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Chapter 69: The Opening of the Path
🕑 Added 2025-04-14 02:27:50 +0000 UTCAfraid that Immortal Immortal Master Xi might refuse, Ah Shou quickly added, “I know I don't meet the usual standards for large sects to take in disciples. I'm too old, my cultivation habits are set, and it would take a lot of effort to correct them. I can't promise I'll achieve much. But I will work harder than ever, and I beg the Chongxuan Sect to give me a chance.”
Xi Yunqing’s voice lowered as he asked, “You have such determination. Why not find a wandering immortal as your master? They wouldn’t mind your age and would be willing to teach you. Why must you insist on joining the Chongxuan Sect?”
Ah Shou remained kneeling, unmoving. After a moment of silence, he spoke again, “Only the Chongxuan Sect has the strength to take someone like me, without any identity or background, out of Hanshan City. I don’t want to waste any more time and disappoint myself. When I was struck by hardship, I forgot everyone’s wishes to give this village a way out. That was wrong. The only way to fulfill this wish before was to travel through the dangerous beast-infested mountains and reach a land of ordinary people. But now there's another path before me, and I want to try it. To truly become an immortal cultivator, with strength that will make the Han family of Hanshan City take notice, only then can the troubles of Changjia Village be resolved. To walk this path, I must leave Hanshan City. So, I beg Immortal Master Xi to accept me.”
Xi Yunqing was gratified by his honesty. The very fact that Ah Shou had taken the step to seek entry showed his resolve. Even if Ah Shou hadn't openly stated his real reason, only mentioned his admiration for the Chongxuan Sect’s reputation, Xi Yunqing would have agreed. However, by telling the truth in front of him, Chen Xiao, and the others, Ah Shou was not only confessing his reasons but also reminding himself to never forget and to work hard in his cultivation from this point on.
“Rise,” said Xi Yunqing.
Ah Shou stood up, still uneasy, but he did not fully rise to his feet. He remained kneeling, his forehead already reddened from his previous deep bow.
Xi Yunqing continued, “If you’re determined to correct your ways, I’ll give you this opportunity. When it’s time to leave, come with me. I will personally escort you to Chongxuan. As for your future, whether you join the outer sect or the inner disciples, it will depend on your performance. But in your current state, you are not yet ready.”
Ah Shou was overjoyed and formally bowed in gratitude. This time, Chen Xiao clearly heard the sharp sound of his forehead hitting the ground.
“Thank you, Immortal Immortal Master Xi! I will not let you down! I will work hard every day to make up for what I’ve missed!”
Xi Yunqing nodded and added a word of caution, “Remember, moderation is key. Do not overexert yourself. Cultivation is not about rushing through it, but about steady and consistent progress.”
Ah Shou responded respectfully, “Yes, I will heed your teachings!” From that moment on, Xi Yunqing became his elder, and he no longer referred to himself as "I" in his presence. As he was not yet formally accepted into the sect, he couldn’t yet use titles like “junior disciple.” He would simply refer to himself by name during conversations.
Du Rong and Tong Nuonuo, who were unaware of the details, had been anxiously watching Ah Shou, worried he might be rejected. Now, seeing him get his wish, they were happier than if it had been their own good fortune.
Xi Yunqing told Ah Shou to rise. Du Rong stepped forward and gave him a hearty pat on the back. This time, he didn’t hold back, slapping him with force.
Du Rong laughed loudly, “Ah Shou, congratulations! The Chongxuan Sect is a prestigious school with thousands of years of history and immense power. Being accepted is truly a stroke of luck!”
Du Rong couldn’t help but feel envious. Although Ah Shou was also in his prime years, he had this opportunity, while Du Rong had no such condition.
Ah Shou was unable to contain his excitement, nodding vigorously, “I must thank Immortal Immortal Master Xi for not minding my rough and lazy ways and for giving me this chance.”
At this moment, Chen Xiao and Tong Nuonuo also came forward to congratulate Ah Shou. The small courtyard filled with laughter and excitement.
It seemed the neighbors had heard the news, or perhaps someone had been keeping an eye on the house. Before long, the courtyard was surrounded by people. Adults, along with children, gathered around, and the village chief stepped forward.
The onlookers fell silent as they watched. The village chief bowed deeply in front of Xi Yunqing. “Immortal Immortal Master Xi, the children of Changjia Village have no opportunities. Without a chance, they’ll be trapped here, living their lives as their parents did. These children are pitiful, they’ve never seen the world outside, nor do they know the vastness of it, nor the many incredible wonders. I beg Immortal Immortal Master Xi, please, take them under your wing!”
The parents standing behind the village chief also pleaded, “Yes, please, Immortal Master, take them!”
The children who followed were eager and nervous. After yesterday's events, their families had told them that being chosen could change their destinies. Some were older or more mature, understanding the importance of this moment, while others, younger or less aware, were still uncertain. Their eyes were filled with hope, curiosity, and a touch of innocence, watching Xi Yunqing with a deep and moving gaze.
