Zhou Qingyun hesitated for a moment but eventually accepted the jade slip.
Master Canxia smiled and said, "Go ahead. As the sages say, 'When three people walk together, there is always a teacher among them.' The Three Pure Mountains truly live up to their reputation as a great sect, with a heritage that surpasses even Mount Emei. Their disciples are extraordinary, and you should learn well from them."
Zhou Qingyun nodded in agreement.
The three of them didn’t dare to delay any longer.
After bidding farewell to Master Canxia, they continued their journey to survey the mountains and observe the spiritual energy.
"Fellow Daoist Qingyun, do you know how to observe spiritual energy?" asked Jian Xian.
Zhou Qingyun blushed and shook her head.
"I haven’t learned that yet. Please, just call me Qingyun."
Jian Xian nodded and then fell silent.
Cheng Xinzhan, on the other hand, was fully focused on examining the feng shui of the area, carefully observing the terrain and avoiding distractions to prevent any mistakes.
With the addition of an outsider, the master and disciple duo found it awkward to discuss their thunder techniques, and the atmosphere became even more subdued.
Zhou Qingyun wasn’t sure if the two were naturally quiet or if her earlier behavior had made them reluctant to speak.
She felt a bit down but reminded herself of Master Canxia’s advice and paid close attention to their movements.
She watched as they leaped between rocks, sometimes sniffing the wind, sometimes tasting the soil, and occasionally riding clouds to get a better view from above.
She felt she was learning a lot.
Occasionally, she would call out warnings, pointing out forbidden areas or dangerous miasmas ahead.
She even pointed out a pristine spring and invited them to taste the water.
By the end of the day, Jian Xian and Cheng Xinzhan felt it would be rude to remain silent any longer.
Jian Xian, unwilling to engage in conversation, signaled Cheng Xinzhan to take the lead.
Cheng Xinzhan understood and, at one point, pointed to a mountain ridge and explained to Zhou Qingyun, "Look at that ridge. The mountain rises high and then gradually slopes down, with peaks and valleys. At the lower end, two smaller mountains flank it, and a river flows from the mountain stream into the plains.
This is a dragon vein. What we see here is the 'young ancestor dragon vein,' with the higher peak being the 'ancestral dragon vein.' The lower part is the 'entering dragon vein.'
The spot where the two mountains converge with the stream is the dragon’s lair, an ideal place for burial. The river below is the water vein, but it’s also a continuation of this mountain’s energy. Any issues along this mountain-water vein will reflect in the ancestral mountain and the dragon’s lair.
We only need to observe these two points. Since the ancestral mountain is closer, let’s head there."
Cheng Xinzhan explained the basics of feng shui to Zhou Qingyun, sticking to widely accepted principles and avoiding any sect secrets.
Zhou Qingyun didn’t fully understand but listened attentively, knowing he was teaching her.
Jian Xian, listening in, was surprised.
It seemed Cheng Xinzhan’s understanding of mountain formations had surpassed his own! Although he only dabbled in mountain surveying, Cheng Xinzhan’s insight and skill were remarkable for his age.
Cheng Xinzhan, too, felt he had gained much from this journey.
The ever-changing terrain of Mount Huang, with its unique rocks and springs, had reshaped his understanding of mountain formations.
He felt he had grasped about 60-70% of what he had read in books, with the rest becoming clearer through observation.
After three days of exploration, they finally made a discovery.
Cheng Xinzhan stared at a mountain range for a long time before turning to a dense forest.
"Something’s off here."
"What is it?" asked Jian Xian.
"That forest shouldn’t be there, especially not so dense."
Jian Xian couldn’t see anything unusual.
"Look at this mountain. It’s a Qilin formation, but there’s an extra peak on the Qilin’s forehead, making it a triangular Qilin. The Qilin’s head is shrouded in yellow mist, with a sea of clouds behind it. This is a rare and auspicious formation. However, the Qilin, a celestial creature, should not bow its head unless it sees the moon, which represents water. But there’s no lake here, only a dense forest. Something’s wrong."
Jian Xian, unfamiliar with this formation, suggested, "Let’s go take a look."
The three flew to the forest and felt a chilling cold upon entering.
