The second month of the lunar calendar is the time when all things emerge from the earth, awakened by the thunder.
This is known as the "Awakening of Insects," when the dormant creatures are startled and begin to stir.
Now that the rains have passed and the spring thunder rumbles, all things are bursting with life.
But I wonder if the Peach Mountain, now a place of ominous energy, still has peach blossoms in bloom?
Cheng Xinzhan opened his eyes.
After half a month, he had fully adapted to this new body.
Just as the insects underground are awakened by the spring thunder and begin to move, he too, after staying in the Carefree Cave for half a month, should venture out.
He still wore the same attire, with the Autumn Water sword on his left and the seal on his right.
This outfit reminded him of his travels and the white dog he had left behind in the Miaojiang market.
He thought he should return to fetch the dog, but this time, with the help of the "Dragon Carriage," it would only take two or three days.
Coincidentally, just as Cheng Xinzhan was about to leave, a command arrow suddenly flew to him, carrying the voice of Wen Sukong: "If you have nothing pressing, come to me."
Cheng Xinzhan obeyed the summons and headed towards the Bamboo Stele.
As he approached the bamboo pavilion, he saw numerous wooden boxes of various sizes scattered on the ground.
A quick glance suggested there were at least thirty to fifty of them.
He bowed to Wen Sukong and asked, "Master, what do you need from me?"
Wen Sukong looked at him with some surprise and said, "This isn't just an illusion, is it? Have you started practicing transformation techniques?"
Cheng Xinzhan nodded slightly and explained, "I have indeed begun to comprehend the 'Transformation' spell, but it is quite obscure and difficult to understand. I only grasp a small part of it."
To Wen Sukong, her spiritual sight saw through Cheng Xinzhan's illusion, revealing not the original bamboo staff but a faint human figure.
His talent in spellcraft and understanding of the mystical arts continued to astonish her.
However, Wen Sukong did not lavish praise.
Instead, she pointed to the boxes on the ground and said, "These are gifts from Redwood Ridge and Green Dragon Cave, all for you. They sent more, but most of it was for the sect, as they sought to establish connections with Mount Sanqing. I didn't meet them; the external affairs department handled it."
Also, the southern factions have agreed on the distribution of the ominous energy sites.
The old master of Green Dragon Cave finally appeared, and Emei, being too far away, didn't gain much.
Instead, the factions from Three Xiangs got their share.
"They've named the true ominous energy 'Purple Fire Rotten Peach Energy,' a combination of Wood and Fire elements, leaning towards Yin. But there's no news yet on which old energy has decayed. It's likely someone is keeping it hidden."
Truth be told, you were the first to absorb this energy into your body.
While it seems like a blessing in disguise, it doesn't diminish the suffering you endured.
But it does save you the trouble of searching for energy in the second realm.
"Once you refine the energy within your body into liquid form, you can use it directly when you reach the second realm. This energy is new and of high quality. Since it has resided in your body for a while, your body has adapted, making it easier to refine later. Then you can focus on seeking the profound energy."
Cheng Xinzhan nodded in agreement.
"Woof! Woof!"
Suddenly, a dog's bark came from one of the large wooden boxes.
His eyes lit up at the familiar sound.
He quickly walked over to the box, which was loosely nailed together, more like a cage.
Opening it, he found Bai Long'er inside.
Bai Long'er leaped out of the box and circled around Cheng Xinzhan.
The dog looked puzzled.
The voice and appearance were right, but the scent was slightly off.
Cheng Xinzhan smiled and scratched Bai Long'er under the chin.
The dog wagged its tail happily, knowing it had found its master.
Wen Sukong, seeing this, was surprised.
"Do you have a dog outside?"
Cheng Xinzhan nodded.
"I got him during my travels through a Miao village."
Wen Sukong chuckled.
"That's good. Having a companion on the path of cultivation is nice. This dog has good lineage. Feed him some elixirs and spiritual food, and he should transform into a spirit beast without much difficulty."
Cheng Xinzhan smiled and nodded, having already considered this.
"Alright, take these things with you. Since you've made progress in transformation techniques, you can start learning thunder magic. I've written the instructions here. Take it."
Wen Sukong tossed a light green bamboo scroll to him.
Cheng Xinzhan accepted it, thanked her, and took his leave.
Using his spiritual power, he gathered the dozen or so boxes, arranging them in a line behind him.
Bai Long'er kept circling around him, afraid of being left behind again.
Back at the Carefree Cave, he stored all the boxes inside.
Bai Long'er quickly explored the cave and the bamboo forest before happily returning.
However, when he remembered how the people had stuffed him into the box without bringing his long-used blanket, he barked in frustration.
Cheng Xinzhan understood and fetched an old piece of clothing from before he joined Mount Sanqing.
Bai Long'er wagged his tail excitedly, grabbed the cloth, dragged it to the cave entrance, and lay down beside it, immediately falling into a deep sleep as if he hadn't slept in days.
Even in sleep, the dog's ears remained perked, as if still listening for any movement.
With so many new items, Cheng Xinzhan wasn't in a hurry to leave.
He opened each box one by one.
Redwood Ridge had sent spiritual herbs, fruits, and rare pills.
To his surprise, there was also a method for refining Peach Mud Miasma.
With the true ominous energy now in the world, this miasma would become increasingly rare.
Green Dragon Cave had settled his payment for the talismans he had drawn in the market and also sent many techniques for footwork and swordsmanship, likely based on his past work and his cultivation of body and sword techniques.
By the time Cheng Xinzhan finished organizing and storing everything in the cave, a full day had passed.
After tidying up, he left the cave again.
As soon as he reached the entrance, Bai Long'er, who had been sleeping, immediately got up and followed his master.
Cheng Xinzhan summoned the "Dragon Carriage" and stepped onto it.
Bai Long'er leaped up as well.
Cheng Xinzhan smiled, patted the dog's head, and flew at a steady pace away from Mount Mingzhi towards the direction of Little Myriad Mountain.
First, he went to the external affairs department to clear his travel records.
The Daoist there, seeing Cheng Xinzhan return, asked with a smile if he had witnessed the commotion in the south where new ominous energy had emerged, causing factions to clash.
Cheng Xinzhan smiled and shook his head, saying he had already left by then.
He then asked if Feng Jihu and Pu Jixuan had returned.
The Daoist nodded, saying they had come back a month earlier than Cheng Xinzhan.
Cheng Xinzhan smiled, thinking that good things were coming one after another.
Next, he returned to Lantern Street to bid farewell to everyone.
He told them he had gained an opportunity during his travels, opened his heart's abode, and now, as a true disciple, he would be cultivating at Mount Mingzhi.
Everyone was surprised but, recalling Cheng Xinzhan's six-breath Qi absorption, they quickly congratulated him and praised his impressive dog.
Cheng Xinzhan smiled and said he would soon arrange a feast at the kitchen department, inviting everyone to drink and celebrate the next evening.
Everyone laughed and agreed.
After saying goodbye to Lantern Street, Cheng Xinzhan visited other streets to inform his acquaintances, ensuring they would attend the feast.
Throughout this entire process, no one noticed that Cheng Xinzhan's current body was merely a bamboo staff.
Second chapter delivered.
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(End of Chapter)