Chapter 52: Qian Qiongyan The warm person in his arms has been plundered away...
It was ten days later that Chen Mu and Gu Congxing arrived at the territory of Mingnan Continent.
Zhongyuzhou and Mingnanzhou are quite far apart. As soon as we arrived at Fuyushan Mountain where Jiang Clan was located, we saw Jiang Clan disciples wearing green Taoist robes waiting at the foot of the mountain.
"Zhuoguang Sword Master, Fellow Daoist Gu, please follow me."
The two young men's eyes lit up when they saw Chen Mu, but they didn't dare to get too close. They just took a cautious step forward and turned around to lead the way for the two.
Seeing them like this, Gu Congxing couldn't help but shift his gaze to his master.
Shen Mu, with silver hair and white clothes, had a cold expression and indifferent eyes. He indeed had a temperament that kept people at a distance.
But the embrace of such a person is full of warmth, making people reluctant to leave.
Thinking of this, Gu Congxing shook his head and drove those strange thoughts out of his mind.
"We're here."
The disciple leading the way said this as he brought the two of them to a transformation formation.
“Swish——”
The light of the formation lit up, and the scene in front of Gu Congxing's eyes spun rapidly. After a moment, the originally ordinary mountain scenery disappeared, replaced by an endlessly beautiful and magnificent scenery.
The distant river was shrouded in mist, and five sacred peaks were floating in a staggered manner. On them were rows of pavilions, and dozens of small peaks were surrounding them in the sky.
The cranes flew across the blue sky, leaving behind their long cries.
Gu Congxing looked carefully and found that beneath those spiritual peaks in the sky were three high-level formations, which were emitting endless bright light.
"The Jiang family's formation is indeed worthy of being called the Five Continents' Wonderful Art. It is truly mysterious." Gu Congxing exclaimed in admiration, "I wonder how Master's formation compares to it?"
He had asked casually, but unexpectedly, Chen Mu immediately replied: "What I learned came from Jiang's school, so naturally it is not as good as theirs."
"From the Jiang family..."
"Ah! Uncle Shen, Fellow Daoist Gu!"
A cheerful shout interrupted Gu Congxing's question. The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw Jiang Li coming on a sword.
She was still wearing a peach pink long dress, and a gentle smile appeared on her beautiful face.
"Sorry for the long wait, I'll take you to Kefeng now..."
"Wait a minute." Gu Congxing frowned and asked, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, what did you just call Master?"
"Uncle Master."
Jiang Li blinked, then turned his gaze to Chen Mu's calm face and said to Gu Congxing, "Fellow Daoist Gu, don't you know? Zhuoguang Sword Master is originally a member of the Jiang clan."
Gu Congxing: ???
He turned to Chen Mu with a confused look, seeking confirmation, only to see him nod calmly: "Indeed."
Gu Congxing raised his eyebrows in surprise.
No wonder the master, who always dislikes crowded places, would come to attend the Qianqiong Banquet.
But, isn’t Master’s last name Shen?
He suppressed the doubt in his mind and followed Jiang Li to a sacred peak on the east side.
This place is not close to the five main peaks, but floats beside a waterfall, away from the hustle and bustle of the sect.
The peak is covered with spiritual plants, which have grown wildly because no human beings have been there for a long time. There is a pavilion in the middle of it, which has accumulated some dust.
"Then Uncle Master and Fellow Daoist Gu should get some rest early. We'll see you tomorrow."
Watching the light figure go away, Gu Congxing activated a protective formation, but saw that Chen Mu had already used a dust removal technique and walked towards the pavilion.
"Master."
Gu Congxing quickly followed behind him, looked around, paused and said, "Could it be that this is the former residence of our master?" Otherwise, it would be a bit unreasonable to let Sword Master live in this remote and old sacred peak.
Chen Mu nodded silently.
His eyes swept over the furnishings in the room, but nothing was reflected in his ice-blue pupils.
Gu Congxing observed his expression silently, but did not find any nostalgia or joy as she had expected, only the same silence as before.
"...Master, when did you leave the Jiang family?"
Chen Mu picked up a wooden sword from the wooden rack, his eyes moved, and replied: "It should have been several decades."
That was before I was born.
Although Gu Congxing already knew that monks lived long lives, he now had a clearer understanding.
Chen Mu added: "Although I am a member of the Jiang clan, I am not like them. Nowadays, not many people in the Jiang clan know about this matter."
Gu Congxing watched him caressing the wooden sword in his hand and couldn't help but want to ask again: Then why didn't Master take the surname Jiang? And why didn't he tell others about his family background?
...I'm afraid the trick is not pleasant.
Gu Congxing's thoughts were racing, and he wanted to leave, but he heard Chen Mu suddenly speak.
