Chapter 135: Ning Yuan Replaces His Master and Accepts Disciples (Third Watch)

  The old man who came in with a smile, Ningyuan and He Zhengxun Yao Xinyan three people are not strangers, the old man's surname is Li, name Yan, word... uh, this word Ningyuan really doesn't know.

  Li Yan is actually seventy-four years old and is one of the few people in Jianghu who are of the same generation as Ning Yuan.

  Li Yan was born in the Republic of China and experienced war throughout his life. Like Qingping Daoist, he lived a solitary life, but unlike him, Li Yan did not carry on any lineage or sect, being a true unaffiliated master.

  Li Yan's martial arts skills were quite diverse, he first followed several top-notch martial artists of the time to learn from them, later he was pointed out by a Xuanmen senior to enter the secret law hall, and then in the war, he got many people's guidance, but still relied on his own understanding to explore the realm of spiritual consciousness, his kung fu skills were also at the peak of dark energy.

  It turns out that Ningyuan's master Qingping Daoren also had some guidance for Li Yan, so he can be considered as half a master to him. Therefore, Li Yan and Ningyuan He Zhengxun got along quite well and their relationship was very good.

  At that time, Qingping Dao people were still alive, and Ningyuan had followed Qingping Dao to visit Li Yan. Although it had been many years since they last met, Li Yan's appearance hadn't changed much, so Ningyuan naturally recognized him at a glance.

  "Haha, I've gotten old. It's been a few years since I last saw you, Ning Shidi, and you've already grown into a big boy." Li Yan walked up to the group with a smile, looking at Yao Xinyan with a sigh: "Yao Shidi, it's been twenty years since we last met."

  "Yes, in the blink of an eye, twenty years have passed and we've all grown old." Yao Xinyan said with a bitter smile. Ning Yuan and He Zhengxun both invited Li Yan to sit down beside them, while Gu Fenglin hurriedly went to help Di Zong's disciples brew tea.

  After sitting down, Li Yan looked at Ning Yuan and then at He Zhengxun and Yao Xinyan, and sighed: "It's a pity that Qingping has passed away. If he were still alive, seeing Ning become a master and Yao return safely would have brought him great comfort."

  "Brother Li is not one to be sentimental, but Master's words are filled with a sense of wandering and displacement. He has grown accustomed to life and death. What hasn't he been through? Yet, at the end, he was very peaceful." Ning Yuan comforted.

  "Haha, indeed, Qingping's life was truly magnificent. It's only natural to be more open-minded in old age. I'm the one who's been too stubborn." Li Yan chuckled and patted Ning Yuan's shoulder, saying: "Ning Shidi is currently the leader of the Jiuxuan Gate, so I have something to ask you, and I'd like to hear your opinion, younger brother."

  "Ask me anything, Brother Li," Ning Yuan said with a smile.

  Li Yan hesitated for half a day. He didn't open his mouth, and Ning Yuan and He Zhengxun also didn't urge him, quietly waiting to see Li Yan's expression, this matter must be extremely serious.

  It wasn't until five minutes had passed that Li Yan finally spoke up, saying: "In the past when Qingping was still alive, I brought it up multiple times, wanting to join the Jiuxuan Gate, but unfortunately Qingping never gave a clear answer, only being vague. Now that Qingping has ascended, and Ning is the new master of the Jiuxuan Gate, I'll ask you directly, brother - are you willing to let me join?"

  When Li Yan asked this question, Ning Yuan and He Zhengxun Yao Xinyan were all stunned. They never thought that Li Yan would ask such a question.

  If their master Qingping Daoren were still alive, Li Yan asked this question, Ningyuan and others would not think much of it. After all, Li Yan was also considered half a disciple of Qingping Daoren, and he had no school or sect to rely on, so he wanted to find a place to spend his old age, which was reasonable.

  But now that Qingping Dao people have passed away, the Jiuxuan Gate is in a precarious situation. Li Yan raised this question, not simply wanting to join the gate, but to repay the kindness of Qingping Dao people's guidance and plan to face the impending crisis with Ningyuan and others together.

