Chapter 6, Cui Xia

The Daoist said: "However, if that young man undergoes the washing of marrow and the transformation of the six brothers of my master, and then takes the Nine Turns Returning to Heaven Golden Elixir, it would be equivalent to gaining at least a full cycle of power out of thin air. Moreover, the true energy flowing within him is also from our sect, so this young man must join our sect."

Su Zhen laughed heartily and said: "Well, it seems that no matter how I plead, it is all in vain. The Cui Xia Sword Sect is nothing more than this! From now on, I, Su Zhen, will have no more dealings with your Cui Xia Sect. Half of the account for that young man will be attributed to the old devil Chu, and the other half will be attributed to you, Dan Yi!"

A real person with a clear and profound gaze was watching Su Zhen, causing a stir in her heart. She thought to herself: "This old Daoist is deep and unassuming; his cultivation is definitely not inferior to mine. It seems that he has not wasted a single moment in these sixty years."

Seeing this, Dan Yi smiled leisurely and continued, "However, I am well aware that you, my friend Su, are by no means the demon as rumored; you simply act a bit impulsively. The 'Morning Cold Spring Mountain Painting' in your hands may not be inappropriate; even if you comprehend this painting with supreme wisdom, the ultimate beneficiaries will still be the countless beings of Tianlu. Therefore, I have firmly opposed the suggestions of my fellow disciples and did not participate in the unprecedented hunt against you, my friend Su."

To know that Su Zhen's artistic achievements are among the few in today's world, Shui Qingying is also an outstanding successor of the Tianshui Pavilion, which has been renowned as one of the three sacred places of Tianlu for five hundred years. If it had not been for Su Zhen being expelled from the sect, the next pavilion master would undoubtedly have fallen into Shui Qingying's hands.

Then the older disciple quickly said: "So it is the great hero Su. Your presence at Cuixia Mountain should have been met by my ancestral master. However, he is currently in seclusion and no one dares to disturb him. But if you wish to meet someone else, I can immediately inform them."

Shui Qingying first offered her greetings, saying: "My husband and I have specially come to pay our respects to the esteemed one. We had important matters to discuss, but we did not expect to disturb your tranquil cultivation. Qingying is deeply apprehensive."

Cui Xia Mountain is located in the central part of Tianlu, with its ridges stretching for thousands of miles without interruption, making it the most perilous mountain range in the Central Plains. Its main peak, Sitting Forget Peak, rises steeply with sheer cliffs, so that ordinary people cannot even reach halfway up the mountain.

Shui Qingying also sighed and said, "In the presence of a real person, it is fine to speak of this matter." She then briefly recounted how she encountered Ding Yuan and how she faced the masters of Biluo Mountain, sharing various stories. Among them, there was a segment that her husband and she were not present for, and it was still conveyed by Su Zhiyu.

The pale-skinned man shook his head gently, let out a long sigh, and ultimately did not speak

Beside them, Luo appeared embarrassed, lowering his head in silence, and dared not to look at Su Shui and the other person again.

Currently, the actual authority of the Cuixia Sword Sect is held by his junior brother, Master Dan Nu, who is known by the name "Nu". He is indeed a person who harbors a deep hatred for evil and maintains strict discipline. Under his leadership, the large Cuixia Sword Sect upholds a commendable reputation, and few dare to cause trouble outside, relying on the sect's name.

The gentle and amiable Daoist looked at Su Zhiyu and sighed softly, saying: "Your father is right in his admonition. Although I am the head of a sect, I find myself powerless in this matter. Even if I were to go against the consensus and offer a golden elixir, how could I persuade the other five junior brothers to expend their hard-earned true essence to use the Six Harmonies Rejuvenation Technique to heal this young man"

The water lightly and gently bowed, saying: "We, as a couple, have come seeking your esteemed guidance. We earnestly request your compassion to save the life of that young man.