"There is a spiritual spring in this peak, drawn from the top of Fuyu Mountain. It is good for strengthening the body. You can try it."
Gu Congxing raised his eyebrows: "Yes, Master."
He returned to the small building where he lived, meditated for a while, and saw that it was already dusk outside the window.
Gu Congxing looked at the main building, where lights were still on.
This being said, this was the first time he had been alone with his master for such a long time since he joined the Sword Sect.
After all, there is a difference between master and disciple. When he gets along with Shen Mu, it is difficult for him to be as carefree as he is with Zhong Ming and Lan Jue. He still cannot let go completely.
However, for Master, it is probably no different from before.
Thinking this, he set off towards the spiritual spring behind the house.
Mingnan Continent is warm and humid to begin with, and the place where the sacred peak is located is even more humid. Before even reaching the sacred spring, the surroundings are already filled with wisps of mist.
Gu Congxing, wearing only an inner garment, walked towards the area where the fog was thickest.
Maybe the eldest brother would like this place very much.
His mind was empty, and when he saw a glimmer of water, he slowly walked into it.
Warm and clear spiritual springs came from all directions. Gu Congxing felt warmth flowing into every part of his body, and his whole body felt very comfortable.
It is really a treasure land.
“Wow—”
The sound of water slowly came, Gu Congxing squinted his eyes, but suddenly saw a silver light.
That's... long silver hair? !
“Wow!”
Gu Congxing suddenly stood up, released his spiritual power to disperse the mist, and looked at the figure at the other end of the spiritual spring with wide eyes.
He was immersed in the water, his long silver hair sticking to his skin, winding over his well-defined shoulders and neck, and sinking into the spring.
Hearing the noise behind him, Shen Mu turned sideways and stood up from the water.
The waterline slides down along the tight waistline, and a clear groove on the back flashes by, connecting to the sturdy waist.
"From the stars."
There was no surprise in his voice, and it was obvious that he had already sensed Gu Congxing's arrival.
"Master?!"
Gu Congxing's face flushed red. For a moment he didn't know where to look. He just called out in a low voice and quickly retreated to the shore.
"This... I'm sorry, Master. I didn't notice there was someone in the spring just now."
Chen Mu took a step forward, as if he wanted to say something else, but Gu Congxing had already rushed out with his clothes in his hands.
"Master! Then I'll go back first!"
“…”
Chen Mu watched his figure go away silently, and disappeared in an instant.
He blinked and looked towards the water.
——The person reflected in the cold spring had silver hair and blue eyes, which were not the ordinary black hair and black eyes. It seemed as if it was made of ice and snow.
It makes it difficult to feel close to them.
“Wow—”
Ice-blue spiritual energy covered it, disrupting the reflection in the water and restoring the spiritual spring to its original coldness.
There was no mist in this spiritual spring.
***
The next day, Gu Congxing took a deep breath on the bed, sorted his clothes and went out.
The scene of encountering his master in the cold spring yesterday kept appearing in his mind, forcing him to circulate his spiritual power and silently recite the exercises to stop thinking about those scenes.
Master usually wore loose clothes with long sleeves, revealing only his neck and wrists. This was the first time he saw Master's body.
As expected of the Sword Master, he has an extraordinary physique. Every inch of his muscles is just right, slender, tight, and well-proportioned, like a fine bowstring.
No, that's not right! Forget it!
Gu Congxing shook his head again, breaking up the picture.
"From the stars."
Chen Mu had arrived here without knowing when. He moved his clothes slightly and put his hand on Gu Congxing's cheek.
"Why is your face red? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No! It's okay!"
Gu Congxing immediately raised his voice and said, "I'm just... a little uncomfortable here for the first time, but it's not a big deal. It will be fine after a while."
"Master, the time has come. We should also set off for the banquet."
Shen Mu withdrew his hand and nodded slightly.
Without waiting for the disciple to lead the way, Chen Mu summoned the Zhuoguang Sword, looked back at Gu Congxing, and flew forward on the sword.
Gu Congxing immediately followed him and went with him to the largest sacred peak in Fuyu Mountain.
"Uncle Master, Fellow Daoist Gu."
As soon as the two landed, Jiang Li came up to them and led them to the high seat.
"There are no taboos at the Qianqiong Banquet. Fellow Taoists, you can sit and discuss scriptures and Taoism, and you can fight and exchange martial arts. As long as you don't hurt others, it's fine."
Although she said this, Jiang Li was mainly introducing him to Gu Congxing, and her eyes were filled with only respect and admiration when she looked at Chen Mu.
"Uncle Master, your presence is the greatest blessing for Qianqiongyan."
Chen Mu raised his eyes to look at her and said calmly, "No need to be so polite."
