Southern Continent, Zheng Dynasty, Qing Town border
The cultivator they mentioned flew straight toward them. She was in her forties, dressed in a cyan robe with a few wrinkles on her face. Her hair was held by a hairpin, made from jade.
As she drew closer she restricted her aura, "Greetings Fellow Daoists, what might such formidable cultivators, such as yourself, look for at the borders of Qingshan Town (青山镇)?"
Looking through his memories of Qingshan, Xi Shen didn't know much about the town. Only some details like, they have a really good spring there, they are famous for producing quality silk, and it is just a small town surrounded by mountains, 'A mortal town inhabited by a Foundation Establishment cultivator… Suspicious.'
Suddenly, Zhen Ning took out a small talisman and immediately attacked, "You evil creature, you followed us from Silent Valley!" He angrily laughed as he saw this was probably the best way to release the frustration he felt. The talisman transformed into lightning, which shot toward the 'woman'.
Xi Shen watched with relish, 'I've seen him using talismans to fight, guess I will try that, especially since I have some interesting talismans in my memory. Qin Qiqiang sure had a lot of time, he collected vast knowledge and arts. That brings up a question, how did he die?'
Waking him from his thoughts was the woman's laugh, Xi Shen felt every cell in my body shudder, "So you realized, haha." The voice changed from woman's to man's to something in-between, "Then there's no point in pretending."
Ning flew towards the creature, "Yingshu, help me deal with this hag, it's most definitely Yaojing." As soon as that word fell, Xi Shen looked at the creature and marveled at the appearance of such a rare creature.
Looking at the flashes of talisman after images, Xi Shen was inspired. 'Zhen Ning is truly impressive, his talisman arts can be considered decent for a Foundation Establishment cultivator specializing in that field.'
Thunder flashed as red lightning hit Yaojing's abdomen, but a mystical symbol stopped it before it struck. Xi Shen didn't recognize the symbol, but dread filled his heart.
As Xi Shen watched, Yaojing made some hand gestures, and another symbol appeared, more potent in energy. Spiritual power surged toward it as it grew bigger and bigger.
Zhen Ning stared in shock. "How is this possible? A Yaojing using Taoist arts? Yingshu, quickly help me deal with this thing, don't just stand there!"
The floating black sword, controlled by Yingshu, flew and started to spin at high speed, creating a disk-like shape. He glanced at Zhen Ning and said, "I get it, this could be troublesome."
They looked at each other and nodded like they'd come to an understanding. Zhen Ning again conjured the talismans from his bag of holding.
The sky around them darkened as if the Heavens were angry. It sent a bolt of purple lightning, hitting the Yaojing and finally shattering the symbol. Yaojing coughed up a mouthful of dark blood, and a merciless look appeared in its eyes.
Yingshu's spinning sword gained momentum rapidly, slicing cleanly through Yaojing's hand, which spilled dark blood.
Xi Shen's hands started to tremble, reflecting the internal chaos he felt. 'This blood… so this is how the cultivation world works. It's all fun and games in novels until you experience the real thing. I understand now, but I'm still left shaken.'
Seeing his hands trembling again made him angry, 'I accepted the fact that I died and got reincarnated in a fantasy world, but I can't accept the fact that you have to kill to survive? How weak.' He thought to himself. His thoughts were interrupted by a shout.
Standing on a flying disk, the creature trembled with anger and shouted, "Stupid human cultivators, always getting in the way of things!" It began to use hand gestures again, forming them much faster this time, as if trying to finish everything in one move.
As it finished its technique, another symbol rose. However, this one was golden-colored, and Xi Shen knew its meaning: it was the character for punishment (刑). It grew and almost covered half the sky.
Intrigue and dread filled his heart, as this was the first time he saw this scale of fighting. Yearning for strength, he thought to myself, 'If a Foundation Establishment is this powerful, how strong is Golden Core, or Nascent Soul? I wonder, when will I be strong like that.'
Suddenly, a voice entered his mind, 'Young Master, you don't need to worry. Although Yaojing is strong now, it seems it wants to escape, this symbol is just a facade.'
Astonishment filled his eyes, "Then this is fake? How can it feel so real?"
Yingshu shook his head and, with a small smile, replied, "Young Master is still young. This kind of illusion can work on people weaker than oneself and is a special ability of Yaojing. However, since we discovered it's Yaojing, we have already found a way to deal with it."
He turned around and looked at Xi Shen with a serious expression, "Remember, Young Master, even dragons can be slain if you have the tools to do it."
An enlightening look flashed in Xi Shen's eyes. "Then Ning has a way?" He paid more attention to the battle. Zhen Ning calmly looked at the approaching symbol, which gave an imposing aura, making it seem invincible, like it could swallow up the Heavens.
