Chapter 203 - 202: Ci Yun

Chapter 203: Chapter 202: Ci Yun

"Disciple pays his respects to Master!"

Standing at the entrance, Chen Qingyang bowed with his hands clasped before Master Jing Yuan.

"Mm." The Master gave a slight nod, pushed open the wooden gate, and entered the courtyard.

His gaze didn’t stray, landing squarely on the newly built Alchemy Room. It was there that Chen Qingyang had enshrined the Talisman he had been given.

If he had suggested Chen Qingyang wear it on his person, Chen Qingyang would have been unable to refuse. Fortunately, he didn’t bring it up. "Zhongzhou said you accepted an assignment?"

’So that’s why he came.’ It was as if he had come here the moment he heard the news. Thinking about how close the Yong Kingdom was to Nine True Mountain, Chen Qingyang felt a knot of nervousness tighten in his stomach.

"Replying to Master, I’ve been performing Alchemy for Fulu Workshop every day for over half a year. I was physically and mentally exhausted, so I sought an external assignment to gain experience in the Red Dust. It was Senior Brother Liu Wenzheng, the Commander’s Lower Palace, who arranged it for me. He said I was to retrieve a stalk of Immortal Grass."

Chen Qingyang explained first, clarifying that he hadn’t chosen this destination himself but was sent on an errand for Fulu Workshop, hoping to dispel his master’s suspicions.

"Did your Eldest Senior Brother tell you what happened in the Yong Kingdom?"

’I hope Master isn’t going to bring up my personal safety again and make me carry the Talisman on my person.’ "Eldest Senior Brother did warn me, but I had already promised Senior Brother Liu, so I have to go. Besides, this trip is just to get the Immortal Grass from the Yong Kingdom’s National Preceptor. I won’t get entangled with the Demon Sect."

No one could fathom the Master’s thoughts. All Chen Qingyang could do was try to be as thorough as possible based on his own understanding, leaving no room for error.

Dressed in a green robe, the Master paced back and forth in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, observing his surroundings. When his gaze fell upon Chen Qingyang, it felt as bright as the stars.

Such a mighty power... it felt strangely familiar. ’Could it be that Master also knows the Astrology Inference Skill?’

’If that’s the case, it will be very difficult to do anything behind his back in the future. I’ve heard there are Magical Treasures or Cultivation Techniques in this world that can shield one from the Celestial Secret. I’ll have to figure out how to get one someday.’

’However, actively shielding the Celestial Secret is a statement in itself. The moment Master’s suspicion falls on me and I begin to resist, my position will become clear.’

Chen Qingyang’s gaze was earnest as he looked at his master. "If Master feels it’s too dangerous and I shouldn’t go, then I’ll speak with Senior Brother Liu..."

Before he could finish, Master Jing Yuan waved his sleeve. "There’s no need. You are already an Inner Sect Disciple. If you can’t even overcome a small difficulty like this, you are not worthy of cultivating under me. I came today to give you another task!"

Although Chen Qingyang was quite puzzled, he didn’t let it show on his face. "Disciple understands. I will certainly follow Master’s orders and not bring you shame while I am away."

As the Master looked at him, he finally gave a slight nod. With another wave of his sleeve, a Brocade Box appeared in his hand and flew unerringly to land in front of Chen Qingyang, who extended both hands to catch it.

’What a magnificent Universe in the Sleeve!’

"Master, this is?"

"This Elixir is called Yangji Xuanling. It is Tier Eight and contains the Power of Double Yang. It is quite useful for those who cultivate Chongyang techniques."

"A few years ago, when Qianxue was injured, she was looked after by Lu Qingyu of the Nine True Temple. I promised to help him find a Double Yang Pill. It’s only a three or four-day journey from the Yong Kingdom to the Nine True Temple, so I’ll have to trouble you to make the trip."

A Tier Eight Elixir. He had never even seen what one looked like. It was probably created by the Master himself. Naturally, Chen Qingyang couldn’t open it in front of him.

"Please rest assured, Master. I will definitely complete this task."

He had never heard the Nine Truths Temple Master mention this matter. Regardless of the underlying purpose, he could not refuse any command from his master.

"Good."

