With a new leader, the death of Yue Songting did not cause chaos in Lingxin Sect. The farewell ceremony was carried out in an orderly manner. Many old friends came to pay their respects. The living sighed with sadness, but also strengthened their determination to practice Taoism. The long time made the practitioners accustomed to life and death, and learned to forget more quickly. Two months later, the sad atmosphere in Lingxin Sect began to dissipate.
Without Yue Songting, Gu Pinglin no longer had any scruples, and he vigorously promoted the perfect new sword moves of Lingxin Sect in the inner sect. He had been handling affairs for many years, and everyone in Lingxin Sect respected him very much. In addition, no one doubted him because of the fact that new skills had been already established.
In late April, the wedding invitation from Penglai Island arrived, and the island owner Nanzhu was going to marry Ji. Gu Pinglin summoned everyone to the main hall to discuss the matter.
"Penglai Island controls the key roads in the sea, so we should be on good terms with them. Since the South Island Lord has sent an invitation, the Sect Leader must go in person," Chen Qian said decisively, "I won't go. It just so happens that someone needs to stay behind in the sect."
Chang Jinxin and Ren Ping looked at each other and said, "Junior Brother Ren and I are not going either. We have no friendship with the South Island Master and we can't help even if we go."
After some discussion, everyone decided that apart from Gu Pinglin, Duan Qingming and Bu Shuihan, who knew Nanzhu, Jiang Ruoxu and Leng Xu had also been to Penglai Island and were familiar with each other, so it would be a good opportunity for them to go along this time. In addition, more than 20 disciples were arranged to accompany them.
Gu Pinglin also made arrangements for the daily affairs of the sect, leaving most of them to Chang Jinxin and Ren Ping. He also said, "If there are too many things to do, you can ask Gan Li to help."
Gan Li was already good at handling worldly affairs, and the two of them saw this and knew that he was determined to cultivate Gan Li, and they all understood. Ren Ping said, "These are easy, but the admission of new disciples is a big deal, has the master made any arrangements?"
Lingxin Sect also scheduled the time to recruit new disciples in May, which happened to conflict with Nanzhu's wedding ceremony. Gu Pinglin said, "I'm not in the sect, so let's hand it over to Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Chang and a few elders as usual. Thank you for your hard work."
Upon hearing this, Chen Qian and the two elders said, "Don't worry, Master."
"If there is no objection, it is decided as it is." Gu Pinglin stood up.
"Master, wait a minute," Chen Qian suddenly called out to him. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, he coughed twice uncomfortably, his rough face turning red. "I have something to ask of you, Master Junior Brother."
Gu Pinglin smiled: "Is it Sister He Yan's happy event?"
Everyone came forward to congratulate him and teased him. Bu Shuihan laughed and said, "What's there to be embarrassed about? Don't you dare to bring it up yourself? Do you need Junior Brother Gu's help?"
"What junior brother? He's the sect leader!" Chen Qian got slightly angry and scolded him.
Bu Shuihan knew he had said something wrong, and immediately lowered his head: "Yes, yes, but Senior Brother, do you need the Sect Master's help even for something like this?"
Chen Qian was embarrassed, and said to Gu Pinglin after careful consideration: "She is the direct disciple of the headmaster Zhan, it depends on the headmaster Zhan's intention..." He always disliked Xuanming Sect, but now because of Yan Feixiu, he was a little polite when he mentioned Zhan Renjie. Logically speaking, the two of them were not from aristocratic families, and they could get married if they were willing, but Xuanming Sect was different from ordinary sects. Yan Feixiu was the direct disciple of the headmaster Zhan Renjie, and her status was different, so Gu Pinglin must come forward.
When he said this, everyone understood. Jiang Ruoxu was worried: "Will Sect Leader Zhan agree?"
"The deans of Xuanming Sect are all arrogant and disgusting," Bu Shuihan said displeasedly. "No matter how unreasonable he is, he can't stop people from getting married, right?"
Leng Xu said: "It's hard to say, after all, he is Senior Sister Yan's master."
Bu Shuihan couldn't help but frown.
Chen Qian sighed, "No hurry, let's discuss it after you come back from Penglai. If Sect Leader Zhan..."
"Don't worry," Gu Pinglin stopped him and said to Bu Shuihan, "Things with Senior Sister Yan and Junior Sister Qu are easy. I have my reasons."
Bu Shuihan blushed: "I'm worried about Senior Sister Yan, not Qu Lin."
Everyone laughed.
