That person was handsome and stood tall, looking to be no more than thirteen or fourteen years old, still with the appearance of a youth. It was none other than the Sect Master's disciple, Zheng Chenqing. Although Zhao Chun had not seen him again since the day of the Spirit Illumination, she had often heard tales of his deeds.
She knew that after he became a disciple under the Sect Master, Daoist Tusheng, his journey had been like riding the wind. After cultivating for just over eight months, he had already advanced to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement a month ago, the best among all the disciples who entered at the same time!
This was a true genius, one who could suppress an entire generation of disciples. Zhao Chun glanced at her own cultivation base, still at the third level of Qi Refinement, and shook her head. However, she now also possessed a dual spiritual root.
She believed she would certainly have her own achievements in the future, so there was no need to seek vexation for herself by comparing herself to Zheng Chenqing. Thinking this way, her state of mind felt much clearer. She stepped forward and said, "Senior Brother Zheng, why are you here?"
Zheng Chenqing had long since sensed someone approaching from behind. He turned and replied, "My spirit fox is mischievous and ran off to this place. You are, Junior Sister..."
"I am the nineteenth disciple under Elder Li Su. My name is Zhao Chun."
"Greetings, Junior Sister Zhao."
Upon hearing her words, his expression faltered slightly, and when he spoke to Zhao Chun again, his tone carried a hint of distance.
"I didn't expect it to run to Junior Sister's residence. After I find it, I will offer my apologies."
Zhao Chun felt something was strange, though she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Unwilling to actively curry favor, she said politely, "It is not Senior Brother's fault, how could I dare to have Senior Brother apologize? This junior sister still has important matters to attend to and cannot talk long, so I will take my leave first."
As she finished speaking and was about to turn and leave, she heard a clear female voice say, "Junior Brother, I've already found this little beast for you. Look after it well in the future, and don't let it run off again!" The newcomer was tall, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, exuding a heroic air.
Who else could it be but Inner Sect Elder Qiu Jianying? She was also a disciple of the Sect Master, Daoist Tusheng, and thus addressed Zheng Chenqing as Junior Brother.
"Greetings, Elder Qiu."
Zhao Chun had a rather good impression of her. Such a heroine among women was truly admirable. Qiu Jianying had never seen her before and had a doubtful look on her face.
Then she heard Zheng Chenqing say, "She is a newly promoted disciple under Elder Li, Junior Sister Zhao Chun." Hearing the words "Elder Li", Qiu Jianying lowered her eyes and said softly, "So you are Zhao Chun?"
"Does the Elder recognize me?"
This truly surprised her. Qiu Jianying held the white fox in her arms and said, "I don't really recognize you, I've only heard your name." She paused for a moment, then said with a note of melancholy, "If Elder Li hadn't spoken up to contend for you that day, you would have entered my discipleship now."
Li Su fought for her? Zhao Chun was secretly suspicious. If he had snatched her away from Qiu Jianying, why did he then pay her no attention, acting so distant?
"Was it you and Meng Han who killed that evil cultivator, Yue Zuan?"
Qiu Jianying asked. Zhao Chun hurriedly replied, "This disciple dares not take the credit. It was because Senior Brother Meng acted in time that this disciple was able to survive."
"A humble one, I see," Qiu Jianying nodded slightly and said in a gentle voice, "Although Yue Zuan's cultivation base was far from what it once was, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the end. That the two of you could kill him shows your strength is not ordinary."
"I heard that when you were in the Outer Sect, you were diligent in your cultivation and thus made repeated progress. It shows that your temperament is firm and unlike that of an ordinary person."
She nodded at Zhao Chun, then looked towards Zheng Chenqing, "On the path of cultivation, talent is but one factor. Even among dual spiritual root cultivators, many are trapped at the Foundation Establishment stage, unable to enter Core Formation."
"My own aptitude is limited, so I had to expend several times the effort of an ordinary person to achieve today's Dao fruit. The two of you possess dual spiritual roots; the future of the sect rests entirely on you. You must cultivate unceasingly and ascend the immortal path early."
Hearing her heartfelt words, both of them said gratefully, "This disciple has been taught." Zhao Chun also admired her for having achieved the Core Formation stage at the age of twenty-five with a mere three-element spirit root. She had truly endured what ordinary people could not endure and achieved what ordinary people could not achieve.
