Chapter 1, I have finally awaited your news

Time slips away like flowing sand, the brilliant sunlight transforms into a dim twilight, the forest at the mountainside shifts from bright new green to a somber pale blue, the mountain wind grows louder in my ears, yet the mountain path is so silent that one could almost hear the sound of young spruce branches budding. Before my eyes, this long yet fleeting day of recruitment is about to come to an end

Gu Tianya is from the Tianshan Sect!" Ancestor Jing retorted angrily

"That is..." Zuojing widened her eyes, feeling a rush of excitement throughout her body. "That is the mountain song that my junior master loves to sing the most. I remember when I was young, practicing swordplay with my junior master. When we reached a level of proficiency, my junior master often liked to play the sword and sing, humming the melody of this song."

The man slightly nodded, slung the wine gourd at the front of the saddle, dismounted the donkey, and said in a loud voice: "I am known in the martial world as the 'Backwards Riding Donkey Zhang'... Well, my name sounds a bit old-fashioned, so you can just call me Xiao Zhang."

Uncertain how much time had passed, the doors of the Chasing Moon Pavilion opened one after another, and one by one, the Tianshan disciples, still groggy and dazed from sleep, stumbled out. The oldest of these disciples was around thirteen or fourteen years old, while the youngest appeared to be about six or seven, many still sporting the playful topknots of children.

Understood, understood. Xiao Zhang nodded solemnly, lightly patting his chest, "It is not something to be disclosed to outsiders. Rest assured, the secret of the Peach Blossom Spring will certainly be kept safe by me."

When are you from? Do you not know that Guo Chongjiu began to continue writing the "First Record of the World" decades ago? Suddenly, a look of realization appeared on Xiao Zhang's face. "People say that the Peach Blossom Spring is in Wuling, but no one has found it. Could it be that... the Peach Blossom Spring is in Tianshan?" At this point, he turned back, leaned in mysteriously, and whispered, "Miss, are you from Qin?"

Zu Jing could no longer contain herself and stood up, raising her hand to her forehead to forcefully brush aside the strands of hair that had long obscured her brows. However, the slight itch at the brow transformed into profound feelings of grievance and disappointment in her heart, causing her eyes to redden involuntarily, her lips to pout, and two streams of clear tears to flow down from her eyes.

Alright, everyone get dressed properly, and then we will set off together to the Sword Pool!" Zu Jing said loudly, waving her hand vigorously

Alright, alright! Just now, after reprimanding Zu Jing, Xiao Long also became interested, saying, "Today, we will first go to the Sword Pool to welcome the new disciples, and then we will visit the Black Dragon Pool and the Jade Maiden Pool to see the waterfalls and catch fish"

You should also be aware that our Tianshan Sect holds a recruitment conference in Shazhou every five years, during which we widely distribute recruitment notices. At this time, thousands of aspiring youths from the martial world set out towards our Tianshan Sect, holding these notices. Along the way, they must pass through the perilous Puchang Sea, traverse the vast desert, navigate the desolate Gobi mountains, and confront the enigmatic strange peaks and treacherous shores. They will also have to outsmart and outfight the marauding bandits from the frontier, desert wolf thieves, and mountain robbers in the gorges. After overcoming countless hardships, they will finally arrive at the Tianshan Sword Pool to undergo our selection process. Every five years, the young heroes of Tianshan are the cream of the crop in the martial world, each possessing extraordinary skills, unique talents, and exceptional gifts. By that time, our Tianshan will truly be bustling with activity!" At this point, Zu Jing was already so excited that her eyes were shining.

At this moment, Zu Jing could no longer contain her curiosity and anticipation. She parted the crowd of disciples, soared into the air, and gracefully descended in front of the man. Following her lead, a group of disciples from Tianshan leaped up like a flock of joyful swallows, rushing down from the watchtower and forming a circle around the man.

The intermittent sound of singing, under the caress of the mountain breeze, grew fainter and fainter until it became completely silent. At this moment, the dim twilight also lowered its flag and retreated to the western mountains, and the entire Tianshan was immersed in the cool, ethereal pale blue light of the moon.

