Chapter 168: Return to Xishan, Changes at Fuhu Altar

Dongshan County City, Li Fu, inner courtyard.

Chen Ci sipped tea outside, while Geng Yuanqing spoke with his mother inside.

It must be said that for a cultivator to take on an apprentice is truly a troublesome affair; even when hiring a servant, one prefers a nimble martial artist. Like Chen Ci returning to the county city from Wuyan Mountain—a mere sixty-odd miles—bringing this lad along took an entire day and night, and it truly exhausted Master Chen.

As for why they walked so slowly, it was naturally because Master Chen is kind-hearted; his old horse, bought long ago, was too old to carry two people.

Hmm, kind-hearted.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two inside dared not truly leave Chen Ci waiting outside; they quickly finished their conversation and came out together.

Lady Xu performed a deep bow to Chen Ci, while Geng Yuanqing knelt on the ground, stole a glance at Chen Ci, and said cautiously: "Uncle-Master, I wonder if I may bring my mother along to Xishan Prefecture?"

Chen Ci was noncommittal; he set down his teacup and said indifferently: "In theory, it is possible. Although our generation of cultivators seeks the Dao, we are not required to sever all emotions and desires or ignore human relations. However, the sect does not concern itself with such things, and the environment in Xishan Prefecture is quite complex. If you have not yet achieved success in your cultivation, it is best to wait until your teacher returns before making such plans."

Geng Yuanqing trembled slightly and did not dare to stand up.

Stone Immortal Lost Manual, Nurturing Qi Heart Classic, and one-third of the volume of the Sanyin Qi-Eating Method.

"Forget it. Cultivating the Dao is extremely expensive, and I only provide three meals a day; let him keep all of it for his own security."

Seeing Chen Ci's expression was indifferent and not a feigned refusal, Lady Xu finally felt relieved. She stuffed the silver into Geng Yuanqing's embrace. Mother and son hugged and wept for a while; though reluctant, they quickly composed themselves and bid farewell.

Chen Ci waved his hand; after all, he was Ahu's apprentice, so this bit of silver was negligible: "Are you done? If you're done, let's hit the road. A journey of over a thousand miles is quite far for mortals, but for cultivators, it only takes about a month. There will always be a day to meet again; no need to worry too much."

Chen Ci led Geng Yuanqing out of the county city. With a mortal in tow, it was naturally impossible to walk upstream against the river, so he simply found a wharf and boarded a multi-story ship.

During holidays, what kind of decent person doesn't give a few practice books when visiting a younger generation child, right?

Instead, Lady Xu took a stack of silver notes from her sleeve and offered them respectfully, saying: "This concubine dares not delay the child's path to the Dao. Moreover, with Yuanqing seeking the Dao abroad, this concubine living in the Li Family is quite at ease. This small amount of silver is, firstly, to express gratitude for the Immortal Master's life-saving grace, and secondly, to thank the Daoist for bringing Yuanqing back."

Both of them set off with light luggage; even Geng Yuanqing, a youth with his hair bound, was on his first long journey, bringing only four books and two sets of clothes.

As for the Sanyin Qi-Eating Method, one-third of the volume was enough; for the rest, he could go ask his teacher, Ahu.

As well as one volume of the Stone Lock Hunyuan Art.

Hmph.

But fortunately, this child is also a seed for Dao cultivation. It is hard to say what his specific aptitude is, but he can at least save Chen Ci a lot of effort in training.

"Our generation of cultivators eats Qi and practices methods, valuing True Qi cultivation above all, but some combat techniques that strengthen the muscles and bones are also beneficial to cultivation."

Chen Ci had nothing to do on the ship. The ship's speed against the river current could not be fast, and it would take several more days to reach Xishan Prefecture. Cultivation was impossible, so he could only practice the Soul Fixing Talisman to maintain his livelihood.

"In the cultivation world, some seniors like to play with mystery and set up mental barriers. That volume of the Stone Immortal Lost Manual of yours might hide some secret, though the probability is one in ten thousand. You can try it in your spare time."

Chen Ci touched his chin, as if thinking of something, and couldn't help but offer a few reminders: "However, minor paths like chess manuals can be played with occasionally. If you truly become addicted and delay your cultivation, I won't bother with you; someone will come to discipline you later."

