Chapter 748: An Inauspicious Start

Beizhou, Banluo Cliff.

The cliff's tip resembles an eagle's beak, holding the fiery red sun in its mouth.

Below it lies an endless mountain range, verdant and lush, with immortal Qi swirling about—what a splendid scene of the mortal world.

This place is the dojo of Lingxu Cave. The cave master is Lingxuzi, who inherited the lineage of the Shangqing Sect Master, having cultivated to the second-grade Hunyuan Daluo Jin Xian realm. Beneath him are five disciples, two child-attendants, and countless other sect members, all dwelling within this dojo.

It was just evening, within the immortal mountain's cave abode.

The man appeared middle-aged, with regular features, a goat beard grown down to his chest, clad in a purple cloud Daoist robe, his brows and eyes transcending the mundane, bearing quite the air of an immortal and Daoist bearing.

He looked calmly ahead, only to see a young lady draped in peach-pink silk satin hurrying into the abode, her fair face adorned with a dot of cinnabar between her brows.

The so-called cinnabar opening of wisdom is the rite of entering the school. This young lady had clearly achieved success in cultivation, capable of opening mountains and establishing veins, worthy of being called a Laozu, yet she still wore this vermillion mark, simply because she was the most pampered little junior sister within the sect, named Ling Su.

Before her figure had even settled, she casually poured herself a cup of clear tea, moistening her throat as she spoke: "Zhu Shixiong, do you still remember the crane child-attendant from Qingguang Cave we saw a few days ago? It said two disciples had come fleeing from Da Nanzhou and entered the tutelage of Uncle-Master Qingguang."

"I remember."

True Person Master Yun Miao waited until the other had finished her tea before softly responding.

"These broken-down wretches, accomplishing nothing in their own territory, yet running to our Beizhou to freeload." Ling Su set down her teacup and spat in considerable displeasure.

"Mount Xumi in Da Nanzhou holds great power, and they were already living under another's roof, far from our sect, unable to access the great Dharma. That statement is somewhat biased."

True Person Master Yun Miao shook his head, not really agreeing with his junior sister's take, but he had no intention of arguing with her over such trivial matters, and directly changed the subject: "Why bring this up with me all of a sudden?"

"What else could it be? They've come freeloading right to our doorstep."

True Person Ling Su curled her lip and said with disdain: "Just now a disciple came to report that a cultivator has arrived below Banluo Cliff, claiming to be of the Shenxu lineage from Da Nanzhou, requesting an audience with Master."

"The Shenxu lineage?" True Person Master Yun Miao furrowed his brow, showing some puzzlement.

"It's that six-winged silkworm that luckily achieved the Dao."

Ling Su sat down on the jade chair, extending her index finger to rapidly tap the armrest: "A demon race root, and in other caves it would be doing well to serve as a child-attendant, yet it actually opened its own lineage, became a Laozu, and flaunts the name of our Sanxian Sect—simply shameless. The disciples beneath it are probably a nest of snakes and rats."

"..."

True Person Master Yun Miao pondered for a moment, and this time did not refute her.

The sect valued its clean reputation; there was truly no need to keep such a person around and become a laughingstock among fellow disciples.

Thinking of this, he asked aloud: "How did you arrange it?"

Hearing this, Ling Su chuckled softly and raised her brow: "I ordered a disciple to first take him to find some random cave abode to rest in for a few days, just leaving him coldly like that. It probably won't be long before he feels the disgrace himself and goes back to wherever he came from, and stops dreaming of taking advantage."

Seeing his little junior sister's smug appearance, True Person Master Yun Miao smiled helplessly.

He knew what the other party was concerned about.

The many sect followers of Beizhou had painstakingly completed their arrangements, and now was the time to reap the harvest. Every additional person meant the rest had to give up some portion.

Uncle-Master Qingguang's side could be let off, after all, when the crane child-attendant went to Da Nanzhou to deliver the decree, those fellow disciples were essentially doing work for Qingguang Cave. If they gained any benefits in the end, the Qingguang lineage would naturally take the lion's share, so if problems arose now, they ought to bear some responsibility.

