Jade Clarity Retreat

Jade Clarity Retreat lay within a mountain valley. Though it lacked the grandeur one might imagine of an immortal abode, it was still secluded and ancient in its simplicity.

Several Taoist temples had been built against the mountainside. Faint array light flowed around them, sealing away the baleful aura and dangers beyond the valley and creating a realm of pure tranquility.

When Ming Chen and the other two returned to the retreat, they immediately drew the attention of the disciples on guard.

Two late-stage Earth Immortal Taoists were on duty. Seeing Ming Chen's group return in such disheveled condition, accompanied by a strange-aura black bamboo spirit and a Rabbit Demon, both revealed looks of surprise.

"Martial Nephew Ming Chen, what happened to you?" A lean-faced middle-aged Taoist stepped forward and asked, his gaze cautiously sweeping over Li Su and Zhiwei.

Ming Chen hurried forward, bowed respectfully, and gave a detailed report of their encounter with the Flying Centipede and how Li Su had saved them. He particularly emphasized Li Su's profound array techniques and the upright, peaceful Dao aura that faintly resonated with Jade Clarity Celestial Light.

The two Taoists' expressions eased somewhat. When they looked at Li Su again, their gazes held more surprise and scrutiny.

The lean Taoist gave Li Su a Taoist salute. "I am Yu Jizi. Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Mo Xing for coming to the aid of my martial nephews. Please come inside for tea."

His manner was courteous, though it carried a trace of appraisal. After all, Li Su's appearance was unusual, and he was a spirit creature of unknown origins. Though he had saved them, practitioners of the mysterious sect naturally remained wary of such beings.

Li Su bent his bamboo body slightly in return. "You are too polite, Fellow Daoist. When one sees injustice on the road, one should lend a hand."

The group entered the retreat's main hall. Its furnishings were simple: meditation cushions, incense tables, and portraits of the Dao Patriarch, all permeated with an air of tranquil nonaction.

Yu Jizi invited Li Su to take a seat, specially preparing a large meditation cushion for him. Zhiwei stood obediently behind Li Su, looking somewhat restrained.

After serving clear tea, a spiritual tea capable of nourishing the primordial spirit, Yu Jizi began speaking with Li Su. His words contained no shortage of probing as he inquired about Li Su's origins, cultivation method, and the like.

Li Su had already prepared for this. He merely said that he had once been a spiritual bamboo growing in the wilderness, enlightened by chance through the power of the stars. After awakening his intelligence, he had explored cultivation on his own. Admiring the righteous path of the mysterious sect, he had traveled west in search of immortals and the Dao.

As for the system and core secrets such as the Bedrock Rune, he naturally said nothing. His words were open and composed, while his Dao aura flowed naturally, thanks to the power of the stars and his understanding of arrays, making him difficult to doubt.

When the conversation turned to arrays, Li Su gave a brief explanation based on his understanding of the Minor Chiliad Array Analysis. Yu Jizi and the others listened with growing amazement in their eyes. The foundation of his orthodox mysterious-sect array arts could not be faked, and their doubts lessened further.

"I never expected Fellow Daoist Mo Xing to possess such attainments in arrays, and to have comprehended them on your own at that. It is truly admirable."

Yu Jizi stroked his beard and sighed, his attitude becoming increasingly sincere.

At that moment, the other Taoist, who had remained quiet all along and possessed an even steadier aura, an Early Stage Celestial Immortal, suddenly spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Mo Xing, I am Yu Hengzi. Forgive my boldness, but I see a faint clear light surrounding you. Your Dao aura is unusual, yet upright rather than wicked. Would you allow me to use Jade Clarity Celestial Light to sense it briefly? Perhaps it may help you better discern your own path."

The hall fell slightly silent at those words. This already carried the implication of examining Li Su's true origins.

Ming Chen and the others looked nervously at Li Su.

Li Su pondered for a moment, then said frankly, "Please, Fellow Daoist."

He knew that although his power was unusual, it contained no filth or evil. He also wished to know how Jade Clarity Celestial Light would react to him.

Yu Hengzi nodded. A thread of pure, gentle Jade Clarity Celestial Light gathered at his fingertip, containing the intent to enlighten all things and expound all laws, and he lightly touched Li Su's bamboo body.

The celestial light entered his body, and Li Su immediately felt a gentle yet vast power flow into him and circulate through his body once.

He did not resist. Instead, he carefully experienced it.

When the Jade Clarity Celestial Light encountered the Stellar Evil Energy and Soul Devouring Origin within him, there was slight rejection at first. Yet before long, the Dao aura of the Bedrock Rune began to circulate faintly.

It actually allowed the various powers to find a strange point of balance, even giving them the faint sense of complementing one another. The power of the stars in particular seemed exceptionally compatible with Jade Clarity Celestial Light.

