Chapter 6, Spring Water

Does this not imply that the Daoist sect is to produce two ascended true immortals within a century? What a grand spectacle this is! From this point onward, the leaders of the Daoist sect will dominate the world, subduing all demons, which goes without saying. It is no wonder that the various true immortals hold Ji Ruocheng in such high regard and engage in fierce competition, both overtly and covertly. The phrase "hope for ascension" has already dispelled all doubts of Yu Jing and Yu Zhen.

He immediately saw the soiled ancient scroll on the table, and his expression changed at once. Zhang Yinyin's face began to turn pale again; she had just been suspecting that Ji Ruocheng had ulterior motives. However, now that the Daoist was truly present before her, she feared that Ji Ruocheng might go back on his word and not protect her from this disaster. Even if he had his own agenda, as long as she could avoid the seven days of purification, she would be willing to offer him ten Zixia Tripods.

The young maid turned a corner of the corridor and happened to encounter the couple, Master Jingxiao and his wife, who were walking slowly. She hurriedly stepped forward to pay her respects. Huang Xinglan asked, "Is Yin Yin in the room? Has she been feeling better these past few days?"

Yu Xuan paused for a moment, as if hesitating over something, and after a long while said: "This matter is of great importance, but I can only reveal a little to you. Although Ji Ruocheng's innate talent is average, his fortune is abundant. Moreover, how truly talented he is, we lack the cultivation to see clearly. The Master of Ziwei took the risk of delaying his ascension, leaving the sect halfway, and sent three true immortals along with many disciples to the border to bring Ji Ruocheng back to the sect. Such a grand display only conveys one message: Ji Ruocheng has hope for ascension in this life!"

Yujing and Yuzhen's expressions of shock had not yet fully dissipated when Master Yuxuan let out a sigh and said with a sense of melancholy: "It is simply extremely difficult to have Ji Ruocheng enter the gates of my Dan Yuan Palace. Not to mention the celestial sword of Master Yuxu, the innate hexagrams of Master Shouzheng, and the Daoist methods of Master Taiwei, even if he has a great interest in the alchemical studies of Master Ziyun, he shows little enthusiasm for the unique skills of my Dan Yuan Palace! Moreover, Master Ziyang is in close proximity, so what do you think my Dan Yuan Palace can use to compete with other sects? This year, in the minor examination, my palace ranked at the bottom among all the palaces, so there is even less hope that he will choose the Dan Yuan Palace four years from now."

Zhang Yinyin received several scrolls handed over by the maid, unrolling them one by one and observing them carefully. All the scrolls depicted women in various postures, narrating stories of female immortals. Zhang Yinyin examined each painting with far more seriousness than when reading scriptures. However, by the time she finished viewing the last painting, she had not discerned any conclusions. In reality, she was completely ignorant of music, chess, and painting, and it was unclear what she intended to see by looking at the paintings. Yet, even after finishing the last painting, she still found no results.

The stone cave where Ji Ruocheng resides is indeed unique. Beneath him lies a cushion made of azure ice black stone, which has the effect of calming the mind. Beside him is the Zixia Soul-Settling Cauldron, from which wisps of the Great Luo Five Immortal Smoke gently rise. On the other side of the cave is a small table, upon which are placed a dozen or so volumes of Daoist scriptures, along with several bottles of spiritual elixirs. Suspended from the ceiling is a wooden plaque that is purple with black undertones, engraved with a depiction of nine dragons in celestial play. This plaque can be used to gather the wood energy from all directions, providing immense benefits to cultivators.

A hand as cold as ice and as white as snow landed on the ancient scroll that Ji Ruocheng was about to retrieve, the perfectly manicured nails just a fraction of an inch away from his fingers, and he seemed to sense the sharp aura emanating from that delicate hand on his fingertips

Yujing's face flushed slightly, and she averted her gaze, looking elsewhere

In the warm hall of the Danxin Palace, a sudden silence fell. Yu Jing and Yu Zhen observed their noses with their eyes, and their noses with their hearts, both entering a state of tranquility. Yu Xuan, on the other hand, sat still, his expression grave.

Yuzhen glanced at Master Yuxuan once more, let out a soft sigh, shook her head, and went out of the warm pavilion to look for someone

Yuzhen's face showed a look of surprise as she turned to Yujing, completely unprepared for the fact that her senior sister, with whom she had spent decades, would also employ such a series of schemes.

