Descending the Mountain

Qingyun Mountain, Da Zhu Peak, Shou Jing Hall

After Shui Yue left, Jiang Ming noticed Tian Buyi staring at him without pause. The look in his eyes grew stranger and stranger, making Jiang Ming feel uncomfortable all over. He thought he might have revealed something, or that there was something wrong with him, so he asked Tian Buyi, "Master, is there something wrong with this disciple?"

Seeing Jiang Ming speak like that, Tian Buyi also felt that staring at him for so long was indeed somewhat impolite. He immediately changed the subject. "Nothing. Your name is Jiang Ming, right?"

"Yes. This disciple's surname is Jiang, given name Ming, and I am from Heyang. Today, I was fortunate enough to enter under Master's tutelage. This disciple thanks Master for taking me in." Jiang Ming cupped his hands toward Tian Buyi, his face full of sincerity.

Tian Buyi nodded at Jiang Ming and thought, This child looks far more promising than that useless bunch led by Daren. Da Zhu Peak finally has hope of flourishing. He then said to Song Daren, "Daren, it's getting late. Go check whether dinner is ready. When it is, have your junior brothers come meet Old Seven, and let Old Seven get to know them as well."

Time passed quietly like this. Two years later, at Da Zhu Peak,

Name: Jiang Ming

Age: 27 (main world age)

Bloodline: Human Bloodline

Cultivation: Martial Dao Celestial Being Mid Stage, Immortal Dao Nascent Soul Peak (Yuqing Ninth Level)

Cultivation Arts: Heaven's Will Four Symbols Art+[Celestial Being/Great Perfection], Three Points Returning to Origin Qi+[Shattering/Great Perfection], Saint Heart Art+[Celestial Being/Great Accomplishment], Innate Gang Qi+[Shattering/Great Perfection], Qilin Undying Body+[Shattering/Great Perfection], Black Tortoise True Scripture+[Celestial Being/Lesser Accomplishment], Taiji Xuanqing Dao+[Taiqing/Yuqing Ninth Level],

Techniques: Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning Four Styles+[Reached the Pinnacle of Perfection], Sword Drawing Technique+[Returning to Original Simplicity], Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin+[Reached the Peak], Twenty-Three Styles of the Holy Spirit Swordplay+[Reached the Peak], Wind God Leg, Cloud Dispelling Palm, Heavenly Frost Fist+[Returning to Original Simplicity], Three Points Divine Finger+[Returning to Original Simplicity], Slaughter in All Directions+[Reached the Peak], Saint Heart Four Absolutes+[Reached the Peak], Saint Heart Four Tribulations+[Reached the Peak]

Movement Technique: Unrestrained Ascension Step

Weapons: Soaring Frost Sword[Heart Demon Unity Fusion Version], God Stone

Storage: Phoenix Essence Blood*1 bottle, Qilin Essence Blood*1 bottle, Dragon Essence*6, Blood Bodhi*49

After two years of cultivation, Jiang Ming's Taiji Xuanqing Dao had already reached the Yuqing Ninth Level. Even that was the result of Jiang Ming deliberately holding himself back, as well as lacking the subsequent cultivation methods. After all, his martial cultivation had already reached the Martial Dao Celestial Being realm, equivalent to Qingyun's Taiqing Realm, and he was even at the Mid Stage. To be honest, if he had the complete cultivation method, then as long as Jiang Ming wished it, he could reach the Taiqing Realm in a short time. However, this was his first time cultivating an immortal cultivation art, so he had to be cautious and lay a solid foundation. Moreover, Jiang Ming's physical body alone could withstand even ordinary Shangqing-level attacks without necessarily having its defenses broken. It was practically comparable to a demonic beast of the same level—absurdly monstrous.

However, in order to avoid being too shocking, he only claimed to have reached the Yuqing Fourth Level. Even so, Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and the others were utterly stunned. They all declared that Jiang Ming was Qing Ye Ancestor reborn, making Tian Buyi look forward even more to the Seven Peaks Tournament a few years later. After all, Da Zhu Peak had been suppressed by the other peaks for countless years. Song Daren and the others had utterly disgraced Tian Buyi and Su Ru, and Da Zhu Peak had become a laughingstock time and time again. But this time, Tian Buyi could finally hold his head high.