Zuqing, accompanied by a group of junior disciples, climbed up the lookout tower, chatting and laughing as they gazed northeast. The entire Tianshan Mountain had shed its winter frost, and the signs of spring were abundant. A mountain breeze, carrying the mixed scents of earth and wildflowers, swept towards her, refreshing her spirit. From the dense forest below the mountainside, the joyful sounds of wild sheep, marmots, hares, roe deer, antelopes, and Tianshan deer echoed, as if these creatures, having endured a lonely winter, were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the young heroes from the Central Plains.

To be able to attain the title of the world's number one sword is already enough for him to be proud; what more do you want? Do you think he is Gu Tianya from Kunlun?

At that time, Zu Jing was still a child, unaware of matters of love between men and women. She only felt that the melodies of the mountain songs were beautiful and unforgettable. When her little master uncle's news became completely absent, she forgot all the lyrics and tunes of that song, only able to suddenly recall one or two fragments of the mountain songs during her dreamlike wanderings in the void. When she awoke from her dreams, she desperately tried to remember the entire song, but no matter how hard she searched her heart and soul, she could not recall it. Sometimes, she even doubted whether all her memories of the little master uncle and the mountain songs were merely fantasies she had fabricated during her childhood.

But... why didn't the young heroes come up the mountain five years ago?" a curious male disciple from Tianshan, around eleven or twelve years old, asked.

Feng Luoyang... Xiao Zhang scratched his messy hair, "Ten years ago, he emerged in the martial world, defeating the then number one swordsman in a single battle. On that day, he sang this mountain song as he personally went to Wutong Ridge to challenge the number one swordsman, becoming a well-known tale. In the following ten years, there has been no report of anyone defeating him in a sword duel. However, many in the martial world are quite dismissive of his title as the number one swordsman, believing it to be unmerited. Yet, in my view, if he had no extraordinary qualities, how could he maintain the title of number one for a decade without faltering? It is said that he is a swordsman who came from the west with a sword, which is why I decided to journey westward to seek knowledge, hoping to cultivate skills as remarkable as his."

At that moment, a resounding mountain song suddenly echoed through the silent forest.

Zu Jing stood upright at the end of the mountain path, seemingly oblivious to the voices of her junior disciples.

The Yaochi is located in the Tianshan Mountains! The one in Kunlun is merely called the Black Sea. The ancients made a forced connection and referred to that place as Yaochi. Back in the day, the eight steeds of King Zhou came together, and the Queen Mother of the West held a singing gathering at the Yaochi in the Tianshan Mountains. " Zu Jing patiently explained, and then she had a sudden inspiration and added, "The mountain song you just sang is the sword song of our Tianshan travelers; do not say you heard it from the Kunlun sect.

Cough, cough, our sect's martial arts are vast and profound, and lightness skills are merely a minor aspect. Since you have ascended the mountain gate, it shows your sincerity. Why not state your name, so that I may register it? In the future, all matters concerning you within the sect will require verifiable records.

She placed all her hopes on that recruitment day, but the outcome left her with a profound sense of disappointment. She even hesitated to recall what exactly happened on that day; every time she thought about it, it was nothing but sorrow.

Get up, everyone wake up, the big day has arrived, all of you get up!" When the words "big day" are mentioned, a flush of excitement will appear on Zujing's pure white cheeks, adding a touch of vibrant beauty to her delicate and graceful features, making her look as radiant as fine wine.

"Hmm? How?" Xiao Zhang asked in confusion.

"Uh, I apologize, I took the wrong mountain gate. Sorry, brother, I will leave right now." After Xiao Zhang confirmed that this was not the Kunlun Sect, he hurriedly jumped onto his green donkey, shook the reins, turned the donkey's head, and headed down the mountain.

"Senior sister, no one has gone up the mountain. We caught a lot of fish and wild rabbits. What should we do?" Xiao Jie asked with difficulty

"Kunlun Sect?" The disciples of Tianshan exclaimed in surprise.

