Chapter 906

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Liu Xuan Zhou presented the longevity gift with both hands; it was a jade pendant containing dense wood spirit Qi.

Yuan Yuan Pendant

Basic Effect One:

Slowly nourishes the Nascent Soul and meridians, alleviates depletion, advances cultivation.

Basic Effect Two:

Forms a wood-element barrier capable of withstanding a full-power strike from a Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator.

Basic Effect Three:

Contains a hundred-zhang space inside, can store spirit stones, pills, spiritual treasures, and other items.

Special Effect One:

Draws surrounding wood spirit Qi, gathers it into spirit liquid, which can both quickly replenish mana and be used to nourish spirit plants and spirit pets.

Special Effect Two:

Resonates with the Dharma Aspect; wearing it slightly enhances the Dharma Aspect's power, indirectly improving the concretization efficiency of Creation Power.

Unique Effect:

When the Nascent Soul is on the verge of dispersing, the jade pendant automatically melts, transforms into a protective light screen, wraps the Nascent Soul within, forcibly stabilizes the foundation, and simultaneously restores losses.

After Xu Zhangqing accepted it, his gaze swept over the Qingmu Sect crowd, then he said in a loud voice: "Today is my hundredth birthday, and also the day I advanced to Nascent Soul; it can be called a double joy arriving at once.

All Inner Sect Disciples, each rewarded fifty middle-grade spirit stones, one thousand Sect Contribution Points.

Outer Sect Disciples, each rewarded one hundred low-grade spirit stones, three hundred Sect Contribution Points.

May my Qingmu Sect become ever more prosperous hereafter.

Fellow disciples, advance another level!"

As his words fell, the Qingmu Sect disciples instantly boiled with excitement.

Some even knelt and kowtowed: "Thank you, Sect Master, for the bestowal!"

Inner Sect Disciples showed delight; middle-grade spirit stones and contribution points are rare cultivation resources.

Outer Sect Disciples were even more excited beyond measure; these rewards were enough for them to buy many things.

News of the birthday spread not only throughout Qingmu Sect, but also extended to Fengrao Commandery.

Different people, in different ways, congratulated Xu Zhangqing on his longevity.

The commoners of Fengrao Commandery spontaneously gathered.

They pooled money, invited skilled artisans, and forged a stone statue of Xu Zhangqing in the center of the commandery city.

The statue wore a green robe, its features gentle and refined.

On its back grew Four Seasons Flower Tree Wings; beneath its feet a green dragon appeared vivid and lifelike.

It looked no different from the Creation Dharma Aspect that had once emerged.

The commoners stood guard nearby, burning incense and praying, their mouths chanting over and over: "Wish Sect Master Xu longevity equal to heaven, bless Fengrao Commandery with abundant harvests!"

Also many commoners, carrying rice they grew themselves and tea they dried, spontaneously went to the entrance of Qingmu Sect, earnestly requesting disciples to pass the gifts to Xu Zhangqing.

Even if a meager token, it brimmed with the most sincere reverence.

Nearby powers and loose cultivators rushed to Qingmu Sect bearing congratulatory gifts.

Some gave thousand-year spirit plants, magic tools.

Some gathered materials to refine pills.

There were even cultivators who took out their entire family property, just to personally witness Xu Zhangqing's Creation Dharma Aspect, to touch a bit of the fortune from his hundred-year Nascent Soul.

A cultivator sighed: "Sect Master Xu broke through to Superior Nascent Soul at a hundred years old, and even condensed a Creation Dharma Aspect; in the future he will certainly ascend to Spirit Severing, becoming a pillar of Dongyu.

Today's birthday congratulations are both sincerity and forging a good karmic tie for later."

The difference between Golden Core Stage and Nascent Soul Stage was displayed to the fullest at this moment.

Back then many people were not optimistic about Xu Zhangqing, even spoke mockingly.

While Qingmu Sect's disciples and members, each displayed their "divine abilities".

Inner Sect Disciples refined wooden swords, one side carved "Longevity", the other side carved "Xu".

Outer Sect Disciples, each personally wove various flower garlands.

Also many disciples spontaneously placed spirit lamps on both sides of the mountain gate.

As lamp after lamp lit up, they reflected Qingmu Sect like a fairyland.

Finally decided by the Commandery Guard of Fengrao Commandery, Xu Zhangqing's birthday was set as the annual "Changqing Festival".

Every year on this day, every household in Fengrao Commandery hangs lanterns and decorations, burns incense and prays.

Later, this custom was passed down generation after generation, gradually becoming the most lively festival in Dongyu.

…

…

The birthday banquet was in full swing; at Qingmu Sect's outer perimeter, a figure emerged.

This person wore a plain-colored long robe, features handsome and bright, bearing carefree and unrestrained.

And he was precisely Spirit Rong Night, not seen for a long time.

At this moment, Spirit Rong Night held an unadorned wooden box in his hands; just as he neared Qingmu Sect, he was stunned by the scene before him.

Outside the sect, the common people lined up in long queues, presenting congratulatory gifts in an endless stream.

Ten thousand spirit lamps lined both sides of the road; disciples shuttled back and forth, their faces full of joy.

