior Sister, if you’re willing to lend me your Blue Jade Furnace for a few days, I’ll tell you everything, how about that?"

Lin Suxue rolled her bright eyes and smirked, "Senior Brother is up to his tricks again. Never mind, I won’t bother asking you. If Grandmaster returns, Junior Master Wei will surely come back with him. I’ll just ask him then, which will be more accurate than your hearsay."

Zuo Han Zhang was about to say something when suddenly a golden light flew swiftly across the sky, its sound piercing the clouds with great force, causing him to shudder and exclaim in a low voice, "Grandmaster is back."

Liu Yan Yi took a step forward, kneeling on the ground, "Disciple Liu Yan Yi humbly welcomes Master back to the mansion."

The disciples of Zhao You Mansion also kneeled together, and at this moment, no one dared to make a sound.

Zhang Yan arrived riding the wind, slowly descending from the clouds. After his feet steadied, he glanced around, already aware of everyone’s cultivation at heart, and said with a smile, "Rise, all of you. Follow me back to the mansion to talk."

With a casual flick of his fingers, an Array Gate rose before them, and with a sweep of his robe, a Gang Wind arose from the ground, sweeping everyone inside.

Once inside the main hall of the mansion, thinking about his imminent long departure, he summoned the disciples individually for evaluation and guidance, even including the Third Generation Disciples without leaving any out.

Zuo Han Zhang and Lin Suxue knew this Grandmaster rarely imparted Dharma, so they were both excited and thrilled to receive his guidance.

Luo Xiao, familiar with Zhang Yan’s ways, pondered seeing him like this and whispered to Shang Shang beside him, "Sister Shang, prepare some Spiritual Shells, quite a few, perhaps the master might need them."

Shang Shang nodded slightly without asking why and went off to comply.

About an hour later, Zhang Yan finished imparting Dharma, then dismissed all the disciples except for his Senior Disciple Liu Yan Yi.

"I won’t be staying long in the mansion this time as I must venture out. Where I am going, I cannot disclose, but this journey may take one or two hundred years before I return. You, Yan Yi, will manage all affairs within the sect in my stead."

Liu Yan Yi remained calm and did not ask why, only nodding seriously, "Disciple understands and will not disappoint Master."

Zhang Yan looked at her approvingly and added, "Moreover, there is one more thing. Yan Yi, you must visit Fang Chen Courtyard. Years ago, I promised a Daoist named Xu Jing that I would take him under my Zhao You Sect three years later. As I cannot appear myself for this, you will go on my behalf."

Liu Yan Yi’s expression became serious, "Disciple accepts the order."

Zhang Yan said, "After I leave, there will be senior members coming to teach you all Divine Skills and Daoist Skills. This was arranged by me beforehand, so there’s no need for concern."

After giving some further instructions, which took half a day, he instructed his senior disciple to leave.

He thought to himself, "Before heading to the East Victory Continent, I need to inform Senior Brother Zhou."

He pondered briefly, and fearing Zhou Chongju might not be in the courtyard, he performed a spell and sent a letter out. It wasn’t long before a Flying Book returned, informing him that Zhou Chongju was still in Alchemy and would not be out for at least five more days.