Requesting Leave

After Lin Jingyu left, Zhang Xiaofan let out a soft sigh and said to Su Changqing with a guilty expression, "Chang Qing, don't take it to heart. Jing Yu probably didn't mean it."

Su Changqing smiled indifferently. "Xiao Fan, of course I won't take it to heart. There's no need for you to trouble yourself over it."

He would not concern himself with how others viewed him, nor would he grow angry over how they treated him.

Lin Jingyu had never been particularly close to him in Su Changqing's heart. Why bother going out of his way to associate with him, or with the rest of the world?

I have my own Great Dao and righteous fruition to cultivate. Why should I lower my head and heed the eyes of others?

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

The three of them had originally come from the same village. Back then, although they could not be called the closest of friends, they would still laugh and chat whenever they met, speaking of childish amusements and playing together.

Why was it that after embarking on the path of cultivation, the three of them had instead become less close than before, as though they had stepped onto two different tracks?

No matter how Zhang Xiaofan pondered it, he could not understand the reason.

Only when he reached the latter half of his story did he learn that this principle was called growth. There were too many things beyond one's control, too many wishes that went against one's hopes. Perhaps only the Great Dao's righteous fruition could provide an answer.

After entering the main hall, Su Changqing saw several Peak Lords gathered there. He respectfully bowed and greeted them. Master Shui Yue knew that Su Changqing must have come to see her about something, so she bid the others farewell first and led him outside.

The two found a secluded place with no one around.

"Chang Qing, did you come to the Sect Main Hall because you had something to discuss with me?"

Master Shui Yue smiled gently as she asked Su Changqing.

"Master truly sees all. This disciple does indeed have a matter to seek Master's permission for."

Su Changqing smiled, then looked seriously at Shuiyue and explained why he had come. "Master, this disciple encountered a bottleneck while cultivating. Fortunately, I found a strange herb recorded in the sect's archives, and I feel that it may benefit my cultivation. Thus, I intend to travel beyond the sect for some experience and have come to request leave from Master."

"A strange herb? What is it?"

Shuiyue was slightly curious as she asked Su Changqing.

"It is called the Desolate Immortal Orchid, a unique product of Nine Yin Mountain. Therefore, this disciple intends to make a trip to Nine Yin Mountain."

Su Changqing truthfully told Shuiyue what he knew.

As Qingyun Sect's highly cultivated Peak Lord, Shuiyue was naturally experienced and knowledgeable. She knew what the Desolate Orchid Water Lily was.

"The Desolate Immortal Orchid? If I recall correctly, although this is an extremely precious medicinal herb, it offers very little aid to cultivation. Why do you wish to seek it?"

"Moreover, Nine Yin Mountain lies a hundred li beyond Qingyun Sect. Its terrain is steep, it is filled with demonic beasts, and it is extremely dangerous, which is why few people venture there. You are only at the first level of Taiji Xuanqing Dao, with merely the third level of Qi Refinement. How can you go to such a dangerous place?"

After hearing Su Changqing's words, she frowned slightly and questioned him.

"Master, I have only seen this item in the archives, but I have a vague feeling that the Desolate Orchid Water Lily is extremely important to me. That is why I decided to go."

"Whether or not it can help my cultivation, I still wish to search for it once. Otherwise, I will always be unable to let go of this matter, and dwelling on it will instead become an obstacle to my cultivation."

Su Changqing explained to Shuiyue.

"No. Your cultivation is still too weak. If you go alone to the dangerous Nine Yin Mountain, I truly cannot rest easy. Wait three days. Once I have no pressing matters to attend to, I will personally take you there."

No matter what Su Changqing said, Shuiyue immediately refused.

Su Changqing could not help sighing. His master appeared cold as frost, but she was truly warm-hearted. Whatever she might be like toward others, she had nothing but care and concern for him.

Yet that was precisely what caused the current situation. Like a concerned elder unwilling to let a younger member of the family wander into danger, Shuiyue would not allow him to face such peril alone.

"Master, this disciple truly does not wish to trouble you over something like this. Please let this disciple go alone. Otherwise, I will be unable to calm my heart and cultivate properly for the next month."

In order to achieve his goal, Su Changqing could not help sacrificing his usual image. For the first time, he resorted to the childish tactic of acting cute, grabbing Shuiyue's sleeve and gently shaking it as he pleaded.

"You really want to go?"

"I truly do!"

Seeing Su Changqing's firm resolve, Shuiyue's tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. She sighed softly. "Fine, fine. Since you wish to go so badly, then go make the trip."

"Thank you for agreeing, Master!"

Su Changqing was immediately overjoyed. Once he had passed Shuiyue's hurdle, everything else would be easy.

"However, you must not overestimate yourself. Nine Yin Mountain is not like other mountains, a place for leisurely wandering. There are countless savage beasts and demons there, some with cultivation comparable to the Foundation Establishment Realm and Core Formation Realm. You are only at Qi Refinement now. If you encounter them, you must not provoke them. Flee at once and make absolutely certain that you return safely, understand?"

"If you have not found the Desolate Orchid Water Lily after three days, do not be greedy. Return to the sect first, and I will personally take you there afterward."

Although Shuiyue had agreed to Su Changqing's request, she still could not set her mind at ease and could not help giving him repeated instructions.

"Master, I understand!"

Su Changqing smiled and nodded earnestly to Shuiyue.

"Also, I have a protective talisman for you. It is enough to withstand one fatal attack from someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm. If you encounter danger, tear the talisman apart. Do not lose it."

Shuiyue took a yellow talisman from her waist and handed it to Su Changqing, explaining its effects and use in detail. Only after watching him tuck it into his robes did she feel somewhat relieved.

With this talisman protecting him, her young disciple's life would at least have some measure of protection.

"Thank you, Master! Then this disciple will take his leave?"

After accepting the talisman, Su Changqing bade Shuiyue farewell and left the Sect Main Hall. He turned and took out his Flying Sword, returning to Little Bamboo Peak. After informing Senior Sister Wen Min of the matter, he gathered the necessary supplies and left Qingyun Mountain.

The moment he left Qingyun Mountain, Su Changqing was like a dragon entering the sea, free and unfettered. He took out his Flying Sword and traveled through the skies with a refreshed spirit.

Along the way, he rode his sword like an immortal while also practicing swordplay.

High in the sky, an immortal-like figure drew his long sword and slashed left and right. His form was like a shadow, impossible to grasp, while streams of sword qi burst from the blade.

The surging gusts swept outward, scattering clusters of white clouds.

You successfully practiced "Gale Sword Dao." Under your Unrivaled Insight, "Gale Sword Dao" was successfully deduced into "Gale Swordplay."

"Hm? That worked too?"

After Su Changqing completed the swordplay sequence, the system's voice suddenly rang out in his mind again.

He had never expected that merely practicing swordplay on a whim could trigger his Unrivaled Insight. It was truly a pleasant surprise.