Chapter 10: Zixia Daoist

What does Senior Brother Zhao mean by this? Mu Li opened his eyes wide, displaying a look of confusion and incomprehension

Li Muran resolutely refused to retract the talisman, so Mu Li had no choice but to put it away, feeling quite grateful

Not for any other reason, but for that meal of gratitude and that rare chivalrous heart

"Junior brothers, please enter the main hall and wait; Master will arrive shortly." Qingfengzi instructed lightly, guiding the two into the main hall

Li Muran nodded. He saw Mu Li drenched in sweat, clearly having run a considerable distance, and felt a deep sense of gratitude.

Whether the other junior brothers can impress Master Zixia and remain in the sect depends on their own fortune and abilities; however, Li Muran intends to lend a hand to this Junior Brother Mu Li.

Mu Li sighed with some frustration and replied, "I am thinking of a solution, but I don't have any good ideas at the moment"

We have met you, Senior Brother Qingfeng!" Li Muran and the other two hurriedly bowed in greeting

His diligence is manifested at this moment; he practices diligently every morning and forenoon. In the afternoon, he takes a nap and wakes up before dinner; after dinner, he continues to cultivate. Out of the twelve hours in a day, he spends eight or nine hours in practice. While others are deep in slumber, it is precisely the time when he is most fervently engaged in his training

And wait! Li Muran called out to Mu Li, frowning as he said: "Junior Brother Mu, do you know what it means when you go to inform the other senior brothers?"

Suddenly, a middle-aged man in his forties, with a long black beard under his chin, walked to the main seat of the grand hall and smiled slightly at the disciples

Mu Li was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for words

For these newly enlightened disciples, these few talismans and the *illustrated* book are the most precious items, which they carry with them at all times

The Purple Cloud Daoist chuckled softly and said, "Although I do not adhere strictly to the so-called qualifications and talents when accepting disciples, I do have certain requirements for my students. Now, tell me, what characteristics do you possess that would qualify you to enter my sect?"

The disciples wholeheartedly seek the path and request Master Zixia to accept them as apprentices. The disciples once again bow in reverence, expressing their intentions.

The great hall was empty and exceptionally quiet, which inevitably heightened the tension in both individuals.

Mu Li shook his head and continued, "I heard from Senior Brother Qingfeng that Master Zixia encountered a minor accident and seems to have sustained an injury. She will need to enter seclusion for recovery, which will take about a month. As for the matter of accepting disciples, we will discuss it again after Master Zixia emerges from her seclusion"

Li Muran waved his hand and said, "Let's talk about it after we pass this hurdle. What if Master Zixia has high standards and is extremely strict with her disciples? It is likely that a single Vitality Talisman will not suffice to resolve the issue"

Li Muran discovered that although the natural energy of the universe cultivated at night cannot be stored in the body for long, it can be utilized to open acupoints and clear meridians before it dissipates

Li Muran inquired: "So, does this mean we are to immediately go and pay our respects, requesting him to accept us as disciples?"

Mu Li was deeply moved and murmured, "To create so many vitality talismans, how much vitality would that require! Senior Brother Zhao, your cultivation is not easy, and you have put in so much effort for your junior brother; I truly feel unworthy! Please take all these vitality talismans, I only need to keep one. As long as I can draw one vitality talisman, I can explain it to Master Zixia!"

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians in the human body are not as unobstructed as other meridians; rather, they are blocked to varying degrees by various mundane impurities. The process of opening the acupoints and unblocking the meridians is, in itself, a process of cleansing the physical body and purifying impurities with the primordial energy of heaven and earth. During this process, one may sometimes feel a comfortable sensation akin to floating in the air, while at other times, it can be excruciating, as if being gnawed by a thousand ants

In Mu Li's view, this Zhao Wuming, Brother Zhao, is usually taciturn, and this is the first time he has spoken such a lengthy passage, which indeed carries profound meaning

Upon learning of this matter, I immediately rushed to inform Senior Brother Zhao, so that he could be prepared

Mu Li was taken aback. Upon opening the pouch, he was astonished to find a neatly stacked pile of vitality talismans. Counting them, he discovered there were a total of seven.

Li Muran noticed that this Master Zixia, although claiming to be a Daoist, did not dress like one; his attire resembled that of a middle-aged scholar. He also wore a smile, but unlike the kind and approachable smile of the sect leader, Master Cangxia, Master Zixia's smile conveyed a certain solemnity that exuded an unspoken authority.

After a moment, Mu Li smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhao, for your guidance! I understand your intention, but I still plan to inform those fellow disciples. The path to immortality is elusive, and not everyone has the opportunity to engage with it. Even if I myself do not have the fortune of immortality, I will still find joy and comfort in watching my fellow disciples continue their cultivation."

Mu Li said with some concern: "I have prepared something, but I am not sure if it will catch the eye of Master Zixia."

As a non-registered disciple without a sect, Li Muran's situation is not entirely disadvantageous. At least during this period, he is free from distractions, with no trivial matters to attend to and no obligations to fulfill, allowing him to devote himself entirely to cultivation

On a certain day half a month later, Li Muran was meditating in the library.

