Dancing Sword Between the Celestial River and the Edge of the Rosy Clouds

The sky was already dusk.

Like slivers of flowing gold.

Qi WuHuo watched the sky and earth bathed in a brilliant golden hue, feeling a sense of peace. He had never seen such a sunset before, but strangely, even though the sun was setting with such magnificence, he couldn't see the sun itself. The young girl stretched lazily and stood up. Her silk slippers bore no trace of water, and facing the wide, majestic river, she let out a deep breath.

"Every time it's like this, I feel the scenery is unparalleled. In heaven and on earth, there's no view more beautiful than this."

She turned around with a smile. In the sunset, her features were exquisitely beautiful, as if she were not of this world.

Then she extended her hand, "Come, have you learned the water-walking technique yet?"

"I'll show you something."

Qi WuHuo was pulled up by her. As he stood, for some reason, the river water slid off his feet as if detached, not sticking or lingering. The young girl then stepped onto the water of the [Nine Canals], her black hair cascading down, bathed in the sunset. The water surface beneath her feet seemed like she was walking on sunset clouds.

Qi WuHuo knew that the water-walking technique was a common method used by cultivators.

But this river seemed unusual. He tried, but couldn't circulate his Qi properly. With one step, he still fell into the water.

At least one would need Primordial Prenatal Qi to stand on this water, he thought.

He could only say regretfully, "My cultivation is too low, I can't do it yet."

"Low cultivation?"

"This is nothing! Very few people my age come here. You must go see it!"

The girl grabbed the blue-robed youth's hand and pulled him forward. Just as he was about to fall into the water, a flow of Primordial Qi seemed to circulate, allowing him to stand steadily on this tributary of the [Nine Canals]. He didn't fall, and instead felt a wondrous sensation.

"Daddy and Uncle Ox will definitely come to call us for dinner later."

"So we have to hurry."

"I'll take you, we'll be faster!"

She pondered for a moment, then holding the blue-robed youth's hand, she ran outwards. A gentle breeze and swirling clouds seemed to naturally form around them. Qi WuHuo was pulled forward, following the flow of the [Nine Canals] at an incredibly fast speed. Finally, they reached the river's mouth in one go. He could faintly see the turbulent water, seemingly caused by the [Nine Canals] flowing into the river. The water churned, and mist rose, dyeing the sunset light, making it as brilliant and clear as the evening clouds in the sky.

"Qi WuHuo, watch out—jump!"

The girl, who called herself Yun Qin, shouted and pulled Qi WuHuo as they leaped.

They jumped down from the point where the [Nine Canals] entered the river.

Although it was just a not-so-wide tributary, the girl displayed great spirit.

Then she landed steadily on the great river. Qi WuHuo took a few steps forward before he could stand firm. He looked up.

The river surface, which had been turbulent and dangerous moments before, was now incredibly calm, clear, and tidy, like a mirror, filled with mist that reflected the pure golden light. The girl spread her arms, took a deep breath, and turned around, saying with great pride, "See? Amazing, right!"

"This is my favorite view!"

Qi WuHuo slowly nodded.

He looked around at the vast and magnificent scenery, bathed in shimmering golden light.

At this moment, the sky and the river beneath his feet seemed indistinguishable.

He could feel the passage of sunrises and sunsets, yet he saw no sun.

The great sun was above, the long river below. Step by step, ripples rose and fell behind him.

For some reason, the sense of openness in his heart was even greater than the first time he had seen this great river. He couldn't see the sun, but the majestic and righteous aura he felt all around, the rotation of the great sun, seemed to be everywhere. Even his Primordial Spirit felt more lively. Yun Qin smiled and pointed to the Sword Box on his back, "Speaking of which, what are you carrying there?"

"A Sword Box. I can put some miscellaneous items in it."

"A Sword Box? Can you dance with a sword?"

The girl's eyes lit up.

Qi WuHuo thought for a moment and replied, "Yes."

He could tell that the girl had lived on this island for a long time and seemed to rarely have visitors. It was rare for her to encounter someone around her age, which was why she was so happy and excited. Qi WuHuo smiled and summoned the sword from his Sword Box, the sword that had accompanied him through his wanderings and hardships.

He held the long sword horizontally in front of him and tapped it with his finger. The sword rang out clearly. Qi WuHuo said, "I'll give it a try, but it might not be very good."

