Zhou Wuji was a human being in two lifetimes. Although he was at his peak golden age in this lifetime, he could understand Zhiyun's feelings about aging.
However, this person seems to be under ninety years old. According to the lifespan of Third Rank True Person, he can live for another fifty or sixty years.
For some reason, True Person Zhiyun appeared as an old man with declining Qi and Blood and vitality, except for his eyes, which shone brightly.
After leaving the Upright Heart Hall, Zhou Wuji and decided to go to the Flying Profound Hall first.
He had stayed in Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven for a hundred days, but he didn't know what changes had occurred in the Upper Court. He wanted to find Zhiyuan find out.
The Zhiyuan priest was not in the side hall, but in a wing room, tending a pot of burning charcoal, with some dried fruit and candied fruit on the tea table.
In the warm and cozy room, the old Daoist priest held a book in one hand and ate snacks in the other, enjoying a very comfortable life.
As soon as Zhou Wuji entered the room, he felt the stench of carbon monoxide. He casually opened the wooden window, saying, "You are a dignified Fifth Rank, impervious to heat and cold, why fill the room with this carbon monoxide smell..."
"You don't understand. As people get older, they need to take good care of themselves. Circulating True Qi to promote Qi and Blood circulation may indeed keep you from feeling cold, but it consumes your own True Qi and essence."
Zhiyuan Daoist priest spoke, he glanced at Zhou Wuji. He could only see that Zhou Wuji's aura was restrained, but his eyes were filled with a precious light, and his whole body was like jade, with a hint of purity and clarity.
It is evident that Zhou Wuji has condensed the Five Viscera Spirit Temples, which is why he can exhibit such extraordinary phenomena.
After a period of time, Zhou Wuji's True Qi gradually became more refined and mature, and he fully adapted to the changes in his cultivation. These special phenomena in his body would also retract inward, and his true strength would not be easily seen through.
The old Daoist priest nodded. "Your hundred days of seclusion haven't been in vain."
" The Heavenly Pillar Treasure Light Grotto-Heaven possesses abundant celestial energy, but this is actually detrimental to older cultivators."
Before Zhou Wuji could finish speaking, the Zhiyuan Daoist priest Zhiyuan shook his head. "I can still live for another fifty or sixty years. I only ask for peace and comfort in the future. I don't want to think about cultivation anymore..."
The old Daoist priest had worked hard when he was young, and he knew that his aptitude was only above average, and that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to advance to the Third Rank.
Instead of making a mess of things, it's better to enjoy the rest of your life.
Zhou Wuji understood the old Daoist's thoughts; once the old man returned to the Upper Court, his spirits were completely deflated.
He changed the subject and asked, "Grandmaster Uncle, has anything happened in the Upper Court lately?"
"Nothing much, oh, but there's some really good news for you."
The Zhiyuan Daoist priest said, "The situation in Yunyang is complicated. The abbot should send Lu Zhijing to Yunyang to oversee the situation."
Lu Zhijing was unwilling, but he had no choice but to take his grandson with him to Yunyang.
Zhou Wuji laughed heartily, "Indeed, it's good news."
But he wasn't surprised by this.
Fourth Rank Devil Cultivator have emerged; the only way to stabilize Yunyang is to send a True Person.
There are only four True Person in the Upper Court. Zhiying is in charge of the Demon-Expelling Hall and cannot be moved. The Abbot must also be stationed in the Upper Court and cannot be moved either.
True Person Zhihua possesses the art of Sword Evasion, moving with lightning speed. Only True Person Zhihua can provide rapid and flexible support wherever needed, and it's impossible for her to remain in Yunyang for an extended period.
After considering all the options, only Lu Zhijing, who has nothing to do all day, is the most suitable person to go to Yunyang to take charge.
Zhou Wuji asked, "How is my Yizhen- Master Yizhen?"
"He has completed his ordination and received his regalia. However, there's nowhere to place him, so he's temporarily working as a deacon in the Demon-Expelling Hall."
Zhiyuan said, " The Demon-Expelling Hall is really not a good place. Fighting demons every day is very dangerous."
The old Daoist priest said to Zhou Wuji, "Why don't you find someone to pull some strings and find Yizhen a good job..."
Zhou Wuji glanced at Zhiyuan old Daoist Zhiyuan. He was just a deacon of the Demon-Expelling Hall. Where would he get the connections to help Daoist Yizhen?