In a previous brief session, Master Ziwei discussed the future prospects of several disciples, among whom he remarked that Ji Bingxian, after a century of arduous cultivation, is likely to achieve the fruit of corpse dissolution. With this evaluation, Ji Bingxian was immediately acclaimed as the most gifted among the thousand young disciples of the Daoist sect.

At this moment, there is no need for Master Yuxuan to explicitly state it; both Yujing and Yuzhen have understood what it means for the Dan Yuan Palace to have hope for revival. As long as Ji Ruocheng is willing to enter the gates of the Dan Yuan Palace after the grand examination in four years, it would no longer be a problem even if the Dan Yuan Palace were to rank at the bottom among the various palaces for the next fifty years. A true immortal ascending would be sufficient to ensure the Dan Yuan Palace's name is remembered in history

After entering the cave, Ji Ruocheng cast aside all trivial studies and devoted himself solely to the arduous practice of the Supreme Pure and Holy Art. After seven days of silent meditation, he finally absorbed the essence from the amethyst divination slip, and his true essence was once again unified, without any flaws to speak of. However, while true essence is relatively easy to cultivate, the hidden injuries to his meridians and organs are not so easily healed. Whenever he circulated his true essence and absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, his meridians would still ache faintly. Having suffered this setback, Ji Ruocheng understood that the Disengagement Immortal Art must not be used lightly. If the Wanhe * Tu * Shu were to repeatedly fail in disengaging any Daoist treasure, with his meager cultivation, he would surely suffer a meridian explosion and his primordial spirit would dissipate on the spot; even an immortal would be unable to save him.

Seemingly sensing the gloomy atmosphere in the warm chamber, the dark fire feathered serpent quietly rose, and then like a flash of red lightning, it silently flew outside the chamber

The thought of having to enter the Tianxin Cave for meditation made Zhang Yinyin feel increasingly cold, and her hands and feet began to grow numb. For someone like her, who was accustomed to a life of luxury and comfort, meditative isolation was indeed more difficult than death itself

At this moment, the place where Ji Ruocheng finds himself, the Scripture Repository, is already not far from a fairyland. The bookshelves here stand three zhang high, all made of dark water purple sandalwood, capable of lasting for ten thousand years without decay. As far as the eye can see, rows upon rows of bookshelves stretch endlessly, countless in number. A faint mist permeates the space between the shelves, making the act of retrieving a book feel as if one is walking among the clouds

The guardian initially had an angry expression, but upon seeing Ji Ruocheng and Zhang Yinyin, his demeanor softened considerably. He said: "So it is Ruocheng and Yinyin. Although I do not wish to make things difficult for you, the rules of the moral sect are strict. Damaging a scroll requires one to enter the Tianxin Cave for seven days of purification, unless the acting gatekeeper, Ziyang Zhenren, grants a special exemption..."

Zhang Yinyin immediately recalled the bleak days spent sitting in a damp, desolate cave, surviving solely on plain rice porridge for seven days while facing the wall, which frightened her so much that her whole body trembled. The heavy ancient scrolls also quivered in response, and her control over the objects nearly faltered, causing the few scrolls suspended in the air to almost fall to the ground. Zhang Yinyin swiftly dodged, and in a flurry of activity, managed to catch each of the more than ten ancient scrolls, carefully returning them to the table, finally letting out a sigh of relief

Huang Xinglan and Zhang Jingxiao exchanged glances and smiled, saying, "It seems that our daughter has grown up."

At this moment, Zhang Yinyin appeared slightly thinner than before, her complexion somewhat pale from a lack of sunlight. She fixed her gaze on Ji Ruocheng and suddenly curved her lips, breaking into a radiant smile like spring flowers, elongating her tone as she said: "Of course I am well! I have spent seven days in Tianxin Cave cultivating my mind and spirit, subsisting solely on plain water and white porridge. After such a period of serene cultivation, how could I not be well?"

That maid, as if granted a reprieve, hurriedly slipped out of the room

Just when she was at a loss, Ji Ruocheng suddenly lowered his voice and said: "There is no need to worry. When the Daoist on duty comes over later, just say that I stained this book. I can see that you cannot endure hardship, so I will take the blame for the misfortune of facing the wall for seven days."