Besides, those two were proper immortal sect disciples.

The situation with the one at the foot of their own mountain was entirely different.

Moreover, if Master took in another disciple, Ling Su would no longer be the little junior sister.

It was no wonder she bore a grudge.

"Understood, just handle it as you see fit."

Master Yun Miao waved his hand, no longer inquiring into the matter: "By the way, how are your own affairs going?"

Speaking of this, Ling Su immediately became elated: "I've discussed it with fellow disciples from other caves. They plan to cede the area around Tian Tashan in Kaiyuan Prefecture to me as my dojo."

"I've already sent disciples to distribute Wusheng Rice and Green Jade Vases, carrying out relief for several years like this. Once I arrange a great demon later, things will be mostly done. When the time comes, I'll establish the Ling Su Zhenjun Shrine, and that piece of land will be mine."

Don't be fooled by the place not being too large.

Given her qualifications and cultivation, being able to claim a piece of land in this tribulation was already extremely difficult. Moreover, once it was classified as a dojo, it represented an eternal offering—a steady stream that, accumulated over time, would be enough for her to break through to the second grade.

"Not bad."

True Person Master Yun Miao sighed; compared to his junior sister, his own problems were even more of a headache.

Someone like Ling Su claiming a mere few feet of land—given his cultivation and strength, he truly felt somewhat unwilling. But if he wanted to step forward and compete for something, his own Master's position within the sect was not enough to intimidate others.

Too high to reach, too low to settle for—this was the most vexing state.

As these senior and junior siblings chatted idly—

Below Banluo Cliff, guided by disciples of the Sanxian Sect, a slender figure in snow-white robes slowly stepped into this boundless mountain range.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Taking this opportunity, Ling Su had consulted her senior brother on many questions regarding cultivation, and vaguely gained some further insight into transformation, just a final push away from that Huang Liuliu threshold. Combined with the recent imperial Qi gathered through relief efforts, a breakthrough was imminent, and she couldn't help but be in high spirits.

"Zhu Shixiong, I must take my leave. I need to check on my dojo again, to keep those ill-mannered sorts from eyeing it."

She turned and cupped her fists, preparing to summon her Dharma artifact and depart.

Just then, a crisp crane cry rang out from the horizon. Accompanied by the sound of flapping wings, a streak of flowing light descended, transforming into a fair-skinned, red-lipped youth clad in black-and-white feathered garments.

"Greetings to the two immortal masters."

The youth bowed with impeccable courtesy, entirely without the languid casualness he had shown back in Da Nanzhou.

"You are too kind, child-attendant."

True Person Master Yun Miao lightly nodded his chin and raised his palm in return greeting.

Though the other was of demon race origin, he was not a disciple but a child-attendant under Uncle-Master Qingguang—this was the best path for most demon races.

Moreover, his years of cultivation were long, his realm profound, already comparable to his own. His master was his own uncle-master, whose position within the sect far surpassed that of his own Master by a good margin.

One does not look at the monk's face but at the Buddha's.

Therefore, True Person Master Yun Miao did not act arrogant, and said slowly: "Has the child-attendant come to my Lingxu Cave carrying Uncle-Master Qingguang's decree?"

Ling Su curled her lip. Though her heart was longing for Tianyuan Prefecture and she was somewhat impatient, she did not dare act presumptuously before her senior brother, and could only force a smile, secretly stamping her foot behind her back.

"It is not a decree. I merely wished to ask the two of you—has anyone from Da Nanzhou come to Lingxu Cave recently?" The crane child-attendant looked toward the mountains.

"Da Nanzhou?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Su paused, instinctively turning to look at her senior brother.

"Indeed, a cultivator came to visit, claiming to be of the Shen Xu lineage—could this person have ties to Qingguang Cave?" Yun Miao, as the eldest disciple of Ling Xu Cave, reacted with sharp acuity, revealing no more than necessary and instead questioned the other to gather information for a measured reply.

