Ye Tian was very surprised. "The Eastern Islanders sent cultivators to participate in the war?"
The old woman nodded. "They called it the Immortal Soldier Camp, with over three hundred experts of various kinds. Their strength was immense. The Immortal Soldier Camp's objective was to assassinate our country's cultivators, preventing them from uniting in resistance. Initially, we suffered heavy casualties, with even many great masters of the cultivation world falling under their blades."
Ye Tian frowned. "Were they just slaughtered without any resistance?"
The old woman replied, "Of course, there was resistance. But they were numerous, and our cultivators hadn't grasped the situation, leading to heavy losses in the early stages. Many ancient legacies were extinguished."
Ye Tian mused, "It seems the Eastern Islanders' goal was likely to extinguish our country's cultivation heritage."
The old woman sighed, "You are very astute. Indeed, we later learned from captured enemies that this was the Eastern Islanders' 'Fire Extinguishing Plan,' aimed at cutting off the lineage of our cultivators. Fortunately, we discovered it not too late. The cultivators then united and began to fight back. I joined at that time, becoming one of them."
Ye Tian's interest piqued, and he asked, "Elderly one, what was our side's strength compared to theirs at that time?"
The old woman said, "We naturally had the advantage. Before, they had picked us off one by one, using superior numbers. Once we were prepared, the Eastern Islanders were no match for us. However, I must admit, their strength was also considerable. In that decisive battle, we annihilated the Immortal Soldier Camp at the cost of one-third of our forces. After this victory, the Eastern Islanders intended to send another contingent, but a great master from our side led an assault directly onto their homeland. In a single night, he destroyed over a dozen factions, causing the Eastern Islanders to lose face and dare not send anyone else."
Ye Tian's interest grew, and he asked, "Elderly one, what was this hero's name?"
A flicker of admiration and affection crossed the old woman's eyes. "His name was Qiao Shizun. He was only in his early twenties then, yet possessed the cultivation of a Human Immortal. He was truly powerful, single-handedly slaying the Eastern Imperial Family's Four Great Guards, becoming famous in one battle! If not for him, Eastern Islander cultivators would have continuously entered our country, potentially altering the course of the war."
Ye Tian asked, "Is this Qiao Shizun still alive?"
The old woman sighed softly. "He disappeared. After returning from the Eastern Isles, he was hailed as a hero, and all cultivators elected him as their alliance leader. But that day, he did not appear, and vanished from the mortal world thereafter. He shone brilliantly like a meteor, but it was too brief."
Ye Tian found it strange. "How could a Human Immortal just disappear like that?"
The old woman shook her head. "It's unclear. Later, an expert divined his fate and concluded he was still alive, but his whereabouts could not be determined."
"Could it be that he is in secluded cultivation, detached from worldly affairs?" Ye Tian murmured. Many great virtuous masters of ancient times chose to live in seclusion.
The old woman said, "He was so young, it didn't seem like he would choose to seclude himself. Alas, after so many years, this remains my greatest regret, that I never saw him again."
She did not conceal her admiration for Qiao Shizun. Ye Tian smiled and said, "Perhaps you will meet again in the future."
The old woman gave a wry smile. "By today's standards, he should be over a hundred years old. Alas, we have all grown old."
After chatting with the old woman for a while, Ye Tian asked her to rest and then spoke with Yang Dongfo about the situation.
"The elderly one has no major issues, only that she is advanced in age, and the old hidden injuries from her youth have all flared up. If she stays here, I can treat her for two or three days, and she should recover."
Yang Dongfo was overjoyed. He bowed deeply to Ye Tian. "Thank you, Mr. Ye!"
Ye Tian replied, "No thanks are needed. The elderly one is a hero who fought against the Japanese invaders. It is my honor to treat her."
After a few more words, Yang Dongfo went to the room to attend to the old woman, while Ye Tian returned to his own room to rest.
This treatment had consumed a considerable amount of his energy, and he needed rest to replenish his strength.