In July, the heat of the sun was scorching, and the vegetation was still lush. Dust and smoke rose at the foot of Qianyang Mountain, and the number of travelers was increasing day by day. Some flew by on eagles and cranes, while others were on the ground. In the distance, there was a green, boundless field, mostly planted with magical trees and magical herbs, and there were also a few ancestral gardens, where magical cranes, golden eagles and other mounts were raised for rent by passing guests.
Compared to fifty years ago, the scene outside the Lingxin Sect's mountain gate is completely different.
The long street is winding, with shops and inns neatly arranged on both sides, about hundreds of them of varying sizes. There are also many vendors setting up stalls in front of the stone steps and at the corners.
"The best ghost tendon grass, would you like to take a look, Taoist?"
"The Yanmu here is cheap!"
…
There was a constant stream of people walking on the street, including local people and passing cultivators. Many cultivators stopped in front of the stalls to pick out medicinal herbs and bargain, making the scene quite lively.
"Let me tell you, Xuanmingji has too many people and it's not as clean as Lingxinji, and the things there are cheaper."
"Haha, that's right. I'll buy some powerful pills first."
"When we get to Yunya, things will probably be more expensive, so I'll buy some for backup."
"This only happens once every thousand years. You and I won't live long enough to discuss the Dao again. We must go and broaden our horizons no matter what."
…
The millennium event is approaching, and practitioners from all walks of life are rushing to Yunya.
Inside the Lingxin Sect, the Moyun Terrace stands tall. Several people stand on the terrace, looking at the lively scene below the mountain.
"The time for the discussion of the Dao is just around the corner, the Xuanming Sect has already set off, and my master asked the Lingxin Sect what plans they have?" Fifty years have passed, and Yan Feixiu has not changed much. She is still heroic, but there is a hint of gentleness between her eyebrows. Although she married Chen Qian, she still practiced the Xuanming Sect's skills according to the rules, and was stuck in the ninth level of the outer elixir transformation for many years. Chen Qian's cultivation was originally not as good as hers, but later, thanks to the new skills, he broke through several small realms in succession, and now he is also in the ninth level of the transformation. However, the step of forming the inner elixir has trapped countless people to death, and no one can say whether they can overcome this hurdle in this life.
"Master hasn't come out of retreat yet." Wan Lai sighed while shaking his folding fan. He had lost a lot of weight over the years, and his face was a little round, which made him look very pleasing. His eyebrows and eyes were not handsome, but very energetic. His speech and behavior still retained some dandy habits, which occasionally revealed themselves uncontrollably.
Chen Qian always disliked him and frowned, saying, "Discussing the Dao is just a matter of fame. Since the headmaster hasn't come out of seclusion, it's better not to go."
"This is a rare event that only happens once in a thousand years..." After being glared at by Chen Qian, Wan Lai quickly coughed twice and said seriously, "Uncle Master is right, but if everyone goes and only our Lingxin Sect doesn't go, it will make people look down on us. Don't you think so, Senior Brother?" He covered his face with a folding fan and blinked at Gan Li repeatedly.
Chen Qian scolded: "What do you mean by looking down on me? You just wanted to go!"
"Look at you, why are you scolding him again? I think Xiao Wan is a good person," Yan Feixiu said hurriedly, "Logically, such an important matter should be decided by the head junior brother, but he finally formed the inner elixir successfully, and consolidating his realm is important. We should not disturb him. Since he has handed over the Lingxin Sect to Junior Brother Gan, Junior Brother Gan will make the decision."
When it comes to Gu Pinglin's cultivation, Chen Qian falls silent.
During these fifty years, Gu Pinglin had been in seclusion for most of the time, and most of the affairs of the sect were handed over to Gan Li. As the acting sect leader, Gan Li lived up to expectations and managed the Lingxin Sect in an orderly manner, which led to the Lingxin Sect's current scale. Since Chen Qian and Yan Feixiu became Taoist partners, the Xuanming Sect has taken care of them, and the Lingxin Sect has grown rapidly. Since the implementation of the new practice, as many as 21 disciples have formed external elixirs. Since Bu Shuihan and another senior disciple Jiang Wu formed internal elixirs, the status of the Lingxin Sect in the cultivation world has risen, and it has already become a major sect.