Master Yu Xuan finally sighed and said: "Our Dan Yuan Palace is inherently weak and lacks strength. If the three of us, as brothers and sisters, cannot unite as one, how can we compete with outsiders? I have inherited the legacy of my late master to oversee the Dan Yuan Palace, and in the future, all the infamy will fall upon me; you need not worry. Ji Ruocheng is only eighteen years old, at the prime of his youth, aware of his desires and in the bloom of adolescence. After much contemplation, I believe the only way to draw him in is to approach him from this angle." Ji Ruocheng is only eighteen years old, at the prime of his youth, aware of his desires and in the bloom of adolescence. After much contemplation, I believe the only way to draw him in is to approach him from this angle.

After a moment, Ji Ruocheng finally struggled to stand up from the stone platform. Although the residual pain in his meridians had not yet subsided, the joy in his heart was truly uncontrollable. He had originally intended to absorb the spiritual energy derived from the purple crystal divination during the seven days of meditation, but he never expected that after the fusion of true essence, he would successfully break through to the Taiqing Supreme Saint realm.

Master Yu Xuan fell silent for a moment, then sighed deeply and said: "The Dan Yuan Palace has been weak in my hands for a long time. If we fail again in this year's minor examination, it will mark our seventeenth consecutive year at the bottom of the Nine Palaces. Since the previous generation's founder established the system of annual minor examinations and decadal major examinations, it has been one thousand one hundred years, and no palace has ever remained at the bottom for twenty consecutive years. However, it seems that our Dan Yuan Palace will struggle to improve in the next three to five years. This twenty-year streak of disgrace is likely unavoidable this time."

Ji Ruocheng stretched his muscles, rotated his somewhat stiff neck, and mustered his spirits. He glanced at the more than ten volumes of the "Biographies of Immortals" on his left that had yet to be perused, realizing that further reading would likely yield little insight. Thus, he turned to retrieve several ancient scrolls placed at the corner of the table on his right. These scrolls did not contain the ethereal tales of immortals, but rather the concrete accounts of attaining enlightenment and ascension. The texts documented not only the ascensions of righteous and evil cultivators throughout history, but also included records of those who achieved immortality through dismemberment and the transformation of spirits into saints. However, these were merely a few scrolls, far from the vast collection of the "Biographies of Immortals," which spanned hundreds of volumes and was incomparable in its breadth.

At this time, the sun had already passed noon. If one were to enter the cave for quiet cultivation now, it could still be considered a full day. The attendant Daoist was quite considerate of Ji Ruocheng. Ji Ruocheng said little, hastily packed a few personal items, and followed the attendant Daoist away. In his heart, however, he had other plans: "Tomorrow, that young Daoist Mingyun should be coming out of Tianxin Cave. It will inevitably lead to another round of entanglement. Well, this time entering the cave, it will be seven days of tranquility, not bad, not bad."

Ji Ruocheng glanced at her, reached out to gently pull the ancient scroll stained with ink and the book closer to himself, and suddenly smiled, saying: "Miss Yin Yin, you are already so beautiful now; when you grow up, you will surely be a celestial being."

Ji Ruocheng smiled without answering

Yu Xuan let out a light sigh and said, "There are no outsiders here, so feel free to speak your mind."

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The Xixuan Mountain connects several mountain ranges, stretching for thousands of miles. In fact, the Mogan Peak is quite distant from the twelve side peaks. At this moment, the five peaks in the south are still under clear skies, while the three peaks in the north are shrouded in leaden clouds

Yuzhen humbly said: "Senior sister is absolutely right; it was my lack of understanding of the bigger picture. The rise and fall of my Dan Yuan Palace hinges entirely on this one action, so I thought it might be beneficial to take a further step. For instance, if there are disciples who can cultivate together with Ji Ruocheng in a dual cultivation..."

In the midst of excruciating pain, Ji Ruocheng was unexpectedly delighted. He endured the intense suffering, focusing all his energy to gather his mind, allowing the true essence within his body to vibrate incessantly. After seven tremors, the true essence around him suddenly converged like countless streams returning to the sea, sweeping back and completely returning to the mysterious aperture.

Zhang Yinyin angrily said: "Get out! Useless thing, you can't even find some paintings, go find them for me again!"

For a moment, Ji Ruocheng found it hard to recognize himself. He rubbed his eyes and carefully looked for a long time before he dared to confirm that the reflection in the pool of water was indeed himself

Miss, here is the painting you requested

Yu Zhen furrowed her brows slightly and questioned, "I have also seen Ji Ruocheng. His aptitude is indeed commendable, but he is still far from being exceptionally gifted. Why is it that ever since the Master of Ziwei, all the real people have shown him such favor?"

