Above the source of Tao

In Xishanfang, Wangliang Town, in a not-so-luxurious restaurant, a beautiful girl with a hairpin in her hair looked at another graceful woman beside her, who was sitting cross-legged on a mat with her eyes closed, practicing martial arts. The girl held her chin with one hand, her eyebrows almost pressed together, and the other hand kept knocking on the table, as if she had encountered something troubling her.

The tall woman, pinching her fingers together, seemed to be affected by the subtle sound. The vital energy in her body unconsciously changed from entering her body in an orderly manner to more and more vital energy, which began to dissipate everywhere. Until finally, the large amount of vital energy in her body could not be brought into her body for cultivation by relying on the Qi-Inducing Technique, and her body began to tremble slightly unconsciously.

Chu Xiaoxiao slowly opened her eyes, coughed lightly, and then dispersed the rich vitality around her. She walked slowly from the mat to Lin Yuan'er's side with her light body, picked up the teapot on the table, poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and saw that Lin Yuan'er was always looking straight ahead, looking a little dazed and depressed.

Chu Xiaoxiao's face was solemn. She brushed her wrinkled dress, concentrated her mind and calmed her breath. She stretched out a hand, moved her face closer, put it in front of Lin Yuan'er, and shook it gently, as if trying to wake up the girl who was lost in thought.

After a few breaths, Lin Yuan'er still did not respond. Her hands kept moving and she pointed at the table with three fingers, as if she could not hear or see any movement. She just stood there in a daze, with no intention of cultivating her Yuan or practicing water magic.

He got Yuan Gu from Shanglin City, and met Shangyang Sect on the way to recruit disciples. After entering the sect, he shed his mortal identity, and the sect master personally accepted him as a disciple. It was nothing short of great luck. He rose to prominence all the way. As the only disciple of the sect master, and also with outstanding talent, no one in Shangyang Sect would say a bad word about such a disciple in the sect. Yihong even gave everything he had, extracting nearly half of the resources of the entire sect, just to cultivate disciples who could inherit his mantle with all his heart and soul. A large amount of cultivation resources were piled up in front of him, and Lin Yuaner didn't worry about not having cultivation resources. On the contrary, it was because of the master's preference that the other elders in the sect were complaining. They all felt that their disciples were also excellent enough and hoped that the head of the sect Yihong would treat them equally.

The entire Shangyang Sect favors this woman. A fifth-order Yuan Gathering Formation, named Qi Gathering Formation, is built in the mountains. It has been a long-standing one. Since the establishment of the sect, it has taken root in the depths of the sect's forbidden area along with Shangyang Zhenren. For the Hundred Sects Conference, Yihong specially sent Lin Yuaner into it several times a few years ago. Although the time spent there was not long each time, in just a few minutes, it was possible to see that Lin Yuaner's cultivation had skyrocketed.

Among the disciples of the same period, there were also many who entered the sect earlier than her. Most of them were lingering in the Condensation Realm, and their cultivation had never improved. However, Lin Yuan'er had no intention of practicing. She casually entered the realm a few times, finishing the process hastily. When her cultivation level was no longer acceptable, she took the initiative to leave the forbidden area.

Outsiders all thought that it was Lin Yuan'er who ended the matter hastily because she couldn't break through. But she knew in her heart that cultivation was as simple as breathing. After staying in the Ju Yuan Formation for just a few dozen days, she was able to break through to the solid state.

Yihong originally wanted her to stay in the forbidden area for some more time, but Lin Yuan'er refused and found a reason that was difficult to force. She said that she had just entered the Condensation Realm and needed to concentrate on polishing herself. It was obviously not appropriate for her to stay in an area with rich vitality.

Even so, it still cannot hide the fact that she is the one with the best talent and the best bone structure among all the disciples that Shangyang Sect has recruited in the mortal world in recent decades.

Even her former uncle-master did not have such a fast cultivation speed. If she could really focus all her attention on cultivation, she would have entered the Sea of ​​Transformation Realm long ago and become an elder of the sect without any major problems.

In recent years, Lin Yuan'er has always been in a trance and dazed. She has leaped from a mortal city to become a Taoist cultivator, just like a dragon leaping across the seas with a rising aura.