On the contrary, it is a pity that Gu Pinglin, the authentic head of the sect, only successfully entered the inner alchemy realm last year.
It is well known to the outside world that eight years ago, Gu Pinglin failed to form an elixir. The Lingxin Sect searched everywhere for medicine and finally found the Lingshi Milk, which allowed him to restore his innate qualifications. He tried to break through again last year, and the process was very dangerous. Fortunately, he succeeded in the end. After that, he continued to retreat to consolidate his realm and has not come out since then.
"In that case," Gan Li made a decision, "Wait two more days. If Master hasn't come out of retreat yet, I'll ask Uncle Chen, Uncle Bu, and Uncle Jiang to go on behalf of Lingxin Sect. I'll make arrangements for the entourage."
Chen Qian thought for a moment and said, "Well, we don't need too many people."
Ignoring Wan Lai's expression, Gan Li smiled and said, "This is a rare opportunity. It would be good to let them go out and see the world. Why don't we go back to the hall first and ask a few elders to come over and discuss it slowly."
Lingxin Square was twice as big as last year and even more magnificent. A wide main road in the middle divided the square into two halves. There were many disciples practicing swords, forming formations, and meditating on both sides. When they saw the four people coming, the disciples put away their swords, lined up on the side of the road, and saluted to greet them. The four walked straight across the square along the main road, walked up the steps, and arrived at the entrance of the hall.
Inside the main hall, a man was sitting at a desk, looking down at a scroll.
Everyone was stunned for a while before they reacted and were extremely surprised.
"Master Junior Brother!"
“Master!”
…
The man then raised his face.
His handsome face was more chiseled than before, though a little thinner, with a full forehead, sharp sideburns, raised eyebrows, and a reserved and heroic look. He wore his everyday white Taoist robe, and his long hair was still tied up high with a silver crown, meticulously done.
"Master!" Wan Lai respected him the most. He immediately smiled and rushed to the table. "When did you come out?"
Gu Pinglin didn't blame him for being rude and waved his hand for him to stand aside.
Gan Li suppressed his excitement, walked quickly into the hall, knelt down and saluted: "Disciple greets Master!"
Gu Pinglin stood up, walked around the desk and came to him, and helped him up with one hand: "Get up, you have worked hard these years, and I have delayed you."
Gan Li is now at the fourth level of Waidan Huaqi. As the acting head, he has many things to do and naturally cannot devote himself to cultivation. Upon hearing this, he lowered his head and said, "It is my duty to share the worries of my master. How can it be hard? I am young and have many shortcomings in my actions. I rely on the guidance of my uncles and uncles..."
"Okay, I just don't like this about you," Chen Qian interrupted him and walked in, "Let me make it clear first, I didn't give you any instructions."
Yan Feixiu said: "I am a humble young man, who is like you!"
Chen Qian said: "We are one family, why should we be polite?"
"Junior Brother Gan is the acting headmaster, so he has to be polite when socializing outside," Yan Feixiu pushed him aside unceremoniously, "What do you know!"
Chen Qian was so angry that he pointed at her and said, "Yan Daxiu! I'm telling you..."
"It's best if you just sit down and don't say anything," Yan Feixiu pushed him onto the chair, then turned to Gu Pinglin and said with a smile, "Master, are we going to attend the Yunya Forum this time?"
Gu Pinglin had been counting the days to come out, so he said, "Of course I have to go."
The Yunya Dao Conference is a grand event in the cultivation world, and everyone is paying attention to it. Although the Lingxin Sect already has three great inner alchemy cultivators, and the number of new disciples is increasing year by year, their rise has been too short, and their foundation is ultimately not as good as that of the big sects. If they want to become famous in the cultivation world and obtain more resources, it is very necessary to fight for a seat in the Dao Conference.
