Volume 5 Chapter 1

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Volume 5 Chapter 1: Reflection

"Master, is this Jiuhua Mountain?"

Bai Yu pointed at the desolate mountain before him, his eyes filled with disbelief. Clearly, this barren landscape bore no resemblance to the six Holy Lands of the cultivation world that Xu Qingfan had described.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ningmei was also full of doubts, but unlike Bai Yu, she did not exclaim loudly. She only watched Xu Qingfan with questioning eyes, waiting for his explanation.

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly, recalling the first time he was brought to Jiuhua Mountain by Lu Huayan, or the first time he brought Ting’er here, filled with surprise.

Perhaps it’s already become a traditional experience for new disciples entering Jiuhua Mountain for the first time.

Do the seniors who bring newcomers to Jiuhua Mountain also share the playful feeling Xu Qingfan has now, observing the amazement of the newcomers—a feeling that cultivators should not entertain?

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan didn’t immediately answer Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei’s questions, but the smile on his face grew even wider.

Seeing the confusion deepen in Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei’s eyes, Xu Qingfan stopped teasing and cast a "Sky Eye Skill" on both of them. Then he used "Earth Mirror," sending a gentle light toward Jiuhua Mountain, allowing them to see the scenery of Jiuhua Mountain once more.

After Xu Qingfan’s "Sky Eye Skill" and "Earth Mirror" dispelled the illusion, Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu finally glimpsed some of Jiuhua Mountain’s scenery. The whole mountain was bathed in a dazzling seven-colored glow, and through the light, they could faintly see the peculiar rocks and giant trees, misty clouds, and flying cranes, resembling a celestial abode.

After admiring it for a while, Bai Yu excitedly turned to Xu Qingfan and asked, "Master, is this our sect? How do we get in?"

Xu Qingfan shook his head and said, "Jiuhua is currently closed off, and entry or exit is impossible. I snuck down the mountain. I’m just bringing you here to see it so that, as Jiuhua disciples, you are at least familiar with Jiuhua Mountain."

Bai Yu curiously asked, "Then how do we enter the mountain?"

Xu Qingfan smiled slightly and suddenly pointed a finger at Bai Yu, causing him to fall unconscious.

Seeing Bai Yu suddenly faint, Zhang Ningmei was slightly surprised but showed no sign of doubt or confusion. She simply turned her gaze to Xu Qingfan.

Xu Qingfan’s smile vanished as he solemnly said, "Follow me, and remember the place I go to and the movements I make with my hands."

With that, Xu Qingfan took Zhang Ningmei and the unconscious Bai Yu and flew toward a small hill on the southern side of Jiuhua Mountain, which was where Xu Qingfan had left the mountain through a cave.

Seeing Xu Qingfan act in this way took Zhang Ningmei by surprise. She thought Xu Qingfan would also make her faint after Bai Yu, as the secret path they used to enter Jiuhua should not be known by too many. So when Bai Yu fainted, Zhang Ningmei calmly awaited her turn to lose consciousness.

However, Xu Qingfan did not use any power to make her faint. Instead, he let her remember the method to enter and exit Jiuhua, clearly wishing to share the secret with her, which warmed her heart.

Xu Qingfan had his reasons for revealing Jiuhua’s secret to Zhang Ningmei. As far as he knew, only he and Zhang Hualing were aware of it. But Zhang Hualing secretly practiced the method left behind by Liu Huaxiang, which made Xu Qingfan uneasy. Although there was no conflict between him and Liu Huaxiang, Xu Qingfan felt a future confrontation with Zhang Hualing was inevitable.

It was unwise for only Xu Qingfan and Zhang Hualing to know the secret under such circumstances. Some secrets are better kept by a few, but others, like the Jiuhua tunnel that could save everyone in a crisis, shouldn’t be hidden by only two people, especially if they might clash.

Upon discovering Zhang Hualing’s secret training, Xu Qingfan debated who to entrust with this secret. Ting’er was changing but still held revenge in her heart. Jin Qinghan was trustworthy but solely focused on cultivation. Zhang Yuhan was a good choice, but his closeness to Zhang Hualing was concerning.

Along the journey, Xu Qingfan talked often with Zhang Ningmei and grew to admire her mature demeanor, perhaps shaped by her experiences with life and death despite her young age of thirteen. Conversations with her felt like talking to someone of his own age.

Zhang Ningmei carried herself with grace and thoughtfulness, acting with quiet humility. Knowing her well and trusting her as his disciple, Xu Qingfan decided to share the secret with her. In case something happened to him or Liu Huaxiang, the secret wouldn’t die with them.

After leading Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu to the hill, Xu Qingfan interlocked his fingers with movements as graceful as a blooming orchid. In a moment, he performed hundreds of gestures. Zhang Ningmei watched as the hill began to tremble like in an earthquake, and a vast, deep tunnel silently appeared before her eyes.

"Did you remember it?" Xu Qingfan asked Zhang Ningmei after completing his actions.

Zhang Ningmei nodded slightly and said, "I’ve remembered."

Though Xu Qingfan’s movements were complex and ever-changing, Zhang Ningmei’s Divine Sense was extraordinarily powerful, and her memory was astonishing. Xu Qingfan only demonstrated once, but Zhang Ningmei remembered it effortlessly.

Hearing Zhang Ningmei say this, Xu Qingfan nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "Then let’s go down."