In the desolate forest, the soaring and fluctuating voice of Xiao Zhang once again resounds: "Lead clouds, iron mist, snow is vast, a lone person with a sword atop the mountain, a cup of wine in the Silver River spanning thousands of miles, a heart-wrenching love song sung by one... Hiya hiya hiya hiya, a heart-wrenching love song sung by one..."

"Senior Sister, why did you wake us up so early? I haven't had enough sleep yet," protested a young disciple from Tianshan, who was bare-chested, as he looked up and rubbed his eyes.

This is Tianshan!" exclaimed the little dragon beside Zu Jing in surprise, "not Kunlun Mountain.

I am willing to move Mount Tai for you, I am willing to bring peace to the world for you, After being tempered a thousand times, the green sword is forged, I only hope to serve before you. In my next life, I shall not drink the Meng Po soup, I only wish to always remember the fragrance at my fingertips, When the flowers bloom again, may we meet once more, Do not forget the young man of that time

A thin and emaciated man sat on the back of a donkey, swaying rhythmically from side to side in tune with the donkey's movements. He held a large, yellow gourd in his hands, tilting his head back and drinking heartily from it. A strong odor of alcohol, carried by the fierce mountain wind, stubbornly wafted into the noses of the disciples of Tianshan, causing them to instinctively raise their hands to cover their faces.

The disciples seemed to be unwilling to wait idly on the observation tower any longer; they rushed down the stairs and headed towards the Jade Pool

The disciples of the Heavenly Mountain focused their attention, and they saw a green donkey snorting loudly, shaking its head as it emerged from the bend in the mountain path, lazily making its way towards the Heavenly Mountain's Sword Unraveling Pool.

Ten years ago today, how she spent that day has become a blur in her memory. She only remembers the day before the recruitment day, when her junior martial uncle, who had been practicing swordsmanship with her, said he was going down the mountain to discuss swordplay. Her senior uncles and grand-uncles held a grand farewell party for him, and she cried and made a fuss at the event, hoping her junior martial uncle would take her down the mountain with him. Her senior uncles comforted her, saying that many young heroes like her junior martial uncle would come up the mountain on recruitment day to accompany her, sharing tales of the martial world and discussing the legends of the martial arts community. She only remembers the day before the recruitment day, when her junior martial uncle, who had been practicing swordsmanship with her, said he was going down the mountain to discuss swordplay. Her senior uncles and grand-uncles held a grand farewell party for him, and she cried and made a fuss at the event, hoping her junior martial uncle would take her down the mountain with him. Her senior uncles comforted her, saying that many young heroes like her junior martial uncle would come up the mountain on recruitment day to accompany her, sharing tales of the martial world and discussing the legends of the martial arts community.

However, another Tianshan female disciple, around thirteen or fourteen years old, was twirling her braided hair while asking, "It seems that no one came up the mountain ten years ago, right"

"Wait a moment, you..." Zu Jing took a quick step forward, raised her hand to grasp the reins of the green donkey, and asked eagerly, "Where did you learn this song? Was it from your little master uncle... No, was it from Feng Luoyang?"

"Feng Luoyang? The number one sword in the world, Feng Luoyang?" Xiao Zhang asked in astonishment

Zuqing placed her hands in front of her chest, with a climbing stick tucked under her armpit. She raised her neck and, shaking her head, said

The mountain songs are spreading closer and closer, becoming increasingly melodious and captivating. The birds and beasts in the dense forests on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains are startled by the singing, with a chorus of birds chirping and hares and foxes darting about, creating a lively scene. At this moment, the disciples of Tianshan, who are busy catching rabbits and fishing, all rush to the lookout tower, crowding at the railing of the observation platform, chattering excitedly while eagerly gazing towards the mountain path. Meanwhile, Zu Jing, who is lost in thought listening to the mountain songs, finds herself pushed to the back by them.

"Is that all? With his martial arts skills, he should have made a name for himself throughout the martial world. From what you say, it seems that aside from obtaining the so-called number one sword in the world, he has not accomplished anything else. Surely he must have other achievements?" After ten years, Zu Jing finally heard about the martial exploits of Master Feng, and she felt greatly dissatisfied with the fragments of information provided by Xiao Zhang, hoping he would share more.

