Chapter 53
Su Jinzhou: "Brother Ziyuan."
Xue Ziyuan came forward.
Su Jinzhou: "It seems that you have successfully passed the entrance examination of Qingxuan Lipo Mansion. Congratulations."
Jitang also bowed from the side, "Congratulations!"
Xue Ziyuan said cheerfully, "Congratulations! Oh no, thank you so much!"
Su Jinzhou: "Your family still has things to do, so we will leave first."
Xue Ziyuan hurriedly said, "We haven't seen each other for a long time. Brother Jinzhou, you haven't forgotten our agreement, right?"
Su Jinzhou: "Agreement?"
Jitang looked at the two of them curiously.
Xue Ziyuan: "Eat!"
Su Jinzhou: "...So that's what it is. We'll stay at the island inn and rest for a night before leaving. If Brother Ziyuan is free tonight, you can send a message then."
Xue Ziyuan: "When you have time, Brother Jinzhou, Senior Sister Jitang, let's meet at the inn tonight!"
With her senior brother around, Ji Tang didn't have to worry about finding an inn or booking a room, so she was happy to have some free time.
The two of them rested for an afternoon, and as soon as night fell, Xue Ziyuan came to the inn.
They sat in a window-side room on the second floor of the inn. The moist evening breeze made Ji Tang's long hair flutter.
Su Jinzhou closed the window frame and looked down. The teacup on the table was already filled with tea.
Xue Ziyuan stood up and took the teapot from Jitang. "I'll do it, I'll do it. How can I let Senior Sister pour me tea? Brother Jinzhou, don't you want to have a drink or two?"
Su Jinzhou said, "We're leaving tomorrow. It's not a good time to drink tonight. Brother Ziyuan, don't you want to drink too?"
Xue Ziyuan filled his and Jitang's teacups before sitting down. "It's been a rough time lately. We've been training all day and haven't been able to drink at all."
Jitang: "Not peaceful?"
"Yes, Qingxuan Lipo Mansion specializes in water magic, and the ocean is the best place for cultivation. In the past, the brothers and sisters all cultivated in the open sea, but some time ago, the mansion discovered that many disciples who had gone out to cultivate had not returned for a long time, so they sent people to look for them, but in the end, they also lost track of them."
"It's not just the Qingxuan Lipo Mansion. Many sects and palaces have disciples who haven't returned for a long time. Those who go out to look for them either can't find them or they have disappeared as well, causing panic among the people. I also started practicing in the open sea, but because of this incident, the mansion took it very seriously and changed the rules, requiring seniors to lead disciples to practice on the shore. Even in the place where you rest, the mansion doesn't dare let us go out alone."
This sounds very likely like the disciples of Wei Hai Palace, who encountered an illusion under the sea.
Ji Tang wanted to mention Wei Hai Palace, but was gently pulled back by Su Jinzhou.
Su Jinzhou: "That's good too. It's safer to practice together."
Xue Ziyuan said helplessly, "It's safe, but I don't have much freedom. Usually, after practicing in the open sea, I can go to other places on the island. Now that the palace is under martial law, we can't do anything outside except practice. It's really boring."
Ji Tang laughed, "Then you're not afraid?"
Xue Ziyuan straightened his back and said, "As a man, who would be afraid of this?" Then he shrugged his shoulders and said, "But I am a disciple of the mansion, so naturally I have to obey the arrangements of the mansion. Let's not talk about this, let's eat!"
The dinner was a great success for both host and guest. After Xue Zi left, Ji Tang asked Su Jinzhou, "Brother, why didn't you let me mention Wei Hai Palace?"
Su Jinzhou said, "The Wei Hai Palace is in dire straits right now. Things are getting bigger and bigger now. The Wei Hai Palace must have heard about it. They must have their own ideas about whether or not to inform the other sects and palaces. The relationships between the various factions are complex, so you shouldn't get involved."
Ji Tang listened and said, "Well, I'm not interested in the good or bad relationship between them. I've always wondered if the illusion under the sea has anything to do with Qiu Runfang, and where did those black-clothed masked men in the inheritance land come from..."