Zhang Yinyin felt a sense of confusion in her heart, unsure of how to respond, when the guardian Taoist stepped out from the mist and asked, "What is all this noise about?"

Yujing and Yuzhen exchanged glances, their faces showing difficulty, and neither spoke a word

After a long period of contemplation, Master Yu Xuan finally spoke: "In another month and a half, the annual minor examination within the sect will take place. Today, I have invited my senior and junior disciples here to hear your thoughts on this upcoming minor examination."

The ancient scroll was returned to its original position. Zhang Yinyin caught sight of Ji Ruocheng's strange smile, and in an instant, her anger flared up again. Suddenly, she turned her hand and grasped, and in her hand appeared a turquoise vase adorned with tortoise patterns. It first circled in the air for two rounds, gathering momentum, before preparing to smash down fiercely.

Zhang Jingxiao stroked his beard and smiled, his face glowing with delight, and said: "Indeed, in the blink of an eye, thirteen years have passed."

Is this really me? Zhang Yinyin stared at the silver mirror without pause, and the more she looked, the more she felt that the person in the mirror was not herself at all, but rather a stranger she had never met. She began to deconstruct every part of the person's appearance in the mirror, examining them one by one, from the smoky, delicate eyebrows to the star-like, watery eyes, the finely textured, snow-like skin, and the slightly rosy lips

Ji Ruocheng instinctively replied: "Disrespecting the sect rules, one must clean the Sanqing Hall for one month... Ah, that is not what I meant." He scratched his head and said: "I remember that the punishment for damaging ancient scrolls is listed in the second part, third chapter, eleventh item of the sect rules, while the punishment for damaging spiritual objects is in the ninth item. If you do not believe me, we can check right now."

That Zhang Yin stood there in a daze, staring blankly in the direction where Ji Ruocheng had departed, seemingly lost in thought.

He had been perusing the biographies of immortals for several days, yet he could not even comprehend what a true immortal was, let alone understand the origins of the exiled immortals. Daoist Yunfeng once stated that the exiled immortals are a secret of the Daoist sect and should not be disclosed. Ji Ruocheng, however, remained undeterred and had attempted to steer the conversation towards the exiled immortals casually, but Daoist Yunfeng refused to divulge even a single word. The eight true immortals, while imparting their teachings, also refrained from mentioning the term 'exiled immortal.' Ji Ruocheng, being quite astute in human affairs, understood that this matter was sensitive and naturally ceased to inquire further.

Ji Ruocheng did not expect her to reveal her true nature with just one sentence. In a moment of surprise, there was no time to evade, and he hurriedly shouted: "Damaging an ancient scroll requires seven days of purification!"

Is ascension in sight? Both Yu Zhen and Yu Jing gasped in shock

Yet in his heart, he silently lamented how time slipped away like a fleeting horse, and the hard-won seven days of tranquility had passed by unknowingly

Zhang Yinyin swiftly grabbed a stack of ancient books in front of her, and the Taiji diagram on the tip of her left index finger suddenly began to rotate rapidly. These heavy ancient scrolls were ensnared by an invisible force, and two or three of them had already slipped from her grasp, hovering in mid-air, seemingly about to crash down on Ji Ruocheng's head.

Many practitioners of the Dao achieve longevity; for instance, Master Ziwai has already surpassed one hundred years, while Master Ziyang is over one hundred and fifty. Master Yuxuan is able to preside over the lineage of the Daoist school of Dan Yuan Palace at the age of fifty, which is indeed a matter worthy of pride. However, she now furrows her brows tightly, her face clouded with concern, clearly facing a difficult dilemma.

Yu Xuan nodded and said, "Indeed, it is he."

It is no wonder that those who write books find it difficult; the gap between the mortal and the immortal is more than just a vast distance. How can ordinary people ever catch a glimpse of the secrets of the immortal mountains and the illustrations within the texts?

As for the troublesome Mingxin, due to his disrespectful words and arrogant demeanor, his situation is not as simple as that of the secluded practitioners in Tianxin Cave. He must reflect in solitude for a total of forty-nine days before it can be considered resolved. At this time, there is still a considerable period before Mingxin emerges. The other young Taoists present that day also received varying degrees of punishment, but compared to them, Zhang Yinyin's punishment was the lightest, which was certainly a result of the consideration for Master Jingxiao.

