Chapter 2, I Can Also Soar

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Upon hearing this roar, the expressions of the elders from the Tianshan sect within the Sword Pavilion simultaneously turned pale.

Gu Tianya descends the mountain to challenge the Taihang, akin to a tiger entering a flock of sheep. When you descend the mountain to wander the rivers and lakes, it is like a sheep entering a pack of tigers!" The leader of Tianshan, Feng Linchuan, said without reservation

"Just like having a pair of wings that allow for complete freedom, I can soar at the summit of Tianshan!" Zuojing boldly leaned forward, her arms wide open, excitedly grasping the rushing wind, as if a bird were using its wings to embrace the mountain breeze.

With a sudden exertion of her waist, her body executed three smooth backflips in mid-air, and her right foot, extending downward, firmly landed on the cliff that towers over Qingchuan, producing a soft "da" sound.

She intends to perform lightness skill from the end of Qingchuan, leaping down and traversing a distance of over a hundred zhang, following the unique curve of Qingchuan. At the end of Qingchuan, she leaps into the air, executing all the techniques she has learned, striving to fly back to the cliff above Qingchuan. It is said that if one can achieve this leap, they will comprehend the essence of the azure sky

The glaciers on the northern slope of the Tianshan Snow Peak stretch for hundreds of miles, resembling a gigantic crescent blade slicing diagonally into the river valley. As spring arrives and flowers bloom, the sound of melting glacial water rushing down resembles the thunderous beat of war drums, exuding an extraordinary momentum. Within the mountain's fault lines, waterfalls and streams formed by glacial meltwater frequently appear, causing the terrain to undulate and vary in height. At the waist of the snow peak, due to multiple avalanches, a small portion of the glacier has been fractured by tens of thousands of tons of accumulated snow, with the fault line slanting across the protruding rock, creating a gentle arc that aligns with the original flow of the glacier, the tail end resembling the raised tail wing of a phoenix, proudly piercing the sky. Above this section of the glacier, a protruding cliff juts out over the canyon, standing suspended in mid-air. This glacier is referred to as Qingchuan by generations of disciples of Tianshan.

Beside the Independent Swordmaster on Gushan, there is a painting of a swordsman dancing under the moonlight. Against the bright backdrop of the full moon, this swordsman, soaring in mid-air, leaves only a silhouette in ink, surrounded by an endless night sky devoid of any starlight. This scene reflects the imagination of Zu Jing, envisioning the ancestors of the Zheng family wielding the Nightfall Star River Sword to dominate Luoyang. The entire painting features only the full moon, the swordsman, and the night sky, with not a single star in sight. In her heart, the only thing capable of eclipsing the starry river is the brilliant moonlight and the sword light in the swordsman's hand, which shines even brighter than the moonlight. The entire painting features only the full moon, the swordsman, and the night sky, with not a single star in sight. In her heart, the only thing capable of eclipsing the starry river is the brilliant moonlight and the sword light in the swordsman's hand, which shines even brighter than the moonlight.

At the end of Qingchuan, she spun into the sky along the ice surface that resembled the tail feathers of a phoenix. As her body twirled in the air like a windmill, the once clear and orderly world before her suddenly transformed into countless fleeting streams of light, starlight, moonlight, flowing clouds, blue sky, river waves, valleys, and glaciers, merging into a patchwork of brilliant tassels, changing endlessly like a kaleidoscope, never pausing.

Although the martial world is no longer what it used to be, the Heavenly Mountain Sect remains your safest home

As soon as these words were spoken, Feng Linchuan, Rong Qian, Jiao Zhongjie, Hua Xuegu, and Xiong Zhenan all cast a glance at him, seemingly looking down on the chaotic logic of his statement. However, upon further reflection, they could not help but nod in agreement.

The night breeze, mingled with the mournful cries of eagles, drifted into Zuojing's chamber, rousing her from her chaotic thoughts. She stood up listlessly and used a fire poker to ignite the oil lamp in the room. One by one, vivid paintings on the walls of the chamber emerged under the dim yellow light

But, Junior Master... how did he get up the mountain?" Zu Jing hurriedly asked

At this moment, she felt a sense of freedom that she had never experienced before, as if she had finally broken free from a colossal net that had entangled her for a lifetime. Her spirit soared and galloped across the peaks of the mountains, unrestrained by the rivers and lands, the vast universe, and nothing in the world could bind her soul any longer. At this moment, she felt as if she had transcended and taken flight.

