At the summit of Taiyin Mountain, white mist lingered all year round, making it seem like an immortal realm.
By the time Zhang Qingyuan and Li Guangye climbed up there, nearly half an hour had passed.
There were many sheer cliffs on the mountain, and atop many of their craggy peaks, Daoists stood practicing martial arts or sat in meditation.
Secluded from the world, they cultivated in peace and harmony.
Zhang Qingyuan had only ever seen such scenes in films. Seeing them in real life, he could not help clicking his tongue in wonder.
The shrines and Dao palaces built on platforms along the cliffs were truly works of craftsmanship that rivaled nature itself.
Every shrine enshrined an immortal or deity, and every Dao palace housed a Daoist master.
They arrived at the residence of the Taiyin Dao Sect's sect leader, on a peak behind the main peak called Vast Cold.
Two Daoist attendants guarded the entrance. Just before they approached, the attendants stopped them. After looking Zhang Qingyuan up and down, one asked, "Third Senior Brother, who is this?"
Li Guangye hurriedly introduced him. "This is a fellow Daoist from Three Purities Temple in Qinghe County, Southern Province. He wishes to lodge with us and pay a visit to Master and our martial uncles while he's here."
"Zhang Qingyuan of the Three Purities Dao Lineage greets you, senior brothers."
Zhang Qingyuan formed hand seals and bowed. Though the Taiyin Dao Palace was also a martial-world sect, it was ultimately a Daoist order, so he had to form the Daoist Midnight-Noon Instruction seal when greeting them.
Seeing this, the two attendants said no more and let them through.
As expected of a renowned major sect, their rules were strict.
It was far too difficult for an outsider to meet the sect leader.
Never mind anything else-the corridors and ropeways linking the mountains alone were enough to leave someone dizzy.
The two reached the door. Li Guangye knocked, bowed slightly, and said respectfully:
"Master, a fellow Daoist has come from down the mountain. He wishes to lodge with us and pay you a visit."
His words had barely fallen when the door banged open, and a leisurely voice drifted out from within.
"Come in."
"Yes, Master."
Inside the room, the simple, ancient atmosphere was steeped in Dao resonance.
The two moved softly and carefully.
An old Daoist with crane-white hair and a youthful face sat inside, meditating with his eyes closed.
Dressed in white Daoist robes patterned with clouds, with a horsetail whisk resting across his hand, he truly had the bearing of an immortal and the bones of a Daoist sage.
This old Daoist was none other than Zheng Xin, Daoist Master Bright Moon, the current sect leader of the Taiyin Dao Palace, who had once ridden a crane down the mountain and faced the Demon Venerable alone, leaving him gravely wounded.
Zhang Qingyuan had heard of him back at Three Purities Temple. He had descended the mountain only once in his life, and that single journey had raised the Taiyin Dao Palace to the ranks of the five great Daoist sects of the age.
Twenty years earlier, when the Demon Venerable first entered the martial world, he had challenged the Grandmasters of the major sects in succession, facing ten pinnacle Grandmasters without a single defeat.
That year happened to be when Daoist Master Bright Moon descended the mountain to travel. To keep the Grandmasters of the Central Plains martial world from falling victim to the Demon Venerable, Daoist Master Bright Moon went alone to find him and challenged him to a wagered duel.
That battle showed the world just how strong the Taiyin Dao Sect was.
It also made the world realize that another pinnacle expert now walked among them.
Afterward, Daoist Master Bright Moon's three junior brothers from the Taiyin Dao Palace also descended the mountain one after another to travel, vanquishing demons and defending the Dao as they displayed their prowess.
Only then did people learn that Zheng Xin was not the Taiyin Dao Palace's sole pinnacle expert.
Before such a senior, Zhang Qingyuan naturally observed every courtesy.
He straightened his clothes and headwear, offered a respectful salute, and bowed low.
"This disciple, Zhang Qingyuan, a Rogue Person of Three Purities Temple, pays his respects to Martial Uncle Bright Moon."
All Daoist orders under heaven were one family. Calling him martial uncle did not muddle their seniority; rather, it made them seem closer.
Zheng Xin slowly raised his head and parted his lips slightly to ask, "Who is your master?"
"In answer to Martial Uncle, my master's name is Sun Daoqian."
