Although Xu Ziqing and Wang Yingwu were speaking through voice transmission, traces of their exchange still inevitably showed in their expressions. Wang Kangde was already thoroughly occupied entertaining Gui Yin and Gui Yang, yet even so, the sisters still noticed what was happening over here.
A light breeze suddenly swept past. In the next instant, a graceful figure appeared on either side of Xu Ziqing. Both women smiled as they asked, “Young Master, what are you two talking about? Would you be willing to tell us sisters as well?”
Wang Yingwu’s face immediately turned deathly pale, and regret flooded his heart. Had he known these two vicious women were so perceptive, he would never have said so much merely to win Xu Ziqing’s favor.
Xu Ziqing sensed something unusual as well.
Although the two female cultivators were smiling broadly, there was no happiness in their eyes. On the right-hand woman’s half-face, the brilliant colors of the pattern flickered as though something were moving across her face. It was truly startling.
Seeing this, Wang Yingwu became even more flustered. His lips trembled, and he genuinely could not get a single word out.
Xu Ziqing, however, smiled gently. “Greetings, Fellow Daoists.” Then he added, “We weren’t discussing anything particularly interesting, merely chatting. If the two of you don’t mind, you’re welcome to join us.”
Gui Yin and Gui Yang found his attitude rather interesting. After exchanging a glance, they both smiled sweetly. One tugged on Xu Ziqing’s left arm while the other looped her arm around his right, drawing close to him. “Of course we don’t mind. Young Master is so gentle. We sisters truly like you.”
Wang Yingwu looked as though he had received a pardon. He sprang to his feet at once. “S-since the Seniors have taken such a liking to one another, this junior won’t disturb you. P-please, sit here!” The moment he finished, he darted aside and surrendered his seat to Gui Yin and Gui Yang.
Wang Kangde had been keeping an eye on them all along. Seeing Wang Yingwu escape, he too let out a breath of relief. Father and son both felt somewhat guilty about Gui Yin and Gui Yang attaching themselves to Xu Ziqing, but even so, they were relieved.
Gui Yang and Gui Yin sat down together and turned to speak with Xu Ziqing.
Xu Ziqing found Wang Yingwu’s miserable appearance somewhat amusing. He withdrew his gaze and nodded to the sisters with genuine goodwill.
The sisters found him even stranger. They might look young, but in truth both were already over forty. They had made names for themselves more than twenty years ago. Women were one thing, but they had never once encountered a man who treated them with such kindness. How could they not find it odd?
The markings on Gui Yin’s face shifted as she asked in a soft, coquettish voice, “Young Master, aren’t you afraid of us?”
Xu Ziqing blinked. “Afraid of what?”
Gui Yin lifted one slender finger and pointed at her face. “Young Master, look.”
Xu Ziqing looked.
The markings began moving more violently. Before long, fuzzy legs emerged, followed by the gradual lifting of an entire body, revealing a fierce and ugly spider.
So the patterns on the sisters’ faces had not been tattooed there at all. The pair of Yin-Yang Spiders were actually living on their faces, which was why the markings looked so eerie and frightening.
Xu Ziqing learned something new yet again. The world was truly vast, with wonders of every kind. He smiled. “Fellow Daoist has chosen an ingenious way to keep your beast pet. It looks a little frightening, but being able to remain together at all times is quite good.”
Hearing this, Gui Yin studied Xu Ziqing’s expression more carefully. His eyes were clear, and his words sounded sincere rather than flattering. Still, she did not quite believe him. “You’re sitting this close to me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll have it bite you?”
From the question, Xu Ziqing understood something of what she was thinking. His expression turned serious. “Even if you did have it bite me, it wouldn’t matter much.”
The sweet smile on Gui Yang’s face faded into a cold one. “You’re only being slippery with your words. All men beneath Heaven are fickle. Are you putting on this act because you want us sisters to spare you?”
Xu Ziqing sighed lightly. “If I loved someone, my heart and thoughts would hold only him. Whether I was bitten or not, there would still only be him. Since there are so many promiscuous and faithless men beneath Heaven, naturally there are also people who love one person faithfully. You sisters shouldn’t…” At this point, he realized they were not close enough for him to say more and stopped, merely smiling. He paid no mind to the Yin Spider on Gui Yin’s face, which looked ready to devour someone.
Gui Yin and Gui Yang had originally come over looking for trouble and had indeed intended to bite this young man who did not know what was good for him. Yet hearing him speak with such apparent sincerity left them unable to name what they felt. Part of them wanted to believe that not every man in the world was heartless, but everything they had endured in the past had hardened their hearts and made them afraid to trust.
At this point, the sisters no longer had any desire to continue talking with Xu Ziqing. They sat together and whispered into each other’s ears.