By the time the Old Yellow Ox arrived with its unhurried steps, it saw from afar the blue-robed youth dancing with his sword on the brilliant, clear water surface, with the girl watching with great interest. The old ox saw that the sword had only two-thirds of its movements left and stopped.

It only saw the mist on the river swirling with the youth's movements and sighed with emotion, saying:

"The swordsmanship is decent."

"But I wonder what the clouds and mist will look like today for everyone to see."

It was a transgression to enter this river rashly, yet it did not stop the youth.

Many people come to this place.

But none of them would bow to it and call it Big Brother Ox.

Therefore, it felt pleased and willing to wait.

The reason it came personally was for other reasons. Looking at the blue-robed youth dancing with his sword on the long river from afar, it felt a slight surprise—that person was always willing to bestow opportunities upon people, and many had registered their names. However, those who were taken to other places after registering were very, very few.

Yet his cultivation was so low.

Why was he singled out by that person?

As the 'sky' gradually darkened, the sword dance was complete, and Qi WuHuo sheathed his sword.

The young girl waved her hand and shouted, "Uncle Ox, you're here to pick us up?"

"Come here, I don't want to walk back."

"Walking along this river is so tiring!"

The yellow ox finally couldn't help but speak, its voice deep and simple, "You, you only know how to be lazy."

"No matter how much you act spoiled, it won't work."

"You went out by yourself and brought a guest. I didn't tell your father, which was already helping you, and you still want me to carry you back."

"No, no!"

"Uncle Ox!"

The old yellow ox pretended to ignore her, but finally couldn't resist the girl's gaze and sighed with resignation:

"This is the last time, understand?"

"Uncle Ox is the best!"

The yellow ox stepped into the long river and immediately transformed into a man who looked to be in his fifties or sixties. He lifted the two children, one in each hand, and strode across the great river like a charging beast, his presence quite imposing. Reaching the riverbank, he set the children down and said, "There are often great storms on this river. Fortunately, you didn't go too far."

"Little brother, how do you find this place?"

Qi WuHuo replied, "It's very good. I've never seen such beautiful scenery."

The ox-man laughed a few times, then said, "Alright, it's time to eat, time to eat."

"The things prepared today are because that person is coming. It's not like this on normal days."

He seemed to prefer his original form to his human one, just like the Mountain God, and transformed back into a large yellow ox.

The boy stood on the left, his sword box on his back, his blue robes looking sharp. The girl stood on the right, her hands clasped behind her back, in a cheerful mood.

They returned to the residence. The house looked no different from an ordinary home, like a place overflowing with good deeds. After washing up, the yellow ox transformed back into the man and led Qi WuHuo and the girl inside. Upon entering, there were several men and women helping around the house. As the door was pushed open, Qi WuHuo looked up to see the old Daoist sitting at the head of the table, with a couplet behind him.

There was no food on the table yet.

Even the ox-man stood by the side, seeming a bit emotional and disbelieving.

In the room, only the old man was seated, looking at Qi WuHuo with a smile.

I am at the head.

And you enter.

The young girl peeked out from behind the boy, looking confused, "Aren't we going to eat?"

The ox-man, who had transformed from the yellow ox, smiled and pulled her to the side. Thus, only the blue-robed youth stood at the entrance, while the elder sat at the head of the table, holding a cup of tea, and said with a smile, "WuHuo has arrived."

Qi WuHuo cupped his hands, his sword box on his back, his posture straight.

"Yes."

The old man looked at him, stroking his beard, and sighed for a long time, saying, "In my Daoist lineage, we emphasize fate and affinity."

"The teacher chooses the disciple."

"The disciple must also choose the teacher."

"This back and forth is not about forcing things."

The old man smiled helplessly:

"But, old man has said it several times, [remember your name], [remember your name], are you still not enlightened?"

"After traveling the world for so many years, I never thought I would have to say this myself."

"Should I say you have an upright and pure character, or that you are just stubborn?"

"Heh... forget it, forget it, I'll do it."

The old man seemed quite emotional, then put down the tea in his hand.

He raised his hand to adjust his robes and cuffs.

The long river outside, its storms calmed, had turned black, its surface shimmering like countless stars. A breeze blew, creating ripples, and everyone in the room was quiet, only the old man spoke.

His expression became solemn, and he asked gently:

"How about it, WuHuo."

"Are you willing to take me as your master?"