Chapter 24: Top of Ningshan Pond

Top of Ningshan Pond

In cities like Tan City, which are dominated by cultivators, there are regulations in the city, such as no unauthorized flying, no fighting or killing, etc. Shuangcheng had only been here for a short time before she fought with Young Master Chu the Fourth. Even considering the face of the two sects, they didn't investigate deeply, but it still took Elder Lu a lot of effort. Elder Lu was also afraid that Shuangcheng would meet her brother-in-law again, so he kept her firmly by his side. Both Both Ruan Ci therefore got some leisure. Since she could sense Dao rhyme, her status was different from the past. "The foundation is very thick, this time maybe she will be taken in by some sect," the old shopkeeper didn't assign her work either, letting her take a few days off, "Maybe you'll get an opportunity."

In fact, now that major sects are taking apprentices, Elder Lu could have taken her into the outer sect of the Tai Bai Sword Sect first, without having to write a letter and wait for the sect's reply. There are many unreasonable aspects to this, which should all be the means of the old man at the chess stall. Both Both Ruan Ci wanted to ask Wang Panpan, but this cat didn't know where it was hiding to sleep, and she couldn't find it after searching several times. She knew in her heart that there might be some taboos, so she stopped looking. Early in the morning three days later, she packed up, changed out of her peddler's attire, and went to Ningshan Pond.

Tan City stands alone on the mountains, and transportation on the ground relies on magic tools. Because of the population growth over the years, the original mountain body was insufficient, and the Dao Palace added many floating mountains around Tan City. Even many famous restaurants have their own floating pavilions outside Tan City. When dining, they ferry over from Tan City, riding the butterfly-winged magic tool used by the old shopkeeper. Sitting high on the butterfly wings, catching the wind and grasping the moon, it is indescribably immortal and carefree. Looking out from her small room, Both Both Ruan Ci couldn't help but yearn for it, but she and Wang Panpan had to keep a low profile, and a small assistant couldn't go to these places.

Both Both Ruan Ci had been to Ningshan Pond. It was originally a magic tool that a Grotto-Heaven cultivator had refined poorly. Because it looked good, it was thrown here. There were rumors that the Dao lineage left by the Grotto-Heaven ancestor was hidden in Ningshan Pond. A hundred years ago, I don't know how many cultivators searched on Ningshan Pond, but in the end, they found nothing. Now Ningshan Pond is just a floating mountain that Tan City residents often visit for leisure. Some people have also opened shops on it, selling spirit food and treasure materials.

Although it is dominated by cultivators, there are also many mortals like Both Both Ruan Ci. Qi Condensation cultivators cannot fly either. There are magic tools at the Tan City pier all year round to ferry people up and down. Both Both Ruan Ci climbed to the Tan City entrance and felt a darkness before her eyes—different from before, now the giant turtle of the Central Continent is resting at the Tan City entrance, blocking the sunlight at the Tan City entrance tightly. Although it is daytime, the pier attendants all hold small lamps. Greeting and walking in the shadows, calling people to line up, those carrying goods in that row, those going down to the ground in that row.

Both Both Ruan Ci lined up in the row to Ningshan Pond. There were more people than usual, chatting with each other, "Are you also here to bump into an opportunity?"

"Where! I'm going to sell some spirit food. Cultivators in the Central Continent all like the snacks made from this white-headed daylily. This is a spirit herb unique to our South Zhuzhou, which cannot grow in the Central Continent."

"So there is this business, but why did you bring other things, brother?"

"Cultivators in the Central Continent like the scenery of Ningshan Pond. Many cultivators in our South Zhuzhou want to apprentice. White-headed daylily is sold to the Central Continent, and other things are sold to the South Zhuzhou cultivators who follow."

Everyone talked one after another, all saying that many Central Continent cultivators lived in Ningshan Pond. In recent days, several people who went to pay respects really got an opportunity and were taken into the sect. At worst, they were Mao Sect disciples. It is said that a little Daoist boy in the Tan City Dao Palace got the blessing and was taken into the Sheng Sect. Although he was only an outer sect disciple, it made people envious.

