Ning Jingyuan

Inner Disciples each had their own private courtyard and could choose a small residence somewhere on Qingyun Peak.

After careful consideration, he chose a place with open surroundings, close to a cliff.

Not far from the courtyard, a small stream flowed by. It came down from a mountain brook near the summit, and over countless years, it had formed a clear pool here.

The pool was not very deep, and its water was crystal clear, revealing the beautiful pebbles at the bottom. Like those in the stream, these stones had been polished smooth by the flowing water.

After passing through the little pool, the stream seemed to have finished its visit, slipping out from another side and flowing straight west.

How could the canal water be so clear? Because living water flowed in from its source.

Only by remaining ever vigorous could one preserve one's own clarity.

He also recalled that somewhere deep in his memories, a foodie poet had written:

The stream before my door can still flow west! Do not sing of white hair beneath the yellow cock's cry!

Even if he one day grew old, he would still be like this stream, forever pressing onward.

Ever climbing toward the heights of martial arts.

It was precisely because of this stream and clear pool that he had ultimately chosen this place.

The surroundings were spacious, though he did not need much room for martial practice.

Still, he had no particular ideas for it at the moment. He could think about it later; cultivating was what mattered now.

As expected, he would remain in this place for many years. Perhaps in his spare time, he could plant flowers, grasses, and other plants he liked.

The place where he had previously comprehended Wind Intent had also been a sheer cliff. He likely would not be returning there again.

Perhaps this courtyard, built not far from the cliff, might help him gain further insight into Wind Intent.

After familiarizing himself with his new residence, Chen Qinglin changed into the attire of an Inner Disciple and left Qingyun Peak with his Jade Token in hand.

Qingyun Peak was covered by a cloud-and-mist Formation. Anyone who entered without a Jade Token would lose their way within.

The various peaks were also protected by Formations; without someone to guide them, no one could simply wander in.

He would first visit Yunqing Courtyard, then return and ask someone for help.

When the people of Yunqing Courtyard saw an Inner Disciple arrive, they were all somewhat surprised. However, since they did not know him, none dared step forward to strike up a conversation.

It had been eleven days since he entered the sect. Other than eating in the dining hall and practicing martial arts, Chen Qinglin only knew Qi Hanwen and a few others in Yunqing Courtyard.

Well, perhaps Wu Cheng and those dozen or so people knew him too? Maybe?

As Chen Qinglin headed toward the small courtyard where he had previously lived, some people found him vaguely familiar, yet also felt as though it was unreal.

Since they lived in the same direction, these people had seen him a few times before.

Ignoring them, he went straight back to the small courtyard in Yunqing Courtyard.

Qi Hanwen was practicing martial arts outside the courtyard. When he saw Chen Qinglin, he stopped and greeted him, then noticed his clothes.

"You... broke through?" Qi Hanwen sized Chen Qinglin up and asked in shock.

"Yes, I broke through," Chen Qinglin replied.

"You came back this time to pack your things, right?"

"Mm. There is not really much to pack. I just came to say goodbye to you all."

"Is that so?" For some reason, Qi Hanwen felt reluctant to see him go. Perhaps he had come to regard Chen Qinglin as a friend over these past days, especially after what had happened yesterday.

Chen Qinglin went inside and packed away his few belongings—clothes, medicinal pills, and the like. When he came back out, he saw Qi Hanwen watching him from in front of the courtyard.

"Are you... not coming back anymore?" Qi Hanwen asked as he sat on a stone chair.

Qi Hanwen was not a man of many words, but he was sentimental.

"Probably not. But we are both on Qingfeng Mountain, so we will still run into each other. It is not as though I am going somewhere far away," Chen Qinglin said with a smile.

"These three bottles of Body Tempering Pills are for you. Cultivate well. Do not get mixed up with them, and break through to Inner Qi as soon as possible." Chen Qinglin handed over three bottles of Body Tempering Pills.

"I cannot accept these." Qi Hanwen refused when he saw the pills Chen Qinglin offered him.

"If you consider me a friend, then do not refuse. Consider it an advance investment from me. Cultivate well!" With that, Chen Qinglin started walking away.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Shu Ming and Zhong Qing?" Qi Hanwen called after him.

"No. Just tell them for me." Chen Qinglin paused, waved a hand without looking back, and spoke.

After leaving Yunqing Courtyard, he felt no reluctance or anything of the sort. After all, he had only been there for a few days.

After Chen Qinglin left Yunqing Courtyard, Ning Jingyuan was visiting and comforting Wu Cheng in one of its courtyards.

"Brother Wu, this time it was my fault. I failed to gauge Chen Qinglin's strength and caused you to suffer this hardship." Ning Jingyuan spoke self-reproachfully.

"President, it is not your fault. I was careless. I never expected Chen Qinglin to have broken through to the Body Tempering Ninth Level."

"Rest assured, Brother Wu. Once your injuries heal, I will help you seek justice." Ning Jingyuan comforted him.

From the accounts given by the others, he knew Chen Qinglin would be difficult to deal with. However, soothing Wu Cheng was what mattered most at present.

"President, I..." Wu Cheng was deeply moved and was about to say something when someone came running in from outside.