"Not at all—he has no connection to my True Person," said He Tong with a smiling shake of his head. "I'm merely curious myself. How is he faring now?"

"Hu."

Learning the man had no relation to Master Qingguang, Ling Su exhaled in relief and finally interjected: "I kindly let him stay two days, giving him shelter to heal. As for his current whereabouts, I'm unclear—he probably left already... Surely you don't expect me, Ling Xu Cave, to be tied to insect demons?"

She glanced at him with a cold, humorless smile.

He Tong must have visited Da Nanzhou and met this cultivator; he'd cleverly blocked the conversation beforehand, so even if the other had a thick face, he'd hardly dare press further.

"That's impossible."

He Tong caught Ling Su's implication but kept his smile unchanged, speaking softly: "I merely chatted for several days with Elder Yu Chi and Shen Shan in Da Nanzhou, hearing much about that region. It's said a young prodigy has emerged from Nan Xumí, called the Bodhisattva of Subduing the Dragon and Taming the Tiger."

"This man is cruel by nature; to seize offerings, he mercilessly slaughtered fellow sect Bodhisattvas, facing six third-rank masters from two sects at once—two of them from our sect carried artifacts bestowed by True Persons."

"All the Bodhisattvas perished. Had it not been for a great demon of Da Nanzhou, nearing the pinnacle of ninety-nine transformations, who happened to pass by and drew the Subduing Dragon's attention, causing him to pursue it, Elder Yu Chi and Shen Shan would surely have perished too."

"..."

Yun Miao True Person listened in silence, a complex flicker crossing his eyes: "Thank you for informing me, Child."

Beizhou occupies only a quarter of the Divine Dynasty's territory; with such vast numbers in the Sanxian Sect, how could they possibly distribute them? A precarious existence like ours—if we fail in Beizhou, we'll inevitably turn our gaze to the other three continents.

It wouldn't hurt to learn more about these monks' depths.

Ling Su, however, was distracted—these matters had little to do with her.

At that moment, He Tong shook his head again: "Master Yun Miao misunderstands. What I wish to say goes beyond this."

Under the puzzled gazes of the two,

it grew slightly more serious: "According to Elder Yu Chi, among all the Immortal Lords and Bodhisattvas of Dananzhou, excluding those like her and Shen Shan who survived by accident, the only one who escaped the Subduing Dragon's grasp is Taixu Danhuang of Shen Xu Mountain."

"And this Taixu Danhuang, like the Subduing Dragon, belongs to the younger generation, advancing with astonishing speed. According to those two in Da Nanzhou, his talent may not be inferior to the Subduing Dragon's—likely he merely lost due to his distance from our sect, while the Subduing Dragon has Nan Xumí as his foundation."

"I saw he did not come to Qingguang Cave, so I assume he came to the closer Ling Xu Cave."

"This..."

Yun Miao True Person faintly grasped the child's meaning but did not rush to conclude: "Are you suggesting Master Qingguang wishes to take this man as a disciple, hence sending you to guide him?"

"Ah."

Hearing the other still probing, He Tong sighed softly.

This eldest disciple of Ling Xu Cave was strong in cultivation, but too slippery, too indecisive—no wonder his reputation fell short of other disciples at the same level.

"My True Person cherishes his reputation and has no intention of taking another disciple."

It denied outright: "I've merely come to inform you. What you do next is entirely your decision, Immortal Master."

"..."

Before the words had fully faded, Yun Miao True Person's expression had darkened.

He Tong's words sounded polite, but the meaning was unmistakable.

This man is talent.

But Qingguang Cave refuses him—because his origins are too unsavory—and yet hopes Ling Xu Cave will take him in.

After all, only Master Qingguang's status grants him the luxury of caring for his reputation; he doesn't lack one or two disciples. But Ling Xu Cave, stuck in mediocrity, must seize any good seedling quickly—how could it afford to refuse?

As for why He Tong came, likely because he delivered a decree to Da Nanzhou and now, with this problem arising, leaving it unattended would reflect poorly and tarnish Master Qingguang's reputation—so they'd hand it to Ling Xu Cave to manage.

