Attending the meeting
Time passed, and the date for the Qishan Wen Clan's intellectual discussion meeting drew near. Preparations for the trip began at Lotus Pier, and the most reassuring news was Jiang Cheng's condition.
After three months of meticulous treatment by Xie Linyang, supplemented by the tempering of the cold pool and the aid of calming incense, the stubborn resentment of the Water Abyss within Jiang Cheng's body had been largely eliminated. After the final acupuncture treatment, Xie Linyang carefully examined his meridians, confirming that the lingering cold and sluggish sensation had completely dissipated, leaving only a few minor injuries that required time to heal.
"Congratulations, Brother Wanyin, the resentment in your body has been basically cleared away." Xie Linyang withdrew the silver needles, a light and sincere smile on his face. "Afterwards, you only need to cultivate step by step to consolidate your foundation. In less than a month, you will be back to normal. In fact, because of this experience, your spiritual energy circulation may become even purer."
Jiang Cheng felt a long-lost sense of ease and lightness within his body, and the tension in his heart finally eased. He looked at Xie Linyang, his gaze complex, containing obvious gratitude, and something deeper that even he himself was not fully aware of. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he simply clasped his hands in a solemn salute: "Great kindness needs no words of thanks."
Xie Linyang stepped aside and smiled, "It's my duty, Brother Wanyin, you don't need to worry about it."
The news spread, and everyone in Lotus Pier breathed a sigh of relief. Wei Wuxian even hooked his arm around Jiang Cheng's neck and said with a grin, "Finally! I knew it! Our Young Master Jiang is blessed with good fortune. What's a mere Water Abyss compared to that! At this discussion meeting, we'll definitely show those guys the might of our Yunmeng Duo!"
Jiang Cheng shrugged him off in annoyance, but a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips, and the sharpness and brilliance of youth rekindled in his eyes.
On the day of departure, Lotus Pier was quite lively. Several disciples were already packed and ready to go. Jiang Yanli carefully checked the luggage to ensure that everything was complete. Wei Wuxian weaved through the crowd, occasionally exchanging a few words of laughter and banter with his familiar junior brothers, creating a relaxed and lively atmosphere.
Jiang Fengmian personally came to the dock to see him off. Looking at the spirited Jiang Cheng, he felt a sense of relief in his eyes and said gently, "The journey to Qishan is long. Be careful in everything you do, observe and listen carefully, and do not be reckless." He then looked at Wei Wuxian, "A-Xian, take good care of A-Cheng and A-Li."
"Don't worry, Uncle Jiang! I've got it covered!" Wei Wuxian patted his chest and assured him.
Finally, Jiang Fengmian's gaze fell on Xie Linyang, and his tone became even gentler and more solemn: "Miss Xie, I will have to trouble you to take good care of them on this trip."
"Sect Leader Jiang, rest assured, Lin Yang will do his best." Xie Lin Yang nodded in agreement.
Just as the ship was about to set sail, a purple figure appeared at the end of the dock's corridor. Yu Ziyuan walked slowly towards them, still possessing that elegant and aloof demeanor. The laughter and chatter of the crowd involuntarily subsided.
Her gaze first swept over Jiang Cheng, lingering for a moment on his noticeably improved complexion, before shifting to Jiang Yanli. Her tone was calm yet carried an undeniable concern: "Qishan is not like Yunmeng; the climate is dry, and it's chilly in the mornings and evenings. Remember to wear warm clothes." She then looked at Jiang Cheng, her tone becoming more stern, "At the discussion meeting, be careful with your words and actions, lest you tarnish the reputation of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan. If any petty people provoke you, don't hesitate to take action when necessary; the family will take responsibility for you."
Finally, her gaze swept quickly over Wei Wuxian and Xie Linyang without lingering or saying much, only saying lightly, "Go and come back soon."
After saying that, she looked away from everyone, turned and left, her purple robes drawing a resolute arc in the morning breeze before disappearing into the depths of the corridor.
A moment of silence fell over the dock. Jiang Cheng gazed in the direction his mother had left, clenched his fist, his eyes swirling with emotions that ultimately coalesced into a barely audible sigh.
Jiang Fengmian watched his wife's departing figure with a deep gaze, and finally just waved to the crowd: "Go."
The ship slowly sailed away from the dock, and the outline of Lotus Dock gradually blurred in the morning mist.
Xie Linyang stood slightly behind him, looking at the vast river in front of him, and knew in his heart that the trip to Qishan would probably not be just a simple gathering for intellectual discussions.