However, after just a moment, people from other sects looked over here and exclaimed in surprise, "Zhuoguang Sword Master is here too." Then a circle of eyes came over, all focused on Shen Mu and Gu Congxing.
"Zhuoguang Sword Master has actually come out of seclusion?"
"I've long heard of you. You truly are an immortal..."
"Is that young man next to him Gu Congxing, who topped the Immortal Sect Competition? I heard he's the second disciple of Sword Master..."
"As expected of Master Zhuoguang, he has such an immortal aura."
There were constant whispers around, and soon a few brave monks came here with burning eyes.
But when they were several feet away from Chen Mu, they did not dare to get any closer and only asked earnestly: "Sword Master, may I ask you for the sword spirit?"
Shen Mu looked around, but still saw nothing, only an icy blue.
"Can."
After hearing his affirmation, the eyes of those monks lit up, and other monks responded.
Soon, dozens of cultivators were densely surrounding them, and there were more than just sword cultivators.
"call……"
Gu Congxing escaped in time and squeezed out of the circle.
No wonder Master usually doesn't like to go out of the mountains, let alone go to crowded places. It turns out that he would encounter such a situation.
He wanted to retreat to the edge silently, but unexpectedly he heard a familiar call as soon as he moved.
"Yo! From the stars!"
Gu Congxing looked back and saw that the person coming was Yao Qi from the Gan Yang School.
He held two cups of spiritual fruit wine and leaned towards Gu Congxing with a smile.
"Hey, this fruit wine tastes good, would you like to try a cup?"
Gu Congxing glanced at the glass of fine wine with a fruity aroma and took it.
"Thank you." Gu Congxing channeled a trace of spiritual energy to probe the contents of the cup, and after confirming that everything was alright, he took a sip. "Daoyou Yao was also invited?"
"That's right. Mingnan Continent and Donglai Continent are not far from each other, so they always invite each other to banquets. However, it's a bit surprising that you and Zhuoguang Jianzun came this time."
The cup of spiritual fruit wine had a rich taste and was unexpectedly delicious. Gu Congxing couldn't help but take another big gulp.
"Are you the only one from the Ganyang Sect who came here?"
"Of course not." Yao Qi raised his chin and pointed, "And Wangyou."
Gu Congxing paused.
Xiao Wangyou is here too?
That Master?!
He immediately raised his head and looked towards where Xiao Wangyou was, only to see him standing silently under the shade of a tree in a black robe, holding a long sword in his arms.
Sensing Gu Congxing's gaze, Xiao Wangyou raised his eyes and met his gaze.
"Xiao Wangyou..."
Gu Congxing frowned, but saw Xiao Wangyou walking towards him.
The gold-feather and red-patterned earrings swayed gently. Xiao Wangyou stood in front of Gu Congxing, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, he pushed Yao Qi away a little.
Yao Qi cursed with a smile, hit Xiao Wangyou on the shoulder, and simply turned around to look for other familiar cultivators.
"Already reached the late Jindan stage? You've been quite diligent this year."
Xiao Wangyou glanced at Gu Congxing, his expression as cold and solemn as ever.
Gu Congxing also looked at him silently with a vigilant look.
"...Why are you so cautious?"
Xiao Wangyou frowned slightly, looked at Chen Mu who was like a star not far away, and then calmly withdrew his gaze.
"I no longer have any killing intentions towards Zhuoguang Sword Master."
Gu Congxing observed his expression silently, and after a moment he lowered his voice and spoke.
"How are you doing with the things I told you before?"
"There has been some progress, but it's not conclusive yet." Xiao Wangyou lowered his eyes. "Also, over the past year, Gu Mingting has taken over the position of patriarch and has made some changes to the affairs of the Gu clan. This has increased the obstacles I encounter in my investigation."
When Gu Congxing heard this, the crimson-purple figure appeared in his mind.
After he came out of seclusion, he found that the attitudes of the disciples in the Sword Sect towards him were different from before, and they were actually much more intimate with him.
Even some disciples who were not familiar with him before dared to come forward and chatter with him about the important events in the five continents during the past year.
One of them is that Gu Mingting, the eldest son of the Gu family, is famous for his bravery and fighting skills in the Immortal Gate Competition, and his earth-shaking Liuyun sword technique is widely circulated.
After that, many young cultivators and even independent cultivators came to join the Gu family. The Gu family's strength increased greatly, and it was even showing signs of surpassing the Jiang family.
And Gu Mingting naturally became the next head of the Gu family - the youngest person in power in the history of the Gu family.
Gu Congxing was immersed in his own thoughts when he felt his hand being touched by something cold.
He suddenly came back to his senses and saw that it was Xiao Wangyou who stuffed something into his hand.
