A blue light pierced the clouds, and the mountains and rivers seemed to recede.
In a short while, Ning Chenxin felt a lightness all over his body, and the scene before him suddenly opened up.
The clouds and mist flowed gently beneath my feet like a sea. Several green peaks pierced through the clouds, standing majestically, their summits adorned with ancient pines and cypresses, verdant and vigorous. There were no magnificent palaces in the mountains, only a few simple Daoist temples built against the slopes, their green tiles and white walls blending seamlessly with nature. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of grass and trees, along with a faint hint of sandalwood, cleansing the mind and body.
The Spiritual Qi here is so rich and pure that it far surpasses anything Ning Chenxin has ever seen before.
What's even more peculiar is that the air is filled with a majestic, upright, and peaceful aura that resonates subtly with the Vast Righteous Qi he cultivates, causing the pores all over his body to unconsciously open up.
"This is Mount Qingcheng." The Old Daoist Qingcheng gently flicked his whisk, his voice carrying a rare gentleness. "A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there. My lineage of Qingcheng cultivates the righteous spirit of heaven and earth, and guards the clarity of mind within our hearts."
Ning Chenxin took a deep breath, feeling all the turbid air in her chest disappear, and her mind was calmer than ever before.
Seeing Ning Chenxin's relieved expression, the Old Daoist Qingcheng couldn't help but smile, "If you went to the Supervisory Sacred Hall, you wouldn't have had the chance to sense this aura."
As he spoke, the Old Daoist Qingcheng pointed to the highest peak deep in the clouds, "That is the Righteous Qi Peak. At its summit is the Righteous Qi Pool, one of the most precious places in Mount Qingcheng. The pool's water is formed from the Vast Righteous Qi of past sages, a convergence of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which will greatly benefit your cultivation. From now on, you will need to recite Dao Scripture by the pool every day to draw righteous energy into your body and temper your soul."
Ning Chenxin looked in the direction indicated and saw the Righteous Qi Peak towering into the clouds, with a faint white light flowing around it.
He then pointed to a lower, more gently sloping peak hidden by bamboo groves on the other side. "That is the Scripture Repository Peak. Inside the mountain is a cave containing the ' Heavenly Master's Orthodox Dao Scripture,' as well as other righteous classics and insights from our ancestors collected and written throughout the ages at Mount Qingcheng. As True Disciple, you are free to enter and read them. Cultivating the Tao begins with cultivating the mind; only by understanding the principles can one practice diligently."
Ning Chenxin turned her head to look. The Scripture Repository Peak was quiet and elegant, as if it exuded the air of a scholarly garden.
"Well, normally you need permission to enter these two peaks, but there's no such restriction for you." The Old Daoist Qingcheng waved his hand and said, "Come with me to meet the other True Disciple of Mount Qingcheng first."
Old Daoist Qingcheng spoke, he led Ning Chenxin down on a cloud, landing on a wide platform in front of the main peak.
At the center of the main peak stands a palace.
Above it is a plaque with the three characters "Tianshi Hall" engraved on it.
Five people were already waiting in front of the palace.
Upon seeing the Old Daoist Qingcheng, they all cupped their hands and said, "Abbot."
Then, he looked at Ning Chenxin with curiosity.
The Old Daoist Qingcheng waved his hand casually and said, "These few are also True Disciple. The others travel around the Soaring Realm spreading the teachings. Of course, our Mount Qingcheng has few disciples to begin with. Apart from a few outer disciples, there are only seventy-two True Disciple."
After speaking, he looked at the five people and said, "This is Ning Ru. From this day forward, he will be your junior brother and the seventy-second generation True Disciple disciple of my Mount Qingcheng."
The five people were surprised.
There is a world of difference between True Disciple and the head disciple of True Disciple.
Moreover, the position of chief disciple has been vacant for many years.
However, there was no jealousy in his eyes. The older man stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "We have already heard about Junior Brother's deeds at Withered Cloud Mountain. His act of Vast Righteous Qi to deliver countless wronged souls is truly a great act of kindness and courage. In the future, when we cultivate together in Qingcheng, we look forward to your guidance."