Su Zhen glanced at them and saw that there were men and women of all ages, yet none appeared lacking in spirit or vigor, all possessing profound cultivation. He thought to himself: "The Cuixia Sect's dominance in the Tianlu righteous path is indeed not by chance. Just looking at these second-generation disciples, they are top-notch experts in both the righteous and demonic paths. I must not underestimate them."

The two young disciples, unaware of Su Zhen's intentions, naturally did not dare to let him pass easily. However, although they had not personally experienced Su Zhen's skills, they understood that he was definitely not someone they could contend with.

Su Zhen let out a cold snort, looking somewhat displeased. Shui Qingying sighed bitterly and said, "If we truly understood this diagram, my foolish husband and I would have long since cultivated that half volume of the divine scripture. Why would we need to travel thousands of miles for this young man's life?"

The look of surprise on Luo He gradually faded as he said, "So the 'Spring Mountain in the Morning Cold' is indeed in the hands of the esteemed couple"

The water floated lightly as it spoke: "Esteemed young friend, we have come here specifically to pay a visit to the esteemed Daoist Master Dan Yi. We kindly ask you to announce our arrival and facilitate an introduction."

How could one know that this is merely a facade? Once it truly involves the so-called interests of this sect, you will no longer speak of heavenly principles and compassion for humanity. Now, as we see that the young man's life hangs by a thread, you still only discuss the internal strife among fellow disciples. Is this not laughable?

The disciple respectfully replied, "The master has just conveyed a message, asking the fourth uncle to bring a few esteemed guests inside"

Luo lowered his head and said, "What the senior brother said is true; in fact, who wouldn't want to rely on that golden elixir to safely pass through tribulations? Yet, you would rather depend on your own cultivation."

The real person Dan Yi said with a bitter smile: "If it were solely my matter, I would certainly exert my efforts. However, whether it is the Golden Elixir or the Six Harmonies Rejuvenation Method, it is not something I can decide alone. Perhaps my friend Su is still unaware that there are only three Golden Elixirs left; they absolutely cannot be used again unless it is absolutely necessary"

Su's expression indeed softened, and she simply said: "This clever one just loves to be mysterious."

Luo said with a bitter smile: "Friend Su, do not be anxious; you still do not understand the crux of the matter. Consider that the Golden Elixir used on my third senior brother to help him overcome his tribulation has already caused such a stir. How much more so would it be if it were to be used on a stranger boy with no ties to our sect? Even the sect leader, my senior brother, would have to weigh the matter carefully and cannot act rashly based solely on my personal preferences"

Su Zhen saw that his wife was feeling down due to her thoughts about the past, and he shouted, "Stop with the nonsense, are you going to report it or not?"

This elder is one of the only two skilled practitioners among the Six Immortals of Cuixia, named Luo He. He is open-minded and astute, eloquent and persuasive, which is why he often handles external affairs. If the one who came this time were the True Man of Mild Anger, it would likely be a different situation altogether

These matters were originally thrilling, and with the water flowing lightly and eloquently, everyone listening could not help but feel a sense of frustration

Luo explained, "The four golden elixirs are an event from sixty years ago. A few years back, in order to assist my third senior brother, Master Dan Yan, in successfully overcoming a great calamity, after much discussion among my senior brothers, it was decided to use one golden elixir. This matter nearly caused discord among our sect, and it was entirely due to the prestige and persuasion of my senior brother that we were able to suppress it in the end. This is a confidential matter of our sect and should not be disclosed to outsiders. However, since you, my friend Su, have inquired, I can only speak the truth." This is a confidential matter of our sect and should not be disclosed to outsiders. However, since you, my friend Su, have inquired, I can only speak the truth.

