Cranes flocked to Jade Screen, stirring wind and clouds; the carriage would soon depart for the mystic heavens
"It's naturally good to have like-minded people to exchange ideas and practice swordsmanship..."
Chen Shuangbai naturally agreed.
Instead of working in isolation, it's better to explore other forms of swordsmanship; you might be able to learn by analogy.
But after thinking it over carefully, he realized that since his sect leader had come to find him personally, it probably wouldn't be that simple, so he asked, "Sect leader, is there anything else this disciple needs to do on this trip?"
It's always easy for smart people to talk to each other.
The young Daoist boy withdrew, True Lord Qingchen said, "I've been thinking that you should be comprehending Sword Intent by now, so this is to send you outside to see the world, exchange and learn from other sword cultivators, broaden your horizons, and perhaps you can draw inferences from one instance to another and comprehend Sword Intent more quickly."
"Secondly, I was invited by the Pillow Old Man Fish Pillow of the Flower Washing Sword Sect to send someone of sufficient standing to make initial contact with several other cultivation forces that are willing to help each other in this turbulent situation."
The first one is fine, but as for the second one...
Chen Shuangbai seemed to realize something, staring intently at his sect leader, his expression becoming more serious, and asked, "The situation... has it become this dire?"
True Lord Qingchen did not answer directly, but said, "Although the world is vast, there are not many battlefields that can accommodate Nascent Soul Cultivator to act freely."
"If the leader of the Transformation Sect were to truly emerge from seclusion, his first act would undoubtedly be to consolidate the demonic forces in the Xu Kingdom and Wu Country regions, and then march eastward."
"Moreover, it's not just this one... the Arrayed Mystery Sect, the Heavenly Star Mystic Sect, the Compassionate Chan Way, and so on, all harbor considerable ambitions."
He paused, his gaze becoming distant. "That old fellow, Old Man Fish Pillow, although he usually lives in seclusion in the Flower Washing Sword Sect and doesn't concern himself with worldly affairs, has far more information than I do."
"Since he took the initiative to offer mutual support and assistance, it means he has already sensed the danger."
Chen Shuangbai remained silent for a long time before finally nodding.
He is Jade Spring Dao Child, a noble status that comes with corresponding responsibilities.
Chen Shuangbai never intended to shirk responsibility.
True Lord Qingchen concluded, "Rest assured, for now, our sects are just taking this opportunity to make some private contact and discuss the general situation. The situation hasn't deteriorated to that extent yet."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai felt reassured and cupped his hands, saying, "This disciple understands."
After watching Junli, Chen Shuangbai sat down again.
"A turbulent time."
He sighed softly and spent several more months cultivating on the peak, instructing his disciples in their cultivation while also ordering people to gather more information about the upcoming [ Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly ].
Fortunately, since True Lord Qingchen had already decided to send Chen Shuangbai, he had naturally prepared all the necessary intelligence.
A White Jade Crane in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage personally delivered the relevant information to Jade Screen Peak, and also strongly recommended several of its own juniors to Chen Shuangbai.
The White Jade Crane that was sent was not only exceptionally talented and of outstanding character, but also required no cultivation resources from Jade Screen Peak.
It was only said that the younger generation of the clan would come to the spirit peak of the Dao Child to serve as a sweeping boy, to be auspicious spirit birds, to absorb some Daoist essence, so that they would have a better future and be able to serve the Jade Spring Sect.
Chen Shuangbai looked at the overly attentive White Jade Crane and couldn't help but laugh and cry.
The White Jade Crane and the Jade Spirit Marten are two stable and inherited Demon Beast clans within the Jade Spring Sect. Most of their promising young descendants are appointed to positions in the Expenditure Hall, the Evil Hunting Hall, and the Jade Guarding Hall of the Three Palaces and Nine Halls.
The more ambitious ones would proactively sign Dharma Contract with the young talents in their sect, hoping to secure a bright future for them.
The White Jade Crane clan had long wanted to do it, but Chen Shuangbai already had a Snow-Plumed Eagle, and Feiguang had a bad temper and high cultivation, so he was obviously intolerant of demons. Therefore, they had the will but not the courage before.