"President, something terrible has happened!" The newcomer said to Ning Jingyuan.

"What is it? Why are you so flustered? Junior Brother, take your time and tell me." Ning Jingyuan truly had a way with those beneath him; the persona he presented to the outside world was quite charming.

Hearing Ning Jingyuan's words, the man relaxed before saying, "President, we saw Chen Qinglin today."

"What's strange about seeing him? He's also a Yunqing Courtyard disciple. What, did he cause you trouble?" Ning Jingyuan asked calmly.

"Chen Qinglin has gone too far!" Wu Cheng, who was lying down, said angrily as well.

"No, President—we saw him wearing Inner Disciple robes, carrying a bundle as he left Yunqing Courtyard!" the disciple hurriedly explained.

"What! You said he left Yunqing Courtyard wearing Inner Disciple robes?" Ning Jingyuan was shocked as well.

"How is that possible? How did he become an Inner Disciple?"

"Could it be..." He thought of an impossible possibility.

"Brother Wu, I'm afraid we won't be able to avenge you for the time being."

"Chen Qinglin may already have broken through to the Inner Qi Realm. But where did he get a Qi Gathering Pill?" Even as he spoke, Ning Jingyuan still found it hard to believe.

Going by past precedent, the earliest anyone broke through was after two or three months.

Upon reaching the Body Tempering Ninth Level, even with a Qi Gathering Pill, one still had to do everything possible to improve one's control over one's own Blood Qi.

At the very least, it had to reach seventy or eighty percent. Otherwise, using a Qi Gathering Pill to break through would be dangerous.

If one failed once, even with a Body Protection Pill, they would need more than a year of recuperation, nourishing themselves with all manner of medicinal soups.

Ning Jingyuan had now broken through to the Body Tempering Ninth Level, but his control over his Blood Qi had only reached seventy-six percent.

He could not attempt a breakthrough rashly.

Even though his family background was illustrious and he lacked no pills such as Qi Gathering Pills and Body Protection Pills, he still did not want to waste time because of a failed breakthrough.

"Did Chen Qinglin say anything?" Ning Jingyuan stared at the lackey.

"Not really. When he saw our Mutual Aid Society members, he didn't make things difficult for us either." The lackey thought back and answered truthfully.

"President, let's forget it. We were the ones who went looking for trouble with him first," Wu Cheng said to Ning Jingyuan after hearing the whole story.

Ning Jingyuan closed his eyes and thought for a moment before saying, "It seems Chen Qinglin doesn't take us seriously at all! Brother Wu, you've suffered a grievance."

"Tell the brothers not to provoke anyone from Chen Qinglin's little courtyard. Everyone should restrain themselves a little and train harder!"

Then he let out a long sigh. "In this world, martial cultivation is the only thing that matters. Go on, leave." He waved them away listlessly.

"Looks like I'll have to bleed a little and send Chen Qinglin some gifts!"

"Elder Brother, he's only in the Inner Qi Realm. Is that really necessary?" Wu Cheng was deeply puzzled. Even if Chen Qinglin had broken through to the Inner Qi Realm and become an Inner Disciple, Wu Cheng's family background meant he had no reason to fear him.

What was more, Ning Jingyuan's Ning Clan was said to have an Old Ancestor already at the peak of the True Essence Condensation Realm, on the verge of breaking through to the Origin Embracing Realm.

"Brother Wu, you don't understand. He broke through to the Inner Qi Realm barely more than ten days after entering the sect, and even joined Qingfeng Mountain as an Inner Disciple. He cannot be offended."

After a pause, he added, "People like him advance in martial cultivation at a terrifying pace. If you offend him, you must strike lethally in one blow and leave him no chance."

"But there are many Inner Disciples. Someone like Chen Qinglin will surely become the disciple of an Elder from one of the peaks. The Elders and Peak Masters of every peak are all great figures in the Origin Embracing Realm."

"Do you still think Chen Qinglin will be easy to deal with?"

"Th-this... then we should ask someone to send Chen Qinglin some gifts and settle this grudge. It wasn't anything major to begin with." Wu Cheng grew a little timid after hearing that.

"He wasn't even hurt. We're the ones who got beaten up."

"o(╥﹏╥)o"

"Brother Wu truly is broad-minded and sees things clearly!"

"I'll go ask around and find someone to handle this matter. Brother Wu, get some proper rest." With that, he walked out of the room.

In truth, Ning Jingyuan had another thought he did not voice. Someone like Chen Qinglin was bound to become extraordinary in the future.

The Ning Clan was indeed powerful, but he was not the eldest son of the family. He had several older brothers and sisters above him. The resources he could obtain were limited; otherwise, he would not have come to Qingfeng Mountain.

Chen Qinglin had yet to rise. Adding flowers to brocade was no match for sending charcoal in the snow. Ning Jingyuan planned to have someone accompany him and personally deliver the gifts.

Throwing in his lot with Chen Qinglin—this was a tremendous gamble.

With this plan in mind, Ning Jingyuan looked in the direction of Cangzhou and thought to himself, I hope I won't regret this. Chen Qinglin, don't disappoint me!