Chapter 9: Different Daos Do Not Conspire

After leaving, Su Zhangqing did not know that his appearance in the small hall just now had caused a stir.

"Was that our little junior brother just now? Why can I barely recognize him?"

"Ever since our little junior brother entered the peak, he has mostly been cultivating in Jingxin Cave. I still remember how cute and childish he looked when he first arrived; I never expected such a big change in half a year."

"Senior Sister, how has he changed? Has he become much more handsome? Does it make you feel moved by our little junior brother?"

"What nonsense are you spouting, you little girl? Our little junior brother is only so young, and you say this to me? If others heard, they would laugh at me."

"Oh my, age can grow, can't it? When our little junior brother grows up a bit more, can't you..."

"You're asking for a beating!"

Suddenly, laughter rang out continuously in the small hall.

"I never thought that flying on a sword would be so exhilarating!"

At this moment, Su Zhangqing, standing on his Flying Sword, called out in high spirits.

This was the first time Su Zhangqing had operated a Flying Sword himself; with the help of his Against-Heaven Comprehension, he was already very proficient in the Sword Control Art. Although this was his first time flying on a sword, he mastered it quickly.

While controlling the Flying Sword, he looked at the scenery beneath him; such leisure was truly delightful!

However, to avoid being discovered, Su Zhangqing chose to land in an empty area near the Sect Main Hall and chose to walk inside.

Unexpectedly, after walking just a few steps, he saw several people walking toward him. Leading them was Lin Jingyu, with Zhang Xiaofan by his side, and several Disciples following closely behind Lin Jingyu.

Su Zhangqing observed them silently for a few moments, lost in thought.

In just half a year, he was not the only one who had changed. The Lin Jingyu before him had also changed significantly; not only had his face become much more mature and handsome, but his eyes no longer held the innocence from Caomiao Village, instead carrying a sense of arrogance and defiance. His gait and demeanor were high-spirited, as if he were a victorious general.

As for Zhang Xiaofan, he was the one who had changed the least among the three. Apart from growing a bit taller and his face becoming slightly more mature, there were no other changes, and his personality remained as honest and simple as before.

"Junior Brother Lin, congratulations! Your cultivation has advanced again; you have now stepped into the sixth level of Qi Refining!"

"Yes, indeed! Crossing six levels in half a year! This speed of cultivation is already catching up to our Qingyun Zushi."

"Hahaha! Who can say otherwise? When I first saw Junior Brother Lin, I knew that Junior Brother Lin was a dragon among men, a person of extraordinary appearance! In the future, he will surely be a prominent figure!"

Before they even got close, the group of followers behind Lin Jingyu began to chatter, with praises coming one after another toward Lin Jingyu.

"Already at the sixth level of Qi Refining?"

Su Zhangqing muttered to himself silently.

Lin Jingyu's cultivation speed of reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining in half a year, while not as Against-Heaven as his own, was already among the best of the thousands of Disciples. One must know that not everyone could possess a system like he did.

Looking at this pair of followers behind him, one could imagine that he already had quite a reputation in the sect.

One must know that these kinds of followers were only something that star Disciples, such as Xiao Yicai and Qi Hao, were qualified to have. For a Disciple who had only entered the sect for half a year to have them was truly rare!

Su Zhangqing then remembered a rumor.

It seemed he had heard someone say that the position of chief among the new generation of Qingyun Sect Disciples belonged to none other than Lin Jingyu. Now it seemed that was indeed the case.

Just as Su Zhangqing was observing him, Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan also looked at him.

Lin Jingyu frowned and continued on his own path, with no intention of greeting him at all. Su Zhangqing pursed his lips, unimpressed. Su Zhangqing knew clearly why Lin Jingyu had this attitude. Being in the same sect, the two had met several times before, but Su Zhangqing was naturally cold-natured and did not like to flatter others, so he was indifferent toward the popular Lin Jingyu and did not fawn over him like others did.

It was precisely because of this that Lin Jingyu did not like to run into Su Zhangqing, and even if they met, they would only exchange simple greetings before going their separate ways.

Now, even the simple greeting was omitted.

On the contrary, Zhang Xiaofan was very pleasantly surprised by Su Zhangqing's appearance and said enthusiastically with a smile: "Zhangqing, where have you been these past two or three months? Why haven't I seen you at all?"

"Xiaofan, I went into seclusion on Xiaozhu Peak, so it is normal that you haven't seen me."

Su Zhangqing replied with a smile.

"Then are you doing well? How is your food? I learned culinary arts at Dazhu Peak, and my senior brothers and Master all like the food I cook. Would you like to come and taste it tomorrow?"

Hearing Su Zhangqing mention the word "seclusion," Zhang Xiaofan remembered what his senior brothers had said—that seclusion meant putting one's whole heart into cultivation, requiring not only full concentration but also fasting during the period, which was a difficult and bitter practice. He suddenly felt a bit sorry for Su Zhangqing having to go into seclusion to cultivate.

"Hmm? You have already learned culinary arts? That sounds great. I will go and taste your cooking another day to see if it is as delicious as you say."

Su Zhangqing was pleasantly surprised and replied enthusiastically.

Su Zhangqing vaguely remembered that the story mentioned a period when Zhang Xiaofan learned culinary arts and gained the approval of everyone on Dazhu Peak. It was precisely because of this experience of cooking over a fire that his black rod came to be known as the "Fire-Stoking Rod."

Su Zhangqing liked Zhang Xiaofan's honesty and enthusiasm very much and wanted to associate with him; after all, when this person cared about you, it was genuine, not just caring about your cultivation, and he would never point fingers at you with arrogance because of cultivation or anything else.

"Zhangqing, have you gained anything from being in seclusion for so long?"

Lin Jingyu, who was watching the two talk enthusiastically from the side, could not help but interrupt and ask Su Zhangqing.

"Just so-so."

Su Zhangqing replied with a faint smile.

Lin Jingyu shook his head in disappointment, flicked his sleeves, and brushed past Su Zhangqing, preparing to leave. The several followers behind him followed closely, also preparing to leave.

"What is he putting on airs for? A piece of trash at the first level of Taiji Xuanqing Dao and the second level of Qi Refining is trying to learn the seclusion routine like others. He's been in seclusion for so long and I haven't seen his cultivation improve at all."

"Hmph! Junior Brother Lin was considering the fact that they are fellow villagers and intended to teach him how to improve his cultivation. He doesn't appreciate it, and his attitude is so cold; it's a waste of Junior Brother Lin's good intentions."

As they passed by, the voices of the several followers behind him were not too quiet, and they reached the ears of the three clearly.

"What are you saying?"

Before Su Zhangqing could speak, he saw Zhang Xiaofan already shouting angrily at the group.

The few followers were slightly stunned. They were clearly scolding Su Zhangqing, so why was Zhang Xiaofan getting anxious? But he was also a piece of trash; nine times out of ten, he was projecting it onto himself.

"It's the truth, you won't even let us..."

Those followers were stubborn and were about to respond, but they stopped immediately upon seeing the look Lin Jingyu cast at them.

Regarding what the few said about Su Zhangqing, although Lin Jingyu did not echo them, he remained silent.

Now that Zhang Xiaofan was about to stand up for Su Zhangqing, Lin Jingyu frowned and interrupted: "Enough! Say no more. Those with different Daos do not conspire; what is there to talk about? Just let him be!"

(End of chapter)