Gu Pinglin was indeed not worried about this. Since the new technique was introduced, Lingxin Sect had disciples who had formed external pills one after another, and its strength was considered top among the second-rate sects. Xuanming Sect dominated the Qianyang Mountain area. Although it acted in a domineering manner and there were frequent frictions among its disciples, the reason why a big sect became a big sect was not just because of its own strength. The noble families grew stronger through marriages, and the big sects also needed the support and support of small sects to form a powerful force that could compete with the noble family alliance. It was impossible for Zhan Renjie not to have noticed the situation of Lingxin Sect. It was hard to say in the past, but now he would definitely be willing to use his disciples to win over Lingxin Sect.
At the beginning of May, Gu Pinglin set off as scheduled. Before leaving, he called Gan Li to give him some instructions, and informed Chen Qian about Wan Lai's admission, asking him to pay attention. Then he led everyone down Qianyang Mountain and rushed to Penglai Island in the East China Sea.
Unlike the last time we enjoyed the beautiful sea scenery, the weather was not good and we encountered frequent storms along the way, with dark clouds covering the sea, lightning and thunder, and heavy rain. The ship was shuttling between the wind and waves, and even with the protection of the formation, it was still bumpy.
Gu Pinglin stood in front of the window, looking at the huge waves outside.
In his previous life, Nanzhu was so vicious. When he saw Duan Qingming and Qu Lin were close, he used the magic song "Unknown Famous Mountain" to plot against himself and Qu Lin. His original intention was to kill someone with a borrowed knife. Although he guessed the relationship wrongly, it turned out to be what he wanted. Not only was Duan Qingming affected by this incident and failed to be promoted, but he also destroyed his own Dao vein in anger, which completely led to the end of the two of them fighting to the death, and the Lingxin Sect also declined. Later, various sects in the cultivation world hunted him down, and he was forced to cooperate with the magic cultivators, and the Gu family broke off relations with him... Now everything is clear, looking back, these may not all be designed by Duan Qingming, because Duan Qingming would never want to let himself die.
He was only focused on Duan Qingming, but fell into the trap of an outsider. In this life, he even became friends with Nanzhu, so he had to make this trip. Even if he knew the truth, he could only smile in vain.
Nanzhu is no longer the Nanzhu of the previous life, and Duan Qingming...
"It was peaceful just now, but it suddenly changed again," a familiar sigh came from behind, "I can't be at peace anymore."
Gu Pinglin said casually: "The situation at sea is ever-changing, just like the unpredictable world. No one knows what will happen in the future."
"That makes sense," Duan Qingming said, "You've been standing there for a long time. Haven't you seen enough of the turmoil on the sea?"
Gu Pinglin turned around and said, "It's just that I think of the past and find it ironic."
Duan Qingming was half lying on the bed reading a book. After hearing what he said, he put down the book and said, "You have such a state of mind, which shows that you have figured it out."
Gu Pinglin shook his head: "There is still one thing I don't understand."
"oh?"
If Nanzhu targeted him in revenge for the humiliation of the Gu family, it would be too much. He wanted to expand his power in the land world and chose the Lingxin Sect as his target. From what I know in this life, the situation on Penglai Island is more complicated than I imagined. The power of the Sixth Royal Lord Guo Feng is too great. Even with the help of the Ji family, it would take Nanzhu a long time to completely control Penglai Island. In his previous life, he was able to become the overlord of the East China Sea so quickly and expand his power to the land world. I am afraid there is something else going on.
Gu Pinglin didn't explain and changed the subject: "I said before that I would treat you to tea, how about now?"
Duan Qingming stood up and said, "It is so beautiful to have my junior brother personally brew tea for me and to enjoy the sea breeze and clouds."
Gu Pinglin walked to the center of the room, took out the stove, teapot, tea cakes, tea pestle, spring water and other items from the bag, placed them one by one, and began to grind the tea with concentration, proceeding calmly step by step with skillful movements, as smooth as flowing water, and completing the task in one go.
Duan Qingming watched him do these with great interest while speaking slowly.
"Last time you lived together, it was to keep an eye on me. What about this time?"
"Aren't you afraid of being misunderstood if you live in the same room with me?"
…
Gu Pinglin paused and said, "Duan Qingming, the tea is yours. Are you sure you want to continue to disturb me?"
Duan Qingming smiled and said, "Please."
The room became quiet. The person brewing tea was concentrating, while the person waiting to taste the tea was leaning against the bed. The leisurely air emanating from his body inexplicably contributed to this quiet atmosphere. Gradually, the sound of water boiling began, and the fragrance of tea wafted out.
Finally, Gu Pinglin handed him a cup of tea.
Duan Qingming took it in his hand and glanced at it first: "Yes, it's the dew from the cliff and the yellow buds from the green stream."
