Chapter 44: Heavenly Spring, Stellar Lake
Ten days later, a group of Taiqing disciples rode down an expansive, well-trodden path on horseback.
After the incident at Dawangzhuang, Xiao Nanfeng had won the admiration and approval of all the disciples. With Yu'er's strong, vocal support, he had even won a measure of trust and protection. Ye Sanshui could no longer command him easily at will, and Ye Dafu himself had grown far more reserved.
"Look! We've reached Taiwu!" Yu'er's eyes lit up.
A big city appeared before them, "City of Taiwu" writ large on a signboard above the city gates. Black-armored guards stood before the gates, inspecting those entering and leaving in a disciplined, rigorous manner.
Before the gates was a robed man looking out at the horizon. When he saw a large group of disciples on horseback, he immediately seemed to perk up.
"He's a nominal disciple of the Taiqing sect!" Ye Sanshui exclaimed, recognizing the robe immediately.
"Greetings, Senior Brothers! You've finally made it. I've found a compound in the city for everyone," the nominal disciple began.
"Have the Ascension-realm senior disciples arrived? There should be a group coming to guard and provide support for the junior disciples," Ye Sanshui asked.
"A few days ago, we received mail by crane stating that the Ascension-realm disciples had other tasks at hand and would be unable to make it. Rather, a few days later, an elder from the sect would arrive as guardian!"
"An elder?! Which elder?" Ye Sanshui asked in delight.
"The elder was not named," the nominal disciple replied, shaking his head.
"With an elder here to guard us, this expedition surely won't be dangerous at all!" Ye Sanshui murmured in relief.
Just then, a bout of laughter interrupted the disciples' discussion. "Haha, the cultivators of the Taiqing sect have arrived! We've been anticipating you for days. Thank you for lending your assistance to Taiwu!"
The disciples looked toward the city gates, where two males and one female were walking briskly out. The woman, youthful and beautiful, was dressed in red; the two men wore black robes patterned with gold thread, both quite handsome. The one who had laughed was the man leading the trio. Behind them followed a black-armored warrior.
"We greet the heir of Taiwu," Ye Sanshui began, after a brief moment of hesitation. He was surprised that the marquis' eldest son would personally greet them—the moment they arrived at the city, at that.
"I am Xiang Kun, and I greet all you honored cultivators. These are my two siblings, my brother Xiang Wei and my sister Xiang Zhirou. By order of my father, I have been waiting for you cultivators at Taiwu, and have just received news from the city guards of your arrival. I brought my siblings with me to welcome you all," Xiang Kun announced grandly.
"Brother, Sister, come greet the cultivators!" Xiang Kun continued.
"We greet the honored cultivators." Xiang Kun's two siblings bowed respectfully.
"Father has taken ill as a result of an old malady, and he has had to enter secluded cultivation to recuperate. He's entrusted me to deliver his apologies for not being able to welcome all of you himself." Xiang Kun bowed.
Ye Sanshui nodded. "Marquis Wu's health should take first priority. We are more than pleased by this welcome." For the marquis' three children to greet them all in haste was a gesture of considerable respect.
"Thank you for understanding, honored cultivators. I've had a banquet prepared for you all, and I hope you'll all enjoy the feast," Xiang Kun continued warmly.
"It would be a pleasure," Ye Sanshui replied, smiling.
"In that case, everyone, please follow me!" Xiang Kun beckoned to the gathered cultivators.
As the black-armored soldiers opened the gates to the city, the cultivators trotted inside.
Xiang Kun rode alongside Ye Sanshui, paying compliments to the Taiqing Immortal Sect the entire time and greatly improving Ye Sanshui's mood. Xiang Wei and Xiang Zhirou rode alongside the cultivators, smiling as they maintained casual conversation.
Yu'er murmured in surprise, "Considering the struggles of the common people we've seen along the way, I thought Marquis Wu would be a cold-blooded, heartless person—but his three children are far more accommodating than I had anticipated!"
Xiao Nanfeng shook his head with a frown. "No, they're much too passionate about this, and something's wrong with their gaze."
"What's wrong? Their expressions look genuine," Yu'er replied curiously.
"That's precisely what's strange. Their gazes are too... ardent. Perhaps they revere the strong, but even then, most of the seniors are only at Immanence. There are plenty of such cultivators even among the crow troops, and there's no need for them to respect us in such a manner. This is unreasonable, don't you think? Furthermore, the way they look at us, it's almost as if..." Xiao Nanfeng trailed off, frowning as he pondered an appropriate comparison.
"Like what?" Yu'er continued.
"As if they're about to eat us," Xiao Nanfeng replied.
"But isn't it a good thing for them to be passionate?" Yu'er rolled her eyes. As she pondered Xiao Nanfeng's comments further, however, Yu'er then glanced critically at the three siblings. Indeed, they did seem to be far more ardent than they should have been.
The group of cultivators arrived at the marquis' manor.
One hall was replete with food and drink. A number of musicians played an accompaniment in the background as beautiful maidens danced on stage. The banquet was lavish and impeccable.
"Not knowing more about your tastes, honored cultivators, I arranged only for trivial entertainment. I hope you'll not disdain it," Xiang Kun explained modestly.
"No, this is gracious indeed!" Ye Sanshui was starting to get big-headed from all the flattery.
The cultivators sat down and relaxed as they enjoyed a sumptuous feast and fascinating entertainment.
"The crow spirits have been causing havoc all over Taiwu and hurting countless common folk. We haven't been able to do anything about them, but now that you're all here, honored cultivators, we can finally relax. I'd like to thank everyone on behalf of my father, the marquis, for being present to deal with the threat of the crow spirits. A toast!" Xian Kun raised his cup with a smile.