Gulu... This man swallowed the last sip of wine, did not turn around, but simply stretched lazily towards the sky and let out a hearty laugh, "Good! What excellent lightness of skill! It is worth my journey of thousands of miles and enduring numerous hardships to come here to seek a master and learn the art"

Drifting in the rivers and lakes, I find no refuge; atop the cloud sea, I often reside. Pure as ice and clean as jade, the phoenix flower blooms, yet I wish not to adorn my collar as I pass by. My heart still longs for her; the frost of winter does not wither the flowers of the race. From the west to Kunlun and east to the sea, it is difficult to dispel the soul's sorrow that clings to my heart.

Everyone, line up and stand properly!" Zu Jing, gripping her climbing stick and placing her hands on her hips, spoke with considerable authority, "Listen to me!

You are the one from Qin! Zujing was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, unable to contain herself as she placed her hands on her hips and exclaimed.

At this moment, hearing this mountain song again, the bright and clear memories of childhood flowed into her heart like the thawing waters of the Yaochi, bringing her a sudden sense of serene tranquility.

"Senior Sister... what is wrong with you?" Among the disciples of Tianshan, only the younger sister Xiaoyu, who was relatively close in age to Master Sister, finally noticed something amiss and asked cautiously.

The older brother just now didn't leave me any trinkets from the Central Plains either, " Xiao Long said discontentedly

"Good, good!" Upon hearing the term "interesting thing," all the disciples of Tianshan leaped with joy and cheered.

Zuqing's mood also relaxed; she straightened her back and glanced towards the mountainside of the northern foot of Tianshan. Taking a deep breath, she spoke: "Everyone listen, just let Senior Sister watch over this place. You all go to Yaotai for the morning class. After finishing the morning class, make sure to hurry and catch fish and rabbits. We will add dishes for dinner to celebrate today."

You ... ... '' seeing him with such a solemn expression, regarding this self-satisfied joker, Zu Jing felt helpless and could only change the subject, asking the question she most wanted to know, '' Forget it, just tell me the news about Feng Luoyang ''

She... deeply wished to turn to face this man, eager to see what the person who could sing the little master uncle's mountain songs looked like. However, her pride as the senior sister of Tianshan made her abandon this thought.

Five years ago, she also sat quietly on the lookout platform of the watchtower, gazing towards the foot of the Tianshan Mountains in the distance, hoping to hear the rolling sounds of voices like a torrent, hoping to see those young wanderers singing mountain songs and whistling, arriving in groups before the mountain gate. A whole day passed, and the empty forest showed not a single figure; only she sat alone on the watchtower, bathed in moonlight. She still remembers the feeling from that time, cold and lonely, as if every bit of warmth in her body had faded away with the setting sun. A whole day passed, and the empty forest showed not a single figure; only she sat alone on the watchtower, bathed in moonlight. She still remembers the feeling from that time, cold and lonely, as if every bit of warmth in her body had faded away with the setting sun.

You are the antique!" the disciples of Tianshan shouted in unison

Ah, is this the Tianshan Ballad? The Tianshan Sect?" Xiao Zhang stroked his chin and looked up in thought, "According to old tales, there indeed was a Tianshan Sect, but unfortunately, it has already declined. Could it be that today I have encountered a group of antiques.

"Heaven, the number one sword in the world?" Zu Jing exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening. "How could there be such a title in the martial world? The record of the number one in the world should have been destroyed long ago, shouldn't it?"