When you see too many things, you will inevitably feel annoyed.

Chu Xiaoxiao patted her shoulder gently and lamented, "Junior Sister Yuan'er, what are you thinking about?"

Lin Yuan'er woke up from her thoughts, fiddled with her dress, and asked in a panic, "Senior Sister Chu, you don't want to practice anymore?"

Chu Xiaoxiao could see clearly what she was thinking. Ever since she entered Wangliang Town, she vaguely heard from travelers that the secret realm had been opened long ago, and all the cultivators who entered it had left, except that no one had seen Yun Changan. She was very worried about her junior brother, and she had sent people to Huanshan City to inquire about the news a few days ago, but there has been no news so far.

Chu Xiaoxiao nodded, returned to her usual self, took Lin Yuan'er's hands, and said with a smile: "If your heart is unstable, no matter how much you practice, there will be no progress. But you, girl, keep knocking on the table, which makes me a little upset."

Lin Yuan'er blushed and apologized softly, "Senior Sister Chu, I didn't mean it. I'm just a little bored staying here. I've been here for many days and have never gone out. I'm too bored."

Chu Xiaoxiao looked at the slightly shy Lin Yuan'er and said with a smile: "The monks here all said that Wangliang Town was built very magnificently. Since I came here, I haven't had a good time. Why don't I go out for a walk?"

Lin Yuan'er's originally shy face became full of energy. If Master Xiyao and Elder Hu hadn't issued a strict order that no one could step out of the restaurant before the conference started, they would have wanted to see the world long ago.

The cultivators in Wangliang Town are complicated. Most of the sects that accepted the invitation have already arrived here. Xiyao and others, as elders who lead the disciples in the sect, naturally have to consider many things. In order to avoid conflicts with others and get into trouble, they issued this death order.

As soon as they entered the town, they met two sects from the Jinyuan Domain. Before they entered the town, a conflict broke out at the south gate, which was responsible for checking the invitation letters to enter the town. The two sects, which were incompatible with each other, were also considered to be among the most powerful forces in the Jinyuan Domain. But even so, they were still captured on the spot by the town's patrol guards, their invitation letters were taken away, and they were sent back to where they came from.

Lin Yuan'er's eyes sparkled with worry. "This is not good. After all, Master Xiyao and the Great Elder have already issued a death order. If I sneak out and get caught, I'll be scolded."

Chu Xiaoxiao sat in front of Lin Yuaner, silent for a moment, and looked at each other. After hearing what Lin Yuaner said, she frowned and came up with a plan.

“Never mind him. Let’s deal with it once we’re discovered. It’s easy to find an excuse. At worst I can just tell Master that I got some news about my junior fellow apprentice and went to check it out.” Chu Xiaoxiao immediately pushed the responsibility onto Yun Changan.

Lin Yuan'er echoed a few words, and when she thought of this, she became very angry and said arrogantly, "That's right, he has been gone for such a long time, and there is no news at all. He should be punished."

They hit it off immediately. Chu Xiaoxiao tiptoed to the door, opened it a little, looked at the corridor outside the restaurant, and found that there was no one there. She waved to Lin Yuan'er behind her and left the room without looking back.

Lin Yuan'er, the proud daughter of Shangyang Sect, was wearing a light yellow dress that swayed slowly in the breeze. Chu Xiaoxiao was obviously half a head taller than her, and her appearance was also outstanding. There was a small red mole between her eyebrows, which gradually became prominent after she finished her earthly affairs. The two of them walked in the crowded town, feeling a little cramped.

The cultivators who came down from the mountains are not as good as the cultivators who enter the world. They live in a mountain range, practicing day and night. The people they meet are all their fellow disciples. It is rare to see outside cultivators, let alone cultivators from many different forces in the five domains. Compared with these, they do have a more shy feeling of being ignorant of worldly affairs.

But compared to these worldly monks, they were naturally more aloof and cold. They walked out of the restaurant in Xishanfang and strolled along the streets. The scenes they saw were some of the customs they had never seen before.

