Chapter 183: The Scarlet Gate's Coiled Pattern Finally Opens

"Forget it, we can be considered people of the same path, can you really be such a gentleman? Besides, even if you have read books, that is a matter of a past life. Now that you are living another life, why still care about these bullshit dogmas?" Lingxiang said, and actually got off the bed.

"Moreover, I am going to steal an object that belongs to me in the first place. If you count it up, it should be called taking it back; it cannot be counted as stealing."

Upon hearing this, Xiaobai could not help but be puzzled: "Your things? If they are your things, then just take them openly and honestly, why go to the trouble of stealing them?"

Lingxiang's expression dimmed: "It involves some past events, better not to mention it. It is just that I have received news and guessed the approximate location, but I am not entirely certain, which is why I intend to investigate it myself."

Lingxiang stood barefoot on the wooden couch in front of the bed; the skin on her feet was terrifyingly white even in the darkness. Looking at her like this, Xiaobai recalled the previous matter at Langhuan Pavilion, and for a moment, his heart softened.

"It is still very cold outside, and the injury on your foot has only just healed, do not torture yourself like this; I will help you." As he spoke, he wanted to step forward to support her back to the bed, but as soon as he raised his hand, he remembered what had just happened, and for a moment, he did not know whether he should support her or not.

Lingxiang gave a soft laugh and sat back on the bed: "I naturally have to go with you, otherwise how would you know what it is you are looking for?" After saying this, she found her shoes and socks and put them on.

Although Xiaobai is now a demon and his mind is quite dissolute, he is, after all, as he said, someone who has read the books of sages. Seeing Lingxiang barefoot, he thought to himself that one should not look at what is improper, but he could not help but want to take a few more looks. Lost in thought for a moment, he cursed himself for being filthy and hurriedly turned his back.

"You... doesn't the injury on your leg still need to be nursed for a few days? Walking on the ground like this, aren't you afraid of leaving behind lasting complications?"

Lingxiang answered while putting on her shoes: "I am a healer myself, so I naturally know that this injury should be well-nursed, but it is not as bad as the Senior Brother says. As long as I do not use footwork, walking a little is fine."

After Lingxiang was fully dressed, she tiptoed out of the courtyard and headed straight for Fuyin Zhenren's study. Xiaobai, following behind, saw her like this and could not help but feel that this girl was truly adorable. Acting in such a way was exactly like a little fox in its den, which made him laugh, yet he dared not laugh out loud.

After all, what the two were doing could be described as skullduggery. Since the Zhaowen Bell had rung, there must be something going on; the disciples hurriedly put down what they were doing and rushed toward Wuji Hall.

By the time Banxia arrived, the plaza outside Wuji Hall was already surrounded by many people. She was wondering what had happened when she heard a burst of cheers.

Could it be that the Sect Leader had a sudden whim and set up a stage here to perform a grand play?

If one were to call it a grand play, it was indeed a grand play, but it was a stage set up by Lingxiang to fulfill the Kunwu Sect; Shangqing Zhenren had merely provided her with a venue.

Just as Banxia was wondering what to do, she saw Lianqiao waving at her not far away. She hurriedly squeezed over and only then discovered that there were two people sparring on the Yanwu Stage. Looking over, one was wearing a blue Daoist Robe, and the other was wearing a red Daoist Armor.

"What is this about?" Before she was even close, Banxia hurriedly asked.

Lianqiao reached out and pulled her over: "Guests came to the sect two days ago, these people here, saying they are from the Kunwu Sect, saying they came to exchange Daoist techniques. And so, the sect arranged this."

As Lianqiao spoke, she raised her hand to signal. Banxia looked in the direction she pointed; on Wangxian Terrace, the Sect Leader and the seven Elders were all seated, and beside the Sect Leader, there was actually someone she had never seen before.

Banxia was a bit puzzled now; Lianqiao said they came a few days ago, but why hadn't she heard of it?

It was at this moment that she saw Qianyuan Zhenren stand up and say to the crowd below Wangxian Terrace:

"A few days ago, our friendly sect Kunwu arrived for a visit, the purpose being to exchange Daoist techniques and martial arts. However, in the Dao, there is a distinction between those who learn first and those who learn later; if new disciples and old disciples were on the same stage, it would naturally be unfair. Thus, Daoist Xuantan and we discussed it, and decided that the newly promoted disciples should compete, so that it would appear fair and just. What happened just now was merely for entertainment; now that most people have arrived, if anyone has confidence in their own cultivation, they may come up to the stage and try. Even if you lose, it does not matter; it is just an exchange, participation is what counts." Mentioning this Bamboo Whistle, one must return to the day of the Shangyuan Festival.

Regarding the rat demon incident at Youran Abode on the Shangyuan Festival, Alv had once sent a small yellow weasel to notify Lingxiang. At that time, Lingxiang brought it back to Xianyun Abode, feeding it Pills and teaching it human speech. It had already awakened its intelligence and achieved Spirit Communication, and now it even possessed demonic power.

Although it could not compare to those who had received offerings like Alv, it was still quite good. After all, this little yellow weasel was still young, and in time, it might become a great demon of a region.