Decades ago, Zujing eagerly flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the chronological records of the documents. She nodded slightly and murmured, "Not bad..."

Uh, Feng Linchuan saw her serious expression and immediately put away his smile, "You... are you serious?"

"The origin of it all lies in the unprecedented Heavenly Book Conference several decades ago," Wei Buping sighed and said slowly

"What are you laughing at? What is so funny?" Zuojing, blushing from their laughter, quickly stomped her foot lightly and said with a hint of annoyance

"Because his surname is Feng and his given name is Luoyang, he must descend the mountain," Wei Buping shrugged and said succinctly

Yes, and books, indeed. Please do not think too negatively.

Qingchuan is the sacred place where the disciples of Tianshan throughout the ages have comprehended the highest realm of lightness skill— the Realm of Qingxiao. Once one comprehends Qingxiao, they can never escape the Jianghu for eternity. Many people in Jianghu spend their entire lives without grasping Qingxiao, and they die without ever understanding what kind of realm Qingxiao truly is.

The mountain wind weeps, resembling a dirge, echoing hollowly in Zujing's ears. The cries of the night hawk suddenly arise in the valley, only to quickly fade away, much like the elusive nature of a life that is uncertain from dawn to dusk. Below the towering cliffs of Qingchuan, the glacial meltwater forms a river that reflects the bright moonlight, sparkling with crystalline brilliance, resembling a pearl necklace entwined within the valley. On either side of the river, the jagged cliffs stand like knives, the pines rise like halberds, the ice stretches across, and the scattered rocks resemble graves, instilling a sense of dread in those who behold them. Zujing cannot help but imagine what would happen if she were to lose her footing on the high platform, her fragile body torn and tormented by the cliffs, glaciers, fallen trees, and shattered stones in the valley a thousand feet below.

Jing'er ... ... Wei Buping found himself at a loss for what to do, so he could only turn his face away with a forced smile. However, he discovered that at this moment, Zu Jing was already in tears, her face resembling a pear blossom drenched in rain, unable to speak for her sorrow

Ah, not bad... Wei Buping nodded slightly

As soon as she spoke, all the elders burst into laughter, even the most serious Master Feng Linchuan could not help but chuckle

"Do I really have one hundred percent confidence in my lightness skill?" Zu Jing asked herself, her heart pounding with fear. She felt as if a gigantic hand was kneading her heart, trying to squeeze out the last remnants of courage and strength within her. She swallowed hard, closed her eyes, and felt the muscles in her face suddenly begin to twitch uncontrollably.

As soon as the words "shrinking turtle" were uttered, the elders, who were already shrouded in gloom, became even more like frostbitten eggplants, devoid of vitality

"Do you think that if we die now, we will have the face to meet our ancestors?" Fan Zhou, the person in charge, sharply ridiculed. "However... Jing'er has always believed that the present world of Jianghu is as carefree and free as it is in legends. Now that her beautiful dream has been shattered, how can she, at such a young age, bear it? I truly fear that something might happen to her"

These fiends not only possess extraordinary skills but have also received top-tier secret manuals from the Heavenly Book Conference, leading to a rapid advancement in their martial arts. They have emerged as prominent figures in the martial world, exuding an air of invincibility. Most of them and their successors have witnessed the ambition of the leader of the demonic sect at the Heavenly Book Conference, who aspired to unify the martial world, and they are all filled with longing and eager to try their hand. With the active presence of these fiends, the martial world is filled with powerful figures, rampant hostility, and growing ambition. The evil characters form alliances, treating each other as brothers, disregarding the rules of the martial arts community, and acting recklessly. With the active presence of these fiends, the martial world is filled with powerful figures, rampant hostility, and growing ambition. The evil characters form alliances, treating each other as brothers, disregarding the rules of the martial arts community, and acting recklessly

As the curvature of the Qingchuan ice layer shifted, Zu Jing felt her body transition from falling to rising, and the scene before her transformed from the shimmering rivers of the Tianshan Valley to a vast expanse illuminated by moonlight, filled with flowing clouds and faintly visible starlight.

A true hero does not speak of past glories, alas! When recalling those events, Feng Linchuan's dim eyes briefly sparkled with light, only to fade once more. In the end, we, the senior and junior disciples, returned to Tianshan, becoming nothing more than turtles withdrawing into their shells.