The more she thought about it, the more complicated the situation seemed. "There's also the mastermind behind the scenes who forced Senior Wang Shou to self-destruct. That person is hiding too deeply. Until now, I only know that Qiu Runfang works under him."
Su Jinzhou was also thinking about it, and the room suddenly became quiet.
It was Ji Tang who spoke first, "Forget it. It's useless for us to just think about it here. Wei Hai Palace knows more about Qiu Runfang than we do. If they need us, we can come again."
Su Jinzhou saw her raise her teacup, and smiled as he raised his glass and clinked it with hers. "Rest early tonight, we'll go back tomorrow."
Ji Tang curved his eyes and said, "Okay."
The next day, the two of them flew away from Haijinyunjian Island on their swords and returned directly to Suxuan Sect.
After meeting the master, the two began to retreat.
Jitang has just reached the Lingji stage and needs to consolidate his cultivation.
Su Jinzhou continued to practice towards a higher level.
Time flies. Thirty years later, Jitang was the first to come out.
Waiting outside the cave was the little boy Gu Yan.
It is no longer appropriate to call him a little boy. He is more than half a head taller than Jitang, and all the childishness on his face has faded, and he looks like a young man.
If Jitang remembered correctly, he should be forty-four years old. At this age in the mortal world, he should have many children and grandchildren.
"Senior Sister, congratulations on your passing!"
Ji Tang smiled at him and said, "It's just a short retreat. Where's Master?"
Gu Yan: "Master Wu Shu has gone to Fanyue Mansion to attend the Enlightenment Conference."
Ji Tang: "Another enlightenment conference? Master really knows how to run away."
Before Jitang could ask, Gu Yan said, "Senior Brother Jinzhou hasn't come out of retreat yet."
"I know," Ji Tang said, with nothing else to do. "I have some free time, so let's go to the mortal world and have some fun!"
People who practice Taoism actually live together with mortals, but most of them set up their own sects in the mountains. Those with advanced cultivation even live on the spiritual peaks where spiritual energy gathers. Over time, people came into being the world of Taoism and the world of mortals.
Gu Yan pointed at himself: "Yan Yan?"
Jitang pulled the person away and said, "How is it? Cute, right?"
Gu Yan stood on Ji Tang's flying sword, "I'm not a kid anymore, I don't think I can be cute anymore, wow——"
Jitang yelled at the top of his lungs, "Stand still! Let's go!"
Seeing that Ji Tang did not use her nightmare energy to resist the strong wind, Gu Yan guessed that she was feeling suffocated from being secluded, so he did not make any move to resist. He just shrank behind Ji Tang, thinking that the less wind there was, the better. However, his senior sister's body was too small, and he found that it made no difference whether he dodged or not.
Ji Tang flew his sword as he pleased, and finally found a small town to settle down.
It was noon, and the officers and soldiers were sitting listlessly against the wall and on chairs. Ji Tang and his companions were not stopped when they entered the city, and the people coming and going were all civilians wearing coarse clothes.
As soon as Ji Tang entered the city, she began to look around. She asked Gu Yan behind her: "Do you have any family, little brother?"
Gu Yan perked up: "Yes, I have a sister. She wrote to me earlier saying that they are going to get married this year. I also want to ask for leave from Zhenren and go back for a few days."
Jitang nodded, "I've seen what marriage looks like."
Gu Yan: "When did Senior Sister attend the wedding banquet?"
That was a hundred years ago. Ji Tang had a falling out with her senior brother in the Sujia Kingdom's palace and went out to travel alone. At that time, she saw a lot of local customs and even attended wedding banquets.
"You weren't born at that time!" Ji Tang said as he stopped in front of a jewelry stall, looked for a moment, and picked up a simple and elegant silver hairpin.
"Miss, would you like to buy a hairpin? This one isn't very good-looking. It's better than this one." The stall owner picked up another one. "The magpie carved on it is intricately crafted, with pearl-inlaid eyes. Look at how each feather is clearly visible, and the tassel on the bird's tail really suits you. The magpie has always been a symbol of good fortune, bringing you good luck. Miss, you'll be like a fairy descended to earth, and with this hairpin, you'll be even more beautiful!"