In the center, they found a small, blackened pond surrounded by wet mud and shrubs.
Cheng Xinzhan examined the area.
"This was once a lake connected to an underground spring. It has dried up, leaving this stagnant pond, which has nourished these dark plants. This pond was the eye of the Qilin formation. Once it dries completely, the yellow mist and sea of clouds will dissipate, and the mountain will crack, killing the Qilin. It seems this will happen within ten years."
"Can we find the source?" asked Jian Xian.
Cheng Xinzhan studied the mountain formation.
The Qilin was facing north.
He took some soil from the northern side and smelled it.
"The lake was connected to an underground river, which is an extension of this vein. The soil here is foul, but we can follow this direction to find clues. Further ahead, the underground river will surface and connect with the mountain, forming a clear path."
"Do you know the cause?" asked Jian Xian.
Cheng Xinzhan shook his head.
"I’m not sure. Something has happened downstream, but I don’t know if it’s natural or man-made."
"Alright, let’s finish surveying the area. If we don’t find anything else as urgent, we’ll come back here," said Jian Xian.
Cheng Xinzhan agreed.
After another day and a half, they completed their survey and found no other critical issues.
They decided to follow the Qilin’s northern gaze and continue their search.
"Fellow Daoist Qingyun, thank you for your help these past few days," said Jian Xian.
Zhou Qingyun shook her head.
She didn’t feel she had contributed much but had learned a great deal and admired Cheng Xinzhan’s vast knowledge.
"We’ll continue our investigation from here. I’m sorry to have kept you from reuniting with Master Canxia," said Jian Xian.
Zhou Qingyun knew she wouldn’t be of much help going forward and might even be a burden.
She clasped her hands and said, "Daoist Jian Xian, Fellow Daoist Xinzhan, I wish you a smooth journey and hope you find the truth soon. If you need anything, feel free to visit Wenbi Peak. My master and I will gladly assist."
Jian Xian and Cheng Xinzhan nodded with a smile.
Zhou Qingyun glanced at Jian Xian and lingered on Cheng Xinzhan’s face for a moment before bowing and leaving.
The master and disciple returned to the Qilin formation and followed the polluted underground river north.
After traveling about 70-80 li, they found a small stream emerging from the ground.
Judging by the old riverbed, it should have been a much larger river.
They continued north along the stream.
The vein was clear to Cheng Xinzhan, sometimes appearing as a stream, sometimes as a mountain ridge.
Even on flat ground, the underground river and mineral veins guided them.
They traveled over 1,500 li, following the scent of wind and soil.
Finally, they arrived at a massive mortal city.
Using their mountain-surveying techniques, they saw a thick haze of mortal energy, making them hesitate.
On the southern gate of the city, three imposing characters were inscribed:
Hongwu Gate!
The master and disciple observed from a distance.
"That’s the central capital of Fengyang," said Cheng Xinzhan.
Jian Xian nodded.
"This is troublesome. The mortal capital’s energy is more potent than any miasma. Just looking at it from afar makes my heart race."
Cheng Xinzhan murmured, "The Qilin vein leads directly to the imperial capital. Is it connected to the dragon vein? Could this sinister energy originate from the Ming dynasty’s dragon vein? The Qilin vein might just be affected."
Jian Xian shook his head.
"I’m not sure. This seems serious. Let’s not act rashly. I’ll report back to the sect."
Cheng Xinzhan agreed.
Jian Xian took out a command arrow and quickly wrote on it with his finger, sealing it with a talisman.
He flicked the arrow, and it vanished into the void.
"Alright, we’ll wait here for the sect’s instructions."
Noticing Cheng Xinzhan’s curiosity about the arrow, Jian Xian explained, "It’s just a message arrow that can travel through the void. It’s inscribed with our sect’s secret incantation, making it hard to intercept. It will fly directly to the sect’s Jianxin Mountain. Since we’re waiting, I’ll teach you how to use it."
Cheng Xinzhan eagerly agreed.
They waited on a hill outside the capital from sunset until the next morning.
By the time Cheng Xinzhan had learned the technique, the sect finally responded.