The Taiqing sect disciples all returned the toast with a cup of their own. Xiao Nanfeng sat behind the other disciples, mimicking their actions.
"Nanfeng, why did you nudge me? I spilled all my wine!" Yu'er turned toward him with a frown, only to discover that Xiao Nanfeng's cup was still full. "You haven't drunk any of the wine? Are you afraid that they'd poison it?"
Xiao Nanfeng shook his head and whispered back, "Have you seen that Xiang Wei and Xiang Zhirou are glancing shiftily at each other? I'm afraid this banquet isn't all that it seems to be. It's better to avoid drinking as much as possible."
"Very well!" Yu'er was somewhat skeptical, but she ultimately chose to trust in Xiao Nanfeng.
After three rounds of drinking and Xiang Kun's modest and gentlemanly behavior, Ye Sanshui and the others had long since let down their guards. They confided in him, treating him like a gentleman.
After the song and dance came to their end and the dancers stepped off stage, Xiang Zhirou rose to her feet.
"Cultivator Ye, I often hear Father and my brothers mention the prodigious teachings of the Taiqing sect, and they particularly praise its methods of spiritual cultivation. I have grown interested in this discipline, and would love to seek some pointers." Xiang Zhirou addressed Ye Sanshui directly.
Ye Sanshui, hearing her praise for the Taiqing sect, was very satisfied.
"Lady Xiang, we're happy to discuss the details of spiritual cultivation with you. Generally, cultivators only begin spiritual cultivation when their physical cultivation reaches Immanence and they have sufficient vitality and control over their bodies. Spiritual cultivation involves opening up a mindscape via the center of your forehead, a reservoir for spiritual power. The size of this reservoir dictates the strength of your spiritual power. Spiritual cultivation is generally split into four major stages: Heavenly Spring, Stellar Lake, Lunar Deluge, and Yin Body."
"May I ask what stage of spiritual cultivation you're at, honored cultivators? And how about you, Cultivator Ye?" Xiang Zhirou smiled gently.
"Taiqing disciples begin spiritual cultivation at Immanence with the help of our venerable elders. We're all at the Heavenly Spring stage, though at distinct gradations of strength within that stage. Most of my juniors have only just excavated their heavenly spring, while mine is almost fully formed," Ye Sanshui explained, smiling proudly.
Xiao Nanfeng himself was inspecting his mindscape. He found that his reservoir of spiritual power was shining with faint starlight, as though rippling in the manner of a lake. Not only that, the lake was of rather significant size. That meant that he had passed through the Heavenly Spring stage—he was already at Stellar Lake, and a significantly developed one, too!
"Is that so? I've learned a little of spiritual cultivation from my father via a technique that's been passed down our family. I'm unaware of how advanced my spiritual cultivation is. Would you honored cultivators be willing to help me test it?" Xiang Zhirou continued.
"Hmm?" Ye Sanshui raised his eyebrows. You're familiar with spiritual cultivation? Then you were just making a fool of us with your questions just now—and you want to challenge us?
"Ridiculous! Zhirou, you've barely had any training. How can you hope to compare with these honored cultivators? Don't disgrace yourself—get off the stage now!" Xiang Kun rebuked his sister.
"Brother, it's rare to have such an opportunity. Won't you permit my request?" Xiang Zhirou begged.
Xiao Nanfeng glanced at the brother-sister duo appraisingly. He certainly didn't believe that Xiang Zhirou had come up with this on the spot. This was something premeditated—but just what was their goal?
"Honored cultivators, my sister remains unaware of her failings, and she believes that her paltry training in spiritual cultivation renders herself invincible. I apologize for her willful behavior!" Xiang Kun addressed the cultivators.
However, he didn't nullify Xiang Zhirou's request, either. The ball was in Ye Sanshui's court now.
Considering how polite Xiang Kun had been, it was difficult for Ye Sanshui to chastise Xiang Zhirou openly, and the Taiqing sect was known for its advances in spiritual cultivation. If he were to refuse Xiang Zhirou now, wouldn't it seem as though Taiqing disciples believed themselves inferior to a young noblewoman with limited training?
"May I inquire as to the nature of your suggested test, Lady Xiang?" Ye Sanshui asked after a moment's thought.
"I've recently learned a new tune. I'd like to play it using my spiritual power. If you can listen to it until the end, it'll be your victory," Xiang Zhirou suggested, pride seeping into her tone.
"Sister, don't be insolent!" Xiang Kun chided again.
"Brother, haven't you been telling me that the Taiqing sect's spiritual cultivation techniques are unparalleled? Surely their disciples will be able to withstand one of my tunes?" Xiang Zhirou seemed to be trying to provoke Ye Sanshui and the others.
"Very well! The Taiqing disciples would be happy to oblige, Lady Xiang," Ye Sanshui replied, with a hint of displeasure.
Xiao Nanfeng eyed Yu'er and whispered, "Xiang Zhirou's test likely won't be a trivial affair. Be careful!"
"You're the one who should be careful! You're only at Acquisition, and you haven't begun spiritual cultivation. Stay by my side and I'll protect you!" Yu'er retorted.
Xiao Nanfeng hesitated for a moment before giving Yu'er a strange look. He had already reached the Stellar Lake stage of spiritual cultivation, and was far beyond his seniors. He wasn't afraid of Xiang Zhirou at all, and certainly didn't need Yu'er's protection, but he smiled and nodded at her, comforted that she would offer.
He looked again at Xiang Kun, Xiang Wei, and Xiang Zhirou. The three siblings' ardent gaze made him very wary. Just what were they planning to do?
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