But at the crucial moment, Zhen Ning threw the purple talisman up in the air. The talisman flashed with purple light, exuding a serene and profound aura.
However, the Yaojing didn't agree. At the same time, it screamed, "Ah! You stupid cultivator, you will regret killing this old woman. The Heavens will punish you!"
Zhen Ning laughed heartily. "Punish me? The Heavens will reward me with your spirit core, haha!" As he laughed, his attack grew fiercer. The purple light quickly penetrated and destroyed the symbol. "See this, the Heavens are on my side, haha!"
However, at the last moment, the purple light was outshone by the sinister red glow of Yaojing's body. It grew red as blood, giving all of them an ominous premonition. Gritting its teeth, it said full of hatred, "You forced my hand."
Yingshu's voice came from in front of me, carrying uneasiness as he summoned two more swords, creating a small barrier. "This is its last struggle, the ultimate technique a Foundation Establishment cultivator and above can do: the Burning of Essence."
Seriousness filled the air, 'Burning of Essence! That means we will probably be dead or heavily injured.' Trembling, one thought flashed into Xi Shen's mind, 'No! I don't want to die, not yet!'
However, as it was about to blow up, a faint scent of peach blossoms filled the air. It was so faint that Xi Shen almost didn't sense it. He felt a tingling sensation in his hand, and as he looked, it glowed in a soft pink light.
In his hand was the jade his father had given to him. He unconsciously held it tightly. As he loosened his grip, it shot from his hand into the sky, shooting a pink beacon, which seemed like a pillar that held the Heavens.
The fragrance of different kinds of flowers filled the air, but with so many scents, you would think that it would cause an imbalance. On the contrary, they were in perfect harmony with each other.
As the scene unfolded, shocked expressions appeared on everyone's faces, especially Yaojing's expression, which was one of both shock and fear. "No, no, no, not these bastards! You summoned them? Go to hell!"
It turned toward Xi Shen and shot a golden character. However, it quickly dissolved into nothingness as the pink light grew stronger and stronger until a cold humph was heard from every direction.
The Yaojing looked toward the direction the group was flying to and mumbled something under its breath, "... get away."
However, before it could even turn around, a person who appeared to be in his forties flew toward them at high speed. On a large flying sword, he glided through the air and laughed, "We meet again, Yu Tao!"
His long brown hair was tied in a ponytail, dressed in a blue robe. On his robe was inwoven a small Tai Chi symbol the Yin side had a withered blossom, while the Yang side had a thriving one.
Just his presence filled Xi Shen with resonance, "Who is that?" He asked out loud, waking Yingshu from shock.
He closely looked at the robe the cultivator was wearing as if he recognized it, "That should be an elder of Harmony Blossom Sect, he's at least 9th level of Foundation Establishment, just a hair away from Golden Core."
That evaluation shocked Xi Shen, 'This is the strongest cultivator I've ever seen, though I haven't been here that long.' I continued to watch with relish.
The Yaojing looked at the approaching cultivator and roared, "You despicable human, you will die a horrible death! Leave this old woman alone!"
Another laugh escaped the cultivator's mouth as he drew near, "Haha, just because you take a different appearance doesn't mean you will deceive me." He made a hand gesture and sent out a palm strike, it gave off a majestic aura. Pink in color it absorbed the beacon's light and energy as it became stronger, quickly approaching the Yaojing.
The Yaojing trembled from anxiety, frantically looked around, and finally spat out a mouthful of dark blood, which created a thick shield around it. However, its efforts were proven futile as the palm strike broke the shield into pieces, and with a heartwrenching scream, it died.
Having seen everything up close, Xi Shen was awestruck. 'So this is how cultivators fight.' Excitement filled his very being as he wished he could be the one sending out powerful spells and sword strikes like novel protagonists.
After collecting his spoils, the cultivator from the Harmony Blossom Sect approached us, looking mighty. Yingshu quickly got closer to me, and Zhen Ning flew toward us.
As he approached, he took a high stance and said cautiously, "Who might you be? And what are you doing in the territory of my Harmony Blossom Sect?"
Yingshu, as the oldest and the strongest, cautiously looked at him. "Fellow Daoist, we come from a small Xi Clan. We are headed toward the Harmony Blossom Sect. That token is the proof." He pointed at the token that sent out waves of pink light.
The man looked at us deeply and slowly took out some kind of mirror, shining its light on us. Its pink light was more intense than the gentle light of the token. "You're telling the truth, but where have I heard the Xi last name?"
As if thinking about a serious matter, he looked thoughtful and pondered. "Xi… Xi… Xi… Wait! Xi Li! Yes, that arrogant brat?" His voice was a little agitated and flustered as he spoke.
He looked around and said, "So where is he? He owes me a good drink. Back then, I calmed the sect." A sigh escaped his mouth, and he looked strongly at me, which made me uncomfortable.
