Chapter 27-Sky-gazing Gorge (2/2)
The aura in the courtyard is getting thinner and thinner day by day. It might have been due to the absence of its former occupant, hence there was no one to man the magical formation that drew all Spiritual Qi from nature. Xiao Chen himself knew not where the magical formation was.
He had only slept for four hours daily for the past seven days, rising even before the sun was up to continue his training and meditation. His resolve and will were continually renewed whenever he saw the broken sword by his bed.
With the end of their written test, the disciples were now into the actual phase of training for the Body Refining Realm. The purported training was actually a long marathon around the rear mountains from morning to noon. There will be an hour's time for a break before the disciples continued their marathon until dusk.
For three days they ran and everyone was badly exhausted by the ordeal. The three Elders stood at the top of a mountain, overlooking the disciples' progress as their robes fluttered in the mountain breeze. Shaking their heads and sighing in dismay, they said, ”It seems that only the one called Xiao Chen makes the cut.”
”From where does he come from? There are whispers that he should have been one of the new Inner Disciples. For reasons unknown, he has ended up here.”
”What is wrong? Are you not happy about this? Finally, there is a glimmer of hope for us Sunset Peak. Moreover, he is a courteous young man; unlike that pompous Ye Fei.”
”Well well well. You both have so much free time to start gossiping, eh? How about thinking about the two large bags of medicinal herbs? We have slightly more than 10 days till the end of the month.”
”Alas...”
The three Elders sighed in unison before they leaped onto their Immortal's Swords and took into the skies, flying down to a clearing at the foot of the mountain.
”All right then. This is it today. There shall be no more running tomorrow onwards.”
”What? There's no more running? That is great!” Whoops and cheers erupted at the notice that the disciples would no longer need to run tomorrow like a jubilee celebration.
But in truth, everyone's physique had been greatly improved. Those with good potential had reached Lv 4 or Lv 5 of the Body Refining Realm; those with lesser potential had reached Lv 2 or Lv 3 at least.
”Let's go somewhere good. Follow closely and don't get left behind.” As soon as he finished, Elder Song, with the two other Elders immediately used the Sky Treader technique, flying swiftly into the distance.
”Huh, we still have to run after all...”
After an hour's journey, the crowd, led by the three Elders, reached a secluded little valley. The valley was full of blooming flowers, green vines winding tightly around trees and wood, a gurgling brook flowing with water, and butterflies fluttering. There were a number of older disciples too around. All of them were sitting cross-legged, meditating and training. Noticing the arrival of the three Elders, they rose to their feet to greet them.
Xiao Chen instantly felt a robust amount of Spiritual Qi around him. The ambiance of Spiritual Qi in the courtyard he lived in simply could not compare to the richness of the spiritual energies here. Elder Song then spoke to them, ”This is Sky-gazing Gorge, a place where many of our disciples come here to cultivate. I am sure that you can feel the abundance of Spiritual Qi in the vicinity, no? Training here for one day would do you more good than training outside for three days.”
”Indeed. I feel it too. What a strong atmosphere of Spiritual Qi around here.” Everyone was overjoyed.
Elder Song coughed once to draw the crowd's attention and said, ”The Sky-gazing Gorge is only open for twelve hours a day. One can only enter during dawn and must leave before dusk.”
Elder Wu said, ”You can now look for a spot to train and meditate. There will be no disturbances today.”
He had barely finished and everyone each found a spot where they sat down and meditate. Only Xiao Chen had noticed Elder Wu's final sentence: There will be no disturbances today.
Elder Liu cast a look at the main peak which was covered with clouds and said, ”Do you know why is this place called Sky-gazing Gorge?” As he spoke, he pointed to the main peak of Lingtai Mountain and continued, ”There. Every time when dusk comes, the main peaks of Lingtai Mountain appear as if they are grazing the shadows cast by the twilight. But, we could only watch from below.”
Elder Song then said, ”Hence, practice hard as you can. Strive for an early promotion to be an Inner Disciple and tarry here no longer...” With that, he sighed heavily once more.
The three Elders then leaped onto their swords and took into the skies, flying into the mountains.
Xiao Chen sat down too. The Body Refining Cultivation Method of the Three Pure Sect had long been useless to him. He could only use the Qi Refining Cultivation Methods of the Mystic Cyan Sect. He projected his Divine Sense around him and found that some older disciples were rising, eager to come over.
”What are you doing?” The older disciples were muttering among themselves. ”Did you not hear the words of the Elder earlier that they are not to be disturbed today?”
Xiao Chen smiled thinly, ignoring all these distractions.