Twenty years ago, during the chaos in Guanzhong, the last group of demonic leaders escaped from the execution hall in Guanzhong, leading to a significant decline in the righteous sects of the martial world. The original Seven Great Sword Sects have each withered away; the Songshan Sword Sect and Hainan Sword Sect have completely vanished, the Guanzhong Sword Sect is deserted, the Shaolin Temple and the Yue Nu Palace have closed their doors to the outside world, and the Huanhua Sword Sect has become virtually non-existent. Our Tianshan Sect has also retreated back to Tianshan, no longer concerning ourselves with worldly affairs

Indeed. The elders nodded in understanding, each wearing an expression of helplessness. Only Wei Buping, the newly appointed deputy head of the Fan Zhou residence, struggled to keep up with the sect leader's line of thought and uncertainly asked, "Sect Leader, do you really intend to tell Jing'er the truth of the matter?"

I don't care, you must tell me today why the young master has not returned to Tianshan for ten years, and why Tianshan has not recruited disciples in the past decade. Is the Tianshan legend you talk about every day and month true or false? If you don't tell me, I will jump off the glacier on the northern side of the snow peak tonight!" Zu Jing said, wiping her eyes vigorously with her hand, removing all traces of tears from her face, her eyes red and swollen as she spoke. "If you don't tell me, I will jump off the glacier on the northern side of the snow peak tonight!" Zu Jing said, wiping her eyes vigorously with her hand, removing all traces of tears from her face, her eyes red and swollen as she spoke.

Then it is I who should be braver! This is what is meant by one generation surpassing another!" Zujing retorted with high spirits

Like a knife's precipice, the jungle stands like a forest of swords and halberds, while the rushing waters and the towering glacier fault roar towards her; the biting cold wind tears at her cheeks, and she feels a layer of frost forming on her eyebrows. The moonlight reflected on the river draws a long arc resembling an earthworm before her eyes, marking the distant distance she is plunging downwards. Everything before her presents a series of bizarre and fantastical scenes, fluctuating with the undulations of her body. The moonlight reflected on the river draws a long arc resembling an earthworm before her eyes, marking the distant distance she is plunging downwards. Everything before her presents a series of bizarre and fantastical scenes, fluctuating with the undulations of her body.

All was silent, and even the sounds of the wind through the mountains and the cries of eagles had vanished. In Zu Jing's ears, the only sound that lingered was the gentle touch of her toes upon the ground. This marked her return from the dream of flying immortals to reality, a testament that she, Zu Jing, as a disciple of Tianshan, had comprehended the realm of Qingxiao. From the moment her toes touched the ground, she would never again be able to leave the Jianghu. That gentle sound resonated in her ears like thunder. From the moment her toes touched the ground, she would never again be able to leave the Jianghu. That gentle sound resonated in her ears like thunder.

But back then, we indeed had our glory, didn't we, Master?" Jiao Zhongjie glanced at Feng Linchuan.

Jing'er..." Wei Buping, who was beside the leader, sighed and shook his head, saying, "You are still too young and do not understand the dangers of the martial world. If you descend the mountain like this, not to mention restoring order, even preserving your life will be difficult. Those tyrants who roam the martial world without restraint, if you encounter them, I fear you will be left with nothing but scraps of bones"

She swallowed hard, cleared the lump in her throat, rubbed her eyes, and cautiously opened the ancient document.

"Very well, I shall now comprehend the realm of the azure sky. Thus, you will no longer have any reason to prevent me from descending the mountain!" Ancestor Jing declared resolutely

Whatever! Zujing felt a surge of warmth rushing to her mind, dispelling all the chill from her body. With a vigorous motion of her arms, she leaped onto the bright, mirror-like surface of the Qingchuan, soaring down the steep ice slope like a returning swallow.

Many disciples of the Tianshan sect do not dare to undertake this terrifying leap until their death. Perched atop the towering cliffs of Qingchuan, they overlook the vast Tianshan valley and the majestic snow-capped peaks and glaciers. A single misstep could lead to shattering their bones and falling into eternal damnation. Unless one possesses absolute confidence in their lightness skill, no one would dare to risk their life. However, how many people in the world truly have such unwavering confidence in their lightness skill

"Jing'er, one day you will come to know these secrets. Your master should have told you earlier, but considering your youth, you needed time to accept these facts, which is why it has been delayed until today." As he revealed these secrets, Wei Buping let out a long sigh, as if he himself felt considerably relieved.

