The three had no other pressing business at their gathering; they simply shared how they had grown lately.
Fu Qianlan had the highest cultivation of the three, at Qi Refinement Fourth Layer Middle Stage, and would probably break through to the late stage soon. He Qi had also reached Qi Refinement Fourth Layer Early Stage, as had Chen Shuangbai.
With the Dragon Stream Pavilion's support, Fu Qianlan had settled on talisman-making as her craft and had begun studying the Jade Spring Twelve Talisman Methods.
He Qi had formally joined the Jade Guarding Hall and become one of its members. The pay and benefits were good, and a senior brother in the hall took a liking to him and looked after him.
The gleaming inner armor he wore was one of the benefits of membership in the Jade Guarding Hall.
The Jade Guarding Hall was responsible for protecting the Jade Spring Sect itself. Its duties included routine patrols, guarding vital locations, maintaining formations, and responding to sudden invasions by outside enemies or internal rebellions.
Its standing was no lower than that of the Evil Hunting Hall. The two halls complemented each other, so their disciples interacted frequently, with none of the hostility that would have set them at each other's throats.
When the two heard about Chen Shuangbai's recent trip to the cave abode, they repeatedly cried out in surprise.
Fu Qianlan said, "A-Bai, I never imagined you'd be so seasoned. You really are the most composed of the three of us."
He Qi, however, waved a hand, feeling much the same. "A trip to a cave abode... I'd love to experience one myself."
Chen Shuangbai filled their cups with clear tea and said, "It looks glorious, but danger lurked at every turn. Senior Brother Jiang Xunzhen is still recovering from his injuries."
His words made them both nod repeatedly.
Fighting someone at a higher cultivation level might look glorious, but in truth, it was like standing on the edge of an abyss. One careless step, and you would be doomed beyond redemption.
They had won only because the three of them had stood together, and because Jiang Xunzhen had fought hard enough.
Taking the opportunity, Chen Shuangbai spoke of the Spring Rain and Flowering Wood Sword Instruction he cultivated, then asked Fu Qianlan whether the Lush Foliage Pavilion still existed within the sect.
In front of Chen Shuangbai and He Qi, Fu Qianlan sent a message to a senior sister and asked. She learned that the Lush Foliage Pavilion still existed, but its members had dwindled so badly that it was now on the verge of closing at any time.
The Jade Spring Sect allowed disciples to form mutual-aid organizations to support one another and continue on their path together, provided they remained under the sect's supervision.
Likewise, there were factions within the sect, and that was unavoidable.
The Lush Foliage Pavilion still existed, but its membership had dwindled so severely that it had nearly reached the point at which sect rules required it to close.
"A-Bai, do you want to join the Lush Foliage Pavilion?" Fu Qianlan asked.
Chen Shuangbai nodded, then shook his head.
The Spring Rain and Flowering Wood Sword Instruction had proven its worth on the trip to the cave abode, and Chen Shuangbai had therefore come to want a look at the original sword instruction.
But he was not particularly keen on joining a technique society, so he shook his head and nodded.
Fu Qianlan said, "If you want to see the original sword instruction, I can find the pavilion master and ask."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Qianlan."
Friends and family needed to trouble one another.
Chen Shuangbai did not refuse her offer.
As they continued talking, the subject turned to the five-year mark.
The Jade Spring Sect had a rule: after five years of cultivation within the sect, newly admitted disciples had to descend the mountain and guard a region within the sect's territory for three years. Only then were they permitted to return to the mountain.
This rule tested the fruits of the disciples' cultivation thus far and also let cultivators spend some time among people, lest they cultivate and cultivate until they turned themselves into beasts without the seven emotions and six desires.
They could choose their guard posts from the locations offered by the sect, or have the sect make the arrangements for them.
That meant it was impossible for them to be assigned to the same place.
However, before setting out for their guard posts, disciples who still had family and friends in the mortal world were permitted by the sect to return home for a visit.
Now, the five-year mark was drawing near.
He Qi said, "I'm going home first to break off the childhood betrothal my parents arranged for me, so I don't stand in the way of that young lady's marriage prospects."
Fu Qianlan sat by the window, gazing at the clouds rolling and unfurling outside as she played with her dark hair. "I'm going home first too, to see my parents. It's been years since I last saw them, and I miss them very much."
All three present came from major clans.
Of them, the White Water He Clan, which He Qi came from, was the largest, followed by the Fu Clan, which Fu Qianlan came from. The Chen Clan, which Chen Shuangbai came from, came last.
That was because the White Water Chen Clan, which Chen Shuangbai came from, was actually a branch of another major Chen Clan in the Jing Kingdom.
"What about you, Old Chen? Heh heh, are you going home to put on a show of putting righteousness above family?" He Qi said with a laugh.
Chen Shuangbai smiled faintly.
"Even a great tree is bound to have a few dead branches. My clan may not be as large as yours, but it still has some traitors in its midst. This time, when I go home, I'll naturally have to put things in order and cleanse the source."
Fu Qianlan chuckled softly, thinking there would be a good show to watch.
After eating and drinking their fill, the three parted once more.
The next day was the monthly lecture on the Dao.
Chen Shuangbai came to hear Daoist Lingxiu lecture.
Every time Chen Shuangbai listened to him expound the Dao, he felt as though he gained new insights. That alone showed just how profound Daoist Lingxiu's understanding of cultivation was.
After the lecture, Chen Shuangbai had intended to return to his cave abode for secluded cultivation, but he received a message from Yan Qi.
"Junior Brother Chen, if you have time, could you come to the Expenditure Hall?"
Chen Shuangbai looked at the very abrupt message, feeling somewhat puzzled. But on second thought, he decided that establishing a connection with the Evil Hunting Hall was not a bad thing. Besides, if he cultivated any powerful Law Techniques or Divine Abilities in the future, he would need to seek out demons and practitioners of the Outer Dao to hone his combat skills.
Summoning the Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch, Chen Shuangbai came to the Expenditure Hall.
Yan Qi was already waiting outside, accompanied by another sect disciple who likewise wore a jade mask. He looked to be a member of the Evil Hunting Hall as well.
"Senior Brother Yan."
Chen Shuangbai brought his cloud down and landed in front of the two. Then he let out a soft sound of surprise and looked at the senior brother from the Evil Hunting Hall.
"This senior brother... seems to have been poisoned?"
Yan Qi looked at Chen Shuangbai, a hint of eagerness in his eyes, and said in a somewhat anxious tone, "Junior Brother Chen, you cultivate the Water and Wood Pure Splendor Incantation. Have you mastered the Duckweed Water Incantation within it yet?"
"...I have. Senior Brother, do you want me to use the Duckweed Water Incantation to purge the poison from this senior brother's body?"
Chen Shuangbai immediately understood what Yan Qi meant.
A life was at stake, and this senior brother did not appear to be in good condition. Chen Shuangbai did not press him for further details, but immediately formed a gesture with his fingers and recited the incantation.
The surrounding water and wood essence Qi was drawn in and flowed into Chen Shuangbai's body. He then formed a Law Seal with his right hand while reciting the incantation and took a mass of spiritual liquid from his Storage Bag. With a sweep of his sleeve, clear ripples spread outward, and illusory images of duckweed seemed to drift across the water.
This was the Duckweed Water Incantation from the Water and Wood Pure Splendor Incantation. Among its wondrous uses were purifying poisons and poisonous miasma, dispersing lingering thoughts of Yin souls, and cleaning bloodstains from Law Artifacts.