Chapter Fifteen: The Sect of Leisurely Wanderers

“Senior Brother, are you sure that only a few people are interested in witnessing the Battle of Taiyi Mountain?”

After wandering aimlessly around the vicinity of South Mountain for two days, life and entertainment had become scarce and dull, with nothing particularly enjoyable to do. As for food and drink, it was merely a matter of not going hungry. Zhou Qing, feeling helpless, had no choice but to return to the tavern to cultivate.

Three days later, Zhou Qing followed Senior Brother Chisongzi as they rode horses deeper into South Mountain toward Taiyi Mountain. The broad yet uneven mountain paths saw few passersby. Their coarse hemp cloth garments clearly marked their identities.

With keen spiritual perception, Zhou Qing noticed that among the few travelers they encountered, many possessed considerable cultivation. At least five or six were at the innate realm of wholeness, differing somewhat from Chisongzi’s earlier claim that only a few people would come.

“There are indeed many experts appearing, but as far as I know, there are no major incidents in the jianghu at present. The feudal states each have their own troubles, and the various schools of thought are rapidly developing,” Chisongzi said.

“Moreover, judging by their targets, it’s not us. So there’s no need for concern!”

Sensing the situation as well, Chisongzi took a moment to carefully observe again. After a dozen breaths, he shook his head slightly—their group was not the focus.

Despite this, Zhou Qing exchanged a glance with Zong Quan and the others but said no more, quietly riding on toward the Viewing Platform of Taiyi Mountain.

******

They had left the tavern at the early morning hour, and after nearly two hours of travel, as the mid-morning hour was nearing its end, Chisongzi led Zhou Qing and two others onto a secluded path, proceeding on foot.

The Viewing Platform of Taiyi Mountain was perched atop a perilous peak deep within South Mountain, surrounded by sheer cliffs with no roads leading up. The only way to reach it was by relying on lightness skills to climb. Chisongzi went ahead, Zhou Qing followed behind, with Zong Quan and Zong Qiong close at their heels.

Harnessing their internal energy to ride the wind, Chisongzi’s aerial technique was ethereal and swift, stepping once to instantly appear atop the peak. Zong Quan and Zong Qiong advanced more slowly, stepping on branches, deadwood, and bamboo leaves, taking nearly half an hour more to reach the summit.

At last, the space suddenly opened before them, streams of light flickering as Chisongzi and his companions arrived at the perimeter of the Viewing Platform.

It was a treacherous peak, surrounded entirely by precipitous cliffs. They stood about a hundred meters away from the platform on a neighboring peak, watching from a distance. On the opposite peak, figures flickered in the mist.

The Viewing Platform itself was vast, spanning over a hundred square meters, its surface swept clean by sword qi, creating a magnificent spectacle. Clouds and mist swirled around, beast cries echoed faintly, the heavens and earth blended into a vast, serene expanse—quiet, remote, and timeless.

******

“They have arrived!”

From across the void, the Taoist sect of the Ren Clan stood on the opposite peak, scanning the area. Only five of them were present. Their gazes met, hands clasped in salutation. Then Chisongzi grabbed Zong Qiong’s hand and leapt across the hundred-meter gap, landing on the Viewing Platform.

Zong Quan was caught by Zhou Qing, who used the wind to glide effortlessly onto the platform. Meanwhile, the five from the Ren Clan also hurried forward to gather there.

“Hahaha, Junior Brother Chisong, long time no see! How have you been these past five years?”

On the sprawling Viewing Platform, only five people now stood. Crossing such a distance without innate realm cultivation was impossible.

Among the five from the Taoist Ren Clan, the leader was an elderly man with white hair and beard. Behind him stood four disciples—two youths and two adolescents. The youths had already broken into the innate realm, while the adolescents were still in the Qi Refining stage.

Clad in six-foot-long violet silk robes, styled like the ancient Dongxuan methods with blue linings and flowing sleeves, wearing a flying azure skirt and a lotus crown, the elder exuded an aura of serene contentment. A subtle and profound power radiated from him. Zhou Qing regarded him with reverence as a true master.

“Senior Brother Mushan, I hope you have been well!”

Chisongzi greeted him with a Taoist bow, his face bright with joy. Although the Heaven Sect and Ren Clan had agreed to a five-year duel to determine the fate of Xue Ji, the event had evolved into a chance for mutual exchange of Daoist teachings.

“This is your disciple? Such a remarkable talent, already reaching innate perfection and not far from the realm of transformation. It seems the Heaven Sect has heirs worthy of note!”

The two spoke loudly but without hostility. Then the Ren Clan’s leader, Mushan, fixed his gaze on Zhou Qing. It was the child who had grabbed the young disciple’s hand while leaping across the void.

At barely six years old, yet possessing such strength, Mushan was truly astonished. Upon closer examination, Zhou Qing’s foundation was solid and genuine, not the result of external assistance, making it all the more rare.

“Hahaha, Senior Brother Mushan, you flatter me. He is not my disciple but one taken in by our master during his travels six years ago. A promising talent indeed. Xuanqing, come greet Senior Brother Mushan!”

At this, Chisongzi shook his head with a smile, then turned to Zhou Qing, nodding while introducing him to Mushan.

Upon hearing this, Mushan and the others were filled with surprise. Such an extraordinary individual was the direct disciple of Senior Brother Beiming. No wonder, and no wonder that Senior Brother Beiming had such confidence.

******

“Xuanqing greets Senior Brother Mushan!”

Zhou Qing stepped forward with a slight smile and a bow.

“Zong Quan greets Senior Uncle Mushan!”

“Zong Qiong greets Senior Uncle Mushan!”

Without hesitation, Zong Quan and Zong Qiong followed with their bows.

“I did not expect you to be Senior Brother Beiming’s disciple. No wonder you are so dazzling. It has been decades since Senior Brother Beiming accepted disciples; Xuanqing Junior Brother is indeed fortunate.”

“Mengyao, Muxu, you should also come forward quickly to greet Senior Brother Chisong and Junior Brother Xuanqing, as well as these two companions!”

Mushan sighed softly, a faint shadow passing through his eyes. At just six years old, to possess such cultivation indicated deep Daoist insight. When he matures, he may well become another Senior Brother Beiming.

In contrast, the Ren Clan’s ranks held some talents but no pure gems. Mushan waved his hand toward the four behind him, and the two youths and two adolescents stepped forward to bow.

“Senior Brother Chisong, recently a scroll has been circulating within the Seven Kingdoms, an intriguing text titled ‘Creation of Heaven and Earth,’ containing references to primordial lords such as the Celestial Emperor and Pangu the True Man. Though fictional, it is quite fascinating.”

“Upon inquiry, it was said to have originated from the Heaven Sect and attributed to the famed Xuanqingzi. Could it be related to Junior Brother Xuanqing here?”

Among the two youths behind Mushan, the one standing closest in pale grey Taoist robes, handsome and proper in his salutation, suddenly recalled something. He glanced toward Zhou Qing as he spoke.

This Junior Brother was named Xuanqing, and in Taoism, each name is unique. Could this be connected to the young child? Yet at only five or six years old, even with innate perfection, it was unlikely he authored such a scroll.

The mystery lingered as the mountain winds whispered through the clouds.