Chapter 38: The Seven Red Army-Breaking Star and the Appearance of Calamity

With only a few days left until the second nine-day period, even with her cultivation, Lingxiang could not help but put on cotton-padded clothes in the bitter winter, hunkering down in Qiuyun Peak and refusing to step out.

Seeing her like this, Maidong laughed until her eyes misted over, her waist nearly unable to straighten.

"You are a Peak Master of our Yuanqing Sect, yet you're wrapped up like a rice dumpling. If I were to put a hand warmer in your arms, wouldn't you be no different from those wealthy squires and landlords down the mountain?"

Lingxiang glanced at her, shrinking her neck and saying in a muffled voice, "What do you know? I am gathering Qi. The thicker I am wrapped, the harder it is for the Qi within my body to dissipate."

"If someone didn't know you, they might actually be fooled by this nonsense. It's a pity for your disciple, having encountered an unserious master like you. If he keeps learning like this, won't he just go more and more astray?" Maidong said, pouring a cup of hot tea and sipping it with a slurp.

"The more crooked the melon or split the date, the sweeter and more delicious it is. If his path of cultivation really goes astray, it saves me from having to trip him up myself."

……

In Wuji Hall, Shangqing Zhenren and Qianyuan Zhenren were observing the Hunyuan Instrument, whispering to each other from time to time. Just then, Zhaoming Zhenren arrived at the hall with the two True Persons, Danyang and Danzhu, and went straight up to the Hunyuan Platform.

"Thank you for your hard work, three Junior Brothers. Have you made the arrangements?" After exchanging Daoist salutations, Shangqing Zhenren asked.

"The Mountain-Arranging Array has been set up at the foot of Yinyu Peak, halfway up the mountain, and outside Zoushi Hall. It will automatically dissipate once the martial arts demonstration ends." As Zhaoming Zhenren spoke, he waved his hand, and the Star Sword in his hand flew out, landing steadily a moment later on a sword rack outside the Hunyuan Platform.

"With the Fifth Junior Brother personally setting the array, it is naturally secure and without doubt. Why should Senior Brother worry?" Qianyuan Zhenren said.

"Exactly so," Danzhu Zhenren exclaimed in admiration, "My Seventh Senior Brother and I had just led those spirit beasts up the mountain when Fifth Senior Brother had already finished placing the array. Such speed is truly second to none."

"Indeed, if it weren't for this, Grandmaster wouldn't have entrusted the Mountain Guarding Array to Fifth Senior Brother, would he?" Danyang chimed in from the side.

"You two little monkeys, you only know how to say nice things." Zhaoming Zhenren pointed at Danzhu in a feigned gesture, though who doesn't love to hear praise? Zhaoming Zhenren was deeply pleased.

"That may be so..." Shangqing Zhenren stroked his beard with his right hand, his brows slightly furrowed.

Elder Zhaoming followed Shangqing Zhenren's gaze and saw that on the Hunyuan Instrument, the Seven Red Army-Breaking Star Position was somewhat dim.

"This is!" Zhaoming Zhenren was greatly alarmed.

To understand why Zhaoming Zhenren was like this, one must speak of this Hunyuan Instrument.

This Hunyuan Instrument was shaped like a Jiqiu, massive in size, with three rings on the outside. It was refined by Wuwei Laozu back in the day, and through some unknown witchcraft, it could project the stars of the heavens onto the surface of the sphere like a mirage.

This object could foretell good and bad fortune; the former Sect Leader often used it to divine and decide on all matters.

Before the Yuanqing Sect suffered its calamity years ago, the Hunyuan Instrument had been obscured by dark clouds for many days. No matter what witchcraft the former Sect Leader and the Elders used to dispel the rot, they could not clear it away, which was why the disaster of that time later occurred.

However, compared to before, this current omen was somewhat inconspicuous.

"It must be just some minor misfortune or disaster. Since it is arranged by the heavens, if it truly relates to the martial arts demonstration, let it be a trial for those disciples. The path to seeking the Dao is never smooth after all," Qianyuan Zhenren hurriedly comforted him.

Saying it this way was truly a last resort.

