"Alright, it's decided then!"
Zhang Sanfeng waved his hand, pulled out several bottles and jars from his Taoist robe, sprinkled them on the sizzling rabbit meat, and said nonchalantly, "We martial artists don't need so many fancy rules. If this old Taoist says it's okay, then it's okay. You don't need to say anything more!"
"This... Xiao Ning has overstepped his bounds!"
Xiao Ning hesitated before saying, "Xiao Ning greets Brother Zhang!"
He knew that Old Zhang's enthusiastic efforts to win him over were not without reason, but rather because he valued his martial arts skills.
Although Old Zhang's cultivation was unfathomable, far surpassing Xiao Ning's at this moment, he was already a hundred years old and naturally had to make plans for his passing.
Among the younger generation of Wudang disciples, the fifth brother, Zhang Cuishan, had the highest comprehension. In Zhang's mind, Zhang Cuishan was the most suitable successor.
However, things didn't go as planned. Since the battle at Wangpan Mountain ten years ago, Zhang Cuishan's whereabouts have been unknown, and his fate is uncertain. Old Zhang had long since given up hope.
Originally, Old Zhang was worried about the future succession of the Wudang Sect. Now, Xiao Ning has suddenly emerged as a dark horse. Coincidentally, this kid is also a member of the Wudang Sect, a natural member of their own side. Not only is he young, but his cultivation has also reached the Innate Realm.
The lifespan of a Xiantian realm expert has broken through the human limit, reaching 180 years. If the young Xiantian expert Xiao Ning were to protect them, the Wudang Sect could remain stable for at least another 150 years.
Old Zhang naturally had his own agenda, wanting to bring Xiao Ning onto the Wudang Sect's side. Even if he couldn't win her over, he absolutely couldn't let her become an enemy.
Xiao Ning had other considerations for accepting Zhang Sanfeng's offer.
Putting aside the kindness of the Wudang Sect in taking in his predecessor, the feeling that Old Zhang gave Xiao Ning at this moment was also terrifying.
Xiao Ning originally thought that after breaking through to the Innate Realm, even if he was not as good as Old Zhang, he wouldn't be too far behind.
Little did he know that now, facing Old Zhang directly, he sensed that Old Zhang's aura was unfathomable, giving him a feeling of being invincible.
"Isn't it said that once you break through to the Innate Realm, you'll be invincible? We're all at the same level, so why am I so much worse than Old Zhang? This is illogical!"
Xiao Ning secretly grumbled to himself. He thought that if he fell out with Lao Zhang, he would probably not come out on top once the two of them fought, and he would end up making a big enemy for no reason.
Conversely, if you get close to Lao Zhang, you will naturally have a powerful ally.
Moreover, and most importantly, he had a good impression of Lao Zhang after only a short time together.
The benefits outweigh the drawbacks, so why not do it?
"Haha, that's more like it!"
Upon hearing Xiao Ning's reply, Zhang Sanfeng's face immediately lit up with a smile.
After a while, the rabbit meat was roasted. Zhang Sanfeng handed one to Xiao Ning and said, "Try the rabbit meat that this old Taoist priest roasted and see how it tastes."
Xiao Ning received a wild rabbit, which he gladly accepted. He smiled and replied, "Then I, Xiao, must try your cooking, brother!"
He opened his mouth, took a bite, chewed a few times, and swallowed it, exclaiming, "Brother Dao, your cooking is superb! This is the best rabbit meat I've ever eaten!"
"Haha, that's good!"
Zhang Sanfeng's eyebrows twitched, and he said with a smile, "Back in the day, when I was young, I lived alone in a hermitage on Wudang Mountain, cultivating in seclusion. I prepared all my meals myself every day. After so many years without doing this, I'm afraid I've become rusty!"
"I see, no wonder your cooking skills are so superb!"
Xiao Ning ate the rabbit meat in his hand with gusto and replied indistinctly, "I wish I could swallow my tongue."
"If you like it, fellow Daoist, I'll grill it for you again when the opportunity arises!"
Zhang Sanfeng chuckled and then asked, "By the way, may I ask what martial art you practice, fellow Daoist?"
"Martial arts?"
Xiao Ning put down the rabbit meat in his mouth and replied, "The martial art that the old immortal taught me is called the Nine Yang Divine Skill!"
"Nine Yang Divine Skill?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanfeng asked loudly, "Is what you say true, fellow Daoist?"
"Of course it's true!"
Xiao Ning nodded, feigning doubt, and asked, "What, have you heard of this martial art before, Brother Dao?"
"Nine Yang Divine Skill!"
Zhang Sanfeng sighed with a touch of nostalgia, "I originally thought that this divine skill had disappeared from the martial arts world after my master, Zen Master Jueyuan, passed away. I never expected that after so many years, I would hear its name again."
He gazed into the distance, silent for a long time, a look of sorrow on his face, a sense of loss spreading through him.
Seeing this, Xiao Ning knew that he was thinking about the past, so she stopped disturbing him.
After a while, Zhang Sanfeng came to his senses and said in a low voice, "This old Daoist has lost his composure. Please forgive me, fellow Daoist!"
Xiao Ning waved his hand: "No, no!"
Judging from Lao Zhang's expression, Xiao Ning would bet a bag of spicy strips that Lao Zhang was so heartbroken because he was thinking of his dream girl, the heroine Guo Xiang.
Of course, this is just something to think about.
Seeing that Old Zhang looked downcast, Xiao Ning changed the subject and said, "Brother Dao's 100th birthday is just around the corner, and the heroes of Wudang have been preparing for it for a long time!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanfeng paused for a moment, then said, "I have always disliked extravagance and waste. Even my birthday celebrations are always simple. It must have been those little brats who made the decision on their own."
Xiao Ning smiled and said, "How many people in this world can live to be a hundred years old? You heroes just want to express your filial piety. You should be happy, brother."
"hehe!"
Zhang Sanfeng chuckled: "What you said makes sense. Oh well, let them be!"