Ning Chenxin quickly returned the greeting. " Ning Ru am new here and there is much I do not understand. I hope my senior brothers and sisters will take good care of me in the future."
A woman smiled sweetly, "Junior brother, there's no need to be so polite. We don't have so many rules at Mount Qingcheng. We cultivate on our own, and if we have any questions, we discuss them with each other or ask the abbot."
By the way, there's a Tranquil Heart Grove on the back mountain, where there are stones inscribed with Daoist Dao Rhyme by ancient sages. They're said to have remarkable effects on enlightenment. Junior brother, you can go and experience it when you have time."
The Old Daoist Qingcheng snorted coldly, "What's there to ask for advice? Go solve your own problems, don't keep bothering me. And also..."
At this point, the Old Daoist Qingcheng looked at Ning Chenxin, "Don't be fooled by how polite these kids are now... Never mind, you'll see for yourself later."
After saying that.
The Old Daoist Qingcheng then vanished from the spot, leaving only the words, "Alright, this kid is yours now. I'll go take that Evil Cultivator to the Righteous Qi Pool for a thorough interrogation."
"The abbot just loves to talk too much." The woman crossed her arms and gave a coquettish snort, then looked at Ning Chenxin and thought, "You can just call me Gu You, Junior Brother Ning. Can I see your Vast Righteous Qi? I'm just a little curious about what kind of Vast Righteous Qi can purify the wronged souls trapped in the Evil Cultivator's formation across so many realms."
Ning Chenxin was originally a cultivator.
They are more sensitive to whether the intentions of those around them are malicious or benevolent.
Seeing that Gu You meant no harm, he nodded, his body trembling slightly.
A vast expanse of white light emanated from Ning Chenxin!
A white light surrounded him, and faintly, one could hear the sound of moral texts being recited, each word a gem, cleansing the soul.
The relaxed curiosity on Gu You's and the other four True Disciple ' faces vanished instantly, replaced by undisguised shock.
"This... this Vast Righteous Qi..." The older senior brother, named Lu Mingyuan, trembled with disbelief, "Has actually reached the realm of 'inner brilliance manifesting outward principles'? This... this is usually an aura that only those Heavenly Master's Orthodox Dao Scripture to a certain level, or those whose innate Dao heart is extremely compatible, can naturally possess!"
Gu You stared wide-eyed, circling Ning Chenxin halfway around, and exclaimed in amazement, "The Abbot has truly struck gold this time! Junior Brother, how did you cultivate such Vast Righteous Qi? Did you have a complete lineage of cultivation in the lower realm?"
Ning Chenxin concealed his aura, and the white light slowly disappeared into his body. He bowed slightly, his attitude humble. "Replying to my fellow senior brothers and sisters, I have simply enjoyed reading the classics since childhood. When I have some insights or understandings, I act accordingly based on the principles in the books."
"Unity of knowledge and action..."
Lu Mingyuan and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the shock in each other's eyes. To comprehend such pure Vast Righteous Qi on one's own was beyond mere talent; it was practically an innate Dao seed!
"It seems the Abbot's decision to appoint you as the True Disciple disciple was not a spur-of-the-moment thing," Zhou Qing, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke. "The position of chief disciple is not only determined by cultivation level, but also by character, virtue, and understanding of the Dao."
Ning Chenxin cupped his hands and said, "It was just luck."
But a smile crept across my face.
Over the years, Ning Chenxin has seen many jealous people. If it were in other forces, a newcomer would definitely feel resentful and try to sabotage the sect if they enjoyed the same treatment as Ning Chenxin as the first disciple.
But the five people in front of them showed no jealousy whatsoever; they were only filled with curiosity and admiration.
Judging from these people, Ning Chenxin could sense the atmosphere of the Mount Qingcheng sect.
"Let's go! In that case, let's go discuss the Dao first!" Gu You grabbed Ning Chenxin and headed towards the Tranquil Heart Grove.
But at this moment...
A voice came from above.
"You guys, come to the Righteous Qi Pool first. Ning Ru, come too, I have a task for you!"