Vol 2 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Volume 2: The Broken Jade’s Real Word-like Evolutionary Ability
Chapter 1 – The Eternal Beholder Immortal Cave and the Wild Dragon Great Lake
Azure Ocean Sect, at the Clearwater Lake of the Eternal Beholder Immortal Cave.
Ning Chongxuan’s sleeves were fluttering as he stood on a ferry boat, sailing against the rippling waves on a vast, great lake. Goldfishes leaped joyfully from time to time as a purple-back great whale ducked and dived along the way. As far as the eyes could see, the lake’s water and the sky seemed to merge into one color, like it was undivided from top to bottom. Clouds and mists lingered around as drizzles from the sky looked like threads made of pearls and jades. The sh.o.r.e’s moist air filled was with spiritual qi, as if it was being sprayed and sprinkled from the sky. It was like taking a deep breath was like drinking pure fermented nectar, tranquilizing one’s heart.
As he ignored the sight of the immortal’s dwellings picturesque scenes, he was actually frowning slightly. As he turned his head and listened attentively, he heard that besides the distant cry of the wild goose and cranes in the boundless sky, there was also a faint jade bell tinkling sounds. The timbre was elusive and ethereal, enveloping the atmosphere. It entered the skin and seeped into the bone as it made one’s heart itch, filling it with l.u.s.t. He couldn’t help but snort, “Those are the tinkling jades seized from the Three Lakes’ beautiful demoness!”
Just as he just finished talking, a cool breeze suddenly swept his body as the mist before his eyes quickly dispersed like a curtain of beads and were gently being roped up, resembling the opening of a book. Nearby, a jade pavilion’s terrace appeared on top of the water as a happy looking youth wore a golden crest. He laid and sat on a couch made of clouds as the maidservants, with necklaces made of precious stones hung til the armpit as their flowing robe swept the floor.
Ning Chongxuan stepped on the floating jade stairs, and then tidied up his robe before respectfully kowtowing, “Chongxuan pays a visit to the Respected Master.”
At first, the youth’s appearance seemingly could be seen clearly, however, when looking at his face again, it was actually covered with mist, making it indistinct. The youth then let out laughter before he spoke in a moist and clear voice, “Chongxuan, what’s your wish to see this Master today?”
The Ning Chongxuan replied in a deep tone, “This one wants to ask for a female from the Respected Master.”
The youth’s curiosity seemed to be sparked as he quickly sat straight and spoke with a smile, “Chongxuan, previously, you said that you wanted to focus your mind wholeheartedly, and had no intention to pursue a Dao companion, have you been thinking it through now? Very good, very good.”
Ning Chongxuan actually sternly replied, “Respected Master, this one doesn’t have the intention for this female to take care of me, but wants her to be with a certain disciple who has just opened his meridians.”
Upon hearing that it was not for Ning Chongxuan himself, the youth seemed to not mind and spoke while smiling, “Chongxuan, you regard this person as an important one, and I have yet to know his name.”
“Zhang Yan.”
The youth lying down partly and casually spoke, “Is this the Zhang Yan whom you recently mentioned?”
“It’s precisely him! Respected Master, this person’s will is firm and resolute. Moreover, his true character is outstanding; in the whole of your disciple’s life, he has never seen a second person. He needs to be roped in and enter
our branch as early as possible.” Ning Chongxuan lifted his head and continued, “Originally, the Lower Court is the gathering place for the ancient families’ hedgehog, and Zhang Yan comes from an ordinary family background. But he actually was able to break through it through hards.h.i.+ps, and finally entered the ranks. Even after he got admitted, he is far from arrogant and rash and has always been carefully sizing up the situation. And now, he has successfully opened his meridians. This disciple has always been observing his will and bearing. Therefore, this one would like him to do obeisance and study under Senior Brother Qi Yuntian. However, since Senior Brother Qi actually has closed up to refine magic tools, this disciple braves oneself to come and beg the Respected Master’s benevolence to bestow him gifts.”
