Chapter 104: Melancholy

The three of them sat in the reception room, sipping tea and chatting for a long time. Based on Ye Yan’s description, Dumbledore offered his own advice. His suggestions were much like those of the Old Celestial Master—focusing on the environment, the five senses, and the darkness within the heart. However, perhaps due to his experience as a headmaster, Dumbledore’s analysis of the problems was even more thorough, providing Ye Yan with a wealth of insight.

As they talked, the conversation drifted from the Dragon Kingdom’s supernatural community to the global stage, touching upon obscure information rarely heard elsewhere. This included high-level topics such as the spiritual power organizations of various nations and the global spiritual power rankings. Ye Yan listened intently. Although his reputation was rising within the local community, on the grander global stage, he was still a complete unknown—far behind the Old Celestial Master.

Yet, when dealing with Ye Yan, these two supreme powerhouses held nothing back. Between sips of tea and cracking sunflower seeds, they let Ye Yan feast on all the latest major gossip.

"I say, Old Dumbledore, the global spiritual power scene has been quite lively lately. It’s not just the upcoming reshuffle of the spiritual power rankings; Purgatory has been making quite a stir as well."

"I heard that those lunatics—that organization—ambushed and slaughtered quite a few supernaturals over in the Kingdom of Elephants, leaving the Ancient God Society there in a complete mess."

"Indeed." Dean Dumbledore took a sip of tea and said calmly, "What is there to be surprised about? You know those madmen from Purgatory as well as I do. They are a cancer; as long as you give them a tiny crack, they will dare to drill their way inside."

"A pack of unkillable scourges." When mentioning Purgatory, a flicker of disgust appeared in the Dean’s clouded eyes.

"Indeed," the Old Celestial Master sighed. Anyone who had spent time in the supernatural circle had heard of this fanatical organization. They were like locusts hiding forever in the shadows; wherever they passed, nothing was left behind. They claimed to be the agents of darkness, working tirelessly for the resurrection of Purgatory. Whether they were supernaturals, spiritualists, or ordinary people, anyone who fell into their hands would be drained of their blood, refined into objects known as blood beads.

*Light is dead, Purgatory is coming.* That was the slogan Purgatory lived by.

Recalling Purgatory seemed to stir old memories in Dean Dumbledore. He looked at the Old Celestial Master with a smile, "Speaking of which, I still remember vividly how you single-handedly crippled the seven great masters of Purgatory back then, shaking the entire spiritual world."

"If it weren't for you, I’m afraid the Purgatory invasion of that year would have left your Dragon Kingdom in no better shape than the Kingdom of Elephants is now, and there certainly wouldn't be such a grand scene of restoration today."

Today, the Dragon Kingdom’s supernatural community was among the best in the world. This was due in part to top-tier experts like the Old Celestial Master, and in part to their deep, ancient heritage.

"Old Dumbledore, you are mistaken. The revival of this community has nothing to do with me, Zhang Zhiwei." Upon hearing the Dean's words, the Old Celestial Master smiled, then a trace of sorrow appeared in his eyes. "It was merely a sleeping lion waking up. In that battle, even if I, Zhang Zhiwei, hadn't appeared, there would have been a Li Zhiwei or a Wang Zhiwei to take my place."

"How could this vast Dragon Kingdom ever be toppled by a mere Purgatory?"

"I still haven't forgotten the supernaturals who fell in pools of blood while facing the seven Purgatory masters. There were people from the Tang Sect, Shaolin, Wudang, and even the All-Sex Sect participating in that battle."

"Even knowing they were outmatched, they fought without fear of death, all to protect the land left behind by our ancestors."

The Old Celestial Master’s words made the already subdued atmosphere feel even heavier. Although Ye Yan didn't know exactly what had happened during that great war twenty years ago, he had heard many old-timers speak of its brutality. It was precisely because of that battle that the Old Celestial Master’s status in the spiritual world became unshakable, and the supernatural community began its true rise.

Perhaps because the past had been stirred, the Old Celestial Master became somewhat sentimental. "Speaking of which, we old fellows probably don't have many years left."

"Indeed," Dean Dumbledore sighed. "We've known each other for almost twenty years now."

"True."

"I really don't know what this circle will become after our generation is gone."

"Bah, why worry about that? Each generation has its own troubles to deal with. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; it’s not for us to fret over."

"Haha, that's true."

Their conversation always left Ye Yan with a sense of loss. Perhaps as one grows older, one cannot view life and death as easily as one did in their youth. Ye Yan remained quiet, content to simply be a handsome man eating sunflower seeds.

Just as their conversation reached this point, the door to the reception room was knocked on again from the outside.

It was Xiao Yuzi who spoke, "Grandmaster Zhiwei, Senior Wang Ai is here with someone to seek an audience."

"Wang Ai?" The Old Celestial Master couldn't help but be taken aback. If he remembered correctly, Wang Ai had already taken his grandson—who had been beaten to a pulp—down the mountain. Why had he suddenly returned?

However, despite his doubts, he said to Xiao Yuzi outside the door, "Let them in."

"Very well, Grandmaster Zhiwei."

Xiao Yuzi left respectfully and soon returned with Wang Ai and a scholarly-looking young man.

"Old Celestial Master." As soon as he entered, Wang Ai greeted the Old Celestial Master in the main seat with great enthusiasm. However, when he turned and saw Ye Yan cracking sunflower seeds on the side, the warmth on his face vanished, and his expression turned black.

Seeing Wang Ai’s grim appearance, Ye Yan found it amusing and gave a lazy greeting. "Oh, isn't this Senior Wang? Just back from a vacation? My, how have you gotten such a dark tan in just a few days? Do take better care of your skin."

"Hmph!"

Ye Yan’s sharp, mocking tone made Wang Ai’s face darken as if it were about to drip water. As an old fox, Wang Ai was usually very patient. But facing Ye Yan, who had crippled his grandson into such a state, it was already quite a feat that he hadn't charged forward to fight to the death.

"Young Friend Ye is here as well." Even though his face was black, Wang Ai gritted his teeth and greeted him. Even Ye Yan was surprised.

The Old Celestial Master stepped in at the perfect moment to ease the awkward atmosphere. "Alright, alright. Little Ye, let’s leave it at that for today. Why don't you take Dean Dumbledore for a stroll around the mountain? I have some matters to discuss with Old Wang."

"Very well." Since the Old Celestial Master had spoken, Ye Yan had to show some respect. He didn't provoke Wang Ai further and left the reception room with Dumbledore.

However, Ye Yan did not notice that, at the moment he brushed past the scholarly young man behind Wang Ai, a cold, ghostly light flashed in the youth's eyes.