Chapter 137: Dragon Pattern Jade Expresses Deep Affection

People in the mortal world who ascend the mountain to cultivate the Dao either do so because they have seen through the ties of the mortal world and seek transcendence, because they wish to practice martial arts and cultivation to hone their skills, or because they have nowhere else to go and seek a place to belong.

Naturally, among these newly entered disciples, it is much the same.

There are fifteen disciples in total. Apart from Zhao Wuyang, who was chosen by Qianyuan Zhenren as a personal disciple; Liu Xia, whom Chengxin Zhenren took under his wing; Banxia, whom Donghui Zhenren selected immediately; Chengkai, who is quite appreciated by Zhaoming Zhenren; and the trio of Long Qi, Xin Yi, and Rendong, the remaining eight reside in Youyuan Hall alongside other Inner Sect Disciples.

As for these eight disciples, some do indeed have backgrounds. Take Boluohui, for instance; he is the son of a tribal leader in Manzhou. He ran away in a fit of anger solely because his brothers were scheming against one another, coveting the position of leader. He is an upright person and has always despised the hypocrisy of his brothers.

Then there is Yinqiao, who comes from an Exorcist Family. He snuck out alone in the middle of the night specifically to learn skills. His family is quite prestigious in their local area, and he even has an elder sister serving the Emperor in the palace, who is now a noble consort.

In this world, although Spirit Roots are scarce, monsters often run rampant, so the status of Exorcist Families is relatively high.

As for Shanhuai, who is also from an Exorcist Family, he was actually unwilling to come to Yuanqing at first. However, his family is currently in decline, and his cousins are all of mediocre aptitude, so the family head discussed it and decided to choose one person to send to Jiuque Mountain to cultivate the Dao and learn some skills, so that they might better inherit the family business in the future.

But cultivating the Dao is not as simple as it sounds; not to mention the hardships, if one becomes obsessed, they might see through the red dust and devote themselves entirely to the Dao.

That whole family of good-for-nothing cousins naturally understood this point. They pushed the responsibility onto one another, and in the end, the naive Shanhuai was the only one left.

Although Shanhuai was extremely unhappy at first and was forced to be sent to Yuanqing, after practicing for a few days with Chengkai and the others, he gradually grew fond of it.

It is said that the human heart is the strangest thing; from his initial reluctance to his current reluctance to leave, it seems that if he were to return home now, he would certainly need to use some means to get out again.

As for Shuzhu, he was originally a scholar who took the imperial examinations several times, yet he failed every time. He was disheartened after the last posting of results, but he happened to encounter Chengkai, who was on his way to Jiuque Mountain. Seeing his ashen face and listless demeanor, Chengkai persuaded him to come along and seek the Dao.

Such are the many coincidences of life; despite all the setbacks in his studies, who would have thought his aptitude for cultivation would be extraordinary.

Those in this world with True Spiritual Root aptitude are few and far between. If it were not for the fact that the Spirit Root aptitudes of this entire group of disciples were truly superior, he would likely have been taken by some Elder as a personal disciple.

However, although he is currently an Outer Disciple, Shangqing Zhenren thinks very highly of him. This person has a pure mind, is thorough in his considerations, and has a very steady temperament; he is indeed a talent worth cultivating.

As for Chengkai, his family originally ran a security firm, but after seeing a female immortal when he was a child, he could never forget her. That female immortal was truly beautiful, and even though he was but a child, he was still conquered by her grace. Ever since then, he has had the intention to cultivate the Dao, thinking that if he achieves success in his cultivation in the future, he might be able to see that female immortal again.

As for the others, except for Wenjing, the rest either have living parents or have already started families. Coming to Yuanqing this time is merely to learn some skills so that they might find a way to make a living in the future.

Speaking of Wenjing, he must be mentioned. The reason this person came to Yuanqing to seek the Dao is that his family suffered persecution by a monster. Now, left all alone, he hopes to cultivate a set of skills—first, to seek revenge on the monster that harmed his wife and children, and second, to be able to eliminate demons and defend the Dao in the future.

Now that the sect has asked everyone to sever their mortal ties, there are some who cannot let go. Like those mentioned earlier who still have wives, children, and parents, it is likely they will never see them again once they descend the mountain.

And for someone as willful as Yinqiao, it is likely just a trip down the mountain, and he will return once the time is up.

But Boluohui is different. Although he says he left because of his brothers' power struggles, there is actually another reason—he suspects the Shaman by his father's side is a monster, because he always wears a mask and never speaks; only his father has ever heard his voice in the entire tribe.

Where there is an anomaly, there must be a demon. Returning this time, he will likely be able to uncover the Shaman's mask.

Everyone returned to Youyuan Hall to pack their belongings, their faces appearing as usual, yet each harboring their own thoughts.

Xianyun Abode had been lively for a season, and Lingxiang had truly played the part of a master for a season. Suddenly hearing the news that these disciples were to descend the mountain for training, she felt somewhat uneasy.

She did not delve into why she felt this way, simply assuming it was her "old mother" heart—the three sons she had finally raised were going on a long journey, which was why she felt so uncomfortable.

After all, the old saying goes: when a child travels a thousand miles, the mother worries.

As the three of them packed their things, Lingxiang did not stay idle either. One moment she was handing Rendong a Pill, the next she was tucking a few pieces of Talisman Paper into Xin Yi's pocket, or stuffing two boxes of Injury Medicine into Long Qi's hands, as if she were truly their mother.

Xin Yi saw this, but he understood in his heart; it was likely that the young girl had grown accustomed to the days the few of them spent at Xianyun Abode, and with them leaving so suddenly, she was surely feeling some reluctance.

After the three had finished packing, Lingxiang really had nothing left to advise, and standing in the room felt a bit awkward. Seeing this, Xin Yi called for Rendong to go outside and light the stove to cook some food, treating it as a farewell meal, and dragged him out regardless of whether he was willing.

Seeing Xin Yi act this way, Long Qi thought his brother was quite perceptive. After the two went out, he hurriedly closed the door.

Lingxiang had intended to go out and help, but seeing Long Qi close the door, she felt a bit puzzled.

"What are you doing? They went out to light the fire, aren't you going to help?"

Long Qi did not speak, but walked up to Lingxiang and reached into his robe to pull out an object. Lingxiang looked down—was that not the Dragon Pattern Jade she had returned to Long Qi earlier?

"As for me, I originally thought that since you are still young, it is a good thing that you do not understand matters of love. But now that I am about to descend the mountain—they say it is for training, but I do not know how long it will be before I can return—I am just afraid that you will be deceived by someone in the sect."

Hearing this, Lingxiang looked at Long Qi and saw that his face was full of sincerity. She heard him say:

"My feelings have already been told to you. Believe it or not, in this life, I am determined to marry you. This jade pendant is an heirloom of my family. When I was young, I heard my mother say that if the head of the Long Family ever took a fancy to a girl, he would give her this jade; if she accepted it, the two could be together. Now, I am the only one left in the Long Family. Today, I give this jade to you; if you accept it, you agree. Even if you do not agree, I will force it into your hands." As he spoke, he reached out his hand.

Lingxiang looked at the Dragon Pattern Jade, and the previous unease suddenly calmed down. She was stunned for a moment, then, involuntarily, she raised her hand and grasped the jade.

The sunlight shone in through the window and hit Long Qi's face; at this moment, his face was as bright and brilliant as the sunlight itself.