What a grand spectacle! Even if the Eight Veins True Man were here in seclusion, it would be no more than this

Yujing and Yuzhen exchanged glances, both aware that what Master Yuxuan had said was true. However, the monumental opportunity lay before them, and to relinquish it without a second thought was indeed an exceedingly difficult decision. If Ji Ruochen could truly ascend as Master Ziwei had stated, then the Dan Yuan Palace would not merely gain a hollow reputation; it would significantly benefit the cultivation of the three present. The path to the Dao is easy at the beginning but difficult later on. For those like Yuxuan and the others, every step forward at their level of cultivation brings countless dangers. Therefore, for them, anything that could enhance their cultivation would be an immense temptation.

Yuxuan Zhenren gazed at the dark clouds on the horizon and slowly nodded, saying: "What Junior Brother Yuzhen said is indeed true; I actually have the same intention. However, there is one difficult matter in this regard: the practice of dual cultivation relies on fate. Although there are many disciples in our palace, I fear that there may be no connection or affinity with that Ji Ruocheng."

"You, you... hello!" Zhang Yinyin's anger had no outlet, and she slammed her hand heavily on the desk. In her moment of fury, she inadvertently channeled a trace of true essence. With a sudden splash, a thick wave of ink surged up from the inkstone, resembling a small, tangible black dragon that leapt up, and then with a soft sound, it left a large ink blossom imprinted on the cover of an ancient scroll

Zhang Yinyin, at the tender age of thirteen, had never before heard such direct and unabashed praise in person. For a moment, she was left speechless, softly gasping as she felt her entire body flush with blood, her ears burning with embarrassment.

Zhang Yinyin was provoked by him, and the grievances she had endured for many days suddenly erupted into anger. Before coming here, she had repeatedly warned herself not to be swayed by this little brat's words. However, in her current state of fury, she had completely cast aside her composure.

Before Yuzhen could finish speaking, Yujing coughed once. Yuzhen immediately realized, closed her mouth tightly, and refused to continue speaking

Danyuan Peak is located at the northernmost point. The Danyuan Palace atop the peak is somewhat different from other peaks; it lacks grandeur and magnificence but is rich in elegance and refinement. By the time the Danyuan Palace was passed to the hands of Master Yuxuan, it had already been under the leadership of eleven consecutive generations of women. However, although there are many female disciples in the Danyuan Palace, male disciples are also not excluded.

Yu Jing finally spoke: "This matter requires a dual approach. First, we need to select a capable disciple to get close to Ji Ruocheng. Second, I have a rare fragrance obtained from the Southern Barbarians, known as Dreamlike Rainbow Garment, which has... this... very mysterious effects. If my disciples light a burner of it while cultivating together with Ji Ruocheng, it will yield twice the result with half the effort."

Bang

Ji Ruocheng felt a buzzing confusion in his mind, and quickly steadied his thoughts, forcibly diverting his gaze from the Taiji diagram to the delicate, creamy skin. Following the hand, his gaze traveled up past the jade bracelet, climbing to the flowing sleeves adorned with apricot blossoms and clouds, then crossing over the shoulder, pausing for a moment on the pair of black pearl earrings, and finally resting on a pair of starry eyes as dark as ink, he smiled and inquired, "Miss Yin Yin, how have you been lately?"

Ji Ruocheng smiled and said: "Master does not show favoritism, and he will not make an exception for me either"

Ji Ruocheng closed the ancient book in his hands, rubbed his sore and swollen eyes, and let out a light sigh. This was the forty-seventh volume of the "Records of Immortals" he had read. The accounts of the immortals contained in the book were filled with miraculous events and transformations, dazzling to the eyes and ears, featuring elixirs that could save the world, and tales of female immortals descending to the mortal realm, all grand and magnificent. However, after reading so many, Ji Ruocheng came to understand that most of the immortal legends and anecdotes in the book were largely the result of later generations' forced interpretations, or were based on mere imagination without any firsthand observation. Although there were many immortals listed in the book, upon closer inspection, they were nothing more than phrases of praise such as "The spiritual immortal rides the auspicious clouds, driving dragons across the mysterious waves. The true essence manifests auspicious signs, washing feet in the Milky Way." Yet, after reading so much, Ji Ruocheng also realized that the various immortal legends and anecdotes in the book were mostly the result of later generations' forced interpretations, or were based on mere imagination without any firsthand observation. Although there were many immortals listed in the book, upon closer inspection, they were nothing more than phrases of praise such as "The spiritual immortal rides the auspicious clouds, driving dragons across the mysterious waves. The true essence manifests auspicious signs, washing feet in the Milky Way." However, there was not a single word in the book that described what the immortal realm truly looked like.