Xi Yunqing raised his hand, “Village chief, please rise. Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have come to speak on their behalf. The children of Changjia Village possess excellent potential. On behalf of the Chongxuan Sect, I request that you entrust them to us, to be taken as disciples!”
The crowd erupted in joy. Previously, seeing Ah Shou kneeling and pleading had made them think the process would be difficult. But now they saw that Immortal Immortal Master Xi was so generous. The villagers, who had no understanding of sects and cultivation, were now certain that Immortal Immortal Master Xi was a kind-hearted person.
Seeing so many people crowding around, the village chief, now certain that the Chongxuan Sect would take the children, waved off the onlookers and entered the house with Xi Yunqing to discuss the details.
Since this was an internal matter for the Chongxuan Sect, Chen Xiao and the others didn’t feel comfortable eavesdropping and quietly stepped outside. Only Ah Shou remained, quietly waiting, serving tea and water, ready to carry out any tasks.
The news that the Immortal Master was willing to take in disciples quickly spread, and the three of them gained a bit of fame. They were greeted with warmth and enthusiasm, some even bringing freshly picked wild fruits from the mountains to offer them a taste.
As they ate, Tong Nuonuo couldn’t help but exclaim, “The mountain folk are so simple, they’re grateful for even the smallest kindness.” Du Rong disagreed, saying, “How could it be a small kindness? To them, this is a matter that could change their lives.”
Tong Nuonuo replied, “Actually, if this place were discovered by the world, the various sects would be scrambling to take in the children of the village as disciples. The villagers wouldn’t need to worry. Who knows, even infants might be reserved for the sects.”
Du Rong found this amusing and chuckled, “You’re talking about after it’s discovered. Changjia Village has been hiding for over a hundred years, trying to avoid the ruler of Hanshan City. They would never publicly announce their existence.”
Tong Nuonuo sighed, saying, “Actually, a village can only hide for so long. Take Ah Shou’s generation—everyone can no longer sit idly by and risk their lives in dangerous places filled with beasts. As the younger generation grows, some may want to challenge the power of the Han family and head to Hanshan City.”
Du Rong paused, thinking about it. He realized it was indeed possible that the new generation of Changjia Village might do something like that. He himself had been like that when he was younger—full of confidence and ambition, thinking that nothing was impossible.
Chen Xiao chimed in, “The most talented of the village’s current generation have already gone to Chongxuan Sect. The remaining children, though capable, won’t stir up major events like Ah Shou did for some time.”
Du Rong added, “Actually, Changjia Village could choose to affiliate with the Chongxuan Sect. With their protection, Hanshan City wouldn’t dare to interfere, and the villagers wouldn’t need to stay confined in the mountains. They could move to a better place.”
However, Tong Nuonuo disagreed. “That’s just wishful thinking. Let’s not forget, Chongxuan Sect and Hanshan City are separated by two heavens. And according to secular agreements, a strong dragon can’t suppress a local snake. Changjia Village is still under the jurisdiction of Hanshan City. It’s not within the Chongxuan Sect’s reach unless they aim to overpower Hanshan City as a whole. After Hanshan City submits, then they would be in a position to control Changjia Village. The only reason Immortal Master Xi can take these children is because Changjia Village remains hidden from Hanshan City. If Hanshan City had it on record, and considering their entire clan’s wanted status, Immortal Master Xi would need to be very cautious, even with his status as a disciple of Chongxuan Sect.”
Listening to their conversation, Chen Xiao’s thoughts wandered. In a way, Hanshan City was like a small nation, and Chongxuan Sect was a superpower with strong economic and military strength. However, whatever happened within Hanshan City was an internal conflict. As another "nation," Chongxuan Sect couldn’t intervene too forcefully. They could only take people secretly, helping these children from Changjia Village escape.
As the three continued talking, they soon left the village and reached the edge of a field. Tong Nuonuo curiously asked Chen Xiao, “Where are you going? Back to the place where you were collecting herbs earlier? I know besides the Zheying grass, there are other useful herbs around there.”
Chen Xiao shook his head. “Not today, I’m staying close to the village. I’m looking for a particular place.”
Du Rong asked, “What kind of place?”
But Chen Xiao didn’t answer. Instead, he began searching around. What he was looking for was far more important than anything else, he was looking for the dragon vein.
Every feng shui site had a dragon vein. The whole place could be a lucky spot, perfect for human habitation, but only the dragon vein was the essence of that land, the place with the strongest flow of energy.
Though Chen Xiao had only made a general observation of the village, based on the terrain and the way the village was built, it wasn’t sitting on a dragon vein.
If he could find it, it would be the first dragon vein he discovered since coming to this world. Just thinking about it made Chen Xiao feel a surge of excitement, his blood racing. He couldn’t wait any longer and immediately headed up the mountain to search.