Nowadays, apart from Wuwei Laoxian, there was no one in Yuanqing who could drive the Hunyuan Instrument. Even back then, only the former Sect Leader could use witchcraft to dispel misfortune and avoid disaster, yet he still could not stop the tragedy of that year. And now, Wuwei Laoxian had long since stopped asking about worldly affairs, and no one knew where in Jiuque Mountain he was comprehending the Dao; his tracks were nowhere to be found.

"That is all we can think..." Shangqing Zhenren sighed helplessly, though the look of worry on his face did not diminish.

……

Just after finishing their studies, Long Qi and the other three began practicing sword techniques in the courtyard.

Over the past few days, Xin Yi had gradually forgotten about the Winter Festival and began to focus on studying the "Water-Severing Art." To his surprise, Lingxiang truly had a sharp eye; although he couldn't say he was proficient, it was much better than before, and he seemed to be gradually entering a good state.

Liu Xia's sword technique remained the same. He had recently felt as if he had hit a bottleneck; no matter how he practiced, he could not improve. Could it be that his natural talent was mediocre and he was not suited for cultivation? He felt deeply confused about this, yet did not know how to resolve it.

Zhao Wuyang was quite satisfied with the status quo. Although his sword technique could not be called excellent and he did not understand the Daoist arts very well, he felt he had improved much more than before. In his view, contentment brings lasting happiness; being anxious for quick success often leads to the opposite result. Once one has done their human duty, the rest should be left to heaven's decree.

Long Qi was naturally also intensifying his practice of the "Dragon-Entwining Sword Formula." By now, he had memorized the moves in this sword manual by heart; even without the book, he could perform the entire set. But the situation remained the same: the further he went, the more powerless he felt.

Although it was midwinter and evening, in no time at all, the four of them were drenched in sweat from practicing.

……

The wind in the mountains was biting. That girl Maidong, instead of staying honestly in her room, insisted on coming to see the Outer Disciples. She didn't want to come alone, so she had to drag her along with roundabout excuses.

It wasn't her who wanted to see Xin Yi, so why did she have to come along as a companion? It was truly unreasonable.

Lingxiang thought this, but whether it was because she was frozen silly or what, she actually muttered it out loud.

"I was kind enough to help you steal the master's sword manual, and not only do you not thank me, but you are also so petty. When a sister is in trouble, one should naturally step up to help. How can you be so disloyal?" Maidong turned around and looked down at the "ball" at the foot of the stairs.

"Stop, stop. Let me tell you, that day I exchanged the 'Water-Severing Art' with you, so why should I thank you? This is called each taking what they need. You help your lover, I help my disciple. This deal was settled long ago, fair and square. Why do you make it sound like you've done me a favor? Tsk tsk tsk, the world is going downhill. For the sake of your own lover, you actually say such insincere words to a sister of over ten years. Tsk tsk tsk..." Lingxiang mocked, her tone still winding and tortuous, making it hard to fathom how she even produced such a cadence.

"You blockhead, why is your speech so unpleasant? What do you mean 'help my lover'? Isn't this just mutual help between fellow disciples!" Maidong chided, but she twisted her braids, her eyes shy, her body swaying uncontrollably.

"Besides, since you're helping your disciple, you can't just throw a sword manual at him and let him practice like that, can you? As his master, you should at least give him a pointer or two."

"What is there to point out? In terms of martial strength, that fellow is a bit stronger than me, and I don't understand the sword formula at all. If I go, can I really point out anything brilliant? Furthermore, if we're talking about pointers, your martial strength is much higher than mine, so you could just as well point him out on my behalf. Why must you drag me along? It's a waste of precious time, and I still have many things to discuss with Lord Zhou!" Lingxiang reluctantly moved down a step.

Hearing her say this, Maidong rolled her eyes to the heavens.

"If you didn't accompany me, wouldn't my going be without a proper name or reason?"

……

The two of them argued all the way, skillfully climbing over the courtyard wall and arriving straight at the small courtyard of Long Qi and the others. Just as they stood still, the scene before them left Maidong's mouth hanging open...

In the courtyard, except for Zhao Wuyang, everyone was wearing only their trousers, practicing sword techniques with their upper bodies bare!

And although Zhao Wuyang was still wearing his undergarment, the collar was wide open, his aristocratic temperament completely gone, and there was even a bit of masculine spirit in him!