"I won't join in this kind of excitement," Chen Qian sat down impatiently, "I want to comprehend the profound method of breaking through the realm these days, so I will stay here to watch the door, and you all can go."
Gu Pinglin smiled. Chen Qian certainly didn't want to go to the millennium event, but he thought Bu Shuihan had the highest cultivation level and should attend. Even though his aptitude was limited, it would be difficult for him to break through in this life, and he might not live to the next Dao Conference a thousand years later, so he took the initiative to give up the opportunity.
"Take me with you?" Wan Lai pleaded, "My cultivation is pretty good." He was a straightforward person, without too many messy thoughts. In the past, he was either scolded or spoiled in the Wan family, and grew up to be a waste. Since he switched to the Lingxin Sect, he has become more successful. Now he has formed an external elixir, even surpassing Gan Li and has reached the fifth level of Qi Transformation.
His aptitude was not good, and Gu Pinglin accepted him as his disciple purely because of his character. He did not expect such a surprise, and did not reply to him immediately after hearing the words. He instructed Gan Li, "Use the Summoning Cloud Bell to invite the elders to come over to discuss the matter of the Yunya Discussion of Dao."
Gan Li agreed, hurried out, and ordered someone to ring the Zhaoyun Bell.
Gu Pinglin returned to the desk and sat down, asking, "Last time I was just starting to form a pill, and my realm was not stable, so I didn't have time to ask more. Has anything major happened in the past two years?"
"There are indeed several." Wan Lai closed his folding fan and put it on his waist, pouring him a cup of tea. "The first one is from the Demon Realm. Didn't the Wanfa Sect emerge a few years ago? They suddenly launched an attack last year, and the Demon Realm's co-leader Wei Fengshi suffered a great loss and was even slightly injured. Now the two sides are fighting fiercely."
It's time for Wanfamen to rise. Gu Pinglin understood and nodded, "What about the second thing?"
"The second thing is ours," Wan Lai said seriously, "The Purple Sky Palace was wiped out."
"Huh? How could this be?" Gu Pinglin was a little surprised. Zixiao Palace was one of the eight major sects, and its strength was not weak. It was incredible that it was destroyed in such a short time. It was definitely not something that a single sect could do to destroy Zixiao Palace. The other forces actually let it go, which showed that they had legitimate reasons.
Chen Qian said: "They colluded with Master Weifeng of the Demon Realm and attempted to subvert the righteous path. The evidence is irrefutable. Almost all the sects in the Northern Cultivation World have intervened. The Xuanming Sect also sent two dean masters over at the time."
"We didn't believe it at first," Yan Feixiu sighed, a little sad, "The one who got the evidence was your old friend, the owner of Penglai South Island."
Gu Pinglin pondered: "Nanzhu?"
Wan Lai explained, "The Lord of the South Island killed Lord Liu Yu, and with the assistance of Lord Shun Shi and Lord Ping Cang, Penglai Island is now the overlord of the East China Sea. Because of his contribution in reporting the news, he has also established a firm foothold in the land boundary. There are several Penglai Pavilions in the South Boundary. He also occupied a hilltop on the original Zixiao Palace's territory and set up a small palace."
Gu Pinglin frowned and took the teacup.
In this life, Nanzhu did not target the Lingxin Sect, but chose to attack the Zixiao Palace. Could it be that in his previous life, he was not only targeting the Lingxin Sect for revenge, but also for the intention of the person behind the scenes? This matter is strange, and it seems that there is something else going on.
"There is one more thing, I don't know if it is a big deal," Wan Lai opened his folding fan again to fan him, and said with a smile, "A new sect appeared in Blood Moon Miasma Valley overnight, it's called Sword King Pavilion."
Sword King Pavilion? I have never heard of it in my previous life. Gu Pinglin paused and sneered for a while: "There is really no one left in the way of swordsmanship. Now you know a little bit of swordsmanship and dare to call yourself the Sword King."