"Self-reflection? Thirty days!" Zhang Yinyin gasped in shock, holding the vase high, yet ultimately did not dare to truly smash it down.

Is it referring to that Ji Ruocheng

The maid replied: "Miss has been spending every day in her room admiring herself in the mirror, and has sent me to find many ancient paintings of female immortals for her to look at. I do not know why, but after viewing the paintings, Miss often flies into a rage. However, Miss practices her cultivation and swordsmanship every day, and has not neglected her studies."

The girl was nearly struck by the scrolls that were mounted on familiar copper axes, her face pale as she huddled in the corner, trembling. However, this was not the first time she had encountered such a situation, so she restrained herself from screaming. Zhang Yinyin had been particularly strange these past few days; if her scream had attracted attention, it was uncertain what the outcome would have been

In the Hall of Danxin, fragrant smoke swirls, and exotic beasts roam freely, presenting a scene reminiscent of a celestial palace. Master Yu Xuan sits in the warm chamber of the Hall of Danxin, gazing at the layers of leaden clouds outside, her brows tightly knitted, her face marked by worry. On either side of her sit a male and a female master, her senior sister Yu Jing and junior brother Yu Zhenzi respectively.

At this moment, Ji Ruocheng had already jumped up from the chair, dodging to the side while shouting: "Damaged spiritual object, reflect for thirty days!"

Ji Ruochen actually has a chance of ascension

Ji Ruocheng noticed her unusually willful demeanor and couldn't help but chuckle, saying: "Miss Yin Yin, Master Ziqing may appear stern but is soft-hearted; he truly cares for you and would never intentionally make things difficult for you. The seven days of rigorous training in Tianxin Cave is actually very beneficial for your cultivation, and this is also Master Ziqing's good intention in nurturing you..."

The commotion between the two had already alerted the Daoist on duty at the Scripture Pavilion. As the footsteps drew nearer, Zhang Yinyin's face grew increasingly pale. Her body trembled slightly, and she felt an urge to flee, but how could she escape the grasp of the Daoist on duty? She contemplated framing Ji Ruocheng, yet she recalled how biased the true practitioners were; it didn't matter whom she tried to frame, it was always Ji Ruocheng who was untouchable. After several confrontations, this fellow was as slippery as an eel; it was already generous of him not to frame her in return. She contemplated framing Ji Ruocheng again, but once more remembered the extreme bias of the true practitioners; it didn't matter whom she tried to frame, it was always Ji Ruocheng who was untouchable. After several confrontations, this fellow was as slippery as an eel; it was already generous of him not to frame her in return.

In fact, Master Yu Xuan has already surpassed fifty years of age, but due to her successful cultivation, she maintains a youthful appearance, making her look as if she is still in her prime. Master Yu Jing, on the other hand, is nearly a hundred years old, yet she appears even younger than Master Yu Xuan. Master Yu Zhen seems to be in his thirties, with several long strands of beard beneath his chin, exuding an indescribable charm and elegance.

In a moment of realization, Yu Jing and Yu Zhen understood that Master Yu Xuan had already devised a plan; he had merely summoned the two of them for discussion. They also comprehended what needed to be done, yet making that decision was equally daunting. However, given the circumstances, the three of them had already reached a consensus in their hearts; the only difference lay in who would be the first to voice it.

You..." Zhang Yinyin was momentarily taken aback, thinking she had misheard. She was speechless for a long time before regaining her composure and said: "You would be so kind? Tell me, what exactly are your intentions?"

The Jade Xuan Zhenren has skin as smooth as that of an infant, and her brows resemble a crescent moon, appearing to be merely in her mid-twenties. Just by sitting in this warm chamber of the Danxin Hall, she seems to illuminate the entire space slightly. To her right, there is a spirit snake over two feet long, entirely crimson in color, with a pair of thin cicada wings on its back and four legs extending from its belly, the origin of which is unknown. This spirit snake moves slowly along the arm of the Jade Xuan Zhenren, occasionally flapping its wings to take flight, hovering in the air for a moment before gently descending.