The Wen Clan's ever-growing ambition and the undercurrents among the various immortal sects foreshadow a journey fraught with uncertainty. She, as a guest elder of Gusu and Yunmeng, will officially step into this complex and chaotic world of immortals.
After three days and nights of sailing, when we entered the territory of Qishan, the air was filled with a lingering dryness, and even the wind carried a fierce heat.
The Wen clan's welcoming disciples stood like wooden stakes on both sides of the mountain path. Their fiery red robes blazed like the blazing sun, yet their eyes held undisguised arrogance as they scrutinized each arriving cultivator. Seeing Yunmeng's ship dock, the leader didn't even fully lift his eyelids, merely raising his chin and speaking in a stiff tone as if ordering a servant: "Yunmeng Jiang clan? Follow me, the meeting place is on the mountain platform ahead."
Wei Wuxian crossed his arms, leaned closer to Jiang Cheng, lowered his voice, and smiled with a mixture of amusement and disdain: "Tsk tsk, look at this setup, these eyes. Anyone who didn't know better would think we're here to pay tribute, not to participate in a philosophical discussion."
Jiang Cheng's expression was calm as still water, but his gaze was as sharp as a hawk's, already scanning the faint, powerful spiritual energy fluctuations of the restriction patterns on the stone walls on both sides of the mountain path. He silently placed his right hand on the hilt of the Three Poisons Sword, his knuckles applying slight pressure.
The vast hillside was already teeming with people, the noise tinged with a sense of oppression. The Wen family had erected a thick, black tent that blocked out the sky, like an ominous dark cloud hanging over everyone's heads.
The tent was divided into seats for each family, clearly defined, as if drawing an invisible line. The highest platform at the front was empty, except for a large chair covered with dazzling gold-threaded cushions, its blatant "I am the only one who matters" attitude chillingly obvious. Xie Linyang had just stood with the Jiang family and hadn't even had a chance to take a good look at his surroundings when he heard a familiar, tearful "Oh dear!" from behind him.
Nie Huaisang had a bitter face, and he forgot to wave the folding fan that he usually used to show off his elegance. He rushed over as if he had found a savior: "Brother Jiang! Brother Wei! Miss Xie! You've finally come!"
His long, lake-green robe had dust on the cuffs, but he didn't bother to brush it off. He lowered his voice and complained to his companions like a wronged child: "The Wen family is so mean! We arrived yesterday, and they didn't even offer us a decent cup of hot tea. The lodgings are shabby, and we have to tidy them up ourselves! Look over there—"
He subtly pointed with his fan to the lone old locust tree on the left, a place that seemed to be its own quiet and secluded world. "Brother Lan and Second Brother Lan have been standing there for ages, without even a decent place to sit! Judging from Second Young Master Lan's expression, his lips are pursed tightly; he must be furious inside!"
Wei Wuxian looked in the direction indicated and, sure enough, saw the Lan brothers standing side by side. Lan Xichen was still dressed in pristine white, his face gentle and refined, but his usually smiling eyes were now deeper than usual, seemingly casually scanning the entire scene, taking in the Wen clan's arrogance and the other clans' hidden forbearance. Beside him, Lan Wangji exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay, his Bichen sword silently sheathed on his back, as if it would be drawn at any moment to shatter the suffocating atmosphere. Wei Wuxian's face instantly lit up with a bright smile, and he greeted them loudly without hesitation: "Zewu-jun! Lan Zhan! What a coincidence, we meet again!"
Lan Xichen turned his head at the sound, a gentle smile naturally curving his lips, like a spring breeze dispelling the stagnation in the air: "Young Master Wei, Young Master Jiang, how have you been?" His gaze then fell on Xie Linyang, his smile deepening, "Miss Xie, you must have had a long journey." Xie Linyang met his warm gaze and returned the greeting with a slight smile: "Zewu-jun, are you well?"
When Wei Wuxian uttered "Lan Zhan," Lan Wangji's fingertips on the sword hilt twitched almost imperceptibly. Something seemed to gently scratch his heart, causing a very subtle ripple. However, his face remained calm and composed, as cold and aloof as a jade carving.
Following etiquette, he first looked at Jiang Cheng, the young master, and nodded slightly as a greeting. However, when his gaze inadvertently swept over Jiang Cheng's wrist, which was previously covered in bruises due to resentment, he paused for a fleeting moment, almost imperceptibly.
The place is now spotless, with only a healthy complexion remaining, clearly the resentment has been dispelled, and it has been restored very well.
