It's alright.
Chen Shuangbai wasn't angry; on the contrary, she said this.
Zhuang Wen wanted to say something more, but Bi Sheng interrupted him and looked at Chen Shuangbai, saying this.
"Uncle-Master, it's getting a little late. Please rest for the night. We'll come back tomorrow to report to you."
After saying that, Bi Sheng pulled Zhuang Wen away.
Outside the courtyard, shouts rang out again, mixed with a few laughs.
Chen Shuangbai wasn't in a hurry.
After he left, the pavilion returned to silence, just as it had been when he was cultivating in the mountains.
With his hands Hand Seals, he cast Wind Riding Incantation, and suddenly a gentle breeze blew in, opening the doors and windows to reveal a lush bamboo forest behind the mountain. Within that bamboo forest was a lake that looked like it had been artificially created, formed by mountain springs drawn from outside.
Although not large, the bamboo forest and clear lake give it a serene and tranquil feel.
"I must say, this Senior Brother Tian really knows how to enjoy himself."
Chen Shuangbai sighed softly, then faced the bamboo forest and clear lake, feeling the sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo tips, slowly closed his eyes, and began his cultivation for the day.
As the moon rose above the treetops, Chen Shuangbai took out a wooden box, opened it with a clang, revealing several Water Moon Jade Crystal inside. First, he let the Dao Fruit absorb the moonlight contained within, and then he circulated his Cultivation Method to absorb the pure water elemental energy contained within.
The so-called inspiration, primordial energy, and Spiritual Qi are actually the same thing; it's just that they are described differently in different contexts, different texts, and among different cultivators.
The wind rustles through the bamboo forest, creating a unique melody.
Chen Shuangbai sat cross-legged, with the wooden box in front of him open. The jade color representing the moonlight in the box of Water Moon Jade Crystal slowly faded, as it was absorbed by the " Dao Fruit " without anyone noticing, leaving only the water elemental energy within.
As he circulated his Cultivation Method, even the bright moon in the sky seemed to show him some favor, casting down an even richer moonlight that shone on Chen Shuangbai's body, his Dantian's sea of Law Power, and also on the mysterious bright moon in his sea of consciousness.
The " Dao Fruit " swayed gently, and Lord of the First Month, appeared out of sight of others. His compassionate gaze fell on Chen Shuangbai, and the moonlight outside became even stronger.
With divine assistance, Chen Shuangbai's cultivation progressed much faster.
A cool, gentle, and vibrant energy flew out of the box, transforming into wisps of azure smoke that entered through the nostrils, was refined by the Cultivation Method, and finally filled the sea of Law Power in the Dantian.
Time flies when you're practicing spiritual cultivation.
When he opened his eyes again, the moon had already set and the stars had disappeared outside the window, and the eastern sky was beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.
Starlight shimmered in Chen Shuangbai eyes as she looked inward at herself. She felt that the Law Power within her body had become slightly purer, and she noticed that her soul was becoming clearer. She couldn't help but nod slightly.
only...
Chen Shuangbai's spiritual senses were suddenly activated. Her gaze fell upon a certain spot in the forest, and she raised an eyebrow slightly. "They're Divine Ability resourceful. I haven't even made a public appearance yet, and someone already knows about my arrival."
A bamboo leaf landed in front of Chen Shuangbai. The young man stood tall and elegant, his gaze indifferent, and his Law Power power surged forth, landing on the bamboo leaf.
The next moment.
The bamboo leaves, imbued with Law Power, transformed into a streak of green and flew out. Suddenly, a muffled groan came from somewhere in the forest, followed by the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground. It twitched a few times and then fell silent.
As dawn broke, the voices of Bi Sheng and Zhuang Wen could be heard from outside the courtyard.
Bi Sheng said loudly, "Uncle-Master, may we come in?"
With a creak.
The courtyard door was pushed open, and Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng came in together, each carrying a food box.
Zhuang Wen Wenyuan had a smile on her face. She was about to open the food box in her hand and introduce the carefully prepared spiritual food inside when she suddenly caught sight of the lifeless corpse next to her out of the corner of her eye, and she was immediately stunned.
Bi Sheng stepped forward and examined the corpse closely. He saw that the face was completely destroyed and there was no trace of a cultivator's aura on the body. His face darkened and anger surged into his heart.
"How dare you!"
Zhuang Wen also stopped smiling, realizing what was happening. His chubby face was full of seriousness and anger. He said "good" several times, clearly already knowing something.
After venting their anger, Bi Sheng bowed deeply to Chen Shuangbai, saying, "We are truly sorry to have disturbed you, Martial Uncle."
Chen Shuangbai waved her hand and said, "Yesterday I used illusion magic to conceal my true appearance and went to the county town to take a look and inquire about the situation here. Even so, no one immediately knew that I had come to the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy. It can be seen that after Senior Brother Tian passed away, the two of you have not been doing very well."
Although it was just a short sentence, it immediately brought tears to their eyes.
Since Master Tian passed away, the two brothers, with their meager cultivation at the Second Layer of Qi Refining, have barely managed to maintain the facade of the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy.
If it were in a nearby county, things would be fine, but Wind Howling Ford is really in a bad situation.
This place was originally Zhao Kingdom territory fifty years ago. However, when the two countries went to war, Jing Kingdom supported the Jade Spring Sect, the Empty Sword Sect, and the Spirit-Seeking Sect, which suppressed the cultivation forces within the Zhao Kingdom. Subsequently, Jing Kingdom won a great victory in the war between mortals and tore this place away from the Zhao Kingdom.
Although the land had changed hands to the Jing Kingdom, the people who originally lived there preferred to identify themselves as citizens of the State of the Zhao Kingdom. In addition, ten years after this war was the time of transition in the royal family of the Jing Kingdom. Fearing to hurt the people's loyalty, the government adopted a policy of appeasement, hoping that after a few generations, the old people of the Jing Kingdom would die out.
The imperial court did not govern this area in the same way, but instead adopted a plan of joint governance with the local clans.
Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng, one after the other, explained to Chen Shuangbai the inner and outer strength of the local forces.
Compassionate Light Temple may appear to be an ordinary temple, but it is actually a branch of Great Buddha Temple. It collects offerings from the people and seems to be doing nothing, but it actually harbors malicious intentions.
The Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance is a chamber of commerce-like organization formed by local Rogue Cultivator Rogue Cultivator, aiming to fight for their rights.
There were four local clans: Zhao, Yuan, Li, and Wang. They were all from the State of the Zhao Kingdom, but while they outwardly submitted to the Zhao Kingdom, they actually maintained close ties with it.
As for the Azure Flood Dragon Society... it's a boatmen's organization that has only emerged in recent years. Originally, it was intended to give a voice to the many boatmen who make a living at this ferry crossing. However, this is Zhao Kingdom territory, Zhao Kingdom doesn't interfere. This has fostered a behemoth that is said to have some connection with a certain demon king within the Zhao Kingdom territory.
Chen Shuangbai listened without saying a word.
Although I was mentally prepared, I still felt a bit emotional after learning more comprehensive information from these two Dharma lineage disciples who had been rooted in this place for many years.
Chen Shuangbai did not delve deeper into these matters. Instead, she took out an object—a talisman inscribed with some kind of incantation, seemingly intended to provide protection.
"Can you tell which faction in the county owns this talisman?"
It was this talisman that allowed the scout, who had died lying on the ground, to slip past the Daoist temple's patrols and reach the vicinity of Chen Shuangbai's residence, Listening to the Waves Pavilion, to secretly gather information about him.