Zheng Xin thought for a moment but found the name unfamiliar. After all, Daoist cultivators under heaven were as numerous as the hairs on an ox. He could not possibly know every one.
"There's been a Sincere Daoist in the martial world lately. Would that be you?"
Zhang Qingyuan looked a little embarrassed. That nickname was hardly fit to show anyone, but there was nothing he could do. In the future, he would have to get the martial world to change his title.
Steeling himself, he nodded. "That is indeed this disciple."
"Not bad." Zheng Xin nodded and praised him. "I hear your martial arts are quite good. You slew more than thirty disciples of Cloud Dust Manor single-handedly."
"Yes."
Li Guangye, standing beside him, was somewhat surprised. Clearly, he was not as well-informed as his master and had yet to hear of Zhang Qingyuan's deeds.
Zhang Qingyuan saluted again before explaining, "All Daoist orders under heaven are one family. Fellow Daoist Li Qiuran's sect suffered a calamity, and people in the martial world with ulterior motives slandered her and cast covetous eyes upon her.
"As a Daoist, I should naturally help when help is needed. But there are too many fools in the martial world who slander me with their words. This disciple has come to see Martial Uncle Bright Moon to ask for a clear answer: should I concern myself with such matters or not?"
Zheng Xin smiled and flicked his whisk.
"You slippery fellow. You clearly want this old Daoist to vouch for you."
Zhang Qingyuan gave an awkward, guileless chuckle as well. His little scheme had been seen through.
Though he was in the right, he still needed a big shot's open support.
With a big shot backing him, his actions would truly be legitimate and justified.
Zheng Xin shook his head, looking slightly helpless.
"You little monkey. Helping a fellow Daoist weather a tribulation is naturally a good thing. Go ahead without worry."
"Thank you for clearing up this disciple's doubts, Martial Uncle Bright Moon. With that, this disciple can rest easy."
Zheng Xin nodded, then added, "I hope you aren't merely looking at her beauty. If our Taiyin disciples encounter danger down the mountain in the future, I hope you will lend them generous aid as well."
"Of course I will."
Zhang Qingyuan gave his promise.
This was what helping each other meant.
"All right. Since he wishes to lodge here, Guangye, you will receive him."
"Yes, Master."
"Thank you, Martial Uncle Bright Moon."
"You may leave."
The two saluted and stepped out. The door closed by itself.
Zhang Qingyuan knew he could not yet manage even that feat. It showed how profound Daoist Master Bright Moon's internal power was: it had already reached the point where it followed his every whim.
This world had no defined cultivation realms or levels. Labels such as second-rate, first-rate, and Grandmaster were merely rankings others respectfully assigned based on the level they thought someone had reached.
To become a Grandmaster, one had to prove one's ability. At present, he was at most a first-rate martial artist, and not even among the best of that rank.
Following Li Guangye, he paid separate visits to the Taiyin Dao Palace's other three elders.
They were Daoist Master Bright Moon's junior brothers, whose Daoist names were Bright Heart, Bright Candle, and Bright Mountain.
Zhang Qingyuan deliberately tried to build good relations with them, especially Daoist Master Bright Mountain, who had a cheerful disposition. After a round of rainbow flattery from Zhang Qingyuan, he was so pleased that he wanted to give him a few pointers on the spot.
The little old man was not very old, only in his fifties, and was in excellent spirits.
At the main peak's training grounds, a crowd of Taiyin disciples gathered around them.
The disciples were surprised as well. Their fourth martial uncle usually cultivated in seclusion on his own main peak. Why had he taken an interest in coming to the training grounds today?
With both hands tucked into his sleeves, Daoist Master Bright Mountain pointed at Zhang Qingyuan. "Come, let this old Daoist first see how your martial arts measure up. Guanghui, give him a hand."
"Yes, Master."
Wu Guanghui, a man of around thirty, was Daoist Master Bright Mountain's eldest direct disciple.
He had just been wondering why his master had come out for some air. It turned out a guest had arrived.
Looking at the Daoist before him, who was considerably younger than himself, Wu Guanghui drew his sword.
"Fellow Daoist, be careful."
Zhang Qingyuan also took his stance and said with a light chuckle, "Come on."
"Boy, my disciple's Radiant Light Swordsmanship has already reached the realm of perfection. Don't get overconfident."
"Rest assured, Martial Uncle. I will give it my all."