Several black dots appeared in the southwestern sky, approaching rapidly.
Soon, five young men landed on the hill.
Cheng Xinzhan’s eyes lit up.
"Brother Ji Hu! Brother Miao Yuan!"
Among the five were Feng Jihu and Wang Miaoyuan, along with three others Cheng Xinzhan didn’t recognize.
The five bowed to Jian Xian.
"Greetings, Master."
Jian Xian laughed.
"You’ve all come. The sect has thought this through."
One of them stepped forward.
"Master, the sect advises that you avoid entering the capital due to the overwhelming mortal energy. You’re at a critical stage in your cultivation. We, being at the first realm, can handle it. Afterward, we’ll spend a few months at Jingxin Cliff to cleanse the mortal energy."
Jian Xian nodded.
"With all of you here, I have nothing to worry about. Some of you haven’t met Cheng Xinzhan. Introduce yourselves."
With that, Jian Xian waved his sleeve and left on a cloud, leaving the young men behind.
Feng Jihu stepped forward.
"Let me introduce everyone. This is Cheng Xinzhan, the 22nd-generation true disciple of Mingzhi Mountain. We should all address him as 'Daoist Master.' He’s currently studying thunder techniques at Shuji Mountain after being poisoned by miasma."
"I know him. He’s the one who achieved six breaths of qi absorption and is on the Southern Dipper Ranking," someone said with a smile.
Everyone greeted Cheng Xinzhan warmly.
Feng Jihu then introduced the three unfamiliar faces.
"This is Sun Miaoshu, a true disciple of Ziyan Mountain. He’s opened all five palaces and is on the verge of entering the second realm. He specializes in spatial techniques. If we get into trouble, he’s our escape route."
Feng Jihu pointed to a handsome young man in a purple robe.
His demeanor was calm and composed.
"Greetings, Brother Miaoshu," Cheng Xinzhan said, bowing.
Sun Miaoshu returned the gesture.
"Greetings, Daoist Master. Brother Jihu exaggerates. I only know a little about spatial techniques."
Feng Jihu then pointed to a young man in a star-patterned robe with deep, clear eyes.
"This is Xu Jishen, a true disciple of Yaoguang Mountain. He’s opened four palaces and specializes in astrology and divination. He can predict fortunes and guide our path. He helped me with my water palace breakthrough."
"Greetings, Brother Jishen," Cheng Xinzhan said, bowing.
Xu Jishen smiled.
"Greetings, Daoist Master. Brother Jihu overstates my abilities. I’m just a beginner."
Feng Jihu chuckled and pointed to the last newcomer, a young man in a white robe with a round face and deep dimples.
"This is Zhu Jianmo, a true disciple of Baihu Mountain. He has royal blood from the Ming dynasty, but his family has been devoted to Daoism for generations. He’s well-versed in the construction of Fengyang’s capital and has brought along the original blueprints."
He’s a year younger than you and has opened three palaces.
He’s skilled in mechanisms and puppetry.
He’ll be our guide.
""Greetings, Brother Jianmo,"Cheng Xinzhan said, bowing. Zhu Jianmo smiled."
Just call me Jianmo.
I’m not that skilled.
"Feng Jihu then pointed to Wang Miaoyuan."
You’ve already met Brother Miaoyuan.
He’s a true disciple of Baicao Mountain, with two palaces opened.
He specializes in formations.
"Cheng Xinzhan and Wang Miaoyuan exchanged knowing smiles, having shared drinks before. Finally, Feng Jihu pointed to himself."
I’m the least useful, only knowing some medicine and alchemy.
I’ll try not to hold everyone back.
The elders probably chose me because I’ve worked with everyone before.
"The group laughed, teasing Feng Jihu for being modest. Feng Jihu then pointed to Cheng Xinzhan."
The elders originally wanted to assign someone skilled in yang techniques, thunder and fire, illusions, detecting malevolent spirits, and understanding terrain.
But Master Sukongyu said we don’t need them—we have you.
"Everyone looked at Cheng Xinzhan with smiles. Cheng Xinzhan chuckled awkwardly."
My master has too much faith in me.
I only know a little about these things."
The group burst into laughter.
End of Chapter
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