Xu Ziqing felt the sisters were somewhat pitiable, but since he did not know them well, he did not take the initiative to speak further.
Just then, more people arrived outside. Three unfamiliar cultivators entered, two men and one woman, all rather advanced in age. At a glance, each was also at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement.
The three wore arrogant expressions. Wang Kangde and his son naturally took the initiative to greet them. They responded perfunctorily, found places to sit, and made no attempt to speak with Xu Ziqing or the others, whether because they wished to keep their distance or simply looked down on them.
Seeing this, Xu Ziqing did not bother them and continued waiting for the remaining people to arrive.
Soon, two hours had passed. The tea had already been replaced several times, yet no one else came.
Wang Kangde was not particularly anxious, but the three newcomers were growing impatient. The plump cultivator among them spoke first. “Family Head Wang, did we come here simply to sit around wasting time?”
Because Wang Kangde himself was at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement, the three cultivators, though arrogant, still restrained themselves somewhat.
Wang Kangde was a family head, and these three were not troublesome figures like the Gui Yin-Yang sisters, so naturally he had no need to humble himself before them. He merely smiled. “We must gather eight people in total. At present there are only six, so I must trouble everyone to wait a little longer. If the three of you truly cannot wait…”
His meaning required no further explanation.
The plump cultivator’s face flushed. Only then did he fully register the family head’s cultivation and react. This was not one of the small families he had dealt with before. He could not throw his weight around here.
Watching him, Xu Ziqing sighed inwardly and thought, Why make things difficult for yourself?
Seeing that there was nothing to gain, the three cultivators all restrained their attitudes. The plump cultivator in particular became awkward and soon lowered his head to drink tea without saying another word.
After another while, the door opened and three male cultivators entered. One looked steady, one had restless eyes, and one carried a slightly impulsive air. Their cultivation ranged between the seventh and eighth layers of Qi Refinement.
After entering, all three casually swept their gazes across Xu Ziqing before greeting Wang Kangde.
Wang Kangde immediately smiled broadly, his attitude entirely different from how he had treated the previous three. “So you gentlemen are also from the Rogue Cultivator Alliance’s Outer Alliance. Forgive me for not welcoming you properly!” He quickly added, “Another member of your Alliance arrived earlier. I wonder whether you know each other…”
Before he could finish, the more impulsive man exclaimed in surprise, “Him?”
The other two looked over as well. “We do know him. Family Head needn’t trouble yourself to entertain us.” With that, all three moved toward Xu Ziqing together.
The impulsive one hurried several steps ahead. “Good lad! A year ago, you helped us brothers tremendously. Do you still remember?”
Xu Ziqing had not expected such enthusiasm. He quickly stood and cupped his hands. “You gentlemen are…?”
The three exchanged glances. The eldest smiled. “A year ago, Fellow Daoist transferred those storage pouches to the three of us. Afterward, we went out on a mission and gained quite a harvest. We owe some of that good fortune to you.”
Xu Ziqing remembered at last and smiled as well. “So that’s how it is. I am Xu Ziqing, also of the Outer Alliance.”
The three introduced themselves. “We have sworn brotherhood. Our eldest brother is Nian Hongzhi, second is Wang Jun, and the youngest is Ruan Yuanliang.”
Xu Ziqing exchanged a few pleasantries with the three.
Once everyone was seated, Nian Hongzhi said, “Meeting here can be called fate. Since we’ve all accepted the same mission, why not travel together afterward? That way we can look out for one another.”
Wang Jun smiled as well. “Exactly. Fellow Daoist is young and accomplished. Surely you wouldn’t look down on us brothers?”
Ruan Yuanliang only chuckled, following his two elder brothers’ lead.
Since they had put it this way, Xu Ziqing could hardly refuse. Moreover, the brothers treated him so warmly that he could not help developing a favorable impression of them. He smiled faintly. “Since the three of you think well enough of me, then we can lend one another a hand when the time comes.”
Seeing Xu Ziqing agree, Ruan Yuanliang’s eyes brightened. His attitude grew even warmer as he pulled Xu Ziqing into lively conversation, behaving as though they regretted not meeting sooner.
Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun remained silent at first, listening to the other two speak with faint smiles on their lips.
Xu Ziqing really is exceedingly easy to approach and easy to talk to…
After a while, Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun joined the conversation as well. Without making it obvious, they followed Xu Ziqing’s lead in whatever they discussed, naturally making themselves easy to like. Before long, the atmosphere among them became harmonious.
Xu Ziqing was pure-hearted and had only a vague impression of the three brothers from before. How could he imagine that they harbored malicious intentions? He merely felt much happier that he happened to encounter them while taking this mission.
