“Oh, Teacher, please come in.” Ye Kong hurriedly greeted him politely, inviting Zhang Wude inside.

Zhang Wude had come because Ye Kong hadn’t attended classes recently. He wanted to inquire about it, but unexpectedly happened to witness Ye Kong practicing the Shadow Jade martial arts.

Zhang Wude was indeed a well-read scholar. With just one look, he recognized this as Shadow Dance, which had been extinct for years. Naturally, he was full of praise.

After entering the house with Zhang Wude, Chen Jiuniang and Lu Qin greeted him before leaving. Only then did Ye Kong ask, “Teacher, this martial art came from a jade pendant. The jade is called Shadow Jade. I wonder what relationship it has with the Shadow Dance you mentioned?”

Zhang Wude’s usually deadpan face rarely showed a smile. He said, “It’s fortunate that I read extensively in my youth. Anyone else truly wouldn’t be able to answer you. Some things aren’t known by many people anymore.”

“This Shadow Dance is also called Shadow Martial Arts. It’s both an unfathomably profound martial art and an exquisitely beautiful dance, created by the now-extinct Shadow Clan.”

“Shadow Clan?” Ye Kong had already heard Lu Jun mention it that night, but Lu Jun couldn’t explain it clearly either.

“Exactly! The Shadow Clan. Legend has it that among the Shadow Clan, every man was elegant and refined, every woman was breathtakingly beautiful, and everyone loved life and was passionate about music. That’s how they created such a moving Shadow Dance.”

Ye Kong asked, “The Shadow Clan people must have lived wonderful lives, right? After all, people who love music should all be kindhearted.”

Zhang Wude nodded. “You’re not wrong. The Shadow Clan’s nature was excessively kind, and they were very passionate and emotional. When happy, they’d sing wildly with sword in hand. When angered by injustice, they’d draw their swords in fury. Even if something didn’t concern them, if they found it unjust, they’d fight to the death.”

“Good! Singing wildly with sword in hand when visit our site happy, drawing swords in fury at injustice.” Ye Kong nodded. “That personality is somewhat like mine. A seven-foot man should be exactly like this.”

Zhang Wude shook his head though. “Not good. This kind of personality will suffer hardship on this continent. The Shadow Clan is an example.”

He continued slowly, beginning to narrate: “The people of An Kingdom now are all called the An Clan. We people of Wu Kingdom are also all Wu Clan. Actually, over a hundred thousand years ago, we were all one clan, called the North Clan.”

“Oh? North Clan?”

“Correct, the North Clan. Because we all came from the Cangbei Continent, we’re collectively called the North Clan!”

Ye Kong was shocked. “So there really is a Cangbei Continent?”

Zhang Wude nodded. “If there’s a south, naturally there’s a north!” He recalled what was recorded in books before continuing, “Over a hundred thousand years ago, the North Clan all lived on the Cangbei Continent, while the Cangnan Continent was the domain of the Shadow Clan. The two continents were connected north to south and very prosperous. Who knew the Cangbei Continent would suddenly suffer a catastrophe? According to ancient texts, the Cangbei Continent was suddenly invaded by the Demon Clan. Those demons were bloodthirsty and their demonic power was terrifying. Although the people of the Cangbei Continent had the ability to resist, they couldn’t unite. They all wanted to preserve their own strength and were ultimately defeated one by one.”

“To escape the flames of war, large numbers of the North Clan migrated south at that time. Eventually, the entire Cangbei Continent was occupied by the Demon Clan and Monster Clan. Those various North Clan factions lost their fighting spirit. After coming to the Cangnan Continent and occupying a piece of land, they had no intention of returning home. After the Cangbei Continent fell, the flames of war spread along the north-south passage. The Shadow Clan rose up in fury, organizing large numbers of warriors to fight the Demon Clan. After several fierce battles, the Demon Clan was blocked at the north-south passage.”