The youth asked, “This person’s opened meridians, what’s his meridian’s type?”
“It’s the Mist apparition, and the sect has appraised it as a low grade.”
“Low grade? It’s also the Mist?” The youth was startled, he looked up to the sky and suddenly laughed loudly, “Wonderful, wonderful! Isn’t it the same with this master in the past?”
Ning Chongxuan cupped his hands and spoke with a bright tone, “Respected Master had shown the light with opened meridians and Mist apparition in the past, which is a low-grade type. But, even though having this meridian’s type, Respected Master actually could condense the sea of qi to ascend to the sky. The characteristic of types, though inferior, but also could still win. Thus, it can be seen that, although it’s true that meridian’s type is no doubt essential, but a cultivator’s firm Dao heart is indispensable.”
“As it turns out, in this way, your thoughts, I’m perfectly aware of.” The youth bent his finger and flicked as a soft jade seash.e.l.l leaf flew toward Ning Chongxuan, “This is the Dao manual this master used to practice in the past. You call the shots for this matter, whether as to comprehend or experience it, all will be dependent on that young fellow’s opportunity.”
Ning Chongxuan’s hands stretched out as he respectfully received that seash.e.l.l leaf and held it. Then, his complexion turned serious again. The youth’s complexion changed as he shook his head again and again. Obviously, he was not satisfied with Ning Chongxuan’s serious manner as he listlessly spoke, “Ah right, you just said that you wanted a female to be with him. This master will grant your wish. So, who is it that you choose?”
“Tang Yan.”
“Oh?” The youth glanced at him with a flash of profound meaning and spoke while smiling, “You’ve actually been scheming to send out Tang Yan. Not only would your entanglement be lessened, but you could also borrow the w.a.n.g Family to compel me so that young fellow can enter my apprentices.h.i.+p branch.”
“This disciple doesn’t dare to think about it.”
The youth pointed at him, “Ah… you really need to change your serious manners’ habits. You must know that even immortals would still need to have amus.e.m.e.nt and some fun.”
Ning Chongxuan replied with a deep veneration, “Respected Master is still giving the teaching, how could this disciple dare to lose all restraints?”
“Stop it, stop it.” The youth waved his hand and did not have the intention to speak again, he perfectly knew that he could not change his disciple’s disposition.
Then, Ning Chongxuan bowed down to do obeisance and spoke in a low tone, “Then, what about Zhang Yan’s admittance to our branch?”
Having not obtained any answers for a long time, he then lifted his head and found that, apart from the mist above the lake, the youth’s whereabouts had already been lost above the bluish green ripples in this vast expanse of waters. Had there even been a person’s shadow here before?
He sighed with disappointment. Although that youth had gone, but he still bowed respectfully according to the proper etiquettes before he stood up to leave. But he then found a jade slip under his foot, which had already been printed with four elegant and beautiful words.
“Observes his actions.”
On the second day after having his meridian’s type evaluated, Zhang Yan was sitting in meditation on the mountain when he suddenly felt something and lifted his head to look above. He saw that two cultivators were standing on a flying s.h.i.+p as one of them then waved his hand to him, “Zhang Yan, since you have opened your meridians, you are now the Upper Court’s disciple, so you have to come along with me today.”
As that person’s palm stretches out and grasped, Zhang Yan felt a strand of pulling force being transmitted at him. He knew that these people were from the Upper Court. So, he let them pick him up and didn’t resist, he let himself get pulled out by that man and flew onto the flying s.h.i.+p. He secretly pondered, “Could it be that this person is at the Second Stage of the Radiant Qi Realm, ‘the Red Cloud Summoning’ stage?” It was said that if one had arrived at this stage, his qi would condensate and envelop his whole body. Not only would he be able to make a wall of qi, but he could also take objects spatially and utilize his qi to move heavy objects weighing hundreds of pounds without touching it.
After he flew onto the flying s.h.i.+p, these two men didn’t speak and just directed the flying s.h.i.+p to fly toward the south.