How about you skip the morning class tomorrow and let the teacher take you to the Snow Sea to pick snow lotus flowers, to relax a bit

She instinctively clenched her fists tightly, taking a step back, breathing heavily. The night wind struck her back, bringing a chill; she realized that her shirt was already soaked with sweat

"Back then, Senior Gu Tianya ventured down the Taihang Mountains alone at night with just a single sword. If he could do it, why can't I?" Ancestor Jing said defiantly

No, never!" Zujing exclaimed defiantly. As soon as her words fell, her body spun around and she dashed towards the glacier on the northern slope of the Tianshan snow peak.

I originally had no confidence in my own lightness skill; it turned out that I was still not suited to descend the mountain. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the chill of early spring in Tianshan enveloping her completely.

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the leader of the Tianshan Sect, Feng Linchuan, leap from his seat and burst through the door, disappearing without a trace after a few turns. The other elders followed suit, leaping in succession, some breaking through windows, others rushing out the door, or crashing against walls to escape. Wei Buping then realized what was happening and hurriedly made his way to the door, only to be knocked to the ground by several elders who had gotten there first, who also stepped on him a few times. By the time he managed to get up from the ground, rolling and crawling, and attempted to flee, a delicate little hand, as slender as a green onion, emerged from behind him and grabbed his ear.

Following the image of the swordsman dancing under the moonlight is a picture of a mischievous child flying a kite. A small child with a vertical braid is joyfully running across the desert, flying a kite shaped like a turtle. This impression was faintly left in her mind when she was very young, listening to her little master uncle recount the legendary stories of the Heavenly Book Society, and she does not know why this picture has surfaced in her mind.

The second page records the encounter of the celestial wine immortal Sun Taihu with the eighteen swordsmen of the Southern Jin at Qixing Pond in Feiyu Fort, Huqiu, Jiangnan, where they enjoyed tea and discussed swordsmanship. With the Night Falls on the Star River sword, he subdued the world, prompting the entire martial community to sing the Night Falls on the Star River Quick Sword Song. Following this is the account of the end of the Sui dynasty, where Gu Tianya single-handedly challenged the Taihang Mountains at night; Fan Qinglin fought against the world's number one demon, Zi Kunlun, with his self-sacrificing sword; the Sword Master Lian Feng wielded the Qingxiao Sword to intimidate Hengzhou, assisting Li Jing in defeating the Turks; the ancestors of the Zheng family, renowned in Luoyang, swept through the Taihang Mountains and dealt a significant blow to the Heavenly Book Society.

Xiao Feng was originally a disciple from the Jianmen of the Ailao Mountains in Yunnan. As you know, the Jianmen of the Ailao Mountains has a certain sentiment towards the discussions of swordsmanship that were popular in Luoyang twenty years ago. Back then, the predecessors of the Feng family ventured alone into Luoyang, hoping to bring glory to their family name, but they were defeated under the sword of the Nightfall Star River from Tianshan.

You still dare to say that? The head of the Moon-Chasing Pavilion, Rong Qian, wore a face full of dissatisfaction. "Isn't it you and the sect leader who have been boasting the most about our Tianshan Sect and the ancestral family? You also claim how you and the people from the ancestral family were chivalrous and how glorious you were in the martial world back in the day. Well, now that the boast has been deflated, let's see how you plan to wrap this up"

The last painting depicts a brightly lit tavern, where a group of boisterous and merry wanderers are seated, yet none of their faces are clearly visible. In the center of the revelers, Zu Jing painted an empty wine table. Zu Jing cannot recall how long ago it was when a senior from Tianshan once told her: before the heroes of the Tang Dynasty embark on their righteous quests, they always choose a brightly lit tavern, gather around a wine table, and drink heartily until dawn, after which life or death matters not, for all is joy. Zu Jing cannot recall how long ago it was when a senior from Tianshan once told her: before the heroes of the Tang Dynasty embark on their righteous quests, they always choose a brightly lit tavern, gather around a wine table, and drink heartily until dawn, after which life or death matters not, for all is joy.

