When Young People Get Together, the Topic Is Always the Same

"Remember, even while exploring the Immortal Mansion, you must practice the Green Pine Stance on time every day. This stance is now the axis of your cultivation; it connects your internal and external states and links your true spirit. It is of the utmost importance."

"You might as well put off practicing the Spirit-Melting Qi-Transformation Art for now. Although the Liu Family is wealthy enough that they would never covet the pills in your possession, this art requires an exceptionally tranquil environment where the spiritual energy remains undisturbed. Since you will be far away in the Gray Plains of Feng Prefecture, adjacent to the Immortal Mansion, peace will be hard to come by. Under such circumstances, it is better not to practice it at all."

"As for the Human Emperor Scroll, remember not to let your imagination run wild. You do have extraordinary talent in this path, but you should not blindly ignore the years of accumulation left by those who came before you... Especially if there are outsiders around you, misinterpreting the Human Emperor Scroll can lead to great hidden dangers."

"When you are away from home, remember to be cautious in your words and actions. We can tolerate your unruly speech while you are on the mountain, but people outside are not so forgiving. You are of the Desolate People, and although you show no outward signs, anyone can tell that you are an outsider..."

"In Qiongzhou, there are many taboos regarding the Desolate People. I know you feel a sense of injustice, and I often feel indignant myself, but the most worthless thing in this world is impotent rage. Until you truly achieve the Dao and ascend as you have declared, you must keep your feet on the ground and act according to your ability."

"Also..."

Halfway up Yan Mountain, in front of the Sect Leader Temple, Zhu Ying stood on a stone step, earnestly instructing her junior brother who was about to embark on a long journey. Though the girl's words were plain and slightly stern, the concern within them was overflowing.

After nagging for a long time, Zhu Ying finally stopped. She reached out to straighten the collar of Wu Ming's brand-new Daoist robe and the sword strap on his back, sighing, "Alright, you must be tired of listening to me for so long. If you have anything else to say before you leave, go and speak with Master and Junior Sister Ling Xi."

Wu Ming smiled, looking at his senior sister on the steps, and said, "I have already said my goodbyes to them; only you remain... Senior Sister, please remember to practice in moderation during this time—there must be a balance between tension and relaxation. After breaking through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, although your magic power needs to be stabilized, haste makes waste. You possess a high-grade Spirit Root, and having cultivated in the barren lands of Yan Mountain for twenty years, your progress is by no means inferior to those geniuses from the great families. There is truly no need to rush for success."

"Furthermore, do not be too harsh on yourself during your practice. Although our Gujian Sect has always advocated frugality, there are still several thousand Spirit Stones in the sect's account. Aside from the expenses for Master's medicine, it is enough for you to purchase some high-quality magical artifacts and talismans."

"Actually, I suggest you take this opportunity to buy a suitable magic treasure, so you don't have to go 'naked' without gear when hunting demons, missing out on great immortal opportunities—if you had a flying sword in your hand last time, you would have taken the head of that Mountain Spirit leader long ago."

"Also, I bought some spirit grain and spirit meat from Liuxiang Pavilion in Wu Prefecture a few days ago. Don't worry, I used the discount price for Chi Yu, an honored guest of the Liu Family, and it even came with free shipping. Don't neglect your own diet during your daily practice."

"While I am away, you might as well be more tolerant of Senior Sister Ling Xi. She is naturally easygoing, not lazy; forcing her to follow rules will only yield half the result with twice the effort. And Master—ever since you brought back the Golden Rouge, he seems to be truly preparing to quit smoking. This is a time when his spirit is fragile and tense, so you might want to offer him some encouragement..."

"And there is that Wuting Divine Craft Manual I compiled. If you are interested, you can practice it simply to change your mood. In the future, if you encounter enemies, you can use hidden weapons like stools or wrenches to kill them, or even use masonry techniques to hide corpses inside walls..."

As Wu Ming spoke with such a straight face, the expression on Zhu Ying's face shifted from initial amusement to softness, eventually ending in a sigh that was both helpless and gratified as she stepped forward to gently hug him.

"Alright, you can go with peace of mind. I will handle everything here at the sect."

Wu Ming hugged his senior sister back, forcibly suppressing the fatal urge to lift her up high, and nodded earnestly.

"Wait for me to bring back gifts from the Immortal Mansion!"

"No need, just come back safely!"

--

After bidding farewell to his senior sister, Wu Ming turned and headed down the mountain.

The mountain path of Yan Mountain remained rugged and steep, yet as Wu Ming walked, he moved as if riding the clouds, his footwork shockingly fast. Before long, he had traveled from the mountainside to the Qingluan Post Station at the foot of the mountain.

At this moment, it had been only four months since he joined the Gujian Immortal Sect. While some ordinary people were still stuck at the first or second level of Qi Refining, he was already at the perfection of the third stage, a half-step away from the middle stage. His Root Stance had even seen a breakthrough, allowing him to take eleven steps in a row. His once frail body was now filled with blood and energy, his muscles and bones tough and resilient, possessing a healthy physique between that of a boy and a young man.

The Yan Mountain Sword Head on his back emitted shifting spiritual light, its sharpness responding to his heart; it was clear that it was becoming increasingly in tune with Wu Ming...

In front of the post station, his companion for this trip, Liu Sanlang, was already waiting. Seeing Wu Ming arrive, he could not help but be both shocked and full of praise.

"It has only been half a month, yet Brother Wu's cultivation has made such remarkable progress! It truly makes me, your traveling companion, feel both ashamed and apprehensive."

When Wu Ming looked at Liu Sanlang, his eyes also lit up.