Under his intense glare, Xi Shen could see the gears turning. He suddenly pointed at me. "Yes, yes, you should be their son. How haven't I seen it? You are a spitting image of her and that brat, Xi Li. The Sect Leader threw that token not expecting anything in return, but look, it drew in her son." A small smile appeared on the man's face.
Yingshu looked deeply and sighed. "And sir might be?" At that moment, Zhen Ning approached and continued, "As an elder, you must be well-known."
Laughter escaped his mouth as he still only stared at me. "Haha, I apologize. My name is Ji Tian, or some will call me Elder Ji." Stroking his small beard, he said this as if waiting for something.
Shocked expressions appeared on both of their faces as he mentioned his name. Yingshu quickly composed himself and said in awe, "Yin-Yang Palm, Ji Tian?"
A gleam appeared in Ji Tian's eyes as he proudly straightened his back and puffed his chest, still looking at Xi Shen. Who didn't know how to respond, so he just clasped his hands while in an awe-struck voice said, "It's an honor to meet you, elder."
A beam appeared in his eyes as if he were waiting for Xi Shen to say that. "Haha, good, good, very good. See, Xi Li, your son knows how to greet people. He's nothing like you…" A melancholy look replaced his pride as he probably reminisced.
However, it was soon replaced with happiness mixed with a tad bit of regret. "Zhu Fenfeng truly is your mother. From here, I feel your talent lies in Sword Dao. Your aura is sharp but also unpolished. Her aura was ferocious, even stronger than yours."
Elder Ji's eyes softened as he looked at me, a mixture of fondness and sadness in his gaze. "Your mother's presence was gentle, yet fierce. Her swordsmanship was unmatched, and her comprehension was the greatest this old man had seen. She passed her fire onto you, all you have to do is add the fuel."
He stroked his beard. "You were on your way in? Then let's not delay the examination. The sect already accepted the disciples a few years ago, but I'm sure the Sect Leader will make an exception."
Then they sped up toward the Harmony Blossom Sect. As they flew, he filled them with details, "Harmony Blossom Sect is in fifth place in the Zhao Dynasty Ranking. Our Founder, the Harmonic Flower Musician, has long since become Immortal. He became a legend ten thousand years ago, taking the cultivation world by storm."
Intrigue filled Xi Shen's heart. As a cultivation sect created by a musician sounded impossible. "Musician?" A strange look appeared in his eyes, and Elder Ji laughed at his question.
His expression turned serious. "Our Founder was truly laughed at, but he pioneered the cultivation of Music Arts. Before him, you would rarely see a cultivator specializing in the field of music, but everything changed when he came."
Awe could be heard in his words as his eyes shone with pride. "He traveled with a guzheng in hand, playing otherworldly music that healed the most severe wounds and defeated the strongest enemies. He also wielded a sword, though he didn't use it often. When he did, it was like a dance. That's why we reached out to your mother; she could have carried on his legacy, but alas…"
A sigh of regret escaped his mouth, adding a somber note to the otherwise proud recollection, "But she gave us you, so I guess that's also fine. Now, don't take the sect entrance exam lightly. It consists of three parts: Temperament, Courage, and lastly, Talent."
Yingshu looked at him strangely. "Should you even reveal that information?"
Elder Ji just coughed and continued. "You will enter two illusions that represent real-life worlds, and the third one is tested by placing your hand on the ancestor's guzheng. It's a complicated formation. Temperament is tested by Elder Zhong. In the test, it's determined whether you have enough temperament and determination to become a cultivator."
He looked at me with a strong gaze, "It's enough to reach the Qi Gathering stage in the illusion to pass."
As they neared the Harmony Blossom Sect, an ethereal pink barrier came into view, shimmering faintly in the sunlight. It encircled the entire sect's territory, casting a soft glow that seemed to pulse with the rhythm of nature itself.
Looking at the barrier, Elder Ji's eyes glittered as he quickened his speech, "The second time, in the illusion, the sect will be attacked by Demonic cultivators. You just have to die saving the sect. Remember, it's an illusion."
An ethereal sound filled the air, growing more pronounced as we approached. The scent of flowers filled the atmosphere, their fragrances intermingling and creating a heady, intoxicating aroma.
Lowering his voice to almost a whisper, "Third is simple, you just place your hand on the guzheng of our ancestor, and it will test your talent for cultivation."
As we descended closer, the faint hum of spiritual energy became more palpable, resonating with the natural beauty surrounding us. The trees were twenty meters in height, while their blossoms were a shade between red and pink.
Xi Shen couldn't help but marvel at the beauty, 'Harmony Blossom Sect sure knows how to impress people with appearance.'
Stopping before the barrier Elder Ji, turned around and said, "This is how far I'll go, I was sent on a mission to exterminate all Yaojings good thing we've met, I've repaid your father's kindness."