Hearing Wang Zhanshan, Zhao Rui found himself looking at the man by his side.
He was a middle-aged man with a bushy beard, dressed in a plain blue Daoist Robe that had faded from repeated washing.
"This is Daoist Yu Zhengnan of the Qingcheng Sect."
"Daoist Yu, this is Zhao Rui!"
After Wang Zhanshan finished speaking, a smile broke across Yu Zhengnan’s sowhat weary face. "A pleasure to et you, Brother Zhao! This humble Daoist pays his respects."
"Hello, Daoist Yu!"
Zhao Rui quickly returned the greeting.
’Why is he introducing a Daoist to ?’
’Don’t tell our school is sending us to a Daoist Temple for advanced training?’
Before he could grow too puzzled, he heard Wang Zhanshan continue, "As it happens, Daoist Yu’s lineage has deep ties with our Mingcan Courtyard. His own grandmaster was, you could say, a grand-nephew in the disciple line to Elder Ge."
"A disciple-nephew?"
Zhao Rui froze. ’My seniority... ahem, is Elder Ge’s seniority really that high?’
’If I’d known, I would have just accepted Elder Ge’s offer in the first place.’
’Then I could go to their sect and be a junior grand-uncle master for a day!’
"Daoist Yu is here at Elder Ge’s request. He intends to take you to the Qingcheng Sect for a period of quiet cultivation."
"?"
"Correct. That was the ssage from the Grand-Uncle Master!"
Daoist Yu perford a solemn bow.
"Zhao Rui, I recomnd you go," Wang Zhanshan urged from the side. "Qingcheng Mountain has a long and storied heritage. A period of quiet cultivation there will be a great boon to your future on the Martial Dao!"
’He knew Zhao Rui’s temperant all too well. He used to be able to keep the boy in line, but now, whether in terms of martial prowess or status, he felt he was losing his grip.’
’That trip to Mount Ei was a perfect example. It would have been a great opportunity to curry a favor and deepen their relationship with the Ei Sect.’
’But the kid wouldn’t listen at all. He went out and just caused...’
’Wait, could it be that he’s reluctant to travel far because I’ve punished him too many tis?’
"I’ll go. When do we leave?"
While Wang Zhanshan was lost in his own wandering thoughts, Zhao Rui had already agreed without a second thought.
’Only a fool would pass up an opportunity like this.’
’Although I couldn’t learn Qingcheng’s world-famous, butt-first Falling Goose Technique, it was still a renowned Daoist mountain and a major sect in the world of Martial Arts.’
’There were bound to be plenty of Martial Arts I could copy.’
"What’s with you being so agreeable all of a sudden!"
Wang Zhanshan was taken aback for a mont before he chuckled.
"Isn’t Qingcheng basically our own turf? Why would I hesitate to go ho?" Zhao Rui said casually.
"Rest assured, Brother Zhao. All the disciples of Qingcheng are kind people, dedicated to the Dao!"
Daoist Yu swept his horsetail whisk and chanted, "Boundless Celestial Venerable!"
"Coach, what about my leave of absence?"
"I’ll take care of it. Just focus on your cultivation!"
With the matter settled, Zhao Rui followed Daoist Yu that very afternoon, boarding a high-speed train to Sichuan Province.
No "seat"!
Qingcheng Mountain was also in Sichuan Province. Surprise, surprise.
Zhao Rui was stunned. What he found even more incredible was that the straight-line distance between Qingcheng Mountain and Ei Mountain was only 120 kiloters!
Can you believe that?
’Maybe you could see the nuns from across the peaks...’
’Ahem, Amitabha Buddha!’
’Those who have left the secular world don’t covet donations, they don’t...’
Once on the train, Daoist Yu’s attire was quite the spectacle. Other passengers couldn’t help but stare.
A few of the more devout ones even ca over to bow, chanting, "Boundless Celestial Venerable!"
’In this world, the influence of Buddhism and Daoism was far greater than in his previous life.’
’People like Xuan Ci were even more fearless. Aside from those whose Martial Arts surpassed his, no one could keep him in check.’
’If the secular world wanted to restrain soone like him, they’d need an atomic bomb to fall from the sky. KABOOM! Vanquish the monster and exorcise the demon!’
"Your salaries are high, right? How are the benefits?" Zhao Rui asked curiously.
Daoist Yu’s eyelid twitched, but he answered in a serious tone. "Registered Daoists receive a monthly salary of 120,000... with a full benefits package..."
Zhao Rui was speechless.
’I was just asking!’
The train sped southwest.
A few hours later, they arrived at the station in the provincial capital of Sichuan.
After they disembarked, a private van from the Qingcheng Sect was already there to pick them up.
After another half-day’s drive, Zhao Rui finally laid eyes on the uniquely beautiful and majestic Qingcheng Mountain.
Similar to the Ei Sect, there was a reception area for guests at the foot of the mountain.
The area was divided into a tourist zone and the Daoist Temples on the back mountain. There were nurous sects in the mountains, not just the Qingcheng Sect; many other Buddhist and Daoist Sects also resided here.
However, the Qingcheng Sect was the most powerful among them.
"Uncle Yu, you’re back!"
As they reached the reception area at the foot of the mountain, a smiling youth of about fifteen or sixteen ca forward to greet them.
"Yes. Is everything on the mountain in order?" Daoist Yu nodded and asked.
"Everything is fine! Oh, right, Senior Brother Wang Bing mastered the Heaven and Earth One Qi Sword Technique yesterday," the youth said quickly, as if he had just rembered.
"So quickly? Good, good!"
Daoist Yu stroked his coarse, dark beard, a pleased expression spreading across his face.
"Bring the luggage up the mountain later. Send it to my quarters."
With that, he motioned for Zhao Rui to leave his luggage behind, and the two of them started up a narrow mountain path toward the summit.
"This is the Qingcheng Sect’s Heart-Questioning Path," Daoist Yu explained. "You must walk it on your own two feet, without using any Inner Strength."
Hearing Daoist Yu’s explanation, Zhao Rui nodded. He suppressed his True Qi and began the slow ascent using only his physical strength.
The path started at about a ter wide, but it grew progressively narrower. At its tightest point, there was barely enough room to place two feet side by side.
"The mountain is the sa as the Dao," Daoist Yu said. "Only by traversing the mountain’s path can one truly see the beauty of its peak!"
Daoist Yu had clearly walked this route many tis. Despite the narrow, rugged, and steep steps, his pace was remarkably steady and swift.
Zhao Rui felt a flicker of unease. He knew that even if he fell, he could use his Lightweight Skill to land unhard, but he couldn’t shake a strange, primal feeling.
It was a primal instinct, welling up from deep within him.
’The Heart-Questioning Path... the Heart-Questioning Path.’
’Every person’s heart is different, so for each person, the path is different.’
Zhao Rui tilted his head back to look at the summit, still a great distance away. Then he glanced down at the chasm below, a gorge that seed as deep as an abyss.
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