“To prevent the demons and monsters from invading south again, the major sects finally decided to sever the north-south passage. Countless ancient cultivators joined forces to execute heaven-defying divine techniques, permanently separating the north and south continents. From then on, the Cangnan and Cangbei Continents had no more connection, and the North Clan settled down on the Cangnan Continent.”

After hearing this, Ye Kong understood. “So the Shadow Clan were the original inhabitants of the Cangnan Continent, and we’re all immigrants. But why did the Shadow Clan later go extinct?”

“According to later speculation, during the ancient war, the Shadow Clan’s casualties were too severe. Their population base was small, and their reproduction rate was weak. After the war, they gradually withered and slowly disappeared.” Zhang Wude answered.

But Ye Kong didn’t quite believe it. “No matter how few, [Read on Jormuntl]they controlled an entire continent. Could they really die out so easily?”

Zhang Wude shook his head helplessly. “Over these hundred-plus thousand years, very few ancient texts have survived.”

“And strangely, all ancient records about the Shadow Clan’s extinction are vague and unclear.” Zhang Wude waved his wide sleeves and sighed. “These have become sealed history. Who would know what the situation actually was back then?”

Ye Kong sighed. “In that kind of catastrophic era, how much blood and fire must have clashed? The Shadow Clan, with their own strength alone, protected a region’s peace. What tremendous sacrifices they must have made, yet ended up with the result of clan extinction. And now almost no one even remembers them. It’s not worth it!”

“But the Shadow Clan was also fighting for themselves. If they didn’t resist, the Cangnan Continent would have fallen too.”

Ye Kong shook his head. “Teacher, I don’t think we should look at it that way. Regardless of who they were fighting for, people who can stand up openly at a life-or-death moment, sacrificing themselves to protect others, these are true heroes. People shouldn’t forget them.”

“I’m very gratified that you think this way.” Zhang Wude nodded approvingly. “But this kind of personality will suffer great losses. Everyone on the Cangnan Continent now is wisely self-protective, only seeking to live comfortably themselves, not caring whether others live or die. Since you’ve already embarked on the path of immortal cultivation, you must persist in cultivating diligently with single-minded focus on improving yourself. Don’t repeat the Shadow Clan’s mistakes.”

Ye Kong’s eyes widened. He hadn’t told Zhang Wude about his immortal cultivation. How did he know?!

Zhang Wude smiled and said, “Watching your Shadow Dance movements just now, those aerial flips and spins, if you weren’t a cultivator, how could you perform them?”

“Please keep this secret for me, Teacher.” Ye Kong scratched his head and smiled.

Zhang Wude said, “I can keep it secret, but you must also keep a low profile. A rogue cultivator is very dangerous. I’ve often heard about those who kill people to seize treasures.”

Ye Kong smiled indifferently. “I don’t have any treasures. Even if they wanted to seize something, they [visit our site]wouldn’t come after me.”

Zhang Wude angrily rebuked, “Foolish! I’ve heard that those who cultivate demon techniques must kill people daily to seize their cultivation power. You as a cultivator are yourself a treasure they covet. How can you be so careless!”

Ye Kong felt as if struck by lightning. Zhang Wude’s words suddenly reminded him. He wasn’t penniless with nothing for others to covet. Compared to ordinary people, his body and the cultivation power he’d developed were excellent materials for others to use in their cultivation!

Fan Jiushe might very well be scheming against him!

“Teacher, I was wrong!” Ye Kong performed a deep bow to Zhang Wude with utmost sincerity.

Zhang Wude waved for him to rise and continued instructing, “Keeping a low profile is necessary, but Teacher hopes you won’t become overly selfish and heartless. Although the immortal path is heartless and cultivation is cruel, when you should act, you must act. When you should let go, you must let go. An immortal, an immortal, is both immortal and human.”

After Zhang Wude finished speaking, he looked out the window. A breeze blew through his pale hair. Not knowing what he was thinking about, he suddenly let out a long sigh.