If one were to speak of genius, in Zhao Chun's heart, she was even more of one than Zheng Chenqing.
"It's not much of a lesson, just some things I'm used to saying," Qiu Jianying looked at Zhao Chun.
"My junior brother and I still have matters to discuss. You may leave on your own, there is no need to bid farewell."
Zhao Chun knew that these two had more to say that was not convenient for her to hear, so she cupped her hands and departed. Qiu Jianying handed the white fox in her arms to Zheng Chenqing and said, "I found it in the woods. It's had its fill and is taking a nap."
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
Zheng Chenqing said respectfully, his head lowered slightly, not daring to look his senior sister in the eye. Qiu Jianying's expression was indifferent. She gave a slight wave of her hand, "It's nothing, merely a small effort."
"If there is nothing important, it is best to have less contact with that side."
Her tone was much colder, unlike her previous gentleness.
"Senior Sister can rest assured, today was merely a coincidence."
Zheng Chenqing knew she had long been displeased with Li Su, so he naturally would not befriend Li Su's disciples.
"Elder Li, is he still unwilling to relent?"
Mentioning this matter, Qiu Jianying was also quite vexed. She said listlessly, "He prides himself on being the Sect Master's fellow disciple and is accustomed to using his seniority to pressure others. But the matter of the Hundred Sects Assembly involves too much; it absolutely cannot fall into his hands."
Unsure what she had thought of, her face was suddenly filled with a mix of grief and anger. She said, "Ten years ago, the Sect Master forced a breakthrough, greatly reducing his lifespan. He has struggled to hold on until today.
If something were to happen to him, the True Spirit Sect would be like an infant in swaddling clothes, unarmed and at the mercy of others."
"Externally, the Yang Water Sect watches us like a hungry tiger, yet internally, we cannot be of one mind. These profit-obsessed rats, must they wait until others have killed their way into our valley to understand what is important!"
Above Core Formation is the Profound Division stage. A large sect must have at least one Profound Division stage cultivator presiding over it to stand firm. When the previous Sect Master of the True Spirit Sect passed away, the eldest disciple, Daoist Tusheng, was only at the peak of the Core Formation stage.
To protect the sect from being destroyed by enemy sects, he used a secret technique, sacrificing two hundred years of his lifespan to enter the Profound Division stage. Now, his lifespan is nearly exhausted, and the sect's former crisis has returned once more. How could Qiu Jianying not be anxious?
She and Li Su were both at the mid Core Formation stage. Whoever stepped into the late Core Formation stage first would be able to seize the initiative. But now, the two were of equal potential, and with the Sect Master above them, neither side dared to carelessly tear away all pretense of cordiality.
She felt vexed in her heart, thinking that even though she had already reached the Core Formation stage, she still could not be carefree and was still mired in struggles over interests. How Qiu Jianying and Li Su fought had little to do with Zhao Chun, who was at the third level of Qi Refinement.
As for her, she returned to her room, took out the three magic tools to claim ownership of them, and then looked over the two new magical arts she had obtained, feeling quite satisfied in her heart.
She summoned Cui Cui, gave some brief instructions regarding her closed-door seclusion, and then closed the door to her room, focusing on her own cultivation. For this seclusion, the primary task was to break through to the mid Qi Refinement stage.
Following that was the cultivation of the Tiger Strength Technique and the Snake Walk Step, hoping to reach the entry level as soon as possible. As for the Single-line Flying Dagger and Swift Travel Sword Art she had obtained previously, if she had the ability, it would be best to reach minor achievement.
The cultivation of magical arts is divided into four stages: entry level, minor achievement, major achievement, and perfection. An ordinary cultivator who reaches major achievement is considered to have completely mastered it.
The concept of perfection is inherently profound; it means giving birth to the true intent, somewhat like the third realm of a martial artist in a small world, where intent is born from technique, achieving a complete and thorough understanding.
It is said that only then does the magical art truly merge with the cultivator themselves, allowing multiple arts to combine and create a secret technique unique to the individual. However, whether it was major achievement or perfection, both were too distant for Zhao Chun. She had just started, so she ought to make minor achievement her first goal.
(End of this chapter)