Master Jing Yuan said this one word, then pushed the gate open. Before he had taken two steps, his figure vanished without a trace.

’Asking me to go to the Nine True Temple... is it just a simple delivery, or is there another purpose?’

It wasn’t that Chen Qingyang was overthinking things. It was just that Master Jing Yuan gave him the impression of being extremely intelligent and possessing powerful methods. It was never wrong to be cautious.

The delay hadn’t affected Chen Qingyang’s departure. By noon, he had completely left the mountains of the Tai Xu Sect and was soaring over a vast, fertile plain.

He also recalled the Conscious Fish from the Five Elements Cave Mansion. When it re-entered his body, the progress of his Nanming Red Emperor’s Celestial Burning and Sea Boiling Dao Inquiry True Understanding had risen another level.

Last time, it had only been for a fraction of seven days, yet Chen Qingyang had gained so much. This time, it had been inside for several whole months.

Although he hadn’t found any more Fire Element Essence of that purity, just relying on the Fire Qi inside had been enough for a significant improvement.

[Nanming Red Emperor’s Celestial Burning and Sea Boiling Dao Inquiry True Understanding: (124/24000)]

The progress on it had changed to 24,000, which was almost identical to the Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual. This meant it also followed the advancement path of the Nine Acupoints of Ascension, with 8,000 progress points per acupoint. The Conscious Fish’s cultivation was now at the Essence Condensation Third Realm.

Putting away the small golden characters, he then passed through the Jin Kingdom, the Liang Kingdom, and Exquisite City before finally entering the territory of the Yong Kingdom.

The Cyan Nether State was not small. Just passing through these few places, he had already traveled tens of thousands of li. Even with Chen Qingyang’s current speed, it had taken him a good six or seven days.

Once inside the Yong Kingdom, he carefully inquired about the direction of the capital. After another day of travel, he arrived at the gates of Yunxi City, the capital of Yong.

This country had few plains and many mountains. Nearly all its cities were separated by mountain ranges, forming distinct territories. Even the capital, Yunxi City, was cordoned off by steep peaks and ridges.

Standing at the city gate, the mountain ranges soaring into the clouds in all directions were clearly visible. A Great River flowed through their midst, passing through the city and forming a six-hundred-li-long, narrow, fertile plain. Along both banks of this plain were serene farmlands and docks, bustling with an endless stream of people.

It was this very river that sustained half of the nation’s population.

Today, Chen Qingyang wore a Vermilion and Purple Daoist Robe, a Profound Wood High Crown on his head, and a sword strapped to his back. He was tall and slender, with a handsome face and a full head of black hair neatly combed, presenting the very image of a Quanzhen from an Immortal Sect.

’It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the Red Dust. It feels a bit strange.’

The city walls here were a full seven zhang high, and the gate tunnel was two or three zhang deep. A number of soldiers stood inside the dark, cavernous entrance, questioning the traveling merchants.

Above them was a magnificent gate tower with banners snapping in the wind. The soldiers coming and going all wore bright red Armor, exuding the air of seasoned veterans.

As the sun began to set, anxious travelers formed a long queue. Chen Qingyang didn’t join the line but walked straight to the front. A Gate Officer immediately approached him and said respectfully, "Might I ask where the Daoist Master has come from, and what business brings you to our city?"

The Tai Xu Sect was a Daoist Sect, and the nations under its rule all revered the Dao. Given Chen Qingyang’s appearance, no one would dare to treat him lightly.

"My good man, I am from Tai Xu. I have come to the Royal Palace to pay my respects to the Sacrificial Offering, Master Zhang. I would appreciate it if you could make things convenient for me!" He returned the man’s salute and spoke slowly, his every move further enhancing his Quanzhen demeanor.

The Gate Officer was extremely pleased by this. "Tai Xu... could you mean the Immortals and Masters?"

The Tai Xu Sect accepted many Miscellaneous Task Disciples and regular Disciples from all over each year, so the name Tai Xu was sung even in the Red Dust. Some common folk even enshrined the two words "Tai Xu" in their homes to pray for peace and safety.

Chen Qingyang had seen all this before when he had traveled with Liu Tao.