"Yes, Uncle-Master, Yuanqing understands."

Perhaps because Geng Yuanqing had read poetry and scriptures, although he was still a bit green in his conduct, he never forgot his manners and was very respectful. When Chen Ci spoke or lectured, he listened carefully to the teachings, making him one of the easier ones to lead.

Chen Ci nodded slightly. The unfamiliarity of bringing a child for the first time slowly faded, but inexplicably, he thought of the He Mountain Sect again.

He roughly understood why he had been able to enter the He Mountain sect and not become a refining material for some He Mountain evil cultivator. Within the Liang Kingdom, some He Mountain Outer Transmissions would also scour for spiritual children to send to the He Mountain main sect to be taken as apprentices.

Although He Mountain could be considered a prosperous place for cultivation, the Miaojiang region was mostly inhabited by mountain folk and barbarians, and was too lacking in culture. Some things cannot be done well just by having aptitude. In other words, the He Mountain Sect's source of students was not very good, which was likely one of the reasons it was considered a Side Door.

"Thinking about it further, Longhu Mountain established itself in the territory of the Liang Kingdom, opened the Sea Market, cultivated Sha Fields, and had overseas cultivators, Side Door cultivators, and miscellaneous Loose Practitioners—all kinds of cultivation philosophies colliding, and there is also the inheritance of the Human Path Fire. It might not be apparent in the short term, but after a long time, I fear it will become the foundation of a major sect. Just this structural philosophy alone, I don't know how much better it is than the He Mountain Sect."

Chen Ci grinned. Ever since he ate that "big pancake" (empty promise), why did he start worrying about the He Mountain Sect? It seems the He Mountain Sect has already taken the shape of Master Chen.

But with those quick-success evil methods in the He Mountain Sect, and their indiscriminate way of taking apprentices, it would be very difficult to get them to stop harming people to practice their methods.

Chen Ci cast these thoughts to the back of his mind in an instant. Taking advantage of the noon hour, he completed his daily Soul Fixing Talisman practice plan, gave Geng Yuanqing some pointers on the key points of the Nurturing Qi Heart Classic, and then went to rest on his own, treating it as a few days of stolen leisure during his cultivation journey.

Five days later, Xishan Prefecture.

Chen Ci got off the ship, looked at the somewhat familiar environment, and couldn't help but sigh.

In Master Chen's life, his predecessor spent over twenty years on Dulong Mountain in the He Mountain Sect without much attachment. Since he arrived, he had mostly been cultivating bitterly at Sanyin Temple, occasionally coming to Xishan Prefecture for side matters, and had never traveled far. Suddenly leaving for more than half a year, he inexplicably felt a sense of returning home.

Before he could sigh, Chen Ci simply took Geng Yuanqing toward the Fuhu Altar. After all, Xishan Prefecture had experienced that major upheaval last year. First, the Fuhu Altar Master and the Deacons of various counties were largely dismissed during the assessment, and then the group of more than ten high-level cultivators from the He Mountain main sect who had newly taken office mysteriously "disappeared" and their whereabouts were unknown. Although it was said they were fine, he still had to go to the Fuhu Altar to handle things; otherwise, whether he could still be the Temple Master of Sanyin Temple was a matter of debate.

Familiar with the road, Chen Ci arrived outside the Fuhu Altar before long. But before he could step forward, seeing the current state of the Fuhu Altar, Chen Ci let out a soft "eh" of surprise.

The Fuhu Altar was actually undergoing major construction, and even the temple gate had been dismantled. The buildings, which already occupied a vast area, were now even more expansive and magnificent, inexplicably possessing an unusual atmosphere.

With such a grand display, Ahu, are you sure the others are really just acting as substitutes?

Chen Ci thought for a moment, but he knew nothing and couldn't think of anything. He simply went to the door, found a Daoist child, and said: "This poor Daoist is Chen Ci of the He Mountain Outer Transmission. I am a close friend of Daoist Yan Shan of the Red Dragon Temple. A few days ago at the Liangjiang Sea Market, I received a request from Brother Yan, saying that after arriving in Xishan Prefecture, I must visit his clan brothers on his behalf—that is, the third apprentice under Altar Master Shen. That is why I have come to disturb you; please report this."

(End of chapter)