Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament

Su Changqing, on his way back to the sect, naturally didn't know what Dao Xuan Zhenren was thinking. He stood leisurely behind Shui Yue, recounting what had happened on Nine Yin Mountain.

However, some things were glossed over by Su Changqing.

"Master, I found the Desolate Orchid Water Lily in the swamp deep within Nine Yin Mountain. I also encountered a snake undergoing a skin shedding and realm breakthrough, which was very peculiar."

"It not only had feathers but also a spiritual horn on its head, and its entire body was a multicolored ink. Master, do you know what kind of demonic beast this snake is?"

Su Changqing curiously asked Shui Yue.

Shui Yue frowned slightly, trying to recall, but couldn't remember any records of such a peculiar demonic beast, nor had he ever heard of its existence.

"I haven't heard of it, and I don't know," Shui Yue replied, shaking his head at Su Changqing after some thought.

Su Changqing wasn't surprised that Shui Yue didn't know. After all, he had seen all the records of demonic beasts in the Qingyun Sect's library, but there was no mention of this particular snake.

It seemed the snake's identity would require professional authentication.

Upon returning to the sect, Shui Yue went back to his residence to recuperate. Su Changqing had nothing else to do, so he returned to his own dwelling to consolidate his Foundation Establishment.

The little snake also crawled out from his arm, and the person and snake began to cultivate in the room.

Another half a year passed with the turning of the seasons.

Su Changqing steadied his mind and sat in meditation in his room. The surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth flowed towards him like a gushing spring. The little snake, with its large, bright eyes, watched Su Changqing in this unusual phenomenon, seemingly very curious.

It wasn't until three hours later that a surge of spiritual energy erupted, transforming into a pillar of light that shot straight into the sky and vanished in an instant.

Su Changqing then woke up from his meditation, his eyes flickering with a golden-purple light.

"I did it!"

Su Changqing exclaimed in surprise, then let out a long breath.

Six months ago, he had cultivated the Wuji Xuanqing Dao to the peak of the fourth layer. However, the Wuji Xuanqing Dao was far more profound than the Taiji Xuanqing Dao. Simply breaking through from the fourth to the fifth layer was a significant hurdle, taking Su Changqing half a year to achieve.

This also meant he could now practice more advanced Daoist techniques!

Upon waking, he had not only cultivated the Wuji Xuanqing Dao to the fifth layer, but his cultivation had also reached the fifth stage of Foundation Establishment. Among the new generation of disciples, he had become an unparalleled figure, even reaching the same cultivation level as Senior Sister Lu Xueqi.

Of course, Su Changqing wasn't the only one who had changed significantly. The little snake beside him had cultivated alongside him during these six months, and its cultivation had reached the third stage of Foundation Establishment.

Its wings were now fuller, its spiritual horn on its head was thicker, and its ink-colored scales had changed from five colors to seven colors under the light.

The little snake, which could only crawl on the ground back then, could now fly using the wings on its back.

A snake could actually fly in the air?

Su Changqing smiled wryly at this peculiar sight.

This was indeed a wondrous and strange fantasy world. If it were in his previous life, this little snake would have been captured and heavily researched in a laboratory.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten to search for the little snake's true identity over the years. However, the explanations were inconsistent. Some said it was a Tengjiao, while others claimed it was a Xuanmo Snake. But Su Changqing had consulted various sources and ruled out all possibilities, ultimately failing to reach a conclusion.

The mystery of the little snake's origins thus remained an unsolved case, though Su Changqing didn't particularly care.

Regardless of what kind of demonic beast the little snake was, they had lived together for a long time, and they had long since become trustworthy friends.

"Now that I've broken through a layer in my Dao techniques, I have a lot more free time."

Su Changqing leaped up from the bed, spread his hand, and the little snake naturally coiled around his arm.

"Let's go and see if there's anything interesting happening lately."

Su Changqing gently patted the little snake's head, and the little snake hissed happily.

Then, the person and the snake left the room.

As Su Changqing was about to head to the Little Bamboo Peak's main hall, he noticed that it was very quiet. The senior sisters who usually cultivated diligently on the peak were nowhere to be seen. Only one or two senior sisters were rushing about, seemingly heading somewhere.

Su Changqing was puzzled. He walked up and stopped one of the senior sisters. When the senior sister saw that it was Su Changqing, she asked him with a look of pleasant surprise.

"Junior Brother! You're out of seclusion?"

"Senior Sister He, I just came out of seclusion."

Su Changqing replied truthfully, then looked at the quiet surroundings and asked her curiously, "Senior Sister He, why aren't the other senior sisters and Master here today?"

"Junior Brother, you don't know?"

Senior Sister He looked surprised.

Know what?

Could it be that there had been a major change in the sect?

Seeing Su Changqing's stunned expression, Senior Sister He smiled and explained, "Junior Brother, the sect is going to hold the 'Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament,' so Master and all the senior sisters are on Sword Peak cultivating martial arts. I just came back to get something and am about to return."

"Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament?"

Su Changqing understood immediately upon hearing this. He had heard about it before but had forgotten about it when he went into seclusion. He hadn't expected to encounter it right after coming out.

"Yes, Junior Brother, you've only been in the sect for a year, so it's normal that you're not familiar with this. The 'Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament' is the greatest event in our Qingyun Sect. All the peaks and meridians consider it a top priority."

"Each peak and meridian will send disciples to participate in the tournament to rank the strength of each peak. The disciples selected to represent their meridians are all outstanding talents within the sect. The scene is quite spectacular and exciting."

"Master is currently leading us in cultivating martial arts on Sword Peak to improve our strength, and also to select senior sisters and junior sisters to represent our Little Bamboo Peak. I wonder if I'll be chosen."

Senior Sister He explained everything to Su Changqing one by one.

Su Changqing fell into thought, he naturally knew about the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament. The story described it for several chapters, it was not only a major event for the sect, but also a significant occasion for Zhang Xiaofan to reveal himself.

"Senior Sister He has profound cultivation and her martial arts are progressing rapidly, she will definitely be selected."

Su Changqing replied with a slight smile.

"Junior Brother, you have such a sweet tongue!"

Senior Sister He ruffled Su Changqing's hair.

Although Su Changqing had grown older, these senior sisters still treated him like their obedient little junior brother. They didn't exclude him because of his gender; on the contrary, they doted on him immensely. After being 'manhandled' many times, Su Changqing could only accept it helplessly.

"Junior Brother, do you want to come with me to take a look? Perhaps Junior Brother could also be selected."

Senior Sister He suddenly suggested.

Su Changqing figured he had nothing else to do, so he nodded and followed Senior Sister He towards Sword Peak on Little Bamboo Peak. Before they even arrived, they could hear the clanging sounds of weapons clashing from Sword Peak.