Chapter 30: Zuo Ruotong Pays a Visit to the Celestial Master; The Youth Lu Jin

Zuo Ruotong? As Zhang Zhiwei opened his eyes, he saw a white-haired young man in a long white robe approaching. The man possessed a dashing and elegant air, his demeanor truly extraordinary. The youth walked barefoot, yet not a speck of mud or dust clung to his feet, which were as white as crystal. A transcendent, ethereal aura emanated from him.

Following behind the white-haired man was a white-haired youth of about fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a red robe and a horse-face jacket. Though his face still held a trace of boyish innocence, his features were sharp and noble, giving him quite an imposing air. Standing together, the two looked remarkably like brothers.

They moved through the crowd, but strangely, the people around them remained completely indifferent, as if they were invisible. Among everyone present, only Zhang Zhiwei and Zhang Jingqing noticed them.

*So, this white-haired youth, who looks even younger than I do, is Zuo Ruotong? And the boy behind him must be young Lu Jin. He certainly has a striking appearance…* Zhang Zhiwei mused to himself.

Seeing Zuo Ruotong for the first time, Zhang Zhiwei was genuinely surprised; he looked so young that he didn't appear to be of the same generation as his master, Zhang Jingqing. Had Zuo Ruotong not introduced himself immediately, Zhang Zhiwei might have mistaken him for one of the "Twin Gems" of the Lu family. After all, the Lu twins also had white hair, and according to the stories, Lu Ci had been quite the looker in his youth, hardly inferior to Lu Jin.

However, Zhang Zhiwei quickly dismissed this absurd notion. Appearance can be deceptive, but *Qi* never lies. The *Qi* on Lu Jin was unremarkable, hardly worth mentioning. But the *Qi* surrounding Zuo Ruotong was powerful and unique—it gave one the sensation of something elusive, as if he might drift away on the wind at any moment. It was a contradictory feeling: he was clearly flesh and blood, yet he carried the unsettling quality of someone who could transform into a wisp of primordial *Qi* and vanish at will.

Zhang Zhiwei surmised that this contradiction likely stemmed from the cultivation of the Sanyi Sect’s technique, the "Threefold Return to Nature." Since the technique was essentially an act of defying heaven to refine one’s body back into primordial *Qi*, this ethereal quality must be a sign of a profound stage in that practice. As for why it wasn't present in Lu Jin, it was likely because he hadn't yet reached that level of mastery.

At a single glance, Zhang Zhiwei concluded that Zuo Ruotong was no mere pretender; his strength was genuine. He wondered how he would fare if they were to cross paths in a fight.

"Long time no see, Sect Leader Zuo. You are as dashing as ever!" Zhang Jingqing greeted with a smile.

"Not as much as the Celestial Master," Zuo Ruotong replied with a faint smile. "Jin'er, come over and pay your respects to the Celestial Master!"

Lu Jin stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Lu Jin of the Sanyi Sect, pays respects to the Celestial Master!"

"Good, your great-grandfather praised you to the skies in his letters. Seeing you today, you truly are a man of rare talent and extraordinary bearing!" Zhang Jingqing exclaimed with a smile.

"You flatter me, Celestial Master. My great-grandfather's words are hardly worth taking seriously!" Lu Jin said with a humble expression, though he could not hide the smile spreading across his face. After all, he was still young; how could he not be pleased by praise from a titan of the world of practitioners like the Celestial Master?

"Celestial Master, please don't praise him. Since this foolish apprentice of mine joined the Sanyi Sect, he has never suffered a single setback. If you keep praising him, his tail will surely wag right up to the heavens!" Zuo Ruotong said, patting Lu Jin on the head. Despite calling him a "foolish apprentice," it was clear that Zuo Ruotong was quite satisfied with him.

Zhang Jingqing laughed. "It is natural for young people to be a bit spirited. My own wayward disciple is much the same. Come here, Zhiwei, and pay your respects to Sect Leader Zuo!"