Yet Jiang Ming reaching the Yuqing Fourth Level with his Taiji Xuanqing Dao also indirectly made life miserable for his six senior brothers. Especially after seeing that Jiang Ming, who had joined later, had already caught up to them, Tian Buyi and Su Ru subjected Song Daren and the others to brutal training every few days. Da Zhu Peak was often thrown into chaos.

Jiang Ming's main purpose in coming to the Xianxia World was still to collect the five volumes of the Heavenly Book, while also taking Qing Long's Universe Azure Light Ring. The most difficult volumes to obtain were the fifth volume in Qingyun Sect and the second volume in Ghost King Sect. The others were comparatively easy, but obtaining the final volume of the Heavenly Book would not be simple. After pondering for a long time, Jiang Ming decided to desperately grind achievement points and favorability. Otherwise, Dao Xuan would never let Jiang Ming study the Nameless Ancient Scroll. If not, he could only steal it, but that difficulty was simply heaven-defying.

Now that his Taiji Xuanqing Dao could advance no further, Tian Buyi would not possibly pass down the Shangqing or even Taiqing cultivation methods to him anytime soon. Since his purpose in joining Qingyun Sect had already been achieved, it was time to descend the mountain. He would first obtain the easiest first volume of the Heavenly Book, then talk. With that, he headed toward Shou Jing Hall.

"Senior Brother, where is Master? And... why is your face so pale? What happened?" Jiang Ming walked up to Song Daren and voiced his doubts.

"It's Jiang Ming! Master is inside! I'm fine. I was only lamenting how cruel those Devil Sect fiends are. Cao Miao Village beneath Qingyun Mountain was massacred by Devil Sect fiends. Only three people survived. The rest were helpless elderly people, women, and children, all slaughtered. It was simply too cruel." Song Daren sighed as he spoke, his pale face clearly showing that he had been frightened. After cultivating for decades, this was still his first time seeing such a cruel and bloody scene, and those killed had been ordinary elderly people, women, and children.

"Oh, right. Master isn't in a very good mood today, so be careful," Song Daren warned Jiang Ming, afraid of provoking Tian Buyi again.

Jiang Ming nodded at Song Daren. The moment he heard that Cao Miao Village had been massacred, he understood that fate had begun to turn. Zhang Xiao Fan's difficult destiny was about to begin. He could not help but sigh. He had originally wanted to prevent this tragedy, but he had no idea when Pu Zhi of Heavenly Sound Temple had come to Qingyun. Tian Buyi would not tell him about Pu Zhi either. After all, Pu Zhi had come to Qingyun to exchange cultivation arts and cultivate both Buddhist and Daoist teachings, which was a great taboo in the cultivation world. How could Dao Xuan possibly publicize it everywhere? Besides, Da Zhu Peak was not Tongtian Peak.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ming could only say that it was Heaven's will. Zhang Xiao Fan, there's nothing I can do either. If you did not go up the mountain, perhaps Bi Yao would not sacrifice herself for you, Xue Qi would not grieve for you, and that chain of tragedies would not happen. Truly, Heaven's will was like a blade, and fate was impossible to predict! He shook his head and headed directly into the Inner Hall.

Jiang Ming entered the Inner Hall and saw Tian Buyi sitting in the main seat, looking unhappy. When Tian Buyi saw Jiang Ming enter, he immediately asked, "What is it, Old Seven? What do you need from your master?"

Jiang Ming cupped his hands toward Tian Buyi. "Reporting to Master, this disciple's Taiji Xuanqing Dao broke through to the fourth level not long ago, but I still do not possess a magic treasure that I can control. This disciple has come to ask Master for permission to descend the mountain and gain experience, to search for a magic treasure suitable for myself and prepare for the Seven Peaks Tournament five years from now. As for my return date, this disciple will return within five years."

Seeing Jiang Ming speak like this, Tian Buyi immediately granted his request and instructed, "Be careful after descending the mountain. If you encounter Devil Sect fiends, do not show mercy. If you cannot defeat them, prioritize preserving your life. Do not act rashly. And do not delay the Seven Peaks Tournament. Whether you find anything or not, you must return to Qingyun within five years. Our Da Zhu Peak still has some resources, understand?"

"Yes, Master. Then this disciple will pack up and prepare to descend the mountain. Take care, Master. This disciple, Jiang Ming, bids you farewell." After bidding farewell to Tian Buyi, Jiang Ming did not go see Zhang Xiao Fan, who was currently unconscious. He simply packed up and headed down the mountain.