In her exasperation, she suddenly shouted: "You, you! Nonsense! How could I possibly not know about all these ridiculous rules!"

Ji Ruocheng performed a respectful bow towards the Daoist on duty and said apologetically, "Daoist, I accidentally soiled this ancient scroll." Zhang Yinyin's complexion immediately became much rosier, and she let out a sigh of relief

Yuzhen pondered over her words and continued: "Sisters, please do not take offense. After careful consideration, I believe that as long as one of our disciples from the Dan Yuan Palace can engage in dual cultivation with him, even if he refuses to join our sect four years later, on the day of ascension, the female disciple who has cultivated with him will surely experience significant enhancement in her cultivation and true essence. Our Dan Yuan Palace will also benefit greatly from this, which is certainly better than gaining nothing at all"

However, in this way, she became even less familiar with herself

Yujing first sighed, then said: "Currently, in my Dan Yuan Palace, there are a total of one hundred and thirteen individuals across four generations. Aside from two or three disciples, there are no particularly outstanding talents. Among the young disciples, only Hanyan possesses exceptional aptitude and has the potential to achieve great things in the future. However, in my opinion, it is still difficult for her to compare with Ji Bingxian from Changyang Palace, Li Xuanzhen from Xuanming Palace, Shang Qiushui from Sikong Palace, and Ming Yun from Taixuan Palace. Especially since our Dan Yuan Palace has a sparse population, when it comes down to it, only Hanyan stands out, unlike other palaces that are rich in talent. Originally, the disciples of Changyang Palace under Ziwai Zhenren number less than one hundred, and their connections are even thinner than ours in Dan Yuan Palace. However, Ji Bingxian is exceptionally talented, and with the Ziwai Sect Master about to ascend, it is impossible for Changyang Palace to be surpassed by our palace. Although Ziyang Zhenren is the oldest, his cultivation is not sufficient, yet he is highly respected, which is why the number of disciples in Taichang Palace is the largest. However, Ji Bingxian is exceptionally talented, and with the Ziwai Sect Master about to ascend, it is impossible for Changyang Palace to be surpassed by our palace. Although Ziyang Zhenren is the oldest, his cultivation is not sufficient, yet he is highly respected, which is why the number of disciples in Taichang Palace is the largest. Yuxu Zhenren has always been on good terms with Ziyang Zhenren and often guides the disciples of Taichang Palace on his behalf. Even if Hanyan can secure a victory in one match, Taichang Palace relies on its numbers to win, and we cannot possibly surpass them. Therefore, I must speak frankly: this time, in the small examination, our Dan Yuan Palace is likely to end up at the bottom among the various palaces, just like last year."

However, such clichéd compliments for women, Ji Ruocheng had already uttered hundreds or even thousands of times over the years. It was so familiar that it flowed naturally, as if it came straight from his heart. He looked at the ink marks on his fingertips and continued: "But a fairy must possess the grace and modesty befitting a fairy. Once you turn back the Zixia Ding, Miss Yin, I hope you will let me go from now on"

Yujing and Yuzhen both bowed their heads in silence. They were well aware of the current situation, yet they were at a loss for effective solutions. The Dan Yuan Palace had already become weak, and cultivating the Dao was not as simple as eating or drinking; there was no shortcut to success. In the past year or two, where could they find so many exceptionally talented disciples?

As she was watching, Zhang Yinyin suddenly felt a surge of anger, picked up the pile of scrolls, and smashed them forcefully against the wall

Ah! Another seven days... Zhang Yinyin's entire body trembled, and her face instantly turned as pale as paper. She had only just emerged from Tianxin Cave yesterday

Yujing and Yuzhen knew that Master Yuxuan still had more to say, and they all held their breath in anticipation

Zhang Yinyin was both anxious and angry, yet she ultimately did not dare to act rashly. Carefully, she returned the vase to its original position and stamped her foot in frustration, saying: "Have you memorized the entire department's regulations?"