Jitang settled the bill with the stall owner: "I want both of these."
After leaving the stall, Ji Tang handed the magpie hairpin to Gu Yan. "This is a gift for your sister, but isn't it a little cold?" She put a bit of her nightmare aura into it. "With this trace of nightmare aura, I can recognize the hairpin. As long as your sister lives, I will do anything for her as long as she asks for something."
Gu Yan was overjoyed and took it carefully. "Thank you, Senior Sister! Senior Sister, don't you want to try that silver hairpin?"
"This one," Ji Tang said with satisfaction as he took it in his hand, "This is a gift for my senior brother."
Gu Yan: "Is this one too plain?"
Ji Tang: "A plain one is fine. I can carve some patterns on it later. Wouldn't that be more thoughtful than just giving a hairpin?"
Gu Yan smiled: "That must be beautiful."
"Then Senior Brother will definitely be moved to tears. Do you think he will cry?"
Three years later, Su Jinzhou left the customs.
Gu Yan was waiting outside and saluted Su Jinzhou.
Ji Tang walked over to Gu Yan and handed him a silver hairpin, "Brother, this is a gift!"
Su Jinzhou caught Jitang and then took the silver hairpin.
The silver hairpin is simple in style, engraved with a sea of clouds pattern that Jitang had thought of herself, the same as the one on her sword.
Su Jinzhou smiled gently and said, "I like it very much."
After saying that, he looked up and saw Ji Tang and Gu Yan looking at him eagerly.
He raised an eyebrow, "What?"
Ji Tang patted Gu Yan's shoulder vigorously, "Ahaha... It's okay, it's okay! Master is thinking hard at the chessboard. Brother, you can go and save Master. Yan Yan and I will prepare tea for you!"
She pulled Gu Yan away and dragged him into Chaolu Cave.
Gu Yan took out the tea leaves and placed them in a small jar.
Ji Tang squatted beside him, fiddling with the legs of a stool. "Don't you think Senior Brother's reaction was too calm?"
Gu Yan turned around and dressed up Zhaolu, then walked past her carefully. "Sister, cultivators are inherently pure and unselfish. Only your gift could make me so happy."
Jitang looked up, "I thought he had to wipe away his tears."
"Well, Senior Sister, it's just a hairpin after all. When Senior Brother was a mortal, he was the crown prince. He has seen all kinds of good things. Forget about carving an egg on a hairpin. Even if it's carved with a flying dragon or a fire phoenix, that's normal. What's more, the real person has even more beautiful magic weapons here, which makes people dazzled..."
Seeing Jitang lower his eyes, he changed the subject: "But do you think Senior Brother is interested in those things? Not at all! He was only happy when he saw the hairpin you gave him!"
He was speaking the truth. His senior brother's eyes were too gentle just now. He almost felt that the sacred peak, which was always green, would be covered with cherry blossoms in an instant.
Gentle? Gu Yan thought about it. That look was more like...
Gu Yan suddenly shuddered and looked at Ji Tang, "Why are you looking at me like that, Senior Sister?"
Ji Tang slowly stood up and squinted at him, "What did you say just now, 'Don't talk about carving an egg on the hairpin'?"
"Ah? Hmm." Gu Yan praised, "The eggs that Senior Sister carved are very cute, round and plump... Senior Sister?"
Jitang had already rolled up his sleeves, "That's the sea of clouds, Yan, Yan!"
At the chessboard on the top of the mountain, Master Wu Shu and Su Jinzhou sat facing each other.
As soon as Su Jinzhou landed a piece, the master and disciple looked towards the location of Chaolu Cave.
Master Wushu: "Did the fleeing spirit bird fly away from Chaolu Cave?"
Su Jinzhou smiled and said, "Master, why don't you ask why Gu Yan screamed?"
Master Wu Shu stroked his beard and placed the white piece on the chessboard. "I wonder when I can have a sip of tea again."
Su Jinzhou looked at the chessboard for a moment, "Master."
Master Wu Shu closed his eyes and rested: "Hmm."
"I won."
Master Wu Shu pulled out a strand of his beard.
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