While talking, everyone moved forward in order and arrived at the pier. Both Both Ruan Ci took out three spirit coins, boarded the butterfly-winged magic tool, looked at the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers under her feet, and saw floating mountains everywhere around Tan City, with spirit lights dotted, and laughter drifting faintly. From time to time, floating lights transformed by cultivator escape techniques could be seen galloping, and there were spirit waterfalls hanging upside down, cranes crying in the long sky, what an immortal atmosphere. She couldn't help but feel a sense of loss in her heart: during this period, Sheng Sect disciples came out one after another, and which one of them was not arrogant? In Tan City, she had already heard many stories of cultivators fighting, making the city uneasy, especially in the direction of Song Guo, which was even more restless. A few days ago, a loud noise came from the west, and it was said that the earth veins of Song Guo had problems, and two sects in the Central Continent were fighting.

The earth veins of Song Jing had a story. Xie Xie Yan Huan hid there for seven hundred years, and when she came out, the last appearance of the Donghua Sword was in Song Guo. Both Both Ruan Ci had lived in Tan City for several years and knew a little about immortal methods. So many Nascent Soul cultivators came to the Central Continent, and they would definitely thoroughly investigate Song Guo. As long as they saw a disciple who looked like a sword envoy, they would not let go, and they would fight for it, naturally leading to a big fight. The Ruan family had already been exterminated, otherwise, there was a secret passage in the mansion connecting to the earth well, and the whole mansion would probably be closed for strict investigation.

Presumably, the Ruan mansion had been exterminated, and Ruan Rong and Ruan Qian had also fled Song Guo, so Both Both Ruan Ci shouldn't have any thoughts, but hearing several people behind her discussing the war in Song Guo, she was still a little worried. As soon as the magic tool docked, she jumped out, and someone couldn't help but laugh, "What's the rush, the high cultivators are all lining up to take you!"

This mockery was harsh, but it was also a bit of the truth. Both Both Ruan Ci had not yet cultivated, but her movements were agile, and she was young. In the eyes of ordinary people, such good aptitude was naturally easy to apprentice. Some people laughed at her, and some pointed out, "From the foot of the mountain to the top, there are immortal masters stationed in pavilions and towers. It's fine if you are here to play or sell goods, but if you want to apprentice, be careful. If you are looking for an opportunity, you cannot go back."

Ningshan Pond is a small hill. The pier is at the foot of the mountain. There is a small path leading all the way up, winding along the mountain, with small paths spreading out, and the ends are all five-colored water ponds of various sizes. The pond water gathers the spirit energy of the five elements, and the pond water has its own wonderful uses. For hundreds of years, many merchants have added pavilions on it, and now they are borrowed by various sects in the Central Continent. The tourists along the way are also endless, some coming to visit friends, some to apprentice, some to talk business, some to sell specialty snacks, some to visit the scenery, each walking on the mountain road. Strange to say, although people are coming and going, once they are on the mountain road, they don't feel crowded at all, as if walking on a thoroughfare, with pedestrians in front and behind at least ten feet away. Unless intentionally waiting, it is difficult to walk together.

The passengers carried by the Heavenly Boat of the Central Continent were quite complicated. The first two small paths vaguely set up signs, which seemed to be branches of large firms here. Many shopkeepers came and went, looking hurried, as if they were talking business. Going further up, it was the venue of the sect, but there were no nameplates. There were attendants guarding the intersection. Some people had to report their names to enter, some only had to salute to enter, and some were rejected. The distinction seemed to depend on the mood of the attendant. Both Both Ruan Ci was a bit confused, watched the excitement at the intersection for a while, climbed up the steps, enjoyed the scenery along the way, and also paid attention to the face of the old man at the chess stall.

The mountain road was tangled, and most of the pedestrians turned into branch roads halfway. According to Both Both Ruan Ci, not one in ten was really here to enjoy the scenery. The higher she went, the more luxurious the pavilions and towers became. Faintly, seductive music could be heard from the intersection, and the attendants standing at the door didn't look very good. Both Both Ruan Ci looked curiously a few times, which provoked sneers, as if her looking a few times was a desecration of these Sheng Sects. —Probably also because she looked like she was looking for an opportunity at first glance, and one cannot go back when looking for an opportunity. These managers were laughing at her for being high-minded, not willing to visit those Mao Sects at the foot of the mountain, and actually walked to such a high place.

