Chapter 375: Respective Arrangements, Taiyi Accomplished

Chapter 375 -201: Respective Arrangements, Taiyi Accomplished

After the Golden Core Ceremony concluded, Zhou Jun hosted a banquet on Chaoyuan Peak. The other guests were either younger Golden Core Cultivators from the sect or peers who had perfected their dharma refinement and were now seeking the opportunity to advance.

The sect members drank wine and discussed esoteric truths, debating the Dao under the moon. As spirits grew high, a few of the more talented guests even composed poetry, making for a truly delightful occasion.

Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, a Daoist in a tall hat hurried in. Someone immediately shouted, “Junior Brother Yun, what took you so long!”

That Daoist Yun had no time to reply. He dropped into a seat, grabbed a goblet of wine, and took a large gulp before exclaiming, “Breaking news!”

He hailed from the Yun Family, which was no small background, and he was known for being generous and open-minded. Many of those present were on good terms with him. Seeing his excitement, their interest was instantly piqued. “What is it?” they urged. “Don’t keep us in suspense!”

Daoist Yun didn’t bother being mysterious. “Just today,” he announced, “Junior Martial Uncle Dao Miao slew Yang Huai Venerable on the East Sea Coast!”

“What?”

“Is that true?”

“Of course it’s true!” Daoist Yun said. “The battle erupted near Yunbao Immortal City. I heard it was over in just a few exchanges. By the time the experts from the Immortal Market arrived to investigate, all they found was a scene of utter devastation… The news is already spreading like wildfire across the Divine Continent.”

Everyone gasped in amazement at the news. Daoist Yun took a sip of wine and shook his head, saying, “Sigh. I heard my father once wanted me to become a disciple under Junior Martial Uncle Dao Miao. It’s a shame that never came to pass…”

Someone nearby reminded him, “Senior Brother Li is right here, you know.”

“Oh?” Daoist Yun glanced around and spotted Li Changfeng at another table. Not the least bit embarrassed, he raised his cup in a gesture, sharing a long-distance toast with him. Then he sighed wistfully, “To think Junior Martial Uncle Xu has only been cultivating for two hundred-some years and has already reached such a level. His ascension to the Primordial Spirit realm is practically guaranteed.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

The buzz of conversation naturally reached Li Changfeng and his companions. Lieyun popped its head out of a wine jar and exclaimed, “So that’s why the Old Master suddenly left! He went to get revenge for Xiaolizi.”

“What?” Yuan Hao asked, unaware of the backstory. “Why do you say Master slew Yang Huai Venerable to get revenge for Senior Brother?”

“Junior Martial Uncle Lieyun is just talking nonsense. Pay it no mind, Junior Brother,” Li Changfeng said, shaking his head without further explanation.

Seeing that his senior brother wasn’t in high spirits, Yuan Hao didn’t press the issue. After pouring himself a few drinks, he suddenly said, “I still haven’t paid my respects to Master since returning to the mountain. How about we take our leave and head back to Chongyun Peak?”

“Hm?” The Jiaolong Lieyun, which was in the middle of feasting, vigorously shook its head. “No way, no way! We can leave after we’ve had our fill…”

Before Lieyun could finish, Li Changfeng’s spirits seemed to lift. “That’s a good idea,” he agreed. “What do you think, Jin’Er?”

You Jin’Er, who had been quietly sipping her drink at the table, naturally had no objections. Li Changfeng then turned to Lieyun. “Junior Martial Uncle, if you’re not done enjoying yourself, you don’t have to come back with us.”

However, Lieyun was only there to freeload off them. With Li Changfeng’s group leaving, there was no reason for it to stay behind alone. So, it resentfully followed along. The three of them—Li Changfeng, Yuan Hao, and You Jin’er—found Zhou Jun, offered him a final cup of wine in parting, and then left the banquet.

Chaoyuan Peak and Chongyun Peak were not close, but the distance was trivial for cultivators of their caliber. Moreover, they had Lieyun. With a gentle breath, it conjured a cloud that lifted the three of them into the air. In a flash, as swift as wind and lightning, they arrived atop Chongyun Peak.

The cloud descended by the edge of the Celestial Pool, where they saw a handsome, refined Daoist meditating in the moonlight. The bright moonlight seemed to pulse, faintly dimming and brightening in rhythm with his breaths.

Li Changfeng was taken aback for a moment before it dawned on him. He turned to Yuan Hao and asked, “This must be Junior Brother Qin?”

Li Changfeng had been away from Li Mountain for over twenty years and had never met Qin Dengxiao. If Yuan Hao hadn’t told him, he wouldn’t have even known his master had accepted a new disciple.

Yuan Hao, however, was acquainted with Qin Dengxiao. “That’s him,” he replied naturally.

Li Changfeng couldn’t help but remark, “Junior Brother Qin’s cultivation is quite profound.”

‘He had been Xuzhuang’s disciple for a very long time. He’d watched his second junior brother, Yuan Hao, grow and advance in his cultivation. Now, Yuan Hao had already perfected his dharma refinement and was starting to pursue the path to the Golden Core, yet he himself remained stagnant.’

‘And now, seeing his third junior brother—who had only joined the sect some twenty years ago—with a cultivation base so strong it seemed to faintly surpass his own, Li Changfeng couldn’t help but feel another wave of pressure.’

Qin Dengxiao was, of course, aware of their arrival. He slowly ceased his cultivation and rose to his feet. Yuan Hao was the first to speak. “Junior Brother Qin! When did you return to the sect? You were so quiet about it!”

Qin Dengxiao smiled. “I just returned with Master today as well.”

Li Changfeng’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Just as I thought,’ he mused. But Qin Dengxiao clearly had no intention of discussing it further and smoothly changed the subject. “This must be our Eldest Senior Brother,” he said, turning to Li Changfeng.

As he spoke, he cupped his hands in a formal salute and smiled. “I am Qin Dengxiao. I joined the sect not long ago, so I haven’t had the honor of meeting you yet, Senior Brother. Please forgive my belated greeting.”

“You’re too formal, Junior Brother,” Li Changfeng said, quickly returning the salute. But before they could say more than a few words, Yuan Hao cut in. “Junior Brother Qin, since you came back with Master, is he in his residence right now?”

Qin Dengxiao smiled. “Master is in his residence, awaiting your visit, Senior Brother.”

Yuan Hao was taken aback. “Then how can we keep our revered master waiting?” he exclaimed, grabbing the other two and pulling them toward the residence.

Li Changfeng didn’t dare to delay either, but before he left, he turned to You Jin’Er. “Jin’Er, go on to my residence and rest for a while. I’ll come for you after I’ve paid my respects to Master.”

You Jin’Er, knowing the proper etiquette, readily agreed. Only then did Li Changfeng follow Yuan Hao and Qin Dengxiao straight to the cave residence. Just as they stepped through the main entrance, they saw Xue Yuren lighting incense. A stream of fragrant smoke flowed from the censer, cascading over the table like a waterfall and pooling across the floor, filling the hall in an instant.