Li Muran continued, "In your situation, many people resort to various underhanded tactics against their peers in order to achieve their own goals and stand out. It is already quite commendable that you do not engage in such methods, and there is no need to go out of your way to assist your competitors—including myself."

"Junior Brother Mu, are you ready?" On the way, Li Muran asked Mu Li.

A few days later, a small number of disciples successfully crafted a first-level Qi Symbol, immediately taking it out to show off, feeling quite pleased and attracting many envious glances. Li Muran, who possessed seven Qi Symbols, learned of this matter and smiled without speaking, having no intention of making a fuss about it.

Li Muran nodded with a smile, acknowledging: "The hard work of the past few years has finally paid off. Out of eight talismans, I made one mistake and obtained seven vitality talismans. To possess seven vitality talismans among the disciples is indeed remarkable!"

Li Muran thought for a moment and said, "If Junior Brother Mu trusts me, please hand over those talismans to me"

Are you the few auditing disciples mentioned by the sect leader's senior brother

Although all the disciples are well aware that improving their cultivation involves inevitable pain, when faced with this unbearable suffering, these young individuals, merely fifteen or sixteen years old, are bound to feel some hesitation. Only a few can persistently grit their teeth and continue their practice without interruption.

Li Muran smiled faintly, took out a brocade pouch from his bosom, handed it to Mu Li, and said: "It's alright, if it doesn't work out, present the talismans in this pouch to your master uncle; he might just take you as his disciple!"

I will go inform a few other senior brothers and the junior brother * Tu * Shu, so that they can also be prepared Mu Li clasped his hands and was about to leave

The complexion of Zixia Daoist was somewhat pale, which coincided with the rumors of his previous injuries. It is uncertain whether his recently healed condition would affect his mood, thereby influencing his decision to accept disciples.

"Talisman paper? Does Brother Zhao want to make talismans? I tried twice before, but both times I failed, and I wasted a lot of hard-earned vital energy, so I dare not try again. There are eight sheets left; I will hand them all over to Brother Zhao!" Without saying another word, Mu Li took out a silk pouch wrapped in oilcloth from his bosom and retrieved several neatly stacked sheets of talisman paper, handing them all to Li Muran.

"Junior Brother Mu, what is the matter that has you so flustered?" Li Muran asked in surprise

"Are all of these painted by Senior Brother Zhao?" Mu Li was taken aback, somewhat unable to believe it

A sudden, urgent knocking at the door interrupted him. He put away his cultivation method, opened the door, and saw Mu Li, who looked extremely anxious.

Although the speed of cultivation during the day is slow, it is better than nothing, and the vital energy cultivated during the day will not disappear for no reason; therefore, Li Muran continues to practice, only taking a few hours of rest before dinner

These words can only be understood by someone with considerable experience. It is indeed rare to hear such sentiments expressed by a young person today. Upon hearing this, Mu Li also fell into silence.

Thank you, Junior Brother Mu! Li Muran said: "In fact, I have made some preparations and believe I can impress Master Zixia. I wonder if Junior Brother Mu has any countermeasures as well? One must understand that a month is too short; even with diligent practice during this time, it is difficult to achieve significant improvement in cultivation."

As he spoke, Zixia Daoist's eyes flashed with brilliance, his sharp gaze sweeping over each disciple. When he saw Li Muran, his eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a hint of surprise.

A month later, Li Muran and several other auditing disciples indeed received a notification to go to Zixia Peak to pay their respects to the Zixia Daoist.

Mu Li said breathlessly, "Senior Brother Zhao, I just found out that Master Zixia has returned to the sect"

Before long, the remaining few auditing disciples also arrived here one after another. Everyone exchanged glances, and from each other's eyes, they saw traces of unease and concern.

After crossing several mountain peaks, I entered the mountain gate of Zixia Temple. Before long, I arrived at a relatively large but somewhat antiquated Taoist temple. A familiar figure stood prominently at the entrance of the temple—it was Qingfengzi.

Li Muran said lightly: "Even if Master Zixia truly intends to take on disciples, she is unlikely to accept all of us. Naturally, she will select the two or three most outstanding individuals among us. Inform your fellow brothers early so that they can prepare in advance; their chances will increase, while yours will diminish. In the end, it will be you who suffers the loss"

Li Muran nodded and said with considerable admiration: "It is truly rare for you to think this way! However, while I disdain to engage in cunning schemes, I do not possess sentiments like yours, so I will not accompany you."

Mu Li bid farewell and left, while Li Muran gazed at his retreating figure, lost in thought

So fast! Li Muran felt a shiver in his heart, but he was not overly flustered, as he had several vitality talismans in his possession

The disciples immediately awakened, hurriedly bowing to the middle-aged man: "Disciple pays respects to Master Zixia!"

The disciples waited silently for nearly half an hour, and finally, soft footsteps could be heard coming from the inner hall