Both Both Ruan Ci walked all the way, but never saw the old man. She thought in her heart, "Could it be that I have to search every branch road on the whole mountain to find him? The foot journey is fine, but since there is this rule, it will take some effort to walk through all the branch roads—this person waited for me in Tan City for three years, what kind of airs is he putting on before taking an apprentice, what kind of sincerity does he want me to show? I have the Donghua Sword to suppress, if it weren't for Panpan contacting him in advance, how could he have come to Tan City to wait for me three years ago when I was still in Chen Guo? Bah, colluding with a cat to play ghosts and gods, and making so many tricks, take me or not."

Relying on the Donghua Sword to calm her mind, she didn't care about the old man's terrifying supernatural powers, and she complained endlessly. She walked to the top of the mountain, only to see the clear sky, and her heart suddenly broadened. At this moment, she no longer thought about apprenticing. She stared at the white clouds in the sky, lost in thought, "If I could learn a cultivation method, travel through the clouds, come and go freely, be carefree, and see the scenery of the world, how good that would be."

Both Both Ruan Ci also knew that this was just a delusion. Even with Xie Xie Yan Huan's ability, there were many things she couldn't do. She walked around the top of the mountain, but still couldn't see the old man. After thinking about it, she decided to wait here until dark, which was the greatest sincerity. If she had to search everywhere, she couldn't do it anymore. She sat by the largest stone pond on the top of the mountain and bought a cup of spirit tea from a vendor, sipping it slowly.

"Does the guest want to fish?"

It was lively at the foot of the mountain, but there were few people at the top. The vendor asked diligently. Both Both Ruan Ci smiled, "You take me for a guest from outside the continent? Who doesn't know that the fish in this Ningshan Pond can't be caught."

Ningshan Pond got its name from this large stone pond on the top of the mountain. The clear water seemed to be able to see the bottom at a glance, but no one could tell the depth. Sometimes you could see the clouds and mountains under the floating mountain directly from the bottom of the pond, and sometimes it seemed to be only a palm deep. There was always a shadow of a big fish in the pond, swimming around, but no one had ever been able to catch it. It is said that this big fish is the soul of Ningshan Pond. If this treasure is refined, it will be a small grotto-heaven, which can protect the Dharma body and inherit the Dao lineage, and its wonderful uses are endless. The big fish is the essence of the grotto-heaven. Because Ningshan Pond was refined poorly, it is always a phantom and it is impossible to catch it.

A hundred years ago, many cultivators wanted to catch the big fish, but failed. As time went by, few people fished for the fish, but there was no lack of cultivators who bumped into opportunities. Many shops in the mountain had fishing rods. The vendor heard Both Both Ruan Ci say this, and also smiled, "Recently, many cultivators from the Central Continent have come, and many seniors also want to have fun. One fishing rod is not enough for me, so I prepared a few extra."

Just as he was talking, a group of people walked out of the water pavilion beside the stone pond. This group of people was followed by strong men, and immortal fairies held fans, what an extraordinary atmosphere. The person in the middle was Chen Jun, the second disciple of the Shangqing Sect. Several people around him were dressed in South Zhuzhou style. One of them said, "This matter still has to fall on the Ruan family... A kid named Liu from the Lingxiao Sect said that the Ruan family still has two bones and blood left outside, which is not far from the result of our divination. According to the Dao Palace's divination, the two of them are either in Liang Guo or Lu Guo, always in the southeast direction. We have sent people to search. This time, thanks to your sect's care, we thank you here."

"Daoist, you are too polite," Chen Jun was still that gentle appearance, half not seeing the arrogance of a Nascent Soul Venerable. "This time the Central Continent has caused you a lot of trouble, especially my junior brothers and sisters, sigh."

He frowned and sighed, "My junior sister Shaowei, she really fought with Tai Shi Yi, and the two fell into the Netherworld Miasma Swamp, I don't know how much movement they made. These evil obstacles, telling them to take apprentices, none of them have any movement, but they have caused a lot of trouble, all relying on Daoist's care."

Those guests from South Zhuzhou all accompanied with a smile. Both Both Ruan Ci avoided in the corner and thought silently, "What thanks to your sect's care, the Shangqing Sect came here not wanting to take apprentices, just to see the excitement. Will they actively take care of the Dao Palace? The Dao Palace is clearly here to send news, telling Chen Jun where the clues of the Donghua Sword are, so that Chen Jun can pass the message to his junior brothers and sisters, so that they can also go and fight for it."

