Chapter 19: Strange Occurrences Follow One After Another, Hard to Fathom

Lingxiang did not know what kind of devious scheme she was hatching again, actually wanting him to attend the Yuanqing Sect entrance ceremony. She was teaching him so well, so why was she acting like a hands-off manager? Long Qi complained to himself as he headed toward Jiuque Mountain.

Many people were gathered before the mountain gate, some wanting to join the Daoist Sect, others bringing their children to join in the fun; it was bustling and lively.

Standing before a square table at the entrance were two youths in green robes; they were disciples of the Yuanqing Sect, registering the names of those ascending the mountain.

"Everyone, please note: all those seeking to become disciples, please present your name tags; you may only enter after exchanging them for name plates. All those with the ambition to cultivate are welcome. Even if you have no heart for the Dao, you may go up the mountain to meditate or ask for divinations; the various Elders of the sect are all presiding in the halls."

To enter, one even needed a name tag. He had wandered the streets and the world of martial arts since he was small, with no home or family; where was he supposed to get a name tag?

Long Qi muttered to himself, then suddenly remembered the two silk pouches Lingxiang had given him before she left, and hurriedly opened them.

One pouch contained a Yellow Talisman of unknown use, while the other held a green iron plate with a red tassel, accompanied by a note: If the mountain gate is hard to enter, simply hand this plate to the gate-keeping Daoist acolyte.

This woman really was meticulous in her planning.

A disciple took the Iron Token, looked at it, whispered two sentences to the person beside him, then returned the plate to Long Qi, performed a Daoist salute to him, and invited him up the mountain.

At the halfway point, the two stopped walking the guest path and instead took a fork in the road, climbing up step by step. Seeing that Long Qi was not panting after walking for so long, the youth looked at him with newfound respect.

Not long after Long Qi followed the youth, he saw the small path become increasingly narrow. After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he felt a biting chill all around him. Looking up, it seemed as if the sky had been blocked by the mountain, leaving only a single line. The sunlight spilled through that line onto the stone steps ahead, looking just like a ladder hanging on a cliff.

After walking for about a quarter of an hour, the view suddenly opened up. Strange rocks stood all around, with exotic plants and strange herbs. A stream of unknown origin flowed across an open space, then cascaded away not far off.

On a rock by the stream, an old man was meditating and regulating his breath. The youth led Long Qi to the side and performed a Daoist salute to the old man.

"Master, a guest has arrived." Having said this, he retreated to the side and stood with his hands folded.

The old man opened his eyes and looked at Long Qi. He saw hair like cascading silver frost, eyebrows like ink-black mountains. His eyes were like deep pools reflecting the moon, and his beard was whiter than snow. He wore a jade crown and purple robes, with a green belt and cloud-patterned shoes.

Such a celestial appearance of a Daoist master left Long Qi unable to close his mouth in shock.

"Who is the visitor?" the old man asked, his voice like a booming bell.

Long Qi did not know how to answer for a moment, so the youth signaled for him to present the token and talisman.

The old man took the plate and talisman, his brow furrowed, and he picked up the talisman and formed a hand seal.

The youth hurriedly covered his ears, while Long Qi was left in the dark.

"Old man Shangqing! This person is the disciple I have taken! You are to train him well for a few days in my stead! I will come to reclaim him when I have time!!"

Reclaim...

Reclaim...

Lingxiang's voice echoed through the valley, lingering incessantly; it was actually a Sound Transmission Talisman. Long Qi listened until his face turned red with embarrassment...

How could there be such an unrestrained woman...

And...

The old man before him was actually the Yuanqing Sect Leader, Shangqing Zhenren! How dared that woman Lingxiang order him around like that! What exactly was her background?

The Guyang City Lord, upon hearing that a closed-door disciple of the Yuanqing Fuyin Zhenren had arrived, hurried out to welcome them. He was startled for a moment upon seeing two young girls, but his expression returned to normal in an instant.