  As for what Li Yan said earlier, he had mentioned it to their master Qingping Dao Ren many times before. This should not be possible. If he had mentioned it, with Qingping Dao Ren's appreciation for Li Yan, it is impossible that he would not have accepted Li Yan as a disciple.

  After being stunned for a moment, Ning Yuan's expression also turned serious, staring at Li Yan: "Brother Li, this is no joke. You should know that the current Jiuxuan Gate is not like before."

  "Haha, Brother Ning says that I'm looking down on him? I've been through ups and downs my whole life, how can I be a petty person? Moreover, half of the skills I have now were taught by Senior Qingping. Now that I've joined the Jiuxuan Gate, it's like I'm returning to my roots. But I wonder if Brother Ning will accept me?"

  "Li Shixiong is smiling, Li Shixiong wants to join the sect, I am eager to have him, and I believe Master will be very happy too." Ning Yuan nodded his head, stood up and solemnly said: "As Li Shixiong has said, Master also has some guidance for you. Today, I will represent Master in accepting a new disciple. From now on, Li Shixiong is the 67th generation disciple of Jiuxuanmen, and since he started learning from Master before Second Brother, he will be Second Brother."

  "Haha, Second Brother, congratulations!" Yao Xinyan and He Zhengxun stood up together and bowed their fists to Li Yan in celebration.

  Li Yan also had a joyful expression on his face. He stood up and bowed to Ning Yuan, saying: "Li Yan has seen the Sect Master, and also his younger martial brother."

  "Haha, Second Brother is being polite." Ning Yuan chuckled and said: "I'll have someone prepare the incense table right away. Since this is a local temple, Master's portrait isn't here either. Li Brother can just keep things simple for now, pay respects to Heaven, Earth, and our ancestors, then head back to pay respects to Master's portrait later."

  "Alright, I'll listen to your instructions, Young Master." Li Yan nodded and said.

  With Li Yan's consent, Ning Yuan casually called over Di Zong's disciples and instructed them to go down. Then he chatted with Yao Xinyan and a few others, pulling Li Yan along.

  After Di Zong's disciples left, in a short moment, the news that Li Yan was going to worship Jiuxuanmen spread like a gust of wind, instantly sweeping the entire Di Zong. All the people from various Jianghu factions who had arrived at Di Zong had already received the news.

  After receiving the news, many people from various sects that were on good terms with the Jiuxuan Gate rushed to attend the ceremony, and even some neutral sects sent people to watch the excitement.

  He Yun Tang was taken aback when he received the news, and his face immediately turned gloomy. Li Yan was a high-ranking figure of his generation, after all. His cultivation had already reached the realm of spiritual awareness, not to mention that although he was alone, he still had many close friends and allies. Li Yan joining the Jiuxuan Gate was equivalent to bringing in many allies and powerful reinforcements for the gate.

  Tomorrow's appraisal meeting is about to be held, but who would have thought that something like this would happen at this time. Now, with the addition of Li Yan, the Jiuxuanmen has three masters with spiritual awareness and physical form, which is absolutely not a good thing for the Dizong.

  Although He Yuntang also knew that Li Yan had originally received great kindness from Qingping Dao people and had always been on good terms with Jiuxuanmen, being on good terms and entering the door were absolutely two different things. Once he entered the door, Li Yan's help and support for Jiuxuanmen would be unconditional, but their sect had not yet intervened.

  He Yuntang stood at the gate of the sect, waiting to greet fellow Jianghu who came one after another, while sighing and feeling extremely depressed. At this time, Ning Yuan and several others' small courtyard was gradually becoming lively.

  "Haha, congratulations to Ning Shixiong, congratulations on Nine Profound Sect recruiting another expert, congratulations to Li Shixiong for joining Nine Profound Sect." The first to come and offer their congratulations were Ke Mu Hua and his son, who had just left the Xi Hotel with Ning Yuan.