"Zhang Zhiwei of the Celestial Master’s Mansion, pays respects to Sect Leader Zuo!" Zhang Zhiwei said, cupping his hands. One must not forgo etiquette when traveling abroad.

"As expected of a high disciple of the Celestial Master, your spirit and energy are indeed abundant!" Zuo Ruotong immediately returned the pleasantry.

"Sect Leader Zuo is too kind!" Zhang Zhiwei replied.

After exchanging a few more polite pleasantries and growing more acquainted, Zhang Jingqing asked, "I heard that you have displayed great power lately, Brother Zuo, by executing several corrupt officials who were preying on the villagers, and even capturing that warlord from amidst ten thousand troops. You’ve certainly stolen the spotlight!"

Zuo Ruotong waved his hand dismissively. "Not at all, those are just rumors from the world of wandering fighters. There were no ten thousand troops, just a few hundred men; it is not worth mentioning!"

"That is still no small feat. With the growing dominance of firearms, the power of an individual practitioner is not what it once was," Zhang Jingqing sighed.

"Indeed, the current situation is chaotic. Who knows when these wars will ever end?" Zuo Ruotong sighed as well.

As for Zhang Zhiwei and Lu Jin, they stood behind their respective masters. Lu Jin was eyeing Zhang Zhiwei. *This senior brother is so tall, just like a senior of long standing,* was his first impression. At fifteen, Lu Jin had not yet fully matured physically, so he wasn't the tall figure he would become later, standing just a bit above Zhang Zhiwei's shoulder.

Zhang Zhiwei, meanwhile, was observing Zuo Ruotong, lost in thought. His master called Zuo Ruotong "Brother Zuo," a term of address between peers, implying their ages were similar. His master’s hair had mostly turned white, and he was nearly seventy. Zuo Ruotong must also be in his fifties or sixties. How could someone of that age look like a sixteen-year-old boy? Did the Sanyi Sect’s "Threefold Return to Nature" really possess the power to preserve one's youth?

*But if it truly has that effect… why did the Lu Jin of the future become an old man? Why didn't he retain his youthful appearance like his master?* Was it that the future Lu Jin’s cultivation of the technique was lacking, or had Zuo Ruotong gone too far down that path?

*Hmm… perhaps both.* But if that were the case, why did he fall at the hands of Wu Gensheng? Was Wu Gensheng’s power simply beyond comprehension, or was there an issue with Zuo Ruotong himself?

Zhang Zhiwei pondered for a moment before letting the thought go. He had never met Wu Gensheng, so it was impossible to judge. Besides, Zuo Ruotong was a stranger to him; even if there were issues, they were none of his business. As for whether Wu Gensheng’s strength was beyond comprehension? That was even less important. No matter how powerful he was, he certainly wasn't more powerful than himself.

"By the way, Jin'er, take this young master for a walk. The Celestial Master and I have things to discuss," Zuo Ruotong said.

"Understood, Master!" Lu Jin replied.

"Go along, enjoy yourself. In the path of cultivation, one must balance intensity with relaxation," Zhang Jingqing instructed.

"I understand, Master!" Zhang Zhiwei said.

Lu Jin took a step forward. "Senior Brother Zhang, please, follow me. I'll show you around. My father has invited quite a few interesting people this time!"

"Is that so? Then I must take the opportunity to see for myself!"

Zhang Zhiwei followed Lu Jin. As he left, he faintly heard his master talking to Zuo Ruotong.

"Brother Zuo, is something the matter?"

"Celestial Master, I received news not long ago that the Mojin Rougu Sect has been wiped out!"

"What?! Who could have done such a thing?"

"It was an internal conflict, done by a disciple named Liang Ting…"

*Mojin Rougu… White Owl Liang Ting…* Zhang Zhiwei pricked up his ears, wanting to hear more, but was interrupted by Lu Jin.

"Senior Brother Zhang, there is a canal ahead with many painted boats. Each boat has a performance. Many of my friends are over there. Come on, let’s go take a look!"