Spring has finally arrived! Zujing excitedly leaped out of bed, swiftly donned the unique moon-white attire of the Tianshan disciples, strapped her sword to her back, grabbed the climbing stick from beside her bed, and rushed out of the room, knocking on the doors of the Tianshan disciples' dormitories one by one in the corridor of the Chasing Moon Pavilion

That was because in that year, the black storm raged west of Yangguan, and not even those who left the pass could be seen. Xiaoyu, no more questions allowed. Zujing stamped her foot forcefully, "No one is allowed to ask any more questions. Anyway, this year at m.hetushu.com, the weather is calm, there are no avalanches, no dust storms, and no fires. Surely someone will come up the mountain. Don't you want to see what the young people from the Central Plains look like? Don't you want to see what interesting things they have brought from the Central Plains?" Don't you want to see what the young people from the Central Plains look like? Don't you want to see what interesting things they have brought from the Central Plains?

Hmm? Tianshan? How could this be! I specifically asked the guide how to get to the Kunlun Yaochi Queen Mother Palace, and he indeed pointed out the way to Yaochi

"Um, Xiao Zhang..." The junior sister beside Zu Jing brought over the roster and writing materials from the observation tower. Zu Jing picked up the brush, licked the tip with her mouth, and wrote the words "Xiao Zhang riding a donkey backwards" on the guest list.

As the cheerful laughter of the junior disciples gradually faded away, Zu Jing sat silently in a cross-legged position atop the watchtower, leaning slightly to one side, with her elbow resting on her knee, her palm supporting her slender cheek. She gently bit her lip, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the empty mountain path, patiently waiting.

In the Zuiyue Pavilion, Zu Jing, who was sound asleep, was suddenly awakened by the faint rumbling of thunder. She abruptly sat up in bed, raised her hand to prop open the window, and looked northward: the thunderous sound of water indeed came from the Crocodile Mouth area to the north of the Tianshan Yaochi. She glanced up at the sky and saw that the clouds were being blown away by the mountain wind, while the orange-red dawn was like an advancing army, instantly occupying the entire sky

Xiao Zhang quickly raised both hands, making a gesture of unwillingness to argue: "Say whatever you like..." He gave the blue donkey a pat on its rear, urging it to head down the mountain. He lay down on the donkey's back, took the wine gourd from the saddle, and took several swigs of strong liquor, then waved slightly to the crowd from the Heavenly Mountain Sect. The blue donkey turned and instantly disappeared from everyone's sight.

The entrance of the Tianshan Sect, the Jie Jian Pool, is located on the middle slope of the southern peak of Tianshan, northeast of the Yao Pool. When the founder Wang Qiong established the Tianshan Sect, he led his disciples to dig channels and trenches, bringing the melting spring water from the summit of the snow peak to converge into a single pool. To the north of the pool stands a lookout tower, where disciples are stationed year-round to survey the northern foothills of Tianshan, guarding against external enemies. At this time of spring, when flowers bloom, the melting waters from the Tianshan glaciers converge into torrents rushing into the various pools of Yao Pool. The floating ice in Jie Jian Pool completely melts away, and the elegant reflections of rows of spruce and tower pines along the pool's edge are mirrored in the water, gently swaying with the ripples. The interplay of light and clouds, the pool's color like jade, captivates the observer, making one forget the mundane world. At this time of spring, when flowers bloom, the melting waters from the Tianshan glaciers converge into torrents rushing into the various pools of Yao Pool. The floating ice in Jie Jian Pool completely melts away, and the elegant reflections of rows of spruce and tower pines along the pool's edge are mirrored in the water, gently swaying with the ripples. The interplay of light and clouds, the pool's color like jade, captivates the observer, making one forget the mundane world.

I have long admired the renowned reputation of the Kunlun Sect, known for its unparalleled martial arts and swordsmanship. Thus, I have traveled thousands of miles, enduring numerous hardships..." Xiao Zhang clasped his hands together and spoke incessantly. However, his words left the disciples of Tianshan dumbfounded

Zuqing's body trembled slightly, her head tilted gently to the side, as if she wanted to turn around, but she froze halfway. She raised her sleeve to wipe her face, shrugged her shoulders, and executed the unparalleled lightness skill of the Tianshan Sect, vanishing from sight in an instant before the crowd.

Alright, Xiao Jie, I have asked the elders, and it was because of the spring avalanche in Tianshan that year, which blocked the roads, that no one was able to come up the mountain