Chapter 146: Shadow Doppelgangers

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Shadow Doppelgangers

At the Nianwu Tomb of the Kaiyang Sect, amidst the mourning of the sect, Tianxingzi and Niewuyou were laid to rest together.

Before the tomb, Zhongshan knelt with a mournful expression, while the disciples of the Kaiyang Sect came forward to pay their respects, bidding farewell to Tianxingzi.

Tianxingzi was gone, and so was the Sect Master of Kaiyang. The disciples within the sect could feel the solemnity of the moment.

Tian Sha knelt beside Zhongshan, gazing at the grave with a hint of confusion and sorrow in his eyes.

After the mourning, the disciples of the Kaiyang Sect gradually departed, and Xuanxinzi went to attend to other matters.

However, two figures remained kneeling before Tianxingzi's grave: Zhongshan and Tiansha.

On the third day of mourning, Tiansha rose quietly, cast a cold glance at Zhongshan, then turned and walked away. He had observed the three days of mourning, but Zhongshan continued to kneel.

On the fourth day, after Xuanxinzi had finished handling the affairs of the Kaiyang Sect, he flew with Guwenzi to Tianxingzi's grave. Seeing Zhongshan still kneeling there, the two exchanged a glance, each sighing softly.

"Zhongshan, the three days of mourning have passed, and the departed have gone. Grieve no more," Xuanxinzi said gently.

"I am mourning for Dailing'er," Zhongshan replied.

Looking at Zhongshan, Xuanxinzi sighed lightly. "Zhongshan, Senior Brother once mentioned to me about accepting you as a disciple. What do you think?"

Raising his head to look at Xuanxinzi, Zhongshan said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Uncle, but it is said that once a master, forever a father. Since I have already worshipped Senior Master, I naturally won't worship Senior Uncle."

Seeing Zhongshan's response, Xuanxinzi nodded. "Not worshiping is fine too. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you can come to me at any time."

As he watched the doppelganger transcribe the scripture, Zhongshan was astonished. With merely one-tenth of his true essence, he had created two identical puppet-like doppelgangers. These shadow clones could disperse on their own or merge back into his body, restoring the expended true essence.

The two shadow doppelgangers quickly merged back into his hidden body, vanishing in an instant.

"Huh? Is this technique really that difficult?" Zhongshan mused aloud, puzzled.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the small courtyard of the Waterside Pavilion.

Zhongshan put away the small mirror and walked to the door, opening it gently.

It was the Clay Bodhisattva, wrapped in a black robe, completely covering himself. Even his face, full of pustules, was hidden. If Zhongshan hadn't recognized his figure, he wouldn't have identified him.

"Senior," Zhongshan said, frowning as he remembered his master's dying words.

"Zhongshan, may we talk?" the Clay Bodhisattva asked calmly.

"Please, Senior, have a seat by the stone table near the pond. I'll brew some tea," Zhongshan said, pointing to the stone table.

"Hmm," the Clay Bodhisattva nodded, slowly walking to the stone table and sitting down. Zhongshan went inside to fetch a pot of tea.

After both were seated, Zhongshan poured a cup of tea for the Clay Bodhisattva.

Taking a light sip, the Clay Bodhisattva set the cup down and said, "Tianxingzi should have told you the reason for my visit before he died."

"Master mentioned it briefly, but didn't go into detail. Please, feel free to speak, Senior," Zhongshan replied.