Saying this, Xu Qingfan led Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu down into the dim tunnel. As Xu Qingfan jumped in, the suddenly appeared tunnel closed silently, as if it had never been there.

As for keeping it secret, Xu Qingfan trusted Zhang Ningmei’s intelligence and felt no need to remind her.

The tunnel was extremely long and deep. To accommodate Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei, Xu Qingfan spent an hour navigating it. By the time they emerged from Jiuhua Mountain’s peak, it was already midnight.

In the deep of night, all the cultivators on Jiuhua Mountain were meditating in their respective abodes, and there were few people around, fitting Xu Qingfan’s plan to return quietly to his dwelling.

After waking Bai Yu, Xu Qingfan gave him and Zhang Ningmei a brief introduction to the various locations on Jiuhua Mountain under cover of darkness, then quickly led them to his cave dwelling on the mountain’s rear.

Though it was late at night, the sky was full of stars, and the moon was bright. The normally tranquil and beautiful back of Jiuhua Mountain appeared even more mystical and deep, earning admiration from Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu. In a world plagued by constant warfare, where else could such a view be found?

Listening to their praises, Xu Qingfan smiled gently. The scenery of Jiuhua’s back mountain was already exceptionally beautiful, and Xu Qingfan’s abode was located in the most picturesque spot. Although the concentration of Spirit Qi might be slightly lacking compared to other elders’ abodes, the nearby stream and serene woods made it more beneficial for a cultivator, providing a refreshing view after meditation that opened the heart more than areas dense with Spirit Qi.

However, as Xu Qingfan opened the formation barrier outside his abode, the smile on his face quickly disappeared.

Inside the courtyard of the abode, Ting’er was standing gracefully, quietly watching Xu Qingfan and the two behind him, Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu. Her eyes seemed to carry a hint of reproach.

Xu Qingfan had been pondering over how to explain to Ting’er about secretly leaving the mountain without telling her. Although he had decided to tell the truth, upon seeing Ting’er, he suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Perhaps Xu Qingfan suddenly remembered the promise he made to Ting’er before, "I will always take care of you." Though he had only been gone for just over a year and often secluded himself for several years at a time, leaving without a word did feel somewhat inappropriate.

Awkwardly, Ting’er’s gaze shifted to Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu, lingered briefly, and then returned to Xu Qingfan. She did not scold him, merely saying softly, "Uncle, you finally came back."

It was clear Ting’er had long known about Xu Qingfan’s secret departure. Perhaps she was not in seclusion healing that night he left.

Xu Qingfan gave a slight, wry smile, sensing the reproach in her words, but he was also somewhat relieved. Ting’er’s reproach meant she cared.

Then Xu Qingfan recounted his journey down the mountain to Ting’er and introduced Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu to her.

As they gazed at Ting’er’s breathtaking beauty, Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu found themselves momentarily entranced. Xu Qingfan had previously introduced Ting’er, explaining that she was the top talent among the younger generation in Jiuhua, with exceptional gifts. She had easily claimed victory in the last inner sect competition. Yet, they hadn’t expected Ting’er to possess such stunning beauty.

Ting’er gave a small nod to Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu, her face still devoid of a smile, yet not exuding a coldness that kept others at arm’s length.

Perhaps she also hoped for some brothers and sisters from the sect to accompany her.

…

After Xu Qingfan introduced Ting’er to Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu and they got to know each other, he returned to his room. Sitting cross-legged on the boat, he did not meditate but instead quietly reflected on the insights he had gained over the past year since descending the mountain.

Over the past year, Xu Qingfan had realized many things, but three points needed urgent change or confirmation.

First, the "Formula of Life and Death" he created could alter a cultivator’s aptitude, increasing the capacity of "Withered Qi" and "Flourish Qi" within the body. However, the excruciating danger and pain from the previous secret method transformation were still vivid in Xu Qingfan’s memory. Without full preparation, Xu Qingfan dared not experiment lightly, so this matter could be set aside for now. Furthermore, the "Formula of Life and Death" would require Xu Qingfan to spend considerable time refining it.

Second, the first divine ability Xu Qingfan had comprehended was called "Wind of Desolation," from which he developed the unique skill of "Becoming One with the Wind." It had been of great help in battles over the years. Yet recently, Xu Qingfan found it increasingly strenuous to wield the "Wind of Desolation." The reason was that the Wind of Desolation was originally formed by the combination of "Wood-type Spirit Qi" and "Phoenix Spirit Qi," based on the principle of wood and fire generating wind, transforming into a spiritual wind with great vitality, and then mixed with "Withered Qi" to refine it.

However, over the years, after acquiring the "Holy Spirit Stone," Xu Qingfan had been using "Wood-type Spirit Qi" to gradually absorb the energy from the stone to counteract the corrosive power of "Withered Qi," refining it into "Flourish Qi." As "Flourish Qi" gradually replaced "Wood-type Spirit Qi," performing the "Wind of Desolation" became increasingly challenging, even perilous, due to the conflict between "Flourish Qi" and "Withered Qi." If the two Spirit Qi clashed, Xu Qingfan’s body would be left in ruins.

Therefore, the "Wind of Desolation" ability is something Xu Qingfan can only find a way to modify.

As for the third point, it is the second ability Xu Qingfan comprehended during his battle with Number One and Number Two.

Thinking of this, Xu Qingfan took out a "Yellow Jade," holding it in his hand for a close examination.