Although this place is called the Scripture Repository, it does not have a roof. At this moment, Ji Ruocheng is sitting in a corner of the top floor of the Scripture Repository, looking up at the bright moon and countless stars, all vividly in view. When he glances to the side, the boundless beauty of Xixuan Mountain is fully captured. The Scripture Repository is also home to many peculiar trees and immortal herbs, and currently, it is the blooming season of an unknown red flower, which, at a glance, resembles a sea of rosy clouds, resplendent like brocade. As for the unknown spiritual birds occasionally flying through the sea of flowers and the forest of books, there is no need to elaborate further. The Scripture Repository is also home to many peculiar trees and immortal herbs, and currently, it is the blooming season of an unknown red flower, which, at a glance, resembles a sea of rosy clouds, resplendent like brocade. As for the unknown spiritual birds occasionally flying through the sea of flowers and the forest of books, there is no need to elaborate further

As the sound of the morning bell echoed, Ji Ruocheng opened his mouth and exhaled a faint, almost imperceptible yellow mist. Gradually, he opened his eyes, taking in everything within the cave. By calculation, this was already the seventh morning; by noon, a Taoist priest stationed at Tianxin Cave would come to lift the restrictions at the cave entrance, allowing him to exit the cave

The guardian nodded and said: "Indeed, if that is the case, then Ruo Chen, you may follow me into the Heavenly Heart Cave. I will have someone bring you all the necessary items shortly."

This hand is as white as snow, slender and proportionate. On the fingernail of the index finger is painted a small yin-yang taiji diagram. When gazed upon, this taiji diagram seems to be slowly rotating, unknowingly drawing Ji Ruocheng's gaze into it.

Yuxuan raised his head to gaze at the heavens, letting out a soft sigh, and said: "This is the secret of my Daoist sect, known only to the true practitioners of each lineage. Yuzhen, although you are my junior brother, I cannot disclose the specific details to you. However ... ... "

Upon hearing the phrase "joint cultivation of marriage and dual practice," both Master Yuxuan and Yujing displayed a hint of embarrassment on their faces. Although they understood that Yuzhen's words were reasonable and they themselves had similar thoughts in their hearts, directly stating it made them feel somewhat uncomfortable in terms of face.

Master Yu Xuan nodded and said, "Indeed, it is Han Yan"

Yuzhen was taken aback and said, "Hanyan?"

He arrived at the cold pool in a corner of the stone cave and looked down. The water was still, its surface like a mirror. The reflection clearly showed Ji Ruocheng's face. In the blink of an eye, he had been in the Taoist Palace for nearly six months. Compared to six months ago, this face remained bright and handsome, but the childishness had faded, replaced by an ethereal quality. His pair of clear starry eyes also subtly glimmered with a moist luster

At this moment, faint sounds of objects being struck could be heard coming from Zhang Yinyin's room

He silently recited the true mantra, gradually gathering the true essence of his body and concealing it within the mysterious orifice. After seven days of diligent cultivation, he was on the verge of achieving completion. Just as Ji Ruocheng finished reciting the last line of the mantra, the true essence, which had already begun to return to the mysterious orifice, suddenly surged out to his limbs and bones. With a contraction and release, it jolted Ji Ruocheng as if he were about to spring up from the icy stone platform! Under the shock of the true essence, his injured meridians throbbed in unison, as if countless tendons were being forcibly extracted from his body!

Yu Xuan gazed at the faint red tail shadow left by the Xuanhuo Feathered Serpent as it departed, offering a bitter smile and saying: "This time, losing the minor examination is just a loss; I, Yu Xuan, shall bear this humiliation alone. However, at this moment, my Dan Yuan Palace may have a significant opportunity for revival, which puts me in a difficult position."

Before long, Yu Zhen, whose cultivation was somewhat lacking, could not help but say: "Sister Yu Xuan, among the many female disciples of the Dan Yuan Palace, if we wish to surpass the other eight veins, I believe we could start from this aspect..."

The Seven Shocks of True Essence signify the completion of the cultivation of the Supreme Clarity and Most Sacred Technique

Cultivating you, what a joke

Yuxuan Zhenren gazed blankly outside the pavilion for a long time before retracting his gaze and said softly: "Sister Yujing, Junior Brother Yuzhen, although this matter concerns the revival of my Dan Yuan Palace after a millennium, it does not quite align with the principles of the Daoist sect. If it were to leak out, it would surely cause a great uproar. Sister Yujing, please send the Illusory Dream Robe to me tonight. From now on, you must not interfere in this matter; I will handle everything. Should any information be leaked, I alone will bear the responsibility. As long as you, my sister and brother, are here, the Dan Yuan Palace will still have a chance to rise again. Junior Brother Yuzhen, please go and call Hanyan; I have something to say to her."