Resigning and Leaving

After Lin Jingyu left, Zhang Xiaofan let out a long sigh. He looked at Su Changqing with an apologetic expression and said, "Chang Qing, don't mind him. Jingyu probably didn't mean anything by it."

Su Changqing smiled dismissively. "Xiao Fan, of course I don't mind. You don't need to worry about it."

He didn't care what others thought of him, nor did he get angry about how they treated him.

In Su Changqing's heart, Lin Jingyu wasn't someone he was particularly close to. Why should he go out of his way to interact with him, or with people like him?

He had his own Great Dao to cultivate. Why should he lower himself to consider the opinions of others?

With that, Su Changqing flicked his sleeve and leisurely headed towards the main hall, leaving Zhang Xiaofan standing alone, sighing inwardly.

The three of them were from the same village. Back then, although they weren't the closest of friends, they would still chat and play together when they met.

Why was it that after embarking on the path of cultivation, the three of them became less close instead of more so? It was as if they had walked onto two different paths.

Zhang Xiaofan pondered this, unable to understand why.

It wasn't until he reached the latter part of his story that he understood this principle was called growth. There were too many things beyond one's control, too many things that went against one's wishes. Perhaps only the Great Dao could provide an answer.

Upon entering the main hall, Su Changqing saw several Peak Lords gathered there. He respectfully greeted them. Master Shui Yue knew that Su Changqing must have something to discuss with her, so she excused herself and took Su Changqing outside.

The two found a secluded spot.

"Chang Qing, did you come to the Sect Main Hall to find me for something?" Master Shui Yue asked Su Changqing with a gentle smile.

"Master's foresight is truly divine. Your disciple does indeed have something to ask of you," Su Changqing replied with a smile. He then looked at Shui Yue seriously and explained the reason for his visit. "Master, I've encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation. Fortunately, I saw a description of a peculiar flower and grass in the sect's ancient texts. I feel this item would be beneficial to my cultivation, so I plan to go on a trial in the sect. I've come to ask for your leave."

"A peculiar flower and grass? What is it?" Shui Yue asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"It's called the Desolate Immortal Orchid. It's a unique product of Nine Yin Mountain, so I plan to travel to Nine Yin Mountain," Su Changqing truthfully told Shui Yue what he knew.

Shui Yue, with her profound cultivation and position as a Qingyun Sect Peak Lord, was naturally knowledgeable. She knew what the Desolate Orchid Water Lily was.

"Desolate Immortal Orchid? If I recall correctly, while this item is an extremely precious medicine, its help for cultivation is minimal. Why are you seeking it?"

"Furthermore, Nine Yin Mountain is hundreds of miles away from Qingyun Sect. The terrain is treacherous, with many demonic beasts, making it extremely dangerous and rarely visited by humans. You are currently only at the first level of Taiji Xuanqing Dao, with a cultivation of only Qi Refining third layer. How can you go to such a dangerous place?" she asked, frowning slightly.

"Master, I've only seen this item in ancient texts, but I have a vague feeling that the Desolate Orchid Water Lily is very important to me, which is why I decided to go," Su Changqing explained to Shui Yue. "Regardless of whether it helps my cultivation or not, I want to seek it out once. Otherwise, I will always have this matter weighing on my mind, and it will become an obstacle to my cultivation."

"No, your cultivation is still too weak. If you go alone to the dangerous Nine Yin Mountain, I truly cannot rest easy. In three days, after I'm done with my affairs, I'll take you there myself." Shui Yue immediately refused, disregarding Su Changqing's words.

Su Changqing couldn't help but sigh. His Master, while appearing cold, was actually a warm-hearted person. While she might treat others differently, she truly treated him exceptionally well, showing great care and concern. This, however, led to the current situation. Just like a concerned elder who couldn't bear to see their junior take risks, Shui Yue wouldn't let him venture out alone into danger.

"Master, I really don't want to trouble you with this. Please just let me go alone. Otherwise, I won't be able to focus on my cultivation for the next month." To achieve his goal, Su Changqing didn't hesitate to sacrifice his usual demeanor and, for the first time, resorted to acting like a child, grabbing Shui Yue's sleeve and playfully shaking it.

"Do you really want to go?"

"I really do!" Seeing Su Changqing's determination, Shui Yue's furrowed brow slowly relaxed. She let out a soft sigh and said, "Fine, fine. If you're so set on going, then go."

"Thank you, Master, for agreeing!" Su Changqing's heart leaped with joy. As long as he got past Shui Yue, everything else would be manageable.

"However, you must not be overconfident. Nine Yin Mountain is not a place for leisurely strolls like other mountain ranges. There are countless fierce beasts and demonic creatures, many of whom have cultivation levels comparable to Foundation Establishment and Core Formation. You are only at Qi Refining now. If you encounter them, do not provoke them. You must flee immediately. Ensure your own safety above all else, do you understand?"

"If you don't find the Desolate Immortal Orchid within three days, don't be greedy. Return to the sect first, and I will take you there myself." Although Shui Yue agreed to Su Changqing, she was still worried and couldn't help but give him numerous instructions.

"Master, I understand!" Su Changqing replied with a smile, nodding seriously at Shui Yue.

"Also, I have a protective talisman for you here. It's enough to withstand a single fatal attack from a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator. If you encounter danger, tear the talisman. Do not lose it." Shui Yue took a yellow talisman from her waist and handed it to Su Changqing, explaining its effects and capabilities in detail. She only felt a little relieved after seeing Su Changqing tuck it into his robes. With this talisman for protection, her beloved disciple's safety would be somewhat secured.

"Thank you, Master! Then, I shall take my leave?" After receiving the talisman, Su Changqing bid farewell to Shui Yue and left the Sect Main Hall. He then took out his flying sword and returned to Little Bamboo Peak. After informing Senior Sister Wen Min, he packed some necessary items and left Qingyun Mountain.

As soon as he was out of Qingyun Mountain, Su Changqing felt like a dragon entering the sea, free and unrestrained. He took out his flying sword and soared through the air, enjoying the refreshing scenery. Along the way, he practiced his sword techniques while flying like an immortal.

A figure resembling an immortal appeared high in the sky. He drew his long sword, slashing left and right, his movements elusive like a shadow. Streaks of sword qi emerged from the tip of his blade, slicing through the air.

This stirred up gusts of wind that swept out, scattering the white clouds.

[You have successfully practiced the "Gale Sword Dao." Under your Unrivaled Insight, the "Gale Sword Dao" has been successfully deduced into the "Gale Swordplay."]

"Huh? That works too?"

After Su Changqing finished his sword forms, he suddenly heard the System's voice in his mind.

He hadn't expected that merely practicing a sword technique on a whim could trigger his Unrivaled Insight. It was truly a pleasant surprise.