"Remember, even while exploring the Immortal Mansion, you must practice the Green Pine Stance on time every day. This stance is now like the central axis of your cultivation, linking inner and outer, joining your true spirit. It's of the utmost importance."
"You can put the Spirit-Melting Qi-Transformation Art on hold for now. Though the Liu Family is so wealthy that they'd never covet the pills in your hands, practicing this art requires an exceptionally peaceful environment, with undisturbed spiritual energy. But you'll be far away in the Grey Plains of Feng Prefecture, right beside the Immortal Mansion, where peace will be hard to come by. Under the circumstances, you'd be better off not practicing it at all."
"As for cultivating the Human Emperor Scroll, remember not to let your imagination run wild. You truly have exceptional talent in this path, but you shouldn't blindly dismiss the years of accumulated wisdom from those who came before... especially if there are outsiders around you. Misinterpreting the Human Emperor Scroll at will could bring serious trouble."
"When you're away from home, remember to watch your words and actions. We can put up with your usual unrestrained talk in the mountains, but people out there won't be nearly so forgiving. You're from the Desolate People, and though you don't show any unusual features, anyone can tell you're different..."
"In Qiongzhou, there are many taboos concerning the Desolate People. I know you feel wronged, and I'm often indignant too. But the most worthless thing in this world is impotent rage. Until you truly attain the Dao and ascend, as you've declared you will, you still have to keep your feet on the ground and know your limits."
"And one more thing..."
Halfway up Yan Mountain, in front of the Sect Leader Temple, Zhu Ying stood on a stone step, earnestly advising her junior brother, who was about to leave on a long journey. Her words were calm, if a little stern, but her concern for him overflowed.
After nagging for a long while, Zhu Ying finally stopped. She reached out to straighten the collar of Wu Ming's brand-new Daoist robe and adjust the sword strap on his back, then sighed. "All right, you've listened to me for so long; you must be sick of it by now. Before you leave, is there anything else you want to say? Go speak with Master and Junior Sister Ling Xi."
Wu Ming smiled and looked at his senior sister on the steps. "I've already said my goodbyes to them. You're the only one left... Senior Sister, remember to cultivate in moderation too. Work hard, but take time to rest. Now that you've broken through to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, your Mana needs to stabilize, but haste makes waste. You already have a high-grade Spirit Root, and after twenty years of cultivation in Yan Mountain's barren wilderness, your progress is no worse than that of the Aristocratic Clans' prodigies. There's really no need to rush."
"Also, don't be too hard on yourself when you cultivate. Our Gujian Sect has always encouraged frugality, but the sect still has several thousand Spirit Stones in its accounts. Even after covering Master's pills, there's enough to buy you some high-grade magical artifacts and talismans."
"Actually, I suggest you take the opportunity to buy a handy magic treasure. That way, you won't have to go out hunting demons empty-handed again and miss out on a great Immortal Fate. If you'd had a flying sword last time, that Mountain Spirit chief would've been dead already."
"Also, a while ago I bought some spirit grain and meat from Liuxiang Pavilion in Wu Prefecture. Don't worry, I used the discount for Liu Family honored guests—Chi Yu's discount—and they even delivered it for free. Don't skimp on good food while you cultivate."
"While I'm gone, you can be a little more lenient with Senior Sister Ling Xi. She's easygoing by nature, but she isn't lazy. Forcing her to follow the rules to the letter will only get half as much done for twice the effort. And Master, since you brought back the Golden Rouge last time, it looks like he really is trying to quit smoking. He's at his most fragile and tense right now, so perhaps you could give him some encouragement..."
"And that Wuting Divine Craft Manual I compiled—if you're interested, you could practice a little, just to change your frame of mind. If you ever run into an enemy, you can kill them with hidden weapons like benches and wrenches, or use your wall-building skills to hide the body inside a wall..."
As Wu Ming spoke with such solemnity, Zhu Ying's expression gradually softened, shifting from amused exasperation to something more tender. At last, with a sigh that sounded both helpless and pleased, she stepped forward and gently embraced him.
"All right, go without worry. I'll take care of everything here at the mountain gate."
Wu Ming hugged his senior sister too, forcefully suppressing the lethal urge to lift her high into the air, and nodded solemnly.
"I'll bring back a present from the Immortal Mansion!"
"Forget the present. Just come back safely!"
After bidding his senior sister farewell, Wu Ming turned and headed down the mountain.
The mountain paths of Yan Mountain were still steep and treacherous, but Wu Ming moved through them as if riding clouds, his footwork astonishingly swift. In no time, he had descended from halfway up the mountain to the Qingluan Post Station at its foot.
It had been only four months since he joined the Gujian Sect. While some ordinary folk were still stuck at the first or second layer of Qi Refining, he had reached the peak of the third layer, just half a step from the middle stage. His Root Stance had even broken through temporarily, allowing him to take eleven consecutive steps. His once-frail body was now brimming with vigor, his sinews and bones strong, his healthy build hovering between boyhood and young adulthood.
The Yan Mountain Sword Head on his back glimmered and shifted, its keen edge answering his will. Clearly, it had grown more and more in tune with Wu Ming...
His companion for the journey, Liu Sanlang, had been waiting outside the post station for some time. When he saw Wu Ming, he couldn't help exclaiming in surprise and admiration.
"We've been apart for only half a month, yet Brother Wu has made such remarkable progress in cultivation! As your traveling companion, I'm both ashamed and alarmed."
Wu Ming's eyes lit up just as brightly when he saw Liu Sanlang.