In her mind, the scenes of the past ten years flashed by like a revolving lantern, recalling the three times she had waited in vain at the mountain gate, yet she could not witness the moment of receiving the disciples. That heart-wrenching disappointment, that deeply etched loneliness—could she endure this for a lifetime? At this moment, the vibrant scene of the rivers and lakes depicted in the painting in the Tianshan dormitory seemed like a bright light in the darkness, suddenly illuminating her heart and bringing her a gentle warmth

The master of the Xuan family, Jiao Zhongjie, stroked the three strands of yellow whiskers on his thin face with his hand, sighed deeply, and said: "Since childhood, we have told Jing'er that the Tianshan Sect has produced generations of renowned heroes, and that it is the homeland of the wandering knights of the Tang Dynasty. We have also boasted to her every day about how heroic the previous generation of our ancestors was. Now, if I were to tell her the truth, I fear she might not be able to handle it and could do something foolish."

Esteemed uncles and elders, Jing'er has made up her mind... "" Zu Jing took a deep breath, her face glowing with excitement, "I want to descend the mountain!"

"You say this matter is truly distressing. How is it that this year is so favorable? It leaves us unable to find even a plausible excuse to cover it up. The heavens really are blind," said Wei Buping, the deputy head of the Fan Zhou Ju.

So it is, I should have felt strange long ago, " Zu Jing slammed her fist on the table, " Why is it that apart from Master Feng, all the other masters are of such an age? I have no senior brothers or sisters. All the junior brothers and sisters are the children and grandchildren of the elders. I was really foolish... I was so willing to believe your words. " At this point, she felt a wave of grievance, unable to help but pout, her eyes reddening once again. I was really foolish... I was so willing to believe your words. " At this point, she felt a wave of grievance, unable to help but pout, her eyes reddening once again.

Jing'er is the sole descendant of the ancestral family. Thanks to the support of the Zheng and Zu families, the Tianshan Sect has been able to survive in the turbulent times of the martial world. If anything were to happen to her, we old fools would have no face to meet the ancestors of Tianshan, even in death. The head of Wangyun Pavilion, Xiong Zhen, instinctively clutched his sideburns and beard, shaking his head as if it were a rattle.

At this point, Wei Buping stroked the short beard on his chin, sighed with a furrowed brow, and said, "The current martial world is no longer the carefree and tranquil one it used to be."

With her eyes wide open, she gazed down from a higher vantage point at the vast landscape of Qinchuan, encompassing cliffs, dense forests, rivers, scattered stones, and glaciers. No longer did she feel the chilling fear that once gripped her heart; she could no longer hold any reverence. The entire world had transformed into her unrestrained playground. An uncontrollable wave of joy surged through her body like an electric current, as the warm, fiery true energy from her dantian burst forth, surging through the extraordinary meridians like boiling water. Zu Jing tilted her head back, unabashedly opening her mouth, allowing this true energy to break free from its cocoon, flowing through the heavens and the earth.

He led Zu Jing into the Swordplay Pavilion, which housed the collection of renowned heroes and their memoirs from the martial world. After closing the door, he had her sit on a rattan chair in the room. He then took down a thick volume from the highest shelf of the collection and placed it on the desk in front of Zu Jing, speaking in a deep voice: "The anecdotes of the martial world and the legends of Tianshan that the sect leader and the elders have shared with you are all recorded in detail here, and the illustrations and texts are not mere fabrications from us old-timers."

"Of course I am serious! Such a significant decision, how could it be taken lightly?" Zu Jing pouted.

With the Master’s words, the elders all echoed in agreement, their affection evident in their expressions

Almost every story told by the elders is meticulously recorded in this volume. Upon seeing this, the bone-chilling cold caused by extreme disappointment gradually dissipated from Zujing's body, and a surge of warmth began to flow vigorously within her.

Since then, the Feng family has practiced diligently behind closed doors for generations, intending to restore their prestige at the sword discussion in Luoyang. Moreover, given that Ailao Mountain is located on the border, information is scarce. When he went to Shazhou for the selection, he was completely unaware that our Tianshan Sect had stopped recruiting disciples. Lacking a Tianshan route map, he relied solely on his exceptional lightness skill to traverse the Western Regions and find the mountain gate. At that time, you were still young, and it was not a glorious matter, so he did not mention it to you, " Wei Buping said. He lacked a Tianshan route map and relied solely on his exceptional lightness skill to traverse the Western Regions and find the mountain gate. At that time, you were still young, and it was not a glorious matter, so he did not mention it to you, " Wei Buping said.