But now that Chen Shuangbai is Dao Child and the next sect leader, even if he can no longer be a spirit beast under his command, being a sweeping boy in the mountains or a spirit bird that responds to auspicious omens is better than doing nothing at all!
In particular, Chen Shuangbai's third disciple already has a Jade Spirit Marten as a spirit pet.
The White Jade Crane clan is getting anxious!
Chen Shuangbai did not refuse, after all, as the future sect leader, he should have a broad perspective and the magnanimity to coordinate the forces of various factions and clans within the sect.
The White Jade Crane clan has been rooted in the Jade Spring Sect for hundreds of years, with members of the clan holding important positions in the sect throughout the generations. They have considerable influence in the Expenditure Hall, the Evil Hunting Hall, and the Jade Guarding Hall.
He pondered for a moment, then said to the White Jade Crane, "Since you have this intention, then keep the two with the best aptitude. However, let me make it clear beforehand that the rules on Jade Screen Peak are very strict, and if they make a mistake, I will not show favoritism."
Upon hearing this, White Jade Crane was overjoyed and thanked him profusely. After returning home, he selected two animals with excellent qualities and gentle temperaments and sent them to Jade Screen Peak.
The two White Jade Crane seemed to have been informed beforehand. Upon entering Jade Screen Peak, they first paid their respects to Chen Shuangbai, and then went to pay their respects to Feiguang, as if they wanted Feiguang to be their elder brother.
Chen Shuangbai had no objections, but simply told Feiguang to keep things in check.
The days that followed remained peaceful and routine.
March passed in the blink of an eye.
Before setting off for the Zhao Kingdom, Chen Shuangbai made a special trip back to Sunken Jade Valley and then to Parasol Tree Valley. He learned that his master and senior uncle had not yet emerged from seclusion, but there was no sign of anything amiss, so he was relieved. He then went to Deer Deep Waters Peak and asked his junior brother Tang Yu to help look after Yier Jade Screen Peak before heading to the Expenditure Hall.
Upon arriving at the Expenditure Hall, Chen Shuangbai was reminded of the Evil Hunting Hall.
After Chen Shuangbai was bestowed the Dao Child by True Lord Qingchen, he rarely came to the Evil Hunting Hall, but Chen Shuangbai did not forget that he still held the position of Deputy Hall Master of the Evil Hunting Hall.
However, later, True Lord Qingchen removed this position and instead bestowed it upon another Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This was partly because Dao Child's status was so noble that it was inappropriate for him to hold any specific position in the hall, lest he give others cause for criticism, and partly so that Chen Shuangbai could devote more energy to cultivation and important sect affairs.
Chen Shuangbai had no objection to this; on the contrary, she felt much more relaxed.
When he brought Gao Yi to the Expenditure Hall, Lu Zhiyuan was already waiting at the door.
Upon seeing the Dao Child descend, radiating Divine Ability light, Lu Zhiyuan hurriedly stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting and saying, " Dao Child, the carriage is ready."
Dao Child travels, he naturally needs a carriage that matches his status; otherwise, it would not only disgrace Chen Shuangbai's identity but also damage the reputation of the Jade Spring Sect.
The official in charge of the carriages and horses of the True Person cultivators within the sect is the Carriage and Horse Office under the Expenditure Hall Revenue.
The Azure Dragon Chariot had been prepared well in advance.
As Chen Shuangbai approached, he saw four dragon beasts lying prostrate on the ground, their scales gleaming, exhaling clouds and mist that diffused into a faint blue glow, highlighting the majestic and solemn aura of the dragon chariot.
Gao Yi, being from the Azure Wave Gao Clan, was used to such extravagance and was not surprised.
Chen Shuangbai exchanged a few words with Lu Zhiyuan, then stepped onto the carriage.
Gao Yi followed closely behind and also took a seat in the carriage.
[PS: There will be another update later! By the way, why were there no comments on yesterday's latest chapter? Was it because my writing was bad or what? Don't scare me!]