Surprise appeared on Yu Hengzi's face. He withdrew the celestial light and mused, "How strange! Though Fellow Daoist's foundation is that of a spiritual plant, your origin is pure and clear. You have also gained the righteous energy of the stars, which subtly accords with the Heavenly Dao. Though it is not the orthodox cultivation method of our mysterious sect, it still belongs to a branch of the righteous path. And... it seems you even share a certain affinity with our Jade Clarity Great Dao?"

This result made everyone in the hall breathe a sigh of relief, followed by astonishment. A bamboo spirit actually had an affinity with the Jade Clarity Great Dao? That was an exceedingly rare matter.

Yu Jizi smiled. "It seems Fellow Daoist Mo Xing truly has an affinity with our Jade Clarity Sect. Since that is so, why not stay at the retreat for a few days? We may discuss the Dao together.

"Three days from now will be the day Martial Brother Yu Hengzi gives a lecture. If you are interested, Fellow Daoist, you may attend as well."

Li Su's heart stirred. This was the perfect opportunity to learn about Jade Clarity Dao arts, and he immediately agreed. "That is exactly what I wished for, though I did not dare ask."

Thus, Li Su and Zhiwei temporarily stayed at Jade Clarity Retreat.

The retreat disciples were quite curious and respectful toward this "Bamboo Senior," who had saved their fellow disciples, possessed unusual Dao arts, and shared an affinity with Jade Clarity.

Li Su also took the opportunity to converse with these mysterious-sect disciples and learn more about the Primordial World and the Jade Clarity Sect.

Three days later, Yu Hengzi lectured on the Jade Purity Mind-Calming Spirit-Nurturing Chapter in the retreat's lecture hall. Though it was a foundational Dao art, it pointed directly to the basis of mysterious-sect qi refinement.

The hall was filled with retreat disciples, and Li Su listened quietly from one side.

Yu Hengzi explained in clear and accessible terms how to calm the mind, gather the spirit, perceive the spiritual qi of heaven and earth, and nurture one's own Dao foundation.

Though Li Su was not human and his cultivation system differed from theirs, the Great Dao was interconnected. In particular, his understanding of "calm," "comprehension," and "nurturing" benefited greatly. Many vague points he had encountered while cultivating on his own suddenly became clear.

The clear light over his bamboo body seemed to grow several degrees more condensed.

After the lecture ended, Li Su even consulted Yu Hengzi about several questions concerning arrays and energy circulation. Yu Hengzi patiently answered each one, and the two spoke quite pleasantly.

After this exchange of Dao discussions and instruction, Li Su's relationship with Jade Clarity Retreat grew much closer. He also truly felt the profundity and vastness of the orthodox mysterious sect, making him yearn even more for the sacred realm of Kunlun Mountain.

However, he did not rashly bring up becoming a disciple.

For one thing, the retreat was merely an outpost and had no authority to accept disciples.

For another, he knew that his own foundation was unusual and that he still needed more accomplishments and opportunities.

After remaining at the retreat for five days, Li Su felt that he had gained greatly, so he bade farewell to Yu Jizi and the others, intending to continue westward.

Unable to persuade him to stay, Yu Jizi and the others gave him a more detailed map of the northwestern region, marked with additional dangerous areas and safe routes, as well as several Jade Clarity protective talismans.

"Fellow Daoist Mo Xing has lofty aspirations. I admire you. The journey northwest is long and exceptionally perilous.

"If fate brings you to the foot of Kunlun Mountain, you may use this item to visit the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion. Perhaps you may obtain some opportunity there."

Finally, Yu Jizi took out a palm-sized white jade token. The words "Jade Clarity" were inscribed upon it, and it radiated a gentle Dao aura. He handed it to Li Su.

Li Su solemnly accepted the token, knowing it might be an important key to opening doors. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist! Mo Xing will remember this kindness."

With Zhiwei beside him, Li Su once more set out westward beneath the reluctant gazes of Ming Chen and the other disciples.

Behind him, Jade Clarity Retreat gradually receded into the distance.

This time, his goal was even clearer—Kunlun Mountain, the Jade Clarity Sect!

Yet only half a day after Li Su left the retreat, a magnificent celestial light descended from the heavens and landed within it.

Within that radiance, a middle-aged Taoist wearing a Bagua Taoist Robe and carrying a horsetail whisk revealed himself. His aura was unfathomable.

Yu Jizi, Yu Hengzi, and the others hurriedly stepped forward to greet him respectfully. "Welcome, Martial Uncle Qingxu!"

Martial Uncle Qingxu gave a slight nod, but his gaze turned toward the direction Li Su had departed. A trace of divination flashed through his eyes as he let out a soft sound of surprise.

"The aura that just departed... bamboo, yet not bamboo; containing stars and baleful energy, yet possessing an affinity with Jade Clarity... Strange, truly strange... The workings of heaven seem to have stirred. Could it be related to what Master once said... Never mind. Let us see what destiny he makes for himself."