Compared with half a month ago, when he had personally come to Yan Mountain to share the good news, Liu Sanlang now seemed noticeably "weightier" in bearing. Clearly, he had prepared thoroughly for the journey. Even his brocade robe had been replaced with a plain white one—which was rather uncomfortably similar to Wu Ming's own.
A closer look only made the depth of an Aristocratic Clan heir's resources more striking.
His Human Dao Seal had reached the thirteenth level, and he was at the peak of the third layer of Qi Refining. On top of that, he knew strange and wonderful arts, his spiritual energy shifting unpredictably, impossible to read. The magical artifacts and talismans he carried from head to toe were too numerous to count...
With such comprehensive strength, he truly lived up to his reputation as the heir of Wu Prefecture's foremost Aristocratic Clan.
If he'd brought Liu Li and Liu Yi along as hired muscle when those two beaten dogs came looking for trouble...
Then Wu Ming's victory would've looked even more glorious!
A pity, a pity!
"...Brother Wu, I just felt a chill run down my spine. Was that my imagination?"
"Oh, I was just imagining how I'd kill you one-on-one. I don't think it was your imagination; your instincts are pretty sharp."
"...I see. To be considered a worthy opponent in Brother Wu's imagination is an honor." Liu Sanlang smoothly picked up the thread, then changed the subject. "The Qingluan Imperial Carriage is ready. We're heading straight to the Grey Plains of Feng Prefecture... Miaozi will meet us there."
Liu Sanlang had already informed him about this. The Immortal Guiding Envoy hired by the Liu Family could bring at most three clients along. Besides Liu Qi and Wu Ming, Zhang Miao was naturally the best choice for the third person.
Wu Ming didn't mind. Though Miaozi's diet and appetite were rather humanlike, her character had earned Master's approval, and she was quite capable. She counted as a good teammate.
Seeing that Wu Ming truly had no objections, Liu Sanlang let out a quiet breath and smiled. "Good. Then we shouldn't delay. Let's get going."
The two of them climbed the jade steps at the post station, then ascended the Wutong tree. On a thick branch jutting out to the side, an adult Qingluan over ten meters long stood with a carriage on its back, its cabin gilded and its roof of jade. It regarded the passengers about to board with curious eyes.
Liu Sanlang cupped his hands and bowed to the Qingluan, then took a golden spiritual fruit from his robe and offered it to the bird. The Qingluan gave a cheerful cry, caught the fruit in its beak, and swallowed it. Then it shook its wings, and the carriage door swung open. Several thick feathers stretched out to form steps, welcoming the distinguished guests aboard.
Once the two of them had stepped onto the feathers and climbed into the carriage, the Qingluan let out a sharp cry and closed the door. Rainbow light burst from its feathers.
The carriage trembled slightly. Outside the window, the scenery blurred in an instant, and all they could see was a blaze of dazzling rainbow light. When the radiance dimmed, the Qingluan Imperial Carriage was already above the clouds, high in the sky!
This wasn't Wu Ming's first time flying. Over the past few months, his master and senior sister had both used cloud-riding techniques to let him experience flight... but this was the first time he'd ever flown so fast.
On the Lingguang Path, the spirit beast Qingluan flew at an almost unbelievable speed.
"So fast, even faster than a salamander."
"?"
Liu Sanlang had just been about to talk to Wu Ming about something important, but that remark left him completely at a loss.
Fortunately, he was a professional through and through. Though his mind was full of questions, he naturally picked up the conversation anyway.
"An adult Qingluan's flying speed on the Lingguang Path surpasses even that of a Nascent Soul True Person. They say only the Flying God Technique of Spirit Transformation patriarchs can outpace a Qingluan. The beast-taming arts of Luohuang Mountain truly rank first in the Eastern Immortal Alliance."
Mention of Luohuang Mountain piqued Wu Ming's interest. "The emergence of the Zhuoquan Immortal Mansion has shaken all of Qiongzhou. All the Aristocratic Clans and powerful families have sent their Dao Seeds to compete for its Immortal Fate. As the foremost local sect, whom has Luohuang Mountain sent? How capable are they?"
Liu Sanlang paused, then shook his head. "It's embarrassing to admit, but though the Liu Family is a powerful local clan, we're nowhere near an upper-grade Immortal Sect like Luohuang Mountain. I really don't know who their chosen Dao Seed is."
"Don't be fooled by the fact that Miaozi and I seem to have been accepted as disciples by True Persons from prestigious sects. We're only registered disciples, taught a few outer-sect techniques. We can't truly be considered direct disciples. When the elite disciples from those sects pass through Wu Prefecture, even getting a chance to pay our respects in person is incredibly difficult."
"Still, though I can't say for sure whom Luohuang Mountain will choose to compete for the Immortal Fate of the Zhuoquan Immortal Mansion, the most famous young cultivator in Luohuang Mountain—and in all of Qiongzhou—in recent years is undoubtedly the mountain lord's youngest daughter, Si Qinglan."
Wu Ming's interest immediately grew. "How capable is she? Could she pose a competitive threat to us?"
Liu Sanlang could only laugh bitterly. "Brother Wu, your directness is admirable, but to be honest, compared with us, the little princess of Luohuang Mountain is a heavenly immortal! No matter how deep your Immortal Fate runs, at least for now, you're nowhere near her!"
"But as for whether she poses a competitive threat, there's no threat at all, because although Fairy Si is about our age, she began formally comprehending the Human Emperor Scroll and cultivating the Dao when she was ten, then reached Foundation Establishment in three years... Now she's not even sixteen, yet she's already setting her sights on Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. She's no competition for us at all, haha."
Wu Ming nodded. "Foundation Establishment in three years. I'll remember that."
"...?"
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