Su Zhen looked down and saw three grass mats arranged in front of the bed, just enough for one person each. At that moment, Su Zhen took the lead and sat down with Ding Yuan, while Shui Qingying also took her daughter and sat beside her husband, with Luo He being the last to take a seat

Upon hearing these words, Su Zhen felt somewhat more at ease, secretly thinking: "Although this old Daoist is a bit pedantic and hypocritical, he does understand the principles of things." Thus, her expression softened considerably, and she said: "Daoist Dan Yi, you need not beat around the bush; just tell me whether you agree or not"

He actually compared Dan Yizhen to Chu Wangtian. Normally, Luo would have something to say about this. However, he truly feels distressed at the moment and can only remain silent.

The senior disciple hesitated, unable to determine whether Su Zhen had come for a genuine matter or was intentionally seeking trouble. Thus, he cautiously inquired, "May I request that Master Uncle Dan Nu receive you?"

Luo asked: "This painting has been in the hands of the virtuous couple for at least one cycle of sixty years. I wonder if they have comprehended the mysteries within it"

After a moment of silence, Su Zhiyu suddenly pleaded in her childlike voice: "Master Dan Yi, my mother once said that among the seven great sword sects of Tianlu, you are the most compassionate and upright one. My mother would never deceive me, so please, I beg you to save Brother Ding!"

At this critical moment, a hearty laughter came from a distance: "Senior Brother, the Master of the Gate, your divination is indeed accurate; tonight, we truly have distinguished guests arriving!" Before the words had finished, the person had already approached.

The heavy gate slowly opened to both sides, and a gentle, aged voice came from within, saying: "Please come in."

Su Zhen could no longer contain herself and raised her eyebrows, saying: "Master Dan Yi, a person of integrity does not engage in underhanded dealings. Let me be straightforward with you. My husband and I have come here to request that you provide a Nine-Transformation Golden Elixir, and then use the Six Harmonies Rejuvenation Technique to bring this young man back to life. This is his only hope for survival, and you must agree to it no matter what."

Under Dan Yi, there are still five fellow disciples, all of whom are top-notch righteous masters in the world today, collectively known as the Six Immortals of Cuixia alongside Master Dan Yi. The disciples under these Six Immortals number over a thousand, many of whom are already the great-grandchildren of Master Dan Yi.

Su Zhen fixed his gaze and observed that this person had white hair and beard. Although he was of a slender build, he exuded an air of ethereal grace. He was dressed in a blue long robe, and a three-foot-long ancient sword was hanging on his back

The old man smiled and said: "No one is pretending to be mysterious, nor would anyone dare to engage in such antics with you. The sect leader has indeed been in seclusion for many years, but just a moment ago, he suddenly summoned me with a voice that traveled a thousand miles. He mentioned that he had a sudden feeling in his heart, so he divined and found out that a distinguished guest was arriving. He then ordered me to immediately go to the front mountain to investigate, and indeed, I encountered the esteemed couple."

Su Zhen was taken aback and slowly asked, "Do you think I am easy to deceive? The Nine Turns Reversal Golden Elixir clearly still has four pills; how is it that one is missing from your mouth?"

However, the real person lightly waved the dust whisk and sighed, "The bond between the virtuous couple is profound, and I, a humble Daoist, feel both ashamed and admiring. Yet, I ultimately have no confidence in persuading my fellow disciples, nor do I dare to treat the millennia-old legacy passed down by our master as a joke. I ask for your understanding."

Upon entering the cave, one finds that it is approximately several zhang in circumference. Although the arrangement relies solely on natural formations and contains few extraneous items, it is kept remarkably clean.

Su Zhiyu was the only person present who did not know what the "Xiaohan Chushan Tu" was (with the exception of the unconscious Ding Yuan). She looked curiously at these elders, all of whom were well over a hundred years old, not understanding why the mention of a painting would make them so tense and solemn.

The young disciple, who was the irritable master's apprentice, could not help but sneer upon hearing this: "You have quite the audacity; it is still uncertain whether my esteemed ancestor would be willing to meet you!"

Although his words were not very polite, he rarely used the word "please," which can be considered a rare occurrence.

