Although Chen Shuangbai had a great liking for the sect and was willing to trust it, he hoped that he and the Jade Spring Sect could benefit each other, support each other, and climb to a higher peak together.
But... this concerns the very foundation of cultivation... even though Changming had never performed that Lunar Rites, Chen Shuangbai could understand that the scene would certainly not be so quiet.
If possible, Chen Shuangbai felt it was best not to do this within the sect.
Those Foundation Establishment are qualified to open up separate residences outside.
These villas were all built in beautiful, scenic places where the earth's energy was abundant and Spiritual Qi flowed freely.
Some of them later evolved into the lineage of the Jade Spring Sect, some still maintain the status of Foundation Establishment Abodes, and some... were established by the sect for certain secret purposes.
With Chen Shuangbai's current cultivation level and status, he is qualified to establish a separate residence outside.
Therefore, the purpose of this trip to the Expenditure Hall is to inquire within the sect about any scenic spots suitable for developing into a separate residence.
These were all recorded by the Expenditure Hall).
"So that's what it was about! Don't worry, I've got this under control!"
After listening, Lu Zhiyuan patted his chest and assured him.
Chen Shuangbai nodded and followed Lu Zhiyuan through the bustling front hall of the Expenditure Hall to a quieter inner room.
This was clearly where Lu Zhiyuan handled official business, with many Jade Slip slips piled up everywhere, and a small wooden horse, obviously used to amuse children.
Seeing Chen Shuangbai looking at the little wooden horse, Lu Zhiyuan's face lit up with a happy smile, and his tone softened and became gentle as he said, " Xiangyuan comes here often. Shanglan is very skillful; she made all of these."
Chen Shuangbai also remembered that adorable little child and smiled, saying, "Speaking of which... Xiangyuan must be four or five years old now, right?"
"No, she's only a little over three years old, but she's growing so fast that Shanglan and I can barely hold her anymore."
"Ha ha."
During their conversation, a servant entered from outside and presented them with a Jade Slip.
Lu Zhiyuan activated the Jade Slip slip with his Law Power, and light and shadow floated within it, depicting a map of the mountains and rivers within the sect's territory. It was clearly a Spirit Artifact, and a name was also displayed beside it.
"A Comprehensive Record of Feng Shui for the Spirit Vein and Separate Residences within the Jade Spring Region".
Lu Zhiyuan explained, "This is a compilation of surveys conducted by the sect over generations. It details the best spiritual sites known within the sect's territory that are suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators and even higher levels to establish cave abode and separate residences."
"Those marked in green are places that have already been chosen, or places that have long been established by others. Those marked in blue are uninhabited places; you can choose with confidence, and no one can say anything against you."
"Good!"
After looking around, Chen Shuangbai finally settled on a location.
"Just this [ Jade Screen Peak ]."
"Good!"
After watching Chen Shuangbai leave, Lu Zhiyuan looked enviously at the rapidly disappearing light, shook his head, and turned back to handle official business. But out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly saw a wooden box placed on the jade table.
Upon opening it, I found a box of incense pills neatly arranged inside, their fragrance pure and clean, indicating they were of superior quality.
Lu Zhiyuan knew that the incense pills made by Chen Shuangbai were used to aid in meditation and spiritual practice, and that they had been made less frequently in recent years, hence their limited circulation among both inner and outer disciples...
He put the box of incense pills away, intending to share them with Huang Shanglan when he got back.
The sky was bright and clear.
Chen Shuangbai fully controlled the escape light, like a streak of bluish-white light, and drove out a long cloud path through layers of white clouds, until finally the outline of a solitary mountain peak gradually appeared on the ground below.
This mountain peak, seemingly appearing and disappearing in the clouds and mist, resembles a giant jade screen, towering among the mountains; this is Jade Screen Peak.
Chen Shuangbai pressed down on his escape light and landed in a relatively flat mountain hollow at the foot of the peak.
Looking up, one can see that Jade Screen Peak is over a thousand feet high, its entire body verdant, covered with dense ancient trees and vines, and the rocks on the mountain appear and disappear in the clouds and mist, gleaming with a faint jade-like luster.
I don't know if it's because of the special soil quality here, or for some other reason.
The summit was completely submerged in the rolling sea of clouds, obscuring its exact appearance. The air was filled with a rich, Spiritual Qi of water and wood, making each breath refreshing and invigorating. The sounds of flowing water and the chirping of unidentified birds added to the tranquility.
Indeed, any territory that is chosen and taken in by the Jade Spring Sect must be of high quality.
At each of the several corners of the entire Jade Screen Peak, a battle flag was planted.
It's a very simple maze formation.
However, the array flags are embroidered with the Law Power patterns of the Jade Spring Sect's [Sweet Jade Spring ] on both sides, so even if the array here is discovered, most people will know to leave if they don't want to offend the Jade Spring Sect.
"Abundant Spiritual Qi, shrouded in mist, indeed a wonderful place." Chen
Shuangbai nodded, quite satisfied, and flicked her sleeve, sending Changming landing on the ground. Emerald eyes curiously surveyed the surroundings, twitching its nose.
"With stable ley lines, abundant Spiritual Qi, and naturally formed clouds and mist, it is indeed an ideal location to establish a separate residence."
Chen Shuangbai's Divine Sense spread out like mercury, probing the surroundings inch by inch.
The "Comprehensive Record of Feng Shui of the Spirit Vein and Separate Residences within Jade Spring " records:
A First-Tier Superior-Grade Spirit Vein runs through this peak, entering from the southwest foot of the mountain, winding upwards, and splitting into three branches: one leads directly to the Cloud-Resting Terrace at the summit, one penetrates into the Green Vine Grotto in the mountain's belly, and one nourishes the Spirit-Rinsing Stream on the southeast mountainside.
All three locations are nodes where Spiritual Qi converges, with the Cloud-Resting Terrace at the summit being the most outstanding. It is covered with snow all year round, nourished by the spiritual energy of clouds and mist, and has a cold spring flowing down, making it an excellent choice for establishing a residence.
But Chen Shuangbai quickly frowned slightly.
It wasn't that the formation here had been broken, but rather that a hole had appeared in the southwest corner of the formation.
Not long after.
Chen Shuangbai appeared at the location of the hole, which was a tunnel dug downwards to enter the mountain peak.
Although the tunnel was covered by vines and weeds, and the outside was very clean with no strange smells... Chen Shuangbai's Divine Sense detected the unique Demon Power fluctuations belonging to demons.
Changming sniffed and said, "There's a demon!"
There are indeed demons.
Moreover, they are demons skilled at digging holes.
Mingjue this as a good opportunity to prove himself, so he volunteered, "My lord, how about I sneak over and capture that little demon for you?"
"You?"
Chen Shuangbai glanced at it curiously.
The jade toad nodded firmly and said, "My lord, please don't underestimate me. Although I look small, my abilities are quite formidable."
Since the jade toad wanted to show off so much, Chen Shuangbai let it be.
Anyway, the entire area was under his Divine Sense, so even if that little demon wanted to run away... it probably couldn't get very far.
"Go."
"Yes, sir!"
Changming transformed into a beam of jade light and leaped into the cave, disappearing without a sound.