  He Zhengxun and Yao Xinyan both guessed that Ke Mu's father, Ke Taiyue, might already be a Yuan Shen master, so Di Zong naturally had his own speculations, which is why he also attached great importance to the Jiugong Gate, being one of the earlier invitees.

  After Ke Mo Hua and his son arrived, He Xi Year of the Shan Ling Sect brought several masters of the Shan Ling Sect, and as soon as they entered the door, there was a burst of congratulatory voices, followed by those from the San He Sect.

  Sanhepai's leader Qian Fang brought Fang Donglai and several other high-ranking members of Sanhepai. As soon as Fang Donglai saw Ning Yuan, he expressed his congratulations and gratitude. Ning Yuan could tell that the main reason Sanhepai was able to come this time was because of Fang Donglai's efforts behind the scenes.

  After the Sanhepai came, some sects and individual cultivators who were on good terms with the Jiuxuanmen also arrived one after another, such as the Kongdongpai, Wudangpai, Shaolinpai, Xingxiangpai, Digipai and so on.

  At the same time, there were also some good friends who got along with Li Yan. For a while, the entire courtyard was crowded with people, and the congratulatory voices were overwhelming. Ningyuan and He Zhengxun greeted them one by one.

  Before long, several disciples of the Earth Sect brought in a prepared incense case and placed it in the middle of the courtyard. Gu Fenglin also moved a chair to the front left side of the incense case.

  Ning Yu stood in front of the incense table, clasped his fists and bowed to the many Jianghu comrades who came to attend the ceremony: "Thank you all for coming to attend the ceremony. I, Ning Yu, the master of Jiuxuanmen, represent Jiuxuanmen to thank you all for your presence. Today, we have a joyful event at Jiuxuanmen. I will represent my master Qingping Daoist to accept Li Yan, a generation of scattered cultivator, as a disciple of Jiuxuanmen, and act on behalf of the master to accept the apprentice."

  Ning Yuan's words fell, and another round of congratulations erupted from below. Ning Yuan pressed his hand down, waiting for the commotion to subside before continuing: "Li Yan had previously received a hint of favor from our master, and this time joining the Jiu Xuan Gate was also our master's wish. I now announce that Li Yan is accepted as the 67th generation disciple of the Jiu Xuan Gate, as the second disciple, ranking above He Zhenghui. As we are currently in a remote location, all formalities will be simplified. Please welcome Li Shixiong to pay respects to our master."

  Ning Yuan finished speaking and walked to the front of the chair beside the incense table, sat down. Li Yan held three pillars of clear incense in his hands, lit them respectfully, knelt down in front of the incense table and said loudly: "I am a loose cultivator of the Li family, today I am willing to join the Jiuxuanmen sect, become a disciple of the Jiuxuanmen sect, from now on, share life and death with the Jiuxuanmen sect, share honor and shame, heaven and earth as witnesses. I hope that the ancestors and leaders of the Jiuxuanmen sect will agree, if I violate this oath, may I be pierced by a thousand arrows."

  After finishing speaking, Li Yan put the incense on the incense table and made three bows and nine knocks with great respect. Ning Yuan and others who were sitting on one side shouted in unison: "Approved!"

  Gu Fenglin arrived at Li Yan's side with a cup of tea, Li Yan picked up the cup and respectfully came to Ningyuan's front, bowed his body and said: "Please have some tea, Master."

  Ning took the teacup, took a light sip, and handed it to Gu Fenglin beside him. He stood up, helped Li Yan up, and smiled: "Congratulations, Brother Li, on officially becoming a disciple of Jiuxuanmen."

  Yao Xinyan and He Zhengxun, along with Lin, hastily stepped forward to pay their respects: "Greetings, Second Master (Greetings, Second Master's wife)."

  "Haha, congratulations to Senior Li, congratulations to the Jiu Xuan Gate." The surrounding crowd congratulated again, and the whole courtyard was filled with joy and excitement.

  It's three o'clock in the morning already.