Shui Qingying sighed softly, saying: "I am no longer a person of the Heavenly Water Pavilion, so why bring up the past?" Her words conveyed an infinite sense of loneliness

The water is light and faint, yet the true person remains unwilling to take action. At that moment, feeling dejected, they said: "Is it really true that the true person has no way to resolve this?"

Su Zhen smiled and said: "To speak frankly without concealing anything from the true person, I have indeed entertained the thought of accepting him as my disciple. However, since the true person has spoken, I can only offer you a golden face. But there is one thing: if your guidance is inadequate and this young man's great talent is wasted, what then?"

Luo's face showed a hint of shame, and even the true person remained silent for a long time

Dan Yi, a person of serene disposition, enjoys a high reputation in the realm of Tianlu Zhengdao. However, in recent years, due to the impending great calamity, he has retreated into seclusion to cultivate himself, remaining indifferent to worldly affairs

As the water lightly flowed, it became necessary to speak up, so I quickly interjected: "Dear young friends, my spouse and I have urgent matters to discuss, which can only be resolved by a true master. We kindly ask you to relay this message."

However, Luo and the others, listening from the side, could not help but slightly change their expressions. Dan Yi, on the other hand, remained calm and said lightly: "I wonder what the background of this young man is, to warrant the full support of both fellow immortals?"

Dan Yi remained silent for a long while, and after some time finally said: "If even Su Xianyou and Shui Xianzi cannot bring the dead back to life, what plans do Dan Yi and Cui Xia have?"

Luo said with great enthusiasm: "Senior Brother, I cannot manage others' younger brothers, but as long as you give the order, I am willing to follow you wholeheartedly!"

The young man on the left, slightly older in age, was the first to sheathe his celestial sword. He floated in the air, cupped his fists in greeting, and said: "May I ask what brings you esteemed friends to Cui Xia?"

The serene and gentle Xuan asked, "Are the words of the two immortal friends truly sincere?"

Su Zhenxin coldly laughed to herself: "What is this talk of righteous sects? The fox's tail has indeed been revealed. Compared to those who openly act like the Heavenly Dragon True Monarch, they are not much more skillful."

The two disciples simultaneously bowed and said: "Disciple pays respects to the Fourth Master Uncle!"

Suddenly, two beams of sword light, one purple and one blue, illuminated the air, as two handsome young men wielding swords appeared, blocking the path of Su Shui and the other person.

Su Zhen was not angry and said proudly: "The person I want to see has yet to dare not meet me"

Su Zhen said proudly: "If it were not for this, how could dozens of sects from both the righteous and demonic paths, with over a thousand masters, have joined forces to hunt me down more than sixty years ago? However, this map is ultimately still safely in my hands. Now, for the life of this young man, I, Su, am willing to exchange it with your esteemed sect!"

The real person, Dan Yi, did not speak. With a gentle sweep of his dust brush, he brushed over Ding Yuan's entire body. His snow-white eyebrows furrowed as he said, "This young man, I do not know who he is, has actually suffered such severe internal injuries. His internal organs have all shattered and shifted. If it were not for the Wuyou Pill from his friend Su and the protection of a century's worth of pure true energy, he would have likely passed away long ago."

Shui Qingying said with a hint of sadness: "Indeed, this young man's life cannot be saved even with all the efforts of my husband and me; we can only earnestly request the esteemed person to lend a helping hand"

The real person sighed: "How could I not know about the warm-hearted Fourth Junior Brother? The Second Junior Brother may seem cold on the outside but is warm on the inside, which is probably nothing unusual. Although the Third Junior Brother is taciturn, he is indeed a person of character. However, it is hard to say the same about the other junior brothers."

On both sides of the cave wall, several oil lamps were placed for illumination. At the innermost part, there was a stone bed, devoid of even a single straw. A white-clad immortal with gray hair and youthful features was sitting cross-legged on it. One hand held a whisk, while the other hand performed a gesture of greeting with a smile, saying: "Friend Su, and Water Fairy, your joint visit to our humble sect brings great honor to this humble abode. The simplicity here is such that there isn't even a single chair; I can only ask you to make do and sit on the grass mat."