Now that this ordination and conferment ceremony is over, surely he, a dignified Fifth Rank cultivator and Dharma Master Hongde, can no longer serve as an officiant?
The heads of the Upper Court are all Fourth Rank; he probably won't even be able to become a head.
Zhou Wuji could only say, " Yizhen wants to advance further, so working in the Demon-Expelling Hall is good; it can hone his Daoist cultivation."
The old Zhiyuan priest smiled and changed the subject, saying, " Yan Wudong has returned and even took the initiative to look for you."
"I've heard this person has an extreme personality, and he's definitely looking for you to fight. You'd better not hurt him."
Zhou Wuji asked with some dissatisfaction, "Aren't you afraid he'll hurt me?"
"You can kill Fourth Rank martial artist in one fell swoop. No matter how strong Yan Wudong's Army-Breaking Divine Gang is, it is still only Fifth Rank."
The Zhiyuan priest said, "Three months ago, you weren't even on the same level, let alone now that you've reached the Fifth Rank Perfection."
The old Daoist priest advised, "You've been tough enough on outsiders, but you should show some leniency towards your fellow disciples. Only then can you earn the respect and awe of ordinary cultivators..."
"My grandmaster uncle's plans were truly far-sighted; I had never actually considered these things."
Zhou Wuji smiled, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting. "This disciple has learned much."
Seeing Zhou Wuji leave, the Zhiyuan priest Zhiyuan snorted, "Others may not know you, but I know you well enough. Stop pretending to be a good person..."
Zhou Wuji had just sat down in his room when Yang Tie Ying arrived.
Seeing his master emerge from seclusion, Yang Tie Ying was overjoyed. "Master, you're finally back! That Yan Wudong came looking for you twice. That guy was very arrogant, saying he wanted to experience Dharma Master Hongde's profound Law Technique!"
Speaking of Yan Wudong, Yang Tie Ying's face was filled with anger again.
It's normal for fellow disciples to spar and exchange skills, but Yan Wudong Wudong's sarcastic and unpleasant way of speaking really annoyed him.
Unfortunately, he wasn't good with words, and he kept his anger bottled up inside. When he saw his master return, he immediately complained to him.
Zhou Wuji knew his disciple's character, so he said sternly, "If someone insults your master, you should teach them a lesson."
Yang Tie Ying looked helpless. "Master, I... I can't beat him..."
Although he was straightforward, he was not stupid. Yan Wudong was a famous genius in the Upper Court and cultivated the martial arts Army-Breaking Divine Gang.
With his limited cultivation level, going up there would only be humiliating him...
"Then you should focus on your cultivation. How dare you come here to complain?" Zhou Wuji seized the opportunity to give his disciple a good scolding.
Zhou Wuji also noticed that Yang Tie Ying was quite diligent in his cultivation, but not in the kind of ascetic practice that involved working day and night.
To be fair, Yang Tie Ying was only of above-average talent. Now that the Jade Liquid has improved his innate endowment, he should be diligently cultivating.
This kid probably saw that he didn't cultivate all day, so he unknowingly learned a bit of it.
Zhou Wuji was always busy and didn't have time to see Yang Tie Ying every day. He used this opportunity to give his apprentice a good lesson.
Yang Tie Ying didn't dare to utter a sound. He silently received a bump on the head from Zhou Wuji with a jade ruyi, then went back to reflect on his actions.
The next day, Zhou Wuji went to see Wuming. She was also in the Demon-Expelling Hall, in Daoist Yizhen.
Upon seeing Zhou Wuji arrive, Wuming was overjoyed. He specially went back to his room to change into an apricot-yellow Daoist robe and a crescent-shaped crown, and then walked alongside Zhou Wuji.
Few in the Upper Court were unfamiliar with Zhou Wuji, and seeing him traveling with a young and beautiful female cultivator, everyone couldn't help but take a second look.
Wuming felt a little shy as he was frequently looked at by the crowd.
Zhou Wuji didn't care about this. He led Wuming all the way to the pavilion on the mountaintop, where they could overlook Jingyang Lake.
Dark clouds gathered, the north wind howled, and snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
After days of snowfall, the mountains are covered in white, except for Jingyang Lake, which is a deep, clear blue.
With snow falling heavily, the mountains white and the waters deep, the scenery at this moment has a unique charm.
Although Wuming was Seventh Rank cultivator, the cold wind made his nose and cheeks turn slightly red.