Compared to half a month ago, when he personally came to Yan Mountain to share the good news, Liu Sanlang's temperament was now significantly more "weighty." It was clear he had prepared thoroughly for the upcoming battle; he had even swapped his brocade robes for simple white garments—which, incidentally, made it look like they were wearing matching outfits.

Looking closer, one couldn't help but marvel at the foundation of a direct descendant from a noble family.

Thirteen layers of the Human Dao Seal, the third stage of Qi Refining perfected, combined with esoteric arts and a spiritual aura that shifted unpredictably. Furthermore, the magical treasures and talismans on his person were too numerous to count at a glance...

Such comprehensive strength was truly worthy of the title of the first noble family in Wu Prefecture.

If those two losers, Liu Li and Liu Yi, had brought him along as a hired hand when they came to provoke him that day...

Then his own victory would have appeared even more glorious!

What a pity, what a pity!

"...Brother Wu, I just felt a chill run down my spine. Was that an illusion?"

"Oh, I was just imagining how I would kill you in a one-on-one fight. It shouldn't be an illusion; your intuition is quite sharp."

"...I see. To be considered an opponent in Brother Wu's mind is an honor for me." Liu Sanlang skillfully took the conversation in stride, then pivoted, "The Qingluan Imperial Carriage is ready. We are heading straight to the Gray Plains of Feng Prefecture... Miaomiao will meet us there."

Liu Sanlang had already informed him of this: the Immortal Guiding Envoy invited by the Liu Family could bring at most three passengers. Aside from Liu Qi himself and Wu Ming, Zhang Miao was naturally the best choice for the third person.

Wu Ming did not mind this. Although Zhang Miao's diet and appetite were somewhat... non-human, her character had earned his master's approval, and her strength was quite formidable. She could be considered a qualified teammate.

Seeing that Wu Ming truly did not object, Liu Sanlang let out a soft breath and smiled, "Good, then without further delay, let us depart."

Afterward, the two walked along the jade steps of the post station and climbed up the Wutong tree. On a thick branch extending horizontally, an adult Qingluan over ten meters long was carrying a golden-paneled, jade-topped carriage on its back, eyeing the passengers about to board with curiosity.

Liu Sanlang bowed to the Qingluan, then took a golden spirit fruit from his robes and presented it. The Qingluan let out a joyful cry, snatched the fruit, and swallowed it. It shook its wings, and the carriage door swung open. Several thick feathers then arranged themselves into steps to welcome the distinguished guests.

Once the two stepped onto the feathers and boarded the carriage, the Qingluan let out a sharp cry, closed the doors, and its feathers erupted with bursts of rainbow light.

The next moment, the carriage shuddered slightly, and the scenery outside the window blurred instantly; all that could be seen was a blinding, intense rainbow light. By the time the light dimmed, the Qingluan Imperial Carriage was already high above the clouds!

This was not Wu Ming's first time flying. Over the past few months, his master and senior sister had both used cloud-soaring techniques to let him experience the sensation of flight... but this was the first time Wu Ming had flown this fast.

Within the Lingguang Path, the speed of the spirit beast Qingluan was simply incredible.

"So fast. Faster than a Salamander."

"?"

Liu Sanlang had just intended to discuss some serious matters with Wu Ming, but he was instantly baffled by this remark.

Fortunately, he was a professional. Even though he was filled with confusion, he still took over the conversation naturally.

"An adult Green Phoenix flying through the Lingguang Path is faster than a Nascent Soul True Person. It is said that only the Flying God Technique of the Spirit Transformation Realm ancestors can surpass the Green Phoenix. The beast-taming arts of Luohuang Mountain truly deserve to be ranked first in the Eastern Immortal Alliance."

At the mention of Luohuang Mountain, Wu Ming became interested and asked, "With the Zhuoquan Immortal Mansion appearing this time, the entire Qiongzhou is in an uproar. Every aristocratic family has sent their own Dao Seed to compete for this immortal destiny. As the head of the local immortal sects, who has Luohuang Mountain sent? How capable are they?"

Liu Sanlang was taken aback, then shook his head and said, "It is shameful to admit, but although the Liu Family is a prominent local clan, we are far too inferior to a top-tier immortal sect like Luohuang Mountain. I truly do not know who their Dao Seed might be."

"Don't be fooled by the fact that Miaomiao and I seem to have been accepted as disciples by high-ranking True Persons; we are merely nominal disciples. We are only taught outer sect techniques and are far from being true direct disciples. Even when the elites of those immortal sects pass through Wujun, it is incredibly difficult for me to even get a chance to pay them a visit."

"However, while I cannot say for certain who Luohuang Mountain will choose to compete for the immortal destiny of the Zhuoquan Immortal Mansion, at the very least, among the younger generation of cultivators in Luohuang Mountain and indeed all of Qiongzhou in recent years, the most prominent figure is undoubtedly the mountain master's youngest daughter, Si Qinglan."

Wu Ming's interest immediately piqued: "How capable is she? Will she pose a competitive threat to us?"

Liu Sanlang gave a bitter smile: "Brother Wu, your straightforwardness is truly admirable. But to be honest, compared to us, the little princess of Luohuang Mountain is like a person from the heavens! No matter how deep your immortal destiny may be, Brother Wu, at this very moment, you are still far from her level!"

"However, as for being a competitive threat, there is none at all. Although Fairy Si is of similar age to us, she began formally contemplating the Human Emperor Scroll to enter the Dao at the age of ten, and achieved Foundation Establishment three years later... She is not yet sixteen, yet she is already aiming for the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. She poses no competition to us at all, haha."

Wu Ming nodded: "Three years to Foundation Establishment, I'll remember that."

"...?"

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