"However, wasn't that celestial book meeting already..." Ancestor Jing quickly raised the scroll in her hand and asked curiously.

"Jing'er, please remain calm and do not act rashly." The leader of Tianshan, Feng Linchuan, spread his arms to block her, wearing a smile.

I want to restore order from chaos, to make the martial world return to what it once was! To become the kind of martial world where life and death are both filled with joy.

Upon hearing these two words, the excitement on Zu Jing's face gradually faded, giving way to a solemn expression

The Sword-Shooting Pavilion of Tianshan is located to the west of the Jade Pool, overlooking the water, with a unique landscape. It was constructed by the first generation of disciples of the Tianshan Sect using local materials from the Tianshan Mountains, including timber and stone. After enduring a century of wind and rain, it still stands majestically, serving as the main building of the Tianshan Sect and the residence of the elders and the sect leader. On this day, just as dusk was falling, the elders of the Tianshan Sect gathered in the residence of the sect leader in unison, whispering anxiously to one another, each with a furrowed brow, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Whether one lives or dies, it is all a form of joy. How could such a world ever disappear?" As she gazed at this unfinished painting, Zu Jing's mind was flooded with thoughts. The legends of Tianshan recounted by the elders since her childhood appeared before her like vivid, dynamic ink wash paintings, causing her heart to sway and her spirit to be captivated, unable to control herself. "I have also left my position in this painting along with that of my future friends in the martial world. Since childhood, I have dreamed of who would raise a cup with me here, celebrating the good times together."

Her body spun gracefully in the air, and she saw a stream of clouds gently gliding beneath her waist. In her ears, a hawk soared by, flapping its wings and issuing a soft call, as if greeting its companion. Soon after, she felt the force supporting her ascent gradually dissipate, and everything that had been swirling before her began to regain clarity.

Cough, cough, not bad. Looking at the excited cheeks of Zu Jing, Wei Buping was sweating profusely, nervously clenching his fists. "Please don't get too excited; let me finish what I have to say. If you look closely at these records, you will find that the most recent documents are also from several decades ago."

Zu Jing peered doubtfully at the documents on the desk, and saw that the very beginning recorded the battle between the Tianshan Grandmaster Wang Qiong and the Sword Pool of the Yue Woman Palace, which involved one hundred and eight guardians. This was also the legendary battle that marked the founding of the Tianshan sect, and for quite some time, Zu Jing had taken great delight in discussing it.

It turns out that these stories are all true, and they have all occurred in the world of martial arts. Indeed, there once existed such beautiful sword techniques and such legendary figures. Zu Jing greedily flipped through the scrolls, extending her delicate hands, obsessively pursuing those names that had once haunted her dreams.

However, those who have comprehended the realm of Qingxiao can no longer recall what life was like before they understood Qingxiao. Thus, they are unable to explain to me why, having attained Qingxiao, they can never escape the Jianghu. In their world, Jianghu is everything to them. Zujing silently stood at the highest peak of Qingchuan, gazing at the glacier before her, illuminated by the moonlight, emanating a faint blue glow. In their world, Jianghu is everything to them. Zujing silently stood at the highest peak of Qingchuan, gazing at the glacier before her, illuminated by the moonlight, emanating a faint blue glow

"No, no, no, please don't. I..." Wei Buping looked back at the direction in which the other elders of Tianshan had fled, filled with resentment and disappointment. He shook his head in despair and finally made up his mind, "I will be honest with you, come in with me."

Next is a painting titled "The Swordsman Standing Alone on the Lonely Mountain," featuring a swordsman in green attire, the continuous snow-capped mountains, and a solitary moon, creating a desolate scene. This is a work by Zu Jing, depicting "Gu Tianya's Night Challenge of the Taihang Mountains," inspired by the ancient sword song of the Night Challenge of the Taihang Mountains passed down from Tianshan. She originally intended to portray Gu Tianya in a more generous and heroic manner, but for some reason, from that sword song, she could only grasp a sense of loneliness and desolation.