This object seemed to be a communication tool, shaped like a dark black jade, with a lively swallow's head engraved on it, reflecting a faint glow in the sunlight.
"What's this?"
"Mo Yu." Xiao Wangyou looked indifferent, but his eyes fell on Gu Congxing's hand which was tightly holding Mo Yu.
The hand was slender and white with distinct joints, and it looked even whiter like jade against the inky contrast.
"Using this item to communicate is not restricted by location or spiritual power, and it cannot be overheard by those with higher cultivation... In addition, it is also a token of Qianyan Hall."
Gu Congxing stroked Mo Yu and raised his eyebrows and asked, "Qianyan Hall?"
"Yes. Take this to Qianyan Hall and you can get the information for free."
Gu Congxing blinked in surprise.
The news of Qianyantang spread far and wide across the five continents, covering everything. Some news was so valuable that some people even had to exchange their own secret treasures for it.
Xiao Wangyou, could he be so magnanimous?
Gu Congxing couldn't help but confirm: "Is there a limit on the number of times?"
"No."
Xiao Wangyou's voice was cold.
"...Just consider it as my reward to you." It was also compensation for the one million spirit stones.
Gu Congxing put Mo Yu into his pocket, raised his lips and smiled, "Thank you very much."
He was in a very good mood and took a few more sips of the wine in the cup.
"Since you have a close relationship with Qianyan Hall, I have some news I would like to ask you."
He lowered his voice and moved closer.
"Do you know about the Jiang family's forgetfulness vine pattern?"
Xiao Wangyou suddenly smelled Yuelin's hidden fragrance, and the young man in front of him blinked, revealing a small red mole on his left eyelid.
The glazed black pupils looked straight at him, no longer filled with fear and hidden hatred as before, but flashing with a bright light.
Xiao Wangyou's throat rolled and he couldn't help but take half a step back.
"I know a little bit." He cleared his throat and said slowly, "This is the Jiang family's secret technique. It is said to be a very high-level formation variant that can be painted directly on the cultivator's body."
"However, once it's painted, the vine pattern will disappear from the exterior and instead transfer into the cultivator's spiritual abode. This vine pattern can absorb a cultivator's intense emotions, bringing a calm and peaceful mind, thus greatly benefiting their cultivation."
"But once it absorbs too much emotion, the vine pattern will materialize and completely shatter."
Xiao Wangyou's voice was so low that Gu Congxing couldn't help but move closer.
"It is said that when the vine pattern is broken, the cultivator's cultivation will be completely destroyed."
When Gu Congxing heard this, his heart sank slightly.
His mind recalled what he had seen in his previous life: the scene of his master’s shattered heart and destroyed cultivation, and he actually felt a little dizzy.
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he saw Xiao Wangyou looking at the wine jar in his hand.
Gu Congxing: "What else?"
"That's all." Xiao Wangyou said calmly, "This is the Jiang family's secret technique. My knowledge of this is far beyond others."
But I almost know all these things.
Gu Congxing frowned, then heard Xiao Wangyou add, "But I heard that there are two disciples in the Jiang family who are studying the Forgetfulness Vine Pattern. If you ask them, you should be able to learn a lot."
"who?"
Gu Congxing immediately asked.
But Xiao Wangyou did not respond immediately. He looked around with a slightly gloomy look in his eyes.
He always felt a chill on his back. It turned out that many eyes were focused there.
Yes, the person in front of him was a promising new star from the Immortal Sect. He attracted many people's attention as soon as he appeared on the stage. Only he himself did not pay any attention and even wanted to sneak out of the venue.
Xiao Wangyou sniffed the fragrance of Yuelin around him and whispered, "Jiang Li, Jiang Zhou."
Gu Congxing nodded silently.
This was consistent with his expectations.
He learned what he wanted and decided to say goodbye.
"Thank you very much. If you have any further information about the matter you are investigating, I will also..."
Having said this, he felt dizzy again and staggered.
Xiao Wangyou immediately stretched out his arms and put them around Gu Congxing's waist.
"Jiang's Spiritual Fruit Wine is different from ordinary spiritual wines. The wine needs to be digested with spiritual power--"
Before he could finish his words, he felt a sudden chill coming towards him!
Xiao Wangyou immediately dodged to the side, but the next moment, the warmth in his arms was snatched away.
He frowned and looked back, and couldn't help but exclaimed in surprise:
"Sword Master...?"
Shen Mujing stood there, holding Gu Congxing tightly in his arms, a chill surging through his body.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: The inspiration for Mingnanzhou Jiangshi comes from this poem~
Lingshan is full of beautiful scenery, with the sky and water both shrouded in mist. — Zhang Jiuling, Tang Dynasty, "Viewing the Waterfall at Lushan from the Lake Mouth"
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