"I understand."

Yun Miao True Person nodded, raising his palm to dismiss the guest.

"Farewell, both of you."

He Tong bowed once more, his form transforming into a white crane, wings spreading as he vanished into the horizon.

"What? Even a mere attendant now dares to be so arrogant!"

After he left, Ling Su clenched her teeth, indignant, then turned to Yun Miao: "Senior brother, you don't actually believe him, do you? His master is an insect demon. Now he seeks to join our master—where does that leave Ling Xu Cave's honor?"

"Be silent."

Yun Miao True Person's expression grew cold. He had once tolerated Ling Su's antics and understood her feelings, but He Tong's words forced him to consider Master Qingguang's intentions.

After a moment's silence, he finally turned: "Take me to him."

"Hmph!"

Ling Su drew a deep breath, her chest heaving, but under her senior brother's gaze, she could only let out a heavy huff and reluctantly summoned her artifact.

Amid verdant, lush Xianshan, a modestly clean cave dwelling.

Usually unoccupied, it was meant for guests.

A Ling Xu Cave disciple bowed respectfully to the two elders: "He hasn't left, hasn't thrown a tantrum. Since arriving, he's stayed quietly, awaiting Grandmaster's audience—never stepped out."

"What a thick face!" Ling Su spat.

"..."

Yun Miao True Person had already made his decision; he ignored his sister's petulance and stepped forward.

He stood outside the cave dwelling, not entering directly, but first sending a voice message to announce himself.

Only after receiving a response from within did he enter with his sister.

Inside, all remained unchanged—only the tea set had been touched; even the cup held no tea leaves, only clear water.

The youth's hair was neatly tied with a jade band, falling to his shoulders, clad in a fitted Bai Shan of silk. Seated there, he radiated an untainted, otherworldly purity.

As for his face... clearly concealed. At first glance, he seemed warm and jade-like; yet upon closer inspection, his features blurred, indistinct.

This was the method of the Shen Xu Dao Fruit.

Had they not known the other's background, even Ling Su would have been nearly fooled, thinking this was some senior brother of the sect with profound cultivation.

She frowned tightly: "Hiding and covering up, what's wrong with you?"

True Person Yun Miao raised his palm to stop her words and said gently, "Fellow Daoist, what is this?"

Shen Yi took a sip of clear water to moisten his lips: "I fled for my life; caution is paramount. I hope both of you will forgive me."

With his realm of the Shenxu Dao Fruit, this illusion could at most affect a cultivator transformed by Huang Liuliu, and only if the other party did not investigate specifically; once reaching the level of the Southern Emperor, it could be seen through with a mere glance.

But this method was not originally meant to guard against people from Beizhou; it was merely to avoid accidentally encountering Elder Yu Chi and Shen Shan Laozu, after all, these two had seen the true form of the Bodhisattva of Subduing the Dragon and Tiger.

"Naturally, I can understand."

Yun Miao looked through the void at that Bai Xi and handsome face, sat down with a faint smile: "Fellow Daoist, you have just arrived in Beizhou; is your stay comfortable?"

"Thank you for your hospitality; there is no discomfort." Shen Yi replied politely.

"No need for such courtesy; we are all of the same sect. If Taixu Danhuang needs it, you may freely choose a cave dwelling within the Lingxu Cave training ground, or open a new one."

"Now that Fellow Daoist is in trouble, the Lingxu Cave cannot stand aside; you may stay as long as you wish, coming and going as you please."

True Person Yun Miao held a smile, finding no fault in his manners.

But the instant these words fell, Shen Yi slowly raised his eyes and looked over, deep in thought.

In contrast, Ling Su paused for a moment, and a smile gradually appeared on her displeased face.

So that is how it is; no wonder he is a senior brother.

Those whom Master Qingguang's Cave did not want, the Lingxu Cave also did not want; it was merely out of respect for Deng Shibo's face that it provided the other party with a place to dwell, neither offending Master Qingguang's Cave nor losing the face of the Sect Master.

(End of this chapter)