He nodded lightly. "I wouldn’t call myself an Immortal. I am merely a member of the Xuan Sect."

Upon hearing this, the Gate Officer changed his clasped-hand bow to a full kowtow. He then called for a horse-drawn carriage and invited Chen Qingyang to board, saying it would take him directly to Ci Yun Temple, next to the Imperial Palace.

The Celestial Master of this temple was named Zhang, with the Daoist name "Lingxuzi." He also went by the title "Shangyuan Qingtian Chengtaixu Jiang Cibei Zhen Daoist Master." He spread the name of the Tai Xu Sect and presided over the Daoist Techniques of the nation, and was honored as the National Preceptor by the Emperor.

Such a long name was surely more symbolic than practical. This was something Chen Qingyang had learned before he arrived.

Although the Tai Xu Sect did not reside in the Red Dust, its name was known by all, from the highest to the lowest. The nations under its rule were all Daoist Sect nations.

As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. It didn’t matter if you could ascend to the heavens or burrow into the earth; respecting local customs was paramount. Since he had arrived, Chen Qingyang was in no hurry. He turned to the Gate Officer and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Officer. Please accept this small token of my appreciation."

What he gave the man was not money, but a Spirit Stone. After all, he bore the name of a Tai Xu Quanzhen; gold and silver would be beneath his station. A Spirit Stone, however, would be more than enough to delight the officer.

Although this Gate Officer did not practice Cultivation, he knew that the gift from this Quanzhen was no ordinary item. Sensing the powerful energy contained within the Spirit Stone, he kowtowed again in thanks. "Thank you, Daoist Master..."

The carriage was drawn by two pairs of horses and was quite large. A brocade banner embroidered with the Eight Trigrams hung from the front. It was further adorned with exquisite lacquerware in a vibrant red, inlaid with black, giving it a simple yet ancient charm.

The driver was an Armored Warrior. As they passed through the streets, curious commoners stopped to watch. The carriage interior was lined with soft cushions, decorated with gold accents. Chen Qingyang sat upright inside, and though he stared straight ahead, the surrounding scenery was all reflected in his eyes.

He saw that the people here, whether young or old, were all adequately clothed. They seemed literate, had strong limbs, and were tall in stature. It appeared to be a land of plenty, where the nation was prosperous and its people at peace.

The houses on both sides were of varying heights, interspersed with multi-story buildings. The central street was three zhang wide, paved entirely with bluestone slabs. There was no trash or filth on the street; even the corners were clean.

Taverns and shops lined both sides, their magnificent lanterns just being lit. People milled about, creating a lively atmosphere that spoke of affluence. He couldn’t even see a single beggar or street urchin, giving it the air of a great nation.

In Chen Qingyang’s memory, the small town where he was born had been far from this prosperous. There was even a period with nine droughts in ten years, a time when people had neither enough clothes to cover their bodies nor enough food to fill their stomachs.

Furthermore, Zhang Ping, who had joined the Sect in recent years, had told him that a great flood had struck his home, killing and injuring countless people. Then an earthquake had struck, crushing many more. With no way to survive, he had thrown himself into the service of the Immortal Sect.

Even back at Four Golden Peaks, he had heard the new junior brothers and sisters talk about the turmoil in their own lives, which was why they had run to the Tai Xu Sect, hundreds of li away, to pursue Immortal Cultivation.

’It seems the closer one gets to the Tai Xu Sect, the more the people suffer, and the more barren the land becomes.’

’This can’t be a curse, nor can it be a coincidence. The Tai Xu Sect wouldn’t intentionally cause this just because they’re short on Miscellaneous Task Disciples. Perhaps... all of this can be attributed to the Earth Deities.’

’He had only seen such a thing once and only knew that they came from famous mountains and great rivers. But how could there be no side effects when a treasure born of heaven and earth was simply taken away? Even the Cave Mansion left behind by the Cyan Nether Daoist Monarch had the ability to suppress karmic fortune.’

As the carriage moved forward, Chen Qingyang’s mind churned with these thoughts.

"WHOA!"

The Armored Warrior’s voice suddenly came from outside. "Daoist Master, we’ve arrived at Ci Yun Temple!"