Although Guitian Domain is not a place where many forces are intertwined, it has four continents and four cities in one domain. Each continent covers a very vast area. Cangtan Plain is the largest highland plain in the north of Guitian Domain, with dense forests. Many Yuan Beasts gather here. Deep in the forest, there is an uninhabited gathering place for many Yuan Beasts that cannot be explored. It is in charge of the entire plain, and no cultivator dares to sneak into the depths of the forest alone.

The commercial horse road located on the edge was also built to avoid this hinterland and go straight to the Wuyuan area.

Compared to cities, cultivators from the two northern regions prefer to practice in the deep forests, and Chu Xiaoxiao and her companions are no exception.

------

Yun Chang'an and the other two watched Lin Chong leave in silence, especially Qiu Shui. As the saint of the Holy Spirit Sect and a native of Liuli Continent, she naturally knew the reputation of the Duke. He was an awe-inspiring existence.

Duke Lin Chong once single-handedly pacified the border town of Fenghuazhou. After a conflict between the seven Yu servants and the soldiers guarding the border town and the Confucian sages of Jiangyang Territory, they firmly recovered the six border cities to Fenghuazhou. Who in Xinyang Territory does not know the title of the Duke?

Looking at the silent young man, Qiu Shui felt a little pity and anger in his heart. It was true to say that he was a fool. A discerning person who understood things could see at a glance what the white jade token given to him represented. Even if it was not what she thought, it was for the status of Duke of Xinyang Domain and to have a successor. Just by simply making friends with him, it was already the glory of the ancestors descending upon him. However, Yun Chang'an did not seek such an opportunity, but pushed it away instead?

In recent years, Qiu Shui has heard some things. The current Duke is about to die. He has lived for nearly a thousand years. Even if he has excellent bones, as long as he does not break the mirror and return to oneness, his life span will not exceed 1,300 years at most. To be favored by the Duke who continues to have successors is tantamount to being in the Duke's eyes. Unfortunately, in Qiu Shui's eyes, Yun Changan did not accept it and rejected this opportunity. If she had this fate, she would definitely not refuse it flatly, which made her feel sorry.

On the other hand, Yun Changan was silent, not because he was upset about what happened just now, but because he was thinking that the conference was about to start, so he went to the town to see if any of his sect members had come.

Yun Chang'an looked at Qiu Shui's face on the surface, but in fact his mind was not on her at all. He was thinking about whether to leave now or wait a little longer. The sun was dazzling at noon, and although it was winter, it was still a little hot. Perhaps it was because as a cultivator, the vital energy in his body was circulating, bringing him a righteous and vigorous look.

However, Yun Changan finally felt that there was no time to lose, so he stood up and left. "I have something else to do, so I have to go out. Senior Lin has already left, so you two can do whatever you want."

Qiuyue was stunned. The scene that just happened was like a dream, especially unreal. Yun Changan actually rejected the token and regarded it as something that could be discarded? He also explicitly rejected it twice. Suddenly, she became curious. She said hello to her sister and immediately fled from here. She caught up with Yun Changan who had already walked out of the tavern. She was full of admiration. You know, ordinary people can't see the Duke in their lifetime. He actually knew the Duke and rejected the Duke's request.

It was really incomprehensible. Following Yun Chang'an, he kept talking and asking questions all the time.

Yun Changan didn't think there was anything wrong with doing this, but it was just too noisy in his ears. He stopped and stood facing Qiuyue. Qiuyue was like a tireless hummingbird, chirping non-stop in his ears. Seeing Yun Changan stop, she stared at him blankly, with a desire for knowledge flashing in her eyes. After seeing his gaze, she stopped talking and raised her head slightly, hoping that he could talk to her about these ideas.

I really couldn't understand why this little girl would have so many strange questions. I just showed an impatient look and said, "If you really want to follow me, shut up."

Qiuyue pouted, looking reluctant, "What? I think you are a fool. You are unwilling to accept such a precious gift from the Duke. I really don't understand what's in your head? Everyone loves money, status and identity. Even who will be the owner of a mountain pond will fight to the death, not to mention being able to enter and leave Mindi City freely. You should know that the token is a priceless treasure. The Duke is generous and values ​​you. He wants to cultivate you with his heart, but you don't appreciate it. You really don't know what's good for you."