They waited another hour, but no one else arrived. Wang Kangde then burned a stick of incense. At the same time, silk strips on the mission walls of the various clans and the Rogue Cultivator Alliance silently caught fire. This meant the mission had been withdrawn.
Wang Kangde then said, “All of you Fellow Daoists possess profound cultivation. Although we have one more person than originally requested, Wang hopes all of you will remain. What do you think?”
Everyone who had come wanted to take the mission. They had hesitated slightly when the number exceeded the original requirement, but since Wang Kangde himself had said this, naturally no one objected.
They all answered, “That would be excellent.”
Wang Kangde relaxed. The Wang clan had survived to this day in no small part because generations of family heads had been socially adept and careful not to offend people. They could be firm when necessary, but whenever there was room to yield, they generally did so.
He continued, “Four of my sons will take part in this training. As long as none is seriously injured, each Fellow Daoist will receive ten spiritual pearls in compensation. And if this journey passes safely…” He paused. “Wang will offer an additional generous reward.”
Anyone familiar with the Wang family knew what that generous reward meant.
The cultivators were therefore delighted and all said, “We will not fail the family head’s trust!”
With that, matters were settled.
Besides Wang Yingwu, the legitimate second son, three concubine-born sons would also accompany them. These concubine-born sons were not as fortunate as the legitimate son. Wang Yingwu only had to go out once his cultivation reached the third layer of Qi Refinement, while the concubine-born sons merely waited until they came of age and a legitimate son’s cultivation reached the proper point. At that time, regardless of their own cultivation, they had to accompany him.
After Wang Kangde finished giving instructions, Wang Yingwu led the concubine-born sons in bowing once more to the cultivators. Then they walked outside and stood in the spacious courtyard.
With so many cultivators behind him, Wang Yingwu wanted to make a good showing. He took a ruyi scepter from his storage pouch, tossed it into the air, and chanted, “Rise!”
The ruyi floated upward and instantly enlarged dozens of times, becoming like a small boat.
Wang Yingwu took a deep breath and leaped upward. Spreading his feet, he landed steadily on the little boat. Once he stood firm, his robes fluttered in the air, making him look quite imposing.
The other three concubine-born sons jumped up as well. Their cultivation was even shallower, only between the first and second layers of Qi Refinement. Reaching the air was therefore much less graceful for them than for Wang Yingwu and seemed somewhat difficult.
Once all four Wang disciples stood atop the ruyi, it was time for the hired cultivators to show their abilities.
The three cultivators whom Wang Kangde had earlier put in their place were eager to recover some face. They hurriedly brought out their magical artifacts.
Three flying swords shot from the scabbards on their backs with a sharp whoosh and streaked into the air.
The three cultivators each coughed lightly and began walking with solemn dignity. They did possess some skill. To display the transcendent bearing of cultivators, all three clasped their hands behind their backs and stepped upward through empty air one pace at a time until both feet finally came to rest on their flying swords.
Wang Yingwu and the other disciples were astonished.
The plump cultivator laughed loudly, the woman smoothed her hair, and the thin man stroked his long beard. All three looked extremely pleased with themselves.
Gui Yin and Gui Yang laughed as well. Gui Yin raised one pale hand, plucked a beaded flower from her hair, and tossed it into the air. The ornament immediately released waves of subtle fragrance like a real fresh blossom, tender and lovely to behold. Yet it was now as large as a millstone, many times the size of an ordinary flower.
The sisters linked arms, skirts fluttering, and with a blur of motion stood gracefully upon the flower’s center. From a distance their faces could not be seen clearly, making them look like immortals walking upon the waves, elegant and radiant.
Nian Hongzhi and the other two looked toward Xu Ziqing. Xu Ziqing made a slight gesture inviting them to go first.
The three brothers did not decline and displayed their own ability.
A clear cry rang out, followed by a metallic clash as a saber and sword sounded together and suddenly sprang into the air.
The saber was scarlet, while the sword’s form was fluid like water. When the two combined, they transformed into the phantom of a jiao dragon, coiling and circling in the air.
The saber belonged to Nian Hongzhi, and the sword was Wang Jun’s magical artifact. Both had been acquired while carrying out missions over the past year. Since the two men had higher cultivation, they were the ones using them.
When saber and sword joined, they could produce the phantom of a jiao dragon. The technique consumed more spiritual power but possessed considerable might. They displayed it now partly to demonstrate their strength and partly to gain Xu Ziqing’s trust.
The jiao dragon lowered itself and brought its head before the three brothers. Only when it came near did everyone realize that the dragon was not solid but merely an illusion. Even so, its appearance showed the power of the artifacts.
Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun stepped onto it leisurely, looking high-spirited. In an instant, they overshadowed everyone who had demonstrated their techniques before them. Over the past year, Ruan Yuanliang had also obtained a slightly lower-quality flying sword well matched to his own attributes, and it too was quite formidable. But he did not bring it out now. Instead, he climbed onto the jiao dragon’s head together with his two elder brothers.
Everyone from the Wang family looked envious, and even Wang Kangde could not help showing some amazement.
Nian Hongzhi did not raise the jiao dragon’s head. Instead, he looked at Xu Ziqing and smiled. “If Fellow Daoist Xu doesn’t mind, why not come with us?”
Xu Ziqing smiled but shook his head. “Many thanks for your kindness, Fellow Daoists, but…” He had already heard the sound of something cutting through the air and could no longer accept their invitation.
Sure enough, in the next instant, a black shadow plunged downward and seized at Xu Ziqing fiercely!
Nian Hongzhi cried, “Careful!” but did not move to help.
Everyone present was startled.
Unexpectedly, although the black shadow did grab Xu Ziqing, it did not harm him. Instead, it lowered its head and rubbed against him affectionately.
Xu Ziqing smiled faintly and stroked the eagle’s head. “Chonghua, why did you come down?”
Only then did everyone understand that this was not an attack.
Nian Hongzhi, Wang Jun, and the others, however, showed a flash of disappointment in their eyes.
Chonghua raised his head and called several times toward the jiao dragon.
Xu Ziqing finally understood and could not help laughing. “Your body is still small. How could you carry me?”
Chonghua ignored the objection. With his iron talons, he carefully gripped Xu Ziqing’s shoulders, spread his wings, and lifted him from the ground.
Everyone then saw a magnificent eagle soaring with wings spread wide, carrying beneath its claws a young cultivator whose eyes held a smile. His green robes whipped in the wind, his features refined, and his entire bearing unusually gentle and composed.
Gui Yin said, “So you have a beast pet too.”
At a slight movement of Xu Ziqing’s thoughts, Chonghua carried him over beside the other cultivators. Xu Ziqing smiled. “Chonghua may be a bird, but he is also my family.”
Gui Yin lifted a hand and touched the place on her cheek where the Yin Spider lived. The corner of her mouth curved, but she did not mock him.
All the cultivators had now risen into the air. It was time to depart.
From below, Wang Kangde cupped his fists and called out, “I entrust my sons entirely to you. Please!”
The cultivators answered one after another. Their various magical artifacts flared with light and, in an instant, turned into streaks of color shooting toward the distance.
Chonghua lifted his head high and released a clear cry before carrying Xu Ziqing swiftly away.
Several more streaks of light rose from behind Wang Kangde. These were the Wang family’s higher-level cultivators accompanying the group.
Sharp talons clasped Xu Ziqing’s shoulders, yet they did so with extreme care and did not injure him in the slightest. High in the sky, and for the first time not relying on his own spiritual power to remain aloft, Xu Ziqing found that looking down gave him a different kind of ease.
On the earth below, all things flourished in abundance. Yet viewed from the heavens, living beings seemed very small. Looking down from above, his state of mind felt unusually broad and expansive.
Xu Ziqing drew a deep breath. Cold wind struck his face, and his long hair streamed behind him, sometimes whipping forward. Yet for some reason, rather than discomfort him, it made him feel exhilarated. A vigorous energy rose within him, leaving his mind clear and refreshed.
This is only a small world, yet it is already so vast…
Thinking back to several years earlier, when he had only just stepped onto the immortal path, he remembered how deeply he had yearned when he saw higher-level Qi Refinement cultivators flying through the sky on magical artifacts. When he saw their many techniques, he had resolved to cultivate without pause. At that time, he had even imagined carefully tending spiritual herbs in the Hundred Herbs Garden, putting down roots in the Xu clan, and slowly accumulating cultivation…
Who would have thought that not long afterward, a single journey into a secret realm would lead the Xu family to abandon him? Yet misfortune became fortune. He obtained the storage ring, met Brother Yun, and gained Chonghua’s acknowledgment as master.
Now, although he had become somewhat entangled with the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, he was still fundamentally free. With one bird and one soul at his side, he no longer felt the loneliness of being alone in a foreign world. No matter how many dangers or hardships lay ahead, he no longer feared them.
As he thought this, an extremely thin layer of green light unconsciously appeared around Xu Ziqing. It was quickly drawn inward again and vanished into the world within his body.
Because of Chonghua, he had risen high into the sky; because he had risen high into the sky, insight had arisen.
In only a few breaths, Xu Ziqing’s state of mind advanced by another small degree. Perhaps in the past there had been many almost imperceptible thoughts entangling his heart, but at this moment, he had cast all of them aside.