"If it was just passing a message, just send a letter. Coming here specially, there must be something else requested. Chen Jun mentioned Xu Shaowei making a big scene in the Netherworld Miasma Swamp, probably also wanting to use the momentum to wipe out this account. I don't know what the Dao Palace wants to ask Chen Jun to do."

She glanced at the group of people and thought, "He brought so many Qi Condensation disciples by his side, and also held mortal children who had not practiced inner energy. I'm afraid it's not to ask the Shangqing Sect to take them into the sect, right?"

Just as she was thinking this, the Dao Palace Venerable had already promised to take care of the Netherworld Miasma Swamp, "Fairy Xu is eager to kill demons and eliminate demons, and it is very natural to have accidental injuries when acting chivalrously. The Dao Palace should come forward for this matter."

"Senior Brother is too polite." Chen Jun smiled, arched his hands, swept his eyes over the followers behind him, and smiled, "This group of children just don't make people worry. This time everyone is searching for cultivation seeds, and our Shangqing Sect cannot be an exception. Since they are not willing to take them, then I will take one or two."

The Dao Palace Venerable's face was full of joy. Chen Jun waved the whisk in his arms, drew a line on the top of the mountain, circled the entrance of the mountain path, and said, "However, our Shangqing Sect takes fate to take apprentices. Let's do this. Today, whoever can catch that fish in the stone pond and present it to me, I, Chen Jun, will take him into the sect and bring him back to the mountain."

As soon as he said this, everyone on the top of the mountain was in an uproar. The Venerable's face changed slightly, but soon calmed down, nodded slightly to the strong men. The strong men just rolled up their sleeves and were about to drink away the idlers. Chen Jun waved his whisk again and smiled, "For those who have already reached Foundation Establishment, our Shangqing Sect naturally won't take them, and those over fifty have no fate. Senior Brother, please, let us sit and fish, and watch the disputes of the juniors."

He waved his whisk, and there was a great force that could not be resisted, pushing the strong men, the elderly, and the Foundation Establishment cultivators into the small path. Clouds and mist rose, covering the stone pond. The Venerable secretly used magic power, but still couldn't see anything clearly, only vaguely feeling the breath of his nephews in the formation. He was secretly annoyed, but also knew that the Sheng Sect had its own sect rules. Forcibly asking Chen Jun to accommodate would be counterproductive, so he had to force a smile, "Senior Brother, please!"

As he spoke, the two sat down in front of the water pavilion. Chen Jun closed his eyes to rest, leisurely and content, but the Venerable couldn't help but use his supernatural powers with the onlookers at the intersection, checking the movement in the mist.

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Updated, sorry to keep you waiting. The lottery will open at 12 o'clock in a while, and I will come to open the comment lottery for Chapter 22 in the afternoon, and then start playing the new lottery tomorrow.

I am actually considering adding more, but the problem is that I will be out for a long time in September, more than 20 days, so I have to save manuscripts for that time...

I had mixed water spinach for lunch today~~~~~~~~ This is also my favorite vegetable. Water spinach is my favorite vegetable. Blanch it, mix it with soy sauce, vinegar, and oyster sauce, it's very refreshing and delicious.

. Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord votes or irrigated nutrient solution for me between 2020-07-12 12:05:46 and 2020-07-13 11:57:47~

Thanks to the little angels who cast hand grenades: Yu Yu Wan Yao, elee, 41207504 (1);

Thanks to the little angels who cast landmines: Li Li He Ping, Ruan Mou, Bai Bai Attracted Your Attention, Qingyi, Xiuse, truedfy, Yuan You Tao, Ming Ji, co-annie, elee, Chun Chun Chong Chong, Chen Jiao (1);

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: An Xin (63 bottles); Qin A Qin (30 bottles); Ruojue, UMASOU (20 bottles); Ban Tou Ming sushi (12 bottles); Xiao You Bing, Wu Fan You Tang Cu Pai Gu, hito, Gu Gu Gu, Zhen De You San Shi Wei, sidewalker (5 bottles); Ming Tian Hai You Xin De Yi Zhang, Shi Bu Jun (3 bottles); Tao Yaoyao, Ai Hua (2 bottles); 21699986, Yi Ma, Spadezc, Suansuan, Dandan, Cheng Bi, yzac, aria, Han Sheng (1 bottle);

Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard! ===== CHAPTER 25 =====