In the hearts of those present, not to mention Yan Shu, the son of Jin, Tianlong Zhenjun, and the likes of Sangtu Gong, even Geng Wuxing was merely so-so. However, the twists and turns of the process were such that, especially when Sangtu Gong actually released his true spirit to fight Geng Wuxing to the death, it still moved the crowd slightly.

Su Zhen's expression relaxed slightly, but her tone remained unfriendly as she said: "The two disciples just mentioned that Dan Yi has been in seclusion for many years, yet you claim that Dan Yi predicted my arrival tonight. Who is really playing tricks here?"

Su Shui and the two brought Ding Yuan and Su Zhi Yu, led by Luo He, and descended upon the summit of Zuo Wang Peak. The place where they landed was right in front of a large cave, surrounded by lush and vibrant strange grasses and trees, exuding tranquility and elegance. At the cave entrance stood eight second-generation disciples of the Cui Xia Sword Sect, who greeted Luo He with utmost respect.

The most renowned sects of Tianlu Zhengdao are the Seven Great Sects, among which are Biluo Mountain and Pingsha Island.

Su Zhen replied: "He is neither a relative nor a friend, yet he risked his life to save my daughter. I, Su Zhen, am clear about my debts of gratitude and enmity; no matter what, I must save his life. Otherwise, what face do I have to claim dominance in Tianlu"

Su Zhen laughed heartily and waved his sleeve, saying: "Others may choose not to see him, but now that I, Su Zhen, have arrived, does he dare to put on such a pretentious air?"

Su Zhen chuckled and said, "He cannot make the decision on this matter either"

Luo responded, "Yes," then turned around, slightly cupping his fist towards Su Zhen with a smile, saying, "Please, both of you!" He then led the way ahead.

A true person knows that the lightness of water is not an empty saying. After pondering for a while, he said: "The 'Morning Cold Spring Mountain Painting' originally embodies the ancient grace, and within it is concealed half a volume of 'Tao of Heaven.' Throughout history, countless individuals have sacrificed their families and lives for this, and the calamity is indeed not beneath the heavenly tribulation. My humble self and our sect have no covetous thoughts regarding this, but we fear it may fall into the hands of the most vicious and malevolent individuals, leading to the creation of even more bloodshed in the world. In the past, when it was in the possession of my friend Su, I was actually quite at ease. For although my friend hails from the demonic sect—"

Finally, when it comes to Ding Yuan sacrificing himself to block Geng Wuxing, Master Dan Yi sighed and said: "At such a young age, he dares to risk his life to stop Geng Wuxing; this young man is truly remarkable"

Su Zhenxin secretly cursed the old fox and replied, "One picture in exchange for one life, it's that simple"

Luo and the disciples nodded in greeting, and then quietly asked the first disciple on the right: "Has the sect leader come out of seclusion?"

A gentle breeze stirred behind, yet there was not the slightest movement from the figure of Dan Yi, and the cave door slowly closed.

The real person smiled faintly and asked, "I would like to hear more clearly from my friend Su about how to exchange this 'Morning Cold Spring Mountain Painting'"

Su Zhen displayed a look of disdain and coldly said: "It is not that I am unaware of the key issues at hand, but the Cuihua Sword Sect claims to be the leader among the sects, and Master Dan Yi holds a position of great authority. In the past, various sects united to hunt me down for their own purposes, yet only your Cuihua Sword Sect remained uninvolved. Although I do not speak of it, I hold a considerable admiration for this in my heart.