Everyone was silent.
Gu Pinglin softened his expression and put down his teacup: "But since he dared to establish a sect in the Blood Moon Miasma Valley, I think the owner of the Sword King Pavilion must have some ability."
The Blood Moon Miasma Valley is located at the border between the cultivation world and the demon world, with a radius of a thousand miles. Miasma is everywhere and there are countless poisonous insects and beasts. Ordinary cultivators need to take anti-poison pills if they get close to it. Only demon cultivators who refine poisons or cultivators who need materials will risk going in.
Wan Lai secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Master is right. This Sword King Pavilion is actually more like an organization. They accept various external businesses, escort property, escort people, or inquire about information. It is said that as long as you are willing to pay, they can send you into the Demon Realm. If you fail, they will pay double the money."
Gu Pinglin said: "It sounds very law-abiding, but it can enter the Demon Realm at will, so it's hard to say it's upright."
Wan Lai said hurriedly, "It's just a rumor. I haven't heard of anyone actually going to the Demon Realm. I think it's just boasting. They just came out not long ago and their reputation is not yet well-known. Most of the business they currently undertake is from the Blood Moon Miasma Valley. No matter who wants to enter the valley, as long as they hire their people to escort them, they will be safe."
Gu Pinglin said: "Few people go to the Blood Moon Miasma Valley. Those who dare to go there are usually quite powerful. I guess their business is bleak."
Wan Lai clapped his hands and laughed, "Master, you guessed wrong this time. The Blood Moon Miasma Valley has been very unstable in recent years, with poisonous insect tides and miasma from time to time. Last month, Lu's people went in and unfortunately encountered an insect tide. Two alchemy masters were dispatched but they were helpless. In the end, they asked the Sword King Pavilion to help. Unfortunately, there were only a few piles of bones left... The Sword King Pavilion was very kind and specially reduced the hire fee by 20% as a token of condolences."
"It's been very turbulent in recent years. Do we have to ask the Sword King Pavilion to help?" Gu Pinglin laughed twice. "So, they are really kind."
Wan Lai forgot himself for a moment: "Yes, it's just a little mysterious. I heard that they can disguise themselves and never say much to customers. Otherwise, I would like to go and see it for myself."
Chen Qian suddenly asked: "How do you know this?"
Wan Lai immediately looked around: "I heard it."
Chen Qian angrily slammed the armrest of the chair: "You went to Hai City to buy information again! Did you spend your senior brother's money again!"
"It's my own money!" Wan Lai saw that the situation was not good, and hit his head with a fan, "Oh, right! The leader of the Sword King Pavilion is even more mysterious, no one has ever seen him..."
Chen Qian was about to curse again, but Gu Pinglin stopped him: "Senior Brother Bu."
Bu Shuihan strode into the palace gate, handsome and high-spirited, still full of vigor and vitality. When he saw Gu Pinglin, his eyes lit up, but he stopped talking and bowed his head: "Greetings, Master."
Over the past few decades, Gu Pinglin had been in seclusion most of the time, and he also often went out for training or seclusion. The two of them rarely met, and instead became much more unfamiliar with each other than in their previous life.
Gu Pinglin gestured: "Brother, no need to be polite, please take a seat."
Bu Shuihan sat down uncomfortably and remained silent.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit cold, Yan Feixiu hurriedly smiled and said, "The headmaster just came out of retreat and specially called us here to discuss the matter of Yunya Lundao. Junior Brother Bu must have guessed it."
Bu Shuihan said “hmm”.
Yan Feixiu led the crowd to chat for a while, and then several elders, Taoist supervisors, and stewards arrived and began to discuss matters. Chang Jinxin and Chen Qian insisted on staying, and Gu Pinglin finally decided to take Bu Shuihan, Ren Ping, Yan Feixiu, another inner alchemy master, Taoist supervisor Jiang Wu, and several elders to Yunya, accompanied by more than 20 disciples, including Gan Li and Wan Lai.