With her senior brother by her side, she didn't feel cold at all; on the contrary, she was quite excited.
"Senior brother, the scenery here is so beautiful! I didn't even know there was a pavilion here."
Is it a little cold?
Zhou Wuji took the initiative to grasp Wuming's hand, and his pure True Qi flowed through his hand into Wuming's body, keeping out the cold wind.
Wuming and Zhou Wuji had held hands a few times, but he still couldn't help feeling a little shy.
But she immediately discovered that she was protected by True Qi, and even the cold wind became warm and gentle.
She was somewhat surprised. "Senior brother, what kind of Law Technique is this?"
"It's just the natural circulation of True Qi; you'll understand when your cultivation level is higher."
Zhou Wuji didn't tell the truth; his ability to skillfully circulate his True Qi was entirely due to his profound Sword Intent.
Even if other cultivators had more abundant True Qi, they wouldn't be able to control their True Qi with such subtlety.
The wind and snow grew fiercer, the mountains grew whiter, and the lake grew deeper.
Wuming had no interest in the scenery; he simply held his senior brother's hand tightly, feeling both sweet and joyful.
She chatted idly with Zhou Wuji, feeling that the moment was so beautiful and wishing it could last forever.
" Zhou Wuji!" A sudden shout interrupted Wuming's idyllic reverie.
Wuming was startled and turned around to see a young man in a dark blue Daoist robe striding towards him.
The young man had a rugged appearance and a burly build. He carried a long sword at his waist and naturally exuded a strong and imposing aura as he walked.
Behind the young man followed a large group of Daoist priests, who were about twenty paces away, each with a curious expression.
Although Zhou Wuji had never seen the young man before, he knew from his appearance and demeanor that it must be Yan Wudong.
He smiled and asked, "What brings you here, Senior Brother Yan?"
"I've heard that your Daoist arts and martial arts are both highly accomplished, so I've come to learn from you." Yan Wudong didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point of challenging Zhou Wuji.
"I have long admired Senior Brother Yan's reputation and have been eager to seek his guidance."
Zhou Wuji pointed to Jingyang Lake below. "It's spacious there, you can really do your thing. Please come with me, Senior Brother Yan."
As he spoke, he patted Wuming's hand, indicating that Wuming didn't need to worry.
Then, under everyone's watchful eyes Zhou Wuji several feet and landed on the lake.
The pavilion on the mountaintop was at least two or three hundred feet above the lake. The sight of it falling from such a height astonished all the Daoists who had come to watch the spectacle.
Everyone hurriedly entered the pavilion and peered down, only to see Zhou Wuji's robes fluttering as he rapidly descended towards the lake.
As Zhou Wuji approached the lake, he took a few steps forward, with faint clouds swirling beneath his feet. By the seventh step, he had landed on the lake as lightly as a feather.
Many Daoist priests were astonished upon seeing this.
Yan Wudong's usually stern face showed a hint of admiration. "Impressive lightness skill!"
He then leaped down and charged towards the lake, unleashing a powerful palm strike as he neared the surface.
The immense and powerful palm strike blasted a deep crater into the lake's surface, but Yan Wudong used the force to flip and land opposite Zhou Wuji.
Such lightness skill is naturally far inferior to Zhou Wuji's, but it is superior in its simplicity and directness.
Meanwhile, in the pavilion across the lake, Leng Wuyou Leng Wuming and Sun Wufei.
Zhou Wuji landed silently, unnoticed by the crowd. But when Yan Wudong landed, his powerful movement and the surge of True Qi caught Leng Wuyou's attention.
The distance was too great; with her eyesight, she could only see two tiny figures, barely the size of pinpoints.
Leng Wuyou became interested. She took out her personal Spirit-Illuminating Mirror it. The water on the mirror surface flowed and quickly condensed into a water mirror, and soon the figures of two Daoists facing each other on the lake appeared.
Leng Wuming suddenly pointed at the mirror and shouted, " Wuyou, this is the kid who stole my sword!"
Sun Wufei also recognized him; the handsome Daoist priest wearing a jade crown and a gold belt was none other than Zhou Wuji, who had joined them in exterminating the ghosts.
The figure on the water mirror became clearer and clearer. She could even see Zhou Wuji features and his eyes, which shone like stars with a precious light.
She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "It's only been a few days, but Senior Brother Zhou has gotten even more handsome..."