Seeing that the thin lips were about to touch the edge of the cup, Gu Pinglin suddenly said: "The art of clever words can make people see their own obsessions and inner demons. You have also been the victim of clever words. Is your obsession related to me?"
Duan Qingming paused and shook his head: "I disturbed you from making tea, and you disturbed me from tasting tea. Revenge comes so quickly. The art of clever words can indeed shake people's hearts. Those with insufficient cultivation will be affected to some extent. It doesn't mean that I must be obsessed with it." After saying that, he took a sip of tea.
His expression was normal, without any flaws.
If I didn't know the truth, I would have been fooled by him. Gu Pinglin laughed: "Did my question bother you?"
"Ah, I've been exposed," Duan Qingming smiled and raised his eyes to look him in the eye, "You were able to disturb me, your test was successful, maybe I really have an obsession, do you hope it has something to do with you?"
Gu Pinglin did not answer: "How about this tea?"
He avoided the question, and Duan Qingming did not ask further: "It's fine."
Gu Pinglin refused to give up: "How about comparing with you?"
"Well..." Duan Qingming put down the teacup, "Sincerity is good tea. Your cup of tea is no worse than the one I brew."
Gu Pinglin hummed, "I've worked so hard on your eloquence, but after all the talk, I'm still not as good as you."
"O," Duan Qingming said, "Tea with intention is far better than tea without intention. Since I can taste your intention in the tea, the taste is not important."
"Do you believe that I am sincere?"
“Tea is sincerity.”
Gu Pinglin had expected his answer. He took the cup of tea and poured it out without changing his expression. Then he began to clean and put away the tea set. "I was busy with the affairs of the sect and neglected you. But I thought you were not interested in these positions in the sect, so I didn't arrange anything for you."
With the appointment of the new sect leader, positions in various parts of the Lingxin sect also changed. Several Taoist supervisors were promoted to elders, Chen Qian, Chang Jinxin and two other senior disciples were promoted to Taoist supervisors. Ren Zi knew that it would be difficult for him to make any further progress, so he asked to be the outer sect manager to manage the outer sect affairs. Jiang Ruoxu and another senior disciple were promoted to sect guides, and Bu Shuihan and Leng Xu were responsible for protecting the sect.
"You are my junior brother who understands me," Duan Qingming said, "With you in charge of Lingxin Sect, it will be no problem for it to become a major sect in no time."
Gu Pinglin said: "You are too kind. I am not as good as you, Senior Brother. If Lingxin Sect is in charge of you, you will be expelled from the cultivation world in no time."
"You're always looking for opportunities to scold me."
"so what?"
"Of course it's right to scold, and it's good to scold," Duan Qingming lay back, "Master is wise."
Gu Pinglin put away the last wind furnace and went to meditate on the bed opposite him. He glanced at the book beside him and frowned: "The Remains of the Hundred Absolute Formations? These formations have long been lost. They were all repaired and damaged by later generations, but no one can complete them. They are just fragments. Are you interested?"
"You can use formations to transform swords, so why can't I be interested in formation techniques?"
"You need to rely on external forces because you lack talent. Your swordsmanship is perfect enough. There is no need to add unnecessary things. Paying too much attention to formation techniques is a waste of time."
"Oh--" Duan Qingming said slowly, "You seem to be praising me more and more. I almost mistakenly thought that you really liked me."
"I said yes, do you believe it?" Gu Pinglin said with an unchanged expression, "Can I borrow the soul stones of Xin Ji and Yan Sen to have a look?"
Duan Qingming looked at him and smiled: "Of course."
Gu Pinglin took two black soul stones and looked at them carefully. He saw a faint green light coming from the center of the soul stone. As expected, there were two souls stored there. "You don't want to ask why?"
Duan Qingming asked, "Why do you suddenly want to watch this?"
"I want to borrow the Soul Stone for use," Gu Pinglin took out two Soul Beads, "How about using the Soul Beads to preserve their souls for the time being?"
Duan Qingming said: "Why bother, I have the soul stones, you can take them." After saying that, he really threw two more soul stones to him.
"In that case, thank you very much." Gu Pinglin didn't bother to be polite with him. He immediately took the new soul stone and threw the original two back to him.
Duan Qingming took it, looked at the soul inside, and put it away again.
Gu Pinglin said: "Why don't you ask me what I want the soul stone for?"
Duan Qingming said, "There is a Moon Swallowing Beast in the area of Chess Piece Reef ahead. I guess you want to use it as bait?"
Gu Pinglin nodded: "I need the materials for the Moon-Swallowing Beast."
"Master," a young disciple came in and reported, "We met a small boat outside. There is a young man named Yao on the boat who wants to see you."