The pillars were so high that their tops could not be seen, and they crowded the horizon as far as the eye could reach.
Their shafts were perfectly round and pure white, yet they were neither metal nor jade, neither earth nor stone. They appeared to have been refined from numerous spiritual materials, making them treasures comparable to magical treasures!
The surfaces were smooth, their radiance subdued, yet a faint shimmer lingered upon them, giving them an extraordinary quality.
Within the inner sect, these countless pillars seized all attention at first glance, almost making one overlook everything else.
When Xu Ziqing finally recovered from his amazement and looked again, he discovered countless mountain ranges lying beneath the pillars, like enormous dragons winding toward the far distance, with no end in sight.
Examining them carefully, he found that these were not low mountains at all. Their height was no less than Slaughter Sword Peak’s, and some were even taller.
The pillars separated the different mountain ranges, which were not connected to one another.
Honored Master Xing was obviously accustomed to seeing newcomers amazed by the sight of the inner sect, and thought nothing of Xu Ziqing’s reaction.
He patted the blue flood dragon’s horn and said, “Let’s go home!”
The blue dragon swung its long tail and dived toward the northwest.
After they passed several hundred heaven-supporting pillars, a majestic mountain range appeared ahead.
The range consisted of several dozen peaks, one rising after another. Its spiritual energy was extraordinarily abundant, and it probably concealed many first-rank spirit veins.
Waves of fragrance from spirit grasses and medicinal herbs drifted down from the peaks, refreshing the senses and captivating the mind.
The blue flood dragon headed straight for the tallest mountain, descending quickly after several shifts in direction.
Xu Ziqing could almost make out an immense stretch of mountainside that was barely wide enough to accommodate the dragon’s vast body.
In the next instant, powerful winds surged around the blue flood dragon as it landed steadily on the ground.
Honored Master Xing laughed aloud. “This is the territory of our Wuling lineage. The Domain Lord has been delighted to hear of the new disciples arriving and has looked forward to meeting the two of you for days. He must have been waiting quite some time.”
Xu Ziqing modestly protested that he was unworthy of such consideration, then followed beside Yun Lie as the honored master led them onward.
The place where the blue flood dragon landed was actually its lair. An entire li of mountainside belonged to it. Though merely a beast companion, its position within the Wuling Mountain Domain was not low. Ordinary disciples who encountered it would show it considerable respect.
Only by following the mountain upward would they reach the Domain Lord’s dwelling.
After another four or five hundred steps, the scenery opened suddenly before them.
Amid rocks and trees lay a clear spring, a peaceful patch of ground, and a thatched cottage of modest size.
Everything appeared simple, tranquil, and secluded.
Xu Ziqing was briefly startled. Then he noticed an old man sitting beside the spring, fishing. His rod was long and slender, seeming so fragile that it would snap if he hooked a fish of any size.
Just then the old man raised the rod. A strange golden fish dangled from his hook, wriggling in midair. With a flick of his rod, he tossed it back into the spring, where it splashed into the water.
Honored Master Xing laughed. “Domain Lord, you’re teasing Jinhe again. Be careful he doesn’t spit at you.”
His words had barely ended when a golden fish head rose beside the spring and spat several times at the old man, exactly as he had predicted.
The old man hardly moved, yet the spittle fell harmlessly to the ground. With a series of sizzling noises, it bored several holes the size of fists into the earth.
The liquid was extraordinarily poisonous!
Xu Ziqing had learned a fair amount of miscellaneous lore. He recognized the strange fish as a dragon carp, a creature carrying the bloodline of divine dragons. If its dragon blood became sufficiently abundant and it experienced the necessary opportunities, it might ultimately transform into a dragon, ascend into the sky, and break through into the immortal realm.
The carp’s behavior showed that it possessed intelligence and was clearly a demon beast.
But as for its cultivation… Xu Ziqing could not see through it at all.
The dragon carp therefore had to be at least seventh-rank.
After avoiding the carp’s spittle, the old man turned his head. A single glance made Xu Ziqing’s heart tighten.
That gaze was so powerful that he felt as though the old man had instantly seen through him, without any possibility of resistance.
This person’s cultivation was unfathomable!
After looking them over, the old man smiled kindly and stroked his beard. “These two young fellows are both quite good.”
Honored Master Xing also smiled. “Sect Master Ji thinks very highly of them.”
The old man nodded. “In that case, my welcoming gifts mustn’t be too meager.”
He raised his hand and sent out two balls of light.
Xu Ziqing reached out immediately. The power within his ball was so great that he had to circulate all his true essence to catch it.
Yun Lie caught his with one hand as well.
Examining their gifts, they discovered that each ball contained an enormous spirit vein!
The only difference was that Yun Lie’s held a first-rank spirit vein, while Xu Ziqing’s contained a second-rank spirit vein.
Spirit stones were indispensable when cultivators traveled and traded for resources. These welcoming gifts were truly extraordinary.
Honored Master Xing saw them and laughed heartily. “Since you’ve only just arrived, I’ll give you each something too.”
Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie received another third-rank spirit vein and second-rank spirit vein respectively.
Such generosity was astonishing!
Xu Ziqing put away the spirit veins, deeply shaken.
Back in the Wuling Immortal Sect in the Qingyun Great World, disciples were awarded spirit veins only when they advanced to a new realm, enabling them to establish spiritual mountains. Here in the Qianyuan Great World, however, a senior could casually present entire spirit veins as welcoming gifts.