“I understand. I need to grasp the proper balance.” Ye Kong nodded. Seeing Zhang Wude’s melancholy expression, Ye Kong suddenly recalled his discussion with Ye Wei about Zhang Wude last time, so he asked again, “Teacher, why are you so familiar with so many matters concerning cultivators?”

Zhang Wude’s eyes flashed wide, glaring at Ye Kong. “What? Suspect I’m also a cultivator? I’ve said before, even if I had the aptitude, I wouldn’t cultivate immortality.”

“Then I’m very curious why you have this attitude, Teacher. You seem to dislike cultivators very much, and dislike all cultivators. Could all cultivators have a grudge against you?”

Zhang Wude waved his hand, unwilling to elaborate. “Don’t pry into this matter. I don’t want to talk about it. In any case, I dislike cultivators because they’re too heartless. Aside from advancing their realm, nothing in the world can move them. Even flesh-and-blood family bonds can be completely disregarded. Cultivating immortality until they become like beasts, truly sinful.”

Ye Kong didn’t know who Zhang Wude was talking about and couldn’t interrupt. stolen contentIn his heart, he figured this matter must be related to Zhang Wude’s entire family being killed.

“Teacher, you just said this Shadow Dance is the Shadow Clan’s martial art. Could the Shadow Clan have used martial arts to fight the Demon Clan and Monster Clan? The North Clan’s cultivators couldn’t defeat the Demon Clan. Could martial arts do it?” Ye Kong changed the subject.

Zhang Wude smiled. “I’m neither a cultivator nor a martial arts master. How would I know? However, according to records in books, during the great war, countless Shadow Clan people flew and fought, making people feel they were watching a massive dance performance. So I speculate the Shadow Clan used Shadow Dance to combat demons and monsters.”

“So it was like that. It seems Shadow Dance’s power is no less than an immortal cultivation technique. But why do I still not feel that Shadow Dance can be used against cultivators?” Ye Kong fell into contemplation.

Zhang Wude also thought for a moment and said, “Legend has it that when the Shadow Clan fought, someone always had to accompany them from behind with stringed instruments, flutes, or drumbeats.”

Ye Kong had a sudden realization. He slapped his forehead hard and said, “Right! Music! Since this is both martial arts and dance, paired with music, the power would definitely increase greatly!”

Zhang Wude laughed heartily and stood up. “It’s getting late. This old man will head back. Originally, I came to have you attend classes more, but now it seems you should quietly cultivate at home. Remember, when Shadow Dance is fully mastered, you must invite this old man to watch.”

“Teacher, rest assured. When the time comes, I’ll definitely invite you to watch.”

Ye Kong escorted Zhang Wude out of the small courtyard, then couldn’t wait to start practicing Shadow Dance with music. Although the Shadow Clan’s music had long been lost, Ye Kong substituted it with Earth’s music. While silently singing in his heart, he moved with the music. Very quickly, he became immersed in the music and Shadow Dance.

“Brother Ye Kong, I feel your last performance and the one before it looked the same, yet felt completely different. But when I think carefully about where the difference is, I can’t say.” Lu Qin, who had been watching Ye Kong practice Shadow Dance, said with a furrowed brow.

“Haha, it’s because when I dance, the songs I’m singing in my heart are different.” Ye Kong was happy about making another discovery. This Shadow Dance was indeed extraordinary. With Zhang Wude’s reminder, he discovered that with different music, Shadow Dance actually underwent different changes.

“Dancing is beautiful, but it’s not a livelihood. Kong’er, you should still study poetry and prose properly ​visit our site​with Teacher.” Chen Jiuniang walked out of the house holding scissors. The Cangnan Continent discriminated against singers and dancers. Those women who performed songs and dances were looked down upon. If one became addicted to such things, people would say they were wasting their life on frivolous pursuits. She didn’t want her son obsessed with singing and dancing.

“Mother, you don’t understand. This is both dance and martial arts, and it’s extremely advanced and formidable martial arts.”

Chen Jiuniang smiled. “Mother is just reminding you. The General would never agree to you dancing for others to watch. I’m going to sharpen the scissors.”