It was just that Lingxiang would not keep it confined in Xianyun Abode on ordinary days, but ordered it to cultivate in the mountains to experience the laws of nature, so it was rarely seen in Xianyun Abode.

In Lingxiang's words, since the Dao follows nature, then let it begin naturally. Lingxiang even specially gave it the name Adao, hoping that it would attain the Dao early.

Now that the disciples were about to go down the mountain for training, Zhao Wuyang, as the son of the Guyang City Lord, certainly had to return to the City Lord Mansion to pay a visit first, but Alv did not know about this.

With Alv's cultivation, deceiving the City Lord might be possible, but Zhao Wuyang had already entered the Dao, and it is said that he is now at the final stage of Qi Refining. Having gone through a tempering by Qianyuan Zhenren, he even had the ancient firmament dwelling within him. If things went poorly, he might see through it.

At this critical juncture of breaking through his realm, if he were to learn that his mother had long since passed away and had been possessed by a yellow weasel demon, he might well plant a heart demon. "Sigh~ the aptitude of the Spirit Root is still unclear; let us discuss it after the inner sect promotion assessment." The old man laughed, his face full of satisfaction.

This person was none other than the second disciple of the former Sect Leader of the Yuanqing Sect, the current Managing Elder, Qianyuan Zhenren.

"It is just that person..." It is just that that person's brows and eyes were extremely similar to an old friend, could it be...

Qianyuan Zhenren did not finish his sentence. Hanyang asked for the reason, but received a "it is nothing."

The two turned and left, but Qianyuan Zhenren had other calculations in his heart: this matter must be reported to the Sect Leader Senior Brother.

Long Qi did not expect that Xin Yi would actually respond to him, but he did not discover how he had made his move, which showed that his cultivation was certainly not shallow.

This Chengkai, it seems, was not as he appeared on the surface; he still had some brains. He had suffered a loss today, so he would certainly not let it go. Since they had become rivals, they would definitely be at odds in the future.

However, after this incident, the four of them became closer, especially Xin Yi. Although he was still as unsmiling as ever, he could sit with the three of them and listen to them talk, occasionally even putting in a word.

Outer Disciples of the Yuanqing Sect must understand Daoist morality, know sword logic, clear away distracting thoughts, and practice concentration; this is the foundation of cultivating the Dao, and the four daily lessons are for this purpose.

Daoist morality is to cultivate the disciples' integration with the Great Dao of nature and their own inner selves, laying the foundation for studying Dharma Techniques and Mysterious Arts in the future. Sword Formula, on the other hand, is the Martial Dao that a practitioner of the Dao must learn upon entry, and it is also in preparation for practicing Weapon Formula later on. Therefore, every month, a Martial Arts Tournament is held to let Outer Disciples spar with each other to verify their cultivation results.

The so-called Dharma Technique, just like the Ripple Formula used by Lingxiang, is taught by the sect according to each person's Spirit Root aptitude. However, a Dharma Technique requires the practitioner to be able to connect their own Spirit Power with the Great Dao of nature in order to fully exert its Mysterious Arts and Daoist power.

However, not everyone can achieve this, so there is the method of Weapon Formula.

Weapon Formula is a cultivation method opened up for practitioners who cannot utilize Natural Force. By means of weapons, Spirit Treasures, and the like, they either draw out their own Spirit Power or guide the Natural Force into their bodies, thereby achieving integration.

Only by integrating one's own Spirit Power with Natural Force can one perform Daoist Techniques.

However, most Weapon Formula methods have harsh requirements for a practitioner's physical strength, so the stage of Body Tempering and Qi Refining is especially important. Only very few Spirit Treasures are relatively lenient, so Lingxiang used Spirit Vein Water and Spirit Plants to nourish Long Qi's body and store Qi, and carrying water every day was to temper his tendons and bones, allowing the power of the Medicine Bath to be fully exerted. Although that is said, she had searched the study from top to bottom, yet she never saw the so-called Entwining Dragon Sword Technique. Where exactly did Master hide it? Could it be that he put it in the bedroom?

Just as she was at her wit's end, thinking about whether to sneak into Fuyin Zhenren's bedroom, she suddenly felt that something was not quite right behind her—she had leaned her entire body against the flower stand, but this flower stand did not move at all, and the porcelain vase she had just touched was as steady as a rock, not even shaking in the slightest.

There must be something strange!

Maidong reached out and tried to pick up that celadon flower vase, but no matter what, she could not pick it up.

Sure enough, Master actually had a place to hide his private stash! Thinking this, Maidong twisted it left and right.

Eh? Why won't it twist? Don't objects like this in storybooks always lead to secret rooms or hidden chambers? Could it be that Master deliberately glued this vase here?

Forget it, I'd better go look in Master's bedroom.

Maidong turned to leave, but suddenly felt that there was something suspicious.

Master is kind-hearted and often says that all plants and trees have spirits, never letting the Senior Brothers place flowers or leaves in the rooms, yet there was a flower branch stuck in this vase, looking bare and dry, like a dead thing.