Just how magnificent must an upper-three-thousand great world truly be?
Naturally, Xu Ziqing and Yun Lie hurriedly offered their thanks and proper respects.
Despite his powerful cultivation, the old man showed none of the airs of a senior. He was exceedingly friendly.
Xu Ziqing relaxed a little. He suddenly felt a measure of belonging in the unfamiliar Wuling Mountain Domain.
His life with Master at Little Bamboo Peak had been much like this.
The old man perceived the change in Xu Ziqing’s emotions and seemed pleased. He raised a hand and sent a magical seal upward, where it burst with a sharp pop.
Then he spoke slowly. “Now that you’ve arrived, those boys ought to come recognize you.”
Xu Ziqing understood. The seal had been a message.
The old man continued talking and explained something of the Wuling Mountain Domain’s circumstances.
Its Domain Lord was surnamed Hang and was a great cultivator at the Tribulation Transcendence stage. The domain had eight other people: besides Honored Master Xing, who was at late Out-of-Body, there were two cultivators at early Out-of-Body and five at Soul Transformation. Counting the dragon carp and blue flood dragon, the entire mountain range contained only eleven living beings.
With Yun Lie and Xu Ziqing added, there were now thirteen.
Seen in this light, their numbers were truly pitiful.
After only a few breaths, several powerful auras approached and landed near Honored Master Xing and Domain Lord Hang.
They belonged to seven men of differing temperaments. Each emitted a terrifying pressure, like a walking weapon that inspired fear at a glance.
Yet Xu Ziqing did not feel afraid.
To him, they were powerful but still seniors of his own lineage, people he ought to respect and feel close to. Besides, he had spent years beside Yun Lie, continuously tempered by his pure killing intent. Why should these different kinds of intimidating auras frighten him?
The men’s gazes first settled on Yun Lie, then lingered deliberately on Xu Ziqing. Afterward they gradually withdrew their auras and no longer appeared as fierce as before.
After they had introduced themselves, a handsome young man named Mi Xing was the first to offer gifts, extending his hand and sending out two presents.
The remaining six followed with their own gifts. Looking carefully, Xu Ziqing saw that they were all supreme-grade spirit stones.
These gifts were extraordinarily valuable.
Xu Ziqing accepted them and paused in thought, then looked toward Yun Lie.
Yun Lie nodded slightly.
Green light flickered in Xu Ziqing’s hand, and he produced two small bottles, each about the size of a thumb.
The seniors had already given them welcoming gifts, and he and Senior Brother naturally owed them gratitude. Though etiquette did not require them to give presents in return, it would be appropriate to offer small gifts to the two beast companions. That could serve as a token of their appreciation.
As soon as the bottles appeared, Honored Master Xing raised an eyebrow.
He possessed profound cultivation and shared a close mental connection with his own beast companion, so he had already sensed something unusual.
Xu Ziqing smiled and removed the talismans sealing the bottle stoppers.
At once a vast, powerful aura, with only the faintest scent, surged outward and spread several li in an instant.
From farther down the mountain came the blue flood dragon’s long cry. The dragon carp leaped from the spring, flashing with dazzling light in midair.
Xu Ziqing handed over the two bottles. “Honored Master Xing, Domain Lord Hang, Senior Brother and I happened to obtain these by chance. Meeting such remarkable creatures here, we’d like to offer them to you as gifts for your companions.”
His action increased the others’ favorable impression of him.
They were members of the same lineage. Seniors caring for juniors was natural, but since they would be living together for years to come, it was far more pleasant when the juniors were considerate and possessed good character.
Honored Master Xing and Domain Lord Hang accepted the bottles and removed their stoppers. Within was a deep-red substance: perfectly rounded drops of dragon blood.
Moreover, it was dragon blood completely devoid of resentment.
Honored Master Xing was slightly surprised. Even in the Qianyuan Great World, dragon blood of such quality was rare. How could these two young disciples have obtained it?
Evidently they had experienced more than a few extraordinary opportunities.
The thought flashed through his mind. Naturally, Honored Master Xing was delighted that the two new members of their lineage had such promising foundations. He tossed his bottle down the mountain and called, “Lan’er, aren’t you going to catch it?”
Before his words had ended, an enormous flood-dragon head shot upward, opened its mouth, and swallowed the bottle whole, then quickly submerged again.
Domain Lord Hang smiled and tossed his bottle behind him.
The dragon carp leaped up with all its strength and swallowed its bottle as well.
The greed of the flood dragon and carp made everyone laugh.
The gifts brought the group closer together. Their conversation became warmer and more familiar.
Yun Lie did not enjoy speaking at length, though he answered questions when asked. If an explanation required more words, Xu Ziqing generally spoke on his behalf.
Their understanding of each other was so seamless that eventually a forthright fellow named Ke Hong began teasing them. “We’ve struggled for so many years without finding a companion who truly understands us, yet a new junior brother arrives and he’s already brought his loving Dao companion along! How I envy him! How I envy him!”
His words sent everyone into laughter.
Xu Ziqing was uncertain how to respond when a sudden rumble sounded in his ears.
His heart tightened, and he immediately turned toward the noise.
Just outside the mountain range, the nearest heaven-supporting pillar had begun trembling slightly!
Several male cultivators of the Wuling lineage flew into a rage. “That damned bastard is back! Those vermin again! We’ll make sure to slaughter a few more of them this time!”