Although Cui Xia Mountain is steep and perilous, it feels as easy as walking on flat ground for Su and Shui. Su Zhen carries the unconscious Ding Yuan, while Shui lightly holds Su Zhi Yu's hand. Each rides their celestial sword, swiftly covering a thousand miles, and the breathtaking scenery of Zuo Wang Peak, with its clouds and rosy clouds, is now within sight

Yet at the summit, there lies a different world, with cascading waterfalls and flowing springs, where ancient pines and verdant cypresses shade thousands of buildings, resembling a paradise on earth

Although each of the Seven Sects has its own strengths, the one that should be regarded as the leader is the Cuixia Sword Sect. Its master, the True Person Dan Yi, has cultivated for over 200 years, achieving celestial powers that have reached the realm of scattered immortals, and is recognized as the foremost expert among the seven major sword sects

With a light grip, she caught hold of her husband who was about to rise, her eyes fixed on the ethereal figure before her, and she slowly inquired: "If we, as a couple, are unable, can that unparalleled painting do so?"

The younger person on the right chuckled and said, "My ancestral master has been in seclusion for many years, and even our revered ancestor is rarely seen. I kindly ask you to take your leave."

He felt a surge of disgust in his heart and did not speak. Shui lightly replied, "In the presence of a true person, how could foolish couples dare to speak recklessly?"

Su Zhen chuckled and said, "Since even Master Dan Yi has said this, please hurry and treat him."

If the Cuihua Sect forms a good relationship with these two individuals, even the myriad demons of Tianfeng Mountain will not dare to provoke them lightly in the future

Shui lightly nodded and said: "Indeed, this is it!"

Su Zhen said indifferently: "I thought it was someone important, but it turns out to be you, the old fool."

Su Zhen thought to herself: "His way of speaking is likely out of consideration for Yingmei's sect, and has little to do with me."

Upon hearing these words, even someone like Luo, who has practiced for over a hundred years, could not help but feel a sudden stir in his heart

Su Zhen introduced himself, and the two young disciples changed their expressions upon hearing his name. Instinctively, they took several steps back, drawing their swords as if facing a formidable enemy, and nervously said: "Are you the old demon Su who caused a commotion in the Nine Provinces of Tianlu a hundred years ago?"

Luo took a deep breath, raised his head to meet the gaze of Master Dan Yi, and then asked, "Is it the painting 'Early Cold Spring Mountains' that the Water Fairy mentioned?"

Su Zhen smiled and shook her head, saying: "No, this matter can only be decided by Dan Yi; no one else can take charge."

Su Zhen saw that the two were clearly afraid of her, and she couldn't help but feel pleased. She scoffed, "It is indeed me. Are you saying that you won't see me for a while?"

Upon the utterance of these words, the entire hall changed color

Su Zhen looked at Luo He and Dan Yi Zhenren, realizing that they had not lied. He then said: "This is not the key issue; don't you still have three grains on hand? I only need to borrow one grain, and that will suffice"

Luo stepped aside and gestured with his right hand, saying: "Esteemed couple, please!"

Shui Qingying softly said: "Even foolish couples know that this matter is extremely difficult, so we kindly ask the esteemed one to grant us this favor. From now on, if the Cui Xia faction has any tasks, we will certainly do our utmost to repay!"

The elder disciple glanced at Shui Qingying and exclaimed, "You are indeed the direct disciple of the late Master Qin, the former leader of the Tianshui Pavilion, the Water Fairy Shui Qingying?"

The two disciples turned pale upon hearing this, but the old man remained unconcerned and laughed heartily, saying: "You are afraid that you will live only a few years less than I do; we are all in the same boat."

The monk smiled faintly and said: "I, a humble practitioner, have not yet purified my senses, making it difficult to comprehend the ways of heaven. How can I speak of spiritual cultivation? I merely seek a place to hide and avoid calamities. However, I am unaware of the purpose of your esteemed visit to our sect. As long as it is within our capabilities, we will certainly do our utmost to assist you."

At this point, Su Zhen could not help but let out a cold snort again. Shui Qingying quickly reached out to grasp her husband's large hand. Su Zhen glanced at his wife and managed to suppress his outburst.

Luo nodded and said, "Alright." He walked to the entrance of the cave, slightly bowed, and said, "Senior Brother, the Su couple has already been invited."