She pulled the branch out to examine it, only to hear a "clack" sound from under the flower stand, and then there was no more movement.

Sure enough, it really was where the mechanism was!

But why did she only hear the sound of the mechanism, yet not see the door open?

Maidong pushed it, but the flower stand still did not move at all.

This is strange; this is definitely the mechanism, but why did it make a sound and then have no reaction at all?

Looking at this antique flower stand, Maidong tapped the withered branch in her hand and suddenly discovered the mystery.

Although it was a flower stand, it held antique plates, fan faces, and other items, with only a porcelain flower vase on each side—a celadon one on the left and a white one on the right. Just now, she took the branch out of the celadon one, and the mechanism reacted. If...

Thinking this, Maidong put the withered branch in the white porcelain vase on the right, and heard the sound of gears turning under the flower stand, but...

The rotation stopped, yet the antique flower stand remained as steady as Mount Tai.

How strange! Could it be that Master made a toy when he had nothing better to do?

Maidong looked puzzled, and on a whim, he turned the white porcelain vase.

The flower stand shook for a moment, and shortly after, it split left and right, revealing a tunnel beneath.

Ha! The storybooks did not deceive me!

... Lingxiang bent at the waist to dodge, spun around, and swept her leg toward Yao Yi's lower stance, while simultaneously forming a seal with her left hand; with one strike of the Wave-sweeping Technique, formless Qi immediately crashed toward Yao Yi.

Yao Yi transformed her Qi into wind, wrapping herself in a wind shield to receive the blow, and once the move was neutralized, she turned the wind shield into countless Wind Blades and shot them at Lingxiang.

Seeing this, Lingxiang retreated in a hurry, clasping her hands to form the Bolan Buqing Jue to defend, but Yao Yi's Wind Blades shot out incessantly like falling beans, and even with her hands forming the seal, she was forced to retreat continuously.

Seeing that her shield was about to break, two Yellow Talismans flew toward Yao Yi; Yao Yi hurriedly withdrew her power to dodge, but one still stuck to the corner of her robe. She was startled: Oh no! Yet, for a long time, the power of the talisman did not take effect.

Although he had Ajin watching over him, it was better to have a backup plan after all.

Thus, Lingxiang prepared to have Adao go and notify Alv first, so that its grandmother could be prepared; that way, if there was anything they didn't know, they could ask City Lord Zhao in advance, right?

This Bamboo Whistle was something Lingxiang had snatched from Zhuzhang Laoren when she last went to the Ancient Bamboo Forest; it had already been enchanted with Witchcraft, and only Lingxiang and Adao could hear it.

So the current situation was that Long Qi stared at Lingxiang, who was blowing the Bamboo Whistle with puffed-out cheeks, wondering in his heart if she was...

Was she stupid...

Thus, Long Qi only stood stunned for a moment before hurriedly getting up and tugging at Lingxiang's sleeve, wanting to see what was wrong with her, but...

"However, since this is a friendly match, we must set three rules. First, do not strike with heavy force; stop at the point of contact. Second, if one falls off the Yanwu Stage, it is considered a defeat. Third, this is merely a friendly match between two sects, so one must not harbor resentment or damage the harmony."

"This competition will use a ring format, and the final winning side will receive a Marrow Cleansing Pill personally refined by our sect's Fucang Elder!"

As Qianyuan Zhenren spoke, he raised his hand and pointed to a square table on the Yanwu Stage; on that table sat a small box, which was currently open, and inside there really was a Pill, glowing with golden light.

This Pill looked expensive at a glance!

The name of Fucang Elder was no stranger to those present; not to mention the disciples of the Yuanqing Sect, even the disciples of the Kunwu Sect had heard of the purpose of this visit before arriving.

Whoever could obtain this Pill could either use it themselves or exchange it for a great deal of silver; it was only a pity that it could only be contested by new disciples, though one would imagine that whoever obtained it would surely present it to Daoist Xuantan with both hands.

Under a heavy reward, there must be a brave man.

Among the Kunwu Sect disciples, a burly man leaped onto the Yanwu Stage, bowed toward Wangxian Terrace, and said:

"Disciple Shaoyuan, I request a battle!"

Although the Lingyun Pavilion on Qiuyun Peak was a place Lingxiang visited often, and she had even lived there for a long time every winter before the Fire Spirit Bead of Zhaoming Zhenren was lost, she was so familiar with it that she could find her way even with her eyes closed. Xiaobai, however, had been led through so many twists and turns that he was almost dizzy.

Just as he was wondering if Lingxiang had taken the wrong path, he saw her crouching figure suddenly stop; after forming a seal, she activated her Spirit Vision and Spirit Hearing, looked around, and after confirming that there was no one in the room nearby, she pulled the hairpin from her hair.

It must be said that Lingxiang was actually quite impatient with wearing such trinkets, but this hairpin was, firstly, a gift from Lady Qiao, and secondly, it was truly useful.

If one asked how it was useful, one would see her insert the hairpin into the study's keyhole and twist it, actually picking the lock as if it were opened by a key, without leaving the slightest mark on the lock.