C8 Immortal Treasure

"Alright, if no one else has anything to add, Sage Zhang, please do accept this gift. It contains a surprise." Su Chen said with a smile. He had put a lot of thought into this gift, and couldn't fathom why Sage Zhang was hesitant to accept it.

"Very well!" Zhang Sanfeng realized he had no choice but to accept the gift today, so he instructed Soong Yuanqiao to take it.

"Hold on," Xi Huazi interjected loudly, "In my lifetime, I've seen countless treasures, yet I've never encountered such a cunningly crafted one. Could we open it to see what lies within this magnificent box?"

His words resonated with the crowd, who chimed in eagerly, "Yes, Sage Zhang, let us have a look at what's inside."

"The gift, being from Young Master Su Chen to my master, should be at my master's discretion. There's no need for the rest of you to concern yourselves," Mo Shenggu interjected, knowing that even a simple gift box could stir up greed among the martial community, not to mention the contents within.

"Young Hero Mo speaks the truth, but our curiosity is gnawing at us like a cat's claws. Please, Sage Zhang, indulge our curiosity."

"Indeed, Sage Zhang, with your esteemed reputation, please satisfy our curiosity!"

Mo Shenggu frowned at the insistence, and the other Wudang Young Heroes shared his displeasure. "Shenggu, show some respect," Sage Zhang chided before conceding, "Since everyone is so curious, Yuanqiao, go ahead and open it. Let's see what's inside."

"Haha, Sage Zhang truly lives up to his status as a martial arts elder. Yuanqiao, please open it so we all can take a look."

All eyes were immediately fixed on Soong Yuanqiao, or rather, the box in his hands.

Su Chen was the only one not caught up in the moment. Seeing that no one was watching him, he stealthily approached Zhang Sanfeng. As a martial arts elder whose skills had reached the realm of sublimity, Zhang Sanfeng was aware of Su Chen's approach but remained still, perceiving the level of Su Chen's skills. Just as he was about to speak, Su Chen signaled for silence. His mouth moved silently, as if speaking words without sound. Su Chen was confident that Zhang Sanfeng would understand his silent message.

Upon hearing the words, Zhang Sanfeng nodded, his expression unchanged. He gestured for Su Chen to take a seat beside him with a raise of his hand.

Without hesitation, Su Chen took a seat next to Zhang Sanfeng and remained silent. That was all he could contribute at the moment.

"Master," Soong Yuanqiao began, somewhat uncertainly. He turned to Zhang Sanfeng, but his gaze inadvertently settled on Su Chen. He wondered when Su Chen had managed to sit so close to their master.

"Yuanqiao, go ahead and open it."

"Yes, Master."

Soong Yuanqiao moved to examine the box, running his hands over it, yet he was at a loss for how to open it without resorting to force.

"Do you see that button on the top of the box? Just press it," Su Chen prompted.

With a "click," the button was pressed, and the lid of the box sprang open. A delightful melody filled the air, as if an orchestra were playing right beside them, though they knew there was no orchestra present.

A beam of light emerged from the treasure box, coalescing into a figure in midair. With white eyebrows and beard, clad in a Taoist robe, he resembled a celestial being. Soong Yuanqiao was so startled that he nearly dropped the box.

The luminous figure began to move, fingers slightly curled, palms gently cupped, and legs spread in stance, moving gracefully with the music in a manner that seemed to harmonize with the universe itself.

Zhang Sanfeng stood up abruptly, recognizing the form. The Six Heroes of Wudang's expressions shifted dramatically as well; they were familiar with this fist technique. Their master had once demonstrated these very moves. Though there were subtle differences, the origin was unmistakably the same.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the figure, eager to imprint each movement into their memory. Such a divine fist technique was not to be taken lightly, and the reactions of the Wudang observers went unnoticed.

As the fist technique unfolded, a Diagram of Yin and Yang materialized behind the figure, flowing with the movements, alternating between offense and defense, its complexity boundless. As the music ceased, the Taiji Fist sequence concluded, and the Diagram behind vanished without a trace.

Throughout the world, tales of encounters with immortals are rare. Immortals, untouched by illness, can pluck the sun and moon from the heavens and delve into the mysteries of the underworld. Eternal life is within reach. I am here to open the Path of Immortality in this realm and teach the secrets of everlasting life, to spare all from the suffering of the Five Tribulations of Transcendence. Who among you wishes to join my teachings?"