Seeing his expression, Wei Wuxian's playful nature was aroused. He took a few steps closer to Lan Wangji and asked with a grin, "Lan Zhan, it's been months, why are you still so cold? Weren't you bored enough being locked up in Cloud Recesses? Now you've come to Qishan to see the Wen Clan's attitude. Isn't that even more boring?"
Lan Wangji frowned slightly, turned aside to avoid getting too close, and said in a cold and indifferent voice, "Boring."
"Hey, what's wrong? Are you bored?" Wei Wuxian persisted, wanting to say more, but was silenced by a warning glare from Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng stepped forward and said to Lan Xichen in a serious tone, "Zewu-jun, it seems that the Wen clan was well-prepared for this discussion." He glanced meaningfully at the surrounding arrangements and the faintly flowing restrictive spiritual energy.
Lan Xichen nodded slightly, his voice gentle yet tinged with seriousness: "Observe the situation calmly and be cautious in your words and actions." He said this to Jiang Cheng, while his gaze also swept over the eager Wei Wuxian and the nervous Nie Huaisang.
Nie Huaisang quickly covered half of his face with his fan and whispered in agreement, "Brother Lan is right, we should be careful, be careful!"
Just then, a series of clear, melodious tinkling sounds came from the other side, breaking the slightly tense atmosphere. Jin Zixuan, dressed in an incomparably luxurious golden-sparkled robe, walked in leisurely, surrounded by a group of disciples and servants. The maids following behind him carried exquisitely gilded food boxes, clearly having just finished breakfast. Their relaxed demeanor contrasted sharply with the many weary cultivators present.
Jiang Yanli, who was quietly tidying her belongings with her head down, suddenly froze when she heard that familiar yet unsettling sound. She instinctively wanted to hide behind her younger brother, Jiang Cheng, as if that would shield her from that unsettling gaze.
Xie Linyang stood beside Jiang Yanli, keenly noticing her sudden stiffness and pallor. She knew that Jiang Yanli and the young master of the Jin family had been betrothed since childhood, but after witnessing the behavior of some members of the Jin family in Suzhou and Jin Zixuan's seemingly reserved yet arrogant attitude, she couldn't feel any goodwill towards this betrothal or this young master Jin. She had already vaguely concluded that he was not a suitable match for Jiang Yanli.
Jin Zixuan's gaze swept casually over everyone present, as if surveying his own territory. When his gaze passed over Jiang Yanli, who was looking down and wishing she could shrink into a ball, it didn't linger at all, as if he saw her as an insignificant stranger who wasn't even worth a second glance, completely ignoring the awkward engagement between the two.
"This peacock is so annoying!" Wei Wuxian mocked.
After the dazzling golden figures walked away arrogantly, Jiang Yanli slowly raised her head. She blinked quickly, forced a smile, and said in a voice so soft it was almost blown away by the mountain wind, "N-nothing...we...we'll go sit at those seats over there." She subconsciously twisted the silk handkerchief in her hand so hard that the soft corners were almost crushed by her fingertips, revealing her inner grievances and embarrassment.
Xie Linyang sighed inwardly, silently reaching out to gently touch her cold, trembling hand, handing her a water pouch he had just taken from his bag, his voice unusually gentle: "Ali, drink some water and calm yourself down. Qishan is windy and dry; moistening your throat will make you feel better."
Jiang Yanli took the water pouch, still warm from his body, as if grasping a piece of driftwood. The violent trembling in her fingertips slowly subsided. She looked at Xie Linyang gratefully, her eyes glistening with tears.
However, their subtle movements, along with Xie Linyang's unique demeanor, had already attracted the attention of some people around them. Whispers buzzed like mosquitoes on a summer night. Several young men from smaller families huddled together, their eyes occasionally glancing curiously at the woman in blue standing among the Jiang family members.
"Who is that young lady? She doesn't look like a member of the Jiang family; her appearance and demeanor are both extraordinary..."
"I heard his surname is Xie, and his given name is Lin Yang. He is said to be a disciple of Baoshan Sanren, and now he holds the title of guest elder in both the Lan and Jiang clans!"
"A disciple of Baoshan Sanren? Really? That's a legendary figure..."
"Judging from her familiarity with Zewu-jun and Young Master Jiang, her identity is probably not simple..."
The murmurs drifted over, but Xie Linyang seemed oblivious. Her gaze returned to the white figure beneath the old locust tree, and to her companions—a diverse group brought together by chance—and she had a clearer understanding of the "grand gathering of philosophical discussions" that was about to begin. A storm was brewing, and the winds were already howling.
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