Seeing him like this, Lingxiang couldn't help but praise: As expected of someone who has seen the world; his insight and bearing are truly different from others.

The City Lord bowed to the two, and without much small talk, stated the current condition of his wife.

It turned out that about a month ago, his wife had been brewing tea and admiring chrysanthemums in the backyard when she suddenly collapsed into a coma for no apparent reason. She had not woken up to this day. The City Lord had invited every doctor and sorcerer in the city, but all were helpless. Having occasionally heard the great name of Fuyin Zhenren, the City Lord had gone to Yuanqing in person, only to find the mountain gate closed, which was why he had widely issued medical notices in hopes that a capable person could solve it.

Maidong looked at Lingxiang upon hearing this. This was strange; everything was fine, so why would she faint for no reason?

Lingxiang also appeared puzzled. She pondered for a moment and said, "We cannot speak rashly before diagnosing the illness. We must wait for the two of us to take the lady's pulse before we can discuss it further."

Hearing this, the City Lord hurriedly led the two to the backyard.

Although he was a City Lord and royalty, there was not a hint of arrogance about him, and his residence was not overly luxurious, no different from an ordinary large mansion.

Even though she had been lying there for over a month, the City Lord's wife still had a beautiful face, though it was slightly pale.

As expected of a City Lord, just how much restorative medicine must have been used...

Maidong stepped forward to check the City Lord's wife's eyelids, then took her pulse for a moment before frowning and standing up.

"Looking at the pulse, the lady's body has no major issues; it is just that she has been lying in bed constantly, away from the sun, leading to some deficiency symptoms..."

"The doctors and sorcerers who came before said the same," the City Lord hurriedly replied, "but why does my wife never wake up?"

"I do find it a bit strange..." Lingxiang said, stroking her chin. "Logically speaking, even with the best tonics, if a person were in this state, there would be some signs of illness, but the lady is just like someone sleeping, with only the deficiency symptoms of long-term bed rest..."

"Yes, that is also what puzzles me. Could it be that someone is channeling Spirit Qi into her?" Maidong speculated.

"Does the household have any cultivators?" Lingxiang turned and asked the City Lord.

"Except for my son who has an ambition to cultivate, I have never invited any cultivators."

Son... his son?

Observing that this City Lord was barely over twenty, he actually had a son who aspired to cultivate?

The City Lord seemed to see their confusion and said, "In two more years, I will reach the age of forty. I have a son who has just performed the capping ceremony."

"The City Lord and his wife are truly skilled at maintaining their youth; blessed by the heavens, you are truly a divine couple..."

"I wonder what the young master's cultivation level is, and where he is now?" Maidong asked the City Lord, not waiting for Lingxiang to finish her flattery.

"My son only knows some basic martial arts. Recently, he received guidance from a friend and is now about to join Yuanqing, also to see Master Fuyin and ask him to take action to save his mother."

"Regardless, she cannot just lie like this forever. It is better to set up a small couch in the corridor and let the lady experience some Yang energy outside."

Hearing Lingxiang say this, and seeing Maidong nod in agreement, the City Lord hurriedly called the servants to make arrangements.

After some tidying up, it was already the hour of the Rooster. The setting sun spilled onto the City Lord's wife, and the City Lord sat by her side. Looking from the courtyard, the beauty on the couch and the jade-like man beside her made the scene look as if it were a painting.

Just as Lingxiang was staring in a daze, Maidong poked her.

"Can you hear the sound of a bell?"

Lingxiang focused her hearing, and sure enough, there was the sound of a bell coming from far to near.

"Ding-ling~ Ding-ling~"

It was as if it were coming straight toward them.

"Ding-ling~ Ding-ling~"

Lingxiang turned her head and saw, at the corner, an entirely pitch-black object heading toward the City Lord's wife.

That figure seemed to sense her gaze, suddenly twisted its head, and stared back at Lingxiang.

It was actually a cat.

A black cat with eyes of burning gold!