"I, I do, I wish to join the Immortal Sect," Xi Huazi said, his voice quivering, as he bowed deeply.

Naturally, not everyone was swayed; only the Heads of the major sects and a few from Shaolin maintained their composure.

With a snap, the treasure box closed on its own, leaving Xi Huazi's plea unanswered.

"What's going on? Where has the Immortal gone?" Confusion swept through the hall. The chance to achieve immortality was within grasp, yet the Immortal had vanished without a trace.

The crowd regained their senses and fixed their gaze on Soong Yuanqiao, their breaths growing heavy with anticipation. This was a chance at immortality! Anyone who stood in their way would be met with fierce resistance, their eyes blazing with determination.

Instinctively, Soong Yuanqiao clutched the treasure box close, while his fellow Wudang practitioners formed a protective circle around him.

"Yuanqiao, it seems Wudang cannot safeguard this treasure. Perhaps it would be best entrusted to the Ocean Sand Gang," one voice suggested.

"Nonsense, why should it go to the Ocean Sand Sect? The Kongtong Sect would be a far better guardian," another contested.

"This treasure is destined for Shaolin. It should be in our care," a third insisted.

...

"Yuanqiao, put it down," Zhang Sanfeng instructed calmly, sensing the impending conflict.

"Master, this is..." Soong Yuanqiao hesitated.

"I said, put it down," Zhang Sanfeng repeated firmly, rising to his feet with an imposing presence that quelled the room. "Wudang disciples, stand down. We shall not vie for this treasure. I ask that everyone else do the same and depart."

Sage Zhang truly embodies benevolence and righteousness, but to whom does Sage Zhang intend to entrust this treasure?

"Give it to—" Zhang Sanfeng's words were cut short as he lightly tapped the ground with his foot, propelling his figure swiftly outward, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake.

Outside the hall, the Mongolian soldier holding Zhang Wuji, clad in his military garb, sensed trouble. As he attempted to flee, Zhang Sanfeng was already upon him, leaving him no choice but to brace for a powerful palm strike. The man's clothes billowed from the explosive force as he was sent flying. Zhang Sanfeng closed in, determined to retrieve Zhang Wuji from the man's grasp.

Recognizing the formidable power of Zhang Sanfeng, the man wasted no time. He struck Zhang Wuji's back with his palm, propelling himself away with the force.

Zhang Sanfeng drew in his hands, vital energy flowing, and absorbed the force from Zhang Wuji's body into his own. Such force posed no threat to Zhang Sanfeng, who possessed nearly a century's worth of internal energy. However, it was too late to pursue the soldier. Zhang Sanfeng then returned to the main hall with Zhang Wuji in tow.

The entire episode, from Zhang Sanfeng's departure to his return, spanned only a few seconds. The assembly in the hall was still reeling from the shock when Zhang Sanfeng reappeared, bringing the child with him.

"Wuji!" Zhang Cuishan exclaimed with joy upon seeing the familiar figure, rushing forward. In the rear hall, Yin Susu, hearing her husband call their son's name, ran out in a panic. Relieved to see her son unharmed, tears welled up in her eyes.

"We've succeeded," Su Chen declared, clapping his hands, a hint of satisfaction in his expression, pleased that his earlier caution had not been for naught.

Despite the heartwarming family reunion, the various sects had pressing matters at hand. What of Dragonbane? What significance does it hold in the face of transcendence? When it comes to achieving immortality, Dragonbane, the Heavenly Sword, and all else must step aside.

"Tell us, Sage Zhang, to whom do you plan to bestow the treasure box? Surely Wudang isn't planning to keep this treasure all to itself?" The inquirer, a man of modest height and slight corpulence, with calloused hands, was none other than Song Weilong from the Wudang Sect.

"Haha," laughed Zhang Sanfeng, having just rescued his grandson. Despite the recent unpleasantness, his spirits were now high. "A promise made is a promise kept," he declared. "I've made it clear that Wudang will not engage in the battle for this treasure, and we will stand by that. But as for whom to entrust it to?" At this point, Zhang Sanfeng paused, contemplating the inevitable turmoil that would follow regardless of his choice—a prospect he found deeply troubling.