In the distance, Fengrao Commandery was even more festooned with lanterns and decorations, and cheers drifted over faintly.

Spirit Rong Night exclaimed in shock: "Good fellow, Qingmu Sect's current momentum is simply too astonishing, isn't it?

The common people of Fengrao Commandery practically treat Xu Changqing as a living immortal!"

At this moment, an otter blocked the way and shouted: "Who are you?"

Spirit Rong Night looked down, his mouth corner twitching as he said: "I... I am your Sect Master's friend. Hearing he celebrates his birthday today, I specially came to present a longevity gift."

The otter spirit chattered and pointed in the direction of Qiongxin Domain: "The Sect Master is in the Tree Top Hall."

Spirit Rong Night nodded: "Alright, please announce me."

At this moment, Xu Changqing's voice rang out: "No need to announce, you come directly."

Spirit Rong Night heard this and felt relieved in his heart: "It seems he still remembers me."

Before long, the two met in the Tree Top Hall. Xu Changqing asked with a smile: "Chenye, long time no see. Why have you come?"

Spirit Rong Night shook the wooden box in his hand and said in a light tone: "Someone said you're celebrating your birthday today, and asked me to deliver a longevity gift on his behalf."

Xu Changqing's gaze fell on the wooden box in his hand and he asked curiously: "Delivering a longevity gift on whose behalf?"

Spirit Rong Night chuckled: "You guess."

Xu Changqing gazed at him and spoke thoughtfully: "Feng'er?"

Spirit Rong Night's smile froze, then he revealed a surprised expression: "You actually guessed it right in one go!"

Xu Changqing smiled, his tone carrying a few notes of sighing: "Nowadays, among my disciples only the second one has been away for decades and still hasn't returned.

Coincidentally you have the same spiritual root; aside from him, no one would entrust you to deliver a gift."

Spirit Rong Night indicated meaningfully: "You might not know, the current Lin Feng is different from before.

The current he, however moist and comfortable you want, his days pass especially comfortably, far more glorious than when he was at Dongting Immortal Sect."

Xu Changqing heard this and nodded lightly: "As long as he's happy."

Spirit Rong Night asked in puzzlement: "Aren't you curious what he's doing now?"

Xu Changqing looked toward the Imperial City, a trace of complex color flashing in his eyes: "He has his own path to walk."

Actually, he knows the situation of those around him clearly himself.

Isn't the current Dafeng Dynasty something Lin Feng and his Dao Companion Ling Yue created together?

It's precisely because Lin Feng sits guarding the Dafeng Dynasty, controlling Dongyu, that Xu Changqing can develop Qingmu Sect with peace of mind.

Spirit Rong Night asked no further and actively opened the wooden box in his hand.

The box was lined with snow-white spirit fleece, on top of which lay a string of crystalline jade beads.

Twenty-four in total, each engraved with a different spirit pattern.

Xu Changqing raised an eyebrow: "This is..."

Spirit Rong Night introduced: "This was specially prepared for you by Lin Feng, called the Twenty-four Jiao.

Each is taken from the spirit veins of the Dafeng Dynasty; not only do they contain pure spiritual power, but twenty-four folk songs, melodies, and tunes have also been infused inside.

As long as worn on the hand, they will emit the sound of music performers.

They can both ward off evil demons and soothe the mind; in the entire Great Feng there is only this one piece."

Xu Changqing took the jade string, carefully sensed it, and discovered it was indeed so.

The sounds, tones, and tunes emitted from each jade bead were all different.

Some were soft Wu dialect, gentle like the March spring breeze; one "Langjun" softened to the bone.

Some were unaccompanied clear singing, the human voice like mountain spring water; every turn of tone clearly distinguishable.

Some were accompanied by qin and xiao, singing voice and silk-bamboo sounds blending, indistinguishable whether sound follows music or music accompanies sound.

Some were joyous and festive, rhythm bright like New Year firecrackers, making Xu Changqing unable to resist wanting to tap along to the beat.

Some were resentful and lingering, like weeping and complaining, as if narrating a bone-etching yet fruitless love fate.

Some were ethereal and elusive, the sound as if coming from very far away, carrying a few parts of immortal qi, impossible to discern sorrow or joy.

Some were lively and playful, occasionally interspersed with a few light laughs, like a neighbor girl flirting with Xu Changqing.

Some were proper in diction and round in tone, dignified and elegant; one listen reveals a great family's bearing.

Still others... actually faintly carried a few parts of exotic charm.

From this it can be seen, these Twenty-four Jiao are indeed extremely precious.

Xu Changqing was quite satisfied and nodded: "Feng'er has put his heart into it."

Spirit Rong Night added: "Lin Feng also said, once he finishes handling matters at hand, he will personally come to Qingmu Sect to apologize to you.

For so many years, he's never been able to stay by your side and fulfill filial duty; he feels guilty in his heart."

Xu Changqing wore the jade string on his body, listening to the music while waving his hand: "I've never blamed Feng'er, and Qingmu Sect will forever be his home."

Spirit Rong Night opened his mouth, about to say something more, when he suddenly heard the cheers outside ring out once again: "Congratulations to Sect Master Xu, may you eternally enjoy immortal blessings, and may your longevity equal the heavens!"