The lightness of the Jianghu wanderer has two realms. The first realm is the Realm of the Returning Wild Goose; only by comprehending the Returning Wild Goose can one truly be considered a person of the Jianghu. The second realm is the Realm of the Azure Sky; once one comprehends the Azure Sky, they can never escape the Jianghu. Qing'er, your lightness is still one crucial step away from the Azure Sky realm. This is also the key reason we cannot allow you to descend the mountain with peace of mind.

The painting closest to the southern window is a "Tortoise and Crane Longevity" piece, created by the ancestors of the Zu family. The artwork features two tortoises and two cranes, each displaying their own postures, exuding a remarkable spirit. Among the Zu family's "Tortoise and Crane Longevity" paintings, this particular masterpiece is one of the rare works that depicts an equal number of tortoises and celestial cranes.

At this point, sigh— the first to react was Feng Linchuan, the leader of Tianshan. He seemed to have given up, letting out a long sigh, "We have only one path left to take..."

The leader of Tianshan, Feng Linchuan, anxiously rubbed his palms and said to the worried Tianshan elders: "Dear junior brothers and sisters, today marks the once-every-five-years recruitment day, and this is already the third session. The truth can no longer be concealed."

Ah, my little ancestor, do not cry, do not cry! Wei Buping is most afraid of girls crying, especially when it is the most esteemed female disciple of the Tianshan Sect before him

Twenty years ago... our Tianshan Sect has been isolated from the martial world for twenty years?" Ancestor Jing was taken aback and exclaimed.

Indeed. The ancestors Zu and Zheng successfully thwarted the Eastern invasion of the Demon Sect at the Heavenly Book Conference, curbing their ambition to unify the martial world. Furthermore, the demons who participated in the Heavenly Book Conference have gradually been captured and brought to the Criminal Hall in Guanzhong. However, this momentous Heavenly Book Conference ignited a sense of dissatisfaction among the people of the martial world regarding the limitations of their sects. In the years following the Heavenly Book Conference, several demons from the conference have escaped from the Criminal Hall in Guanzhong.

No, it cannot be like this, I do not want it to be like this! Finally, an increasingly difficult-to-suppress excitement surged from the depths of her heart, causing her to shout out loud. Hearing her own cry, Zu Jing became even more certain of the decision she had just made. She suddenly stood up, forcefully pushed the door open, and dashed out.

Outside her room, the elders and the leader of the Tianshan Sect gathered in the larch forest beside the dormitory of the Tianshan disciples, secretly observing the movements in Zujing's room, fearing that she might act rashly in her agitation. At this moment, seeing her rush out in a flurry, everyone realized that something was amiss, and they quickly emerged from the forest, surrounding her from all sides.

"What are you going down the mountain for?" Elder Wei Buping asked, scratching the back of his head in confusion

Feng Linchuan swayed slightly, grasping Wei Buping's shoulder with his hand to barely steady himself. He sighed helplessly and muttered, "I feel a bit dizzy."

Where are you going, Uncle Wei! For the past ten years, you have deceived me so deeply! The voice of Zu Jing, filled with indignation and resentment, suddenly reached Wei Buping's ears, carrying a mix of anger and despair, which instantly weighed heavily on his heart

At that moment, a sharp and clear long howl suddenly echoed above the Yaochi: "Master, esteemed uncles, you deceitful scoundrels, come out all of you!"

At the beginning, she involuntarily leaned back slightly, trying to alleviate the torment of her heart feeling suspended. Gradually, fear was driven away by excitement, and she felt as if she were a lark soaring freely above the azure river, experiencing a profound and liberating exhilaration that filled her heart with an incomprehensible joy

"Jing'er, have you thought this through!" Wei Buping said anxiously upon hearing this, "If it were twenty years ago, we would encourage you to comprehend the realm of Qingxiao, for being a part of the martial world is the lifelong happiness of our kind. But now, being unable to escape the martial world for eternity may be a lifelong curse"

Why is the world so perilous now, and why does the junior master still need to descend the mountain? Shouldn't he stay on the mountain like you all?

"Descending the mountain?" the elders of the Heavenly Mountain exclaimed in unison

Cough, Qing'er, you are now a disciple of the Moon Pursuit Pavilion. You are aware of the rules of the Tianshan Sect. Disciples of the Moon Pursuit Pavilion may descend the mountain to act as heroes only if their lightness skill reaches the realm of Qingxiao. When the Tianshan Sect Master Feng Linchuan spoke the words 'Qingxiao,' his tone had already turned stern and severe